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

Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
11/20/18

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

He was a beggar on the streets. And, he was as good as dead if he didn't receive a blessing. The words, "you're cursed" haunted his mind.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
11/19/18

Enough is Enough

When we say in the benediction, “The LORD make His face shine on you,” grace is what we mean.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
11/13/18

The Mirror Never Lies

The Gospel is our freedom from sin. It is Christ in the mirror, Christ for me and for you.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
11/08/18

A Cynic Walks into a Church

The more that we hear the law, the more we recognize others as those who, like us, are torn and tattered by the wounds of sin and brokenness.
David Rufner
David Rufner
11/08/18

Betrayal and the Plunge

We take what we perceive to be freedom and turn it into a new credo, a new law, an idol to be lifted up and lived out.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
11/02/18

How Luther Pointed Me to Christ in the Old Testament

Jesus is the Word of God. God’s Word—on two legs (John 1:14). I’d read it in the first chapter of John’s Gospel many, many times.
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
10/30/18

The Tolkien Option: Consolation and Eucatastrophe

Consolation is the breath of life filling our lungs, hearts, and minds with the fresh, incorruptible air of the new creation.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
10/26/18

The Dangers of Shallow Sanctification

Rather than calling me to pick burrs off my coat, God’s love strips me of my delusions and cuts to the heart of my disease.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
10/24/18

The Gospel is Only for Consumers

Perhaps the answer to creating a healthier church and a more invested people is found in preaching more clearly the full freeing Gospel.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
10/18/18

Patience Under the Mercy of Christ

God has forgiven you. That is an objective fact. You can reject it, but it is nevertheless true.
David Rufner
David Rufner
10/17/18

The Gift of Belonging

It is only when individuals are bound together in community that they become fully human.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/10/18

Freed From the Law to be For the Law

Gospel questions don’t get a Law answer. Religious questions beg for Law answers.
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