Category Archives: Parenting

Persistence

Posted on October 11, 2023 by russellmckinney

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9, N.K.J.V.) At 10:30 one night, a little girl called out from her bed, “Mommy, will you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Choices, Commitment, Disappointment, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Impatience, Marriage, Parenting, Patience, Perseverance, Problems, Temptation, Trials, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bread & Stone

Posted on October 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Complaining, Desires, Disappointment, Family, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Marriage, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Service, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lynched by Mistake

Posted on September 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

In one Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown is lying in bed talking to Snoopy, who’s lying atop the covers at Charlie’s feet. Charlie says, “Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Is life a multiple choice test or is … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Choices, Discernment, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Husbands, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Work, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Who Are You Riding With?

Posted on August 26, 2023 by russellmckinney

The Lone Ranger and Tonto were in the desert. When 10,000 Indians attacked them from the north, the duo fled south. When 10,000 more Indians attacked them from the south, they fled east. When 10,000 more attacked them from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Children, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Fatherhood, Friendship, God's Will, Marriage, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Wonder of Being Childlike

Posted on August 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

My oldest son, Ryan, was a freshman on his high school’s j.v. baseball team, and the team had an away game against a school that was located an hour and a half away. So, I made the drive to watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Belief, Children, Desires, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, Grace, Needs, Parenting, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Sports, Trusting In God, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Power of a Word of Praise

Posted on May 13, 2023 by russellmckinney

Benjamin West was a famous British artist in the 1700s. He also served as the President of the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts. He was especially known for his paintings of historical scenes. West first become aware of his artistic … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Communication, Encouragement, Fatherhood, Influence, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Sports, Youth | 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

Carowinds

Posted on November 26, 2022 by russellmckinney

I’m 56 years old now, and it’s been more than ten years since I was forced to come to grips with the reality of aging. On that day so long ago, Tonya and I took our two boys (Ryan and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Change, Contentment, Elderly, Human Life, Parenting, Personal, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Good Thought for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

Let’s say that a father takes his child to McDonalds for french-fries. Once they have their order and are seated at a table, the father tests the child by asking, “Do you love me more than you love these french-fries?” … Continue reading →

Posted in Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, Parenting, Praise, Priorities, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Trials, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

At What Age Should a Person Marry?

Posted on October 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

I’m officiating a wedding this afternoon. The bride and groom are both in their mid-twenties, which seems to be pretty much the average age for first-time marriages these days. But here’s a good question: At what age should a person marry? Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Bible Study, Children, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Husbands, Marriage, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Scripture, Sex, The Bible, Wives, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments