We Cast Behind Fear

Prodigal: It’s rooted in there like a turnip.

Me: That can be a good thing.

This is from Hymns of the Spirit

We cast behind fear, sin, and death;

With Thee we seek the things above;

Our inmost souls Thy spirit breathe,

Of power, of calmness, and of love.

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

I Feel Thy Touch

Prodigal: What a nice night.

Me: I agree!

This is from S. Longfellow

I look to Thee in every need,

And never look in vain;

I feel Thy touch, Eternal Love,

And all is well again:

The thought of Thee is mightier far

Than sin and pain and sorrow are.

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Prodigal: This stuff spreads like fleas in August.

Me: It sure does look like it.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Real Relationship

Prodigal: It’s been a coon’s age.

Me: That is ok, don’t mean it will not be as sweet as honey.

This is from the book I Will Never Leave You by Hugh and Gayle Prather

A real relationship, one in which two people love each other to fulfill themselves rather than withdraw from each other to fulfill themselves, is unquestionably a haven from fear- although it is not a protection from the world’s dangers. It is a movable home, a place of peace, a true source of wholeness. Once it becomes the goal of two people, it not only lasts but grows stronger and lovelier with every effort.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.com

Creation

Me: Look at what I am creating!

Prodigal: Creating is great, but God’s creation is amazing!

This is from the book Man Does Not Stand Alone by A. Cressy Morrison

The existence of our world and mankind defies all mathematical calculations of chance! This was driven home to me many years ago when I came across an illustration from a noted scientist. As I recall, he was a former president of the New York Academy of Sciences. It went something like this: “Let’s say I have ten pennies and I mark each one with a number (one to ten), then place all ten in your pocket. I would ask you to give your pocket a good shake so the pennies are no longer in any order in your pocket. What chance would I have to reach in and pull out penny number one? One in ten. Let’s say I put the penny back. Then I reach again into your pocket and draw out penny number two.

My chance of doing that would be one in a hundred. Putting the penny back, if I were to reach in and draw out penny number three, my chances would jump to one in a thousand. If I were to continue to do the same thing, in successive order, right up through number nine, do you know what my chance would be by the time I got to the number ten and pulled it out of your pocket? One in ten billion. If I pulled that off you would say, “The game is fixed!” My answer: “You’re right….and so is creation.”

Psalms 121:5-6

The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Prodigal: How did it go?

Me: I was sopping wet from my head to my toe.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

Click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Not the Critic

Me: I hope this is good. I tried to make it look good.

Prodigal: At least you attempted it.

This is from Theodore Roosevelt, speech “Citizenship in a Republic,” delivered in Paris, April 23, 1910

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and shortcoming; but who does actually try to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Psalm 121:1

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

One Thing is Needed

Prodigal: More fabric is needed.

Me: Yes, I am going to add more and share more about something we may need today.

This is from the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

I cannot do everything, but I can do “one thing.”

I cannot meet every need, but I can respond in obedience to the need the Spirit lays on my heart.

I cannot carry every load, but I can carry the load God has for me.

For his yoke, indeed, is easy, and his burden is truly light.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice an opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Me: What kinda of party?

Prodigal: Birthday!

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

See the Good in the Bad

Prodigal: Are you havin’ a fuss.

Me: Yes, I am not happy with how I did this.

Prodigal: Maybe you need to see the good.

Pray to see the good in bad things that happen. None us likes pain, uncertainty, strife, or frustration. We want things the way we want them. But the challenging and miserable times are not without their aspect of good. There are things that happen to us in those times that are as precious as diamonds. It’s during difficult times that we have the opportunity to experience the Lord’s presence in a deeper way. When we cling to Him, He will reveal the good things that are right in front of us. God often allows hard things to happen in our lives in order to bless us in some way. If we are willing to allow for that possibility in everything that happens, it keeps us from being devastated by people and situations that are ultimately going to be used for God’s glory. When we ask Him to show us the good in our difficult situations, He will.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. (1 Peter 3:12)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodgialpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org