Tending the Garden
Approaching God through Leviticus and Other Reflections on Ministry, Community, and Spiritual Growth
Until dysautonomia's hydra-headed attacks limited my physical involvement, I was an avid gardener. Truthfully, I remain passionate—I just don't handle the pruning shears myself these days! However, I've learned something essential: there is always work in a garden, and similarly, there is always Kingdom work to be done. Until Christ returns, our tasks must be those that fulfill His Great Commission.
Welcome to our column:
INK & INSIGHTS
Reflections and Recommendations from the Shepherd’s Pen
These days, the majority of my ministry outreach involves writing. To achieve this with maximum efficiency, partnerships are essential. Christian books—especially commentaries—with a few notable exceptions, rarely make it onto the New York Times Bestseller List (or even the Manhattan, Kansas bestseller list, or any list at all). Therefore, we who labor to support the work of the Gospel by equipping preachers, Bible study groups, and believers must rely on publishers committed to the mission. From the time I submit a manuscript until a reader purchases the book, publishers invest their resources to design, print, distribute, and manage all the business aspects involved. My role? Contractually, I agree to advance the work within my circles and through public engagements. Hence, this quarterly appeal.
A Study of Leviticus for the Person in the Pew (or Folding Chair, Bleachers, Theater Seat, or Couch)
A Case in Point
Imagine you're part of a Bible study group that meets weekly. Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is a wonderful place; community life unites people through shared land, farms, shops, banks, restaurants, local government, and churches. Yet, even a seemingly insulated town like Mount Pleasant faces the harmful effects of secularism common to larger cities. Issues such as gender dysphoria and pornography addiction have not spared this community. Many locals note, "Mount Pleasant has experienced social upheaval over the last decade. It feels like something is in the air, the water, and, worse, within us."
Bible studies emerging across the community have become essential antidotes to this creeping post-Christian influence. One group, composed entirely of women—farmers' wives, shopkeepers, homemakers, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and a hairdresser—gathers weekly at the Harlan-Lincoln House on Broad Street. One of the group’s founders, Mrs. Annette Olsen (whose husband recently retired from the Henry County Pork Producers), remarked to The Southeast Iowa Union (daily newspaper), "We are so thankful that they let us meet here, and it has worked out just fine. I'm Lutheran, but I've come to appreciate ladies from all the churches. I always thought everyone was Lutheran!"
At the end of a recent session, the group leader closed her Bible and announced, in an officious tone, "Well, ladies, that's that. So, what shall we study this summer? I'm hereby taking suggestions!" Miss Lucille Eriksson, the hairdresser who had relocated from nearby Swedesburg about twenty years earlier (Her move from Swedesburg, nine miles north, is still referenced when introducing her to new Bible study members, as if she relocated from Stockholm two weeks ago), hesitated slightly before speaking: "Well, I have this customer—I don't think you all know her; she still comes down from Swedesburg for her permanent—and last Thursday—Thursday at two, that’s her standing appointment—she talked about . . . Well—a book of the Bible . . ." Mrs. Olsen nodded slowly, eyes closed with a smile, encouraging Miss Eriksson to continue. Lucille finally let it out, "How about studying—Leviticus?" She had pronounced each syllable with a stretch, as if she had moved from Savannah or Wilmington, not Swedesburg.
A sudden hush filled the room, previously buzzing with excitement for their customary post-study trip to the Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee for pork tenderloin sandwiches. The tension was lifted when Mrs. Susan Bailey, the current Methodist minister’s wife, whispered loudly enough for all to hear, "Leviticus? Can we do that?"
Had I been present (in this fictitious scenario), my response would have been enthusiastic: "You're in for a wonderful surprise. Yes, Leviticus details priestly codes for worship and wilderness living, presenting enduring principles relevant today. Yet, above all, Leviticus is “The Gospel in the Old Testament.” It vividly depicts humanity's condition and our profound need for a Savior. Redemption permeates every page. Perhaps more clearly than any other book in the Torah, Leviticus provides essential insights into the life, ministry, and identity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, “The Gospel in Leviticus” is the theme of my new book. I've endeavored to write in an accessible yet scholarly style, with helpful footnotes and discussion questions for reflection or group study."
"How about studying—Leviticus?"—A sudden hush filled the room—"Leviticus? Can we do that?"
Should you acquire Approaching God: Lessons from Leviticus for personal devotion, Sunday School, or Bible study, I pray that God the Holy Spirit will exalt Christ through its pages, opening your heart anew—or perhaps for the first time—to the reality of our redemption through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Michael A. Milton, Approaching God: Lessons from Leviticus (Christian Focus Publications, 2024). Purchases via Amazon support Faith for Living, Inc., a North Carolina 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation.
A Recommendation
My intention is never self-promotion but rather to provide meaningful resources for spiritual growth. Whenever I highlight my work, I also want to recommend another valuable resource. For a more comprehensive commentary (distinct from my thematic approach), I commend Dr. Jay Sklar's exceptional book:
Jay Sklar, Leviticus: An Introduction and Commentary, Illustrated edition (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014).
Dr. Sklar's commentary is among the finest available. It combines unparalleled scholarship, biblical and confessional faithfulness, and deep pastoral insight.
And now may the Lord bless you with the reality of the risen Christ, who is now and forever our only Redeemer and the Friend of Sinners like me.
Christ is Risen is Released
Praise the Lord! We received a positive review of “Christ is Risen” in a music industry magazine. This was released last week for the Easter season. It’s available as a single on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and other platforms. If we get 14,000 streams, we will make $5.00. But we will consider $2.50 a big win (100% goes to Faith for Living to create more). But THAT is not our concern. We are a Christian ministry. The mission of Faith for Living is to reach as many people as possible by every means available. And our mission is our prayer.
READ THE REVIEW
Or read the PDF extracted from the site:
FOLLOW AND LIKE OUR ARTIST PAGE ON SPOTIFY
You can follow Michael Anthony Milton on Spotify here:
Ongoing Ministry Initiatives:
Faith for Living remains active across several fronts, including:
Bethesda Music Group: We released three singles in 2025 and are developing my upcoming (and probably final) album, Plain Folk. Learn More.
Latest Book: Deep Roots: A Biblical-Theological Framework for Church Planting (Wipf and Stock, 2025). A valuable resource not just for church planters but for anyone exploring vocation as a spiritual discipline. Explore More.
Research on Clergy Burnout: We have submitted a comprehensive academic paper on clergy burnout for peer review. Our aim is to promote spiritual health for enduring ministries. Your prayers for acceptance and impact are deeply appreciated.
Art and the Christian Faith: Through our gallery, we not only present original works of art but also write a story about each one, with scripture, designed to reach people who might otherwise not hear the Gospel. Here is an example: “Twilight’s Pathway” with a devotional message from Isaiah: "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." — Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV)
Our mission at Faith for Living remains unchanged: to reach as many people as possible through every available means so that a multitude of souls will be safe in Jesus' arms when He returns.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May the risen Christ richly bless you.
We also occasionally direct students, researchers, pastors, and interested readers of scholarly papers to our page called, “Scrivening.” There we store papers from journals, and research that is awaiting publication.