#goodnews

Nov 8, 2022
6 min

Criticism Is A Cry For Help

Why are we compelled to get into Facebook debates? We know that sparring on social media is never profitable. Yet we often defend our honor, (or the honor of those with whom we agree) in order to win the argument. It usually ends up with us suffering from high blood pressure and low self-esteem. Emotions are high. Lines are drawn. Friends are lost. Can you relate? Have you ever thought that doing the right thing was going to be the "right thing" to do? It's funny how saying t

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 11, 2022
3 min

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Do you judge a book by its cover? I've been guilty before. Time and time again, even though I know its foolish, I have purchased a book or magazine because of the picture or the title of the book. It is nothing more than clever and strategic marketing. Imagine what would happen if people judged the Bible simply by the cover. If you take a look at my study Bible it is worn, the spine is broken, the pages are torn and the concordance in the back is ripped free from the cover

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 4, 2022
14 min

Freedom Over Socialism

Happy 4th of July! I hope you are planning to enjoy this holiday. I've always loved Independence Day. Grilling hot dogs and burgers outside. Ice cold coke cans out of cooler. Watermelon sliced on the picnic table. Fireworks. And, an opportunity to think about freedom. In America, we really need to pause this year and think about this freedom we enjoy. How we received it. How we can keep it. Those who have suffered, bled, and died for this freedom. I usually remain relatively

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

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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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.

May 8, 2022
11 min

Mother’s Day Reflections

It may seem like just a picture. A mom hugging her two little boys. All smiles. Picture perfect. Probably taken right after church on a Sunday morning. Pure joy and happiness. I look deeper. Longer. Because I see something else. I see the calm before the storm. I see a woman who was about to experience the ugly side of Lupus. I see a woman who would have decades of pain, pills and procedures. Chemo. Radiation. Therapy. A year in the hospital. Dozens and dozens of doctors. Her

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Apr 6, 2022
2 min

A New Life & A Fresh Start

Do you want a fresh start? A clean slate? What if I told you… Anyone can have a fresh start in Christ Jesus! No matter what you've done, no matter where you've been, no matter how far you have fallen, you can come back again! II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Romans 8:1 provides great hope when it confirms there is “no condemnation” in Christ Jesus. You can ha

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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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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 28, 2022
2 min

Living Daily For Christ

This coming Sunday is our 5th Sunday Family Day. We’ve got three services and free food. Everyone is welcome! All three messages encourage us to be focused on living daily for Christ. In the combined Bible class, I’m gonna be presenting a lesson called “Make Your Life Count.” We are going to notice that every person is valuable in the kingdom of God. We simply have to use our talents to glorify the Lord. Live a genuine life of substance. In the morning worship, we are going

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 24, 2022
3 min

Renewing Our Spiritual Passion

Psalm 51:10-12 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” I love reading the book of Psalms. And I pray daily that I can become a man after God’s own heart like King David. He made a lot of mistakes, but he had a personal connection to God and His Holy Spirit. I often wonder

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 23, 2022
1 min

A Poem About My God

I have always loved the psalms. The simplicity. The raw nature. The brutal honesty. The wonderful metaphors that describe the depth of God’s providential care. The 73 psalms of David, and many other similar songs, were so well loved that the Israelites preserved them for worship. A total of 150 psalms in our Bible. I enjoy reading them over and over again. For over 25 years I’ve taught countless audiences, in over a hundred places, by radio and television too. I have used the

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 22, 2022
2 min

Do The Right Thing, Always

I frequently taught my children: “It's never right to do the wrong thing.” Solomon teaches us that God created us to be good, but we've found all kinds of ways to be evil (Ecclesiastes 7:29). People are NOT evil. What they do may be evil. What they say may be evil. Something else to consider… Wickedness is not inherited. It is a learned behavior. Don't become wicked but adapting your lifestyle to fight like the devil. That's how he wins. Don't repay evil for evil. Stay spirit

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