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.
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
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
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
Prodigal: The rain is making things grow.
Me: Yes it is.
This is a short video devotion on Provebs.
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
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
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
Prodigal: Harvest day!
Me: Nice cucumber.
This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.
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
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
Me: You are amazing!
Prodigal: Praise God for His faithfulness!
This is from J.I. Packer in Knowing God
What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it–that He knows me. I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment, therefore, when His care falters. This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort…in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9 (KJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: That is small.
Prodigal: What?
Me: I just told it like it was the gospel truth.
This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.
Proverbs 15:10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. (NKJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
