Author Archives: Jennifer Van Allen

Sin-Broken World

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: What’s got your tail in a knot?

Me: You know sin-broken world.

This is from Paul David Tripp

In a sin-broken world, where all our lives are touched by the corruption, selfishness, and injustice of those who rule us, it is sweet comfort to know that the One who would establish his rule over us is righteous all the time and in every possible way. It is sweet to know that all corruption and injustice will end someday, and he will rule over us in perfect righteousness forever.

When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. Psalm 9:3 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Awareness

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: People tell it like the gospel truth.

Me: Well, here is some other truths.

This is from How to Have that Difficult Conversation by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Bringing awareness is all part of how we care for each other. Remember compassion does not mean you are to be soft on the issue. Directness, clarity, and truth are necessary. But keep the balance of love and grace, too.

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: He was bouncing around like a monkey on a mule.

Me: I’m sure he did.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. (ESV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Perhaps

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me:  I have the perfect poem for you right now.

Prodigal:  I need it.

Perhaps

she will land

upon That Shore,

not if full sail,

but rather

a bit of broken wreckage

for Him

to gather.

Perhaps

He will walk those Shores

seeking such

who have believed

a little

suffered much

and so

have been washed Ashore.

Perhaps

of all the souls redeemed

they most adore.

Ruth Bell Graham

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Spirit Begins With Love

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I ain’t got a dadblame thing to do.

Me: I will share with you then.

This is from the book A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer

The fruit of the Spirit begins with love and includes goodness, but if we focus only on the positive traits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 and overlook the “acts of the flesh” described in verses 19-21, we might miss an important point: Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is also an act of resistance. To do tov requires us to resist what is not tov, what is bad and evil and corrupt. To live in the Spirit is to resist the works or acts of the flesh. Over and over, the Bible teaches us to pursue goodness and turn away from evil. “The acts of the flesh are obvious,” writes Paul, and he lists such things as sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, and selfish ambition. To live of tov means resisting the sinfulness and toxicity of these acts of the flesh.

And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. Genesis 38:7 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: The rain is making things grow.

Me: Yes it is.

This is a short video devotion on Provebs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Disciplinary Situation:

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: These bugs are a blasted nuisance.

Me: Yes, they are.

This is from Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

Approaching a disciplinary situation, the leader must remember five guidelines: (1) first conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry; (2) then consider the overall benefit to the work and to the individual; (3) do all in the spirit of love and in the most considerate manner; (4) always keep the spiritual restoration of the offender in view; (5) Pray it through.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Employ Your Whole Power Upon Me

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: That is some muscle there!

Me: Yes, it is

This is from Jesus Freaks by The Voice of the Martyrs

Probuis

Roman Empire

circa 250 AD

Probius was whipped until the blood flowed, then laden with chains and thrown into prison. A few days later, he was brought out and commanded to sacrifice to the heathen gods. He knew that he would be tortured and killed if he refused. Still he courageously said:

“I come better prepared than before, for what I have suffered has only strengthened me in my resolution. Employ your whole power upon me, and you shall find that neither you, nor the Emperor, nor the gods you serve, nor even the devil, who is your father, shall compel me to worship idols.”

Probius was sent back to further tortures and eventual death by the sword.

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Matthew 5:1 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Harvest day!

Me: Nice cucumber.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD; so how much more the hearts of the sons of men. (NKJV).

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Don’t Waste

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Making sure I get everyone!

Me: That’s right.

This is from the book The Entitlement Cure by Dr. John Townsend

You have to learn the difference between a need, which should be met, and an entitled desire, which should be starved. Meeting a need leads to life, and feeding an entitlement leads to destruction. It comes down to this: that which creates love, growth, and ownership vs. that which creates superiority or a demand for special treatment. Praising the real person inside–her character–can never go wrong. Praising her false and grandiose attitudes and behaviors is like throwing your money down a hole. Don’t waste your love and support. Place it where it bears good fruit.

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org