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

Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
03/12/18

The Myth of Perfect Peace

The absence of a feeling is not the absence of Christ, but as emotional, rational, and spiritual beings, we cannot say that the presence of Christ necessitates the absence of emotion.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
03/09/18

Jesus is a Better Prayer Warrior Than Me

Jesus went on ahead and took our cross, our sins of poor discipleship, our weak faith, our rebellion against God’s command.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/07/18

God Commands the Impossible, and That’s Good

Some have built an entire theology on the false assumption that when God commands us to obey or believe, we have the ability to obey or believe.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
03/06/18

The Resurrection is Not Greater than the Cross

We all look forward to Lent’s conclusion and the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. This is the Sunday of victory and joy as the Church enters into the reality that Christ has defeated death and hell, declared victory over such enemies and set history on its final course of consummation.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/06/18

Martin Luther's Attack on Gallows Sorrow

Only Jesus’ absolute absolution can satisfy a troubled conscience.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/03/18

Did You See That Gorilla in Church?

Give us eyes to see the face of Jesus in that little child wriggling in front of us, tugging at his mom’s sleeve, wanting a drink of water.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
03/02/18

Religion That Helps You Die

Now, resurrection can only follow upon death. The good news is, it will!
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
02/28/18

Sanctified By Faith

As sinful humans, we are adept at taking what God gives as gift and making it into a work. Nowhere is this made more evident than in the universally misunderstood doctrine of sanctification.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/25/18

Trying Hard to Pretend We're Good People

Jesus becomes who you are and you become who he is. His kindness and patience and courage are given to you, and your lust and meanness and impatience are reckoned to him.
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.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
02/15/18

Dying Is Greater Than Fighting

“The strongest person in the room doesn't win the fight," she said, "it’s whoever's the meanest…” I was fifteen years old when my aunt taught me that.
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).
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