from the margins
exploring faith’s foundations from the edge
Book of the Bible
- 1 Chronicles
- 1 Corinthians
- 1 John
- 1 Kings
- 1 Peter
- 1 Samuel
- 1 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Chronicles
- 2 Corinthians
- 2 John
- 2 Kings
- 2 Peter
- 2 Samuel
- 2 Thessalonians
- 2 Timothy
- 3 John
- Acts
- All
- Amos
- Colossians
- Daniel
- Deuteronomy
- Ecclesiastes
- Ephesians
- Ezekiel
- Ezra
- Galatians
- Genesis
- Habakkuk
- Haggai
- Hebrews
- Hosea
- Isaiah
- James
- Jeremiah
- Joel
- John
- Jonah
- Joshua
- Jude
- Judges
- Lamentations
- Luke
- Malachi
- Mark
- Matthew
- Micah
- Nahum
- Nehemiah
Holy Smokes: Was That a Coup or a Revival?
What happens when a child king takes the throne and a high priest starts tearing down temples? In 2 Kings 9–11, religious reform and political power moves go hand-in-hand, raising questions about whether faith was the goal—or just good strategy. This post explores how the destruction of Baal’s temple may have been as much about authority as it was about belief.
Clear Eyes, Full Fears, Can't Lose?
When Elisha’s servant sees an army surrounding their city, panic takes over—until Elisha asks for his eyes to be opened. What happens next isn’t a military miracle, but a shift in perception. This story has me wondering what I might be missing when fear narrows my view.
Miracles, Mantles, and Multiplying Loaves: Elisha’s Everyday Wonders
Elisha doesn’t just call down fire or part rivers—he shows up with oil, flour, and a practical fix for poisoned stew. In 2 Kings 2–4, the prophet’s miracles feel surprisingly ordinary, focused on hunger, grief, and survival. This post explores what these acts might tell us about the tension between belief, proof, and the need for help.
Divine Courtroom Drama and the Politics of Power
What do a betrayed brother, corrupt rulers, and a fearful nation have in common? Obadiah and Psalms 82–83 reveal a fierce concern for justice and the responsibility of power. These ancient texts challenge us to consider what happens when those in charge fail to protect the vulnerable.
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.
When Everyone Says Yes: Listening for the One Honest No
King Ahab had 400 prophets telling him what he wanted to hear—but one voice stood apart. In reading this story, I couldn’t help wondering how often I seek affirmation instead of truth. This passage raises uncomfortable but honest questions about how we make decisions and who we choose to listen to.
A Vineyard, a King, and a Very Bad Deal
When King Ahab sets his sights on Naboth’s vineyard, it sparks a chilling tale of power, silence, and manipulation. Jezebel’s behind-the-scenes scheming leads to a legal process that looks official but ends in injustice. This story raises timeless questions about how authority is used—and misused—when no one is watching too closely.
Fire from the Sky, Tears in the Dirt
Elijah is a prophet who calls down fire one day and collapses in fear the next. His story in 1 Kings 17–19 doesn’t hide the emotional swings—it holds courage and exhaustion side by side. Maybe strength isn’t about never breaking down, but about showing up anyway.
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.
Same Calves, New Kingdom: A Throwback Nobody Asked For
Golden calves make a surprise return in 1 Kings 12, and not in a good way. Jeroboam, facing political pressure, reaches for a familiar (and famously bad) solution. This post explores what it means when fear drives us to repeat the past—even the parts we know didn’t work.
Royal Advice You Don’t Want to Skip
Before the famous poem about the capable wife, Proverbs 31 opens with a mother’s direct and urgent advice to her royal son. Her words highlight leadership not as a position of privilege, but as a responsibility to protect the vulnerable. It’s a brief but powerful moment that reframes what it means to wear a crown.
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?
Feast, Fools, and the Fine Art of Enjoying Life
Ecclesiastes may be best known for its existential honesty, but tucked among its reflections on death and injustice is a simple message: enjoy what you can. Not in an extravagant, carefree way—but in the ordinary rhythm of meals, work, and connection. It’s not a solution, just a small act of defiance in a world that doesn’t always make sense.
The Work, the Wealth, and the Wind: A Surprisingly Relatable Crisis
Ecclesiastes takes a hard look at the promises of success, wealth, and tireless work—and doesn’t exactly come away impressed. In these first six chapters, the Teacher explores what it means to chase achievement, only to find it hollow. But in between the critiques, there’s a quiet appreciation for life’s small, fleeting pleasures.
The Awkward Truth About Honest Friendships
Not all friendships are feel-good and friction-free. Proverbs 27–29 offers a sharp take—literally—on the kind of relationships that help us grow. This post explores what it means to be “sharpened” by others, and why the most trustworthy friend might also be the one who doesn’t always tell you what you want to hear.
Quiet Authority: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leadership
What if leadership wasn’t about charisma or control, but about restraint, reliability, and knowing when to speak? Proverbs 25–26 offers a surprisingly practical lens on influence—without ever using the word “leader.” This reflection explores the kind of quiet authority that earns trust without demanding attention.