Category Archives: Restoration

“This Is Good!”

Posted on June 23, 2018 by russellmckinney

A king in Africa had a close friend who had a habit of looking at any situation and proclaiming, “This is good!” One day, as the two were hunting, the friend had the job of loading the king’s gun. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Death, Decisions, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Friendship, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Grace, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Sickness, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Music Out of All the Noise

Posted on June 18, 2018 by russellmckinney

Famed American composer/pianist George Gershwin was standing on a crowded beach talking to a friend. The waves were crashing into the shoreline. Other people were engaged in conversations. A nearby merry-go-round was operating in full volume. Venders were trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Brokenness, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Music, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Problems, Restoration, Salvation, Submission, Suffering, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Go Get Your Ark

Posted on May 29, 2018 by russellmckinney

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. (2 Samuel 6:15, N.K.J.V.) David had a God-approved plan to make the city of Jerusalem not … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Desires, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, God's Timing, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Restoration, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Charcoal Fire

Posted on May 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. (John 18:18, N.A.S.V.) On the night of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Brokenness, Forgiveness, Grace, Mercy, Ministry, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Seeking Forgiveness, Service, Sin | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Two Different Bible School Meetings

Posted on June 15, 2017 by russellmckinney

After a relatively successful V.B.S. at one of my former churches, I called for a meeting of the teachers and workers who had been involved with the effort. My purpose for the meeting was to assess what had gone well … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Brokenness, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, Confession, Criticism, Extending Forgiveness, Forgiveness, God's Work, Humility, Ministry, Pastors, Personal, Pride, Problems, Reconciliation, Restoration, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Temporary Victim

Posted on March 14, 2017 by russellmckinney

When Joseph’s older brothers sold him into slavery a series of events was initiated by which God, over the course of 13 years, caused Joseph to become the second highest ruler in Egypt. Nine years later, after Joseph’s brothers had … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Revenge, Reward, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Changed Heart

Posted on November 13, 2012 by russellmckinney

Each year at this time thousands of people participate in Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program. The names of the children of inmates are placed as “angel ornaments” on Christmas trees in churches, businesses, and shopping malls. Along with each name … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Change, Children, Christmas, Christmas Traditions, Doing Good, God's Word, God's Work, Grace, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Motherhood, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture, The Gospel, The Heart | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Unpleasant Truth

Posted on May 7, 2012 by russellmckinney

God gave the prophet Jeremiah a thankless task. Jeremiah was to prophesy, for decades, to his own people of Judah. Those people were a sinful, proud, stiff-necked bunch. Their nation stood on the precipice of being conquered by the Babylonians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Character, Coming Judgment, Depravity, Disobedience, God's Judgment, Preaching, Pride, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Romans 8:28 & Roan Mountain

Posted on February 28, 2012 by russellmckinney

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, NKJV) I grew up in the small town of Bakersville, North Carolina. I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Comfort, Complaining, Creation, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Restoration, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Good Word of Prophecy About Environmentalism

Posted on December 2, 2011 by russellmckinney

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Return, Creation, Prophecy, Restoration, Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment