Author: Prodigal

"Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,"

ACTS 3:19 NRSV

I received the verse above in my email inbox today as the "Verse of the Day" from Bible.com and I was suddenly hit with a multitude of thoughts (my thoughts usually show up as pictures). Within a few seconds, I thought about the new year > new year, new seasons of life > repentance > turning away from sin > a.k.a. "Turning over a new leaf." (Strange thought process, I know, but hey, that’s just how my neuro-divergent brain operates.) So, this verse got me thinking about my personal experience with repentance that led to asking Christ into my life. I remember the waves of grace and forgiveness that I experienced (and still do experience). That overwhelming feeling of a life not lived as close to the example of Christ, the frustrations of the world and my response to it, and the guilt and shame I feel for allowing my focus to be diverted from our heavenly Father. Yes, THAT overwhelming feeling, when in the face of grace and forgiveness, just slowly melts away…over and over again. That is the work of the Holy Spirit working on you and through you.

Are you overwhelmed? Are you stressed? Anxious? Feeling alone? Not able to find the words to pray? As we face this new year, what if we turned to our heavenly Father who is eagerly awaiting an intimate relationship with us rather than turning to the world, or turning inward? The Father tells us that He will not only wipe out our sin, but if we feel burdened, He will trade with us as His burden is light. Also, your brothers and sisters in Christ can also help share the burden with you, this way you are not overwhelmed and become discouraged. Our Creator is ALWAYS with us and when we can’t find the words to say/pray, the Holy Spirit speaks in groans on our behalf. Let’s not forget Jesus. Not only did he face all of the same temptations for sin and for feeling the same way we do when the world tries its best to beat us down. He overcame all of those things and showed us how to follow suit.

So, how can I help you? How can I pray for you or encourage you? I’m here for you…

If you ever need prayer, you can reply to this email or catch the Prayer Requests – Prodigals group on Facebook. You are loved and prayed for, my friends.

Photo Credit: Life of Pix

~PRODIGAL MIKE

So, I was having a "dude chat" with my two sons last night. It was a really cool time where I removed the proverbial "dad hat" and just hung out with these two awesome fellas who are growing up WAY too fast. Each of us were sharing things from our hearts that trouble us, hurt our feelings, and different ways we deal with the pressures of life. The conversation was spurred on as I’ve been reading this book called "Better Dads, Stronger Sons", written by Rick Johnson, over the last few days or so. The contents of the book really has me thinking. I will say that I learned a while back that reading a book is good, but the content needs to be viewed through the word of God. If certain ideas or thoughts don’t line up with God’s word, then those portions are "take it or leave it."

One point that I focused on last night was the connection between respecting others and serving others. Unlike what many of the social media platforms seem to impress on us, it is completely possible to respect someone without agreeing with their life choices. Each of God’s children are called to go out and make disciples and part of that is living a life that is a reflection of Christ’s example. Jesus ate with and hung out with sinners, people who were living in sin and against God’s laws, but Jesus didn’t let others’ sins keep him from showing them compassion and love. He looked beyond the sin, into the hearts/souls of those who surrounded him. That doesn’t mean he agreed with their way of life. I mean, he laid his life down for ALL OF US! Even before we knew the heavenly Father. So the question I posed to my boys was something like this: "Can you serve others in a manner that is reflective of Christ’s example without respecting them?" Immediately, I saw the gears in their heads start to turn. I could tell they were really thinking about this concept, trying to make sense of it, and how it applied to how they serve their family. We chatted a little more and I just encouraged them to think about it for the next day or so until I can read some more of the book. (I’m an extremely slow reader.) They both seemed pretty excited about our next "dude chat." I’m pretty excited about it too.

What are your thoughts on this idea? My only guidance on this idea about respecting others is this… We will NEVER look into the eyes of a man/woman/child, that God doesn’t love unconditionally, whether they love Him back or not.

If you ever need prayer, you can reply to this email or catch the Prayer Requests – Prodigals group on Facebook. You are loved and prayed for, my friends.

Photo Credit: ARTEM PODREZ

~PRODIGAL MIKE

Hello there, my friends and followers.. my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here we are at the end of 2022 and I would like to thank all of you who continue to read along and follow my journey. That is, WHEN I post something. In the past, I have used this format as a sort of journal of my life and the things that I am learning as I do my best to continue on the path toward a Christlike life. I am looking forward to what God has in store for my family and I in the new year. I will do my best to share those things that I’m learning as often as I am able to type things out in a sensible manner.

I will continue to pray for you all and hope that God will continue to bless all of us and shine His light upon us.

Here’s to a new year! Blessings, my friends.

If you ever need prayer, you can reply to this email or catch the Prayer Requests – Prodigals group on Facebook. You are loved and prayed for, my friends.

Photo Credit: Anna-Louise

~PRODIGAL MIKE

HELLO FRIENDS!

BELOW IS A LIST OF PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN PRAYER. IF YOU HAVE PRAYER NEEDS OF YOUR OWN, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW. YOU CAN REPLY HERE OR SEND A DIRECT MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK. PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE PRAYER FOR AND LOVED, MY FRIENDS.

HELLO FRIENDS!

BELOW IS A LIST OF PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN PRAYER. IF YOU HAVE PRAYER NEEDS OF YOUR OWN, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW. YOU CAN REPLY HERE OR SEND A DIRECT MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK. PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE PRAYER FOR AND LOVED, MY FRIENDS.

ONGOING PRAYERS

THOSE WHO NEED SALVATION (LOVE/HOPE OF GOD)
THOSE NEEDING HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH
THOSE SERVING AS FIRST RESPONDERS
STUDENTS/TEACHERS/STAFF ALL SCHOOLS AGAINST VIOLENT ATTACKS
THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY (GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL PARTIES) FOR GOD’S WISDOM AND DIREC-TION TO LEAD
THE CHURCH (WORLDWIDE) THAT WE WOULD RETURN TO THE HEART OF THE FATHER IN WORD AND DEED

Blessings and greetings to you, legends of the Faith!

I know it has been some time since I’ve posted regularly whether you are receiving this as an email or reading on the ProdigalThinker website. I’ve already begun putting together a series of posts on the topic of the Fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Each week, the posts will focus on one “fruit” or attribute with hopes that we will all have a broader view of how our Heavenly Father can grow these fruits in our daily lives.

So stay tuned!!!

If you ever need prayer, you can reply to this email or catch the Prayer Requests – Prodigals group on Facebook. You are loved and prayed for, my friends.

Photo Credit: Luis M. Santos

Hello friends!

Below is a list of prayer needs and updates if you would like to join in prayer. If you have prayer needs of your own, please feel free to let me know. You can reply here or send a direct message on Facebook. You are prayed for and loved, my friends.

ONGOING PRAYERS

Those battling or recovering from COVID

Those who need salvation (love/hope of God)

Those who serve our country (all first responders, government, and political parties for God’s guidance and direction to lead)

The Church (worldwide) – that we would return to the heart of the Father in word and deed.

Hello, champions of the faith!

I’m trying a little bit of a different method of delivery for the prayer needs. This way if you should feel led to print this out as a reminder of the prayer needs, that is now an option.

As always, if you or anyone should need prayer, feel free to let me know. You can reply here or, if you’re on facebook, you can join the Prayer Requests – Prodigals group or just message me directly.

Please know that you are loved, accepted, and have been covered in prayer.

Blessings!

~M

PRAYER NEEDS 10.25.2022.pdf

Hello friends!

Below is a list of prayer needs and updates if you would like to join in prayer. If you have prayer needs of your own, please feel free to let me know. You can reply here or send an email to michael.catoe931 . You are prayed for and loved, my friends.

HEALTH ISSUES

Charles B

Dennis B

James B

Ricky S

Steve O

LIFE SITUATIONS

Kyle C

Ted G

UPDATES

More to come

UNSPOKEN REQUESTS

Tony C

ONGOING PRAYERS

Those battling or recovering from COVID

Those who need salvation (love/hope of God)

Those who serve our country (all first responders, government, and political parties for God’s guidance and direction to lead)

The Church (worldwide) – that we would return to the heart of the Father in word and deed.

"Ask and you shall receive!" Matthew 7:7

That’s what the Bible says, right?

How often do we pray and pray and expect God to answer on our timeline? Even if what we are praying about is a need and not a want, should we pray with the expectation that our Father will answer immediately? I think if we do, we will most often be disappointed.

Should we pray and bring our requests and needs to God? ABSOLUTELY!! We are instructed to do so.

A couple of weeks ago, I overheard a part of a conversation where someone was getting frustrated at God because their prayer had not been answered. If memory serves, they had been praying for a couple of days. I don’t say this to make fun at all. I have been guilty of the same thing in years past. I write this because I remember a conversation about the same topic. What is the condition of our heart when we are praying? Are we approaching God like we approach a vending machine? We drop some coinage, push a button, and our request is delivered? Or are we approaching with reverence that God can see a MUCH bigger picture in the grand scheme of things? What if the very things we are praying for, if answered, would lead to a worsening of the situation or could lead us away from the path that our heavenly Father desires for us? I am sure that I’ve missed the path MANY times in the past, but all I can do now is to pray and rely on our Daddy to show me how all of this will play out.

Here’s an example. A couple of weeks before September 10, 2002, my grandmother was lying in a hospital bed and not doing very well at all. All of the family and friends were praying diligently that God would heal her body so she could return to life as normal. I was living/working about an hour or so away, so I was not able to visit as I had hoped. But one night, I was able to get away for a visit. The visitation times were very limited, so I met my granddad at the hospital and we went in to visit. I was somewhat taken aback as she didn’t look much like the quirky, eccentric grandmother I had last seen, but I knew I was in the correct room. I went over to the bedside and pulled up a chair. I leaned in and asked her if she knew who I was. She blinked, as that was about all she had the strength to do. So, I held her hand and prayed quietly. After some time, I felt a deep sadness in my chest. A sadness I haven’t felt since. I knew what I had to say, but I felt like a traitor to my family. I leaned in and told her that I loved her, and that if she needed to go and be with Jesus, if He was calling her home, we would be sad, but we would be okay. When I went to sit back in the chair, I saw one single tear rolling down her cheek. Within a week or so, she was welcomed into her eternal home with Jesus.

While I was praying, I felt it selfish to pray that she be healed, especially if she needed to rest and not suffer anymore. I can honestly say that I’ve carried a lot of guilt over the years with letting her know it was okay to go Home. I’m at peace with it now though.

What if we prayed in a way where we make room for our Father to do what He desires with our prayers? I mean, in a way, that’s how followers of Jesus start out praying when they confess that they can’t do life on their own and that they ask Jesus to fill their hearts and lives, right? They pray with a broad expectation rather than "this is what I need and I need it soon/now."

I encourage us all to pray with open expectations without a timeline, if at all possible. The Father knows the hearts of His children. He knows what we need even before we even speak a word, right? Along with those open expectations, I encourage us to pray that Daddy will show us His plan and how all of life’s troubles will draw us closer to Him.

I think that’s all for today, my friends. If you ever need prayer, you can reply to this email or catch the Prayer Requests – Prodigals group on Facebook. You are loved and prayed for, my friends.

Until the next post…

Photo credit: Jenna Hamra

~Prodigal Mike