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 Sabbatical
I have many regrets from that time, and am cognizant of not repeating the same mistakes. - Confession Is Good For The Soul
I have a confession to make. I lied in an earlier post. - The Valley of Indecision
By mentally teeter-tottering between different decisions, or even between competing priorities, we lose the ability to be effective at anything. - The Boy
He’d given him the gift of being seen. - The Light of The World – WordlessWednesday
No words, just pictures. - Encouraging The Dreamer
I 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 Queen
I’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)
Stressful times always feel better with some levity thrown in. A little exaggeration doesn’t hurt either. - The Four Disciplines of Execution
The 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 Announcement
I’m old-school in a lot of ways. And I’m not just talking about my physical age. - Backstage Heroes
These people aren’t in the limelight. - The Great Reset
“He who is everywhere is nowhere.” Seneca - What’s Up?
Sharing some exciting news! - Who’s in the Details?
It’s the little things that usually do me in. - Go Tell It On The Mountain
Despite my conservative Christian upbringing, I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas. - It Takes Work
They loved virtue and wanted virtue enough that they worked for it. - Breaking News! Aaron Appointed to Top Job Over Moses!
EX40 reports in a shocking turn of events, Aaron was selected for the priesthood instead of front-runner Moses. - Meditations: A Classic History of Thankfulness
Like 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 Fun
Enjoy a word search that incorporates both the holiday season and the blogosphere. - Mid-Life Gift Spritzing
Once 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?
Perhaps 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 Isolate
How had she known the way I’d planned to survive my time there? - The Day of Reckoning
In 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!
About the time social distancing was looming on the horizon, our letters decided they needed less distancing. - The Rebuilder
He’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 Planted
A 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!When females reach a certain age, everything in life goes wonky. And I mean everything.
- Living Life In Real Time
Taking 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 Samaritans
The “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 Land
Along with all of the touching moments, there was also a lot of levity involved. - Technology: Friend or Foe?
While technology can be a great friend, it’s not a very forgiving one. - The Miracle
For me, it was a miracle that I could be there at all. - Real
It 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 Holies
When I read this, the overwhelming emotion I’d felt made sense. - Hello From The Other Side
Our first organized event was to visit Joppa (Jaffa), which is both delightful and rich in history. - Mrs. Martin Goes Abroad
You may as well call me Mrs. Martin from now on. - Bounce-Back-Ability
This practice of trusting, especially in the most unnatural of times, builds an internal fortitude and resilience. - She’s Whistled Her Last Tune
It seems our girl has finally whistled her last tune. - More Than Enough
It’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) Blogger
Rational thinking? One moment it’s there, and the next, poof. - What is a Pastor?
While 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?”
He paused for a second, then he asked incredulously, “Wait. You know God?!” - The Gift of Humor
Sarcasm is my humor language. In fact, it’s probably my true love language. - The Paper Towel Bringer
I’ve fully embraced my identity as the paper towel bringer. - The Voice
Here, alone, I can hear His voice more clearly than before. - What Is Your Worldview?
It’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 Minds
There’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’ Matters
While future generations will likely grapple with the same questions, we can certainly set the stage for them. - Middle-Aged Musings
It sort of makes you wonder about God’s sense of humor. - What’s In A Name?
He looked inside himself, and knew he could not play better. He had given everything he had. - Give It A Rest
God 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?
If I’d been a disciple, I may have needed to “confirm my understanding” on that one. - I’m The Favorite
His mouth dropped open, then he gave a laugh and said, “I feel like I’m His favorite!” - The Frog
“Mom, where were you at 2 o’clock this morning? You’ve become a person of interest in the death of this frog.” - Sunday Naps
There’s no guilt, because it’s tradition, after all. - The Chosen Few
The potter knew this vessel had been through the fire, and it hadn’t been broken. - It Starts With One
The 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“
Way 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!
There’s something about the word expectancy. It’s like faith taken to the next level. - How Desperate Are We?
The word that keeps coming to mind is desperation. Maybe that’s because desperate people are willing to take desperate measures. - Sunday Bulletin Bloopers
Enjoy a chuckle or two over these announcements, which actually appeared in church bulletins. - Anna
This woman, who had so longed for the Messiah, lived to be among the first to see Him. - A New Take On Subrogation
I 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 If
This post is best when read aloud in a Jeff Foxworthy twang. 😄 - Do I Even Know You?
I’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 Husbands
When 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 Loyalty
Another funny thing about loyalty is the person being afforded it is often completely unaware. - A Bible Version of ‘Would You Rather’
A 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 Faith
In 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?
The 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 Life
You 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 Pain
It’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 Us
You know what I did? I cried. And I mean big ‘ole blubbering, ugly-face tears. - A Trip Worth Taking
Some 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 Ponder
What if the Apostle Paul had been paralyzed by guilt over his persecution of the christians? - Blind Spots
Like the negligent driver, it’s easy to be caught off guard by something hovering just out of our line of sight. - Removing The Nails
If we do not remove these kind of nails, we will never have freedom and peace in our lives. - Deep Calling Unto Deep
Deep 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?
On 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!
For 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…
I 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, Pastor
Nefarious scheming, political strategizing, and intrigue can all be found within the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. - Guarding Against a Critical Spirit
Eventually, 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 Considered
I’d convinced myself food fasting (or water fasting, as it’s called) wasn’t an option for me. - Redeeming The Time
Picture going to your mailbox today and finding a package inside containing $50,600 in cash. - What a worm!
The word used for worm here is tôlā, which refers to the female coccus ilicis, or scarlet worm. - Kingdoms
A fairytale about kingdoms of our own making. - Be Still… And Know That I Am God
I 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 God
How well we do in our role as a child of God determines our success in every other aspect of life. - Who Am I?
If you enjoy guessing games, try your hand at this reimagined version of Who Am I. - Kung Fu Panda and The Faith Statement
In identifying with these feelings, I was made to realize how far I’d veered from my faith statement. - Thy Walls Are Continually Before Me
Just as God had ordained the Jews’ captivity, He had also ordained their deliverance. - When You Don’t Have The Words
Have you ever got down to pray, only to feel like you were slogging through molasses – in rain boots? - What Is My Purpose?
Consider 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 Jesus
The 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. - Ralph
I realized at last why the song had meant so much to Ralph. - The Power of Presence
I remembered the feeling of standing there, wondering how quickly we could manage to slink off the stage. - Trusting His Heart
The 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 Two
All of this suggests there are lessons we can apply to possessing the promise in our own lives. - Possessing God’s Promises: Part One
We 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.’
An Audience of One 