tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41520286002015929252024-02-01T22:07:06.109-08:00My Journey with Jesus (Learning to Walk Closely and Victoriously)So in love with the Lord Jesus and my husband Chris St John. I am enjoying my life and adventures with both of them. Join me if you need a word of encouragement or instruction. I would love to share with you from my joy and pain; alike they are blessings. Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-37272348852321625662023-08-30T19:41:00.001-07:002023-09-16T06:21:40.934-07:00The Book is Out<p> Hey. Just wanted to let you know that my new book is out on Kindle for $.99 for a limited time. It is on the list of just reads. The first of its series, Bags of Gold starts off the journey into faithful stewardship by discussing the proper mentality behind how we manage finances. I understand that the market is Amazon.com, but I believe there is a way to get it in other markets. I hope you’ll buy it, read it and let me know what you think. God bless. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGQMP3XJ/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc?nodl=1&dplnkId=30339bcf-813e-4218-9170-31e279a811a2">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGQMP3XJ/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc?nodl=1&dplnkId=30339bcf-813e-4218-9170-31e279a811a2</a></p><p><br /></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-77785505256084463572023-04-21T16:36:00.000-07:002023-04-21T16:36:46.702-07:00New Year<p>Standing on my porch,</p><p>leaning on the brick pillar </p><p>my eye catches the array of </p><p>color as it bursts</p><p>and fills the black sky. </p><p>Pop pop. Wake up!</p><p>Time to rise up. </p><p>Pop pop boom! </p><p>The finale. </p><p>It’s past midnight;</p><p>12:02 to be exact. </p><p>Three booms </p><p>three bursts of color </p><p>That sizzle and crackle </p><p>As they fade and fall. </p><p>Time; Is it winding up?</p><p>Some say so. </p><p>Others don’t know. </p><p>Some watch </p><p>Some doze. </p><p>Wake up!</p><p>What’s this year mean to you?</p><p>What’s new?</p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-54260528864752457812023-04-21T16:18:00.003-07:002023-04-21T16:18:34.515-07:00SIGHS<p> I inserted a link to this poem in another post. But after re-reading it, I thought to submit it.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">SIGHS</span></p><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-7a31c444-7fff-4fb6-163b-3a511f8f7cd9" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Pulling her chair from the table she plopped </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Down in her seat for a flavorful stop.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Perusing the pictures of tantalizing treats</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And reviewing the list. What would she eat?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Chattering and laughing were heard nearby</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As children were eating and playing. She sighed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nevermind a quiet coffee and dessert.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This was to be a reward for her efforts. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A whole week she’d spent working her plan</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Trying to get back on her feet again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She’d done well to land a job that day.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">So, she wanted to find a way to celebrate.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Only to be interrupted by the playful </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Chants from the siblings at the next table </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“OK. It’s all good”, she said, taking a sip</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Of her white chocolate mocha topped with cool whip</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A child, just over five, was poised</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">At the edge of his chair-</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He was making all the noise.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He’d bang his fork on the plate.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Grind it across his teeth as he ate. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Can’t she just make them behave?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She did everything in her power to stave</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">All the frustration welling up within.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Thinking of how to bring the calm again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She’d make a scene if she moved.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">That’s when she saw him. ‘OOO! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Hey!” She heard herself call.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Be careful! You’re gonna fall!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He whipped around to look at her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Then sat back down to his mom’s stern words. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Turning and sticking out his tongue at her,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He took a drink and spilled milk on his shirt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She simply couldn’t take her eyes from the scene.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">How could that mother not be more keen?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He simply can’t be left to himself </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Maybe she could be of some help. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Eyeing the glass he just replaced. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She moved to his table with such haste.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Surely he’d knock the glass to the floor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">If he pushed it even one inch more. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As he reached his hand for another bite</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">His arm met the glass and put it to flight.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Her hand tried to catch it, but to her woe,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A backpack caught her foot just so. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Grabbing for anything to break her fall</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She landed on their table in sight of all.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">So much for a peaceful prize. </span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And her reward for assistance was met with their-sigh! </span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-18635950395803907022023-04-21T08:33:00.001-07:002023-04-21T08:33:34.565-07:00Where Your Treasure Is<p> Excerpt from BAGS of GOLD</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s
wise to have money laid aside to provide a future and to let that money gain
interest. To simply gain wealth for wealth's sake is not wise. Yes, you can
invest here or there but God takes what you put into the kingdom and will
recompense you tenfold! So, the best way to multiply it is to give! Tithing
speaks loud and clear, to others and to the enemy about your treasure. But if
you treasure temporal things, you have a reason to fear losing it all.</span></span></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-67485394381953747522023-04-12T19:19:00.007-07:002023-04-21T08:34:09.218-07:00Bags of Gold<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">I’m so excited about releasing my first book, BAGS of GOLD. I will post the book cover on the page to see what it looks like. I believe it’s got a great message for anyone who seeks an understanding of stewardship and how to be blessed financially and in other ways. It isn’t limited to money, though we always look for monetary returns. It’s off to the formatting phase and will hopefully be released by July 2023 for print and e-readers. When you read it let me know what you think. Thanks for all your support. </span></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-91489296954998117552023-04-11T15:54:00.000-07:002023-04-11T15:54:21.237-07:00Trust <p><br /></p><p>Excerpt from Bags of Gold </p><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Trust can seem a scary thing. It takes you out of your own world and comfort zone and into someone else’s space. Further, it gives them some control over your circumstances, finances, emotional and physical health, even your life. Many people feel that a person has to earn trust in order to be party to their personal lives, not to mention their dark secrets. How much more difficult is it to talk to someone who isn’t physically present and trust him to handle your circumstances, to feel your pain, to know your loneliness.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kendra St John</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-82972081204184156022023-01-26T20:06:00.003-08:002023-01-26T20:06:20.069-08:00Bags of Gold Intro (Part)<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no want for books to aid in the pursuit of a more prosperous living situation, of better opportunities for children and grandchildren, retirement, etc. Shelves are lined with copious books on everything from successful small businesses to gigs like food delivery or web designing. There are not many, however, that will plainly state that we are all earning, investing and spending wages that we will never keep as our own. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thus, the purpose of this book is to focus on the mind or heart behind the gain and use of money and possessions. There is a different economy from the day-by-day climb up the corporate ladder to wealth and riches, or simply to a better living situation. Let me reiterate that you indeed earn everything for someone else, for his or her plans and dreams. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you want to read more? I’ve finished the last draft. I’m revising it to send to an editor. So, as I’m working on making it a more organized. I’ll give you sneak peeks along the way. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. </span></span></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-51710043000797702232022-08-20T10:04:00.003-07:002022-08-20T10:04:19.575-07:00The Window <p>The Window</p><p><br /></p><p>Set above the kitchen sink</p><p>A window, where she </p><p>Could pray and think. </p><p>As her visits came </p><p>More frequent and sure,</p><p>The window began to </p><p>Show her more</p><p>Than the quiet yard</p><p>Where birds bathed </p><p>And the sky </p><p>With its glorious spray. </p><p>Scenes, people, </p><p>Places never known,</p><p>And disaster that </p><p>Left them lost and alone. </p><p>“Why do I see this</p><p>so terrible a sight?”</p><p>A voice in her ear said,</p><p>“Pray for the right.</p><p>I need you to stand </p><p>In the gap tonight.”</p><p>She cried and prayed</p><p>Til the scenes went away. </p><p>Thus she came to this spot</p><p>Day after day. </p><p>Visions and dreams </p><p>Of plights displayed</p><p>Were calls from her God</p><p>To come to the fray. </p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-61822427586300670272022-07-15T07:01:00.002-07:002022-07-19T15:48:19.580-07:00Invisible Yet Visible<p>I woke up feeling rather lazy. I kinda wanted to just lay there underneath the covers and pray-“lay before the Lord.” I enjoyed the quiet, thanking God for breath, for new mercy. I can only ask him to order my steps and do my best to be sensitive to his Spirit throughout the day. As I type this I’m still under the blanket with my coffee-about to get moving. </p><p>There are people who, even as believers, feel they’re finished living. They are set to the side-to pasture. Or maybe they’re not necessarily elderly- just ignored. They go to jobs, parent children, sing in the choir; but they fade into the woodwork. </p><p>There’s a great little book called The Invisible Women. I’m sure this could apply to men as well who are invisible, perhaps searching for meaning. God sees what we do when even our families seem to take us for granted. He sees our faithfulness when we are left out and overlooked. The trick is to serve as unto the Lord, be his employee and stay humble. The Word says that he will exalt you in due time. His time-not ours; and on his terms- not ours. Be. Blessed.</p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-28624841041260517472022-03-10T10:09:00.000-08:002022-03-10T10:09:06.822-08:00My Closet <p>My Closet</p><p><br /></p><p>Soft chimes wake me</p><p>Chatter creeps </p><p>Into my room;</p><p>Rumble and whistle </p><p>Of a nearby train </p><p>The dog barks to</p><p>Go out again. </p><p>I rise to meet </p><p>The days tension;</p><p>Lists and agenda </p><p>Sounding in my brain </p><p>Gurgling steam</p><p>From coffee brewing </p><p>Close by my </p><p>Babe is viewing </p><p>Political babble;</p><p>Oh such squabble. </p><p>Impossible!</p><p>Let me run</p><p>Back to the quiet</p><p>To the stillness </p><p>To my closet </p><p>Away intrusive strains! </p><p>O to hear heaven’s </p><p>Still refrains!</p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-64739649786394073182022-03-09T08:00:00.002-08:002022-03-09T08:00:42.369-08:00Love<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">A flame<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Burning passion<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Radiant heat <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Glowing from within.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">He consumes<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Beyond recognition <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Altered lives<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Rise with vision<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">From depths of <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Perdition. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Pounding inside<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">He resides <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">More than shallow <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Thrill he provides;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Overwhelming <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As the tides.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Power moving<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Irrational, intense<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Moving to death<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The God-filled Prince;<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">His love for all-immense.<o:p></o:p></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-2247618391724788552022-02-13T19:58:00.001-08:002022-02-13T19:58:46.949-08:00To Look to You<p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-bcb9a5eb-7fff-5816-aadf-c76885b19d57" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Born to new life,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt your presence; </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bathed in the blood,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That all cleansing current. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So happy and free,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Christ had unraveled</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The chains that bound me. </span></p><p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sang and danced;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No backward glance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world meant nothing </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And no more </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Were desires of past things </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To ever fasten about me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For I was the Lord’s. </span></p><p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet somehow as days</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wore the newness away;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More and more</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My gaze focused</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On means and ways. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around me was craze. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Confusion had phased me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I left my praise on the floor. </span></p><p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, Lord, I’m asking. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to bask in </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your mercy and goodness</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And kneel at the foot </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of that cross, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where I met you;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pouring myself out</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again to regain</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All I held:</span></p><p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wonder, the beauty, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ways that you kept me; remind me, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Be still and to look to you!”</span></p><p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-38608640398425934192022-01-31T08:05:00.005-08:002022-01-31T08:14:26.351-08:00A Heavenly Exchange <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Into thy hands I commit my spirit.” Psalm 31:5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus quoted it on the cross, David wrote it originally prophetically as a psalm. The rest of that says, thou hast redeemed me, Lord God of truth.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David acknowledges that he his bought; redeemed as a Jew. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We of the New Testament are bought with the blood of Christ. We are set free from the life of sin and it’s repercussions; no longer shackled with sorrow and heaviness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are living in stressful times. No doubt we all have stressful circumstances but this pandemic and global mess we’re in seems to have everyone at wits end. People are reeling from loss of loved ones and jobs. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our nation is divided. We’re seeing the end time playing out. Yet we cannot allow the fear and negativity, that fills the world, fill the church. It’s getting darker out there. We have to shine our light. This is our finest hour. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But we must keep our spirits from being irritable and easily offended. We cannot be infected with the virus of bitterness and resentment. We can’t let our lamps be corrupted with the dead flies of negativity. Ecc. 10:1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all have days that just wear at us. Maybe we’re waiting for a trial to end. Maybe we’re stuck in a dead end job, married to a cold or backsliding spouse. We must decide in our own hearts that we will get up and show up; encourage ourselves and choose joy. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world needs a lighthouse. It needs a Bible with visual aids, because most don’t have time to read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must have the smile and the gentle spirit that attracts them to Christ. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some verses to remember:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prov. 4:23 Keep your hearts with all diligence for out of them flow the issues of life. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is where the daily exchange comes in. God I commit my spirit into your hand and I ask you to fill me with your spirit. Remove everything that is not of you; every thought and attitude. “My spirit for your spirit” is what I pray throughout the day when I feel like I’m getting a little aggravated or testy. “Restore your presence” is what I’m essentially saying. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr Phil is Philippians. Read 4:6; 8-9. Then trust God to keep your heart and mind. II Timothy 1:12. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-31033192996324509612021-12-25T09:44:00.003-08:002021-12-25T09:44:28.366-08:00Victory’s Here<p> The hubbub</p><p>The hurry</p><p>Wrapper and wreaths </p><p>Boxes and bows</p><p>Tape and tree skirts</p><p>Ugly sweaters and shirts </p><p>With reindeer or Santa.</p><p>Wide smiles</p><p>Playful banter. </p><p>Calm reflection </p><p>on Christmas day</p><p>We look away </p><p>From the gifts </p><p>And garland </p><p>To look afar </p><p>And remember </p><p>For a moment at least</p><p>At the source of our peace</p><p>Two years of fear</p><p>Sickness and loss</p><p>But Victory is here. </p><p>He weighed the cost</p><p>And came to bear</p><p>Our souls’ cross.</p><p>Welcome him</p><p>He is here</p><p> Not there or yonder </p><p>Still here</p><p>Let your mind ponder</p><p>Never leaving</p><p>Still abiding </p><p>Will you open</p><p>Your house</p><p>Your world </p><p>Your life</p><p> For him to steer?</p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-44029597752582007082021-12-05T18:27:00.000-08:002021-12-05T18:27:47.673-08:00A Good Name<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As we read the Word we come up on men and women, who’ve become infamous for their faith. Some have been given names based on what God was about to do to and/or for his people. Some examples of this are Ichabod, “the Glory has left Israel”-when the ark was taken to the Philistines; Isaac, “laughter”-because Sarah laughed when God told her she’d conceive; Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, “God allowed me to forget my past troubles” and Ephraim, “God blessed me in the land of affliction.” Here are a few more: Joseph, “God shall add”, Eleazar, “</span><span lang="es-419" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God is my help”, and Abijah, “Friend of God.” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Names were not happenstance; they were deliberate. Jesus-“Jehovah is become my salvation.” There were a lot of Jesus’s in the day. It was a common name; no doubt popular for that reason. God was, is and always will be salvation as long as this earth is in existence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-30864895234723743052021-11-16T05:58:00.001-08:002021-11-16T05:58:06.636-08:00Bless the Lord<p> Thanksgiving Day is almost here. Once a year we gather with family and friends and look back on the past several months, remembering God’s goodness to us. Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, it’s a time of celebration. It can also be a time of bittersweet sacrifice. Maybe things didn’t go so well for us this year, but we still saw God’s hand pulling us through it all. Maybe we lost a loved one this year. Yet we can thank God for the time we did have with that person or persons. We have breath in our lungs. Many if not most of us have sound minds and healthy bodies. If we battle with a disease, God’s strength sustained us another day. We are blessed. Yes, we can look around at the way the country and the world is turning and say, can it get any worse? But we can also say that more and more people are seeing the light of Christ in the darkest of hours so far. What will you concentrate on this thanksgiving? Offer up thanks, no matter how painful it may be right now. Watch God work on your behalf. Your story gets better as long as it’s in his hands. </p><p>Happy thanksgiving!</p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-24477873977526373562021-09-05T07:45:00.001-07:002021-09-05T12:12:51.187-07:00Overwhelmed<p> I sat here at my computer this morning, watching the Chosen-The Shepherd. I watched the shepherd struggle all the way to the market to bring his lamb for the sacrifice. He arrived only to see the lamb had been wounded on the journey. The Pharisee rebuked him for trying to pass off an imperfect lamb as a sacrifice. If you haven't watched it yet, you need to do so. I know we all know the story of the birth, but the shepherd gets the greatest blessing of all. </p><p>I teared up. I even bawled. Why? Because God would reach down and give such an opportunity to a lowly shepherd. His people were all shepherds of one kind or another. First of sheep; then of people. But I was so moved by his presence as I watched him run for the stable. He wanted more than what other people were settling for. He wanted to know the lamb of God that the scriptures told of. He held him in his arms. </p><p>His life was no doubt changed from that point on. I know it's not yet Christmas. But how much do we really want him to move and reign in our lives? How well or how close are we to him that we can indeed say that we trust him, that we lean on him, and that he can trust us to shepherd his people? Are we faithful? Are we lovers of the people God wants to reach with his kingdom message and his presence? Can people tell that we have his presence in us or do we go on living as always, doing our work, running our errands, and going home to our four walls? Have we told someone of the perfect unstained lamb who takes away the sins of the world? </p><p>I am afraid that I can't say that I have been so faithful. Like the shepherd I had presented less than worthy sacrifices. I was pricked in my heart. "I want to be a witness. You can take what's wrong and make it right!. Daystar, shine down on me! Let Your love shine through me in the night." </p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-85671038944632558762021-09-04T09:21:00.002-07:002021-09-04T09:21:26.615-07:00New Scene<p> I can tell you that I did not get the bank job. I got a transfer to another Dollar General store. I believe it’s better for me, because I am doing what I know with less stress, the same pay per hour, about the same hours per week and the ultimate bonus- no Sundays! I’ve already started working there I love my boss she’s a good friend of Melinda, my former boss she asked me to come help her after Melinda referred me to her. So God did answer my prayer, but gave me better </p><p><br /></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-22868350503231226282021-03-23T17:06:00.000-07:002021-03-23T17:06:20.571-07:00CLAIMING IT<p> I am so excited! I am so close to getting a bank job I can taste it. I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend and her husband for referring me and forwarding my resume to the HR department at Singing River. I believe it's my time. After this time of growing and testing me at Dollar General I believe God is moving me onward and upward. </p><p>I am so conscious of what I do. I never want to do anything that would sabotage my job. I am thankful. Yes, normally I'd be saying something like, "I'll believe it when I see it;" yet I have so many who say to claim it in faith. "You've been faithful. You deserve it." So, I am not even going to let those negative thoughts in my head. I usually don't like to get my hopes up so soon. I hate being disappointed, but I can't help it. I am going to send a card to them and tell them how much I am grateful to be considered and that I believe this opportunity is for me. Let them know that they were not mistaken to pass me through to the next interview. </p><p>So, in JESUS name. Let it be so! </p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-37606978580242215522021-03-02T07:45:00.004-08:002023-04-21T16:39:55.773-07:00Early Commune<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early Commune </span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">"Give me a reason," you say.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">"Why should I take the time;</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">get up from my warm bed of sleep</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">when the early hours chime?"</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">I need all the rest I can get.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">The day ahead is long.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">If I'm not alert and on point</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">I could do something very wrong!"</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">The he said, "Am I not your strength</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">and pure wisdom from above? </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">Can I not give you power</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">for the hard tasks you speak of?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">Come to me in the early morn</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">when all's quiet and at rest.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">I'll set your mind; ordain your steps.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">So, you'll be at your very best. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">Should the times of trial come</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">my strength is there to hold you.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">For you've taken the time ahead;</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">with me you chose to commune."</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;">Kendra St.John</div></div>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-43435665407198998702021-03-02T07:45:00.002-08:002021-03-02T07:45:58.729-08:00Getting the Word Out<p> I am working more fervently on my poetry. I know that I have a knack for it and have received a lot of encouragement toward sharing it. So, I am writing at least one poem every other day and posting a poem per week to Facebook or other outlet. </p><p>Fiverr is another way that I am working this poetry angle. If I can make money doing it I would be working at least part of my dream. Recording my songs is the epitome. So this is a start. My goal is to encourage and lift people up. It is to glorify God. If I can raise a little more money in the process, God knows I'll tithe from it. </p><p>Another poem. Hot off the press! </p><p>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bZrGOf5pxomwHcRzuV4vwS5aB_mq10i-KaoTR54ObeQ/edit?usp=sharing</p><p>If you or anyone knows or needs a poem written for a special occasion or person let me know. Fiverr is just one venue. </p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-79561624811763366622021-01-10T18:41:00.003-08:002021-01-10T18:54:42.510-08:00Reaching Up and Out in Praise<p> I don't know of any healthy relationship where there is not praise and adoration from each member toward the other party. Everyone wants to feel loved and admired. It's in our nature. It is nurturing in fact. We cannot live without love and contact with one another. </p><p>This COVID season has put up so many walls, via face masks and social distancing; it has successfully alienated individuals who most needed the love; those who were sick, elderly or those who were bedridden in the time of quarantine. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Yes I am. We are here to help make life more bearable for those by us. Does that mean we do everything for them or give them handouts to the point that they are not working for themselves? Not if they are able. </p><p>I heard a sermon about worship. The only way we can make it through this life is to worship the one who made us. And that means out loud!. You say, 'well I am not that type person.' Do you not audibly speak to your wife or children in affectionate tones and language? Do you not get excited and praise them for their accomplishments or thank them fervently for a deed they did for you? Why is it any different for God.?HE created you to be fervent worshipers!You'll shout and scream and jump and down at a ball game or in your living room when your team scores. But God doesn't deserve that, who created such beauty, worked so many miracles, kept you so that you are still alive? No one is so bad off that they can't praise and worship. Not unless they are dead! </p><p>My pastor added a good point. Maybe we are selfish to deny him praise and adoration. Maybe we are so self-sufficient that we think we need no one. We made it on our own; We got this far on our own strength. </p><p>We need each other. We need God. I don't know of any power greater than the spoken word. It can create and destroy. Why not use some of that power to lift someone else to their feet with encouraging words?Praise the God who kept you. His power shows up when you praise him. Then praise someone else. </p><p>Why is it you are considered selfish? Because if you can't acknowledge your need for others in your life, you can't see that they need you. You can't give love if you don't have it; if you're selfish, you don't love! God is not in you. His life giving breath is in you, but his nature is not evident in you at all. </p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">That's a scary and sad place to be. Are you there? Are you alienated by your choice? Are you a self-made man or woman? Have you withheld praise where it was timely and needed? Where are you in the praise category 1 -lowest and 10-highest? Rate yourself! </span></h1><p><br /></p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-9708207617220581562021-01-02T09:59:00.002-08:002023-04-21T17:10:01.504-07:00Hello 2021!<p> Hello 2021!</p><p>You're a couple days old now, but still very new. The last year was quite a trial with the COVID virus amuck and killing thousands, but I remember the scripture that said there would be famines and plagues. Only those people who were appointed to die would die with or without COVID-19. </p><p>I know that I have not written in quite awhile. I am a writer at heart, I am a musician too; a singer and a songwriter. But writing comes before the performance thereof. </p><p>So, I journal and write poetry. I put some stuff to music and sing it. I have to follow the leading of the spirit. I have to admit that this year kinda had me sliding a bit. I didn't pray as much this year. I was so busy with work and trying to get out of that job by starting my own business, But I've never been good at advertising. I guess I minored in marketing to overcome a weakness; not to say that marketing or business ownership is not in my future. I just don't know that direct marketing is my avenue. </p><p>Writing seems to be my thing. So, how can I write and impact many people. Blogs and web pages seem to be my favorite medium. I seem to be better at those. </p><p>Why am I telling you this? Perhaps because I am making a new commitment to my writing. Which means I am also making a new commitment to prayer; not just for writing sake. As I get onto my husband about that. We must have the relationship; and only from that relationship can inspiration and ideas be born. I want to be powerful in Christ and walk in authority. </p><p>I feel that this will help out at home and at work. I won't feel so overwhelmed. Someone told me that overwhelm came from a self centered view point. Naturally the Lord is not selfish so I must be. And I also am deficient in the Holy Ghost. </p><p>So, I am getting back to the altar. </p><p>Lord, thank you for leading me and still talking to me. Thank you for giving me an ear to hear what counsel you had for me. Thank you for keeping Chris and me together these years and for not letting outside influences get in between us. You are my counselor. My pure wisdom. Thank you for keeping my mind and heart inclined to you. I love you more than anything else.</p>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-67903518527716776702019-07-13T06:41:00.003-07:002019-07-13T06:41:51.875-07:00How to Alleviate Loneliness <br />
Hey. This is a live video on Facebook. It speaks for itself. I hope it helps.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kendra.stjohn.58/videos/10213915634597430/">https://www.facebook.com/kendra.stjohn.58/videos/10213915634597430/</a>Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152028600201592925.post-57439747449736256722019-04-10T16:45:00.000-07:002019-04-10T16:45:08.324-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH98GHWJyK2Q4LU0gA0U1vwyazTZlUuCXhTwRKaBjU4NNOMC2E8eyBoq3yNDvrD0Shl3Q7IHZcJbko3t7bUnhQQp92lbKC8npswUrJVmZJzPE9Fd-o5G-FUVh1KzWQ8xvuutNf1Qtn7WWo/s1600/C6690E10-F8BB-4CF7-9FEE-7E6B5E21483B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH98GHWJyK2Q4LU0gA0U1vwyazTZlUuCXhTwRKaBjU4NNOMC2E8eyBoq3yNDvrD0Shl3Q7IHZcJbko3t7bUnhQQp92lbKC8npswUrJVmZJzPE9Fd-o5G-FUVh1KzWQ8xvuutNf1Qtn7WWo/s320/C6690E10-F8BB-4CF7-9FEE-7E6B5E21483B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
I thank God for the many opportunities afforded me, including receiving his precious Spirit into my life. He’s all I need and more. I have launched a business call “SoothingYou.” It’s been a way to get out of my comfort zone and change my way of seeing a career. Nu Skin has everything including great support, coaching, a free opportunity to make the money you want to make and great products that feel and work wonderfully. <div>
If you’re looking for a way out of the rut or a new career. Message me in Facebook or email me. </div>
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stjohnsoother@gmail.com. </div>
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May God bless you richly.<br /><br /></div>
Kendra St Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270516528444080066noreply@blogger.com0