Category Archives: Trials

Feeling Kind of Small?

Posted on January 27, 2023 by russellmckinney

You’ve probably heard of Solomon’s temple, that beautiful, majestic house of worship that served as the centerpiece of worship in Israel. That temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonians in 587 B.C. To make that destruction even worse, Nebuchadnezzar deported the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Church, Contentment, Criticism, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Impatience, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Service, Trials, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Hop of Faith

Posted on January 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Current Events, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, Grace, Needs, New Year, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“My Cross Is Too Big for Me to Bear”

Posted on December 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

A Christian woman was forced to continually deal with a ongoing problem in her life. Eventually, she faded into total self-pity. Time and time again she told people, “My cross is too big for me to bear.” One night she … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In Training to Be Used Mightily

Posted on November 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

A budding young soloist went to a great Italian musician for voice training. The master handed him a piece of music and said, “Practice this for one full year and then return here.” The request seemed a bit strange, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Commitment, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Impatience, Ministry, Music, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Rebellion, Reward, Submission, Teaching, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Good Thought for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

Let’s say that a father takes his child to McDonalds for french-fries. Once they have their order and are seated at a table, the father tests the child by asking, “Do you love me more than you love these french-fries?” … Continue reading →

Posted in Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, Parenting, Praise, Priorities, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Trials, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Knows What He is Doing/ He Maketh No Mistake

Posted on November 22, 2022 by russellmckinney

For a post today, I decided to do something a bit different by combining a couple of short items I’ve had in my files for some time. The first one is a little story that offers one example of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Comfort, Disappointment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Humor, Patience, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Optimistic Are You About Your Future?

Posted on November 11, 2022 by russellmckinney

Flagstaff, Maine, was chosen as the site for a huge hydroelectric installation. The installation would include a dam that would impound miles and miles of water and bury the town under water. Consequently, in the late 1940s, the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Assurance of Salvation, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Elderly, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Peace, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Criticism

Posted on November 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

I once heard Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, tell a great story in his sermon. The story went as follows. A man and his wife walked into a store. A parrot sitting on a perch … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Commitment, Criticism, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, Humor, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Suffering

Posted on October 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

We live in a culture in which we are taught to avoid suffering. After all, avoiding it does seem to make perfect sense. But the problem is that God, who oftentimes delights in making little or no sense, uses suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Sanctification, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Is Your Opinion of God?

Posted on October 18, 2022 by russellmckinney

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a two-column chart on the subject of God. The chart presents two very different opinions concerning our Maker. See which side best describes your opinion of God. Opinion 1 ————————————————————————————- Opinion 2 a loving father … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Depression, Disappointment, Honesty, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment