Me: Sometimes we don’t grow straight, but more in a circle.
Prodigal: We grow with the sun though.
Me: Yes, we grow with the son.
This is a short video devotion on proverbs.
Proverbs 6:15
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. (KJV).
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: There are two doors to go in.
Prodigal: I am not sure which to take.
Me: Maybe this will help.
How do we find the peace and simplicity we crave in our lives? I think the answer lies in patience and prayer.
We all like to be busy, active, doing; we want to be in control of our lives. But sometimes circumstances force us to accept that we can do nothing. All we can do is be patient and pray.
But notice that life has to force us to this point. We speak as though patience and prayer were a sort of last resort for people who are too weak or too desperate to do anything else. We turn to prayer only when we are alone and undisturbed, and we practice patience only when we have to. After all, most of us would rather have what we want now, not later, and we’d rather be able to get it through our own efforts, rather than wait on God. And so we strive and strive, and our lives become more and more hectic and complicated.
In reality, though, patience and prayer should be our first resort, for they are the tap lines that enable us to find peace even in the midst of life’s busyness and noise. They are the doors that lead us into God’s peace. And they are the lessons that teach us simplicity.
from Keep It Simple by Ellyn Sanna
In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:19
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Is your friend happy?
Prodigal: I think so?
Me: Sometimes we need direction.
This is from the book Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit by Charles Swindoll
I’m convinced there are at least three essentials for a fulfilling life: a clear sense of personal identity, a strong sense of mission, and a deep sense of purpose.
Over the years, I’ve observed that people who know who they are, who possess a clear sense of their mission, and who understand God’s plan and purpose for their lives, are people who experience genuine fulfillment. That doesn’t mean they don’t face extreme obstacles. Rather, it means they have learned to face those challenges in ways that transform obstacles into opportunities. Rather than stumbling over them, they press on through them.
Some days have surprises. The Lord gives surprises and so does the enemy but remember the Lord’s surprises are filled with blessings!
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Time to sew!
Prodigal: You reap what you sew…..
Me: I am not doing that sewing….or maybe I am…
This is a short video devotion on proverbs.
Proverbs 6:14
who plots evil with deceit in his heart–he always stirs up conflict. (NIV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Your friend looks like he has a little wear and tear.
Prodigal: That is perfectly fine with me.
This comes from the book Overcoming Spiritual Blindness by James P. Gills, M.D.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” ( 1 Pet. 5:6). The familiar maxim “no pain, no gain” is as true of our spiritual life as it is of our sporting life. Jamie Buckingham was humbled by the pain of his sin when, as a very young minister, he plummeted from a first-class act to a man without a job, respect, or fellowship. As a result, he learned that we can only become strong after we have been made weak. Jamie, like all of us, had trusted in his own intelligence and his abilities as an entrepreneur to achieve what he wanted and what he felt his church needed. He trusted in himself. It was only after he had suffered that he learned to depend fully upon God. Then he found himself and his destiny–in God alone. Jamie Buckingham needed to be “crippled” to become strong; he learned to walk with a limp. It was his firm conviction that you cannot trust anyone that does not limp. One who does not limp, who does not exhibit a wounding, may not have withstood sufficient misery to have become completely prostrate before the Creator in humility–to have been brought under the mighty hand of God through suffering.
We cannot explain or understand what God is bringing about from the suffering, we have had to endure. The Lord will bring good, but until then worship Him and have trust.
John 15:12-14
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no other than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: How is the gardening going?
Prodigal: I just singing a long and the day flies by.
Me: Maybe this will help
This is from Sunrays of Help by Dr. Albert Garner
We sing “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and are content with 5-10 minutes daily.
We sing “Onward Christian Soldiers” and wait to be drafted into His service.
We sing “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and don’t use the one we have.
We sing “There Shall be Showers of Blessings” but do not come out when it rains.
We sing “Blest be the Tie That Binds” and let the least little offense sever it.
We sing “Serve the Lord with Gladness” and gripe about all we have to do.
We sing “I Love to Tell the Story” and never mention it at all.
We sing “We’re Marching to Zion” but fail to march to Worship or Sunday School.
We sing “Cast All Your Cares on the Lord” and worry ourselves into a nervous breakdown.
We sing “The Whole Wide World for Jesus” and never invite our next-door neighbor.
We sing “O Day of Rest and Gladness” and wear ourselves out traveling, cutting grass or playing golf on Sunday.
We sing “Throw Out the Life-Line” and content ourselves with throwing out a fishing line.
Be ye steadfast unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Let us put away our inconsistent living, go all out for the Lord every day
1 Corinthians 15:58
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: The stars look great!
Me: Yes, they took some time, but were worth it.
This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.
Proverbs 6:13
He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; (NKJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: You are looking fine as a daisy!
Prodigal: Well, thank you!
Me: I am trying my best.
This is from the book The Power of A Woman’s Words by Sharon Jaynes
It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man or woman who speaks such a word.
It is almost over. Then another plan will start, it will have its own challenges. God will grow you in new ways. The Lord has been preparing you for this time. Do not worry. You are with the Lord and the Lord is with you. The Lord loves you and you will not fail.
Revelation 4:11
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: I have been waiting for you.
Prodigal: What is on your mind?
Me: I have some questions for you.
Personal accountability is invaluable. Recently, I was encouraged to hear about a minister who meets once a week with a small group of men. They are committed to one another’s purity. They pray with and for each other. They talk openly and honestly about their struggles, weakness, temptations, and trials. In addition to these general things, they look one another in the eye as they ask and answer no less than seven specific questions:
The Bride by Charles Swindoll
Exodus 20:12
Honor our father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: The Lord brings the increase!
Me: Amen, thank you for all Lord.
This is a short video devotion on proverbs
Proverbs 6:12
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth;
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
