Category Archives: Influence

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

Is God Doing Anything With You?

Posted on April 25, 2020 by russellmckinney

Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27, N.K.J.V.) Most of us want God to … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Missions, Prayer Requests, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Vance Havner’s Take on Worldly Christians

Posted on March 6, 2020 by russellmckinney

Vance Havner was born in Jugtown, North Carolina, in 1901, began preaching at the age of 14, and spent the next 70 years preaching, pastoring, writing, and speaking in revival services and Bible conferences. How much of a legend did … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Work, Holiness, Influence, Persecution, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Satan, Separation, Service, Sin, The Devil | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Unsung Heroes

Posted on February 22, 2020 by russellmckinney

I live in the state of North Carolina, but when it comes to college basketball I am not a fan of the UNC Tarheels or the Duke Blue Devils. No, my team is the NC State Wolfpack. Do you want … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Christ's Death, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Priorities, Service, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment