Author Archives: Jennifer Van Allen

Burden To Be Light

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Prodigal:  Did you just see that shot!

Me:  That ain’t gonna win you a blue ribbon at the dog show.

Prodigal:  Haha maybe not but I still had fun with it all.

 

This is from the book The Burden is Light by Eugenia Price

 

Self-deception is very, very heavy.

Fear is very heavy.  Worry is very heavy.

The heaviest thing of all is have no

beginning and no end.  All of life was a

burden.  A very heavy burden.

But Christ said, “My yoke is easy.  My burden is light.  Come unto me.”

I did.

And found the burden to be light!

 

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  Always Pray first and the Lord will guide you!

Prodigal: You have another video today?

Me:  Yes, and thank you for watching!

 

click here for video

 

Proverbs 1:15

my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Two Kinds of Faith

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  Why did your friend run off Prodigal?

Prodigal:  We all got pieces of stupid in us.  His are just bigger than most.

Me:  Maybe we should go and try to help him.

Prodigal:  I think that is a good idea.

 

This is from George Everett Ross

I have served in the ministry thirty years, almost thirty-one.  I have come to understand that there are two kinds of faith.  One says if and the other says though.  One says:  “If everything goes well, if my life is prosperous, if I’m happy, if no one I love dies, if I’m successful, then I will believe in God and say my prayers and go to the church and give what I can afford.”  The other says though: though the cause of evil prosper, though I sweat in Gethsemane, though I must drink my cup at Calvary–nevertheless, precisely then, I will trust the Lord who made me.  So Job cries: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

 

We cannot choose another’s faith all we can do is pray for them and then choose to live our faith and continue to Praise God that though he slay me, yet will I trust Him.

 

1 Corinthians 15:11

Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Prodigal:  I am here to ask you to watch another video from proverbs

 

click here for video

 

Proverbs 1:13

we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder

 

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The Imitation of Christ

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  What is on your mind Prodigal?

Prodigal:  I am thinking about Christ.

Me:  Me too, why don’t I share about him.

 

This is from the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis

 

He that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, saith the Lord.  These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished, how we ought to imitate His life and manners, if we would truly be enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of heart.  Let therefore our chiefest endeavor be, to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.

The doctrine of Christ exceedeth all the doctrines of holy men; and he that hath the Spirit, will find therein the hidden manna.  But it falleth out, that many who often hear the Gospel of Christ, feel little desire after it, because they have not the Spirit of Christ.  But whosoever will fully and with relish understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.

 

I am learning to confirm my life to your obedience LORD.  It is a constant progress and journey.  I will be still working on this a year from now.  As the journey progress though it will be filled with a love and sweetness because my relationship with you will continue to grow.

 

John 8:36

So if the Son set you free, you will be free indeed.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

You Are Known and Loved

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  What a nice birthday balloon!

Prodigal:  Yes, and I wanted to share a message with that balloon.

 

This is from the book The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller

 

There is an emotional “high” that comes to us when someone thinks we are so wonderful and beautiful, and that is part of what fuels the early passion and electricity of falling in love.  But the problem is–and you may be semi consciously aware of this–the person doesn’t really know you and therefore doesn’t really love you, not yet at least.  What you think of as being head over heels in love is in large part a gust of ego gratification, but it’s nothing like the profound satisfaction of being known and loved.

When over the years someone has seen you at your worst, and knows you with all your strengths and flaws, yet commits him–or herself to you wholly, it is a consummate experience.  To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial.  To be known and not loved is our greatest fear.  But to be fully known and truly loved is, well a lot like being loved by God.  It is what we need more than anything.  It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.

 

You are known and loved,  I know you make mistakes, but their is grace and I am so blessed that you show me the real you!  May you enjoy this day and be encouraged.

 

1  Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

 

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  Nice cave!

Prodigal:  Thanks it reminds me of the pit that we are going to talk about.

 

click here for video

 

Proverbs 1:12

 

Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Faith Can Change A Life

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  What are you doing?

Prodigal:  I am looking for a four leaf clover

Me:  They’re as scarce as grass ’round a hog trough.

Prodigal:  I might still find one though.

Me:  Have hope Prodigal!

 

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

 

The experience of John Wesley, the great evangelist and founder of the Methodist movement, shows how abandoned faith can change a life.  By the time he was thirty-five, Wesley knew a lot about Christ.  He had graduated from Oxford University and resolved to become a priest in the Church of England.  He was ordained a priest in 1728.  He and his brother, Charles, helped start the Holy Club at Oxford.  He read one hundred spiritual books a year for a dozen years.  He even traveled to Georgia on a mission trip.  But he knew there was something missing.  On his mission trip he met some Moravian immigrants who had the spiritual peace he realized he was lacking.  His work in America was not very effective, and he returned to England.

Back in London, Wesley met Peter Bohler, a Moravian who convinced him that what he needed was simple: he needed faith, not just knowledge.  During a meeting in Aldersgate Street in 1738, Wesley was transformed.  As he heard Martin Luther’s preface to the Commentary on Romans being read, he was truly elated.  He realized the promises of God are true!  He wrote, “I felt my heart strangely warmed.  I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation.  He felt a quickening that comes from truly experiencing God’s grace and presence.  He was filled with God’s complete and perfect joy.

From this point on, Wesley was a changed man.  He preached with a spiritual fire and fervor that was fed by his faith.  And he was filled with a glorious joy that affected him the rest of his life because he relinquished to God and believed in His promises.

 

1 John 4:20-21

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from him; whoever loves God must also love his brother.

 

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Likin and Uh Lovin

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

 

Me:  Thank you for the this day Lord!

Prodigal:  I agree, thank you for being you!

 

Taint no use to grumble

‘N’ frown and keep a frettin’

If you can’t get the things you want;

Then, want the things you’re gettin’!

The path you tread is much the same

As others is pursuin’.

If you can’t do the things you like

Then, like the things you’re doin!.

The world may have its sour folks,

But this will bear repeatin’:

It won’t take long for you to get

As sour as those you’re meetin’,

There may be good folks far away

You’d mightly like to tie to,

But if you ain’t nigh folks you love

Then, love the folks ‘ats nigh you.

Of course there’s a lots of folks

That won’t bear close inspection,

But it you stop and think a bit

YOU ain’t  quite reached perfection!

If things don’t move just like they might

Keep pushin’ and shovin’

And don’t let nothin’ interfere

With likin’ and uh lovin’!

 

Margaret E. Sangster

 

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org