CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
Henry Sturcke
Jesus is Here – Not Over There!
We examine the far-fetched attempts made by some religious professionals and the institutions they represent, in a vain attempt to own Jesus.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR473.mp3
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 15, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“According to the evidence of the Bible itself, Jesus is the Word (John 1:1) – not a book. We can capitalize ‘Word’ when we refer to Jesus but to call the Bible ‘the Word of God’ is a stretch, perhaps even an error. The title ‘Word of God’ refers ultimately and supremely to the second person of the Triune God, whom we know as Jesus Christ, specifically called ‘the Word of God” in the first chapter of the Gospel of John…
In fact, when the focus of the ‘word’ of God becomes the Bible, when the ...
All Things Beautiful #12 – Ken Williams
Ken Williams
The Marriage of the Lamb:
Wow! In the beginning the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, created all things through his Son, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and then looked at it all, and “seeing it was very good” (Gen. 1:1, 31 OSB throughout). He finished his work by creating man and woman in his image, the image of the Triune God (v27). Then God gave them a command that, amazingly, humans obeyed. He told them to multiply and fill the earth (v28). My dear deceased friend, Dave Lafferty, said God cheated by making this command fun. Whether ...
Yesterday, Today and Forever
"Flood waters can't drown love, torrents of rain can't put it out. Love can't be bought, love can't be sold - it's not to be found in the marketplace" (Song of Solomon 8:7, The Message).
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR472.mp3
Q&R with Greg Albrecht – “Should we boycott the wedding?”
Recently I was asked to give my opinion about a married man, in the process of divorcing his wife, while dating a younger, unmarried woman. My immediate thought was the response of Jesus when he was asked by someone to get involved in a family about an inheritance. "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" (Luke 12:14).
However, remembering that Jesus used the question as a way to discuss some of the more important spiritual issues surrounding it (see "The Parable of the Rich Fool"—Luke 12:15-21), I tried to respond in a similar way. The person ...
Giving Up …
There is no doubt that sacrifice, giving up, and surrendering are hallmarks of Christ-centered faith - but, do we give up something in order to convince God to love us, or do we willingly surrender to him because he has already given us his abundant love?
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR471.mp3
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 13, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“Boundaries are one of the defining characteristics of what it means to be human. As children, we probe and push until we can discover just how far our parents will go before they lower the boom on us. When we marry, we normally do a similar thing with the person we have promised to love and protect and cherish.
When the speed limit is 65, most drivers will extend that to about 75, thinking they have a safe margin before the highway patrol will stop them. We spend a lot of time and effort trying to go as far as we can. ...
Burglars in the House! — by Bermie Dizon
This is something I will never forget while pastoring in San Fernando, Philippines, years ago. All of us in the family were asleep when my wife woke up because she sensed a presence in our bedroom. Her eyes were wide open, and she saw a man in the shadowy darkness of our room. When the man saw my wife was awake, he quickly grabbed her bag near the door. My wife immediately shouted to wake me up and told me that a burglar had entered the house. We quickly shut the bedroom door, locked it, and pushed a heavy dresser to block the entrance.
In fear, my wife ...
Q&A: More on Surrender / Letting Go – Bradley Jersak
Q1. How would you define surrender? Who or what is one surrendering to, in your opinion? God, Universe, Self, Soul, present moment...?
Surrender has been a key word in my spiritual vocabulary for decades and as a result, has become layered. My definition is drawn from my experiences in prayer, from the influence of Simone Weil in my life, my interactions in spiritual direction, and from the twelve-step recovery movement.
I typically define surrender as “letting go,” which applies to how I try to let go of control (self-will), of agendas, of “my will be ...
Join Us For Our Sunday Sermon
"The Center of the Gospel"
Join us for our Sunday Sermon:
Greg discusses what is meant by the "Center of the Gospel."
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/CWR647.mp3
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Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 11, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“When we read the life and teachings of Jesus, we read of God in the flesh who was always available. When his self-appointed security detail, also known as the disciples (as far as we know they weren’t wearing designer sunglasses), wanted to prevent little children from seeing him, Jesus stepped in and granted the children access.
Jesus had time. He was not too busy. He was not some big-shot executive who was late for another meeting, whose posse was waiting to usher him into his limo. He had plenty of time for ...
Transforming Prayer
If you're looking for some direction about how your prayers can rise above the level of "give me this - give me that: help me - save me - heal me" then you will want to join us for "Transforming Prayer."
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR467.mp3
CWR Video – Coffee and Jesus – Friend of Jesus
In this CWR Video, join Greg as he explores what it means to walk in friendship with Jesus. When you become a friend of Jesus, everything changes. In Christ, you are a new creation.
https://vimeo.com/1196052020
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My House Will Be Full
While good, church going folk of Jesus’ day excluded many “non-members” and those they determined to be ne’er-do-wells from their banquets and festivities, Jesus proclaimed that all are invited — he said “my house will be full.”
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR466.mp3
He’s “Friended” Us! – Greg Albrecht
What a friend we have in Jesus! So goes that great old hymn—and its message is the gospel truth.
In John 15:9-17 Jesus encourages us to remain in him and with him. In the Authorized King James Version the word used is "abide." Jesus is requesting that we stay with him.
He's saying, "Don't move away. Don't wander away. Stay with me. Remain with me."
Jesus is saying, "Keep your eyes and focus on me. Don't ever stop looking to me as the absolute center of your faith. Don't allow religious ceremonies and rituals to confuse you—so that you think our relation...
CWR Video – “Fly Me to the Moon” – by Greg Albrecht
Short 4 minute video by Greg Albrecht.
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The Jesus Train
The lyrics of the old gospel song "This Train is Bound for Glory" proclaim that it doesn't carry no gambler, smokers, two bit liars or small time jokers - but "The Jesus Train" welcomes all those people and many more.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR465.mp3
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
July 8, 2026 - Quote for the Day:
“The kind of love that a man and woman have for each other that is pumped into our brains and hearts by our society, by our media and by our music, and yes, even by many of our churches – is conditional love. We have been brainwashed into believing we are loved as long as we can be who and what the object of our ‘love’ wants us to be. That’s conditional love – and it’s absolutely the opposite of the love taught in the Bible.”
Originally published in:
Letters to My Friends
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Us Against Them Or Us For Him?
The world at large identifies Christians in terms of what we are against, rather than what and Who we are for. When the ministry of Jesus and his gospel is so inclusive, why is it that so many churches make it so hard to be a part of his kingdom?
How Can I Trust God? With What? – Brad Jersak
Question:
I’ve been spinning my wheels around the idea of what it means to trust God, and how we even get there. Trust God with what? We are not guaranteed safety in body, relationships, or really anything (from my experience). Is it simply God’s presence in all things, that God will never leave us? In all honesty, that feels like an empty answer—what good does presence do?
Response:
I get it. I clearly remember the day when I sat with my spiritual director and asked virtually the same question. I framed it as “I am told to trust that God cares. But ...
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