Category Archives: Choices

Can a Person Truly Change?

Posted on October 21, 2022 by russellmckinney

Can a person truly change? Mel Trotter did. Trotter was born to a Christian mother and an alcoholic father. By age 19, he was drinking heavily himself as well as gambling. He met and married a young woman and fathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Belief, Change, Choices, Depravity, Forgiveness, Gambling, God's Love, God's Work, Husbands, Influence, Marriage, Ministry, Problems, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Young Man and His Condition

Posted on September 30, 2022 by russellmckinney

A young man went to the doctor and said, “Doc, sometimes I get headaches, my eyes burn, and I can’t get my breath.” After an examination, the doctor said, “My diagnosis is that your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. I … Continue reading →

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The Test of Prosperity

Posted on September 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

Quick, name the toughest test to pass spiritually. Did you say, “Disease”? Did you say, “The death of a loved one”? Did you say, “Troubles?” Did you say, “Disappointment”? Well, there’s no doubt that none of those tests are spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Provision, Greed, Lust, Personal Holiness, Prosperity, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Chain Is Off

Posted on September 5, 2022 by russellmckinney

A mailman was given a new route. His first day he approached the mailbox of a home that had a big German shepherd crouched on the porch. When the mailman put his hand toward the mailbox, the dog started barking … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Disobedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ordered Steps

Posted on August 10, 2022 by russellmckinney

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23, N.K.J.V.) The Hebrew word translated as “ordered” in this verse is kun, and it’s a word that primarily means “to be established, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Decisions, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, Obedience, Sanctification, Trusting In God | Leave a comment

Looking for Something?

Posted on August 3, 2022 by russellmckinney

Late one night, drunken Sam was down on all fours under a streetlight. He was groping around on the ground, obviously looking for something. A friend drove up and said, “Sam, what are you doing over there?” With slurred speech, … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Desires, God's Will, Needs, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Let Me Tell You About My Better Half…”

Posted on July 29, 2022 by russellmckinney

In volume 4 of his commentary set on Romans, the noted preacher Donald Barnhouse tells the following story. A man I knew through my ministry was going with a girl who, some of us thought, was not at all worthy … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Character, Choices, Desires, Husbands, Marriage, Personal Holiness, Temptation, Wives | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What to Do About Clouds

Posted on July 15, 2022 by russellmckinney

I miss Patrick Swayze. He was one of my favorite movie stars. I always liked watching him, no matter what part he was playing. Swayze and his wife Niemi were both pilots, and they enjoyed flying airplanes together. On one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Faith, God's Will, Perseverance, Problems, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Be a Herod

Posted on July 6, 2022 by russellmckinney

Israel’s first temple, known as Solomon’s temple, stood for 400 years before it was destroyed by the Babylonians. Israel’s second temple, known as Zerubbabel’s temple, stood for 500 years and served as the centerpiece of Jewish worship all during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Decisions, Desires, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Priorities, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Arms of God

Posted on June 27, 2022 by russellmckinney

The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms… (Deuteronomy 33:27, N.K.J.V.) A family was awakened one night by the blaring of their smoke detector. Sure enough, their house was on fire. The father immediately raced into … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Faith, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Will, Obedience, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment