Category Archives: Personal

Year-End Report (2017)

Posted on January 1, 2018 by russellmckinney

HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody! Here in Spruce Pine, NC, 2018 rang in with single-digit temperatures and an inch of fresh snow. According to the weatherman, those bone-chilling temperatures will be a staple for our week. I thought I’d use this … Continue reading →

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The Fundamental Question

Posted on December 23, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #5) You — the regular readers of this blog — have had the last four posts to grasp some of the more compelling arguments presented in the book Why I Left, Why I Stayed. As you know … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Children, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Christ's Return, Doubt, Eternal Security, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, Heaven, Parenting, Personal, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", The Bible, Virgin Birth, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Death & the Atheist

Posted on December 21, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #4) In the opening sentence to the preface for the book Why I Left, Why I Stayed, the father and son team of Tony and Bart Campolo jointly say: We are not unusual. Many Christian parents … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Atheism, Belief, Comfort, Conscience, Death, Doubt, Faith, Fear, Heaven, Hell, Human Life, Justice, Personal, Reward, Salvation, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", The Bible, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Morality Without God

Posted on December 19, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #3) I have long believed that one of the best arguments against atheism goes like this: “If there is no God, there is no real motivation for men and women to live morally.” Putting it … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Depravity, Doing Good, Entertainment, Faith, Greed, Homosexuality, Personal, Personal Holiness, Revenge, Scripture, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", The Bible, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Your Feelings Might Be Real, But They Won’t Impress an Atheist

Posted on December 17, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #2) We’ve begun a series of posts on the book, Why I Left, Why I Stayed. The book is coauthored by the father-son team of Tony and Bart Campolo and explores the reasons why Bart Campolo … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Christ's Miracles, Conscience, Conviction, Creation, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, God's Omnipotence, Guilt, Music, Personal, Preaching, Salvation, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Reason Why One Man Stopped Believing in God

Posted on December 14, 2017 by russellmckinney

“A Thought-Provoking Book” series (post #1) As part of our Christmas shopping at the mall a couple of weeks ago, I went into a Barnes & Noble store to kill some time while Tonya shopped for shoes or something like … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Children, Christ's Birth, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Doubt, Faith, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, Hell, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, Personal, Scripture, Series: "A Thought-Provoking Book", Sunday School, The Bible, Trusting In God, Truth, Virgin Birth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Special Antenna

Posted on December 7, 2017 by russellmckinney

As a Christian, I sometimes get frustrated with people who just can’t seem to grasp spiritual issues. No matter how many Bible passages I cite, how many illustrations I use, or how eloquently I explain a subject, these folks simply … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Communication, Discernment, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Work, Personal, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“How’s Russell Doing These Days?”

Posted on October 27, 2017 by russellmckinney

I thought I’d use today’s post to provide you — my regular readers — with a snapshot of my life and ministry these days. It’s not that I consider my personal affairs to be so important that you’all are just … Continue reading →

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Failed Lately?

Posted on October 23, 2017 by russellmckinney

When Tonya and I were raising our two sons, we didn’t want either of them to have any problems in life. We wanted them to enjoy perfect health. We wanted them to be the most popular kids at their schools. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Business, Character, Children, Disappointment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Encouragement, God's Work, Humility, Individuality, Ministry, Perseverance, Personal, Pride, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fall & You

Posted on October 16, 2017 by russellmckinney

One look out my window today here in the mountains of western North Carolina proves that Fall has arrived. I’ve already got a yard full of dead leaves that have officially made the “fall” from their trees to the ground, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Conviction, Creation, God's Will, Personal, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment