Prodigal: Well golly, I wasn’t expecting y’all.

Me: I just felt like you needed a visit.

Prodigal: Your probably right.

I had two cats. One was the mother, and one was her son. The mother cat named Faith came into my life when she was around 8-12 weeks old. She was found in an oil drum outside of a mechanic shop crying as loud as she could. She was very afraid.

I took her home, and took her to the vet. The vet told me she was born deaf. He showed me how she doesn’t move when noises are made. He also showed me how visual she was.

Faith had one litter when she was 8 months old. They were born in my house. One son was deaf. I immediately decided to keep him, and named him Happy. The other two were given to wonderful homes.

As the years went by, I noticed a difference between the two deaf cats. Faith was scared of anything sudden. Her deafness became a way to fear the world. Happy’s deafness made him not afraid of anything.

Without hearing, a lot of things became surprises in their world. If she closed her eyes, too sleep. The world changed around her without knowing. I could leave without knowing, I could come home. It could start raining, or get dark outside, and she would not know. Someone new could come over, and she would be surprised because she did not hear them. She would open her eyes, and it would scare her to see something so unexpected.

Happy though would be the opposite. He would close his eyes, someone new would be here, and he would be happy for the surprise.

I saw these patterns over, and over again everyday. Faith passed away, and she remained afraid everyday.

Happy remains happy over everything.

I couldn’t help, but see us in these two. I couldn’t help, but see that we respond to God in the same way.

God sees all, so it is almost like we are missing an extra sense, like we are deaf. We have surprises that show up. God was not surprised though. Some of us react in fear every time.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I think Faith early on in life had some experiences that were scary. Even though she had moved to a safe home, she could not let go of her fears.

We have all had some experiences that can create fear, but in truth. God is a safe place for us to go to. If we seek Him. If we go where he calls us to. We do not have to fear. We do not have to be afraid of what surprises show up that day or week.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

I know that surprises have happened. You don’t understand how they could have happened suddenly. Just like faith could not understand when she opened her eyes, and new people were suddenly there. God is not surprised though. He can see more. As long as we seek God, we really do not have to fear.

Happy would see the same people that showed up as a surprise, and he choose to feel no fear about the surprise. Happy trusted that where he was was safe.

God has you in a safe place. He will help you. He will help you step by step, and you are not alone.

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me:  Don’t fall prodigal!

Prodigal:  Pride comes before the fall.

Me:  That is right!

This is from the book Believe and Rejoice by James P. Gills, M.D.

A relinquished heart requires purity and separation from our base human attitudes, which are constantly within us regardless of how close we are to the Lord.  We frequently think we have the answer.  In fact, in our own egotism we think we are “the answer”  and frequently do not turn to Christ.

True humility results from submitting our lives to God and worshiping Him.  We are not humble by nature.  Humility is not something we can decide to acquire.  We become humble only as we love and follow Him.  And our submission to Him becomes all-consuming–affecting every part of our body, permeating us, and directing us.  Humility is reflected in our lives when we are molded by the Holy Spirit.

Please Lord make sure that I am submitted to you.  I know how quickly I can think I have the answer.  I also can think that your way is not what is best for me.  I just need you Lord.  I can’t even submit to you without your help today.

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Matthew 4:16

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: There is a whole crowd gathered today.

Me: I don’t have a problem with that.

Here is a short of video on my proverbs series. Today is the video discussing Proverbs 4:7

click here to watch my video on proverbs

Proverbs 4:7

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal:  We are having fun!

Me:  It looks like it.

Prodigal:  Fun with those you love.

This is from the book Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado

It’s quiet.  It’s early.  My coffee is hot.  The sky is still black.  The world is still asleep.  The day is coming.

In a few minutes the day will arrive.  It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.  The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day.  The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race.  The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands.  It is now that I must make a choice.  Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose.  And so I choose.

I choose love…

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.  I choose love.  Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy…

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.  I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker.  I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God.  I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace…

I will live forgiven.  I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience…

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.  Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so.  Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.  Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness…

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.  Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.  And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness…

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.  I will be overlooked before I will boast.  I will confess before I will accuse.  I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness…

Today I will keep my promises.  My debtors will not regret their trust.  My associates will not question my word.  My wife will not question my love.  And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness…

Nothing is won by force.  I choose to be gently.  If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.  If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.  If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control…

I am a spiritual being.  After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.  I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.  I choose self-control.   I will be drunk only by joy.  I will be impressed only by my faith.  I will be influenced only by God.  I will be taught only by Christ.  I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  To these I commit my day.  If I succeed, I will give thanks.  If I fail, I will seek grace.  And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:17

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me:  That looks like a place to say something important.

Prodigal:  Well, now there is pressure.

Me:  How about I help out.

Prodigal:   I would love that!

This is from Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

O Lord, I have been called to be part of a holy community.  You did not call me in isolation but placed me in the body of Christ, along with every other believer in Jesus through out the world in every age.  Let us grow as a team, work as a team, worship as a team, weep, laugh, and live as a team.   Grant me the wisdom and the strength to partner with you and with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  For Jesus, sake and in his name I pray, amen.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: We must love God, and love others.

Prodigal: Amen, that is straight talkin’

click here to watch my video on Proverbs

Proverbs 4:6

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal:  This use to be a house.

Me:  Yes, nothing much left of it now.

Prodigal:  No, there isn’t

This is from Viktor Frankl who was in a Nazi Concentration camp.

….as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each other tie and again, dragging one another up and onward, nothing was said, but we both knew; each of us was thinking of his wife.  Occasionally I looked at the sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds.  But my mind clung to my wife’s image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness.  I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look.  Real or not, her look was the more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.

A thought transfixed me:  For the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers.  The truth–that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which men can aspire.  Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart:  The salvation of man is through love and in love……

That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee

Deuteronomy 16:20

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal: Sometimes you are more stubborn than a two-headed mule.

Me: Yes, that is why the Lord has to tell me twice sometimes.

There was a knock on the door. I opened the door to the air conditioner repair man. I knew he was coming. A part had to be ordered, and I had taken the day off so I could be here during the project. It would take about 4 hours so I had planned a couple of projects to work on at home while he worked away to make my house cool once again.

Romans my dog, became excited. I picked him up in my arms to then open the door. As I opened the door, he noticed Romans. He said he liked dogs. He allowed Romans to sniff his hand, and then petted him. Romans loves attention, and decided that this guy would be great to spend more time with him.

The air conditioning guy had work to do though. He said he would be outside, and left us.

What does Romans do? He sits by the door, lays on the floor,and sulks. He sulks as he watches the door. He is waiting for the guy to come to show him some attention. To make him happy, and play with him. So 10 minutes, goes by, 30 minutes, an hour, and then two hours.

Romans continues to sit there, and sulk. I am meanwhile on my couch, and he could have easily have moved to be with me.

I looked at Romans, and I felt bad. I could not tell him that by longing, and focusing on this guy he was missing out on time with me.

I could not tell him that this guy was temporary. That he would just be here for a short time. That his attention was not the attention that I could give.

Romans eventually moved to me, and I petted him. I even played with him a little while.

After playing with Romans, a verse came to me.

Galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I have to admit that in my past, I have been like Romans. I think that many of you are stuck being like Romans also.

We have God who is lovely looking at us. He sees some people come in our lives. We focus a lot of time, and energy trying to get attention from them.

We even become upet, and can sulk when that attention does not come.

God uses us in each other lives. We sometimes get attached, comfortable or get in a habit with relationships. Our focus becomes those relationships. Our focus becomes their attention. Our focus becomes how we can have fun with them. Our focus becomes how to maintain those relationships.

Meanwhile as these relationships take more, more of our time. God is left to watch us. We spend less time with Him. We know He is there, but instead of looking at Him. We look for when someone will walk thru the door. We can’t wait to get that next text, email, phone call or invitation.

Sometimes we have to turn our head,and heart. Sometimes we have to remember that God is there. God wants our attention. He wants to show us love, and support us.

Sometimes after a while when our focus is has been turned from God long enough, we start having to seek the approval of those relationships to maintain them. By seeking the approval of those relationships we ignore God who is watching us from a distant.

We then become.Galatians 1:10 for if I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Really when we take a look, we are more like Romans than we really want to admit.

I have been their. I also have had to repent. God was so gracious to me. I really realized that God’s relationship with me is something worth saying no to others about.

Maybe during this time, God is showing you something to. Maybe it’s time to seek Him. This could be a time that God’s relationship with Him is going to increase while other relationships may decrease.

Ephesians 5:3-5

But sexual immorality and all impurity of covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, and idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Me: You been jawin with my kin.

Prodigal: Which one is your kin.

Me: Very funny…

Click here to watch next video of proverbs

Proverbs 4:5

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Prodigal:  Sometimes I feel confused.

Me:   We all feel confused sometimes.

Prodigal:  Yes, just pray for me.

Me:  God’s spirit, and word will lift the confusion.

This is from the book This is my Story, This is Our Song by Norman Fl. Blosat with Elva W. Blosat

Then the Spirit Surges

1.  Be Open:  If you are upset by changes in your church, try looking at it from God’s point of view.  His world has deteriorated in recent years.  His church has often been ineffective.  There has been an appalling upsurge of immorality.  Might not the action of His Spirit bring a worldwide cleansing process?
2. Strive for Balance:  One could easily become experience-centered, seeking a repeat of an original “high” and, often without realizing it, begin to worship the experience rather than the Lord Himself.  The importance of understanding the Trinitarian basis of the Christian faith must be stressed.
3. The Holy Spirit is not Divisive:  As someone once said, “The Holy Spirit is not divisive, but people divide over the Holy Spirit.”  It is our frail humanity that causes us to be divisive–people with closed minds on both sides of an issue.  Learn to evaluate other believers by the fruit of the Spirit evident in their lives (Ephesians 5:9).  Focus first and foremost on “The Giver”–then on “The Gifts.”
4. Seek Content:  There is a need for spiritual discipline in order that we might have growth in understanding God’s Word.
5. Have a Sense of Wonder:  Don’t be a spiritual “legalist”  attempting to neatly box and catalog the works of the Holy Spirit.  “His ways are not our ways.”  The Surging Spirit is changing people and changing our world.  These are incredible times.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:5

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org