Category Archives: Criticism

Does Doing God’s Will Sometimes Make Situations Harder?

Posted on November 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #7) God got Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of their Egyptian bondage, but getting Moses to step into that role took some doing. First, God had to answer all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Criticism, Disappointment, Doing Good, Doubt, God's Will, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Pessimistic Christian

Posted on February 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

A man opened up a hot-dog stand by the side of the road in front of his house. His goal was to make a little money to supplement his monthly income. He didn’t have a grand plan for the whole … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Criticism, Decisions, Depression, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Are You Taking Your Stand With God’s Revealed Truth?

Posted on September 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

One day a teacher set up a telescope in his classroom so that his students could view a certain planet and its moons. The students lined up to peer into the telescope, and one by one each one confidently affirmed … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Choices, Courage, Criticism, Doubt, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Word, Personal, Scripture, The Bible, The Devil, Truth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classified Falsely

Posted on September 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

Private First Class Alan Barton, an American soldier fighting in the Vietnam War, was reported missing from his base in South Vietnam on July 28, 1970. Thirty-two days later, his commanding officer notified his mother that her son was now … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Criticism, Eternity, God's Omniscience, Heaven, Justice, Persecution, Reward, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Problem With Trying to Please Everybody

Posted on June 4, 2018 by russellmckinney

Aesop’s Fables is an ancient collection of fables, each one teaching a life lesson. One of the fables involves a father, his son, and their donkey. And the lesson it teaches is a timeless one that we’d do well to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Criticism, God's Will, Priorities, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fighting on God’s Side

Posted on May 14, 2018 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 anytime Haman was inside the gate of the royal grounds, all of Ahasuerus’ servants were to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Complaining, Criticism, Family, God's Will, Marriage, Parenting, Politics, Problems, Revenge, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Different Way of Responding to False Accusations

Posted on August 28, 2017 by russellmckinney

How do you respond when someone accuses you falsely? I must confess that my first reaction is to rise to my defense, jump right back at the person, and go for the jugular with my comeback. For me, responding in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Criticism, Humility, Justice, Persecution, Personal Holiness, Revenge, The Tongue, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Different Bible-School Meetings

Posted on June 15, 2017 by russellmckinney

The months of June and July constitute Vacation Bible School season in churches all across America. It is with this in mind that I’d like to share a story that involves V.B.S. Actually, the story’s real subject is the spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Brokenness, Church, Confession, Criticism, Forgiveness, God's Work, Pride, Problems, Reconciliation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Rebuked & The Rebuker

Posted on December 7, 2016 by russellmckinney

“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5, N.K.J.V.) “…Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.” (Proverbs 9:8, N.K.J.V.) “…a scoffer does not listen … Continue reading →

Posted in Counsel, Courage, Criticism, God's Work, Honesty, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Sports, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

One Reason Why God’s Will Rarely Gets Done

Posted on October 25, 2016 by russellmckinney

Suppose I wake up tomorrow morning and God lets me know that He wants me to spend the day working on a new sermon based on John 3:16. Okay class, how many individuals are involved with me either doing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Criticism, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Prayer, Preaching, Rebellion, Reconciliation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment