Category Archives: Complaining

The First Church Fight

Posted on March 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #10) The world’s first church, the church of Jerusalem, was colossal in terms of sheer numbers. Acts 4:4 puts the number of men at 5,000. If we assume there was one woman per … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Christian Unity, Church, Complaining, Favoritism, Leadership, Pastors, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem" | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The People Had a Mind to Work

Posted on January 26, 2026 by russellmckinney

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6, N.K.J.V.) The book of Nehemiah tells the story of a Jew named Nehemiah. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Complaining, Deacons, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Money, Pastors, Sacrifice, Service, Sunday School, Work, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

When God Tells You to Do Something

Posted on November 12, 2025 by russellmckinney

I’ve been friends with Beau Thomas for most of my life. We grew up together, attended school together, ran around together, and played a lot of ball together. When each of us became a father, we also coached our share … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Money, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“This Is Good!”

Posted on October 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

A king in Africa had a close friend who had a habit of looking at any situation and proclaiming, “This is good!” One day, as the two were hunting, the friend had the job of loading the king’s gun. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Death, Decisions, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Friendship, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Grace, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Sickness, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Just Grass

Posted on August 6, 2025 by russellmckinney

Howard Buchanan went to be with the Lord several years ago. Tonya and I had once had the pleasure of knowing him as our neighbor for approximately ten years. Howard was a Baptist preacher and a very good man. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Balance, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Humor, Impatience, Personal, Priorities, Problems, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Contentment

Posted on July 21, 2025 by russellmckinney

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6, N.K.J.V.) How content are you right now? You might as well tell the truth. After all, God knows the correct answer, anyway. Are you content with your spouse? Are you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Christ's Death, Church, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Disappointment, Dress and Appearance, Family, God's Love, God's Provision, Greed, Impatience, Jealousy, Marriage, Money, Parenting, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trusting In God, Work, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fighting on God’s Side

Posted on July 18, 2025 by russellmckinney

Haman had it all. Persia’s powerful king, Ahasuerus, had advanced him above all of Persia’s other princes (Esther 3:1). Ahasuerus had even decreed that whenever Haman was inside the gate of the royal grounds, all of Ahasuerus’ servants were to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Complaining, Criticism, Decisions, Discernment, Family, God's Will, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting, Politics, Problems, Revenge, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The 10 Times Israel Tested God

Posted on June 13, 2025 by russellmckinney

Most people have heard about the ten plagues with which God struck Egypt to break Pharaoh’s will and cause him to release the Israelites from their enslavement (Exodus chapters 7 through 12). Far less known are the ten times the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Faith, God's Provision, The Tongue, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walking in the Midst of the Fire

Posted on May 9, 2025 by russellmckinney

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Chastening, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lessons from Habakkuk

Posted on March 28, 2025 by russellmckinney

The Old Testament book of the prophet Habakkuk isn’t one that often gets preached. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t “preach.” This is evidenced by the fact that it is quoted multiple times in the New Testament. The apostle … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Belief, Coming Judgment, Complaining, Disappointment, Disobedience, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Chastening, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Impatience, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment