Category Archives: Human Life

Nothing Important Happened Today

Posted on February 14, 2025 by russellmckinney

Sometimes the facts get in the way of a good story. For years, a legend persisted that on July 4, 1776, the day the American colonies declared their independence from England, King George III’s diary entry read: “Nothing important happened … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Personal, Priorities, Service, Submission | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Self-Preservation & Jesus

Posted on January 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

A man interviewed for a job at a famous art gallery that housed dozens of priceless masterpieces. As part of the interview process, he was asked, “If a fire broke out in this gallery and you could only save one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Brokenness, Commitment, Courage, Crucifixion, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Extending Forgiveness, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Revenge, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Make a Way

Posted on October 29, 2024 by russellmckinney

My previous post was entitled “God Can Make a Way” and was based upon the story found in Acts 12:1-19. That post focused upon how God made a way of escape for Peter as Peter sat in a Roman prison … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Bible Study, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Scripture, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Key Lesson About Life

Posted on September 6, 2024 by russellmckinney

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 (N.K.J.V.) The book of James will always have a special place in my heart because it is the first book … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Attitude, Disappointment, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Humility, Pride, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Responding When Life Punches You in the Mouth

Posted on August 24, 2024 by russellmckinney

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, used to say of his opponents and their strategies to beat him, “Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time.” Likewise, it is said of military strategies, “No plan survives … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s Worst Form of Earthly Judgment

Posted on August 12, 2024 by russellmckinney

Quick, name the worst judgment that God ever inflicted upon someone. If you answered, “Sending that person to hell,” give yourself a gold star. After all, there simply cannot be anything worse than eternal judgment. But eternal judgment involves God … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Death, Decisions, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Homosexuality, Human Life, Idolatry, Lesbianism, Lust, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sex, Sin, The Heart, The Sin Unto Death, The Unpardonable Sin | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Diving Deep Into the Subject of God’s Will

Posted on July 1, 2024 by russellmckinney

I placed my belief in Jesus as my Savior when I was a young boy. That belief was sincere and legitimate, which meant that God the Holy Spirit took up permanent residence inside my body and I was thus “born … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Christ's Death, Decisions, Disappointment, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, Human Life, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Rebellion, Reward, Sin, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 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

Always Victorious?

Posted on June 10, 2024 by russellmckinney

By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me. (Psalm 41:11, N.K.J.V.) David wrote Psalm 41, and it’s simply impossible to understand our text verse correctly unless we view it … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Criticism, Disappointment, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer Requests, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Look for the Best

Posted on May 6, 2024 by russellmckinney

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, N.L.T.) A … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Complaining, Criticism, Depression, Disappointment, God's Love, God's Provision, Human Life, Leadership, Loneliness, Praise, Problems, Sickness, Suffering, Trials, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments