Category Archives: Ministry

Not Everybody Feels Thankful & Merry

Posted on November 21, 2016 by russellmckinney

Today is the Monday before Thanksgiving, which means that we are now moving into the holiday season. Thanksgiving will be here Thursday. That will be followed by Black Friday, the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Eventually December 25th, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Doing Good, God's Work, Ministry, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , | Leave a 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

Respecting God’s Man

Posted on November 7, 2016 by russellmckinney

Then he (Elisha) went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” So he … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Criticism, God's Work, Ministry, Preaching, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Your Life Becomes an Object Lesson

Posted on October 31, 2016 by russellmckinney

One of the hardest roles God ever calls one of His servants to play is that of a walking/talking object lesson. Since you’ve probably never heard a sermon on this topic, I’ll use a prime example from the Bible as … Continue reading →

Posted in Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Marriage, Ministry, Prophecy, Reconciliation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Word American Christians Don’t Want to Hear

Posted on October 19, 2016 by russellmckinney

But the Lord said him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Commitment, Courage, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Loneliness, Ministry, Money, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Perseverance, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Suffering, Tithing, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God: Heavenly Father or Heavenly Commander in Chief?

Posted on October 15, 2016 by russellmckinney

Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I was a huge fan of the television show M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). For that matter, I’ve continued to watch the reruns ever since. I know all the characters, all the episodes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Commitment, Courage, Demons, Dying To Self, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are You Getting Better?

Posted on November 27, 2012 by russellmckinney

When my youngest son, Royce, played 5th/6th grade football, his team’s line coach was a guy named Stacy Peterson. Even though I’d gone to high school with Stacy and had loosely known him for years, we’d always run in different … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Decisions, Depression, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Word, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Money, New Year, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Sanctification, Service, Sports, The Bible, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Changed Heart

Posted on November 13, 2012 by russellmckinney

Each year at this time thousands of people participate in Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program. The names of the children of inmates are placed as “angel ornaments” on Christmas trees in churches, businesses, and shopping malls. Along with each name … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Change, Children, Christmas, Christmas Traditions, Doing Good, God's Word, God's Work, Grace, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Motherhood, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture, The Gospel, The Heart | 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

Jesus & Nazareth

Posted on October 25, 2012 by russellmckinney

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4, N.K.J.V.) With the exception of the times when I was attending Appalachian State … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Miracles, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, Friendship, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment