Category Archives: Church Attendance

A Lack of Loyalty

Posted on April 11, 2018 by russellmckinney

A Baptist was marooned, alone, on an uncharted island. He lived there for several years before a passing ship happened to see his fire one night and changed course to investigate. When some of the crew made their way by … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Current Events, Decisions, Faithfulness, Perseverance, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Strange Prayer Request

Posted on April 9, 2018 by russellmckinney

A man and his wife joined a local church. Since the couple was out of work and had precious little food and clothing, it wasn’t long before they asked the church for help. The church lovingly obliged by providing plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Provision, Husbands, Money, Pastors, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Prosperity, Repentance, Service, Stewardship, Thankfulness, Wives, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satan Did to Judas: Possession

Posted on March 5, 2018 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” (post #10) Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. (Luke 22:3, N.K.J.V.) There are numerous Bible stories that center around demon possession. There are only two, though, in which Satan … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Church, Church Attendance, Death, Deception, Demons, Eternal Security, Salvation, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, The Devil, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Flesh & its Drag Effect

Posted on December 10, 2017 by russellmckinney

“…The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41, N.K.J.V.) For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other… (Galatians … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Depravity, Dieting, Doing Good, Drugs, Gambling, Giving, Gluttony, Lust, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus: The Unkept Hippie

Posted on September 19, 2017 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 Black Deliverer

Posted on September 4, 2017 by russellmckinney

“The Jesus You Know” series (post #3) I was born October 3rd, 1966, which means that I am very much a product of the 1970s and ’80s. When I was young, one of my favorite television shows was “Good Times,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Heaven, Racism, Salvation, Series: "The Jesus You Know", Slavery | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Look Out for Those Unequal Yokes

Posted on July 22, 2017 by russellmckinney

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Business, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doctrine, God's Will, God's Work, Government, Homosexuality, Influence, Lesbianism, Marriage, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Different Bible School Meetings

Posted on June 15, 2017 by russellmckinney

After a relatively successful V.B.S. at one of my former churches, I called for a meeting of the teachers and workers who had been involved with the effort. My purpose for the meeting was to assess what had gone well … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Brokenness, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, Confession, Criticism, Extending Forgiveness, Forgiveness, God's Work, Humility, Ministry, Pastors, Personal, Pride, Problems, Reconciliation, Restoration, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worship Wars

Posted on June 8, 2017 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment