Prodigal Thinker

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 Mike . You are prayed for and loved, my friends.

HEALTH ISSUES

Aaron M – recovering from motorcycle accident

Charles B – upcoming treatments

Christy H – biopsy scheduled for 02/17 – then specialist

Cord Q – heart issues

Dennis B – multiple health issues

Harald C – multiple health issues

Horace C – multiple health issues

Ilene W – multiple health issues

James & Diane B – multiple health issues

James P – another foot surgery 02/18

Joan M – multiple health issues

Juanita – COVID with high fever

Kim O – Surgery on leg/foot

Nelda U – multiple health issues

Ryan M – recovery from motorcycle accident

LIFE SITUATIONS

Felisha G – passing of grandfather

Bailey family – Still dealing with passing of Darrell

UNSPOKEN REQUESTS

Alice B

Shirley R

Ted & Nelda G

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.

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm."

Proverbs 13:20 (NRSV)

PRODIGAL THOUGHTS: This verse reminds me of the old adage, "Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future." I’m not really sure who coined the phrase, but it is a simple truth. If I am permitted, we could change up the words a little and it would speak directly to those who desire to follow Jesus. "Whoever seeks to be like Jesus becomes holy, but the lover of the world suffers harm." Notice that the verse does not say those who walk with the wise never have struggles. We learn to become wise by living the example of Jesus, remaining in constant communication, and by reading the word of God. We have to maintain our surrender to God’s will. Will difficult times come? Absolutely! But those who are walking with God and learning His ways, will be able to navigate (by God’s leading) through those difficult times and will look for God’s presence throughout the struggle. Whether we are aware or not, we so desperately need our heavenly Father…and not just on Sundays. We need His presence in our lives every! single! day! Will you join in on this journey?

Need prayer? You can reply here. If this encourages you, feel free to share it. Feel free to reply with feedback as well. I’m always open to discussion.

God’s grace on you…

Photo credit: John Nail

"We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another."

1 JOHN 3:16 (NRSV)

PRODIGAL THOUGHTS: What if this verse was all you had to share with someone who doesn’t know Jesus? If we didn’t have any other written words of the bible, how would you explain the gospel of Jesus Christ? For me, just using this one verse as a snapshot, it tells me that we never experience true, life-changing love until we begin to understand and live out the example of Jesus by sacrificing our lives for others. It is out of the giving that we are then refilled with love. That might be stretching the intent of the verse a bit, but when you read the other verses in 1 John, it makes sense. I know that I have been loved by my parents, my family, and friends. I know that I’m loved by my wife and my kids. That being said, God’s love is life-giving. When we are loved correctly by others, we are encouraged, given guidance (as needed), and are willing to do our best. But when God loves you, and you REALLY know that you are loved by the God of the universe, EVERYTHING changes! You aren’t just encouraged…you are empowered. You aren’t just given guidance…you are given a purpose and desire to follow God’s path. You aren’t just willing to do your best…you are willing to surrender your life for a life lived in servitude to Jesus Christ. Are you ready to live a life like that? A life laid down for your friends or even strangers for that matter. Join me on the journey…

Need prayer? You can reply here. If this encourages you, feel free to share it. Feel free to reply with feedback as well. I’m always open to discussion.

God’s grace on you…

Photo credit: Shamia Casiano

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 Mike . You are prayed for and loved, my friends.

HEALTH ISSUES

Charles B – beginning chemo treatments soon

Charles – possible cancerous growth on eyelid, blind in other eye

Harold C – health concerns with older age

Ilene W – health concerns with older age

James P – health issues with diabetes and healing of leg/foot after surgery

Troy M – Just diagnosed with COVID-Omicron

LIFE SITUATIONS

Chuck’s family – wife passed away, was main caretaker of their special needs daughter

DeVine family – passing of my uncle-in-law

Woelk family – was killed along with his wife and son in his home

UNSPOKEN REQUESTS

Amanda F

Andrea P

Aumie D

Ayesha W
Christina A

CJ I

Darryl J

Donna M

Karina Y

Melisa A

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.

"As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully."

2 TIMOTHY 4:3 (NRSV)

PRODIGAL THOUGHTS: Sure, the apostle Paul was writing to Timothy, a younger pastor that was like a son to Paul, but these words of encouragement and guidance are still applicable for us today. You see, you don’t have to be a pastor of a church in order to tell the world about Jesus. We are all called to do that in Matthew 28 in the Great Commission. We all have been challenged to go out and teach others about Jesus and making disciples. That is your ministry!!! One thing we all need to understand is God desires our obedience through love. The more we spend time in His presence, get to know Him, and surrender our lives to His heart, the more our lives will be changed for the good. Others will be able to see the changes, so we can share about our holy relationship with others. (Sharing the gospel!) Sometimes sharing the gospel looks like a follower of Jesus just taking the time to listen to someone who is brokenhearted and comfort them. We can do that by being spiritually aware of those around us. How do we do that? Be willing to be clear-minded. There is more to being sober than steering away from alcohol, tobacco, or other things of the sort. We need to be asking God throughout each day to show you or to bring to your attention those that need His love and grace. When the opportunity presents itself, we take it.

What are some other things we can do to actively carry out the ministry that God has called us to?

Need prayer? You can reply here. If this encourages you, feel free to share it. Feel free to reply with feedback as well. I’m always open to discussion.

God’s grace on you…

Photo credit: Rodolfo Clix

As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

HEBREWS 3:15 (NRSV)

Prodigal Thoughts: Can you hear that? Are you listening for it? While in college studying music, I learned the beauty of silence. Why? Because the silence is just as important as the music being played. Without the silence, the music could come off as just constant noise. Here is another way to think of it. When you are trying to listen for something, typically we try to become silent and still so we can hear clearly. So, how do we listen with our hearts? I mean, our hearts are made to circulate our blood and oxygen…not hear things. That’s what our ears are for. Notice the words chosen by the writer here, but start at the end of the verse. The first thing I think of when I read or hear the word rebellion is loud and chaotic. If we allow ourselves/our hearts to be open and still, not focused on the chaos or movement around us, perhaps we can hear clearly the voice that is calling out to us. What are some ways you still yourself? Is there something you do that helps you be more aware of God’s voice?

Need prayer? You can reply here. If this encourages you, feel free to share it. Feel free to reply with feedback as well. I’m always open to discussion.

God’s grace on you…

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio

Prodigal Mike~

Mike
Prodigal Thinker Blog

"The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it…"

Psalms 24:1 (NRSV)

Odd title for a Verse of the Day post, right? I mean, what does that even mean? It was one of the first things that popped into my brain. That’s usually how I get the subject line for these things, only today, as odd as this title sounds, I’m not going to change it like I normally would. I digress.

That collection of letters and dashes is a word-mash-up of All Of It. Everything! Todo! That’s right. EVERYTHING belongs to our heavenly Father. Think about that for a moment. He spoke the earth and all of it’s coverings into being. He spoke and all things that were not human were created. As for the humans, He spent the time to create us, form us as He wanted us to be more carefully detailed so we could be made in His image. Now, while Adam and Eve were formed by hand, the rest of us were knit together in our mothers’ wombs. Why do you think David took the time to write this psalm? Maybe he was just taking some time to praise the very One who made him. This leads me to think about just how much of my heart/life that I allow Jesus to have freedom to move.

Your thoughts???

Need prayer? You can reply here or you can send me a Facebook message through the Prodigal Thinker page. If this encourages you, feel free to share it. Feel free to reply with feedback as well. I’m always open to discussion.

God’s blessings to you, my family

Photo credit: Aksonsat Uanthoeng

Prodigal Mike~

Prodigal Thinker Blog

@ProdigalThinkerBlog on FB

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 me a message through Facebook. You are prayed for and loved, my friends.

HEALTH ISSUES

Ben C. – COVID positive

Buzz D. – Intense back pain – insurance hesitant to provide MRI

Gallett family – COVID positive

Harold C. – Health concerns & change in living situation

Ilene W. – Health concerns

LIFE SITUATIONS

Judy and the Bailey family as they are grieving the loss of my friend Darrell.

UNSPOKEN REQUESTS

Bryan

Marla

Michael

Tiffany

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.

Greetings and Happy New Year to you all!

Here’s a question for you. Have you ever started something that is overall a good thing, but over time, you made it so complicated and demanding that you felt pressured? No? So, just me then.

For me, I think the year 2021, in a lot of ways, I pushed myself to add as much automation in order to try to make life as easy as possible to keep organized and stay on track. Well, it was a nice try, but let me tell you that I learned that what I really wanted to accomplish was to simplify my life, not make it more complicated with processes. In my attempt to "do more" in the same amount of time and effort, I soon became overwhelmed and defeated.

So what is new for 2022? The jury is still out on that, but a more simplified approach is what I hope for.

I pray for each of you and hope that God’s presence in your lives is overwhelming your spirit.

Until the next Prodigal Thoughts…

Prodigal Mike~

Prodigal Thinker Blog

@ProdigalThinkerBlog on FB

"he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake." (NRSV)

Prodigal Thoughts: Just take a moment and look at that graphic if you will. It seems peaceful when you look at the whole picture, but imagine if you were having to journey over and through those mountains. It is easy for us to look at a snapshot like this and assume that everything is beautiful. If you are on a difficult path, what you are going through may not be visible to everyone else. Are there loggers clearing massive amounts of trees just on the other side of the mountain? Perhaps nature is trying to recover from a recent wildfire that we cannot see. I’m not trying to talk in riddles. My point is that not everyone is okay. To the outsider, life may seem wonderful on the outside, but there are some who are going through hellish times. I’m so thankful that God is always with us. He is the only one that we can completely depend on at all times. He can restore our souls. He will lead us on the right path as long as we are remaining surrendered to Him. That doesn’t mean that life will be all rainbows and butterflies. Life will be what it is. What we can do is respond in a way that is honoring God. Take the Serenity Prayer, for example. "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." I try to remind myself of this prayer very often. Perhaps it could help you as well.

Prayer for today: Father, I thank You for loving us the way You do. I thank You that You are always with us and are close enough to our hearts to feel the hurts and pains we experience. I pray that we would come to know You in an intimate/close way so that we can finally begin to understand just how much You love us and how much more You desire to deepen our relationship with You. I love You, Papa. Amen.

Need prayer? You can reply here or you can send me a facebook message through the Prodigal Thinker page. If this encourages you, feel free to share it. Feel free to reply with feedback as well. I’m always open to discussion.

God’s grace on you…

Photo credit: Eberhard Grossgasteiger

—
Prodigal Mike ~Mike
Prodigal Thinker Blog

@ProdigalThinkerBlog on FB