Category Archives: Conscience

Five Bottles of Wine

Posted on December 12, 2017 by russellmckinney

An elderly woman who lived in the north of England hadn’t been able to truly pray for years. She needed to pray, even wanted to pray, but each time she tried to pray her mind went to five bottles of … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Doing Good, God's Will, Guilt, Making Restitution, Prayer, Reconciliation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Something We Can Learn From the Harvey Weinstein Story

Posted on October 11, 2017 by russellmckinney

I can’t get on the internet these days without seeing a new article about the Harvey Weinstein scandal out in Hollywood. For those of you who might not know, Weinstein has been one of the most powerful men in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Conscience, Courage, Current Events, Doing Good, Entertainment, Fear, God's Work, Honesty, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Sin Costs the Christian

Posted on August 25, 2017 by russellmckinney

New Testament Christianity teaches that salvation comes by way of faith (belief) in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 can’t be much clearer: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Bible Study, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Faith, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, Guilt, Holiness, Inner Peace, Joy, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Kicking at the Goads

Posted on March 20, 2017 by russellmckinney

When the risen Jesus met Saul of Tarsus – who would become the apostle Paul – on the Damascus road, one of the things He told Saul was, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Guidance, God's Will, Guilt, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Styx, My Son, & Me

Posted on November 17, 2016 by russellmckinney

My oldest son, Ryan, attends Johnson University, a Christian college located about ten minutes outside Knoxville, Tennessee. Johnson is a small, private school that has an on-campus attendance of approximately 1,000. Ryan is a sophomore there, lives in a dorm, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choices, Christian Liberty, Conscience, Fatherhood, God's Will, Guilt, Inner Peace, Parenting, Personal | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Simple Test for Standards

Posted on September 17, 2012 by russellmckinney

You’ve probably noticed that Christians have wildly different standards when it comes to matters of personal holiness. Sometimes these differences stem from nothing more than the generation gap. Other times they are created by the varying diversities of local cultures. … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christian Liberty, Conscience, Decisions, Discernment, Doubt, Dress and Appearance, Entertainment, Faith, God's Guidance, God's Will, Guilt, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mud

Posted on July 18, 2012 by russellmckinney

Following a summer storm, a mischievous little boy raced outside and proceeded to splash the water out of every mudhole he could find. By the time he was finished, the mudholes were all dry and he was covered in mud … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Holiness, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Matter of Uriah the Hittite

Posted on June 11, 2012 by russellmckinney

One night a man got drunk and ended up in a bar fight during which he received several cuts and bruises to his face. When he got home, he stood in front of the bathroom mirror and tried his best … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Change, Character, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Guilt, Lying, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem of Copper Nails

Posted on February 23, 2012 by russellmckinney

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Guilt, Honesty, Inner Peace, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sin, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ministering to Difficult People

Posted on December 6, 2011 by russellmckinney

New Yorker Stephen Merritt was an interesting guy. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, he served Christ as both a minister and an undertaker. (He was the undertaker for the funeral of Ulysses S. Grant.) In addition to these … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Complaining, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Discipleship, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Revenge, Service, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment