Category Archives: Balance

Selling Your Soul to the Devil

Posted on September 14, 2020 by russellmckinney

Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38, N.K.J.V.) The story of Robert Johnson is … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Contentment, Covetousness, Desires, Entertainment, Eternity, God's Will, Hell, Idolatry, Money, Priorities, Satan, Sin, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Refuge

Posted on March 2, 2019 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, Balance, Christ's Death, Disappointment, God's Name, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Series: "The Names of God", Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Problem With Chasing “It”

Posted on December 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

There once was a man who was constantly searching for “it.” When he was a child, “it” was the cookie jar on the shelf. When he became a teenager, “it” was a nice car. When he got a little older, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Christ's Death, Contentment, Desires, Impatience, Sowing and Reaping, Thankfulness, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Jesus: The Cosmic Santa Claus

Posted on September 11, 2017 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. This means that I’m in my … 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 September 7, 2017 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 , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Worship Wars

Posted on June 8, 2017 by russellmckinney

Some years ago I 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Balance, Change, Church, Church Attendance, Doctrine, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Music, Personal, Sunday School, Truth, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church Attendance Through the Ages

Posted on June 2, 2017 by russellmckinney

I’m a pastor, and so the goal of writing a blog post that gives anybody an excuse to attend church less is pretty far down my “to do” list. With that said, however, I would like for us to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Salvation, Sunday School, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Speak Up or Shut Up?

Posted on May 31, 2017 by russellmckinney

The Bible is a big, rich, diverse, and complex book, one that can be used to prove virtually anything if you try. This is one of the primary reasons why Christian denominations find it impossible to get together 100% on … Continue reading →

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

The Fine Line Between Hard Work & Idolatry

Posted on May 13, 2017 by russellmckinney

This past Thursday night Tonya and I attended an academic awards ceremony for our son, Royce. He is finishing up his sophomore year in high school and received what the school calls an “Academic Letter” for having a grade point … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Business, Choices, Commitment, Desires, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Personal, Priorities, Prosperity, Service, Sports, The Sermon On The Mount | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s Fiddle

Posted on April 3, 2017 by russellmckinney

Bob Jones Sr., who founded Bob Jones University, a Christian university in Greenville, S.C., used to tell the story of a student from North Carolina named Dorothy. Before enrolling at B.J.U., Dorothy came from a family who wanted nothing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Brokenness, Desires, Dying To Self, God's Name, Idolatry, Joy, Music, Priorities, Submission, Talents | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment