Category Archives: Character

Nobody to Blame!

Posted on March 17, 2021 by russellmckinney

Several years ago I cut a little article out of a Christian newspaper. I threw the article in my nightstand drawer where I keep some of the illustrations I’ve accumulated and didn’t think much more about it. Today I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Attitude, Backsliding, Character, Complaining, Confession, Conscience, Depravity, Disobedience, Guilt, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Going the Extra Mile

Posted on December 18, 2020 by russellmckinney

In Business By the Book, Christian financial consultant and author Larry Burkett told the story of how he once became the victim of a bad long-term lease. The mistake he made was renting an office space in a building that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Business, Character, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #2 of 2)

Posted on September 5, 2020 by russellmckinney

People tend to think that being called of God to spiritual leadership somehow causes the called to put on a magic cloak that miraculously changes everything about the person. The cloak corrects wrong thinking, fixes longstanding problems, strengthens weaknesses, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Anger, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Deacons, Depravity, Family, Forgiveness, God's Work, Hypocrisy, Leadership, Lust, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Death Penalty, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #1 of 2)

Posted on September 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

Maybe you’ve heard about the recent troubles of Jerry Falwell Jr. After a string of scandals, he has now been ousted as the President of Liberty University, the school his father founded. The whole story has given Christianity yet another … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Depravity, God's Work, Husbands, Hypocrisy, Lust, Marriage, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Politics, Preaching, Service, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Working on Your Real You

Posted on August 19, 2020 by russellmckinney

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6, N.A.S.V.) Tony Evans has a wonderful illustration involving Michael Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Diana Ross. Since all three of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Character, Confession, Individuality, Sanctification, Truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mask of the Hypocrite

Posted on July 20, 2020 by russellmckinney

Popular pastor and author Chuck Swindoll tells the story of how his sister once bought him a gag gift for his birthday. The gift was a full-face rubber mask, the kind that you pull down over your entire head. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Confession, God's Omniscience, Hypocrisy, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sin, Truth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How To Treat Your Enemy

Posted on May 30, 2020 by russellmckinney

The political climate in America these days is decidedly not good. Leading Republicans and Democrats can barely be civil toward one another, let alone work together for the common good of the country. Are there major ideological differences between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Character, Discipleship, Doing Good, Forgiveness, God's Work, Government, Love, Ministry, Persecution, Politics, Revenge, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Vance Havner’s Take on Worldly Christians

Posted on March 6, 2020 by russellmckinney

Vance Havner was born in Jugtown, North Carolina, in 1901, began preaching at the age of 14, and spent the next 70 years preaching, pastoring, writing, and speaking in revival services and Bible conferences. How much of a legend did … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Work, Holiness, Influence, Persecution, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Satan, Separation, Service, Sin, The Devil | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Unsung Heroes

Posted on February 22, 2020 by russellmckinney

I live in the state of North Carolina, but when it comes to college basketball I am not a fan of the UNC Tarheels or the Duke Blue Devils. No, my team is the NC State Wolfpack. Do you want … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Christ's Death, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Priorities, Service, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How God Can Use Your Patmos

Posted on February 3, 2020 by russellmckinney

The apostle John lived into his eighties, perhaps into his nineties, and in so doing easily outlived all the other apostles. And how did he spend his “senior citizen” years? Post-Biblical church history provides strong documentation that he lived and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Complaining, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment