1752 results for tag: Greg Albrecht

Religion – Where Is the Love? by Greg Albrecht

Why do we speak about “Christianity WITHOUT the religion?” The answer was well-summarized by a slogan on a T-shirt I recently saw someone wearing: “Religion—Giving Hope to a World Torn Apart by...Religion.” Religion, as it is known, believed and practiced throughout this world is a contradiction. • It promises hope, but delivers fear. • It promises peace, but delivers violence and bloodshed. • It promises freedom and faith, but delivers authoritarian legalism. Why do we proclaim Christianity WITHOUT the religion? Because we are serious about Jesus, the founder of Christianity, who said in John 13:35, “By this ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

August 20, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “We are near to God, not because of our religion or race, we are close to God not because of our religious deeds and creeds, God is available to us because of Jesus.  Up until the Cross of Christ, his resurrection and the new covenant, the Jews had been given a law by God.  They felt that their law made them better and superior, though that was not God’s intent in giving them the law.  They believed their law codes, the covenant of Sinai, and how they carefully obeyed that covenant meant that God loved them more. The law with all its detailed ordinances of ceremonies and regulations ...

Two Brothers – by Greg Albrecht

Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.   "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. &nbs...

CWR Video – The New Math of God’s Grace – by Greg Albrecht

5 minute video on God's Grace.

Snake-in-the-Grass Spiritual Narcissism

Few sins are as problematic and deeply rooted as the big lie that one's constant attention to one's own spiritual welfare will result in God's favor and pleasure.  Spiritual Narcissism is toxic condition that results in one's efforts to make oneself better resulting in a ever worsening spiritual state. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR503.mp3  

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

August 17, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “You may have heard the story of a ‘golf widow’ who asked her husband why he wasn’t golfing anymore with his former golfing partner, Bob.  As he was headed out the door for the golf course, the husband responded to his wife, ‘Would you keep playing with a man who moved his golf ball a few feet closer to the hole when you weren’t watching?’  His wife was appalled.  ‘Well, no, I wouldn’t.’  Her husband said, ‘Well, neither will Bob.’”  Originally published in: Rejecting Religion – Embracing Grace Help Us Help Others - Give Now

What About Me?

In an age of selfies and Instagrams, when the constant cry seems to be "look at me" and "what about me?" our suffering servant turns our focus to the needs of others. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR502.mp3

You Have Good Credit!

The credit granted by the bank of heaven is not based on our own credit record, but rather through righteousness that is given in Jesus Christ to all who believe. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR501.mp3

Working Hard to Be In Control – by Greg Albrecht

I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – Isaiah 46:4 A rich young ruler came to Jesus asking him, “…what good thing MUST I DO TO GET eternal life?” – Matthew 19:16 It’s Christ-less religion in a nutshell: What do I have to do to make God happy so he will give me what I want? This rich young man was used to getting what he wanted. He was used to being a success and making a profit. He was a winner. Author Robert Farrar Capon says the rich young ruler was a successful liver of a lawful life.  The rich young ruler was addicted to his own abilities to control life – he assumed that ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

August 15, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “When introducing myself to an audience that does not know me, I often adapt the phrase customarily used in Alcoholics Anonymous – except I apply it to Not So Anonymous Legalists. ‘Hi, I’m Greg, and I’m a religious legalist.’  Of course, by God’s grace, much of my legalism is in the past.  However, I never want to be so naïve as to think that legalism can never get its grimy tentacles on me again. I am, by God’s grace, a recovering legalist.  I have legalistic scars. I am as susceptible to religious legalism as a recovering alcoholic is to wine.  Given the ever-pre...

God Gave Them Over…

The first chapter of Romans says that God “gives us over” to the consequences of wrath which we choose by virtue of our decisions, rather than the wrath he rains down because he is offended and enraged. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR500.mp3

Out-of-Control Grace

If anyone ever had the right to be a control freak with others, it was Jesus — but he turned down that job description. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR499.mp3

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

August 13, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “Brainwashing does not depend on the overt imposition of physical restrictions, because it is subtle and covert.  Those whose spiritual beliefs and values are subverted over a long period of time are often unaware of their plight – their predicament is somewhat like the proverbial frog in a kettle.  They are oblivious of the dangers confronting them and are content to remain in a pot of water while the heat gradually increases until they are boiled alive. People who are brainwashed and indoctrinated often experience a methodical process during which their values are sabotaged and corrupted ...

60 Years – He Had a Dream – Greg Albrecht

"I HAVE A DREAM" I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Christ-centered man of faith who stood for non-violent resistance to the evils of war and racism. He believed in responding to hatred and racism with love. Dr. King rejected answering violence with more violence and never believed that the answer to racism was more racism. He argued and pleaded for the way of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. August 28, 1963, Dr. King delivered one of the greatest speeches, if not the ...

Faith or Denial?

Greg proposes 1) while denial and deception lie at the heart of Christ-less religion, faith in Jesus is not blind, and 2) Christ-centered faith always makes room for doubt, while the dogmas of Christ-less religion allow no place for questions. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR498.mp3

What Then Can We Learn? – Greg Albrecht

QUESTION: Does Jesus speak to us about being prepared in a physical sense like storing extra food away or buying silver or gold? My wife wants us to start doing this. She believes there are verses that speak to this.  Thanks for your response! RESPONSE: Some of the more contemporary Bible translations divide portions of chapters into subheads.  The New International Version (NIV) suggests “Do Not Worry” as the subhead for Matthew 6:25-34.  The New King James (NKJ)  suggests more verses in this last section of the sixth chapter of Matthew, with the subhead “Treasures on Earth” for Matthew 6:19-34.   ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

August 10, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “The most important spiritual need in our world today is for the image of God most people believe is true and authentic to be healed and transformed – so that they know who God really is, and who he is not.” Originally published in: Christianity Without the Religion magazine, June 2022 ------------------------------------- Help Us Help Others - Give Now

Our Passionate Lover

Pain is inevitable in our lives, but, as we see it modeled in the life of Jesus, the suffering of sacrificial love is optional. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR497.mp3

What Doesn’t Kill You …

When viewed through a Christ-centered focus, the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - is not about revenge, but rather all about how God enables us not to simply become stronger, but to receive life of the age to come. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR496.mp3  

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

August 8, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “According to religious expectations and definitions, many of the parables of Jesus make the wrong person the hero.  Who stars in the parables of Jesus?  Who shines?  The wasteful prodigal son, not the obedient elder brother – the good Samaritan (despised by religion) rather than Jewish rabbis (admired and honored by religion) – the scorned and reviled tax collector who did not even look up to heaven as he prayed rather than the righteous Pharisee – the poor, homeless beggar named Lazarus and not the rich man.”  Originally published in: Wonders of His Grace --------------...