#GTKYB

Jun 29, 2022
2 min

Be Careful on Social Media

The apostle Paul must have had supernatural knowledge of the internet and social media. I love how he says things like... "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (I Corinthians 13:35) and "let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29). I also love how he says, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17). Social media is a necessary evil. We n

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Roe vs. Wade is Overturned: What's Next?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 27, 2022
2 min

Roe vs. Wade is Overturned: What's Next?

This blog is from the Summerdale Church of Christ blog page and posted with permission (www.summerdalechurch.org). Nearly 50 years ago the Justice system of our country decided that human life was regulated to life outside the womb. It elevated the life of the mother over the life of the child. Clearly the Bible teaches differently (Genesis 2:7, Exodus 21:22-25, Leviticus 17:14). Today our newsfeeds are flooded with highlights of the Supreme Court’s decision. It has also prov

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 20, 2022
3 min

The God Above All Others

God makes a promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). That promise is passed on to Isaac, then Jacob, and eventually through the line of Judah. The Israelites didn't know much about God, but they knew He was above all others. The New Testament echoes the same timeless truth. There is one God who is above all others and the Father of all people n the earth. The promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was one of an inheritance. However, I've always wondered why God would promise Is

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 19, 2022
1 min

Age Is Just A Number

I wrote a poem for my dad this year on his birthday (1/24/22). His bday card had a rough draft, but this is the final work. I wasn't going to post it online because my poetry is very personal. Poetry often shows a depth and raw nature filled with emotion. However, this one is light and encouraging. Enjoy! They say age is just a number, as precious time ticks slowly by. I'd like to slow the clock, but it moves ahead no matter what I try. So instead of worrying about my days a

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 13, 2022
2 min

Is God Out To Get You?

Do you picture God gavel in hand? Behind His giant throne? Condemning you for everything you do that is wrong? With lightening bolts in His hands? Just waiting to catch you when you slip up? Is God out to get you? Let me help to settle those anxious thoughts. That's not the image the Bible paints as the True & Living God. God does judge us but He’s not against us (Romans 8:31). His judgment is always fair and full of mercy. God is NOT out to punish us. In fact, He places op

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 6, 2022
3 min

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. We must do something about Gran

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 20, 2022
2 min

Don’t Worry, It Gets Better

Life is tough. The roads are rough. There are mountains, deserts and valleys. We get knocked down. We don’t want to get up. Then when we do get up… we get knocked down again. Praying for deliverance seems to fall on deaf ears. We get anxious or depressed trying to find a silver lining. I have often had people tell me it gets better. Honestly, I am confident that things don't always get better. Things don't always work out. People don't always choose to be rational and civil.

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 13, 2022
2 min

Death: Our Graduation Day

I wrote this poem to be read at my Grandfather's funeral. He always spoke of death as a Graduation Day. I wanted to honor him at the service. Today we celebrate Jim Green’s Graduation Day. We realize that he has gone to see the Father. He only joins us here in spirit today. He would want us to know that he is somewhere greater. Today we celebrate Jim Green’s Graduation Day. We’ll miss his kind words and prayers during his life. We’ll miss his bass voice at church on Sunday. A

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Apr 1, 2022
2 min

April Fool’s Day

Yes, it is April Fool's Day. Has someone pranked you today? Or have you attempted to “fool” someone else? This is a unique calendar day. Do you know why it’s called April Fool’s Day? Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. This decision was actually made official by the Council of Trent in 1563. In the Julian Calendar, and the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring

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We Need Dedicated Christian Male Leadership

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Mar 28, 2022
2 min

We Need Dedicated Christian Male Leadership

If there is one thing that I have noticed, in the years that I have been a Christian, it is that we need more dedicated Christian men. I believe that men should be the spiritual leaders of their family. And I believe that Christian men need to be more active at home and in the community. The world is struggling to find real men that lead their family in the way God desires. One reason why we are struggling to revive the church is because we are starving for good faithful C

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Mar 14, 2022
3 min

Waiting For An Answer to Prayer

Have you ever found yourself in a place you never intended to be, wondering how you ended up there? Maybe the question on your mind was more focused on how you could or even would ever get out of those circumstances? Overwhelming debt? A cancelled flight? A lost job opportunity? Divorce court? School loans? A hospital room? An angry neighbor? Or maybe a list of unanswered prayers? Where is God when the circumstances of life are inconvenient? Where is God when your world comes

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Mar 7, 2022
2 min

The Best Kind of Story

One of my favorite writers today is Mitch Albom. In his book, For One More Day, He said, "There's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin." I don't know why that line strikes me so hard, but it does. Our life is a story. But it's the continuation of another sto

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 28, 2022
3 min

Faith is the Cure for Sin-Sickness

After the fall of Adam and Eve, we continue to read in Genesis about the depravity of humanity. It was so bad that God cleansed the entire earth with water to effectively "start over" with Noah's family. As time continues to pass by, we begin to see the story of Abram and Sarai to emerge. One might ask, "How could the broken relationship between God and man ever be restored, especially in such a sin-sick world?" Is it possible for humans to live a righteous life in a fallen w

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 21, 2022
3 min

Lean on Jesus & Love Yourself

In 1976 John Stallings penned a hymn called “Learning To Lean.” I remember singing that song in my youth. The words still strike a chord with me. The chorus of the song says, “Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed. I’m learning to lean on Jesus.” I suppose that makes sense to me because Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.” The best place to lean is on Jesus! We need to trust in Him. How can that thought of lea

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 19, 2022
2 min

How To Love Yourself

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:35-40 How many times have you heard lessons on

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 15, 2022
2 min

The Church of Brotherly Love

In I Thessalonians 4:9-12 Paul said, “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outsid

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The Unfailing Qualities of Godly Romance & Biblical Love

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 12, 2022
2 min

The Unfailing Qualities of Godly Romance & Biblical Love

For whatever reason, we tend to live in what is often regarded as an enlightened culture. Our generation claims to be enlightened on every single subject. You name it. Education. Politics. Economy. Diplomacy. Racial divisions. Drugs. Alcohol. Crime. Marriage. The family. In fact, we are so “enlightened” that we allow teenagers to direct the narrative and talking points on major issues. Has much changed in the culture on respecting authority over the last 50-60 years? Imagine

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 7, 2022
2 min

More Than Conquerors

The words "more than conquerors" is a powerful statement. The apostle Paul says thatwe are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). In addition to all the many exciting things he says in this chapter, this may be the most profound. You are not just a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You are MORE than a conqueror! The beginning of Romans 8 focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Paul reveals that the Spirit gives life and empowers th

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 5, 2022
2 min

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US

I love poetry and I love to write poetry. Often times I will read a Bible verse, meditate on it, and then write poetry about it. This is one based on Romans 8:35-39. Enjoy: Life was moving right along, but it seemed everything I did was wrong. In my trespasses I was dead, but then I opened my Bible and read; Nothing can separate me from You and Your Love! I began to seek you out, and learned what you were all about. You sent Your Son to die, and now I realize why; Nothing c

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John the Baptizer: The World’s Greatest Man

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 1, 2022
1 min

John the Baptizer: The World’s Greatest Man

Jesus called John the "greatest" man who ever lived (Luke 7:28). This poem is written to reveal his strength and dedication to lead people to Jesus. Enjoy! The prophets foretold of Elijah’s return Who would straighten the path for God’s Only Son. His language was brash, his actions taboo, But his presence was needed to make the way smooth. Rough cloth and strange diet describe the man Who taught of repentance from all manner of sin. He chose the Jordan to baptize in much wate

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