Category Archives: Human Life

Self-Preservation & Jesus

Posted on June 19, 2017 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

God Sent? Or God Allowed and Used?

Posted on April 29, 2017 by russellmckinney

Somewhere along the way in my ministry, I picked up a daily devotion book written by Phillips Brooks. Brooks was a famous Episcopalian pastor in the Boston area in the 1800s. In the devotion for May 2, he writes: Faith … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Make a Way

Posted on April 1, 2017 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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why I Don’t Fill Out a NCAA Bracket

Posted on March 24, 2017 by russellmckinney

Well, it’s March, which means that a whole bunch of people will be enjoying the games of the NCAA basketball tournament. We don’t call it “March Madness” for nothing! For many people, half the fun of the tournament is trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Current Events, Disappointment, Doing Good, Fear, Gambling, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Humor, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Salvation, Service, Sports, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Key Lesson About Life

Posted on December 13, 2016 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 , , , , | 1 Comment

Responding When Life Punches You in the Mouth

Posted on November 15, 2016 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 , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God’s Worst Form of Earthly Judgment

Posted on November 4, 2016 by russellmckinney

Okay, 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 … 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 , , , , | Leave a comment

Diving Deep Into the Subject of God’s Will

Posted on January 16, 2013 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 November 9, 2012 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 , , , , | Leave a comment

Seven Lessons We Need to Learn from Hurricanes

Posted on October 30, 2012 by russellmckinney

Well, here it is one day before Halloween and the ground is white with snow at my house. We can thank Hurricane Sandy for this freakish October weather. Even though the storm came ashore in southern New Jersey, its effects … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Comfort, Creation, Current Events, Doing Good, Encouragement, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Perseverance, Personal, Priorities, Trials, Trusting In God, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment