Pastor Mark Reynolds' Podcast

Who are the people that have helped you get where you are today? People who gave you wise advice or helped you see things in a different light? Looking back we often realize that God was speaking through these people to guide our steps.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

When was the last time you read a good book? Are there any books that have changed your life? In this message, we continue the series, “Discernment," looking at how God speaks not only through the Bible but also spiritual writings. Pastor Mark shares some of the books that shaped his faith and changed his life. If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

In this second message from the "Discernment" series, we explore the challenge of distinguishing truth from falsehood in a world filled with conflicting voices, both externally and within ourselves. Using 1 John 4:1 and Galatians 5:13-25, the sermon emphasizes the importance of testing the spirits, discerning between good and evil, and recognizing how the Holy Spirit guides us toward love, peace, and unity. As we learn to identify the impulses of the flesh that lead to division and self-deception, we are reminded of our need for spiritual community, humility, and daily alignment with God's will.

Do you sometimes struggle to make hard decisions? In this message, we explore the process of discerning God's will in our lives. Grounded in scriptures from Colossians 1:9-11 and Hebrews 11:1, the sermon emphasizes the importance of both solitude and community in hearing God's voice. By practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on scripture, and engaging in authentic relationships with fellow believers, we can cultivate the spiritual senses needed to discern God's guidance, even in the midst of uncertainty and risk.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

When mean people hurt us, our natural impulse is to get even. But reacting in anger perpetuates conflict, increases the control that mean people hold over you, compels you to violate your values, and remakes you in the image of your enemies. Thankfully there’s another way, a way that honors God, builds our identity in Christ, and diminishes the power that mean people hold over us. Jesus modeled this third way in the New Testament, and Paul talked about it too, but it is also taught in the Old Testament by a woman named Abigail. Check out this message to see how best to deal with the mean people in your life. If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds Resource: Andy Stanley, "Mean People... and What To Do About Them."

This message is the first in a new two-week series, "What to Do About Mean People." We focus on how our impulse to get even perpetuates conflict and multiples our problems. If we can resist this impulse long enough to ask ourselves a few questions, we can respond (instead of react) in a way that honors God and diminishes the power that mean people try to hold over us.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

This message concludes our series on spirituality and the 12 Steps by looking at the promise of ongoing recovery--a spiritual awakening. Pastor Mark explains Step 12 and then ties all the steps together, showing how they build on each other in a journey of intensification toward freedom, peace, and love.

In this message, guest speaker, Dr. Tony Ferretti, talks about steps 10-11, which focus on spiritual and emotional selfcare. Speaking our of his experience as a licensed psychologist, he stresses the importance of developing healthy habits that last a lifetime in recovery.

In this message, we look at the toxicity of shame and the healing power of confession, repentance, and making amends, the spiritual practices that undergird Steps 4-9 of Alcoholics Anonymous. Whether you wrestle with addiction or some kind of unwanted behavior this message in the series, "Breathing Under Water," will help!Source: Richard Rohr, "Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps" (Franciscan Media 2011).If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

In this message, we continue our new series on Spirituality and the 12 Steps by focusing on a God that has the power to save and the importance of surrender. Whether you wrestle with addiction or some kind of self-destructive pattern, this message will help!Source: Richard Rohr, "Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps" (Franciscan Media 2011).If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

"Breathing Under Water" is a new series (based on a book by Richard Rohr) that explores Christian spirituality and the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. In this first message, we explore the link between addiction and sin, revealing how these dynamics often trap individuals in self-destructive cycles. Paradoxically, it's by acknowledging our powerlessness that we find the strength to seek solutions beyond ourselves. Whether you or a loved one grapple with addiction or some kind of unwanted behavior, join us on this transformative journey toward healing and recovery.Video, "Nuggets" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUngLgGRJpo. Book: Richard Rohr, "Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps" (Franciscan Media 2011).Ego in Contemplative Christianity: In the Christian contemplative tradition, the term ego describes a way of thinking and being in the world that is driven by a compulsion to control. It is a false self that sees everything through the lens of its own personal hurts, needs, and memori

We all experience heartbreak and know the importance of grieving personal losses. But what happens when bad things happen to an entire community or country? What does communal and national grief look like? David sets a good example in his lament over King Saul and Johnathan in 2 Samuel 1. Check out this message to help you grieve personal and collection loss.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

What happens when giants come your way? When you experience scary challenges that feel overwhelming? In this message we continue the series, "God at Work," by reflecting on the story of David and Goliath and how God fights through us when we focus on faithfulness. If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

Have you ever felt judged, misunderstood, and written off? When you meet new people, do you fear they are evaluating you with a mental checklist, focusing on outward appearance and stereotypical labels? Has someone questioned your character just because you disagree with them? This happens to all of us, and it hurts. But the good news is that God sees us in a different way, and God calls us to do the same for others. Check out this message to see how.  If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

In this message, we continue the series, "God at Work," by looking at how God responds when we turn away from him or reject His wisdom. Instead of forcing His will on us, sometimes God accomplishes His purposes by giving us what we want and allowing us to experience the natural consequences. Technical Difficulty: We lost audio for 36 seconds, but Pastor Mark re-recorded and spliced it in. You will notice a change in sound for a brief period, but the original audio resumes shortly thereafter.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

In this message, we start a new series, "God at Work," that focuses on God's grace at work in incredible ways in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. This lead-off sermon helps us to see how God calls all of us in important ways if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. But we need to put aside preconceived ideas of the who, how, and what of God's calling.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

In this message we reflect on the connection between living well and dying well and look at four biblical principles that help us do both. If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

Depression and suicide. These are heavy topics, and historically the church has not always been helpful. Most mainline Protestant denominations have changed their position on these issues in conversation with modern medicine to provide compassionate and holistic support. In this message, we explore how these changes offer hope to people who suffer with depression or who have lost loved ones to suicide.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

While we mostly pray to our Heavenly Father, maternal metaphors for God are not uncommon in the Bible. One striking example is Isaiah 66:13: "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." In this message we look at how God comforts us with the love of a mother.If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds 

What happens when we die? In this message, Pastor Mark explains that the Bible does offer a simple answer to this question but several different images that open space for us wrestle with difficult questions. After acknowledging that people have different interpretations of the Bible regarding the afterlife, he reminds us of two things that all Christians believe that provide comfort, hope, and assurance in the face of death. If this message is a blessing, you can support our ministries by donating at www.fumccb.com.  Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) Connect with Pastor Mark:www.revmarkreynolds.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastorMarkReynolds