Category Archives: Problems

Can a Person Truly Change?

Posted on May 31, 2011 by russellmckinney

Can a person truly change? Mel Trotter did. Trotter was born to a Christian mother and an alcoholic father. By age 19, he was drinking heavily himself as well as gambling. He met and married a young woman and fathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Belief, Change, Choices, Depravity, Forgiveness, Gambling, God's Love, God's Work, Husbands, Influence, Marriage, Ministry, Problems, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Is Your Opinion of God?

Posted on May 23, 2011 by russellmckinney

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a two-column chart on the subject of God. The chart presents two very different opinions concerning our Maker. See which side best describes your opinion of God. Opinion 1 ————————————————————————————- Opinion 2 a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Depression, Disappointment, Honesty, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning to Really Appreciate the Moment

Posted on May 18, 2011 by russellmckinney

To everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, N.L.T.) The following quote is attributed to “Anonymous”: First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Children, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Family, Fatherhood, God's Timing, God's Will, Human Life, Joy, Parenting, Personal, Problems, Service, Sports, Thankfulness, Waiting, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year by Year

Posted on May 9, 2011 by russellmckinney

As the story in 1 Samuel chapter 1 begins, a woman named Hannah is barren. She has a husband, Elkanah, who loves her very much, but she cannot give him children. Perhaps that is why he has a second wife. … Continue reading →

Posted in Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, God's Love, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Will, Impatience, Needs, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

All You Need to Know

Posted on April 5, 2011 by russellmckinney

The teacher of a children’s Sunday School class gave her students one month to memorize the 23rd Psalm. Little Bobby gave it his best, but by month’s end he still couldn’t quote all the Psalm. So, when it came his … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Eternal Security, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Provision, Needs, Problems, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be a Good Neighbor

Posted on March 22, 2011 by russellmckinney

He who despises his neighbor sins… (Proverbs 14:21, N.K.J.V.) Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10, N.K.J.V.) Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God will all … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Contentment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Influence, Personal Holiness, Problems | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Headed North

Posted on March 16, 2011 by russellmckinney

Is it possible for a person to be moving north and south at the same time? Sure. Imagine a man walking south on the deck of a ship that is headed north. As we live the Christian life, we oftentimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Demons, Eternal Security, Heaven, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Satan, Sowing and Reaping, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mitchell County (We’re Not All Leaving)

Posted on March 4, 2011 by russellmckinney

In March of 2024, the United States Census Bureau released its 2023 county population estimates for North Carolina. Of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 85 of them had either grown in population or at least remained almost identically the same in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Business, Church, Commitment, Contentment, Current Events, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Feeling Kind of Inadequate? Good!

Posted on March 3, 2011 by russellmckinney

My wife, Tonya, is a middle-school math teacher, which means that she is good at math. She isn’t nearly as good, however, in the areas of grammar and spelling. Being polar opposites, I am good at grammar and spelling but … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, Individuality, Needs, Personal, Problems, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Properly Appreciate Heaven

Posted on March 2, 2011 by russellmckinney

Charles Spurgeon, Victorian England’s most famous preacher, wrote the following concerning why the Christian has difficulties in this life: We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched or enjoy the juice of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Encouragement, Eternity, Heaven, Perseverance, Problems, Reward | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment