The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down
By Bradley Gray
10/02/25
23mins

The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

He doesn’t consume us, even though that is what we deserve. Instead, Jesus comes down to us and consumes all our sin by taking it on himself.
When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335

All Articles

Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/14/18

Daily Bread & Bread of Life

But when we trust Jesus, then we close our eyes to it all and say, “Heavenly Father, I’m your child.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/12/18

We're Better People Without Self-Esteem

The foundation of the Christian’s life is that our life is not our own. We don’t belong to ourselves. God has purchased us with the currency of Jesus’s blood.
Jay Sawrie
Jay Sawrie
08/09/18

Escape from Monkey Hill

It has been three years since Allyson and I honeymooned in New Orleans. We had a great time eating our way through the French Quarter, learning to drive in a city of only ways, and forgetting that real life existed for only a few days.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
08/09/18

Seeking the Lost

The only obedient son is shunned so that the disobedient one may return. Why? Because God loves sinners. He doesn’t leave them alone.
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
08/08/18

The Red in our Ledgers

The only sea of tranquility that can unite God and man and bring brotherhood among us is found in the Word and sacraments.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/03/18

We Don't Need "Worship Options" on Sunday Morning

The church is a home for the family of God. It’s not a mall, a café, a coffee shop, or Amazon. It’s where we usually don’t get what we want, but what we need.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/02/18

When God Disappoints

In the tiny Bible-belt town where I grew up, tragedy brought people together.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
08/01/18

When God Wounds

Life is certainly unfair. But in Christ, at least in part, we rejoice at such a notion. Grace, that great descriptor of God’s devotion, is a word that only finds its purpose, only exists at all, because it exists as a response to guilt.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
08/01/18

When Church is Exhausting, You're Doing it Wrong

When those who are serving joyfully and willingly are instead encouraged to complain that they are carrying the load for the rest of the body, all hope is lost.
Wayne Sender
Wayne Sender
07/30/18

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Altar Call

This is my fifteenth year on staff at Bible camp. The path to the snack shop is well worn, and I’m an expert at carpet ball.
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
07/30/18

What Writer’s Block Tells us About the Kingdom of God

Writer’s Block, however, entertains no such fantasies. It goes straight for my ego’s jugular and pounds home the fact that I’m not good enough.
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
07/27/18

Luther's Anxiety of the Heart and Today's Despair

Today’s world has replaced Anfechtung with an entirely new sort of despair.
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