from the margins
exploring faith’s foundations from the edge
Book of the Bible
- 1 Chronicles
- 1 Corinthians
- 1 Kings
- 1 Samuel
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Chronicles
- 2 Corinthians
- 2 Kings
- 2 Samuel
- 2 Thessalonians
- Acts
- All
- Amos
- Daniel
- Deuteronomy
- Ecclesiastes
- Ezekiel
- Ezra
- Galatians
- Genesis
- Habakkuk
- Haggai
- Hosea
- Isaiah
- James
- Jeremiah
- Joel
- John
- Jonah
- Joshua
- Judges
- Lamentations
- Luke
- Malachi
- Mark
- Matthew
- Micah
- Nahum
- Nehemiah
- Numbers
- Obadiah
- Proverbs
- Psalms
- Romans
- Ruth
- Song of Solomon
- Zechariah
- Zephaniah
How to Lose a Kingdom in Slow Motion
Judah’s fall wasn’t a sudden disaster—it was a slow, unraveling decline marked by ignored warnings and political missteps. As Jerusalem crumbled and its leaders fell, the question isn’t just what happened, but why no one stopped it. This post explores the quiet momentum of collapse and the human tendency to look the other way.
Josiah's Reform: A Royal Cleanup That Couldn't Stop the Collapse
King Josiah launched a dramatic campaign of national reform after uncovering a long-lost scroll—but the change didn’t stick. His story raises tough questions about the limits of leadership and the fragility of top-down reform. Can one person’s conviction shift the course of a nation?
From Hezekiah to Mayhem: What Happened to Manasseh?
What happens when a good king raises a son who turns everything upside down? In 2 Chronicles 32–33, Manasseh’s descent into chaos raises questions about parenting, power, and personal choice. This post explores how someone could rebel so drastically—and what it means when they change.
Dust, Debris, and a Deadline: Temple Cleanup on a Grand Scale
Hezekiah’s temple restoration wasn’t just a construction project—it was a moment of collective reckoning. The priests and Levites didn’t just clean the space; they faced their own shame and got to work. This story feels less about rituals and more about the emotional weight of trying to make something right again.
Lions, Gods, and Awkward Conversions: Welcome to Samaria
What happens when displaced people mix their old gods with the new god of their new land? In 2 Kings 17, the residents of Samaria try just that—and lions get involved. This story is less about clean conversions and more about messy adaptations, raising timeless questions about how religious identities form under pressure.
From Stump to Sprout: A Not-So-Dead End
Isaiah 11 paints a curious picture: a green shoot sprouting from a lifeless stump. It’s a quiet reminder that something once cut down isn’t necessarily done growing. In this post, I reflect on how hope can take root in unlikely places—even after the chainsaw’s been through.
Thrones on a Treadmill: A Tale of Two Kingdoms
What happens when a nation can’t keep a king on the throne? In 2 Kings 15, the northern kingdom of Israel cycles through five rulers in rapid succession, while Judah enjoys a rare stretch of stability under Uzziah. This post explores the contrast between chaos and continuity—and what that might have meant for the people living through it.
Backup Plans and Blowback: Amaziah's Risky Bet on Rented Power
What happens when we lean on borrowed strength instead of our own? King Amaziah's decision to hire and then dismiss foreign mercenaries in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25 opens up a surprisingly relatable look at risk, trust, and fallout. This blog explores the messiness of making the right choice—and still paying a price.
Halfway Holy: The Curious Case of King Joash
Joash’s reign begins with promise—temple repairs, wise mentorship, and a reputation for doing what’s right. But once his advisor is gone, the cracks show. This post explores what it means to be partially faithful and whether a good start can outweigh a faltering finish.
Hide and Seek: The Royal Edition
While a queen seized power and wiped out rivals, one woman quietly hid a baby in a bedroom. Jehosheba’s act of courage doesn’t come with fanfare, but it changes everything. This post reflects on her overlooked bravery—and how history sometimes hinges on the people working behind the scenes.
Send Teachers, Not Tanks: Jehoshaphat’s Surprising Strategy for National Strength
While Israel’s kings were busy tearing each other down, Judah’s Jehoshaphat quietly built his kingdom up—with teachers, not warriors. His strategy? Strengthen the people before the palace. It’s a leadership style that rarely makes headlines, but maybe it should.
From Reformer to Realist: Asa's Trust Issues
King Asa began his reign with bold reforms and clear convictions—but ended it relying on political alliances and silencing dissent. His story traces a subtle but powerful shift from principle to pragmatism. This post reflects on how that transition unfolds and what it might mean for leaders navigating complex choices today.
Heavy Is the Head That Wears the Crown: Rehoboam’s Rocky Inheritance
Rehoboam steps into power with a crown and a kingdom—and also a lot of baggage from his father, Solomon. Instead of reassessing the weight of what he’s inherited, he tightens the screws, and the kingdom splits in two. This story from 2 Chronicles 10–12 explores the cost of clinging to legacy without listening to the people who have to carry it.
Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown (and Collects a Thousand Wives)
Solomon's reign was filled with gold, wisdom, and international fame—but beneath the surface, things were already starting to fracture. These chapters explore how even the most brilliant leadership can leave behind a shaky legacy. What happens when dazzling success in the moment doesn’t translate into lasting strength?
Keeping the Fire Burning (Without the Fire)
After the temple’s grand dedication, Solomon shifts his focus to something quieter: keeping the worship schedule running like clockwork. No fireworks, no speeches—just routine. This reflection explores the idea that the most enduring work might be the least exciting.
Putting a Name on It: Why the Temple Still Speaks to Us
Solomon built a temple not to house God, but as a place “for Your Name”—a physical location tied to something intangible. It raises the question: why do humans keep looking for meaning in places, even when the divine is said to be everywhere? From ancient temples to childhood homes, we seem wired to anchor memory, hope, and identity in the spaces we can touch.
Trumpets, Smoke, and Sacred Choreography
What happens when an entire community shows up, in sync, for something bigger than themselves? 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5 offer a rare moment of unified attention, complete with trumpets, ritual, and a mysterious cloud. This post reflects on the power of shared experience in a fragmented world.
A Craftsman in a King’s World
In the middle of temple blueprints and bronze measurements, one name stands out: Huram, the artisan from Tyre. He wasn’t royalty or clergy, but his hands shaped the sacred space. This blog takes a closer look at the quiet genius behind the Temple’s most iconic features.