Category Archives: Decisions

A Story About the Value of Waiting Just a Little Bit Longer

Posted on January 19, 2026 by russellmckinney

In his booklet When Everything Goes Wrong, Adrian Rogers tells the story of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Solzhenitsyn, who was a Christian, was a Russian writer who was an outspoken critic of communism and the Soviet Union. In February of 1945, he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Conviction, Decisions, Depression, Faith, God's Timing, God's Foreknowledge, God's Guidance, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Problems, Suffering, Suicide, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When You Know What to Do But Don’t Do It

Posted on January 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (Luke 12:47, N.K.J.V.) It’s one thing when you honestly don’t know what to do about … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Coming Judgment, Conscience, Conviction, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Fear, God's Will, Obedience, Problems, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, Stewardship, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Fresh Spark

Posted on November 19, 2025 by russellmckinney

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die…” (Revelation 3:3, N.K.J.V.) Dr. G. Curtis Jones tells the story of a board meeting he once attended at a city church where he was serving as pastor. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Change, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Problems, Restoration, Service, Witnessing, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a 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

The Trouble with Convenient Ships

Posted on October 27, 2025 by russellmckinney

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Work, Man's Freewill, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Preaching, Rebellion, Sowing and Reaping, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Step by Step

Posted on October 22, 2025 by russellmckinney

Imagine taking a trip in which God says: “I want you to get in your car and start driving and I’ll let you know where you’re going sometime along the way. As you drive just keep listening for My voice … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Going Backward in Life

Posted on October 20, 2025 by russellmckinney

“But this I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Choices, Coming Judgment, Counsel, Decisions, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Word, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Personal, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Scripture, Sin, The Bible, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Man Who Couldn’t Sort Potatoes

Posted on October 13, 2025 by russellmckinney

A farmer hired a man to work for him. The worker’s first job was to paint the barn. The farmer said, “The job should take you about three days.” To the farmer’s surprise, however, the worker finished the job in … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Trusting In God | 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

Making Music Out of All the Noise

Posted on October 6, 2025 by russellmckinney

Famed American composer/pianist George Gershwin was standing on a crowded beach talking to a friend. The waves were crashing into the shoreline. Other people were engaged in conversations. A nearby merry-go-round was operating in full volume. Venders were trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Brokenness, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Music, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Problems, Restoration, Salvation, Submission, Suffering, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment