Category Archives: Sports

How to Be a UCLA Basketball Player

Posted on December 1, 2011 by russellmckinney

Dr. Paul Chappell is the founding pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, California. He tells the following story: Last week we took our singles on a retreat up to beautiful Yosemite National Park. As we got back in for … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, Encouragement, God's Work, Ministry, Sowing and Reaping, Sports | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Power of a Word of Praise

Posted on September 30, 2011 by russellmckinney

Benjamin West was a famous British artist in the 1700s. He also served as the President of the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts. He was especially known for his paintings of historical scenes. West first become aware of his artistic … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Communication, Encouragement, Fatherhood, Influence, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Sports, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tonya’s Birthday

Posted on September 14, 2011 by russellmckinney

Today is my wife Tonya’s birthday, and so I’d like to devote this post to her. I thought it would be fun to describe a typical day in her life, and since my day-to-day memory only lasts for about one … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Doing Good, Husbands, Marriage, Parenting, Personal, Service, Sports, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Old Bearskin

Posted on August 30, 2011 by russellmckinney

Notre Dame football has had a long and successful history, but it stood the tallest when Knute Rockne was the head coach. From 1918 to 1930, the team’s winning percentage was .881. They lost only twelve games during those thirteen … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Balance, Character, Criticism, God's Love, Humility, Pride, Problems, Prosperity, Sports, Trials | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Church Attendance in the Summer

Posted on August 3, 2011 by russellmckinney

Memorial Day in America has long been called “the unofficial beginning of summer.” With that in mind, I’d like to talk to you about the “summer slump” most churches experience in regards to attendance in June, July, and August. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Will, Memorial Day, Pastors, Personal, Priorities, Sports, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Vacation

Posted on May 30, 2011 by russellmckinney

It’s Memorial Day and I want to wish each of you a great holiday. Let me also encourage you to spend some time thinking about the reason for this holiday. The freedoms we enjoy in this country have never come … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Contentment, God's Will, Parenting, Personal, Sports, Trusting In God, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 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

How to Be a Herod

Posted on February 3, 2011 by russellmckinney

Israel’s first temple, known as Solomon’s temple, stood for 400 years before it was destroyed by the Babylonians. Israel’s second temple, known as Zerubbabel’s temple, stood for 500 years and served as the centerpiece of Jewish worship all during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Decisions, Desires, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Priorities, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is God Judging America?

Posted on January 18, 2011 by russellmckinney

The question is often asked, “Is God judging America?” My answer is an emphatic, “YES.” You say, “I haven’t seen any fire and brimstone raining from the sky.” Well, neither have I, but fire and brimstone are not how God … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Choices, Coming Judgment, Current Events, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Drugs, Gambling, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Government, Homosexuality, Idolatry, Lesbianism, Lust, Lying, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Politics, Racism, Rebellion, Sex, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Sports, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Follow Up To “Church or YBOA Basketball?”

Posted on February 24, 2010 by russellmckinney

In March of last year I wrote a post entitled “Church Or YBOA Basketball?” In that post I explained how my son Ryan’s participation in Youth Basketball of America was causing him to miss some of our Sunday morning church … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Parenting, Personal, Priorities, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment