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

Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/14/19

Christians in a Time of Pride and Shame

Shame is shameful. That may seem obvious but ponder this observation from the authors of Scenes of Shame: “Shame, indeed, covers shame itself—it is shameful to express shame.”
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/07/19

The Dangerous Nature of God's Grace

I’d say that one of the best depictions of God’s grace comes from a well-beloved and world-renowned children’s fantasy novel, that being C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson
06/03/19

Abs-of-Steel Man & Mr. Sad-Sack

I saw a commercial once that said I just have to do whatever it takes to actualize my best me. And it makes sense, really. Doing results in being, cause and effect. Want six-pack abs? Just buy the right product and give your new, healthy lifestyle 110% for 10 weeks and maybe you’ll see results.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
05/28/19

This Is My Body, Broken For You

My family fills a row of chairs in the sanctuary of our church. I always feel bad for the people who sit around my noisy family. Our pastor loves children and has told me once he struggles to preach on the Sundays when they are all whisked off to Children's Church after the music once a month because the sanctuary is too quiet.
RJ Grunewald
RJ Grunewald
04/22/19

A Table For The Broken

Something happens around the table that changes those who are given a seat at the table.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
04/10/19

Christ Is Still Holding Fast

To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
03/19/19

I Am A Fake Christian

The other day a prominent Evangelical pastor tweeted, “My life’s commitment is to talk about the Bible in such a way that fake Christians feel fake — so that they can be saved.”
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson
03/18/19

Grace In The Wilderness

God’s children spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Imagine the hopelessness. Imagine the frustration.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/13/19

How Long, O Lord? Climbing 109 Mountains

I finally climbed all 109 mountains. My journey began out of desperation, fueled by anger, fear, resentment.
Blake Flattley
Blake Flattley
03/07/19

Grace & The Umbrella Academy

Netflix just recently released a series called The Umbrella Academy, another comic book series adapted for screen.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
03/06/19

Examples of Grace

I was once asked why I thought young people were leaving the church in droves after they graduated high school.
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson
02/15/19

God’s Not Looking For Spiritual Gurus

To be human is to be preoccupied with averting pain and despair. But despair gets a bad rap.
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