Weekday Word w/ Eric

Tag: faith

  • Your Body Keeps the Score—So Let Grace In

    Scripture: Proverbs 14:30 (CEB) — “A peaceful heart gives life to the body…” ReflectionForgiveness isn’t only spiritual—it’s physical. When we rehearse an old hurt, our bodies often react as if the offense is happening all over again. Tight chest, clenched jaw, racing thoughts, restless sleep. Bitterness doesn’t just live in the mind; it takes up…

  • The Peace That Shows Up When It Shouldn’t

    Scripture: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 There’s a paradox at the very heart of Christian peace: God doesn’t wait for silence to speak calm into our spirits. In fact, Scripture suggests the opposite. God’s peace shows up precisely while the storm is…

  • Hope Begins Before We See It

    Scripture:“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” — Romans 8:25 There’s a sacred truth embedded in this verse that we often forget: hope starts working long before the answer arrives. Hope is not the celebration that comes once everything falls into place. Hope begins in the…

  • 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…

  • Disciples’ Path Week 6: Our UMC Vows

    Vows 1 & 2: Renouncing Sin + Resisting Evil Scripture:“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” — Ephesians 5:8 We begin our journey with honesty. The first two vows ask us to renounce the powers of darkness and resist evil, injustice, and…

  • Disciples Path: Week 4: Day 4 – The Structure and Organization of the UMC

    1 Timothy 3:1-7, CEB This saying is reliable: if anyone has a goal to be a supervisor[a] in the church, they want a good thing.  So the church’s supervisor must be without fault. They should be faithful to their spouse, sober, modest, and honest. They should show hospitality and be skilled at teaching.  They shouldn’t…

  • Disciples Path: Week 4: Day 3 – Oh How You Shine!

    Romans 12:4-8, The Message In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part…

  • Disciples Path: Week 4: Day 2 – You’re Being Called Out

    1 Peter 2:9-10, The Message But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to…

  • Disciples Path: Week 4: Day 1 – God is Not Seeking Volunteers

    John 13:14-15, CEB If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.                 Jesus, God of the all that is, described Himself as a servant.  His actions matched that description; He served…

  • Disciples Path: Week 3: Day 4 – Why I Make This Promise About Giving

    2 Corinthians 9:7 – Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. Mark 12:41-44 – Jesus sat down and watched the people put money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. One poor widow came…