CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
Mary–Falling Into Favor
If you knew that a gift would bring you great joy but also some hardships, would you accept it? Greg talks about Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would be the mother of God and that God has offered us an incredible gift.
Do Not Be Afraid – by Greg Albrecht
The time and culture of Jesus' birth was not unlike the world in which we live today. For that matter, it was just like any generation or era in history. The specific people, land and culture to which Jesus came was a world permeated with fear at almost every level. The Jews were an occupied people. They suffered under grinding poverty and heavy taxation. There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Life expectancy, particularly among the poor, is estimated to have been in the mid-30s to early-40s. Fear is a part of what it means to be human. It's a common and ...
Sometimes Waiting Is Hard – Brad Jersak
Advent is a word I was unfamiliar with as a child growing up in my Baptist tradition. But in my years with the Mennonites, I became familiar with the ritual of lighting candles on the Advent wreath in anticipation of Christ’s nativity.
Advent, I learned, meant arrival, but intrinsic to that word was the waiting, the anticipation, and the longing of God’s people for his appearance and especially his deliverance. As a little boy, I relived that expectant hope as the calendar slowly edged forward to Christmas.
Sometimes, Waiting Is Hard
I think most children ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
December 7, 2024 - Quote for the Day:
“God’s grace, exemplified by the birth of Jesus, is not simply a one-time spiritual bail-out. God’s grace is not a temporary loan to help us get back on our feet. The birth of Jesus is not a one-time stimulus package.
God’s grace is an eternal solution. Jesus didn’t come to bring us a “little bit” of hope, to jump start the human religious economies of this world. Jesus did not come so that he could start another religion or modify religion. Religion is the problem. He brought the answer. The answer is ...
No Longer Home Alone
Do you feel empty, lonely, spiritually adrift in a vast wasteland of meaningless existence? The birth of Jesus Christ means we don't have to feel that way. Listen as Greg Albrecht talks about the implications of "God with Us."
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0089.mp3
CWR Video – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – by Greg Albrecht
Albrecht - Most Wonderful Time of the Year from Plain Truth Ministries on Vimeo.
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.
The Season of Lights – by Ed Dunn
I remember Christmastime as a child. I remember riding together with my brothers and sisters in the backseat of our old family station-wagon. As the days were short on sunlight during the wintery months in our particular part of Western Pennsylvania, many of our rides together took place after dark. We thought of ourselves as “country bumpkins” who grew up “in the sticks,” and as such, we knew if we could catch a glimpse of the Christmas lights from “town” on one of our rides, it would make for a real seasonal treat.
As children, ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
December 5, 2024 - Quote for the Day:
“Isaiah says that Jesus was a root growing in dry ground (Isaiah 53:2). This reference to a root out of dry ground may indicate that the body of Jesus appeared somewhat stunted and unattractive compared with other humans. Jesus was a tender shoot, as opposed to one that was obviously robust and hearty. He was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3) – a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
While Jesus’ appearance alone didn’t ‘turn heads,’ there is no biblical reference that would lead us to think that ...
Joseph – Standing in the Shadows
How many Christmas cards have you ever seen with Joseph cradling Jesus in his arms? He always seems to be in the shadows of Christmas -- a man of few words but called to action. Listen to today's program to see what we can learn from Joseph.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0088.mp3
Sample One of Our Daily Radio Messages
"No Room in the Inn"
Have you ever been left out, missed the cut, failed to make the team or been laid off? Without power, money, talent or good looks our culture often has no room for us. You know the same thing happened to Jesus .. when he was born there was no room in the inn.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0297.mp3
Links to Our Daily Radio
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 ...
No Room in the Inn
Have you ever been left out, missed the cut, failed to make the team or been laid off? Without power, money, talent or good looks our culture often has no room for us. You know the same thing happened to Jesus .. when he was born there was no room in the inn.
Help Us Help Others – Giving Tuesday
Today, Tuesday December 3, is "Giving Tuesday". Giving Tuesday is a day that encourages people to give back in whatever way they can. It presents nonprofit organizations, like Plain Truth Ministries, an opportunity for us to raise money to continue proclaiming Christ-centered Christianity without the religion.
If you have been helped and benefited from what we offer at Plain Truth Ministries, please consider helping us help others.
Thank you for your support: Click here - Help Us Help Others -
PTM is a non-profit ministry. We rely on and deeply ...
CWR Video – King Jesus
In this CWR Video, Brad discusses what is meant by Jesus Christ as King.
https://vimeo.com/1011060169
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Reflections Along the Jesus Way
December 3, 2024 - Quote for the Day:
“Today…we find the birth of Jesus sentimentalized and trivialized. The religious version of Christmas is packaged in a sentimental, fuzzy way designed to make us feel warm and nostalgic. You can buy that Christmas package in malls and stores and in many churches.
Take a look at the baby Jesus you see displayed in many storefronts, church campuses and in many suburban front yards – a little hollow, plastic Jesus with a little light bulb. A little, hollow, plastic Jesus is exactly what our consumer driven Christ-less ...
The Lamb of God — Part 2
Is God unfair? Why does He allow so much suffering, any suffering? The birth of Jesus, the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world, has so much to tell us about all of the suffering in today's world. His birth brings meaning to our own lives of hurt and pain.
The Lamb of God — Part 1
From the very beginning before the boundaries of our physical lives, time and space — before planet earth — before all that we know — Jesus' birth as the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world was determined.
It All Comes From God – by Greg Albrecht
Here in the United States this is the time after Thanksgiving. It's a time of the year when it can be so easy to forget that what we are eating and enjoying is what God has given us, for every good and perfect gift is from above…(James 1:17). Here in the U.S. we just experienced Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving, a day when many people are off work and flood the shopping malls, trying to get a head start on Christmas shopping.
Another year of Christmas hype is in full swing. It's a time when Christmas decorations, advertisements, and promotions urge us to buy ...
CWR Video – Our Incarnated Lives – by Steve McVey
https://player.vimeo.com/video/115914372
One Week in December – by Greg Albrecht
Friend and Partner Letter from December 2024:
On Monday, a couple signed divorce papers. The end of 32 years together – now a fractured family, with three children, in-laws and many friends. What will happen now? Does this divorce matter to God? So this is Christmas?
On Tuesday, a husband and father left work, got on a bus to go home to his family. Two young people appeared, demanding his money, cell phone and wedding ring. He resisted, was beaten and stabbed and left to die as the teens left the bus. Where was God?
On Wednesday, a 60-year-old woman visited ...
Good Tidings to You – Ed Dunn
This Month at PTM - December 2024
Watch a short video and the message on "Good Tidings to You" by Ed Dunn as he updates us on the latest from Christianity Without the Religion and Plain Truth Ministries.
https://vimeo.com/1029396634
Plain Truth Ministries | Box 300 | Pasadena, CA 91129-0300
