from the margins

exploring faith’s foundations from the edge

2 Kings, All Kirsten Trued 2 Kings, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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2 Kings, All Kirsten Trued 2 Kings, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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2 Chronicles, All Kirsten Trued 2 Chronicles, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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1 Kings, All Kirsten Trued 1 Kings, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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1 Kings, All Kirsten Trued 1 Kings, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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1 Kings, All Kirsten Trued 1 Kings, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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2 Chronicles, All Kirsten Trued 2 Chronicles, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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Proverbs, All Kirsten Trued Proverbs, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, All Kirsten Trued 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, All Kirsten Trued

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?

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Ecclesiastes, All Kirsten Trued Ecclesiastes, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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Proverbs, All Kirsten Trued Proverbs, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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Proverbs, All Kirsten Trued Proverbs, All Kirsten Trued

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.

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