509 results for tag: blog

The Suffering Judge – by Greg Albrecht

    … If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.—Romans 8:31-34   You probably have heard of honor killings. An "honor killing" is the term used to describe a practice in which one or more males murders a female relative who, according to their perspec...

A Road Paved With Good Intentions – by Greg Albrecht

Those who attempt to please and appease God via their own accomplishments, good deeds and virtues find that it’s a long and bitterly disappointing never-ending road. People who struggle down the broad road (Matthew 7:13) of Christ-less religion are dragging a ball and chain, because their best efforts to convince God to love them will never be enough.  I lived on that road for almost 40 years – I often call it “40 Miles of Bad Road” after an old Duane Eddy song (released in 1959, but who’s counting?!?). I discovered that the road to hell can be paved with the best of intentions.  Those who trudge down the road of ...

Love – No Fear – by Greg Albrecht

  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. —1 Corinthians 13:4-8    1 Corinthians 13 is a chapter many have come to know as the "love chapter" of the Bible. 1 Cor. 13 is arranged in three separate sections, two of which we will briefly examine:   The first section, in verses 1-3, is about love as being indispensable. If you've ...

Lighten Up — Trust Him — Be Free! by Greg Albrecht

  Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:  "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will ...

Under Authority – a book by Kimalee Finelli – Follow Up

Follow Up Post to the Original Post on January 17, 2024: During my years of attending a legalistic church in New England, I began to realize something was lacking from nearly every harsh sermon I managed to sit through.  I left church most Sunday mornings with feelings of guilt for which I had no explanation.  Had I sinned in some way? Was God displeased with me? Why couldn’t I measure up to expectations of obedience or submit to authority? Decades passed before I learned what was missing in my life. The answer was grace. One little word – could it really be that simple? Excerpt from chapter 27 of Under Authority, by ...

The Tyranny of Numbers – by Greg Albrecht

Perhaps as never before seen in the history of planet earth, we in our advanced, so-called “first world” of 2024 are a culture that worships at the altar of numbers and measurements. If something or someone can be studied, measured, analyzed, weighed and tested then the presupposition is that scientific analysis can improve something or someone. One of the central beliefs of our Western world is that improvement, advancement, gain, and development can be achieved by improving numbers and data that measure progress and growth. This, I believe, is part of the tyranny of numbers! In our society and culture productivity, higher yields, longer ...

It’s Either Old or New – by Greg Albrecht

By way of introduction to It’s Either Old or New—It Can’t Be Both! I would like to introduce two special guests. Before going any further, I should explain that our special guests will appear as caricatures—in the form of a communication that they might have had with each other—so that there is, as far as I know, no actual resemblance to anything they’ve ever said to each other, if indeed they ever had a one-on-one conversation. I hope that clears me—that’s my disclaimer. Our first guest is Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart has come, over the past few decades, to symbolize the paragon of a dutiful, ...

Grace and Truth Come Through Jesus Christ – by Greg Albrecht

  Here's a news flash! Religion is confrontational and hostile to anyone that dares to differ with it. Religion is, at best, irrelevant to our relationship with God. Christ-less religion actually leads people away from God! Grace-less religion advances its agenda, which is all about the relationship it offers (or inflicts upon) its followers. The relationship religion offers usually includes a relationship with a building, with real estate, with icons, with treasures (real or imagined) and with rituals and performances and traditions which are themselves reputed to be of heavenly value. In many cases religion promises spiritual rewards based on ...

Under Authority – a book by Kimalee Finelli

Based on a true story, Under Authority is Kate Elliot’s unusual account of what took place at Cross Independent Baptist Church in New England during her childhood and teen years. The pastor, Rhuttland Abbott—or the Reverend as people referred to him—believed he had been placed behind the pulpit directly by God. To question him was to question God, resulting in swift church discipline. Those unwilling to comply with his self-imposed rules and regulations would face severe, cruel, and unreasonable penalties. Kate finally escapes this vindictive environment and builds a new life in a new city. But after twenty years of running, ...

Pioneers and Illuminators – by Greg Albrecht

Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind... – lyrics from “Windmills of Your Mind,” the theme song from the 1968 movie, “The Thomas Crown Affair.”  In the era when European ships were too slow and too heavy to travel very far, Prince Henry of Portugal started to explore the African coast, a world largely unknown to Europeans at the time. Following his vision of discovering new vistas and opportunities Henry became a pioneer in the construction of the caravel – a new and lighter sailing ship able to travel farther and faster.     Now known as Henry the Navigator, the patron of Portuguese ...

The Four “No’s” of Our Lives in Christ – by Ed Dunn

Do not be afraid…for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32, NIV). …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2, NIV). I have a dear friend who pastors a congregation in a neighboring city not far from us here in Pasadena, California. My friend, Pastor Craig, as he is known to his congregants, loves to end his weekly sermons with a beautiful catch-phrase that both captures and carries great encouragement for our lives together in Christ Jesus. His catch-phrase goes something like this: In Christ Jesus, we can live our lives with No Fear, No Shame, No Guilt and No Doubt. Upon ...

How God Chooses His Team – by Greg Albrecht

Remember those times when you gathered with a group of your friends and schoolmates to participate in a game that involved two teams? My memories are of two captains who were popularly chosen, or who, by virtue of their size, age and ability (or all three) appointed themselves. Then the captains started choosing people for their teams. They always chose those who they felt would help them win—that's logical. Games are all about winning. So when sides were chosen the fastest, strongest, most popular and most athletic were chosen first. As each person was chosen they walked over and stood next to their captain, until finally there was one last ...

Don’t Underestimate the Peace of God! – by Greg Albrecht

Friend and Partner Letter from January 2024 As this New Year of 2024 begins, North America (as well as Europe, the Middle East and Ukraine, not to mention the entire world), is tired and weary of war, conflict, poverty. epidemics, pandemics and crises of one kind or another. It is an understatement on a grand scale to realize this second decade of the 21st century has introduced colossal upheaval in individual lives, mentally and physically. So much that what once seemed settled and secure is and in a state of agitation, stress and even conflict. We are sick and tired of being sick and tired!   Of course, many now realize the ...

A New Beginning – By Ed Dunn

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness - Lamentations 3:22-33, ESV I always approach the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve with the same set of mixed emotions: On the one hand, the Christmas season is nearly over, and I actually enjoy taking the colorful decorations off the tree, hauling the “now nearly brown” pine tree out to the curb, and tucking the “Christmas Day Decorations” boxes neatly back into storage for the next year. On the other hand, Christmas Day for another season has come and gone, and it always seems to pass me ...

Overcoming the Overwhelming: Rest in Jesus – by Greg Albrecht

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(Matthew 11:28 – NIV).  Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.(Matthew 11:28 – The Message Bible).  The invitation to rest in Jesus is a call to accept our limitations and cast ourselves at the feet of our Savior who is without limitations and with whom nothing is impossible.  When we accept the invitation to rest in Jesus, God’s grace mercifully relieves us of the impossible expectations that would require us to fix and solve all ...

The Real Story of Christmas – by Greg Albrecht

Many customs and traditions that surround Christmas are flights of fancy promising unrealistic escape from the here-and-now into a never-Neverland of endless fun, frivolity and feasting.  But the real story of Christmas is far from an idyllic fantasy filled with “stuff and fluff.” The real Christmas story is about the pits, foxholes and dark places of our lives – to which our Savior comes, to be with us and one of us. The real story of Christmas is that Jesus comes to us – he joins us where we are. Jesus does not rapture us away to “somewhere over the rainbow.”  Matthew 2:13-23 tells us the story of a murderous despot ...

Who Is, Who Was, Who Is to Come – by Greg Albrecht

"Who IS, and Who WAS, and Who IS TO COME." This phrase begins with the word "who"—a reference to Jesus Christ—and ends with the word "come"—which is also a reference to Jesus Christ, and his comings. When people think of Jesus, they think of either one, or at the most, two of his comings. They often think first of what is popularly called his "first" coming—the coming of God, to this earth, in the person of Jesus. The first coming is the Who was in the title of this article and in the first chapter of Revelation. Next, they think of what is popularly called his "second" coming—the future coming of Jesus to this earth. The second coming ...

The King Who Became a Man – by Greg Albrecht

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14, The Message). During his reign (1910-1936) King George V of the United Kingdom and the British Empire visited Leeds, a city in the north of England. When he was informed that a school was situated next to the railway line, King George agreed to have the train slow down so that he could appear on a platform and wave to the children as the royal entourage passed. When the king came outside the train he wore no outward signs of royalty, but was dressed in a suit, like any other male subject of his kingdom. After the train glided by and the cheers of the children ...

Advent: Awaiting Arrivals – by Laura Urista

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Advent is a time of expectation, anticipation and waiting. Ancient Israel awaited the arrival of a Savior – the Messiah to establish his kingdom of peace. The Magi awaited the arrival of a magnificent star to guide them to the newborn king. Mary awaited the arrival of her son, whom she named Jesus (Savior). Every year at Christmas-time, we await the arrival of friends and family at dinners and celebrations. ARRIVAL DATE: ...

The Beginning of the End – by Greg Albrecht

Friend and Partner Letter from December 2023: Every year we celebrate Christmas in the last week of the last month of the year.  Is December 25 the end or the beginning? Are we celebrating the end of a passing year or the beginning of a New Year… or are we celebrating the beginning of the end?   For the past three years we have battled deadly foes, unseen like COVID and visible like the tyrannical Putin of Russia and the unspeakable brutality of war, most particularly in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dare we hope that December 2023 is the end of some really difficult years, and that relative peace and prosperity is on the way for ...