When You Love a Prodigal

Did you make it through the teenage years with no rebellion, no prodigalness, only to discover as your loved one reached adulthood, they rejected the faith they were raised with, and maybe even broke communication with you? What do you do when they say, “There’s no proof there is even a god.”

I think you will find some real help and hope in today’s episode with Bruce Cook, author of Follow the Evidence. In this fascinating, factual, readable book, Bruce takes readers on a cruise of discovery. He will satisfy any questions or doubts you have, and will give you realities to share when your loved one is willing to talk.

Bruce Cook is the author of three books and has been featured in interviews on CNN, CBS Evening News, ABC News, and the Wall Street Journal Radio Network. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School, he founded and served as CEO of Leadership Dynamics International and has served as the national director of Here’s Life America. He and his wife, Donna, live in Atlanta and are proud parents and grandparents.

Bruce’s Resources:

• Bruce’s Book: Follow the Evidence: What Science Reveals About the Existence of God - https://a.co/d/048HX8BC

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Follow the Evidence: judydouglass.com/giveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

Is your loved prodigal addicted? Drugs? Alcohol? Gambling? Our guest today offers a different approach for healing. Christina Dent, founder of End It for Good, advocates for approaches that prioritize life and the opportunity to thrive. She offers help and hope for families pursuing freedom and healing.

Christina’s Resources:

• Website: https://enditforgood.com/
• Christina’s Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christina_dent_end_the_war_on_drugs_for_good
• Christina’s Book: Curious: A Foster Mom’s Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction https://a.co/d/01A7Ju7p

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Curious: judydouglass.com/giveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

Loving a Prodigal can be long, exhausting and heartbreaking. Perhaps you have been there. I’ve been there. Dena Yohe has been there. And she has written a 31-day devotional book just for people like us. You will love listening in on our conversation about surprises you didn’t want, waiting well, and what if, even if.

Dena’s Resources:

• Website: https://hopeforhurtingparents.com/
• Contact us: [email protected]
• Buy Dena’s new book Strength for the Brokenhearted: https://a.co/d/03mtmEN6

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Strength for the Brokenhearted: judydouglass.com/giveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

New on the When You Love a Prodigal podcast

I am thrilled to be a grandmother—of 10 fabulous grands. I have a great desire to be a positive contributor to their growth, wisdom, and lives. I especially desire to help them not become prodigals, or if they do, to encourage them to choose to step away from that path.

Legacy Coalition is a great partner in these efforts. Legacy Coalition believes that grandparenting matters! Grandparents have so much potential to impact the youngest generations to follow Christ. And today’s podcast will be so helpful to assist grandparents in being a positive help in any prodigal journey.

Legacy Coalition:

• Website: https://legacycoalition.com/
• Register for the Legacy Grandparenting Summit: https://legacycoalition.com/summit/
• Grand Monday Nights: https://legacycoalition.com/grand-monday-nights/

Enter for a chance to win a Let’s Talk Conversation Cards set: judydouglass.com/giveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Read 7 Everyday Ways to Invest in Your Grandkids: https://bit.ly/4tGfoDO
• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

Rebroadcast of Episode 125: As you wrap up your Christmas shopping and wrapping, perhaps you would want to think of some gifts for Jesus. After all, it is His birthday we are celebrating.

I like to consider what Jesus might like from me as a birthday gift. I’ve thought of several things—I know He would appreciate these gifts from you as well.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read What Can I Give Him?: judydouglass.com/blog/what-can-i-give-him
• Read Grace for Them and for Us: judydouglass.com/blog/2014/09/grace-us
• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• Twitter: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

Rebroadcast of Episode Forty-Two: If you love a prodigal, you probably have a horror story to tell of a holiday with that loved wanderer. I certainly do, and so does Dena Yohe, co-founder of Hope for Hurting Parents, and parent of Renee, the subject of the famous To Write Love on Her Arms.

We had a fun, tearful and helpful conversation for today’s episode. Join us as we tell our stories and get from Dena some very practical help for surviving and even loving the holidays this season.

Resources:

• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3l1JPmy
• Learn more about Dena’s ministry here: https://hopeforhurtingparents.com/ and purchase her book here: https://amzn.to/3r4gc7p

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

It’s not often I interview someone who comes from Freeport, Texas, which was like a summer home for me in high school. As Justin and I talked we knew many of the same places.

And I loved his redemptive story.

He grew up in the church, chose some wrong friends, rescued by a discerning judge, a long stint in the Navy—and a guitar.

You will love his Texas accent, his story, and a hopeful future.

Justin’s Resources:

• Website: www.justingambino.com
• Stream his music: justin-gambino.lnk.to/JustLikeJesusEP

Enter for a chance to win a Just Like Jesus CD: judydouglass.com/giveaway

Judy’s Resources:

• Read Finding the Gifts in Hard Times: https://bit.ly/3KCJdDF
• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

On June 2, about 25 years ago, our prodigal, Josh, met Jesus. He was living at House of Hope, a nearby residential home for troubled teens. His house dad, Mike, loved him, prayed for him, sought to guide him into better life choices, and on June 2, 1997, he introduced our son to Jesus. That evening Mike baptized him in the nearby lake. Josh’s life changed then, and when he came home months later. He wanted to walk with God. But wrong friends and the trauma of his early life put him on a roller coaster. He would do well and make good choices for days, weeks, even months. Then down he would go for many months. The unpredictable cycle went on for 15 years.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read The Grace-full Father: https://bit.ly/3SiGkIm
• Read A Word from Josh: https://bit.ly/3ZDiH10
• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

Pamela Henkelman is a certified Empty Nest Coach, speaker, writer, and host of the Midlife Momma Podcast. With her bright smile and enthusiastic personality, she is passionate about encouraging women, particularly the often-forgotten group of moms with adult children. She has much wisdom for those whose adult children have cut off connection with them.

I loved this quote on Pamela’s Instagram: “Talk less and pray more! Lead with love!”

Pam’s Resources:

• Learn more about Pamela: https://www.pamelahenkelman.com/
• Listen to Pam’s Podcast: https://www.pamelahenkelman.com/podcast
• 10 Things Not to Say to Your Adult Children(and 5 Ways to Stop Yourself from Saying Them). Free resource: https://wandering-union-986.myflodesk.com/atrt8t373z

Judy’s Resources:

• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: x.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

This might be the most helpful episode we’ve done on this podcast.

Loving a prodigal can be like a roller coaster—the ups and downs, the unexpected turns. The dashed hopes.

In our last episode we looked at our persistent enemy—a roaring lion we know as Satan. This week we will look at what an opportunist he is, and ways we can resist him.

Judy’s Resources:

• Read The Ways of the Enemy: Opportunist: https://bit.ly/4jT5UiI
• Read The Ways of the Enemy: Counterfeit-The Way: https://bit.ly/44MzGBn
• Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ
• Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt
• Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9

Stay connected:

• Website: judydouglass.com/podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417
• Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417
• X: twitter.com/judydouglass417
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass