Category Archives: Children

Going Back Home

Posted on December 27, 2017 by russellmckinney

New York’s Bowery Mission was founded in 1879 and still serves today as a rescue mission and men’s shelter. Sam Hadley was once the superintendent there and told a certain story about the place. I’d like to share that story … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Belief, Brokenness, Change, Children, Confession, Conviction, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, Forgiveness, God's Love, Grace, Guilt, Love, Missions, New Year, Parenting, Problems, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Repentance, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fundamental Question

Posted on December 23, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #5) You — the regular readers of this blog — have had the last four posts to grasp some of the more compelling arguments presented in the book Why I Left, Why I Stayed. As you know … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Children, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Christ's Return, Doubt, Eternal Security, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, Heaven, Parenting, Personal, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", The Bible, Virgin Birth, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Reason Why One Man Stopped Believing in God

Posted on December 14, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #1) As part of our Christmas shopping at the mall a couple of weeks ago, I went into a Barnes & Noble store to kill some time while Tonya shopped for shoes or something like … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Children, Christ's Birth, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Doubt, Faith, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, Hell, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, Personal, Scripture, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", Sunday School, The Bible, Trusting In God, Truth, Virgin Birth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Failed Lately?

Posted on October 23, 2017 by russellmckinney

When Tonya and I were raising our two sons, we didn’t want either of them to have any problems in life. We wanted them to enjoy perfect health. We wanted them to be the most popular kids at their schools. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Business, Character, Children, Disappointment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Encouragement, God's Work, Humility, Individuality, Ministry, Perseverance, Personal, Pride, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What’s Your Love Language?

Posted on October 13, 2017 by russellmckinney

My mother attends Calvary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC. Dr. Gary Chapman served on staff there for many years, but he is best known as the author of “The Five Love Languages” series of books. The first of those … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Communication, Doing Good, Family, Fatherhood, Friendship, Husbands, Individuality, Love, Marriage, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Reconciliation, Service, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Becoming Childlike

Posted on September 21, 2017 by russellmckinney

A man was driving down a treacherous mountain road. Suddenly, a deer bolted out in front of him, causing him to instinctively jerk the steering wheel to his left. The next thing he knew he was headed off a steep … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Children, Doubt, Faith, Fear, God's Provision, Heaven, Needs, Problems, Salvation, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selling Hamburgers

Posted on August 16, 2017 by russellmckinney

I have never served as the pastor of a megachurch, and I don’t figure that I ever will. My pastoral ministry has always involved small, rural churches. Still, I’ll admit that, like megachurch pastors, I feel the internal pressure to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Church Attendance, Music, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kateland’s Answer

Posted on July 24, 2017 by russellmckinney

I was in my first pastorate, and our church was having its annual Bible School week. The attendance was excellent each night as several visiting kids who weren’t part of our church were coming. One of those visitors was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Children, Church, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Work, Humor, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Personal, Reward, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Importance of the Father/Child Relationship

Posted on June 17, 2017 by russellmckinney

And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:6 (N.K.J.V.) Did you know that the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, God's Word, Parenting, Reconciliation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Profound Question

Posted on May 27, 2017 by russellmckinney

A missionary was once asked if he liked his work in Africa. His reply was as follows: Do I like this work? No. My wife and I do not like dirt. We have reasonably refined sensibilities. We do not like … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Stewardship, Suffering, Sunday School, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment