Category Archives: Individuality

Your Druthers

Posted on May 15, 2019 by russellmckinney

Mark Twain featured the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in multiple books. One of them is Tom Sawyer, Detective. As part of that book’s conversations between Huck and Tom, Huck says, “Any way you druther have it, that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Commitment, Crucifixion, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Individuality, Obedience, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons Learned From Wee Bobby

Posted on May 9, 2019 by russellmckinney

Many years ago, in a small village church in southern Scotland, the church leaders were questioning the elderly pastor as to why the church wasn’t growing. To those leaders, a dismissal seemed in order. They said to the pastor, “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Missions, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Submission, The Holy Spirit, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tale of Emanuel Nenger

Posted on March 15, 2019 by russellmckinney

Emanuel Nenger arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey from Germany sometime around 1876. He got work as a sign painter and eventually bought a farm in Westfield, New Jersey. Nenger’s true profession, however, was counterfeiter. Even though government officials didn’t yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Mechanic

Posted on February 13, 2019 by russellmckinney

As an old story goes, in the early 1900s a husband and his wife purchased one of those newfangled Model T Fords. They took it out for a drive one day, but something happened to the engine and the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Comfort, Creation, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Individuality, Problems, Salvation, Submission, Trials, Worry | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on November 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

If you are a Christian who was born into a “Christian” household, let me ask you a question: If you had been born into a household that was not “Christian,” would you have still believed in Jesus Christ at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Individuality, Obedience, Parenting, Salvation, Service, Submission, Trusting In God, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Pastor’s Main Job

Posted on November 7, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #11) What do you do when one group of members from your church claims that another group is showing favoritism in regards to church benevolence? If you are the 12 apostles — with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Church, God's Word, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Pastors, Prayer, Priorities, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Tells You to Do Something

Posted on July 25, 2018 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

Unopened Perfume

Posted on July 23, 2018 by russellmckinney

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15, N.K.J.V.) Donald Barnhouse was one of America’s best-known preachers. He pastored Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church from … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Commitment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Submission, Talents, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Can You Trust Your Work?

Posted on June 27, 2018 by russellmckinney

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, N.K.J.V.) It is said that Napoleon once ordered a coat of mail. (Mail is a steel … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Priorities, Reward, Sanctification, Service, Sowing and Reaping, The Judgment Seat of Christ, Work | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why a Lion Tamer Uses a Chair

Posted on June 8, 2018 by russellmckinney

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Priorities, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment