Write My Answer On A Billboard Large And Clear

~ I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon.
I'll wait to see what God says ~ Habakkuk 2:1-2
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Dec 27, 2009

Let the Stranger Speak



Harry Anderson, Artist
(C) Review and Hearld

There is a stranger in the council hall
Where nations meet to plan the peace again.
He sits unnoticed by the farther wall,
His eyes upon the leaders among men.
His ears attend their clearly laid designs
For living in tomorrow's homes and marts,
As though beneath their spoken words and lines
He hears the inner voices of their heqrts.
But when the delegates of all the world
Have cried their million wants, and lists are long,
And after blueprints, charts, and plans are hurled
In varied protest at the core of wrong,
He is our HOPE; He is the PEACE we seek.
O listen World, and let the stranger speak!

-Author Unknown

Psalm 1: 1-41 NIV

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 2: 1-12 NIV

1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.
3 "Let us break their chains," they say,
"and throw off their fetters."
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 "I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill."
7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
He said to me, "You are my Son ;
today I have become your Father.
8 Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will rule them with an iron scepter;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Patrina
princess warrior

Dec 21, 2009

BEHOLD The Source of all JOY


Come Close ....
Let His Love Touch You


Draw Near
And Behold
The Source of All Joy

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
John 1: 29

May the Christ of Christmas
quiet you with the warmth of His Love.
May it cover you,
as a freshly fallen blanket of snow
covers His earth.
I pray that His PEACE
settles in your spirit
as He rejoices over you with singing.

"The Lord your God is with you
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you.
He will quiet you with His love.
He will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 5:17


Christmas Blessings on you all !!

Patrina <")>><
Princess Warrior

Dec 19, 2009

Silent - Holy Night





This picture caught my attention years ago. Saw it somewhere online and copied it to remember the stirrings that it awakened in me. Forgive me, I do not know who to credit for this image.

At first glance, I’m awestruck at the beauty of this framed pose. It’s a Christmas blanket of blessing all wrapped up in the purity of the moment - the untouched beauty of freshly fallen snow.

As I pondered it, I was pulled in different directions. This pose tells a story. There are probably as many stories as there are people looking at it right now. I wrote some prose to try and describe the deeper view that stirred within me.

Silent Night - Holy Night

It’s a simple solitary moment.
An intolerant North wind
dances glitter across my chin.
The mind abducts the body's chill,
from the cold, wet winter air,
as snowballs float in front of me.

I find myself desiring to free
Snowman from his winter post.
His amber heart beckons me.
He tries but fails to loose himself,
from those lines that keep him
tethered to the ground.

The unkind elements
Persuade him to submit,
to a force beyond his control.
His head droops in humble fashion,
at the winds’ mindless intent -
to wrestle him to the ground.

He’d relinquish to one -
But the other won’t give in.
Yet, he stands with purpose,
in winter’s solace playground;
amber heart aglow -
for those wanting to see.

His street side arena -
larger than his owner’s shack,
sports two empty chairs
hostage to the blowing snow.
Snowman stands un-noticed.
His struggles go un-seen

"He’s just another snowman"
someone says to me.
But can’t you see his light inside?
His amber heart aglow?
He stands to herald Christmas
even battling the snow.

He stands for Christmas Love;
For family and friends;
He stands content to wait,
and comes to life on Christmas night,
to celebrate the lowly birth,
of Jesus Christ our King.

His amber heart glows brighter,
with his mindful purpose near -
to herald Christmas Blessings,
in remembrance of Christ's birth-
on that silent, Holy night,
when God revealed His Son.
Copyright Dec 19 - 2009 ~ Warrior Bride ~Patrina <")>><

Happy Birthday JESUS!



Artist Penny Parker

Even Santa must kneel
to the King of all Kings

Psalm 2
Patrina
Warrior Bride in boots

Nov 24, 2009

The Encounter

I met a man last night – actually, I believe it was early this morning! I was out taking a stroll and there he was. He too has a passion for God and relationship. He is a blessed and gifted man. He walks with God.

Our chance encounter was brief - It was late – or early. However, I learned that he is a family man – a son, a husband and a sensitive, wise father. His soul captures images of life and God’s creation, and beautifully weaves them into a tapestry of word pictures.

Today, I choose to honor this stranger, who calls himself " Rinaldo" - this husband, father, and servant - for honoring me, with my first connection on The Bridge. It may have just been happenstance that I arrived at the gateway of his gifted passions. But it was he that removed the key to let me see. The connection came when he responded in like kindness and visited me - right here - on my bridge. This humble, talented man who lives “down under” - in Australia - made a choice to cross over – to connect - for a brief moment last night – or early morning on The Bridge.


This is the power of The Bridge. It is a cross over. A connection. A blessing. A journey. It’s encouragement – empowerment – meaningful conversation and understanding. It’s a priceless gift that offers lasting relationships. It is like in my favorite movie “Paying it Forward”. You offer up a few kind words, draw a word picture, paint a story, extend a smile or a thankful heart – to someone you’ve never met – and probably never will.

It’s a simple act of kindness to let them know that you noticed. They matter. They are valuable. They are gifted, and they are a blessing. When you take the time to bless a perfect stranger – those blessings can multiply, and find their way right back to you ! I am richer for my brief encounter with Rinaldo. His response to my spoken kindness, returned to me 7-fold. The journey begins. My next appearance at his gate won’t be pure happenstance. We have a proven path and standing invitations. We are welcome – any time – day or night. And so, that makes us FRIENDS!

You may visit Rinaldo @

may you too be blessed by his giftedness.

HOPE TO CONNECT WITH YOU TOO -
on my next stroll across..... The Bridge.


image by meganchrist - photobucket
Patrina
warrior bride in boots

Nov 13, 2009

The Broken Ones



This is a song on Guy Penrods CD "breathe deep". The original song is sung by Lauren Talley from the Talley Trio.



I love it because it reminds me of the time when Amy, from my daughter's "little women" doll collection, fell on the tile floor by the coal stove and broke her head. She was convinced that Amy could never be put together again & most certainly she would never be the same. But I assured her that Amy would be good as new after I got through with her. She just needed a little "operation".

My daughter loved her more,
because of her brokenness -
not just in spite of it!


She has always loved the broken ones! Just like her mama, we were made that way. Hard as we may try - desperate sometimes to just be normal - wanting to quiet the nudging of the Holy Spirit with in us, because we're too tired or too broken ourselves....

BUT we are first of all, children of the KING and "aint nothing or nobody" going to take that away from us! We were called to bring healing to the broken ones. Because of HIS shed blood for us, we too were redeemed from our own brokenness - and now we shine - no longer a diamond in the rough. Because of His willing heart and gentle touch, we now shine so that others might see what Christ has done in us, and longs to also do in them.


We are all broken -
in need of a willing heart
and a gentle touch.


The heart cry of the nations is to belong. I'm so thankful for my family. We belong to each other - not as a possession - but as an eternal heart song. And the Lord too rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) - for we belong to the family of God.

I dedicate my very first blog - ever - and my first "post", to my daughter, Kristina, my first-born. She has grown into a beautiful sensitive woman - a pastor's wife. How fitting that she would be called to that honorable position. God knew what He had planned for her life, before she was even born. "Operation Amy" was part of His plan to grow her in that direction.

Like Jeremiah, God knew her before she was even formed in her mother's womb. Jer 1:4 reads, 


“The word of the LORD
came to me, saying,”
and Jer 1:5,
“Before I formed you
in the womb I knew you,
before you were born
I set you apart;
I appointed you
as a prophet to the nations."


Continuing in Jeremiah 29:11
the Lord speaks saying,
"For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you
and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope
and a future."

This one thing I know for sure; we are most content when we are walking in God’s purpose for our life. It is the ultimate BELONGING!

I wish that secure feeling for you - the ultimate feeling of BELONGING. May you feel hugged by the wholeness of God.



Patrina
Warrior Bride in boots

"HEAR The Word of The Lord"

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He is the LORD, The 'I AM' over our yesterdays ~ our today ~ our tomorrow

Elohim: The All-Powerful Creator

Jehovah: The Self-Revealing One

Adonai: The Owner of All

Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Who Provides

El Shaddai: The Almighty Sufficient One

El Elion: The Most High Ruler

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord’s Banner of Victory

Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Our Peace

Jehovah Mekadesh: The Lord Who Sanctifies

Jehovah Rophe: The Lord Who Heals

Jehovah Tsikenu: The Lord My Righteousness

Jehovah Robi: The Lord My Shepherd

Immanuel: God With Us