Hopeful Sufferers

Erik and Brett recount the tornado that left a wake of destruction from East Nashville to Putnam County on March 3, 2020.

Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash along with others, just a few weeks ago. Erik and Brett dissect the response from the fans and have a conversation about how we as Christians should respond to tragedies like these.

Erik shares about the new perspective he gained over the past couple of months, particularly over his "sabbatical", or leave of absence. He and Brett dive into details surrounding church service planning, and then Erik announces a big announcement at the end. 

Erik was prepping for a sabbatical to begin on December 1st. As we know it, December 1st marked a new season for him and his family. In this conversation, Erik shares what his "sabbatical" actually looked like under the new circumstances. 

Brett shares his side of the six days surrounding Kaleb's passing. From the the church and funeral logistics to other details inside the hospital room, Erik and Brett unpack even more the loss of Kaleb from a different perspective.   You can watch the service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjOMKLXqaGs 

After a long break since the passing of Kaleb, Erik and Brett talk through the events that led to the day Kaleb went to be with Jesus - December 1, 2019.

Kaleb passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2019. Please keep praying for the Reed family as they grieve their loss. Here is the message that Erik preached at Kaleb's Funeral.

Throughout the podcast, finding hope in your suffering has been the theme, but hope has never been outright defined. Erik and Brett use an insightful article to discuss what hope truly is. Also, with new music on the horizon, Erik and Brett discuss the heart behind Brett's new song "Attention". Join the convo!   Article by Sharon Ackman https://medium.com/@sharonackman/soldiers-with-this-trait-are-survivors-in-war-and-life-2b7c6ad34afb 

This is a rich conversation with Matthew McCullough, the author of Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope. The ironic claim at the heart of this book is that honesty about death brings hope to life. Join the conversation as Matthew unpacks what led him to write it.     Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Death-Surprising-Living-Coalition/dp/1433560534

For 23 episodes, the type of suffering that has been addressed is passive (the suffering you don't expect or anticipate). But, what about the suffering that comes as a result of obedience? Join the convo.

Erik and Brett talk about the importance of removing the mask and diving into community.

So much hope is found in the promises of God. The waiting that precedes the fulfillment of these promises is the hard part. Join Erik and Brett as they discuss living in the in-between of the promises given and promises not yet realized.

Erik and Brett use Psalm 13 along with some real life examples within the context of their church to navigate the tension of worship in suffering.      Shoutout to Psalmbird Coffee (https://www.facebook.com/psalmbirdcoffee/) for great coffee during the conversation!

Erik and Brett are joined by their pal, Trey Ethridge, as they pick up where they left off in episode 019, and unpack some practical steps on how to become more dependent on God. What does this look like? How can we be more effective in our pursuits? Why does this matter?   If you missed Episode 019 - Dependence: A Learned Helplessness, make sure to go back and check it out as it lays out the foundation of this initial conversation.

Our whole lives, we are raised to become independent. As believers in Christ, though, the more mature we become in our walk with Him, the more dependent we become on Him. Suffering and trails are ways God uses to shift our posture to dependence on Him. 

In light of the recent suicide of a well-known pastor, many questions are surfacing about the reality and severity of mental illness, and the thought process of suicide. How should we as Christians respond to cases like these? Join Erik, Brett, and a panel of pastors from the Journey Church in Lebanon, TN as they discuss these issues.

After a few months of a break, Erik and Brett are back in the Hopeful Sufferers' studio (closet). Join the conversation as they address everything from their summer events, to the rough start to the Vols season, to soon coming new music, and nuggets of hope in our suffering.     Follow us on social media: IG and twitter: @hopeful_podcast FB: Hopeful Sufferers

Jacob Scrimpshire and his wife, Shanna, experienced the nightmare new parents fear with the loss of their first child. Join the conversation as Jacob walks through the details of their story and how they found hope.    Referred in this episode is Nancy Guthrie's Respite Retreat. If you or someone you know could benefit from this retreat, here's a link: https://www.nancyguthrie.com/respite-retreat 

What is your view of Heaven? Do you long for that day? Erik and Brett discuss old views, why some might not long for Heaven, and why a proper understanding of Heaven is so important. Join the conversation!

Erik and Brett dive into the significance of the cross, the importance of the resurrection, and the reason we can find hope in our suffering.

The Hopeful Sufferers message is going on the road! Are you interested in hosting a one-night live event? Email brett@tjclive.com for details. You can also message on social medias.     Twitter - @hopeful_podcast IG - @hopeful_podcast FB - Hopeful Sufferers

Katrina is back in the Hopeful Sufferers’ studio / closet with Erik and Brett to recall hilarious (unfiltered) stories about Kaleb, walk through her perspective on Erik’s season of anxiety, and give us a glimpse into the past eighteen months of their story through her lens.         Subscribe to our show and leave us a review! Also, follow us on social media... Twitter and IG: @hopeful_podcast Facebook: Hopeful Sufferers

Join the Hopeful Sufferers Tribe in revisiting a message Erik preached on March 25, 2018 - between the fungal meningitis nightmare and the beginning of the latest season of Kaleb's excruciating leg / hip pain - entitled "Hopeful Sufferers".

Erik opens up about his struggle with crippling anxiety; how he discovered it, and how he overcame it.

The book of Job has been referenced many times throughout the previous conversations. Erik and Brett dive deeper into the lessons embedded throughout Job's life and how we can apply them to our own circumstances today.       Don't forget to subscribe to our show!

Erik and Brett interview Katrina, wife of Erik and mom to Kaleb. Join the conversation and hear her perspective on some of the breathtaking stories disclosed throughout the previous eight episodes.

The events in the fall of 2017 (addressed in Ep. 007) gave way to the toughest year to date for the Reed family. 2018 was a rollercoaster year of short glimpses of hope met with the craziest of turns. Brain surgery, multiple seasons with serious pneumonia, and chronic hip pain were among the long list of trials.

After years of relatively 'normal' life, Kaleb faced a life-threatening illness (fungal meningitis), coupled with multiple strokes, that would lead to new issues that the he and the Reed family still face today.

Kaleb Reed is a special kid. This conversation unpacks who Kaleb is, how he views his own suffering, and what he has taught Erik over the years.

Erik shares the rollercoaster of events surrounding Kaleb's kidney transplant... the highs, the lows, and the lessons in-between.        Subscribe and leave a review!

Erik and Brett call an audible and press pause on the story to deal with matters of the present. How can you find hope when the waves keep crashing and the storms of life cease to relent? Join the conversation as they dive into a discussion of practical, day-by-day dependence on the grace of God.

How can you forgive the one person who has hurt you the most? Erik shares how he dealt with (and continues to deal with) his hatred and resentment towards the doctor who caused his son's lifelong journey of medical issues.    Don't forget to subscribe to our show!

Just a few days after his son's surgery, Erik desperately opened the Word and asked God to speak to him. In this conversation, Erik recalls the foundational lesson(s) that not only shaped his theology of suffering, but also set in motion a ministry he is still pursuing today.      Don't forget to subscribe to our show!

Erik and Brett dive into the purpose of the podcast and walk through the grueling details of Erik's story and the events that led him to establish a foundation for his theology of suffering.    Don't forget to subscribe to our show.