CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
being real
Aging Grace-Fully
Aging grace-fully means walking more by faith than by sight. Aging grace-fully can mean that we realize that we cannot do all that needs to be done via our own strength.
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 16, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“There’s an old story about the latest group of new arrivals in heaven who were huddled together in front of the pearly gates, waiting for St. Peter to greet them and welcome them inside. A few adventurous ones climbed up on the wrought iron fence, peering through, trying to see what heaven was really like.
Suddenly, those who were looking through the fence saw someone who they all remembered as a great sinner on earth. The new arrivals were scandalized. One person demanded, ‘What’s he doing here?’ Another new ...
The Prodigal Cat: A Tale of Wanderlust, Winter Firelight, and Grace – Stewart Segall
Nestled on the slopes near Stevens Pass, just a short drive from the fairytale town of Leavenworth, Washington, there’s a candy shop called The Alps—a place that seems plucked from the pages of a childhood dream. I first stumbled upon it in the early ’90s, entranced by the swirl of sweet aromas and shelves stacked like something out of Candyland. But amid the chocolates and gumdrops, it wasn’t just sugar that left its imprint—it was the story of a cat. A restless, remarkable soul who, over the years, came to embody something profoundly human.
The owners ...
It’s All About Grace
Greg concludes, in this final sermon of his three-part series on God’s grace, that we either trust in what Jesus has done, is doing, or will do — or we trust in what we have done, are doing, and will do. We must make a choice — it cannot be both.
Who Are You? – by Greg Albrecht
Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979-1990, was the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. While she was in office Mrs. Thatcher visited a home for seniors, the kind of place often referred to as an “old folks’ home.” As she made the rounds shaking hands, she came to one older lady who seemed to be suffering from dementia. She gave no indication that she had any idea that she was shaking hands with the Prime Minister. Mrs. Thatcher asked the woman:
“Do you know who I am?”
The dear lady replied, “No ...
Grace Alone
We are justified by a righteousness apart from the law. We struggle with God’s grace because humanly we can’t comprehend why God favors us with his grace. He has nothing to gain — he has no apparent motive. It’s all about faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone.
CWR Video – What Are The Politics of Jesus? – by Richard Rohr
Short video by Richard Rohr
We hope that our articles and resources bring comfort, hope, encouragement, and healing to our readers. If you’re experiencing that, please subscribe freely, share freely, and, if you’re able, please consider donating freely toward paying it forward by clicking the blue giving at the top of your screen.
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 14, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“The Bible does not guarantee that our lives in this flesh will consist of us skipping through some idyllic park, ice cream cones in hand. God’s plan for us is not centered on the here and now. This life is not all there is. There is more to life than what we see and understand and experience. God’s plan is primarily concerned with eternity, not the earthly days and daze of our lives.”
Originally published in:
Between Religious Rocks and Life’s Hard Places
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Q & R with Brad Jersak: “How do we practice Matt. 18:15-18 discipline without using it as a bludgeon?”
Question:
I am part of a Christian group going through some unresolved conflict. One side keeps trying to use Matt.18:15-18 like a sledgehammer against the other. How do we read this passage in context when people try to weaponize it?
Response:
Here are Christ’s instructions as translated in N.T. Wright’s New Testament for Everyone version:
‘If another disciple sins against you,’ Jesus continued, ‘go and have it out, just between the two of you alone. If they listen to you, you’ve won back a brother or sister. But if they ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 12, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“The real Jesus, and the authentic Christianity he gives, are buried, like barnacles on a boat, by layers of religious rituals, rules and regulations.”
Originally published in:
Bad News Religion
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In Need of Grace
In this first of a three-part series on grace Greg talks about two men named Paul. Today, Greg explains how one of his favorite movies (Cool Hand Luke) and one of his favorite actors (Paul Newman) illustrates our need of God’s amazing grace.
Science and Faith — Why Can’t We Just Get Along?
When it’s a new school year, it’s a great time to be reminded that our God of faith and salvation is also our Great Educator and our Great Scientist.
How Can Satan Drive Out Satan? – Brad Jersak
Jesus makes a good point.
Fresh after his baptism (about age 8?), my firstborn was immediately inspired to dive into the Scriptures. With curiosity and devotion, he read through all of the Gospel of Matthew in two evenings. I remember hearing him down the hallway, tucked in his bed, chuckling out loud. When I popped my head in his room to ask what he was chortling about, he said,
“Jesus makes a good point. ‘Satan can’t drive out Satan,’ [chuckle chuckle]. Good point!” [chuckle, chuckle].
He sure does, son. Here’s the Evangelist Mark’s version ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 9, 2025 - Quote for the Day:
“Christ-less religions that fly the flag of Christ… are themselves guilty of massive attacks, savagery and brutalities of others – simply because ‘others’ do not appear to be Christians. We must not forget the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the bloody wars in Europe centering on the Reformation and afterwards. We must not forget the attempt to ‘evangelize’ pagans by the various Christian empires of Europe as they attempted to colonize the not-so-advanced areas of the world – like Africa, India, Asia, North and South ...
One God
There are many gods that compete for our attention and our allegiance, but only one true God. He is one, yet Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By his grace you can know him, be united and connected with him, and have a personal relationship with him.
CWR Video – Our Strategic Planning Process – by Ed Dunn
In this CWR Video, Ed gives an update on PTM's Strategic Planning Process.
https://vimeo.com/1079476240
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Listening to God
Listening to God involves trust and faith. It is far more than dictating our wants and desires. Prayer is more than us talking to God — it is talking with God — asking Him to change us and tell us what He wants us to do.
Beyond Mere Civility – Monte Wolverton
Yes sir, my buddy answered his father. I was about 15 years old and this was not how my Pacific Northwest friends normally talked to anyone. But Caleb (not his real name) was from Louisiana. His affable southern quips and gentle drawl made him fun to be around.
Not that he wasn’t into wayward teen activities—just that he’d been culturally conditioned to be genteel and civil when it was in his best interest. My other friends and I were a rather uncivil lot (insolent come-backs and raunchiness are teen survival skills), but I still respected my parents, and I ...
Breakfast with Brad – Participating in Grace with Nico Deschner
Breakfast with Brad and Nico Deschner's omelette special, participation and grace.
https://vimeo.com/1008962141
We hope that our articles and resources bring comfort, hope, encouragement, and healing to our readers. If you’re experiencing that, please subscribe freely, share freely, and, if you’re able, please consider donating freely toward paying it forward by clicking the blue giving at the top of your screen.
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