Category Archives: Youth

What Satan Did to His Fellow Angels: Rebellion

Posted on August 20, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #2) The Bible tells us quite a bit about angels, but it leaves certain parts of the story blank. First, it doesn’t tell us how many angels there are. Second, it doesn’t tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Children, Church, Demons, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Government, Headship, Husbands, Parenting, Pastors, Politics, Rebellion, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, Submission, The Devil, Wives, Work, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Generation That Had to Die Off

Posted on May 12, 2025 by russellmckinney

I once heard a preacher’s thoughts regarding a troubled church. He said something to the effect, “There is a generation that is going to have to die off there before God can get in there and change things.” The preacher … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Attitude, Change, Church, Courage, Death, Faith, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Personal, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selling Hamburgers

Posted on February 7, 2025 by russellmckinney

I have never served as the pastor of a megachurch, and I don’t figure that I ever will. My pastoral ministry has always involved small, rural churches. Still, I’ll admit that, like megachurch pastors, I feel the internal pressure to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Church Attendance, Music, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Kateland’s Answer

Posted on January 22, 2025 by russellmckinney

I was in my first pastorate, and our church was having its annual Bible School week. The attendance was excellent each night as several visiting kids who weren’t part of our church were coming. One of those visitors was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Children, Church, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Work, Humor, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Personal, Reward, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Worship Wars

Posted on January 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

I once met with the pulpit committee of a certain church about the possibility of me becoming that church’s next pastor. I don’t normally take Tonya along for such meetings, but this committee wanted to meet her as well. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Balance, Change, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, King James Only, Ministry, Music, Pastors, Personal, Sunday School, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Two Boys Can Teach Us About Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2024 by russellmckinney

One of my favorite Christmas illustrations is a true story that took place many years ago in Paines Hollow, New York. There was a thirteen-year-old boy who attended Mohawk Central School in that city. One year, at Christmastime, he heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Christmas, Giving, Personal, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Filling in the Gaps of My Learning

Posted on November 20, 2024 by russellmckinney

I grew up in a small, rural, conservative Southern Baptist Convention church. I believed in Jesus as my Savior at a young age, was baptized, and joined the church. I went to Sunday School just about every Sunday and stayed … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Children, Church, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Parenting, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer Requests, Problems, Scripture, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The One Advantage of Getting Saved Later in Life

Posted on July 5, 2024 by russellmckinney

In my opinion, it’s difficult for a child who places his or her faith in Christ to properly understand God’s grace. Mind you that I’m not saying a child can’t experience salvation and thus access that grace. I myself was saved by … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Evangelism, Grace, Salvation, Sin, Sunday School, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Turning the Other Cheek

Posted on June 7, 2024 by russellmckinney

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Character, Choices, Discipleship, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Influence, Persecution, Personal, Revenge, Sports, The Sermon On The Mount, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Miss Thompson & Teddy

Posted on June 5, 2024 by russellmckinney

Today, I feel led to share a story that I picked up years ago from well-known pastor and author John Ortberg. It’s Ortberg’s story put into my own words. The story has always been a blessing to me, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Christmas, Doing Good, Encouragement, Evangelism, Friendship, God's Love, God's Work, Influence, Mercy, Ministry, Motherhood, Service, Teaching, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment