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

Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
03/28/18

The Tolkien Option, Part 3: Escape

Jesus is the great Houdini of the grave for us. And through His death, He gives us the Great Escape from death that leads to the great joy of the Resurrection.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
03/14/18

Jesus Refuge of the Weary

The victory of Christ is hidden in the crosses we bear as Christians following Him to our own personal Golgothas.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
02/26/18

Knowing is Half the Battle

I cannot recall how many times I sang along to this theme song, punching and kicking as a kid in the 80s. But much of my desire to join the Marine Corps had its genesis in the 80s cartoon “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.”
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/17/18

Prayer Won't Stop School Shootings

A good place to start is to work hard at loving those no one else seems to love. I can’t think of a more Christ-like action.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
02/15/18

Romantic Love, Silence, and Ash Wednesday

This reflection was adapted from Sexy: The Quest for Erotic Virtue in Perplexing Times (1517 Publishing, 2017).
Paul Dunk
Paul Dunk
01/26/18

Here We Are Now. Entertain Us.

Do you remember way back in May 2007, Charlie and his brother Harry were sitting on a chair when Charlie bit Harry's finger? The little guys broke the internet.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
01/18/18

Really? Will Anything Ever Be Okay in Jerusalem?

In him, retribution is set aside. Forgiveness comes. A new order begins. Remember that God’s mission will prevail, because grace is in, with, and under the fabric of human history.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
01/17/18

The Unexpected Narrative of God

Dual narratives are unfolding in our lives at every moment. There’s the story we’re writing, and the one penned by the Spirit.
Daniel Deen
Daniel Deen
01/03/18

United in Suffering, Distracted by What To Do About It (Part 2)

Only a god could be wise. We are seekers, lovers of divine wisdom, but it is forever beyond our grasp due to human limitation.
David Rufner
David Rufner
12/29/17

Joyful Birds, Joyful People

Even now we sing as we live in His gifts, and await His second Advent—His second-coming.
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
12/21/17

The Prostitute Bride

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see that simple boy. An orange sky warms the deserted streets with the final glow of safe light.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
12/04/17

What a Trail Taught Me About Worship

In an age when the phrase “new and improved” applies to everything from phones to marriages, when we as a nation mimic juveniles, lustily pursuing the next new thing, the worst decision a church can make is to cater to this weakness.
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