God Speaks In the Margins

Read between the lines in my new daily devotional COMING SOON!

What People Are Saying About God In The Margins

“I really like God In The Margins! It’s very thought-provoking, and insightful. Really good stuff and I’m looking forward to seeing the completed product!.”

— Friend

“Scott brings depth and a sense of ease to every devotion, which has been particularly helpful in my knowing God better.”

— David Jahr

About

God In The Margins

My daily devotional came from the highlighted material and notes I wrote in the margins of my Bible. (Thus, the title.) I’m continually surprised at how often the Word of God teaches me something I hadn’t thought about before. I am attracted to the nuances of God’s Word. My brain is wired to seek single words, phrases or metaphors and then camp on them a bit. God reveals himself to me in these small things. I used to worry I was too focused on the esoteric until I applied Paul’s advice that all Scripture counts. Essentially, anything from God’s Word can make me a better Christian.

Most of the ideas for these entries were conceived in the air or a hotel room during business travel. I tried to redeem some of this ‘wasted’ time as a means of working out my own salvation. I did it as a spiritual discipline knowing that if I could improve my thinking about God then it would deepen my connection with Him.

Note on Structure

I employed a simple formula. The first paragraph is my opinion on a scripture verse and the second is what it taught me about God. I wrote a short prayer at the end. Finally, there is one for every day and each entry can be read in less than two minutes.

And yes, that is my actual Bible on the right.

I use color-coded highlights throughout, including:

  • Pink= God’s Promises

  • Blue= God’s Commands

  • Green= God’s Character

  • Yellow= Passages I taught for Sunday School

About Scott Smith

Author and Bible Teacher, Scott Smith, came to a saving relationship with Christ in the backseat of an Atlanta City bus on a 6th Grade Field Trip by some Jesus-loving hippies. In high school, he re-instated his faith through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes before having his own personal reformation, switching from Catholicism to Protestant while attending Cal-Berkeley. A reformed theologist, he went on to complete seven graduate-level seminary courses and taught adults more than 100 original lessons from the Bible. Residing in Goleta, near Santa Barbara with his high school sweetheart and wife of 37 years, Michelle, Scott has two daughters and five grandchildren. 

Ten Interesting Things about Scott:

  1. Earned a football Scholarship to Cal and was on the field for the famous 5-lateral play to beat Stanford in the Big Game in 1982

  2. Spent first decade of career selling breast implants 

  3. Switched to Orthopedics and worked for big companies

  4. Made at least one sales call in all 50 states

  5. While travelling for business in the USA:

    1. Saw a Major League Baseball Game in every stadium

    2. Played the Top 150 Public Golf Courses 

    3. Visited 100 Different Art Museums 

  6. Met wife Michelle in High School and married 37 years

  7. Self-described as a really good dishwasher

  8. Love solving both crossword and jigsaw puzzles

  9. Has a thing against mustard - cannot stand the taste

  10. Possesses a negative superpower in that no matter where I park, I have to wait to open my door while someone else gets in or out