Samuel grieves. He fears. He makes assumptions. Samuel is profoundly human. Yes, even Samuel, what a relief. I want to sit with Samuel for a moment because it’s easy to forget that the great heroes of Scripture were not immune to disappointment. Samuel was a prophet unlike any other. Scripture tells us that not one … Continue reading Revealed Part 1 | 1 Samuel 16
I read the Lord is not restrained by pain that I may hold By blood or death or truth or means, by things that i’ve been told He is not restrained by weakness, not restrained by might, He is not restrained by what may come Or things that don’t seem right, The Lord is not … Continue reading Unrestrained | Kim Blenkhorn
What Saul teaches us in this portion of Scripture is that poor leadership, focused inward rather than outward toward the people, will often lead people into sin. For these kinds of leaders, being obeyed becomes more important than guiding others to obey God. Their authority serves to bolster their own confidence and preserve their image. … Continue reading Saul’s Foolish Command | 1 Samuel 14:24-46
1 Samuel 13 | The Illegitimate Offering The people of Israel were about to go into battle against an army much larger. They were waiting for Samual to arrive and make the offering, they wouldn't go into battle without it. Saul wanted the battle to begin, Samuel was late. Saul decided to make the offering … Continue reading The Illegitimate Offering | 1 Samuel 13
We learn a lot about Saul in chapter 9—some clues about who he is, and subtle foreshadowing of what sort of leader he will become. Saul’s hidden insecurities are not neutral traits; they look for protection—either through control and anxiety, or through performance and pride and both exist in Saul at the same time in … Continue reading The Insecure King | I Samuel 9
For someone with ADHD having to conform to what works for the average neurotypical brain can feel frustrating and excruciating. When my body is still, my mind tends to wander aimlessly. If I am asked to sit quietly in church, be still, and simply listen, I often struggle to focus— My leg starts going, I … Continue reading The Mind Wanders | Kim Blenkhorn
What should have been a day of celebration turns into tragedy—the ark is returned to Israel but God strikes down fifty thousand of His own people at Beth Shemesh. Israel now seems caught on both sides: enemies on one side, God’s judgment on the other. Why would God strike His own people? And why are … Continue reading Return | 1 Samuel 6–7
What is the church? What does it look like? Feel like? Sound like? I grew up in church. My mother was a Christian before I was born—the serious kind, not a pew-warmer, not a seasonal Christian, but Christs blood ran deep in our family roots. I was not a first-generation believer but a fourth-generation Evangelical. … Continue reading The Church | A House of Prayer
Eli was the high priest in the temple of God. To understand the weight of his role, it helps to consider what the priesthood represented. The priests were set apart from the other tribes of Israel to serve and minister before the Lord in the tabernacle. They wore special garments, carried unique privileges, and were … Continue reading Spiritual Leaders | I Samuel 3
My Faith Place 