An Audience of One
Faith-Based Musings of Kendra Purtell
Hello and welcome!
I’m a wife and mother, living in California, along with my family. My story involves a history of health issues, which led to a prolonged addiction to prescription Fentanyl. More importantly, my story involves healing, deliverance, and freedom from Fentanyl. You can hear some of this story here.
I enjoy blogging about my faith, life in general, and all things humorous.
As to the title of this site, it was inspired by The Man In The Balcony, which is a story my dad has told through the years. It’s a story I think of often, and is explained more in the post titled What’s In a Name.
In the performance of life, let us remember there is just one in the audience whose opinion truly matters. May this richest of understandings then shape the entirety of how we live each day.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
🤍, Kendra Purtell

Blog Posts
- A Blogging Sabbaticalby Audience of OneI have many regrets from that time, and am cognizant of not repeating the same mistakes.
- Confession Is Good For The Soulby Audience of OneI have a confession to make. I lied in an earlier post.
- The Valley of Indecisionby Audience of OneBy mentally teeter-tottering between different decisions, or even between competing priorities, we lose the ability to be effective at anything.
- The Boyby Audience of OneHe’d given him the gift of being seen.
- The Light of The World – WordlessWednesdayby Audience of OneNo words, just pictures.
- Encouraging The Dreamerby Audience of OneI can’t help but think of someone who played a key role in King’s dream becoming known to the world.
- The Day I Saw The Queenby Audience of OneI’m not sure whether Trixie’s to blame or not, but I grew up enamored of all things English.
- A Day in the Life (in Pictures)by Audience of OneStressful times always feel better with some levity thrown in. A little exaggeration doesn’t hurt either.
- The Four Disciplines of Executionby Audience of OneThe spinning, twirling, constantly moving from one thing to another – even good things – has resulted in a disconnect between what I’m doing and what matters on a heart level.
- Public Service Announcementby Audience of OneI’m old-school in a lot of ways. And I’m not just talking about my physical age.
- Backstage Heroesby Audience of OneThese people aren’t in the limelight.
- The Great Resetby Audience of One“He who is everywhere is nowhere.” Seneca
- What’s Up?by Audience of OneSharing some exciting news!
- Who’s in the Details?by Audience of OneIt’s the little things that usually do me in.
- Go Tell It On The Mountainby Audience of OneDespite my conservative Christian upbringing, I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas.
- It Takes Workby Audience of OneThey loved virtue and wanted virtue enough that they worked for it.
- Breaking News! Aaron Appointed to Top Job Over Moses!by Audience of OneEX40 reports in a shocking turn of events, Aaron was selected for the priesthood instead of front-runner Moses.
- Meditations: A Classic History of Thankfulnessby Audience of OneLike Aurelius’ meditations, mine aren’t meant to infer I’ve reached any particular level of excellence, but to be a reflection of the people who’ve displayed these characteristics for me.
- WordPress Holiday Funby Audience of OneEnjoy a word search that incorporates both the holiday season and the blogosphere.
- Mid-Life Gift Spritzingby Audience of OneOnce you’ve been married for 25 years, you should be entitled to a second wedding shower. If you’re not married, we’ll call it an adulting shower, but the same concept applies.
- Whatever Became of Justus?by Audience of OnePerhaps we feel our value has been diminished in some way, because of what we see as a defect. When that happens, the question becomes how we’ll choose to respond.
- Don’t Isolateby Audience of OneHow had she known the way I’d planned to survive my time there?
- The Day of Reckoningby Audience of OneIn hindsight, it was clear to see I’d been heading steadily toward this day for a long time. This day, the Day of Reckoning.
- That’s Not The Way I Learned It!by Audience of OneAbout the time social distancing was looming on the horizon, our letters decided they needed less distancing.
- The Rebuilderby Audience of OneHe’s in the business of taking something that’s ready for the scrap heap, and remaking it. Of rebuilding it into something that’s hardly recognizable from what it was before.
- Bloom Where You’re Plantedby Audience of OneA flower is no less a flower for growing in a place where one wouldn’t suppose it to be.
- I Know What Karen’s Problem Is!by Audience of OneWhen females reach a certain age, everything in life goes wonky. And I mean everything.
- Living Life In Real Timeby Audience of OneTaking in feelings of thankfulness for each moment as it arrives is key. Not because of something I see reflected on a screen, but because of what’s taking place in real life.
- The Last of the Samaritansby Audience of OneThe “her” in this case refers to a woman whom most would have avoided, and who was even then, living in adultery.
- Fun In The Holy Landby Audience of OneAlong with all of the touching moments, there was also a lot of levity involved.
- Technology: Friend or Foe?by Audience of OneWhile technology can be a great friend, it’s not a very forgiving one.
- The Miracleby Audience of OneFor me, it was a miracle that I could be there at all.
- Realby Audience of OneIt takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.
- My Unexpected Encounter With the Holy of Holiesby Audience of OneWhen I read this, the overwhelming emotion I’d felt made sense.
- Hello From The Other Sideby Audience of OneOur first organized event was to visit Joppa (Jaffa), which is both delightful and rich in history.
- Mrs. Martin Goes Abroadby Audience of OneYou may as well call me Mrs. Martin from now on.
- Bounce-Back-Abilityby Audience of OneThis practice of trusting, especially in the most unnatural of times, builds an internal fortitude and resilience.
- She’s Whistled Her Last Tuneby Audience of OneIt seems our girl has finally whistled her last tune.
- More Than Enoughby Audience of OneIt’s part of being human. At some point, we all experience the feeling that despite our best efforts, we’ve failed to measure up to expectations.
- Meet The (Blonde) Bloggerby Audience of OneRational thinking? One moment it’s there, and the next, poof.
- What is a Pastor?by Audience of OneWhile I can’t speak to the characteristics of every pastor, I can speak to those displayed by men whom I’ve personally called “Pastor.”
- “Wait, You Know God?”by Audience of OneHe paused for a second, then he asked incredulously, “Wait. You know God?!”
- The Gift of Humorby Audience of OneSarcasm is my humor language. In fact, it’s probably my true love language.
- The Paper Towel Bringerby Audience of OneI’ve fully embraced my identity as the paper towel bringer.
- The Voiceby Audience of OneHere, alone, I can hear His voice more clearly than before.
- What Is Your Worldview?by Audience of OneIt’s been said we view the world through the lens of our own upbringing and life experiences. I believe we sometimes see through the lens of our insecurities as well.
- Give Me Your Mindsby Audience of OneThere’s a correlation between the mind and the heart. When we love God with all of our mind, the result is a connection that satisfies the deepest yearning of the heart.
- Why Our ‘Why’ Mattersby Audience of OneWhile future generations will likely grapple with the same questions, we can certainly set the stage for them.
- Middle-Aged Musingsby Audience of OneIt sort of makes you wonder about God’s sense of humor.
- What’s In A Name?by Audience of OneHe looked inside himself, and knew he could not play better. He had given everything he had.
- Give It A Restby Audience of OneGod is the ultimate creator, and He’s placed this same desire within us. Where it becomes an issue is when our creativity interferes with the creator.
- No Snacks, Lord?by Audience of OneIf I’d been a disciple, I may have needed to “confirm my understanding” on that one.
- I’m The Favoriteby Audience of OneHis mouth dropped open, then he gave a laugh and said, “I feel like I’m His favorite!”
- The Frogby Audience of One“Mom, where were you at 2 o’clock this morning? You’ve become a person of interest in the death of this frog.”
- Sunday Napsby Audience of OneThere’s no guilt, because it’s tradition, after all.
- The Chosen Fewby Audience of OneThe potter knew this vessel had been through the fire, and it hadn’t been broken.
- It Starts With Oneby Audience of OneThe irony is that God uses people – imperfect people, just like you and me – to do His work.
- “You Made Me Feel Like A Valued Customer“by Audience of OneWay to pull out the big guns with the whole “being a light” part. Not what I wanted to hear, Dad.
- The Anticipation Is Killing Me!by Audience of OneThere’s something about the word expectancy. It’s like faith taken to the next level.
- How Desperate Are We?by Audience of OneThe word that keeps coming to mind is desperation. Maybe that’s because desperate people are willing to take desperate measures.
- Sunday Bulletin Bloopersby Audience of OneEnjoy a chuckle or two over these announcements, which actually appeared in church bulletins.
- Annaby Audience of OneThis woman, who had so longed for the Messiah, lived to be among the first to see Him.
- A New Take On Subrogationby Audience of OneI was slogging through a course on subrogation, trying to keep my eyes propped open, when suddenly, I found myself sitting straight up in my chair.
- You Might Be A Blogger Ifby Audience of OneThis post is best when read aloud in a Jeff Foxworthy twang. 😄
- Do I Even Know You?by Audience of OneI’d imagine there were times he wondered if the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was going to be the God of Joseph.
- Paul’s Tall Order To Husbandsby Audience of OneWhen my husband said, “I Do,” almost 27 years ago, he had no idea the journey he was about to embark upon.
- The Funny Thing About Loyaltyby Audience of OneAnother funny thing about loyalty is the person being afforded it is often completely unaware.
- A Bible Version of ‘Would You Rather’by Audience of OneA post from earlier in the week titled Would You Rather prompted the idea of doing an actual Would You Rather ‘game,’ using Bible characters.
- The Non-Negotiability of Faithby Audience of OneIn other words, faith is more than a “should-have,” it’s a non-negotiable requirement of our walk with God. Thankfully, when our faith-ometer is low, we know the author of that faith.
- Would You Rather?by Audience of OneThe servants were given front-row seats to the first miracle Jesus ever performed. In fact, they weren’t only witnesses to the miracle, they helped facilitate it.
- Working From Home Ain’t No Dog’s Lifeby Audience of OneYou want me to turn my camera on?! Nobody told us this 7:00 AM Zoom meeting was a video call.
- Muthlabben: Choosing Praise in Times of Painby Audience of OneIt’s as though David had an ability to move beyond his own pain, and recognize that God was still worthy of praise. Exactly like Becky did that day at the memorial.
- Reminders of God Are All Around Usby Audience of OneYou know what I did? I cried. And I mean big ‘ole blubbering, ugly-face tears.
- A Trip Worth Takingby Audience of OneSome even say Mary embodied every sin set in motion by Eve’s fall so many years before. A fall involving a woman and a tree in a garden.
- What If: Thoughts to Ponderby Audience of OneWhat if the Apostle Paul had been paralyzed by guilt over his persecution of the christians?
- Blind Spotsby Audience of OneLike the negligent driver, it’s easy to be caught off guard by something hovering just out of our line of sight.
- Removing The Nailsby Audience of OneIf we do not remove these kind of nails, we will never have freedom and peace in our lives.
- Deep Calling Unto Deepby Audience of OneDeep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Ps. 42:7
- Does God’s Love Save Us?by Audience of OneOn the one hand are those who believe God’s love and grace are all we need to be saved. On the other hand are those who seem to forget the love and grace part completely.
- I Know What Karen’s Problem Is!by Audience of OneFor those of you who haven’t experienced this, let me explain. When females reach a certain age, everything in life goes wonky.
- I’m Proud of You, But…by Audience of OneI can almost see Him glancing our way with a smile, and responding, “Oh yes, I’m proud of them, but… probably not for the reason you’re referring to.”
- Lead On, Pastorby Audience of OneNefarious scheming, political strategizing, and intrigue can all be found within the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
- Guarding Against a Critical Spiritby Audience of OneEventually, whatever lurks inside our heart will be placed on display through words and actions. I should know. It happened to me just the other day.
- A Reason For Fasting You May Not Have Consideredby Audience of OneI’d convinced myself food fasting (or water fasting, as it’s called) wasn’t an option for me.
- Redeeming The Timeby Audience of OnePicture going to your mailbox today and finding a package inside containing $50,600 in cash.
- What a worm!by Audience of OneThe word used for worm here is tôlā, which refers to the female coccus ilicis, or scarlet worm.
- Kingdomsby Audience of OneA fairytale about kingdoms of our own making.
- Be Still… And Know That I Am Godby Audience of OneI had to stop and wonder how often God feels like that. How often He goes about doing the same ‘God things’ He does every day, all the while, wanting us to ‘look at Him.’
- But First, A Child of Godby Audience of OneHow well we do in our role as a child of God determines our success in every other aspect of life.
- Who Am I?by Audience of OneIf you enjoy guessing games, try your hand at this reimagined version of Who Am I.
- Kung Fu Panda and The Faith Statementby Audience of OneIn identifying with these feelings, I was made to realize how far I’d veered from my faith statement.
- Thy Walls Are Continually Before Meby Audience of OneJust as God had ordained the Jews’ captivity, He had also ordained their deliverance.
- When You Don’t Have The Wordsby Audience of OneHave you ever got down to pray, only to feel like you were slogging through molasses – in rain boots?
- What Is My Purpose?by Audience of OneConsider with me that long before we had goals and dreams of our own, God had goals and dreams for us. He had a purpose for our lives.
- Walking With Jesusby Audience of OneThe thing I sometimes struggle with, is not the desire to walk with God, but knowing how to walk with God while doing all the other things we’re called to do.
- Ralphby Audience of OneI realized at last why the song had meant so much to Ralph.
- The Power of Presenceby Audience of OneI remembered the feeling of standing there, wondering how quickly we could manage to slink off the stage.
- Trusting His Heartby Audience of OneThe most painful part is not the lost ‘thing,’ it’s having trusted God throughout the process, and still finding ourselves with a dead promise lying at our feet.
- Possessing God’s Promises: Part Twoby Audience of OneAll of this suggests there are lessons we can apply to possessing the promise in our own lives.
- Possessing God’s Promises: Part Oneby Audience of OneWe see this same concept played out often in Scripture, where God makes a promise, but for that promise to come to fruition, action is required on the part of the ‘promisee.’