Category Archives: Balance

A Time to Fight & A Time to Cease Fighting

Posted on June 12, 2026 by russellmckinney

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19, N.K.J.V.) A knight rode up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Balance, Choices, God's Timing, God's Wrath, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Persecution, Problems, Service, War | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Refuge

Posted on May 29, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #3) One of the three rounds of temptation that Satan inflicted upon Jesus involved the suggestion that Jesus leap from the pinnacle of the Jewish temple and expect God the Father to dispatch angels … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Balance, Christ's Death, Disappointment, God's Chastening, God's Name, God's Sovereignty, God's Word, Human Life, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Satan, Series: "The Names of God", Suffering, The Devil, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Posted on December 1, 2025 by russellmckinney

Colder weather and the holiday season bring an uptick in requests from various causes and ministries. That makes this time of year a good time for a word about “the social gospel.” So, I’d like to use this post to … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Return, Communication, Discernment, Doing Good, Evangelism, God's Work, Good Works, Hell, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Needs, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“This Is Good!”

Posted on October 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

A king in Africa had a close friend who had a habit of looking at any situation and proclaiming, “This is good!” One day, as the two were hunting, the friend had the job of loading the king’s gun. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Death, Decisions, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Friendship, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Grace, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Sickness, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Just Grass

Posted on August 6, 2025 by russellmckinney

Howard Buchanan went to be with the Lord several years ago, but Tonya and I had the pleasure of knowing him as our neighbor for approximately ten years. Howard was a Baptist preacher and a very good man. He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Balance, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Humor, Impatience, Personal, Priorities, Problems, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Jesus: The Unkept Hippie

Posted on March 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Jesus You Know” series (post #7) Johnny Paycheck was a country music star who had his biggest success in the 1970s. He was most famous for his hit Take This Job & Shove It, which went to #1 on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Church, Church Attendance, Discernment, Discipleship, Dress and Appearance, Personal, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sanctification, Series: "The Jesus You Know" | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus: The Cosmic Santa Claus

Posted on March 5, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Jesus You Know” series (post #5) I was licensed to preach in October of 1992 and formally ordained into the ministry in February of 1993. Upon my ordination, I began my first pastorate. So, if we do the math, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Belief, Bible Study, Covetousness, Desires, Doctrine, Faith, Giving, God's Will, God's Word, Money, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Prosperity, Scripture, Series: "The Jesus You Know", The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus: The Compassionate Liberal

Posted on March 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Jesus You Know” series (post #4) It is remarkable how Jesus can be so many different things to so many different people. Thus far in this series, we’ve seen Him as the white supremacist’s sanction for segregation and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Capital Punishment, Current Events, Extending Forgiveness, Money, Politics, Scripture, Series: "The Jesus You Know", Stewardship, The Bible, The Death Penalty, The Sermon On The Mount | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worship Wars

Posted on January 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

I once met with the pulpit committee of a certain church about the possibility of me becoming that church’s next pastor. I don’t normally take Tonya along for such meetings, but this committee wanted to meet her as well. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Balance, Change, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, King James Only, Ministry, Music, Pastors, Personal, Sunday School, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Speak Up Or Shut Up?

Posted on December 26, 2024 by russellmckinney

The Bible is a big, rich, complex book, one that can be used to seemingly prove virtually anything. This is the primary reason why Christian denominations find it impossible to get together 100% on doctrine. Furthermore, to make matters worse, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choices, Communication, Complaining, Counsel, Evangelism, God's Timing, God's Will, Influence, The Holy Spirit, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment