Category Archives: Church

Are All the Spiritual Gifts Still Given?

Posted on October 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #3) Does God still impart all 20 of the spiritual gifts that are named in the Bible? Well, frankly, the answer you get depends upon whom you ask. As for me, my answer is, “No.” And … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Discernment, God's Work, Prophecy, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Sickness, Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When False Teeth Become a Problem

Posted on October 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet How to Kill a Church Without Really … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Business, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Gambling, God's Holiness, God's Work, Holiness, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, Influence, Lying, Making Restitution, Money, Personal Holiness, Racism, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Church Attendance Decline

Posted on September 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

A school teacher told her students to bring an item that represented their religious faith. The little Jewish boy brought a menorah. The little Catholic boy brought a crucifix. The little Baptist boy brought a casserole. Speaking as a Baptist … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Discipleship, Entertainment, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Intercessory Prayer, Ministry, Salvation, Scripture, Sunday School, Teaching, The Bible, The Gospel, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ichabod

Posted on September 18, 2026 by russellmckinney

Ichabod is an odd name. When you mention it the average person’s mind goes to Ichabod Crane, the schoolmaster character in Washington Irving’s famous short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Students of the Bible, however, know that the name … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Church, Coming Judgment, Discernment, Disobedience, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Word, Problems, Rebellion, Scripture, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Letting Jesus Use You

Posted on August 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

A little girl was prepped and ready for a dangerous operation that could potentially end in her death. In his efforts to comfort her the surgeon said, “Before we can make you well we must first put you to sleep.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Good Works, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Service, Witnessing, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Jonah Path

Posted on August 7, 2026 by russellmckinney

Question: “What is the Bible’s only book that ends with a question?” Answer: “Jonah.” Jonah 4:11 closes the book by way of God asking the prophet Jonah: “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Backsliding, Church, Church Attendance, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Honesty, Mercy, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Preaching, Problems, Rebellion, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lessons Learned From Wee Bobby

Posted on July 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

Many years ago, in a small village church in southern Scotland, the church leaders were questioning the elderly pastor as to why the church wasn’t growing. To those leaders, a dismissal seemed in order. They said to the pastor, “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Evangelism, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Parenting, Pastors, Preaching, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Submission, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Why Sit Here Until We Die?”

Posted on July 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

“Why sit here until we die?” That question is at the heart of one of the Bible’s most incredible stories, 2 Kings 7:1-20, and it’s a question that still has relevance to a multitude of situations today. So, let’s talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Change, Choices, Church, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Faith, Fear, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Provision, God's Will, Inner Peace, Needs, Problems, Seeking Advice, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Difference Between Pit Stops & Racing

Posted on June 26, 2026 by russellmckinney

It’s been said that Christians need to be the church rather than just go to church. Truer words were never spoken. When church is a once-a-week-event rather than a seven-day-a-week lifestyle, it runs the risk of becoming little more than a couple of hours … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Sports, Talents, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Lot of Moving Parts But Not Much Production

Posted on June 22, 2026 by russellmckinney

There was once an inventor who built an amazing machine. It was six feet high and five feet long and had a total of 5,626 parts (wheels, gears, shafts, chains, belts, etc.), to say nothing of all the nuts, bolts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Church, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Ministry, Priorities, Service | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments