Category Archives: Personal

When God Doesn’t Seem to Care

Posted on July 13, 2026 by russellmckinney

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fatherhood, God's Love, Honesty, Needs, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Tip for Determining God’s Will

Posted on July 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Like everybody else I make about a zillion decisions each day. Some are as simple as, “Should I have a ham sandwich or a tuna fish sandwich for lunch?” Others are as complex as, “Should we list our house with … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Personal, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Popcorn Poppers & Irons

Posted on June 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

Some of us are old enough to remember eating popcorn made from a popcorn popper rather than a microwave. We’re also old enough to remember when people not only owned irons but actually used them. The following story stems from … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Church, Communication, Current Events, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Music, Personal, Preaching, Priorities, Sunday School, The Gospel, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Posted on May 13, 2026 by russellmckinney

A farmer had lived on the same farm all his life. He’d been born and raised there and had received the farm as an inheritance when his parents had died. It was a good farm, but the farmer had begun … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Temptation, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Hard to Be Still

Posted on April 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10, N.K.J.V.) Royce was our child who couldn’t sit still. He was hyper, fidgety, squirmy, active, and all sorts of other wiggly. He could sit and play his PlayStation for hours, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Church Attendance, Comfort, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Doubt, Dying To Self, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Word, Impatience, Joy, Needs, Parenting, Patience, Peace, Personal, Problems, Revenge, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are You Taking Your Stand with God’s Revealed Truth?

Posted on January 23, 2026 by russellmckinney

One day a teacher set up a telescope in his classroom so that his students could view a certain planet and its moons. The students lined up to peer into the telescope, and one by one each student confidently affirmed … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Belief, Bible Study, Choices, Courage, Criticism, Discernment, Doubt, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Word, Homosexuality, Personal, Rebellion, Satan, Scripture, The Bible, The Devil, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What I Didn’t Know Back Then

Posted on December 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

I was 27 years old when I accepted what is commonly referred to as “the call to preach.” 32 years have passed now. And what have I learned in those years? I’ve learned what I didn’t know back then. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, God's Work, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Service | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Is It Time for You to Make a Change?

Posted on December 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

People often fall into one of two erroneous camps in regards to making changes. One camp holds that change is never good, while the other camp holds that it is always good. But the truth is that sometimes change is of God and sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Church, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Prayer, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Traveling with Jesus

Posted on November 28, 2025 by russellmckinney

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27, N.K.J.V.) During my teenage years I ran around a lot with my friend, Jerry Willis. Jerry had a 1970 Chevy Nova Super Sport muscle car … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Personal, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

When God Tells You to Do Something

Posted on November 12, 2025 by russellmckinney

I’ve been friends with Beau Thomas for most of my life. We grew up together, attended school together, ran around together, and played a lot of ball together. When each of us became a father, we also coached our share … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Money, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment