What is best method for token replacement within node content? I am a newbie and have scoured forums (including this one), books, and documentation but cannot find a clear answer to this:

What is the best method (custom module? PHP within node content? other?) to replace a token within the body of a node with the value of a custom user profile field?

Use case: I need to replace text within an external URL with a string specific to the current user. I'm hoping I can put a token string into the URL within the node content, and have the token replaced with the specified value from the current user's profile.

I have not created any custom modules, but am willing to dive into it if somebody recommends a specific path to take.
Token Filter


  Token Filter is a very simple module to make token values available as
  an input filter.