Category Archives: Problems

Robert’s Trip to the Dentist’s Office

Posted on July 22, 2020 by russellmckinney

Psychologist James Dobson, the founder of the Focus on the Family ministry, tells a great story in his book Straight Talk to Men and Their Wives. The story comes from one of Dr. Dobson’s friends, Dr. William Slonecker. Dr. Slonecker … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Children, Choices, Decisions, Discipline, Disobedience, God's Will, Problems, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Transforming the Hardcore Sinner & the Addict

Posted on July 11, 2020 by russellmckinney

Hugh Price Hughes, an influential Methodist minister, was once challenged to a debate by Charles Bradlaugh, an atheistic political activist. Bradlaugh wanted Hughes to defend Christianity as being anything other than just a man-made religion based upon a fairy tale. … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Atheism, Change, God's Love, God's Provision, Grace, Inner Peace, Needs, Personal Holiness, Problems, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beware of the Devil’s Shortcut

Posted on June 24, 2020 by russellmckinney

An elderly gentleman’s hearing reached the point where he needed a hearing aid. He did some investigating and found that a good one would cost him $8,000. Not being willing to pay that much, he kept searching until he found … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Church, Church Discipline, Decisions, God's Will, Inner Peace, Problems, Satan, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Hand & God’s Shoulder

Posted on June 10, 2020 by russellmckinney

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13, N.K.J.V.) The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Comfort, Depression, Encouragement, God's Love, God's Mercy, Grace, Loneliness, Mercy, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Suicide, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Four Answers to Prayer Requests

Posted on May 18, 2020 by russellmckinney

Preachers love to come up with pithy little outlines to describe how God answers prayer requests. So, for today’s post I thought I’d share a couple such examples. Each of these has been passed around so much that I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Desires, Disappointment, Discernment, Discipleship, God's Love, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Needs, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When a Nightmare Becomes a Reality

Posted on March 28, 2020 by russellmckinney

6’10, 235 pound Darrall Imhoff was a great basketball player. He was a two-time All American at the University of California, was a starter on that school’s 1959 team that won the NCAA championship, won a gold medal as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Brokenness, Change, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Courage, Crucifixion, Depression, Disappointment, Easter, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Good Friday, Inner Peace, Joy, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Resurrection, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Not My Typical Week

Posted on March 21, 2020 by russellmckinney

I spent this past week gathering as much information as I could about the Coronavirus in an effort to figure out how to conduct church services in a reasonably safe way. I also met with our church deacons Tuesday night … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, God's Work, Pastors, Preaching, Problems, Service | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Partial Obedience is Full Disobedience

Posted on March 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

Israel’s King Saul had his marching orders. They had been given to him by Samuel, Israel’s unquestioned spiritual leader. Samuel, speaking for God, had told Saul to take Israel’s army and attack the Amalekities. More than just attack the Amalekites, … Continue reading →

Posted in Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Obedience, Problems, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sir, We Would See Jesus”

Posted on February 27, 2020 by russellmckinney

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:21, K.J.V.) Word has it that a church in Georgia has an angling stairway the preacher must ascend … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Belief, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Joy, Ministry, Preaching, Problems, Service, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The God of the Tight Spot

Posted on February 17, 2020 by russellmckinney

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1, K.J.V.) Psalm 4 is a Psalm written by David, and in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Mercy, God's Provision, Mercy, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment