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The Lonely Pig Pen

Posted by Dion Todd March 30th, 2025 1,086 Views 25 Comments

The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let's eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.' Then they began to celebrate. Luke 15:21–24 WEB.

Jesus once told a story of a young man who couldn't wait to get his inheritance from his Father. When he finally received it, he traveled to a distant land. He immediately ran through his new wealth by spending it on riotous living and prostitutes. It certainly wasn't his Father's perfect will for him.

When the party was over and the money was gone, so were his new friends. The son was broke and hungry. He tried to find work but couldn't. Finally, as a last act of desperation, he took a job feeding pigs for a Gentile. Both Gentiles and pigs were considered unclean by Jews. So he had sunk as low as a Jewish man could go.

I grew up on a farm, and slopping the hogs was a daily chore. I can tell you that a pig pen is a messy place to be, and the fragrances of nature surrounding you are memorable. Hogs are not clean animals, yet, bacon is tasty when prepared properly.

Anyway, this son had now hit rock bottom. For a Jew to become a pig feeder for a despised Gentile was as low as he could descend in social status. After a while of doing this, scripture tells us that he "came to his senses." He realized that he was now broke, hungry, living by slopping the hogs, and it was his own choices that got him there.

The son remembered that the servants in his Father's house always had plenty to eat. So he decided to return home and become a servant like them. He put together a long speech about how he was no longer worthy of being called a son.

Yet, the Father saw him coming down the road and ran out to meet him. Before he could even give his speech, the Father in the story was planning a celebration and making him the guest of honor at it. The Father's heart said: "You will always be my son." The son only had to return home, for the Father's door was wide open, and he was welcome back.

Sometimes we ask God for things, and when we get it, we completely blow it. One of those "Oh my, that was stupid!" moments we wake up from. God understands, and He wants us to return to Him. His door is always open. No matter what you have done, you are welcome at His house. This story was included in the Bible for people like us. So when you come to your senses, return home to the Father. It's ok. He understands. You don't have to stay out there in the cold with the pigs.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be, Lord. Open the next door, and I will walk through it. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of interactive worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EST. Here is the link to join: RHM Live. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.

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Post from Stephanie Cusato

1 day ago


I've been distancing myself from the Lord the past several weeks. I've been mad at God for several things and felt abandoned, I just asked today for him to come in the parts of my soul that I removed him from. Forgive me abba and I am grateful for my siblings Christ in RHM. Thank you for your grace that I DO NOT deserve. Thank you abba, amen



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Comment from Stephanie Cusato

22 hours ago

Thank you all you guys, I can't wait to spent time with you all in heaven when the Lord calls us home. so grateful for this fellowship. love you all so much.


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Comment from Sylvia Todd

1 day ago

Praying for His peace, comfort and guidance, Stephanie πŸ™!


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Comment from Dion Todd

1 day ago

We all go through seasons as the son in the story did πŸ˜€. Fortunately, we can pick ourselves up and head back home! πŸ™


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Comment from Schalk de Beer

1 day ago

Amen βœοΈπŸ›


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Comment from Laura Clark

1 day ago

Praying for you, sweet sister in Christ Jesus. For these feelings He died! Hold fast to His forgiveness and love. πŸŒΌπŸ™πŸ™Œ



Post from Narciso Salas

Narciso Salas commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

1 day ago


Amen
I have been down with a cold for about 3 weeks.



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Comment from Lynn Brown

1 day ago

Hope you feel better soon, Narciso. πŸ™


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Comment from Sylvia Todd

1 day ago

Praying for healing, strength and restoration, brother πŸ™!


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Comment from Laura Clark

1 day ago

Praying for your healing. Hope you feel better soon! πŸ™


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Comment from Debi Burton

1 day ago

Sending prayers



Post from Nell Neathery

Nell Neathery commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

1 day ago


I feel and see God opening doors for me during this time of recovery since March 12. I am seeing ways to better take care of myself. I am fasting from certain things. The main fast will be complete in 40 days and nights after my surgery on March 12, fasting from not having part of my colon in my body any longer. I am leaning on the Everlasting Arms. I am spending much more quiet time in my room, so I don't get too stressed. I would rather be blessed than stressed. It has been 2 days, fasting from an unhealthy thing.

Pastor's Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be, Lord. Open the next door, and I will walk through it. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!




Post from Mari Kaufmann

Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

1 day ago


God I pray you love me and my family. Amen




Post from Madalyn Myers

Madalyn Myers commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

1 day ago


Amen




Post from Sylvia Todd

Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Good morning, y'all, happy Sunday 🌻! May you all have a restful and very blessed day! πŸ™πŸ€—πŸŒΈ



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Comment from Debi Burton

1 day ago

Good Morning to all of you! Enjoy your Blessed Sunday!



Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

2 days ago


AMEN and AMEN!!! Dear Heavenly Father, Lord God Almighty, I thank you for always having an open door!!! I choose YOU today and ask YOU to help me find a place in YOUR kingdom! Put me where YOU want me to be Lord!!! "Thy will be done"πŸ™Open the next door, and I'll walk through it with YOUR help!! In the name of Jesus Christ , I pray, AMEN!!! - And, dear Lord, as you always open new doors and make a way where there is none, please Lord, make a way, prepare a new path for both Scott and Heidi!!! You know all things and You know what's best for them, for all of us, as we presented our burdens and prayer requests to You today!! Please hear us, answer us according to Your timing, with Your everlasting loving kindness, mercy and faithfulness, in the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen and Amen!!! πŸ™



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Comment from Debi Burton

1 day ago

Amen



Post from Debi Burton

Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

1 day ago


Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be, Lord. Open the next door, and I will walk through it. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❀️🀟🏻




Post from Yvette York

Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Heavenly Father I Want To Thank You For Always Forgiving Me For My Sins You Are Always There When I Need You I Choose You Always Please Help Me Find My Place In Your Kingdom Amen Good Afternoon Everybody Have A Blessed Sunday πŸ˜€




Post from Bella Colliander

2 days ago


Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me and always being with me; even when I didn't realize it. Thank you for welcoming me back. In Jesus name, Amen!πŸ™πŸ’–πŸ•ŠοΈ



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Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

2 days ago

β€οΈπŸ€—πŸ™


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Comment from Valeri Frank

2 days ago

Amen! πŸ™πŸΌπŸ•ŠοΈ



Post from Jackie Tipton

Jackie Tipton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen ❀️




Post from Wesley Paulus

Wesley Paulus commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen!




Post from Marisa Jackson

Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen πŸ™ β€οΈβ€οΈπŸ™!!




Post from Celeste Strenn

Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


AmenπŸ₯°




Post from Wanda Pennington

2 days ago


Amen and Amen πŸ™πŸ™




Post from Raju Williams

Raju Williams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen.πŸ™πŸ™




Post from Kay Collinsworth

2 days ago


Amen




Post from Elena Vasquez

Elena Vasquez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen




Post from Gloria Nebarez

Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Yes Lord, open the next door in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Jesus.




Post from Mark Williams

Mark Williams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be, Lord. Open the next door, and I will walk through it. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.




Post from Brenda F

Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen




Post from Dana Rozell

Dana Rozell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen!




Post from Valeri Frank

Valeri Frank commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Amen!πŸ™πŸΌπŸ•ŠοΈ




Post from Schalk de Beer

Schalk de Beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lonely Pig Pen

2 days ago


Yes Abba Father, I pray all this in Jesus's holy name, amen.





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