This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
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
Why did the church dedicate a day to St. Michael anyway? Who is he, and what does he do?

All Articles

We must be careful in how we are answering this question. So often we fall into the trap of basing on our assurance on what we are currently doing or not doing.
On this Day Handel Begins Composing Messiah, and 5 Things We Can Learn From It
We are so free as Christians that we don't even have to compare ourselves to other Christians.
God is always better than your imaginings. God is greater than your thoughts about God!
Begin thinking of your church as a homeless shelter. See how it changes the way you see the weary pilgrim sitting in the pew next to you.
In these two stories - one ending and the other beginning just a day apart - we find many ingredients that are uniquely American. We find grit, determination, and conquest.
Around Easter my mind often drifts back to all of the annual ‘Revival Services’ I attended when I was growing up. Every year they began the revival with the Easter service.
No matter what happens, whether failure, pain, or discouragement, Jesus says, “Come to me... and I will give you rest"
We are a people always seeking, always moving, always striving for more: it is the American way.
Despite the death all around us, the death that is assured us, we know there is a way out.
Even after Jesus made it clear in His actions and commands that God’s grace is for all sinners, the apostles forgot the promises they received from their Savior.
We fail over and over again to tame the sin in our hearts, to guard the doors of our lips and to act like the children of God.