#love

We Need Dedicated Christian Male Leadership

Mar 28
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

Jan 4
3 min

Living Intentional: What Does It Mean?

There is an epidemic in our world today. I am not speaking about COVID-19, though that has a lot to do with it. I am referencing the overall mental health and spiritual wellness of the world. Personally, I do not believe that people are living intentional, balanced, and sensible lives. We need to take a look inward at our life, before we suffer from a variety of mental health issues. How can we get over anxiety and depression? What can we do to assess our spiritual wellnes

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 6, 2021
2 min

You’ve Always Got the Time

The definition for faith may be found in Hebrews 11:1 but in my mind there are two great verses that are centered on the subject of faith. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” What do the Scriptures mean when they speak of faith? There are seven k

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 29, 2021
2 min

Love Hurts

“A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his hand round your shoulder - watch out!” - Proverbs 27:6 It doesn’t matter what someone has done to you. How bad they’ve hurt you. If they have mistreated those you love. Defamed your character. Spread gossip. Turned people against you. Or broken you down so low you can’t get up. Even well meaning friends can unknowingly hurt you. Your true faith is revealed when you practice I Corinthians 13. When you cho

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Sep 11, 2021
3 min

9/11/01 - 20 Years Later

Today is September 11. It is a day to remember. It is a day we should never forget. This is a season when our nation should put aside our politics, our traditions, our opinions, and our disagreements to focus on what really matters... LIFE. 20 years ago, life was taken from many innocent Americans. On this day, many of us realize that death is tragic, but life is precious. For me personally, I felt a connection with other Americans that I hadn’t felt before (or again) in my

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Sep 6, 2021
2 min

Just Breathe

COVID-19 is a truly terrible sickness. One like I’ve never seen or experienced before. I’ve had headaches, body aches, fever, chills, sinus issues, loss of taste/smell, poor appetite, lack of sleep, cough, congestion, runny nose, hiccups and major fatigue. But I think the hardest part is usually one of the simplest things to do… Breathe. It often hurts to breathe. And it hurts to think about breathing. Honestly, I’ve found myself worrying. Not only about myself but Misty and

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Aug 30, 2021
2 min

Soul Winning Lessons From The Well

What does it mean to conform to the image of Jesus and seek the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8)? I heard a wonderful lesson once entitled “The Abandoned Water Jar.” It was taken from John 4. What an awesome story! Jesus takes advantage of a “ministry moment.” Are you looking for ministry moments? I know I am. Jesus had tried to teach disciples for sometime about personal work, but this woman gets it quicker than any of the disciples. I would give anything to be surrounde

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Aug 24, 2021
2 min

Love Will Rule The Day

There was a time that I enjoyed getting on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. And, I realize that I don't have to use these mediums, it is a choice. However, I can honestly say that it is frustrating at times to hear, see and experience the hatred that is spewed on the Internet. There are times when it breaks my heart. There are times when it angers me. And, yes, there are times when I cry and grieve about what is on here. Do you feel that way? People have a rig

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Aug 3, 2021
2 min

You Are Loved

You have probably noticed that I always end my articles and blogs with the phrase “You are loved .” God loves you! It's true! Look no further than the cross at Calvary. He loves you with an unwavering, jealous, and unfiltered love! Nothing you do, or say, or think, can ever change the FACT that He loves you with an unconditional love. John, the beloved apostle, tells us that "God IS Love" (I John 4:8). In other words, He is the embodiment of that concept. You can't talk about

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 3, 2021
3 min

The Best Part of Heaven

When I was young I remember thinking about Heaven often. I guess it’s because I heard so many preachers talk about it. There are so many songs in our hymn books that speak of Heaven. We need to realize that Heaven is a real place! We need to hear more about Heaven in the pulpit, in the classrooms, out in public, and even around the dinner table. Life takes us and our friends in different directions. When our family and friends die we grieve for them. Some move away and we mis

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 27, 2021
2 min

Be Merciful

Guilt: a feeling of responsibility or remorse for an offense whether real or imagined. Shame: a feeling from one’s consciousness of something dishonorable or improper done by oneself or another. Fear Mongering: the action of deliberately arousing fear, or taking advantage of ones fear, in an effort to manipulate. For the past few days I’ve watched silently while people tear each other apart online. It is actually appalling. What’s happening? Guilting people for not walkin

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 17, 2021
3 min

Gifts In A Bottle

In the early 2000s I visited the Alabama Gulf Coast for the first time. Some of my friends from North Alabama told me to bring back something for them as a souvenir. Seashells? Nope. To predictible. T-shirts or keychains? No way. To expensive. What did I choose? I filled water empty water bottles with ocean water. Before you think I was crazy, the people were impressed with the gift. I wrote Bible verses on them that reminded them that the Lord "poured" out the ocean water (A

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 9, 2021
3 min

The Origin of Mother's Day

This week we celebrate our mothers. Today is affectionately known as Mother's Day. Have you ever wondered why we honor and celebrate Mother’s Day? I know what most men may be thinking, “Its just so we have to go out and buy more cards and gifts!” Nope. The “Mother’s Day” concept has a long history of religious connections, predominantly among Christians. However, it actually all began in ancient Greece. The idea of paying tribute to motherhood was given expression with a regu

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