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

David Rufner
David Rufner
09/06/17

Psalm 1 - Wide Open

If this opening verse offers to us both door and doorkeeper, then the doorkeeper stands with the door held securely shut.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/31/17

God's Doing For Us That Gets Done

God's doing for us that gets done is Word and Sacrament stuff. Everything else flows from His speaking to us, baptizing us, bodying and bloodying us. Jesus sees our need.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
05/18/17

Do Pets Go To Heaven? Why I Think So…

As a pastor I am often asked if pets go to heaven? The question may sound childish, or even sentimental, but it is extremely important for those who ask it.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
04/04/17

I, Alone

Last night was one of those nights when I had an unscheduled 3:00 a.m. Life Assessment session.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
03/21/17

"Touched" By God

Some days, people need a touch. Not just any touch, but something that says, "I care about you, and I love you."
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
03/14/17

Death Through the Proverbs

Wisdom speaks in proverbs, parables and riddles. And the simple continue to wander right past her words of life.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/14/16

Your Own Personal Bible—And Other Insanities

We treat the Scriptures as if they’re our literary property to toy with as we please.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
10/15/15

More than Meets the Eye

Nevertheless, we believe, teach, and confess that this unlikely King advents weekly to meet with His people in the Divine Service through His Word and Sacraments.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
10/10/15

Narrow Gate: The Radically Inclusive-Exclusive Gospel

This was one of the most haunting and soul tormenting verses in the Bible for me when I was growing up.
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
05/14/15

Does The Resurrection Even Make Sense?

In reality, Easter equals good news for you. And our world needs some good news. Maybe we’re not even sure what’s wrong, but we know this world is broken.
RJ Grunewald
RJ Grunewald
02/02/15

Bloodied, Beaten, and Bruised

Jesus tells the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who falls into the hands of robbers. The text reads, “They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.”
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
01/17/15

You’ll Never Hear the Opening Words of the Bible the Same Again

The task—the joyful task!—of the interpreter is to go around the house, trying various keys in various doors, until they are all opened. This is one way to picture our reading of the Bible.
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