Category Archives: Courage

When a Strength Becomes a Weakness

Posted on June 19, 2023 by russellmckinney

It is paradoxical, as well as sad, that God’s servant will often fail in the very area in which he or she is normally strong. The Bible offers us several case studies of this strange fact. Let me share three … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Courage, Faith, Fear, Humility, Individuality, Personal Holiness, Pride, Sin | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Common Sense & God’s Will

Posted on May 29, 2023 by russellmckinney

Today I’d like to share with you one of my biggest pet peeves about Christians. It’s this whole idea that God’s will for a specific situation must always be the logical, rational, “smart” plan of attack. Oh, I’ve heard the … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Courage, Decisions, Discernment, Faith, God's Will, Obedience, Reward, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Something We Could Learn from a Parrot

Posted on May 24, 2023 by russellmckinney

In Queen Victoria’s Windsor Castle, there was a suite of rooms that were used by her personal chaplain. A private passageway connected the chaplain’s study to the Queen’s quarters. Oftentimes, the Queen would use that passageway to consult the chaplain … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Courage, God's Work, Honesty, Influence, Ministry, Preaching, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Knows Your Size Exactly

Posted on May 22, 2023 by russellmckinney

The Cornish preacher Billy Bray was a well-known Methodist minister of another day. He was once approached by a Quaker who said in his Old English manner of speaking, “I have often observed thy unselfish life and feel much interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

1,500 Sheep

Posted on May 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

A few years ago the Associated Press ran a story that came out of Gavas, a town in eastern Turkey. According to the story, one sheep from a very large flock walked to the edge of a cliff and jumped … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipline, Dress and Appearance, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Influence, Motherhood, Parenting, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life’s Army Barracks

Posted on March 27, 2023 by russellmckinney

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Character, Courage, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Word, Influence, Obedience, Persecution, Personal Holiness, Scripture, Witnessing, Work, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Big, Black Door

Posted on March 17, 2023 by russellmckinney

A spy was captured by the Persian army and sentenced to death. As he soon learned, the Persian general who issued the death sentence carried out executions in an unusual way. The general would give the condemned the choice of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Courage, Decisions, Doubt, Faith, Fear, God's Will, Obedience, Satan, The Devil, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suffering

Posted on October 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

We live in a culture in which we are taught to avoid suffering. After all, avoiding it does seem to make perfect sense. But the problem is that God, who oftentimes delights in making little or no sense, uses suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Sanctification, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Prayer Worth Praying

Posted on May 30, 2022 by russellmckinney

My friend Malcolm Woody once sent me an e-mail that included an awesome prayer. The prayer came from John Baillie, the Scottish theologian who wrote the classic book A Diary of Private Prayer. The prayer goes like this: Teach me, O’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Courage, Disappointment, Fear, God's Sovereignty, Humility, Loneliness, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Problems, Sanctification, Sickness, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s Got You Afraid?

Posted on February 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

A boy took a shortcut across a certain field after dark. He was leery about the trip because his mother had warned him not to try to cross that field in the darkness. But on this occasion he was so … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Courage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Sovereignty, Inner Peace, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment