Category Archives: Talents

Harold & Ella Mae

Posted on December 5, 2022 by russellmckinney

Harold and Ella Mae were sitting on the front porch swing. Harold said, “Ella Mae, I wish I had the arms of the strongest man in the world. That way I could hold you like you ought to be held.” … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Work, Humor, Individuality, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Peter, Don’t Try to Be Paul

Posted on December 2, 2022 by russellmckinney

Have you ever read a passage that was written by the apostle Paul and thought, “That’s too hard for me to understand”? My guess is that most of us have been there. Even the apostle Peter sometimes had trouble with … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Job or A Ministry?

Posted on October 14, 2022 by russellmckinney

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry… (Ephesians 4:11-12, N.K.J.V.) I’ve highlighted the latter portion of this passage because … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Ministry, Pastors, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

One is Enough

Posted on June 29, 2022 by russellmckinney

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (1 Corinthians 12:7, N.L.T.) When a person is born, he or she comes wired with certain talents, skills, and natural abilities. Obviously, these must be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Doing Good, God's Provision, God's Work, Ministry, Salvation, Satan, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Devil, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Strength for All Your Days

Posted on February 14, 2022 by russellmckinney

…As your days, so shall your strength be. (Deuteronomy 33:25, N.K.J.V.) A man retired at the age of 65 and set himself to doing the “bucket list” of things he wanted to get done before the end of his life. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Death, Desires, Doing Good, Elderly, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Individuality, Ministry, Priorities, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, Work, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Be Afraid to Fly

Posted on January 21, 2022 by russellmckinney

The true story is told of a Midwestern farmer who found a young eaglet. The bird’s wing was injured to the point that flying was impossible. The farmer carefully picked up the eaglet and took it back to his farm. … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Faith, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Finding Your Mirrors

Posted on January 5, 2022 by russellmckinney

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, Individuality, Ministry, Missions, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Singing, Making Music, and Dancing

Posted on July 28, 2021 by russellmckinney

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth! (Psalm 96:1, N.K.J.V.) Question: “How many years have to pass before a Baptist church sings a new song?” Answer: “It’s a trick question; Baptists never … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Eternity, Heaven, Music, Praise, Talents, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worship Is Both an Act and a Lifestyle

Posted on July 17, 2021 by russellmckinney

Famed radio announcer Ted Malone hosted an early-morning radio show. One day he received a note that had been written by a sheepherder in Idaho. The note said, “Will you, on your broadcast, strike the note ‘A’? I’m a sheepherder … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Obedience, Priorities, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Call the Qualified or Qualify the Called?

Posted on October 28, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #5) In a very real sense, Moses was uniquely qualified to be the man through whom God would deliver the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage. For one thing, he was an Egyptian by upbringing … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Discipleship, God's Provision, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Preaching, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment