Prodigal: I have some words of wisdom for you.

Me: Please share.

Prodigal: Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them!

This is from Romans by Donald Barnhouse

Robert Dick Wilson taught Hebrew at Princton Theological Seminary and one of his students was Donald Barnhouse. Barnhouse tells of his going back to seminary to preach after having graduated from there twelve years earlier. Dr. Wilson came into Miller Chapel and sat down near the front. There is something rather intimidating about going back to the school where you were trained and you teach Scripture to those who taught you.

At the close of the meeting Dr. Wilson came up to Donald Barnhouse and said, “If you come back again, I will not come to hear you preach. I only came once. I am glad that you are a big-godder. When my boys come back, I come to see if they are big-godders or little-godders, and then I know what their ministry will be.” Barnhouse asked him to explain.

“Well, some men have a little God and they are always in trouble with Him. He can’t do any miracles. He can’t take care of the inspiration and transmission of the Scripture to us. He doesn’t intervene on behalf of His people. They have a little God and I call them little-godders. Then there are those who have a great God. He speaks and it is done. He commands and it stands fast. He knows how to show Himself strong on behalf of them that fear Him. You, Donald, have a great God; and he will bless your ministry.” He paused a moment, smiled, said, “God bless you,” and walked out.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalms 100:4 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org