503 results for tag: blog

Name It and Blame It – by Greg Albrecht

Many churches and ministries today claim that God heals everyone who requests relief of physical afflictions, as long as they ask in faith. This assertion is made on the assumption that Jesus' death on the cross, his atonement, was for both "spiritual" and "physical" sins. Further, some even claim physical healing is a "right" that one who is doing all of the things that God commands and demands might "claim" from God. Some call this claim a "prayer of positive confession." Others who have reservations about this practice believe it to be naive and perhaps superstitious and thus call the practice "name it and claim it." Of course, since the vast ...

Finding Hope – by Kimalee Finelli

Follow Up Post to February 4, 2024: Growing up in a legalistic church, I was unable to think for myself. Words like obey, repent, and submit were a part of our daily life. The pastor preached that he was not to be questioned. Church leaders were instructed to carry out the pastor’s agenda. Members were informed that disobedience would be dealt with swiftly. Those who dared to rebel were labeled as “backslidden” or “living in sin” and church disciplined. Most of us learned to be silent so we would go unnoticed by the preacher. Except for me. I had questions. I noticed everything and knew in my heart that something was not right. I ...

A Lion and A Lamb – by Greg Albrecht

Will a cure for cancer ever be found? Will there ever be a time when little children don't go to bed hungry? Is there a way to end crime? Don't you just wish that someday, some way, the abuse of the very young and the very old would stop? Will anyone ever find a way to disarm all armies, to melt down all weapons of warfare—to beat swords into plowshares, as the Hebrew prophets foresaw? We all long for peace for the entire world. We all want solutions to the misery and suffering of our world. We want the hatred and violence to end. Of course, you're way ahead of me—but don't get too far ahead—because what I want to talk about may surprise ...

Finding Jesus or Being Found – by Greg Albrecht

But now that you know God – or rather are known by God… Galatians 4:9 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. – John 1:11 When we read John’s summary statement about Jesus being rejected by “his own” we normally think of the historic Jewish culture, race and religion into which Jesus was born… something that happened a long time ago, in the “olden” days. But consider this: If Jesus arrived on earth today, many people who sincerely believe they are following him wouldn’t even let him in their church buildings.  I have a friend who is a Hindu, who in the spirit of our lighthearted ...

A Great Grace Give-Away — by Greg Albrecht

David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "At your service," he replied. The king asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet." "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of ...

How Far Will God Go For Love? – by Greg Albrecht

Lending institutions place a cap or limit on the total amount of purchases you can charge to their card. They will only let you go so far before your credit runs out. How far can we go with God before he says to us "That's it—my grace has its limits!" Is it possible to use so much of God's love that our account will be "maxed out"? Of course God's mercy, grace and love are endless. As and when we request forgiveness, God will always forgive us. That's one of the attributes that makes him God. But, is it possible to take advantage of God's good graces? Surely he isn't like an indulgent grandparent who just sits on his throne, watching us ...

Breaking News: Don’t Worry – by Laura Urista

“If worry can’t change anything, why do you do it so much?” Luke 12:25 (The Voice translation) “Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.” (Mark Twain) “Don’t worry … be happy!” (Bob Marley) My name is Laura and I’m a worrier. I hate to admit it. I don’t like to worry, or even want to… but I do. To be honest, I think I might be addicted to worrying. Even when things in my life are basically going well, and I don’t have a logical reason to worry, I “borrow” worry by dwelling on what-if scenarios – not only worrying for myself and my husband, but for my grown kids, grandkids, friends and their kids and ...

Does God Have a Strategic Plan for You? – by Ed Dunn

We are in the midst of an exciting strategic planning process here at Plain Truth Ministries (PTM). This planning process, which involves our team here in the Pasadena office, along with Brad Jersak in Canada, gives us an opportunity to take a fresh look at PTM’s mission, magazines and partner letters, books, on-line content, as well as the operations and procedures that support all we do in this ministry. As a closeknit team, we approach every aspect of this planning process prayerfully, as careful and conscientious stewards, asking God for guidance and wisdom as we look to the future. By definition, Strategic Planning is a type of planning ...

Perseverance – by Ed Dunn

Friend and Partner Letter from August 2024 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us – Hebrews 12:1, NIV …The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong…but time and chance happen to them all – Ecclesiastes 9:11, NIV The eyes of the world will be focused on Paris, France this month and the Games of the twenty-eighth Summer Olympiad. The ability of the athletes to persevere through the intense pressure, the mental preparation, and the demanding “fine-t...

Grace = No More Scorekeeping – by Greg Albrecht

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.—1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Keeping score is one of the fundamental predispositions of human beings. Keeping score is the way we operate, it's the way we gauge our progress and that of others and it is one of the primary ways in which our culture motivates us. I learned to keep score at an early age via two of my passions—sports and music. The first score-keeping experience I had in sports was with the game of baseball. As I recall, I was about ten years old ...

The Not Yet Kingdom Pt.3 – by Greg Albrecht

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation.'"—Luke 3:3-6 As John the Baptist preached he quoted from the prophecy in Isaiah, which spoke both of his own ministry preparing for Jesus' ministry and Jesus' central message—the kingdom of God. Isaiah ...

Walls and Bridges – by Greg Albrecht

Think with me for a moment about the contrast between a wall and a bridge. Walls exclude and reject while bridges invite and include. Walls are built to limit access – to prohibit adversaries or threats from what is deemed to be worthy of protecting and securing.  Bridges are constructed because of a need and/or a desire to increase traffic from one side to another – bridges are built because of inhospitable, formidable obstacles, a valley or a body of water that inhibits or prevents safe crossings.  Both walls and bridges have their role in our world, but a bridge is by far and away a better illustration of the relationship ...

The Already Here Kingdom Pt. 2 – by Greg Albrecht

Have you ever had the experience of frantically looking for your keys only to find that they are in your pocket, or in the ignition of the car or hanging from the lock on the back door—just where you left them? You may have looked all over the house for your hat, only to find it sitting right there on your head. As you searched and searched, it was there, on your head, all the while. Just where is the kingdom of God? In Mark 1:15 Jesus said "the kingdom of God is near." In Luke 17:20-21 he says, "the kingdom of God is in your midst." So is the kingdom near, but not here? Is it here, but we just don't know where to look? The Interpreter's Bible ...

Pen Pals – by Ruth A. Tucker

I once had a pen pal. A boy from Kissimmee, Florida. I was ten, he the same age. Other than that, I don’t remember anything about him, not even his name. I was reminded of him the other day when I read a fascinating story about pen pal connections that spanned decades. The article was from the Washington Post, and I was immediately taken by the fact that the one-time girl grew up in East Grand Rapids only a short distance from where I lived for most of three decades. Twelve-year-old Kristina Olson had gone door-to-door, raising money through Camp Fire Girls in order to send care packages to soldiers stationed abroad. Hers went to Ned Felder in ...

Freedom, Festival and Fireworks – by Ed Dunn

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So, take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you - Galatians 5:1, NIV Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better – Albert Camus Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom - 2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV We have a small town a few miles to the south of us in Pasadena, California. Technically, the town is more like a city in terms of its population, but the feel of San Marino, California is definitely small-town, especially on the Fourth of July. Its central park, Lacy Park, is shaded by a forest of towering mature trees. The ...

The Already Here Kingdom Pt. 1 – by Greg Albrecht

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst."—Luke 17:20-21 Larry's boyhood dream was to fly. He joined the Air Force, but never became a pilot, so when he became a civilian, he settled down near the Los Angeles International Airport, so he could sit in this backyard watching jets take off and land. One day Larry had an idea. He decided that it was time for him to stop being a spectator, and become a participant. Larry decided that it ...

Spiritual Assisted Living – by Greg Albrecht

Friend and Partner Letter from July 2024: Many of you are well aware, perhaps painfully and heartbreakingly so, that in our North American culture “assisted living” describes the extra services needed by seniors living in  communal homes who need more “assistance” with daily tasks than other residents.  Now that I am closer to 80 than I am to 70 (that’s as much as I will divulge in this letter!) I don’t need to be convinced that aging happens and when it does, capabilities, abilities and agilities start to diminish.    Perhaps we don’t fully realize what it means to get old(er) until we pass 60 or 70, or ...

Who Am I — Who Are You? by Greg Albrecht

Chances are you have asked yourself one or more of the following questions: "Why am I living?" "Am I making a real difference?" "How can I be successful in my life?" "When all is said and done, will my life be regarded as significant or insignificant?" As we try to answer these questions about what is truly important and how we can be a significant person, our world at large offers counterfeit solutions which lead us through a maze of meaningless activities. A famous musician flying in a private jet is worshipped as an idol—and accorded the ultimate honor of being called a "star" —while a farmer who works the land and produces crops for people ...

Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word – by Greg Albrecht

What've I got to do to make you love me? What've I got to do to make you care?—Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word, Elton John, 1976

Is God Disappointed With You? – by Greg Albrecht

There is no doubt the "disappointed God" must be included in the Top Ten Misunderstandings of God. Here's the heavenly picture this erroneous stereotype creates: the "disappointed God" sits, slumped forward on his heavenly throne, head in hands, peering down, sighing and frowning, disillusioned and frustrated with you and me. This misconception of God presents God as dismayed and despondent because of our seemingly never-ending failures. The "disappointed God" wonders whether you and I will ever learn. Of course, dissatisfaction exists in our relationship with God, but the frustration is on our part, not that of God's. The disenchantment we feel ...