Category Archives: Drugs

The Rattlesnake of Addiction

Posted on September 16, 2020 by russellmckinney

In his book Quest for Character, Chuck Swindoll tells an incredible story from the life of Tom Rathman, the NFL running back who made a name for himself playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Rathman was hunting deer in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Restoration, Sex, Tattoos, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When False Teeth Become a Problem

Posted on July 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet How to Kill a Church Without Really … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Character, Church, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, God's Holiness, God's Work, Holiness, Homosexuality, Influence, Lying, Making Restitution, Money, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Bubba Smith Learned Too Late

Posted on April 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

Bubba Smith was an All American football player at Michigan State. He is one of only three players from that program to have his jersey number retired. Following his collegiate career, he was the #1 overall pick of the 1967 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Character, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Entertainment, Family, God's Will, Holiness, Honesty, Influence, Justice, Righteousness, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Sports, Truth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Are You Dancing With?

Posted on July 28, 2017 by russellmckinney

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world….” (John 18:36, N.K.J.V.) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Backsliding, Business, Commitment, Desires, Drugs, Entertainment, Gambling, Politics, Priorities, Sanctification, Sports | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Nobody Killed Me. I Had a Wreck.”

Posted on March 22, 2017 by russellmckinney

Twenty-five-year-old Jamie Peavy had a job working at a barbecue restaurant. One day, after work, she got in her pickup and drove to meet a friend. She tried a new route that day, thinking it would be a shortcut. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Drugs, Extending Forgiveness, Gambling, God's Love, Greed, Lying, Pride, Rebellion, Submission | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

An Important Context

Posted on October 16, 2012 by russellmckinney

We Christians are very familiar with Philippians 4:13, where the apostle Paul says: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. But how many of us have ever considered the context for this classic verse? The fact is … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Courage, Disappointment, Drugs, Encouragement, Fear, Gambling, Inner Peace, Joy, Perseverance, Problems, Salvation, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What’s Your Weakness?

Posted on August 10, 2012 by russellmckinney

For my sermon series on Samson, I’ve been reading one of Chuck Swindoll’s study guides on Old Testament characters. In his remarks concerning Samson, Swindoll makes an excellent point about the value of understanding one’s own weaknesses. He writes: It … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Choices, Depravity, Discipleship, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Money, Personal Holiness, Sex, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“I Am the Joker”

Posted on July 23, 2012 by russellmckinney

Lately I’ve been preaching a series on the life of Samson. As you might recall, Samson lived his life under the Old Testament law’s Nazirite vow (Judges 13:5, Numbers 6:1-21). That vow had its definite particulars, but at its heart … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Choices, Christian Liberty, Current Events, Discipleship, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Entertainment, Gambling, Influence, Music, Personal Holiness, Separation, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What’s Your Sign?

Posted on May 15, 2012 by russellmckinney

As a woman was waiting in the checkout line of a grocery store, she noticed a young mother standing in line in front of her. The mother had her child strapped to her back in one of those baby-backpacks. Attached … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Baptism, Change, Christ's Death, Christian Liberty, Confession, Drugs, Forgiveness, Gambling, Gluttony, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Does the Bible Teach About Drinking Alcohol? (4)

Posted on October 14, 2011 by russellmckinney

I used yesterday’s post to condemn the sin of drunkenness. Now I want to share a few thoughts on addiction to alcohol. All drunkenness is sin, but there’s a difference between getting drunk once at a party and being a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Balance, Choices, Christian Liberty, Drugs, Gluttony, Personal Holiness, Series: "What Does the Bible Teach About Drinking Alcohol?", Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments