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The Space Between Contentment and Calling
Scripture:“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances… I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:11, 13 (NIV) Reflection:Many of us struggle with gratitude because we’re striving for more. We think we have to choose between contentment and ambition. But Scripture offers a different vision: gratitude and growth…
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The Gratitude You Can’t Fake
Scripture:“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.” — Psalm 54:6 (NIV) Reflection:Gratitude can never be commanded into existence. When someone tells you, “You should be grateful,” you may feel guilt, shame, or resistance—but you don’t feel gratitude. True thanksgiving arises from freedom, not pressure.…
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The Gift Hidden in Your Pain
Today is another guest post by Brian McClaren on gratitude: “…suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3–4 (NIV) Jesus makes it clear that a life lived to fulfill God’s dream for creation will involve suffering. But even here, Jesus implies that there is reason for gratitude. You see it in the…
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The Blessings You Longer See
Scripture:“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” — Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) Reflection:One of the strangest paradoxes of gratitude is this: the more comfortable we are, the less we notice our blessings. What once felt like abundance becomes normal. Yesterday’s miracle becomes today’s expectation. Over time, the heart…
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Guest Post from Tom Berlin
This week, we are talking about the paradoxes of gratitude. Today, we have a guest post from my Bishop, Tom Berlin, as he reaffirms much of what I said yesterday. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Karen and I will gather with our daughters and their husbands at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, along…
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Disciples’ Path Day 6 — Rooted in Scripture
Vow 7: Receiving & Professing the Christian Faith in Scripture Scripture:“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 Our final vow grounds us in Scripture. We do not invent our beliefs; we receive them from the story God has revealed in Scripture. Rooting ourselves in Scripture…
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Disciples’ Path Day 5 — The Big Five
Vow 6: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness Scripture:“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” — Acts 2:42 This vow gives us a practical rhythm for spiritual life. Prayers root us in God’s presence. Presence connects us to community. Gifts reflect generosity. Service gives our…
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Disciples’ Path Day 4 — Invested in the Mission
Vow 5: Strengthening the Ministries of the Church Scripture:“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” — 1 Peter 4:10 Every church has two kinds of people: consumers and contributors. This vow calls us to be contributors—to invest our gifts, energy, and presence into the mission God has entrusted to this…
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Disciples’ Path Day 3 — Faithful Presence
Vow 4: Remaining Faithful & Representing Christ Scripture:“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess… and not give up meeting together.” — Hebrews 10:23, 25 Faithfulness is expressed in small, steady choices. This vow calls us to stay connected to Christ’s church, not because the church is perfect, but because God shapes us through…
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Disciples’ Path Week 6: Our Vows: Trust & Follow
Vow 3: Confessing Jesus as Savior and Lord Scripture:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5 To confess Jesus as Savior is to acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves. Many people carry private burdens of shame, fear, or self-reliance—hoping their effort or performance will secure…
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Weekday Word w/ Eric 