Jackie Kendall - Power To Grow Ministries
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Not Licensed by the State but by the Wonderful Counselor

7 / 8 / 177 / 14 / 17

On October 11, 2013 I spoke at a Safe-T Conference where the participants were college students, social workers and counselors who are attending for Continuing Education credit. I was asked to address the Spiritual Aspect of healing of the victim of Abuse. 14 Years Later I was invited to speak to the SFACC (South Florida Association of Christian Counselors) about the Impact of Forgiveness on Trauma. After teaching the workshop (3 hours) several counselors said to me, “We may have the degrees but you have the wisdom.”

“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” Psalm 119:24

The Association’s director Dr. Virkler (Leads the SFACC/author/professor PBAU) sent me this letter just before I taught the workshop.

Freedom

“In preparing for your workshop, I’ve been re-reading your book “Free Yourself to Love.” Although as a Christian counselor I’ve been studying the process of forgiveness for many years, I’m really appreciating for the second time the wonderful insights you share in that book. In recent years a lot of attention has been given to Bowlby’s theory about attachment and the very popular theory that grew out of Bowlby (emotionally-focused couple therapy–which emphasizes the importance of secure attachments), I think you rightly emphasize that holding on to resentment interferes with our ability to develop secure attachments in such an insightful way. Just wanted to say that as a way of saying I think God has given you a very biblical message that also resonates with important contemporary psychological and relational theories, and I’m looking forward to your workshop very much. I hope you’ll have some of your “Free Yourself to Love” books for sale at the workshop, just because I think that could be such a good biblio-therapy resource for our counselors”.

Your faithful support has allowed me to not only spend years writing material to encourage God’s kids but also daily making a difference as a part of the Kendall Tag Team (Isa. 50:4).

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NOT A TYPICAL HALLMARK FATHER’S DAY CARD

6 / 6 / 177 / 15 / 17

If I purchased a hundred Father’s Day cards,
They would only skim the surface of the depth
And width of the wonderful father you are.
You have loved our children,
So unconditionally,
So unselfishly,
So extravagantly.
In loving our children so wonderfully,
You have filled my love tank to overflowing.
Children of a great father
Too often take him for granted.
But as a child of a painful father,
I have spent 38 years in absolute
Awe of the Outstanding
Father you are.
Expressed and Unexpressed,
Forever Grateful,
Your Jacqueline

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Only Two Days Marked On My Calendar

3 / 6 / 173 / 10 / 17

Today I placed my left hand on my Bible and with a pen I traced my hand over the Psalm that I had just read. There are certain verses I have memorized and there are some that are so familiar that I smile when I turn the page in my One Year Bible and see the Psalm that is waiting to encourage my soul. This is what I read, and although it is so familiar, something so fresh and new flowed across my soul.

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered-how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”   Psalm 39:4, 5

As I took a few moments to outline my hand over this passage, the Lord brought to my mind Psalm 139:14, 16. These verses not only declare how wonderfully we are made but also the existence of a book that records the exact moments of our beginning here on planet earth. All our moments here were recorded in God’s book before we took our first breath!

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. EVERY MOMENT was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16

Smiling about the specific blueprint for my life-I started working and while looking up a website for a Christian Academy that I will be speaking at in Colorado-I came upon this quote used by the Principal Torrence Jackson. The quote (from 16th century) captured my attention because it shouted AMEN to my morning musing in the Psalms.

Martin Luther lived by the motto “I have but two days on my calendar- Today and the Day I stand before Christ”

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A Spiritual Midwife

2 / 6 / 173 / 10 / 17

Were you too busy in 2016 to give the critical gift of one’s presence during a friend’s time of adversity? I have clear memories of every person who showed up during times of trouble during the last 5 decades of my life in Jesus. I can even remember the food people brought during the MANY funerals Ken and I were hosting. As I pondered this often neglected ministry by so many Christians in a BUSY world, this verse came to my mind:

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”.
Proverbs 17:17

I spent some time looking more closely at this proverb and found several nuggets. The word friend actually means ‘part of the family’. We as Christians are part of a massive family with so many needs. God forbid we are too busy to be available when a friend, family member is facing a crisis. The verse states that a friend loves at all times; whether one’s friend is in a crisis or finally exiting the crisis.

Then I looked up the word adversity and found the word tightness and opponent. When a crisis arrives it crowds its way into one’s life and the trial feels like an opponent. As I considered a crisis an opponent, I immediately saw the preceding phrase born for. Spiritual siblings are not just related they are “born” for the days of tightness and opposition. I looked at the verb born and found the word “midwife”. As I meditated on the reality that a brother is the MIDWIFE for adversity, I decided to look at the term midwife. We assume it refers to child birth and that is one definition but the second definition for midwife is: “one who assists in or takes part in bringing about a result”. The light came on as I realized that we as Christians have the privilege of assisting our siblings during their time of crisis. Each of us as a Spiritual Midwife can help “bring about the results that God intends”. The Spiritual Midwife’s presence during a time of crisis, gives the one facing the adversity the courage to continue and hope in God’s faithfulness.

“But God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus”.
II Corinthians 7:6 (Titus a Spiritual Midwife)

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An Early Eulogy

1 / 9 / 173 / 10 / 17

rose on BibleAt my 50th Birthday party, Ken read the most moving tribute to me in front of a room packed with my dearest friends. At the end of the tribute, Ken invited me to dance with him to the song, “Unforgettable.” No words adequate to express the impact of that moment except to shout at the end of our dance… “Ken, you have written the perfect Eulogy for my Relocation to Heaven celebration someday!” Sixteen years later, one of the greatest Pauline scholars in the world, hand-wrote a tribute to me in front of his newest book, “Paul Behaving Badly by Dr, E. Randolph Richards. I once again shouted…this needs to be read at my “Relocation to Heaven Celebration before Ken reads his tribute to me.” Now don’t think I am morbid, I just know that I am on a limited day pass and I know that my Relocation Celebration may come sooner than one would think and I want these two tributes read for God’s glory.

Here is a copy of what Dr. Richards wrote to me-I have not been able to read it without crying.

For Jackie,
You are a true Bible teacher. When most people look at the Bible,
They see a valley of dry bones.
You bring it to life. You make the blind see
And the deaf hear.
You teach the rich that they are poor and the poor that they are rich.
From the treasury of Scripture,
You pull out life, love and forgiveness.
You are a true teacher
And I’m proud
You are my friend.
Grace and Peace,
Dr. Randy Richards

Ken and I describe Dr. Richards as a late life gift to our souls. We get to attend his Bible class each Sunday morning and we leave wanting to know the Bible even more deeply and intimately.

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The True Meaning of Christmas

12 / 5 / 1612 / 6 / 16

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” – Abraham Kuyper

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee…Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou are MINE.”
– Isaiah 43:1

If the baby in the manger could speak, He would have shouted to the shepherds and wise men…

‘MINE’

baby-in-a-manger-2-1312891-639x628

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“The Kingdom of God and Gratitude”

11 / 7 / 1611 / 15 / 16

“The quality of one’s life parallels the depth of one’s gratitude”  –  Frangipane

The following is a small glimpse at the reasons for our deepest gratitude:

Because of your faithful support, we are marriage mentors to many couples. We lovethank you encouraging couples who want to have a marriage that lasts longer than a breath-mint!

Because of your faithful support, I get to speak at many MOPS Groups-a Ripe Harvest to encourage young moms to disciple their children and not neglect their marriages.

Because of your faithful support, we can spend a week teaching and encouraging future leaders in ministry at Liberty University.

Because of your faithful support, we do a weekly “Live” call in radio show on WRMB/Moody S. Florida another Ripe Harvest of encouraging marriages–Live Streaming on Facebook.

Because of your faithful support, Ken is mentoring some young men who have deep heart wounds that only a kind and patient man can handle processing.

Because of your faithful support, Ken and I are cheerleaders for so many of God’s kids who are facing such extreme challenges and need the courage and hope to ‘continue.’

Because of your faithful support, we shipped a box of Lady in Waiting to First Choice Crisis Pregnancy Center that serves four states and another box was sent to a women’s prison ministry.

Because of your faithful support, we can be the ‘safe couple’ that struggling couples all across our nation can call for counsel and guidance.

Because of your faithful support, we have the time to answer thousands of emails another Ripe Harvest-letters from needy people all over the world.

Because of your faithful support, we can challenge God’s kids everywhere to live with a ‘kingdom of God’ focus rather than a ‘kingdom of self’ focus.

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The Kingdom of God and Various Trials

10 / 3 / 16

“Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”(James 1:2-5)

In one week, I heard two godly men comment on James 1:5 and I couldn’t resist sharing the nuggets with those I love. The first thing ‘new’ that I learned is that the phrase, ‘if any of you lacks wisdom’ refers to the God given wisdom to face trials with not only perseverance but also joy. For 49 years I have quote James 1:5 in relation to a person needing heavenly trialswisdom. When it was put ‘back in context’ I realized that in trials and suffering God will generously supply the wisdom to maneuver in these storms as well as be my comforter (II Cor. 1:3). God gives such insight and clarity when we seek Him in our trials rather than scramble for the available comfort and anesthetizing items of life (food, techno entertainment, hobbies, mall therapy, etc.). In your trials this year, did you find yourself seeking God’s wisdom to behave yourself in the testing of your faith? Just wondering…

Another nugget that I got from Dr. Howard Hendricks (who is in heaven but his teaching is still being played on the radio). Dr. Hendricks was quoting James 1:5 from the KJV version and expounded on the phrase ‘
upbraideth not.’

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not…”

Now don’t miss this, wait for it. ‘Upbraideth not’ refers to the fact that when we ask God for wisdom in our trial, God is never ‘put out’ or ‘ticked off’ that we bothered Him with our concerns. Some of us were raised with ‘unapproachable parents’ who were too busy to be interrupted and we view God with such a distorted view. Do you have a memory of interrupting your parent with a question and experiencing their ‘ticked off’ facial expression? We are never ‘interrupting’ God and our concerns are never exasperating to God.

An accurate view of our Papa God, is that of a grandchild running cheerfully to their beloved ‘Papa and Mimi.’ Coming boldly to God without reservation is the beginning of not only wisdom but also
supernatural comfort as we face another trial here outside the garden. The following verse captures the happy grandchild running to Papa with the freedom to speak all that one thinks!

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…”Heb. 4:16

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Part 2 – The Kingdom of God and Holy Sweat

9 / 2 / 169 / 14 / 16

For more than 20 years I have used a Rolodex of index cards filled with names of people that I pray for. Here are the following categories on these cards:

  1. People Who Need Jesus (that I know personally)
  2. Married Couples (Glorify God)
  3. Singles (wait for God’s best–Bozo vs Boaz)
  4. Youth (God Squad or Blazing Torches)
  5. Missionaries
  6. Spiritual Leaders (Pastors, Bible Teachers)
  7. Family Members
  8. Friends
  9. Illness, battling cancer, etc.
  10. Emotionally ill (need healing of heart wounds)
  11. Card for my heart dreams and desires
  12. Individual card for my husband and each of my children, mates and grandchildren
  13. Professional athletes & wives (their influence for Christ)
  14. Christian Celebrities (i.e. Steven Curtis Chapman)

Recently Ken and I were talking with a couple we have been marriage mentors to. They were sharing about the new church they are attending and their fabulous preacher. When we asked what the Pastor’s name was, I just about fell out of my chair (Derwin Gray). I flashed back to standing in a hallway (at a Pro Athletes Outreach Football Conference) more than a decade ago, sharing with a young couple about the seriousness of a consistent, notecardsdaily time in God’s Word. Throughout the conference, we would speak several more times and I shared about different study methods and commentaries that I have used to become a student of the Word. When I left that conference, I went home and placed this couples name on my prayer Rolodex that I pray through on days of fasting. So for more than a decade I have prayed for this young couple who I never saw again. Then I hear what God is doing in his life not only in this church in Charlotte but all over the world. I jumped up and went to get the index card from my Rolodex with the pastor’s name on it. We were all wowed by the reality of holy sweat in prayer!

Another person on my Rolodex has been heavy on my heart since Super Bowl Sunday. Why such lengthy ‘holy sweat in prayer?’ I saw this former football player give his testimony on a video and 7000 people prayed to receive Jesus in response. I have prayed for months for a chance to let him know that God used his testimony so profoundly and that he had a gift beyond the world of football. After months of praying, I get a phone call from one of his closest friends and I share how I have longed to write to him. This friend told me that my letter would arrive at a critical time because the Lord is doing a new work in this man’s life. Oh the joy of holy sweat in prayer.

Almost thirty years ago, Ken and I opened our home to a young single woman named Ruth who needed a place to stay for a few days. Those few days turned into a mentoring/friendship that has lasted almost thirty years. Ruth has been on the Single’s index card then the Married index card. Through ‘holy sweat’ prayer, Ruth became my writing mentor. After years of ‘holy sweat in prayer for this precious person’ she wrote this:

“YOU are the gift to me, Jack (one of my favorite nicknames). Next spring will be THIRTY YEARS since I met you in your living room, when you and Kenny came to my rescue. Isn’t God’s plan fascinating?? I rejoice in His provision of YOU as a constancy in my life these 3 decades. You have saved my mind and heart from the edge of a cliff 10,000 times. Biggest Hugs and Love, Your, Ruthie”

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The Kingdom of God and Holy Sweat

8 / 2 / 169 / 14 / 16

Ken and I would not have remained in ministry as long as we have (we first served together at Victory Baptist Church 1970-72), if we did not know the principle of “Holy Sweat” that is found in the following verses:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap
a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9.

 

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” I Cor. 15:58

It would probably take a hundred letters to recount all the situations where Ken and I could have easily ‘given up.’ Here is a recent glimpse at a ‘holy sweat’ situation.

For two years I (Jackie) was mentoring a young mom via email. This mom looked very successful on the outside but was facing profound struggles on the inside. She was one of the polished pretenders that attend so many of our churches. For two years I repeated myself incessantly, breaking a ‘holy sweat’ as I tried to encourage this young mom to attend CR (Celebrate Recovery). I almost gave up when this young mom decided to finally attend CR. This young woman was profoundly impacted as I knew she would be. She recently wrote an article about her experience at CR and it was picked up by a magazine and then two weeks later the article was picked up by a pastoral blog reaching 500,000. Here is just a glimpse of her impactful article: “A Surprising Place To Heal”.

A couple of years ago, a well-respected, spiritually mature friend (Jackie) told me I Woman standing in the lightneeded to go to Celebrate Recovery. And she was serious! I thought she was crazy. Surely she grossly misunderstood my situation. After all, I’m not an addict. I couldn’t possibly need recovery. I ignored her suggestion and continued the insanity cycle-doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. I had been doing it for a long time: masking pain, coping with the shame of my past in unhealthy ways and trying to survive a sexually dysfunctional marriage. It wasn’t working. On the outside, people saw the polished Christina-supermom to four little kids, entrepreneur, godly wife and leader. But they didn’t see what was silently killing me. My marriage felt helpless and hopeless, and the shame of my past decisions was crippling me spiritually and emotionally. I couldn’t forgive myself or get over some of the baggage I was carrying. Desperate and not knowing where to turn, I soon realized I could no longer carry it on my own. But where could I turn? Who do I share these embarrassing issues with? Church? If we’re honest, most churches seem more like a place to parade our spiritual resumes than to declare our weaknesses. Most churches maybe. But not all churches. Within five minutes of my first visit to Celebrate Recovery at The Rock, ministry leader Ray Hutchison’s voice boomed through the microphone, “This is a safe place. You can take your masks off here. We’re all messed up, every single one of us.” I sat there, a bit stunned; church had never felt like a safe place.

Christina is only one of many precious people that Ken and I did not give up on. Just yesterday we heard from a young woman we wrote and sent a book to a couple years ago in Indonesia and she reminded us that our influence is beyond our neighborhood. Another precious young woman who I shed a lot of holy sweat over and was encouraged to not invest any more time in…is now a ministry leader in a very challenging ministry. She was a challenge to mentor and she now works with kids that are profoundly challenging but worth her ‘holy sweat.’ Do not grow weary in doing good because you never know what wonderful things may come from your faithful holy sweat!

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