1751 results for tag: Greg Albrecht

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

October 24, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “The word ‘religion’ itself, even while it has positive meanings attributed to it, is, at its core, a toxic faith. The etymology of the word goes back to the Latin religare – to bind – and religio – obligation (to the gods).   The use of the word ‘religion’ today generally points toward the practices and beliefs individuals accept as being a true definition of what God (or the gods) expects of them… Toxic faith is religious in the sense that religion binds and imprisons it followers in belief systems that control them.  Healthy faith is Christ-centered in the sense that ...

Forgiven to Forgive

"Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive,..." (C. S. Lewis). Yet Jesus said we're to forgive seventy times seven. What was he saying? https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0064.mp3

Who is the Good Samaritan?

Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan was a response to two questions, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" and "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus turned the second question around -- why? https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0063.mp3

The Theology of Glory – Greg Albrecht

Question/Comment: I just wanted to thank you for the recent (October issue) CWR magazine article “For those who are a little banged up.” The article was helpful and inspirational, but what really helped me was a part of the article that helped me clarify an issue that has been a bit vague and confusing for me.  I really appreciated the important explanation of the theology of human glory which unfortunately embodies most of Christendom today. I know that Jesus during his earthly ministry stated to his disciples “flesh and blood” did not reveal to them that he was the Christ, and the Son of God.  I believe he has revealed ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

October 22, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “Quid pro quo means ‘something for something – something received or given in return for something else.’ We humans learn quickly that we must work for what we get in our world. We earn wages for services we render. Quid pro quo. We earn approval and acceptance by deeds we perform. Quid pro quo. People like and love us if we help them, serve them, and make them feel or look good. Quid pro quo. Grace is the opposite of quid pro quo. God is grace.  He gives and loves, without guarantee or prior evidence of any return on his investment.  Not only does God not reward us for what we deserve, ...

Finding Your Way Home

Home Jesus promises us an eternal home, but we can't get there without him. We need directions. We can even be on the right road, but going in the opposite direction! The road to being at home starts at the foot of the cross.

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

October 19, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “During a discussion with a new acquaintance in which I challenged some of her views, it became obvious to me that she considered the fact that I am an old white male as de facto proof that I am a hateful and bigoted racist. When I pointed out that her judgment of me was itself racist (I’m white), sexist (I’m male) and based on age discrimination (65 is fading fast in my rear-view mirror), she was not amused… I did not bother to tell her I am one of those hateful, bigoted racists who believe in the absolute historical proof of the Holocaust and that I support the right of the nation of ...

God is Good!

God is good — always was and always will be. God is good, and he chooses to be so. That’s part of his nature which works for our benefit. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0059.mp3

From Here to Eternity

God is eternal — what does that mean? And more importantly, what does it mean for you and me? https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0058.mp3

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

October 17, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “Today millions continue to be enslaved by ‘just-around-the-corner’ interpretations of the book of Revelation.  Some live in fear within cultic groups where apocalyptic anxieties allow leaders to combine irresponsible prophecy teaching with authoritarian control, while others experience the rigors of prophetic addiction (prophetic teaching that turns into a religious addiction) within churches that generally teach sound doctrine but corrupt and cheapen the gospel with irresponsible speculation.  In either case Revelation is used as a club to control and intimidate.”  Originally ...

God Is Love

Our human experience with love may well get in our way with a relationship with the great God, who is love. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0057.mp3

Honey, We Shrunk God!

Today most in our western world have marginalized or trivialized God. Yet he is the great all-powerful Creator. Does that make any sense at all? Just how “real” is it to shrink God? https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0056.mp3

Scandalous Grace – Part 2 – by Greg Albrecht

Genesis 27:1-45 - Jacob deceives Isaac for his blessing   The story of Jacob's deception centers on God promising a reversal. God essentially told Rebekah, Jacob and Esau's mother, that Jacob would receive the blessing the older brother, Esau, should have had.   Amazingly, the life of Jacob after he had deceived both his father and his brother was an ongoing saga of deceit and conflict. When Esau realized that he had been duped and deceived, Jacob had to run for his life to escape Esau's anger.   The story of Esau and Jacob is an illustration of God's scandalous grace, a grace that reaches into the murky ...

Our Comings and Goings Amidst Vulnerability and Danger by Greg Albrecht

I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  – Psalm 121:1-8 Psalm 121 speaks to us of the inner peace God gives us in the midst ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

October 15, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “The world that God loves is a gift from our gracious God.  The world, seen and unseen, animal, vegetable and mineral, testifies to the entire world’s absolute dependence on God. The world-at-large demonstrates our inter-relationship with all creatures, our environment and our fellow human beings.”   Originally published in: Wonders of His Love ------------------------------------- Help Us Help Others - Give Now

Wins and Losses Don’t Matter – by Greg Albrecht

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 10:39 The purpose of a Christ-centered life is not to gratify or satisfy the self, but to lose ourselves in the cause of something bigger and more important. When we lose ourselves in the service of Jesus, we find life – he gives us his life, and he lives his life in us now and forever. The primary purpose of life that motivates Christ-followers is far beyond merely consuming, acquiring and possessing. The purpose of life for those who walk with Jesus is to lose ourselves in the service of those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, ...

Struggle Between Faith and Feelings

Does God get mad at us when we become frustrated with him in difficult times? One of the most perplexing questions people have about God is “Where is God when it hurts?” Or, put another way, “How can God, who is good, let bad stuff happen?” https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0061.mp3

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

October 12, 2023 - Quote for the Day: "Eternal conscious torment in hell is an unbiblical, fabricated teaching of Christ-less religion designed to keep its followers in line.  ‘Believers’ in such teaching perceive hell as having positive results because 1) the fear of being consigned to the fiery coals of hell keeps the followers of Christ-less religion in tow, as they ‘toe-the-line,’ and 2) it gives those who are religiously devout ‘hope’ that God will see to it that those who do not faithfully ‘toe-the-line’ as they do will get what they deserve."   Originally published in: Letters to My Friends...

Finding a Hiding Place

What pressures and stresses would you like to hide from? What problem is tempting you to play hide and seek with the world? https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0060.mp3

Forgiveness — A New Beginning

In WWII both Corrie ten Boom's father and sister died in concentration camps.  Just two years after the war one of the most cruel guards from the Ravensbruck concentration camp asked Corrie for forgiveness.  She forgave him.  Could you?  Greg talks about the healing power of forgiveness. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0053.mp3