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

Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/23/17

A Pastor May Have The Holy Spirit in Two Ways

When the Holy Spirit is at work in the office of the holy ministry, the man is ridden by the Spirit and so his only concern is for preaching the Gospel, baptizing, absolving, and feeding sinners in the Name of Christ Jesus.
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Elyse Fitzpatrick
08/09/17

Standing on My Tiptoes

The conversation between four year-old Jackson and his mom in the car after dropping off his siblings at school was all-too-typical.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/26/17

Good News From A Far Country: Preaching Law & Gospel

I believe it’s no small charge to assert that there’s a massive problem in the majority of America’s pulpits.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
05/04/17

Hey Pastor, Your Church Is Not Healthy (goggles required)

Your church is not healthy. If they were healthy, they wouldn’t need someone to heal them.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
04/20/17

What Did Your Funeral Look Like?

The fact is no one dies with dignity.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
04/14/17

Why “Good” Friday?

Have you ever wondered, of all the adjectives we could use to describe this day why in the world we chose the word “good?” Yeah, me too.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
04/07/17

What Sort of Father Do We Have?

He reminds them how his love is truly marvelous and unconditional, but then, he looks them in the eyes, and says they ought to do better because of his love.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/15/17

A Christian Looks to Christ

Forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and eternal life aren't handed out by God because we deserve it.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
01/26/17

John Chrysostom: The Preacher with a Golden Tongue

The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
11/16/16

Showing Mercy to Former Ministers

I don’t care why you left the ministry—moral failure, congregational politics, burnout, whatever—the Christ whom you proclaimed has not left you.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
10/28/16

Giving God A Nap

The Word of God wrecked the room. The wise and seasoned pastor along with the smart mouth vicar were all silenced in the fear and awe of a God who can seem so absent at times.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
10/11/16

What's The Big Deal About The Liturgy? (Part 6: Good News)

Many Christians (including preachers) have succumbed to the idea that good preaching must be about practical living, and so most sermons are geared to scratch this pragmatic itch.
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