525 results for tag: blog
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 Christ as a forensic event. That is, God uses the language and word pictures of ...
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. More often than not, when Jesus is depicted in art and movies, he is outwardly ...
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 phone call that the adoption has finally come through. There are no words to ...
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 their physical problems and afflictions—but, in addition, there may well have ...
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 expressing a thought we may not hear so often these days. Beginning the thought with the ...
Be a lamp – a lifeboat – or a ladder by Stuart Segall
“Be a lamp – a lifeboat – or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.”
Who first expressed this? No one knows for sure. They say “Rumi” did but that does not matter. What matters is that these words say so much! Do these words speak to you?
When I first read these words some time ago, it made me think about who perhaps in our life has been, or perhaps will be in such a role as this.
Do you think of someone who has been a lamp? To be a lamp for another human is to be someone who brings light to the darkness, or one who helps light the way home. He or she might ...
Breakfast with Brad – Guilt and a Healthy Conscience
https://vimeo.com/1007827176
What is guilt? Is guilt always unhealthy? Certainly we know that 'guilt-trips' are the favorite tool of the Accuser and Christless religion. But does guilt ever have a place or serve a purpose?
One way to view guilt is that it's a signal sent by the conscience. The conscience is sort of like a God-given inner prophet that lets us know when we've violated love of God or neighbor. In that sense, it is like Nathan the prophet when he confronted David's affair with Bathsheba. He spoke the truth and in that sense, was acting as a servant of God. Our conscience can be like that too.
&nbs...
CWR Video – The Theology of the Cross
In this CWR Video, Brad and Ed discuss the topics of The Theology of the Cross and Theodicy.
https://vimeo.com/1015762438
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God, in Every Step – A Book Review – by Laura Urista
Every journey begins with a single step, and God, In Every Step by retired Pastor Bermie Dizon leads readers on an inspiring, step-by-step journey of what it looks like to follow the Jesus Way. Through his warm, compassionate and engaging story-telling, Pastor Bermie shares lessons he has learned during his lifetime of adventures and experiences. At times humorous and at other times suspenseful, each chapter is its own self-contained story—perfect for individual or group study. With prayers and sample questions after each chapter, this book is a blessing to all who read it. Thank you, Pastor Bermie, for following Jesus and for sharing your ...
CWR Video – Penal Substitutionary Atonement
In this CWR Video, Greg and Brad discuss the definition of and the error within the theory of Penal Substitutionary Atonement.
https://vimeo.com/1015767239
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The Paradox of Life and Death – by Greg Albrecht
Friend and Partner Letter from April 2025:
“… I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
Jesus says those who believe in him will live, even though they die, but yet, those who believe in him will never ...
Persona Grata – by Lloyd Briggie
Spiritual Unity - A Testimonial:
I’m privileged to work at a Macy’s fulfillment center with colleagues from various countries having ten different languages and dialects.
Occasionally I’ve introduced my perspective that “everyone is a child of God, limited edition.”
Scriptures inform us that we are all created in the image of God, male and female. Indeed, everyone is hardwired for love, both receiving and sharing, for God is love.
I love seeing everyone in my world, and the world, through the lens of Jesus, reconciled to God! Noting that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins ...
A Covenant – Not a Contract! – by Greg Albrecht
There is probably no other human endeavor quite like marriage—sadly, many of these partnerships that begin with such hope and expectation regularly fail. One of the reasons marriages fail is because many see marriage and the entire relationship through the eyes of a contract rather than through the perspective of a covenant.
Marriage, an example of a human covenant, can help us to understand the divine relationship God offers to each of us. He offers us the new covenant in Christ, not the new contract in Christ. It's a covenant, NOT a contract!
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Going to the Dogs – by Greg Albrecht
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their ...
CWR Video – Spiritual Warfare
In this CWR Video, Ed shares a perspective on and the dangers of an incorrect understanding of spiritual warfare.
https://vimeo.com/1015760066
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Lost and Alone – Looking for Home – Greg Albrecht
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?– John 14:3
Most of us have never been physically homeless, but all of us, at one time or another, find ourselves without a spiritual home. We all, at some point in life, are spiritually lost. Sometimes we enter the Father’s house but then we wander away. We may come and we may go. The door is always open. No coercion. No lock-downs.
Jesus says that the Father’s house has many rooms and that we all have a place there. He invites us to ...
A Few Thoughts From A Real Diver……..Dumpster Diver That Is – by Stuart Segall
In my world, I do volunteer work with people who are in nursing, care homes and other residences. I visit people who simply lack company or get very little of it. When I do, I listen to their stories of days gone by. Seniors, like all of us, love to tell their old stories. Often, they like to be read to. There are far more people than hours in the day so when I need to exit, I leave them beautiful flowers. I grow all I can, lots of roses, forty-seven bushes and counting. In the winter I do janitor work for a long-time business friend who owns three flower shops. Friday, she cleans out her flower ...
Giving Up Something for Lent? – by Greg Albrecht
During this time of the year, presuming that God will love them/love them more when they prove their love to him, many “give up” something for Lent. But the deeper question is beyond what we do to “give something up.” The question is, ultimately, who gives up what? When I think of God’s love I start at the cross of Christ, Jesus’ demonstration and revelation of God the Father’s own divine agape love – by willingly giving himself for you and me.
“Giving up something” for Lent is a twisted spiritual proposition – it’s just another ceremony, observance or ritual deceiving us into thinking that we can manipulate God ...
God’s Grace Is For Everyone – by Greg Albrecht
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. —Titus 2:11
You are invited to the kingdom of heaven, and the invitation is called "the gospel" (good news) because it has no strings attached. You and I are invited to the kingdom of heaven in spite of what we have done! The body of Christ on earth is not the equivalent of an exclusive country club or a cloistered, highly restricted religious fraternity or union. Titus 2:11 says that God's grace is available to everyone—it doesnot promise or insist that everyone receives and accepts it —but grace is available, and it's for everyone.
There's a story I ...
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