Prodigal: We need you to come over right now!

Me: Don’t pitch a hissyfit, you have to wait a minute.

Prodigal: Fine, we will be patient.

This comes from the book Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life by Kenneth C. Haugk

Genuine, congruent individuals are not liked by everyone. Sometimes others find it hard to like a person who, by being congruent, shatters their illusions. Perhaps the best example of this is Jesus. When he acted congruently, it aroused anger and hatred sufficient to lead to his crucifixion.

Sometimes you may feel that you are being “crucified.” When you open up in a courageous act of caring by being genuine, not all will be appreciative. Some might resent your freedom. No matter. Your caring results from a deliberate decision to care in a given situation and to care through the pains and burdens that reveal your own brokenness. Being a servant is not easy, but the reward of spreading genuineness to others is worth the price.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: We can appear that we have it all going on, but it doesn’t mean sin is not still there.

Prodigal: That is why Jesus is so precious in our eyes.

This is from Charles Spurgeon

Alas, it has gone deeper: it has ruined our souls. Sin has unmanned man. The crown and glory of is manhood it has thrown to the ground. All our faculties are out of gear; all our tendencies are perverted. Beloved, let us rejoice that the Lord Jesus Christ has come to redeem us from the curse of sin, and he will undo the evil of evil. Even this poor world he will deliver from the bondage of corruption; and he will create new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. The groans and painful travail of the whole creation shall result in a full deliverance, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and somewhat more.

We have access to the throne room of heaven! The most amazing place that was created. We are able to spend eternity with Love and or creator. Even if no other blessing are before us today, we have that. This cannot be taken away and we praise God for loving us first!

Psalm 56:12

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: I usually go to bed with the chickens’

Me: That is a nice pace.

This is a short video devotion.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: What do you have here?

Me: The beginning of the quilt process. I have the design and the fabric I picked out.

Prodigal: I am going to enjoy watching this process.

This is from the book Just Enough Light for the Step I’m on by Stormie Omartian

Learning to walk with God is a process. And just when we think we have it all figured out, God leads us into a new place where our old tricks won’t work. In fact, it may seem like we’re learning how to walk all over again. And in a way we are. We enter unfamiliar territory and are soon reminded that, on our own, we stumble. Yet when we take His hand, we fly. God wants us to soar far above the limitations of our lives and ourselves. He wants to take us to a place we have never been before and can’t get to from where we are without His help.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: After today, we are going to be with the chickens.

Prodigal: Yep, after all that work, I agree!

This is from A Treasury of Contentment by Ralph L. Woods

The joy of life is living it and doing things of worth,

In making bright and fruitful all the barren spots of earth.

In facing odds and mastering them and rising from defeat,

And making true what once was false, and what was bitter, sweet.

For only he knows perfectly joy whose little bit of soil

Is richer ground than what it was when he began to toil.

Psalm 63:1 Because your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: Wild horses couldn’t drag it out of me.

Me: Well, that is good.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 12:9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Then he who honors himself but lacks bread. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: You’re pretty as a peacock!

Me: Well thank ya’

This is from Epictetus

What punishment is there, you ask, for those who do not accept things in this spirit? Their punishment is to be as they are.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: I can hardly stop from watching the wind move all that.

Me: I reckon we might be here a whle.

Prodigal: That is fine by me.

This is from Maud Battersby

Evening Prayer

If I have wounded any soul today,

If I have caused one foot to go astray,

If I have walked in my own willful way–

Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,

If I have turned aside from want or pain,

Lest I myself should suffer through the strain–

Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have craved for joys that are not mine,

If I have let my wayward heart repine,

Dwelling on things of earth, not things divine–

Good Lord, forgive!

If I have been perverse, or hard, or cold,

If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold

When Thou hast given me some fort to hold–

Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee,

Forgive the secret sins I do not see,

That which I know not, Father, teach Thou me–

Help me to live.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: Is it ready?

Me: This is takin’ forever and a day.

This is a short video devotion

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 12:8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: Its cold out here!

Prodigal: A warm conversation, good friends and hot chocolate will do the trick!

Me: I am bringing the conversation, don’t forget the marshmallows with the hot chocolate!

This is from the book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and to bring Him nearer to our own image. The flesh whimpers against the rigor of God’s inexorable sentence and begs like Agag for a little mercy, a little indulgence of its carnal ways. It is no use. We can get a right start only by accepting God as He is and learning to love Him for what He is. As we go on to know Him better, we shall find it a source of unspeakable joy that God is just what He is. Some of the most rapturous moments we know will be those we spend in reverent admiration of the Godhead. In those holy moments the very thought of change in Him will be too painful to endure. So let us begin with God. Back of all, above all, before all is God;

Galatians 6:1

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org