Monthly Archives: September 2019

The Great Problem

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me:  I think your friend is in love!

Prodigal:  I agree, head over heels!

Me:  That is a wonderful day to know you are very much loved!

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

We have seen how marriage by its very nature has the power of truth and the power of love.  The power of truth is marriage’s ability to show you who you really are.  The power of love is marriage’s capacity for reprogramming your self-image, redeeming the past, and healing your deepest hurts.  And now a warning is in order.

We said that if everyone else says you’re ugly, and your spouse says you’re beautiful, you feel beautiful, because you spouse’s words have that kind of power.  But that means that the reverse if also true.  If everyone says you are beautiful and your spouse says you’re ugly, you will feel ugly.  Your spouse’s opinion of you can be a terrible weapon.  Early in your marriage you will realize what power you have to hurt your spouse.  You will know his or her sensitivities like no one else.  And cutting remarks from you will go deeper than any knife.

In this fallen world, marriage’s power of truth and power of love can be at loggerheads.  The reason marriage has the power to show me what’s wrong with me is because my spouse sees me to the bottom in a way that even I can’t see myself.  That is why her affirmation, verdict, and blessing have so much credibility and power.  But here’s the problem.  My wife does not learn about my sins like my physician learns about my diseases or like my counselor learns about my anger and fear.  She knows my sins because they so often are committed against her.  She knows I’m insensitive because I’m insensitive to her.  She knows I’m selfish because I’m selfish to her.

A focus on love needs to be given today.  A day to heal and a day to be reminded that the Lord has given us someone special and they are a blessing!

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Vision

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me:  Here is another ministry for women.

Prodigal:  Yes, and Christ should be the foundation for all.

Me:  I agree with that!

This is from the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

A vision without a task makes a visionary.

A task without a vision is drudgery.

A vision with a task makes a missionary.

Stay focused on the path Christ has for you right now.  This is about staying the course with Christ.  There are distractions right now around you,but you have to stay with the vision.  The vision that Christ has been showing you all week.  Remember Christ started this and we should listen to His guidance.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I have another video, thank you for watching!

Prodigal: I will make sure I do!

click here for video

Proverbs 3:10

then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

God Has Always Had

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal:  I just finished reading.

Me:  Was it something good.

Prodigal:  It was not only truth but encouraging.

Me:  We will share then.

This comes from the book Growing Deep in the Christian Life by Charles Swindoll

God has always had a people, a people who believe by faith,

who trust and obey His Word, a people whose God is the Lord.

Many a foolish conqueror has made the mistake of thinking that because he had forced the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, He had stilled its voice and snuffed out its life.

But God has always had a people;  He has always had a people who believe; that believe His Word, a people whose God is the Lord.

The powerful current of a rushing river is not diminished because it is forced to flow underground.  The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight after it has forced its way through solid rock.

There have been charlatans, like Simon the magician, who sought to barter on the open market that power which cannot be bought or sold.  But, God has always had a people…men who could not be bought, and women who were beyond purchase.  God has always had a people–people who believe by faith!

There have been times of affluence and prosperity when the Church’s message has been diluted into oblivion by those who sought to make it socially attractive, neatly organized, and financially profitable.

It has been gold-plated, draped in purple, and encrusted with jewels.  It has been misrepresented, ridiculed, lauded, and scorned.

These followers of Jesus Christ has been, according to the whim of the times, elevated as sacred leaders, and martyred as heretics.  Yet, through it all there marches on that powerful army of the meek–God’s chosen people who cannot be bought, flattered, murdered, or stilled!  On through the ages they march!

God has always had a people–the Church, God’s Church triumphant!  God has always had a people, followers of Jesus–chosen people.  A people who believe by faith, who trust and believe His Word, a people whose God is the Lord.  God has always–always–had a people!

For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in thy tabernacle forever:  I will trust in the covert of thy wings.

Psalm 61:3-4

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org