Embodied Holiness

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On April 16, 1978, when Andy was just two years old, his father shot and killed his mother in cold blood. The rest of Andy's life he would struggle with this, but he would eventually come to a place of forgiveness. He now helps others learn to live that same journey. We hope this conversation will help you lay down your objections to forgiveness and find the courage to step forward into the life of freedom God has for you. 

REV. ANDY STODDARD is the Lead Pastor at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Madison, MS. 

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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You’ve left the toxic environment or relationship. You’ve been doing the work of healing past wounds. You’ve moved forward in so many ways. Then one day you’re face-to-face with the person who caused you so much pain. How do you respond? In this episode, we discuss the power of forgiveness and how it is essential to living a life of joy. Yes, it can be hard, but it is possible to forgive even that person, and it’s necessary if we’re going to be a source of healing for the world. Listen in as we wrap up our 3-part series on Reclaiming Joy.

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

1. Look up and read Ephesians 4:25-5:2

• (vs. 26-27) Who does Paul say we are making room for when we hang on to anger?
• Look carefully over the entire passage. What does Paul say we need to put away or give up?
• (vs. 4:32-5:2) What are the traits and/or actions Paul says we should possess?
• Looking at both lists, which traits are more prevalent in your life right now?
• Ask yourself, "Based on my current attitudes, who am I making room for in my soul?

2. What is one practical step you can take today to live in love?

3. What sins of others have you been retaining? What has been the result of that physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

"Forgiveness is dangerous to those who prefer tragic storylines." To Forgive is Human, by Everett Worthington

Additional resources mentioned:
To Forgive is Human, by Everett Worthington

How to Pray for Someone Who Hurt You, by Crystal McGowen

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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This week we journey with Isaac (Genesis 26) into the valley and discover how God uses even the painful times in our lives to do His good work in us. In this episode, we dig deep into what it really takes to unstop the life-giving wells of our souls so we can experience God’s deep joy and gladness and find healing.

Use this link to order your copy of Reclaiming Joy. We encourage you to get the book and use these episodes to enhance your personal study.

Reflection or Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever treated someone poorly because you were envious or jealous of them? (Put downs, deliberately not celebrating their accomplishments, ignoring them, talking poorly about them to others, etc.)

2. Think about a "valley" you have been through or are currently experiencing. What would you name that valley? (Ex. The Valley of Weeping, The Valley of Wrecked Relationships)

3. Can you see how God has transformed or is transforming your valley into a place of blessing? If so, how?

4. What wells need to be opened in your life? How have they been renamed? 

5. Are you in a situation or relationship that is toxic to your mental, spiritual, physical, or emotional health? If so, name the ways this situation or relationship is having a negative impact on you.

6. In what ways are you being tempted to act or react according to the flesh instead of the Spirit?

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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Welcome to Season 2 of the Embodied Holiness Podcast! Today begins a three-part series as we explore Susan's book Reclaiming Joy - Living in the Transforming Power of Reconciliation and Forgiveness. In this episode, we look at three things that are sure to prevent joy from flourishing in our lives: fear, assumption-making, and contempt.

We encourage you to get the book (see link below) and use these episodes to enhance your personal or small group study. 

About Reclaiming Joy:

Do you feel stuck in a place that is stealing your joy? This study of Genesis 26 will help you explore where you might be stuck. It will ask you to address some common attitudes, habits, and behaviors that are preventing you from living the life of joy God desires for you. After taking this journey you will:

• understand how ineffective and damaging fear is in your life
• recognize where you might be making assumptions about others
• discern whether you may need to exit a toxic relationship or environment
• be equipped to express kindness and love to difficult people
• be positioned to forgive those who have hurt you.

Reclaiming Joy - Living in the Transforming Power of Reconciliation and Forgiveness, by Rev. Susan Eaton

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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Are you one of those who likes to plan and control and know what's coming before it comes your way? In this episode, Susan explores how listening to the guiding voice of the Father is better than knowing what's ahead.

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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Imagine this: You're 13 years old without a care in the world when one day you find out you need to have major back surgery. In this episode, Claire Christensen shares how a scoliosis diagnosis and surgery affected her and what it taught her about trusting God. 

Claire is a senior at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, MS. She is a student leader in the Parkway Heights UMC youth ministry. She plays oboe and clarinet and enjoys hanging out with her longtime group of friends. 

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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Human beings are defined by their relationships more than anything else, and our relationships say more about who we are than any biographical sketch or social media profile. But the one relationship that defines who we genuinely are is our relationship with God. In this episode, Rev. Julie Collins shares with us her thoughts on how we can build and cultivate a relationship with God.

Julie serves as the Executive Pastor at Parkway Heights UMC. You can learn more about Julie here: https://www.parkwayheights.org/staff

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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If you're like me (Susan), you would much rather avoid pain than experience it. But you don't have to spend much time on this planet to realize that pain can't be avoided. Christ, however, teaches us that our top priority shouldn't be to avoid pain. Rather, as we journey through painful circumstances with a renewed perspective, we find the strength that comes from Christ's presence within us, and our hearts and minds are transformed more and more into the character of Christ. 

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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Today, Susan shares how one of those days opened her eyes to the deeper work the Spirit was doing within her.  If you've ever had a day where you just finally came apart, listen in. Perhaps the Spirit is doing a greater work in you, too. 

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

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Let’s face it. No one is immune to shame and brokenness. Many of us have gone through seasons of spiritual isolation due to that shame and brokenness. But what if, instead of barriers, they could be tools for deeper community and connection to God? In today's One Voice episode, Alex Doleac helps us understand how God can use even our shame as a means of spiritual transformation and growth.

You can access The Heart of Man movie that Alex mentions here: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Man-William-Paul-Young/dp/B082XGSQHN

About Alex: In addition to being a fabulous photographer, Alex serves as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Parkway Heights UMC in Hattiesburg, MS. To see some of Alex's creative work, you can visit his website at http://www.alexdoleacphotography.com You can also follow Alex on Instagram @alexdoleac. 

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness.

 
Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website.