Category Archives: Family

How Would You Describe Your Walk With the Lord These Days?

Posted on October 14, 2024 by russellmckinney

Vance Havner, the renowned preacher, once told the story of a writer who knew an elderly lady who loved to give her testimony in church. The lady would always begin by saying, “Forty years ago…” After hearing her do that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Children, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, Honesty, Loneliness, Parenting, Personal, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thunder Balanced With Love

Posted on September 11, 2024 by russellmckinney

From everything we can surmise about Christ’s chosen 12 apostles, John was the youngest. He was the son of Zebedee and the younger brother of James, who was also one of the 12 (Matthew 4:21). By combining certain passages (Matthew … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Anger, Attitude, Balance, Character, Family, God's Love, Greed, Humility, Love, Ministry, Persecution, Preaching, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Mayonnaise Jar

Posted on June 24, 2024 by russellmckinney

A philosophy professor stood before his class and began an object lesson. First, he sat an empty mayonnaise jar on the table in front of him. Next, he brought out a box of rocks that were each about two inches … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Dying To Self, Family, Friendship, God's Will, Human Life, Needs, Priorities, Salvation, Sanctification, Service | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Jesus & Nazareth

Posted on June 21, 2024 by russellmckinney

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4, N.K.J.V.) With the exception of the times when I was attending Appalachian State … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Miracles, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, Friendship, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Those Children of Israel

Posted on May 13, 2024 by russellmckinney

In Deuteronomy chapter 5, the elderly Moses calls all of Israel together for an assembly and recites again to them The Ten Commandments that God had given them many years earlier at Mount Sinai (5:1-22). Not only did those Commandments … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Children, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Work, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Righteousness, Sanctification, Sin, The Old Testament Law, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Peacemaking

Posted on April 22, 2024 by russellmckinney

“The Beatitudes” series: (post #7) “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, N.K.J.V.) If there was any doubt that the “blessed” who are described in the Beatitudes should be equated to Christians, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, Family, Inner Peace, Salvation, Series: "The Beatitudes", The Sermon On The Mount, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Those Who Mourn

Posted on April 10, 2024 by russellmckinney

“The Beatitudes” series: (post #2) “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, N.K.J.V.) The Greek word for “mourn” in this verse is pentheo. It’s a word that specifically refers to the strongest, most intensive kind of mourning. … Continue reading →

Posted in Comfort, Death, Eternity, Family, Heaven, Pastors, Personal, Salvation, Series: "The Beatitudes", The Sermon On The Mount | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Will God Meet My Need?

Posted on April 6, 2024 by russellmckinney

In the mid-19th century, poverty characterized the people of the northeast Highlands of Scotland. During those days a man named John Murray was praying for guidance by a riverside. Many of his neighbors were immigrating to America, and he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, Needs, Parenting, Personal, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Is the Wife’s Role in a Marriage?

Posted on February 16, 2024 by russellmckinney

“Marriage” series: (post #6) The wife’s role in a marriage simply cannot be understood Biblically without the use of that politically incorrect word “submission.” As I noted in my previous post, both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Husbands, Marriage, Submission, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Does God Want Everyone to Get Married?

Posted on February 9, 2024 by russellmckinney

“Marriage” series: (post #3) Is it God’s will for each person to get married? The Bible’s answer is, no. However, the reason the Bible names for remaining unmarried is an interesting one. It has to do with the single person being able to devote more … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Marriage, Motherhood, Series: "Marriage" | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments