Category Archives: Sin

My Runaway Child

Posted on May 23, 2009 by russellmckinney

One night, when my son Royce was eight years old, my wife Tonya had to chaperon a school dance for a couple of hours. That left me at home with not only Royce but also his older brother Ryan, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Children, Christ's Death, Corporal Punishment, Depravity, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, Humor, Parenting, Personal, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin, Spanking | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Dry Land

Posted on May 18, 2009 by russellmckinney

When a drought hits a land, springs go dry, wells stop working, and creeks run low. There is, however, another kind of drought, one that is mentioned in Psalm 68:5-6. Those verses say: A father of the fatherless, a defender … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Character, Choices, Confession, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Rebellion, Repentance, Reward, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Does the Bible Teach about Homosexuality?

Posted on April 22, 2009 by russellmckinney

The issue of homosexuality has once again been front and center in recent days. First, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that a state ban on gay marriage violates the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians. Second, celebrity blogger and outspoken … Continue reading →

Posted in Homosexuality, Scripture, Sin, The Bible | 10 Comments

Getting Your Toes Stepped On

Posted on April 15, 2009 by russellmckinney

A preacher had just finished a very strong sermon on the subject of sin. One of the officers of his church came to him and asked for a private word in the preacher’s study. Once there, the scolding began. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Judgment, God's Word, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Rebellion, Sin, Truth | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Temptation’s Cliff

Posted on April 2, 2009 by russellmckinney

Once there was a man who lived in a mountainous region. The road to his house ran along a steep cliff. When the man set about to hire a coachman, three candidates applied for the position. The man called in the first candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Choices, Idolatry, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Family Resemblance

Posted on April 1, 2009 by russellmckinney

Let me shock you: God’s chief characteristic is not love. “Then what is it it?” you ask. Answer: holiness. Psalm 47:8 doesn’t say God sits upon his “loving” throne. It says He sits upon His “holy” throne. When Moses stood before … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Disobedience, Fatherhood, God's Holiness, God's Love, Heaven, Hell, Holiness, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin, Temptation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning From Rhododendrons

Posted on March 7, 2009 by russellmckinney

When the calendar page rolls over to April and the weather turns noticeably warmer, my thoughts drift toward yardwork. Trust me when I say that I don’t eagerly embrace that drift. The way I see it, I’m an apartment or … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Confession, Conviction, Faithfulness, God's Will, Personal, Rebellion, Repentance, Sanctification, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments