Category Archives: Influence

Throw Up Your Cap

Posted on May 5, 2023 by russellmckinney

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, N.L.T.) Years ago, in a small fishing village on the coast of New England, a winter storm blew up suddenly and caught … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Doing Good, Encouragement, Friendship, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Service, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

1,500 Sheep

Posted on May 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

A few years ago the Associated Press ran a story that came out of Gavas, a town in eastern Turkey. According to the story, one sheep from a very large flock walked to the edge of a cliff and jumped … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipline, Dress and Appearance, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Influence, Motherhood, Parenting, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life’s Army Barracks

Posted on March 27, 2023 by russellmckinney

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Character, Courage, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Word, Influence, Obedience, Persecution, Personal Holiness, Scripture, Witnessing, Work, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“You Almost Missed Me”

Posted on March 8, 2023 by russellmckinney

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30, K.J.V.) Dr. Louis Evans was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, California. He used to tell a story about … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Salvation, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Christian’s Paradoxical Life

Posted on March 2, 2023 by russellmckinney

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Brokenness, Current Events, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Personal Holiness, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Trusting In God, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Missed Opportunities

Posted on February 27, 2023 by russellmckinney

When Alexander Graham Bell was trying to market the telephone, he went to wealthy financier Chauncey DePew and offered him a one-sixth interest in the new invention for the price of $10,000. DePew took a week to consider the offer … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Omnipotence, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Stretch Your Soul

Posted on February 20, 2023 by russellmckinney

Many years ago The Alabama Baptist ran the following story told by R. Lee Sharpe: I was just a kid. One spring day, father told me to go with him to old man Trussell’s blacksmith shop. He had left a rake and … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Service | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faithful Over a Few Things

Posted on February 8, 2023 by russellmckinney

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:23, N.K.J.V.) George Matheson was … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Humility, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Pastors, Preaching, Prosperity, Reward, Service, Stewardship, Trusting In God, Weather, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bear Hunting

Posted on January 25, 2023 by russellmckinney

A big man and a little man were talking as they sat on a porch. The little man leaned over, felt the big man’s biceps, and said, “If I was as big as you and had muscles like that, I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Complaining, Counsel, Discernment, Hypocrisy, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Seeking Advice, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Putting Out a Fire

Posted on January 18, 2023 by russellmckinney

Proverbs 26:20 has rung true since the days of Solomon, the man who wrote it under the inspiration of God. As a matter of fact, it has rung true since the days of Adam and Eve. It says: Where there … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Communication, Influence, Personal Holiness, The Tongue | Tagged , , | Leave a comment