Category Archives: Influence

Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver

Posted on July 9, 2021 by russellmckinney

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11, N.K.J.V.) Ed Young Sr., using this verse as the text for a daily devotion, writes the following: In ancient times, when an oriental king gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Criticism, Discernment, Encouragement, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Service, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What God Thinks About the Emasculation of Men

Posted on June 28, 2021 by russellmckinney

This past Saturday morning I woke up, put on my clothes, and started making my way to the kitchen to get breakfast. As I walked through our living room, my twenty-year-old son, Royce, was sprawled out there on the couch. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Children, Courage, Current Events, Family, Fatherhood, God's Word, Husbands, Influence, King James Only, Lesbianism, Parenting, Personal, Scripture, The Old Testament Law, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

For the Furtherance of the Gospel

Posted on April 12, 2021 by russellmckinney

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. (Philippians 1:12, N.K.J.V.) The traditional view is that Paul wrote the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Change, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Use Your Bad Experience

Posted on January 22, 2021 by russellmckinney

Tom Wallace tells the story of a time when he received a phone call in which he was told that a certain family was in need of pastoral comfort in the emergency room of the local hospital. Tragically, the family’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

For Such a Time as This

Posted on January 13, 2021 by russellmckinney

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, N.K.J.V.) The book of Esther opens up with Esther, Mordecai, and their fellow Jews living under the rule of the Persians. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Service | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Going the Extra Mile

Posted on December 18, 2020 by russellmckinney

In Business By the Book, Christian financial consultant and author Larry Burkett told the story of how he once became the victim of a bad long-term lease. The mistake he made was renting an office space in a building that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Business, Character, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How D.L. Moody Won a Little Girl to Christ

Posted on September 19, 2020 by russellmckinney

For many years, R.A. Torrey helped famed evangelist D.L. Moody in Moody’s work. Torrey himself told the following story about one of Moody’s converts. I offer Torrey’s account verbatim: On one occasion in Chicago, Mr. Moody saw a little girl … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Evangelism, Family, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Salvation, Service, Sunday School, The Gospel, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Little Boy & The Old Man

Posted on July 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

(The following story is my embellished version of the story “Twinkies and Root Beer” from an unknown author. The story was first published by Warner Press’ “Christian Art.” I started with the original, reworked it by adding quite a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Children, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Work, Grace, Influence, Ministry, Needs, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Can You Do to Help?

Posted on June 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

I am 53 years old and have never seen days such as these. Pick your headline: Covid-19, social distancing, police brutality, race riots, the Confederate Flag, Civil War monuments, polarizing politicians, etc., etc., etc. I recently talked with one man … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Current Events, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Prayer, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When Christians Cuss

Posted on June 5, 2020 by russellmckinney

I wasn’t always a preacher, and I must confess that I used to cuss like a sailor. As a matter of fact, when I did become a preacher, a good friend of mine said concerning my cussing, “If Russell Mckinney … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Discipleship, Influence, Personal, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, The Tongue | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments