Recently while reading a very familiar passage, I found something that gave me a moment of pause. As I examined the passage more closely, I saw two men with a total “fear of men” who did something so brave. What transformed these fearful men?

“Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body from the cross. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.” (John 19:38,39)

What happened to these secret disciples that produced such boldness? Here we have “Joe” going before Pilate the Governor to ask to take down the body of Jesus. This Grace-drenched moment conquered the fear that was innately in “Joe’s” heart. This same Grace provoked “Nic” to bring the anointing oil for the burial of Jesus’s crucified body. Two fearful men, ‘Joe and Nic’ were used by God in a historical moment. Even men with the heart of a lion ( II Sam. 17:10), can be paralyzed with fear. How ironic that a “secret” disciple was given the courage to face the Governor whose FEAR OF MEN provoked him to turn Jesus over to be crucified. This powerful Governor melted in fear of the screaming crowd! The Adventure of “Joe and Nic” is a reminder to us today, that even fearful disciples of Jesus can be greatly used by God.

One other aspect of “The Adventures of Joe and Nic,” they did the work of servants. Removing Jesus’ beaten and broken body would normally be done by their servants. But these two “secret disciples” did the work themselves and what a profound experience of handling the beaten, broken and bruised body of Christ. Joe and Nic walking against their fear were given the privilege of smearing Jesus’ body with myrrh and aloes. If they could, “Joe and Nic” would tell you that Grace drenched moments are unforgettable adventures.

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust in the LORD is safe.” (Prov. 29:25)

MINISTRY LETTERS:

Cards from Mother and Daughter:

 I can’t even tell you what the gift of the book and DVD meant to Olivia & me. Not to mention the handwritten note from you! Olivia was overjoyed with the book. God has truly blessed you with special insight. I am sure it is due to your willingness to obey His calling! (Mom)

Thank you so much for the book, “A Man Worth Waiting For.” I will treasure this book forever, especially since you autographed it for me. The Lady in Waiting Study has helped me find what God means to me and how He wants to protect me…Thank you again it really meant a lot to me. Love, Olivia (daughter)

Since 1972 I have taught thousands of girls to discern good guys from BOZO guys.. Recently chatting with a granddaughter about what made one guy stand out more than others (they sing in the same school choir). She said, “He loves Jesus so much Mimi.” I smiled and asked, “How do you know he loves Jesus so much?” Her immediate reply was, “He talks about Jesus all the time and he has so much joy when he talks about Jesus.” Nothing more needed to be said by this Mimi.

Continuing our Adventure with Jesus,

Ken and Jackie Kendall

Those who know me well, have heard me say many times during the last couple years, “Things have been so challenging that I have been tempted to buy a ‘ticket to Cranky-Ville.” People always laugh when I say this comment, yet I am not kidding—the temptation is real. Recently during the early hours of the morning, I put my face in my hands and took a deep breath and then this groaning remark came out, “God I am so overwhelmed that I am tempted to finally buy a ticket to Cranky-Ville.” God’s reply, “Go ahead, buy a ticket to Cranky-Ville and when you get there you will probably see many people you know and love!” I burst out laughing and thought, “Papa God made up a joke to make me laugh in the middle of the night!

I started thinking about laughter that is so good for the soul and where does this originate—of course with the giver of all good things, Papa God. He inspired Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…”

As I shared this early morning laughter with others, they kept remarking, “you will totally encounter a huge crowd in Cranky-Ville.” I have always been so sensitive to WHINING and its impact on others. Whining is contagious, and we don’t shine when we whine. BUT the Lord reminded me that He is a compassionate Father Who knows too well that on my BEST DAY I am still—but dust. He also has compassion for His struggling kids. Even the great apostle Paul was tempted to buy a ticket to Cranky-Ville.

“But God, who comforts the downcast(depressed), comforted us by the coming of Titus.”  (II Cor. 7:6)

I have shared in a previous letter that TITUS in the Greek means “nurse.” God doesn’t criticize us for being downcast, He is the God of all Comfort (II Cor. 1:3) and He is constantly giving people the “Titus’s assignment.” Ken and I have been “Titus” to many people, and we are grateful for those who have allowed God to use them to comfort Ken and me! My trip to Cranky-Ville did not last long but it has enhanced my sensitivity to those who have also purchased a ticket to Cranky-Ville.

MINISTRY Emails, Texts, Audio Messages:

I recently received an “audio text” and it so blessed my soul that I played it twice. This young mom in Tampa needed to share with me the profound impact my life has had on her and her ministry. I mentored her during the 15 months we lived in Tampa and the fruit from that mentoring has been profound. She has moved from involved lay person to a staff position impacting the whole mega church with the One Year Bible Study method. She also mentors a group of 12 female youth leaders that she is sharing all the details of being a serious student of God’s Word. Her influence has spread to a Christian comedian who is now sharing with all her followers this Bible study method, etc. I have often wondered why we were in Tampa, this 2:43 second text was a SHOUTING REPLY to this question in my soul. When I met Amy H. at a Pro Athletes Organization Baseball Conference, she came up to me and said she wanted to know the Bible like I do. I smiled and began to share my personal Bible study methods. She said, “I am going to pray that God brings you to Tampa” (And God did for 15 months). Amy is a profound affirmation of the possibility of being FRUITFUL and VITAL as a Senior Citizen (Psalm 92:14)

I’m in St Louis right now and I was able to go to my niece Emma’s baby shower. She is a beautiful Christian girl. I gave her all your books in high school and she told me later she laid them aside. She got radically saved in college, married a guy she met who was going to the Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO and now they are living in Raleigh NC serving the Lord at her husband’s dad’s church. She is truly your spiritual granddaughter because of your ministry to me. She told me that she kept the books and read them later after she got saved. Precious girl is 23 and absolutely LOVES JESUS.

Just wanted to share that little tidbit with you. (Kathy)

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” (Psalm 92:14)

Always grateful for your loving support as we remain Vital and Green, even after a trip to Cranky-Ville.

Love from Papa’s Kids,

Ken and Jackie Kendall

One morning while reading one of my favorite prophets’ writings, I came across this simple phrase that grabbed my heart.

“…in the environs of Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who numbers them, says the LORD.” (Jer. 33:13)

When I read the phrase, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who numbers them…I immediately thought about the day I was born again when my life passed under the Nail scarred hands of Jesus, my Shepherd. On April 15, 1967, at a teen Bible Study my life passed under Nail scarred hands of Jesus. That day Jesus counted me as one of His Own. I left that friend’s house, and went home to begin to live a life WITHOUT LACK because I was counted as one of the sheep belonging to the ultimate Good Shepherd. That day which I clearly remember, was the beginning of an adventure with the frame of a LIFE WITHOUT LACK based on the authority of Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want (LACK).”

Do you remember the day you passed under the Nail scarred hands of Jesus? If you don’t remember the exact day, you probably remember the year. May this Easter season with so many pictures of shepherds and sheep be a reminder of the day when we passed under the hands of the Good Shepherd and were counted as one of His own sheep.

An additional thought is that the Angels declared the arrival of the Good Shepherd to a group of shepherds who were watching the sheep who had passed under their hands.

MAY WE REMEMBER and shine with the joy and confidence of ‘being counted ‘as one of Emmanuel’s own sheep.

As we celebrate Easter and the Lamb of God’s sacrifice, may we never forget that because of Jesus’s nail scarred hands, you have been chosen by those hands and shepherded by those nail-scarred hands.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.” John 10:14

P.S. “Agony and Ecstasy”

Here is a BONUS THOUGHT. When Jesus cried out in agony for the last time on the cross (Mark 15:37), His cry tore in two the curtain in the Temple that kept people separate from God. In that moment of AGONY, it started the ECSTASY for all those who follow Jesus. Because of Jesus’ AGONY, we can come boldly before Elohim daily (Heb. 4:15,16) that is Ecstasy!

Your Giving Keeps on Blessing Others

Because of your generous gifts to Power to Grow Ministries, we were able to donate a box of books to a home for moms and children at Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. One of the directors Linda, saw my Balcony Chat and wrote me a letter about the impact I had on her life at a conference in Monroe, LA more than a decade ago. She was challenged to not waste her singleness, and the Lord is using her at this children’s home. Your gift blessed someone who said YES to making a difference.

Heaven will reveal all the people that your giving has impacted. All the people that I have taught through 65 Balcony Chats (Approximately 60,000 views), you share that ministry through your wonderful giving.

Love from Two of Emmanuel’s Sheep,

Ken and Jackie Kendall

I knew the movie would be a nostalgic moment for me since as a teenager I lived through this time. I was not prepared for what I saw and experienced emotionally. I cried throughout the whole movie. I lived in California in the 60’s and came to faith in Jesus during the Jesus Movement. My husband (Ken) said after the Movie–“Jackie, you brought the Jesus Revolution to our youth group!” I moved from California to West Palm Beach and walked into Ken’s Bible study. When he saw me, he thought, “What is that…” I had long hair, wire-rimmed glasses, a very short dress and a huge Bible!” (I had the Janis Joplin look and it wasn’t intentional). The Movie ended with a glimpse of Expo 72…which I attended in Dallas, and I started crying again…God’s Amazing Grace…”Happy Tears!” A small glimpse of the happy tears that will flow when I first wake up in heaven. There was a part in the movie when the lead actor portraying Greg Laurie, was standing in the Pacific Ocean anticipating baptism. He was then led in the sinner’s prayer. As he spoke the sinner’s prayer, I began to sob so hard I had to place both my hands over my mouth—to not disturb others. Greg Laurie prayed the very same words that I did on April 15, 1967 and I have never recovered from that moment. I was and always will be a “Jesus Freak!” If you have not seen the Jesus Revolution movie, take a couple hours and go bless your soul.

At first, I thought my emotional response was just because I am OLD, and it was a Walk Down Memory Lane. It was more than my age or my memories. The Jesus Revolution was a movie that displayed the amazing grace that I experienced as a teen and has been the format of my life for 56 years.

One more thing, there is a line repeated in the movie by Greg Laurie and his future wife, “You try to come between me and God, we are done.” I broke up with my first love with a very similar explanation. “I can’t live for Jesus and date you.” I know that sounds harsh, but to a “Jesus Freak” it was a truthful expression. My youthful passion led me to a man worth waiting for that I wrote a best-seller about…My Boaz! I was simply breaking up with a “Bozo guy.”

From Wrestling to Waterfalls

I want to confess that I began this New Year pretty sluggish (had the Influenza A that lasted for weeks). One morning I was confessing to God that I felt so sluggish and I was really wrestling to focus and stay on task. I am profoundly sensitive to the possibility of wasting my limited Day Pass. As I confessed my Wrestling to God, He brought to my mind Naphtali (Gen. 46:24). I totally had forgotten that this Hebrew name means “wrestling.” As I was looking more closely at Naphtali, I found a treasure amid the “wrestling.” In Deut. 33:23 where Jacob gives a special blessing to Naphtali.

“Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD and is full of His blessings…”

Abounding with favor and full of blessings is like an overflowing Waterfall. So in a moment reading these two passages I realized that by God’s Grace I can move from “Wrestling to Waterfalls of Blessings.” Then if that wasn’t enough, I found Gen. 49:21 that describes “Naphtali” as a doe set free. I was now squealing with joy considering that God’s Word had transported me from wrestling to waterfalls to a leaping doe.

On the same day, my writing mentor and dear friend sent me this quote:

Tangled up in purposeless distraction which is such a waste of your limited day pass!

Focus on Your Purpose…

From Wrestling to Waterfalls,

Ken and Jackie Kendall

One Year ago, this month on Valentine’s Day, the Lord blessed the Tucker family (our daughter Jessica’s family) with a precious little girl Mercy Mkwinda from Malawi Africa. So many miracles took place before they went to court to adopt her and so many miracles since that day. One of the most amazing miracles I just have to share with you.

In the fall of 2021, an older woman got a burden to donate money for a scholarship for a child who would be attending the church’s preschool. When she mentioned her burden for a child who would need a scholarship, the administration said, “We have never been asked about a scholarship.” The woman continued to be burdened and she continued to mention her burden to the school staff. They finally decided she can give money and they will mark it for a future request for a scholarship. When did this precious senior saint, give her first check to the school? You guessed correctly; February 2022 the month Mercy was being adopted. When Jessi filled out an application for a scholarship for Mercy in November of this year, the administration had a little “holy fit” over Jessi’s request. This woman had been sending monthly checks for an unknown child who would need a scholarship. This preschool specializes in tiny classes to meet the needs of children who need extra attention—for example a child with English as a second language. This school was recommended to Drew and Jessi but they knew their budget had no margin. What is astounding to me, this woman with the burden for a child needing a scholarship, listened to the HOLY NUDGE before Mercy was even officially adopted. I wept when I heard this story because I have taught for years that the Holy Spirit is nudging us towards certain areas of obedience that leads to ministry and miracles. God is nudging you to be a part of an amazing story! Don’t ignore the holy nudge even when those around you would cause you to doubt the marching orders. GIVE MONEY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP 10 months in advance of the need!!!

“You saw me (MERCY) 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

Ministry Letter:

Thanks Jackie and happy new year! With your permission I’d like to post the story “Eight-Year-Old Reading Adult Books” to our Recovering The Self blog – with a link to your website like before. 🙂 Ernest D.

Loved your newsletter! Tom just printed off your notes 2 reams of paper used! Linda G.

SERIOUSLY, Linda is so madly in love with Jesus and His Word; she probably thought her husband printing 750 pages of notes was a normal response! I am still smiling about her email. She is a Flight Attendant who flies to Israel almost monthly and I can see her taking a big stack of notes with her to read during the long flights!

Jackie’s TNT Still Available, Simply Ask

Because of our fantastic Power to Grow support team, Jackie’s TNT is still available.  My journaling notes based on the One Year Bible (New Living Translation) are yours for the asking. To get a copy of my TNT (Tiny Nuggets of Truth) you simply write me a personal email requesting the notes. When I receive your request for the gift, I will send a zip file containing 12 PDF files, one for each month. You can open and save them to your computer. The zip file will include a letter, that tells the story behind the birth of my TNT journaling notes. Two ways to get this GIFT from Power to Grow Inc: write an email to jackie@jackiekendall.com or Or simply click the graphic below that takes you to my personal email account.

May we listen closely to the Lord’s nudges in 2023, even when it doesn’t make sense to us or others.

In Awe of God’s Sovereign Plan for each of us,

Ken and Jackie Kendall

During the holidays while on FaceTime with Abigail (Ben’s firstborn) she mentioned wanting to show me something. She walks down into their basement that has living room, guest room, bath and mini-library. She then says to me, “Mimi, do you know what I have been doing lately down here in the basement?” I replied, “No idea sweet girl!” She shares the following that rocked Mimi’s soul to her core!  She said, “Mimi, when my siblings are going to watch a movie that I have seen MANY TIMES, I go down to the basement and I go to the shelf where all your books are and I take all your books Mimi and set them all across the couch. As I look at each book, I decided which book I am going to read a couple pages. She proceeds to tell me the ones that she has begun reading. As she showed me the books all lined up, I spotted the first devotional book I wrote and I squealed, “Abigail open the devotional book and look at the table of content for the devotional titled “Doodles the Poodle and Me.” Abigail finds it and begins to read the story to me and when she was done she said, “What an amazing miracle Mimi!” Tears filled my eyes as she began to tell me about reading a few pages in “Surrender Your Junior God Badge” and the week before she was reading a little from “Lady in Waiting”. Abigail just turned 8 and she is reading Mimi’s books. It was a Christmas gift for my heart.

“Stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD and His power and His might wonders.”  (Psalm 78:3,4)

Ministry Letter:

I shared my story at a halfway house last week. I shared about how you told me to get in the word of God and you didn’t pray for me as I asked you to do. You said that kind of pain takes getting in His word. (The murder of my best friend) Leisa Dayana Bussert. She was named after Moshe Dayan the eye patch General who led Israel to re capture Jerusalem!! God didn’t waste my pain He has given me a love for His people His Festivals and His Land. It was birthed through reading His Word!!! Best thing to tell me to do! Jackie your messages are recovery on steroids for me!( Linda Giljam)

Because of our fantastic Power to Grow support team, we are able to give away this invaluable resource as a gift for you this Christmas. Our friend Linda Wells spent 2022 completing the typing, formatting, and saving of 750 pages worth of my journaling notes based on the One Year Bible (New Living Translation).

To get a copy of my TNT (Tiny Nuggets of Truth) you simply write me a personal email requesting the notes. When I receive your request for the gift, I will send a zip file containing 12 PDF files, one for each month. You can open and save them to your computer. The zip file will include a letter, that tells the story behind the birth of my TNT journaling notes.

To get this GIFT from Power to Grow Inc.

Send your request to: jackie@jackiekendall.com

A Word for the Kendalls in the New Year

“VITALITY”

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” (Psalm 92:14)

May the Kendall Team Be Vital and Green in 2023,

Ken and Jackie Kendall

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.

“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).