CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
Christlike
Everything For Nothing
Escape the misery of a life governed by something for something. Join us on Easter, and embrace our risen Lord, and his invitation to receive everything for nothing. He is risen!
Shining THE LIGHT – Greg Albrecht
Shining THE LIGHT - Reflecting and Refracting Him -
I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in darkness. – John 8:12, The Message
Immediately following the beatitudes that serve as the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus says that we, his followers, are lights that shine in our world. He is the uppercase Light of the world, but he shines and lives the Light of his glory in us, we become his lowercase lights.
…You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in this world… – Matthew 5:14, The ...
In the Crook – by Kerri Lynn
I make my way to him, stealthy and slow, tiptoeing through the strange, cloying dark of an eclipse – a lost sun. I avoid the bored soldiers that stand around, making bets, waiting for him to die with the same ambivalence they would any criminal.
The crowd of people surrounding this hill are no more than a mixture of silhouettes in the dark, their humanity lost in the shadows. I don’t have the capacity to deal with them right now, the disheartening reality of us when we become a mob. So I steer clear of the die-hards, those that have nothing better to do than be ...
Why Did Jesus Die? – by Greg Albrecht
"Why did Jesus die?" may seem like an easy question, because the answer seems obvious, doesn't it? Normally, most Christians immediately answer the question something like this: "He died to atone, that is pay for, our sins. As the Lamb of God, he took away the sins of the world, redeeming us from sin through his precious blood. He died that we might die to sin, so that he might live in us, producing his righteousness within us."
That answer is true—but it's not the whole story.
Much of the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, presents the cross of ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
April 17, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“The Cross of Jesus Christ is a consummate, far-reaching symbol of God’s love for all creation. Out of his eternity, God came down, vertically intersecting our horizontal existence on a planet where we are subjects of time and space. Because of the Cross, which fully reveals the love of God, we are united with him, in this once-and-for-all demonstration of his forever love. Jesus then was raised from the dead as a symbol of the undying love and the eternal victory of good over evil."
Origina...
The Ultimate Declaration of God’s Grace
Join us for this day of celebration, centered in Jesus, who is our hope, the foundation of our faith and life everlasting.
Hidden With Christ
Join us for this annual victory celebration for the Body of Christ — the day commemorating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The wonderful truth of this day is that we are hidden with Christ.
CWR Video – Brian Zahnd on the Crucified God
Short video by Brian Zahnd on the Crucified God.
Short 7 minute video by Brian Zahnd
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Things That Are Not What They Seem – by Greg Albrecht
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom people hid their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not (Isaiah 53:1-30.
The vast majority of Christians believe that Jesus was a goodlooking, well-proportioned embodiment of manliness. ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
April 15, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“The resurrection of Jesus is the spiritual birthplace of grace and faith. The resurrection of Jesus announces and pronounces the end of religion, and the beginning of grace… The resurrection of Jesus is more than a promise of our future resurrection – it is the promise of new life, a new creation – right now.
The resurrection of Jesus is the gateway of new life for the entire universe. The resurrection unleashes the incredible, staggering power of God whereby, as the first chapter of Colossians tells us, all ...
7 Sayings on the Cross
Jesus spoke seven times from the cross. His seven sayings from the cross are an enduring and meaningful message to each one of us from our Savior. They inspire us and give us a much deeper appreciation for what he did and for who he is.
He Washes Your Feet
Jesus washed his disciples' dirty feet -- the Son of God stooping to do a menial servant's job -- why? He said that it was part of showing the full extent of his love and told us to wash one another's feet. How should we understand that?
Tender Mercies: “Mercy Drops” – By Ruth A. Tucker
Bless the Lord who crowns you with tender mercies (Psalm 103, NKJV).
Excerpted from Ruth Tucker’s new book, Tender Mercies: 52 Weekly Meditations, available at our book page, www.ptm.org/books.
I was a senior in high school, focused and driven. A Mozart French horn solo was all that seemed to matter. I will never forget the phone call with the news that I had won first prize in the northern Wisconsin regional brass competition. It was a feeling of sheer ecstasy—a landmark in my life.
We all have experiences like that. Maybe it’s that long-awaited ...
Two Arrivals: Dallas and Jerusalem – Greg Albrecht
On November 22, 1963,President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade through downtown Dallas, Texas. JFK was preparing for the next presidential election, for his second term, in the fall of 1964. In his presidential visit to Texas, JFK stopped in San Antonio, Houston, and finally, Fort Worth-Dallas.
After being greeted by the crowd at Love Field, in Dallas, President and Mrs. Kennedy walked to a waiting Lincoln limousine. The plastic bubble on top had been removed, making the limousine open, easier for the President to see the crowds and be ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
April 12, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“Our world is hopelessly divided, embroiled in continuing controversy. With soul-depressing regularity it seems entire news networks and organizations here in the United States spew out one and only one polarizing political perspective, demonizing all who disagree. Then there is the religious world, where ‘devout’ people whose holy books tell them to love their neighbors are instead terrorizing and persecuting and even killing those who disagree. Politics divides us and Christ-less religion separates ...
Go to Him Outside the Camp – by Greg Albrecht
On what we now call Palm Sunday, almost 2,000 years ago Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He was welcomed by people who had heard him preach—among whom were the poor, the diseased, the disenfranchised and outcasts, all of whom shouted "Hosanna!" to Jesus (Matthew 21:9, 15).
Many Christians think "Hosanna" has always been defined as a joyful worship word. It hasn't. Hosanna means "save us now"— it was a cry of desperation, shouted at Jesus by the crowds as he entered Jerusalem. Most who greeted Jesus with "Hosanna" wanted physical relief from ...
The Significance of the Cross
Passion Week - is a microcosm of Jesus' ministry and of the gospel. This week is the time when Jesus demonstrates his love for us on his cross. Consider the significance of his cross with us!
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled – by Ed Dunn
We find ourselves in the midst of a new Easter season. As we do, what perspective can we see in the life of Jesus to help us face and feel his peace during troubling times?
The gospel account is well familiar to us during this special time of year. John 14:1-27 (KJV) gives us a glimpse into a conversation as Jesus reminds his followers: “Let not your heart be troubled.” As we look at both Jesus’ context and words, I must admit I love the poetry of the old King James version. The phrasing in this translation, “Let not,” is such a beautiful way of express...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
April 10, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“Author C.S. Lewis tells a story about a young boy’s first encounter with a pastoral religious authority. At first, the pastor seems to be a warm, engaging personality – initially their discussion centers around fishing and bicycles. But then, without warning, the pastor takes a terrifying mask with a long white beard off the wall of his office. The pastor puts the mask on his face and tells the young boy, named John, he is now going to talk with him about God. He then assured John that God is very ...
Who Is This Jesus?
Don't miss our dramaticized interviews with Zaccheus, the woman at the well, the woman taken in adultery and the apostle Peter for their perspectives about Jesus. He changed their lives and continues to change lives today. Be sure to listen!
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR109.mp3
Plain Truth Ministries | Box 300 | Pasadena, CA 91129-0300
