Nov 15
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Psalm 38 - ThanksThis is one of those Psalms that just makes me say "thanks". I'm so grateful when I read this Psalm, as I'm not alone. I know how sinful I can be, and I know that others have lived the same. Read more » -
fmckinnon added a text contribution Why Don't We Get It?The title of my journal this morning is fairly judgmental and critical - "why don't we get it". That's because when I observe my own life, and that of most Christians I know, we do a terrible job of "coming away" to a quiet place for prayer. When the disciples returned to Jesus after a ministry trip and reported all that they had done ... what was Jesus' response? "Come away to a deserted place and rest". When Jesus finished feeding the 5,000 ...… Read more »
Nov 14
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Surround Yourself with Those Who Believe?Do you ever wonder why Jesus limited the people who would come with him at this critical time of ministry? The passage doesn't really explain it, but I believe that He chose these men because they had faith that He could do this miracle. In another passage, we're told that "Jesus could do no miracles because of their unbelief". Unbelief will kill the potential for miracles. If you are surrounded by doubters and those who have unbelief, it will impact your ability to opera… Read more »
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fmckinnon added a link contribution From the Word: 3 Things that Stand Out Here ...There are 3 things I'm observing in this passage ... Read more »
Nov 12
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fmckinnon added a link contribution The Problem with SinThe problem with sin ... well, one of many ... is the condemned heart ... I'd love your discussion on my thoughts about it! Read more »
Nov 2
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fmckinnon added a link contribution The Sabbath - Do We Keep It?Would love your ongoing thoughts and discussions ... see link. Read more »
Nov 1
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fmckinnon added a text contribution How to Avoid the "Tyranny of the Urgent"Our lives are more fast-paced and hectic, perhaps, than ever before. There are millions of "must do" things popping up. Our email, blackberry, text message, IM, Twitter, blogs ... they all fill our ear with "so and so needs this". How do we work through all of this and do what Christ is telling us? We get alone and we pray. What fascinates me about this story in Mark 1:35-38 is not the fact that Jesus got up early and slipped away to a deserted place to pray. The huge r… Read more »
Oct 21
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fmckinnon added a link contribution We're All Going - But Are We Making Disciples?Jesus' last words were to "go and make disciples". In our busy culture, we're all "going" a lot - but how much time are we really investing into "making disciples". I share my convictions from God's Word on this passage on the blog link, and encourage your comments. Read more »
Sep 23
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OK, so not really a tax ... but in all the times I've read through Exodus, I've never caught this ... the offering was the same, regardless of whether or not you were rich or poor. It's an interesting parallel as debates are always happening about taxes in our land, fair tax, etc. I'm not trying to make a case, just wanted to journal this one ... quite interesting! Read more »
Sep 14
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Wisdom and PrudenceIt's important to read this as the voice of "Wisdom" speaking. We know that the Spirit of "wisdom" is the Holy Spirit in us. As a Believer, it's inherited by the Spirit of God ... but we must exercise it. Wisdom is telling us that it partners with "prudence". I took the liberty to look up this word in the dictionary and find that it means: 1. the quality or fact of being prudent. 2. caution with regard to practical matters; discretion. 3. regard for… Read more »
Aug 8
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fmckinnon added a text contribution What if Aaron and Hur hadn't gone?How many times to God's leaders try and "go at it" alone? They travel alone and succumb to temptation. They keep their faults and temptations private, and never get victory. This story clearly shows the beauty of surrounding yourself with a team who will support and encourage ministry gifts and one another. I think our focus is typically on the fact that they held up Moses' hands ... but as I read this morning, I'm more impressed with the fact that they went with Mos… Read more »
Aug 6
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Loving the Place where God Dwells - Loving One Another"O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells." I love this passage. The Psalmist is giving us a beautiful model of corporate or private worship. Surrendering at the altar. Giving praise and thanksgiving. Of course, in our New Covenant, the glory of God no longer dwells in man-made temples. Sure, His Presence and Glory is there ... but we Believers are His habitation. What really struck me as I read this was how I should love my fellow brothe… Read more »
May 11
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fmckinnon added a link contribution How Much is Enough?Monday Muse? How Much is Enough? Jacob's response to Esau as he gives his gift is "I have enough". God clearly prospered Jacob giving him abundance - more than enough to bless his brother Esau. Consider joining our discussion and give your personal reply as to "how much is enough". http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/05/11/monday-muse-how-much-is-enough/ Read more »
Apr 27
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fmckinnon added a link contribution I'm Most Likley To Sin When I am ...Could the fact that Esau was "exhausted" been a contributing factor in his lack of wisdom here? In his sin, in his mistake, in his poor judgment. For me, I know when I'm exhausted, I'm more prone to succumb to temptation and sin. Join the conversation, and share ... "when are you most likely to sin ..." Read more »
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Prosperity?OK, so these days anyone who preaches or proclaims "prosperity" is ridiculed by the modern church. You are lumped into a "health and wealth" group of radicals. I read these passages this morning and thought "wow, God blessed Issac and God caused him to be wealthy and have lots of MATERIAL POSSESSIONS". This was a direct blessing from God. Were there lots of people in poverty in those days? Of course. Were there lots of people who needed money and help? Of co… Read more »
Dec 12
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Watch Your MouthThis verse really struck me this AM. We've recently been doing our "temperament" profiles, and I re-learned that I'm a heavy-dose of Sanguine and Choleric ... a sure fire extroverted way to use my mouth WAY TOO MUCH. I'm a very hard worker - so I totally relate to seeing how the "work of my hands" will reward me ... but I seldom take the time to see that I also will have "harvest" from what I speak with my mouth. Just as my hard work and extra hour… Read more »
Nov 7
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In this verse, Paul reminds us that the "church of God" was purchased "with his own blood". What a price to pay. How precious the church must be to God. Next time you find yourself being judgmental and critical of the church, remember this verse. Think twice about speaking such negativity towards something so precious and valuable to the God we love. Read more »
Aug 27
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Faith and Hope in Hard TimesThis Scripture has special meaning to me because I remember my grandmother sharing it with me. I don't remember the reason, I just remember that she would often quote and cling to this Verse. This Verse speaks to our need to cling to God in hard times. Our faith isn't faith at all if it's dependent on "good circumstances". We must be in a place where we can "rejoice in the Lord" and "be joyful" even during the hard times. Read more »
Aug 15
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This is a powerful example in Scripture of the martyrs. Waiting in heaven for God to avenge their blood ... yet, as they ask this question, the response is "in a little while, there has to be more people martyred first", basically. It's unfathomable to me - that God knows His children will suffer and even be martyred for their faith. So much that He knows the count ... and as of this scene in revelation, the count is incomplete. For God to allow such a thing, these are issue… Read more »
Jul 28
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fmckinnon added a text contribution My PromisesI love Psalm 128, and the promises it prays. All of these blessings are contingent on my fearing God. 1. that I will be blessed when I fear Him and walk in His ways. 2. that I will enjoy the results of my hard work. 3. that my life will be marked with blessing and prosperity 4. that my wife will bear many children 5. that I would see peace in Israel 6. that I would live to see my grandchildren. Amen. Lord, let these blessings follow me, and my children, and all the generations to come.… Read more »
Jul 2
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Merciful God, Hear UsWhat a beautiful passage. Daniel, in crying out to the God of the Heavens, acknowledges that we are dependent on God's mercy to hear our prayers ... not our righteous deeds. How many times has a convicted heart, a guilty conscience, or a condemning thought kept us away from God's Presence, hindered our confidence in prayer, or shut down our willingness to speak with God? For me, I've found that I'm much more prone to approach God when I feel like I've been "wor… Read more »
Jun 20
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Proactive Against SinI love this verse. The Psalmist says that he "keeps his feet from every evil path" so that he might obey God's Word. I often find myself thinking and praying, "I will obey God's Word, and this will keep me from evil". Here, the Psalmist is indicating that He's being proactive in doing this the other way around. He's keeping Himself AWAY from the streets of evil, so THAT he will KEEP God's Word. How does this translate to us in today's cultur… Read more »
Jun 19
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Don't Forget #2When God promotes you, when he blesses you and raises you up to a higher, better place ... don't forget those who labored with you, who prayed with you, and who served with you. As you are blessed, be a blessing. In this case, Daniel is promoted to a high place in the government. Instead of forgetting his loyal friends (not to mention, brothers in God), he used his influence to see that they were also promoted and brought into a place of influence. I wonder, however .... in Chapter 3 ..… Read more »
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fmckinnon added a text contribution Don't ForgetWhen you are tempted to give up, to succumb, to throw in the towel and live for your fleshly desires .... you will have to answer. One day. Read more »
Jun 6
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fmckinnon added a link contribution We are at WarI love this verse. Peter makes it clear - we are AT WAR. Our sinful nature, the lusts of our flesh, and wicked desires - they WAR at our soul. How comforting to see the Apostle Peter admitting this, yet challenging us to abstain from these desires. In Verse 12, we realize the "why". Not only is yielding to those sinful desires detrimental for our own spiritual health, it hinders our witness to the pagan and unbeliever. Clearly, our ability to abstain from sin speaks volumes to… Read more »
User Info
Name: Fred McKinnon
User Since: September 2007
Location: Saint Simons Island, GA
Website: www.fredmckinnon.com
Contributions: 42
Tags: 112