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?

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Advent is one big answer to the question of free will in matters of salvation. God is free. Our will is bound.
This blog is a part of our Advent series on the hope we find in, through and given by Christ. Each week’s installment will look at hope from a different perspective with special emphasis on corresponding passages of Scripture.
Jesus has a mighty weapon which is the weapon of His warfare, the sword of His mouth, the very Word of God.
What Jesus says is simple, but the simplest things are difficult, and difficulty causes friction.
Recently, I've had to confront the idea of death. Not that death is merely an idea, but for me it kind of was. I've been fortunate enough to never have someone I knew unexpectedly pass away until a couple of weeks ago.
The death and resurrection of our Lord has indeed removed the power of all these things. But they remain for now, even so.
Luther’s theology lets the believer in Christ dwell under the cerulean sky of God’s unchanging grace.
Advent is the season when the Church declares to a world overwhelmed by excuses, lies, and cruelty that their Savior comes.
In the movie, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Jedi Master Yoda recounts the ancient Jedi teaching before a fearful Anakin, “Fear is the path to the dark side.
“Whatever you do, don’t share the Gospel with me?” Those were my exact words to my slightly mystified seminary professor. As he set his coffee down, I could tell that he was holding back in an effort to allow me to process what I was thinking.
As much as the devil and doubts may assail me, God has revealed Himself to me in His Word and answered these pesky questions.
God’s gifts are received, and the faithful heart offers gratias, and thanks are given in return.