Author Archives: Jennifer Van Allen

Love for

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I LOVE my friend.

Me; Do you love them because they are a pig.

Prodigal: It is one of the reasons, but there are many more.

This is from The Magnificent Defeat by Frederick Buechner

The love for equals is a human thing–of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving and lovely. The world smiles. The love for the less fortunate is a beautiful thing–the love for those who suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world. The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing–to love those who succeed were we fail, to rejoice without envy with those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man. The world is always bewildered by its saints. And then there is the love for the enemy–love for the one who does not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured’s love for the torturer. This is God’s love. It conquers the world.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Sharing Love

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I love your taste in decorations!

Prodigal: It is getting closer to Christmas and a time to share love.

This is from the book No Man Is an Island by Thomas Merton

True happiness is found in unselfish love, a love which increases in proportion as it is shared. There is no end to the sharing of love, and, therefore, the potential happiness of such love is without limit. Infinite sharing is the law of God’s inner life. He has made the sharing of ourselves the law of our own being, so that it is in loving others that we best love ourselves.

He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; Psalm 78:50 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Two peas in a pod.

Me: Ain’t that the truth.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Conversations

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Time for conservations.

Prodigal: I agree!

This is from the book How Can I Find You, God? by Majorie Holmes

I make it my business only to persevere in his Holy presence…an habitual, silent and secret conversation of the soul with God…

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God…

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Hebrews 1:10 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Family Members

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Spending time with family.

Me: Great!

This is from The Strong Family by Charles Swindoll

When family members maintain a sincere fear of God, something wonderful occurs within the ranks. Self-made pride and presumption continue to decrease as a fear of God increases. Don’t misunderstand. By “fear of God” I do not mean fright….feeling uneasy and afraid in His presence. The right kind of fear is reverence for His holy name, a wholesome respect for His sovereign will, holding Him in highest regard. It is ever present realization that God is the Almighty, Holy God. It is remembering (in today’s terms) that He doesn’t mess around. He means what He says. We respect Him too much to disregard His ways or disobey His will.

 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Psalm 32:9 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Busy as a bee.

Me: Yes, and slowly it will all get done!

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way! but the folly of fools is deceit. (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Will Not Be Discouraged

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: This work is taking forever!

Me: Be Patient and the Lord is with you.

This is from the book Praying Through Life’s Problems featuring Stormie Omartian

Pray that you will not get discouraged. Discouragement can descend on you like a flood. You think you are standing strong and all of a sudden, in a weary moment, you get washed away be discouragement that threatens to drown you. Even though it may seem like forever as you wait for your difficult time to end, and you feel like you don’t have the strength to withstand anything any longer, tell yourself that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Declare that you will “rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). Keep in mind that God has been known to do a quick work for which He has been preparing a long time. It could be today.

O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. Psalms 74:19 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Praying for Others

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I am worn out.

Me: You know you can’t shine if you don’t fill our lamp. I have an encouraging story for you.

This is from the book Psalm 91 by Peggy Joyce Ruth and Angelia Ruth Schum

One of my most memorable and exciting experiences was when I recently had the privilege of speaking to some of the residents of Seadrift, Texas, and hearing them tell stories of God’s magnificent protection over their soldiers during World War II. This is their story of the boys who went off to war and the families who stayed behind to pray for their safety. Joe Fred Coward, along with Hollis and Gerald McCown, said that they experienced miraculous protection during World War II, and they knew why. There was a group of mothers and friends in their hometown of Seadrift, Texas, who were fervently praying for their safety. Coward and the McCown brothers were among fifty-two soldiers whose photos were placed in a large picture frame at a church and prayed over daily until they returned. Everyone I interviewed was still excited to tell me, “All fifty-two came home!”

And, behold, Cushy came; and Cushy said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. 2 Samuel 18:31 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Jesus is the reason for the season.

Me: Amen!

This is a short video devotion.

click on the link to watch the video

Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

No Greater Force

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: That looks yummy!

Me: Thank you!

This is from Choose Love by Stormie Omartian

There is no greater force in the world than God’s love. All the weapons of hate and cruelty cannot stand against it. The spiritually blind and intentionally evil try to oppose it, but they cannot ultimately win. That’s because all creation was formed and is sustained by God. And He gives each of us a free will to choose His love for our lives–or not.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me; O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. Psalm 139:17-18

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org