Category Archives: Service

A Lot of Moving Parts But Not Much Production

Posted on June 22, 2026 by russellmckinney

There was once an inventor who built an amazing machine. It was six feet high and five feet long and had a total of 5,626 parts (wheels, gears, shafts, chains, belts, etc.), to say nothing of all the nuts, bolts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Church, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Ministry, Priorities, Service | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Something to Consider When Troubles Come Your Way

Posted on June 15, 2026 by russellmckinney

You have to love Gideon. As he lived in a time when God seemed to be a million miles from Israel, and as he dealt each day with the fallout from that situation, he became a realist. And as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Faithfulness, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Prayer, Problems, Restoration, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Time to Fight & A Time to Cease Fighting

Posted on June 12, 2026 by russellmckinney

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19, N.K.J.V.) A knight rode up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Balance, Choices, God's Timing, God's Wrath, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Persecution, Problems, Service, War | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tale of Emanuel Nenger

Posted on June 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

Emanuel Nenger arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, from Germany sometime around 1876. He got work as a sign painter and eventually bought a farm in Westfield, New Jersey. But all of that was more or less just a front. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Shepherd

Posted on June 1, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #4) “The Lord is my shepherd.” These opening words of the 23rd Psalm are probably the most well-known words in the Bible, only rivaled by the words of John 3:16. Far less known, however, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Comfort, Commitment, Contentment, Decisions, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Eternity, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Provision, Heaven, Leadership, Needs, Obedience, Salvation, Series: "The Names of God", Service, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Being in a Relationship With a Jealous God

Posted on May 18, 2026 by russellmckinney

A.B. Simpson, the great Canadian preacher, used to tell the story of a father and a daughter. One day the father was sitting in his library reading one of his many books. At his feet was his little girl. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Desires, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Name, God's Will, Idolatry, Jealousy, Love, Obedience, Priorities, Rebellion, Reward, Service, Sports, Submission, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Baptizing Your Job Into Service to Christ

Posted on May 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

There once was a young man named Arsene who lived in Paris, France. Arsene worked as a grocer, but he absolutely hated his job because he felt like he was meant for bigger things. In his mind, circumstances created by … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Business, Christ's Birth, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Desires, Disappointment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Greed, Humility, Individuality, Influence, Inner Peace, Ministry, Missions, Money, Prosperity, Service, Submission, Suicide, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

If in This Life Only…

Posted on April 28, 2026 by russellmckinney

Sometimes you’ll hear a preacher make the statement, “Even if there is no heaven, the benefits you receive in this life make it worth it to follow Jesus.” I remember saying this myself a time or two in my younger … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Resurrection, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Eternity, Forgiveness, Heaven, Missions, Money, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Revenge, Reward, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Stewardship, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Give God All There Is of You

Posted on April 24, 2026 by russellmckinney

William Booth was one of the most famous ministers who ever lived. When he became a Christian at the age of 15, he wrote in his diary, “God shall have all there is of William Booth.” He then spent the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Christ's Death, Commitment, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Sure You’re a Soldier?

Posted on March 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

An elderly gentleman found himself seated next to a young man who was dressed rather sloppily. The elderly gentleman struck up a conversation to pass the time. After exchanging names and pleasant greetings, he asked the young man, “Son, what … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Disobedience, Dress and Appearance, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Separation, Service, Spiritual Warfare, The Bible | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment