Monthly Archives: January 2022

Love

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: How beautiful!

Prodigal: I agree, it is a nice day today.

This comes from the book No Man Is An Island by Thomas Merton

Yet there can never be happiness in compulsion. It is not enough for love to be shared: it must be shared freely. That is to say it must be given, not merely taken. Unselfish love that is poured out upon a selfish object does not bring perfect happiness: not because love requires a return or a reward for loving, but because it rest in the happiness of the beloved. And if the one loved receives love selfishly, the lover is not satisfied. He sees that his love has failed to make the beloved happy. It has not awakened his capacity for unselfish love.

Hence the paradox that unselfish love cannot rest perfectly except in a love that is perfectly reciprocated: because it knows that the only true peace is found in selfless love. Selfless love consents to be loved selflessly for the sake of the beloved. In so doing, it perfects itself.

The gift of love is the gift of the power and the capacity to love, and, therefore, to give love with full effect is also to receive it. So, love can only be kept by being given away, and it can only be given perfectly when it is also received.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Mark 5:29 (KJV).

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I’ll be dog gon’ if I didn’t forget some.

Prodigal: Well, it just means you have to make some more

This is a video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch video on Proverbs

Proverbs 8:2

She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. (NKJV).

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Godward Qualities

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I think Alyson is sweet on you.

Prodigal: I don’t mind at all!

This is from the book Soul Winner by C.H. Spurgeon

A person who is to be used by God must believe that what he is going to do is for the glory of God, and he must work from no other motive. When outsiders go to hear some preachers, all that they remember is that they were excellent actors, but here is a very different kind of preacher. After they have heard him preach, they do not think about how he looked or how he spoke, but about the solemn truths he uttered. A preacher may keep rolling out what he has to say in such a fashion that those who listen to him say to one another, “Do not see that he lives by his preaching? He preaches for a living.” I would rather hear it said, “That man said something in his message that made many of the people think less of him; he uttered the most distasteful sentiments; he did nothing but drive at us with the Word of the Lord while he was preaching. His one aim was to bring us to repentance and faith in Christ.” That is the kind of man whom the Lord delights to bless.

Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The Vision of God

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I have a prayer for you before you start your work for today.

Prodigal: Yes, I would love a prayer.

This is from A.W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God

O Lord, I have heard a good word inviting me to look away to Thee and be satisfied. My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded by vision till I see Thee but dimly. Be pleased to cleanse me in Thine own precious blood, and make me inwardly pure, so that I may with unveiled eyes gaze upon Thee all the days of my earthly pilgrimage. Then shall I be prepared to behold Thee in full splendor in the day when Thou shalt appear to be glorified in Thy saints and admired in all them that believe. Amen

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

PSALM 119 : 142

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: You have an audience for this next video.

Me: I hope the Lord can use it.

This is a short video devotion.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 8:1

Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Sin is Sin

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I don’t know if we should be talking about her behind her back.

Prodigal: I agree. Gossip is a sin and we should just continue with our sewing.

This is from the book Respectable Sins from Jerry Bridges

The Bible has a word for conduct unbecoming a saint. It is sin. And just as “conduct unbecoming an office” covers a wide range of misconduct, so the word sin covers a wide range of misbehavior. It covers everything from gossip to adultery, from impatience to murder. Obviously, there are degrees of seriousness of sin. But in the final analysis, sin is sin.

The devil would like us to ignore it as sin. If we have no sin then we do not have to repent. If we do not repent, it can cause distance from us and God. Also our prayers may not be heard. This is not about shame and condemnation. This is about getting with God and asking for forgiveness and feel your spirit being wiped clean.

The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

PSALM 129 : 4

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The Silent Chaplain

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I feel like something the cat drug in.

Me: Relax a little and maybe that will help.

This is from Marlene J. Chase.

Bouts of pneumonia and severe asthma had dogged our child since birth—but never like this. Sitting in the hospital waiting room, my husband and I didn’t know if he’d survive the night. We’d been at Grandma’s house when his lungs suddenly seized up. Epinephrine injections didn’t help. Now he was on a ventilator.

The nurse checked in on us from time to time to see if we needed anything. Otherwise, we were alone with our worries. Until a chaplain entered the room. I expected him to say the obligatory prayers, wish us well, and move on to others in need. And indeed, he sat across from us, leaned forward and bowed his head. But he said nothing.

Perhaps he doesn’t want to intrude, I thought. Still, I was grateful for his presence. His silent prayer was comforting. I tried to sleep. Each time I briefly opened my eyes, I saw the chaplain there, deep in meditation.

After a restless night, the first rays of dawn finally crept through the window blinds. The nurse entered the room. “Your son is out of danger.” she said. “He’s going to be fine!” My husband and I raced to his bedside.

Afterward, we asked the nurse how we could thank the hospital chaplain for waiting with us so long during the night.

“The chaplain?” the nurse said, puzzled. “He’s on vacation.”

“So who was sitting in the waiting room with us?” I asked.

“I checked on you all night.” the nurse said. “You were alone.”

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

John 10:11

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org