Prodigal: I have to go, I am in a rush.

Me: Well, give me two minutes please.

This is from the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in “muchness” and “manyness,” he will rest satisfied. Psychiatrist Carl Jung once remarked, “Hurry is not of the Devil; it is the Devil.”

If we hope to move beyond the superficialities of our culture, including our religious culture, we must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation.

Your thinking it too. We look at our schedule and we are too busy. I can’t do anything about it. Let’s pray. We need to change something. We need to increase our fuel that moves us toward growth spiritually. That can only be achieved with quiet time.

The Lord will show us how to change our schedule. We are going to have to change it, but with it we will see more of a focus on allowing that quiet time to touch our spirits.

James 5:16

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: Aww nuts, I forgot something.

Me: Lol, I get it….

This a short video devotion

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:21 Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: The Lord is what I need for this day.

Prodigal: Amen, we can call out on His name.

This is from Toward Jerusalem by Amy Carmichael

From prayer that asks that I may be

Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,

From fearing when I should aspire,

From faltering when I should climb higher,

From silken self, O Captain, free

Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,

From easy choices, weakenings,

Not thus are spirits fortified,

Not this way went the Crucified,

From all that dims Thy Calvary,

O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,

The faith that nothing can dismay,

The hope no disappointments tire,

The passion that will burn like fire,

Let me not sink to be a clod:

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: Prayer always helps.

Prodigal: Yes, and is a great first step.

This is from A View from the Hearse by Joseph Bayly

I would add this prayer, “Father, the view from the hearse is a grim one. It’s one we don’t like to think about. The tubes and pieces of equipment in hospitals and the smell of medicine, these things seem to repulse us. The white face of a dying child, the hollow eyes of a parent, a mate, the harsh blows of life–O God, there’s a lot of it in this area. I pray for those who go through the valley and there are not many there to comfort. I pray that You would raise up merciful men and women who care enough to reach out and stand by, not with the heavy guns of doctrinal artillery, not at that time, but with the compassion of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us.

Psalm 42:1

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: If I’m in for a penny, might as well be in for a pound.

Me: Well, don’t be luke warm.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

Click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: I got the perfect story for your friend that you brought today.

Prodigal: We are ready.

This is from Charles Swindoll

In a cartoon some years ago a little guy was taking heat from his sister and friends for a newly found “calling–patting little birds on the head. The distressed birds would approach, lower their little feathered pates to be patted, sigh deeply, and walk away satisfied. It brought him no end of fulfillment–in spite of the teasing he took from others. “What’s wrong with patting birds on the head?” he wanted to know. “What’s wrong with it?” his embarrassed friends replied. “No one else does it!”

If your niche is encouraging, please don’t stop. If it is embracing, demonstrating warmth, compassion, and mercy to feathers that have been ruffled by offense and bruised by adversity, for goodness’ sake, keep stroking. Don’t quit, whatever you do. If God made you a “patter,” then keep on patting to the glory of God.

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodiglapig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: Your brain ain’t hooked up to your mouth.

Me: Might be so , sometimes, but this is good for the spirit.

Author unknown

The Bible teaches us the best way of living…

the noblest way of suffering….

the most comfortable way of dying.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: Sheepnose pimento pepper, Yummy!

Me: I agree!

This is a short video devotion Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. (ESV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: I think you are blind as a bat, this is not a whale.

Me: No, but I think a dolphin can understand this story also.

This is from the book, The Strong Willed Child by James Dobson

Whenever I’m tempted to become self-important and authoritative, I’m reminded of what the mother whale said to her baby: “When you get to the top and start to “blow,” that’s when you get harpooned!”

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalm 121:3

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: That turned out well!

Me: Thank you!

This is from The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken

We desire that the persecutors be punished. Once again, this is a response that most people would barely question. We assume that, since persecution is evil, it deserves to be punished. We have been in numerous meetings led by well-known Western Christians that have focused on a call for military intervention on behalf of believers in persecution. Our commitment to stop persecution and punish “the bad guys” likely says more about the condition of our own hearts than about the needs of believers in settings of suffering.

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves Matthew 10:16

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org