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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Apr 7, 2013

GOD USES SOCIAL MEDIA....




Don't Give Up On God...

He can make a Way

Where there is no other way...



FAITH IS THE CURRENCY OF HEAVEN

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6"

~ Blessings for obedience...


"And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God...the LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 28:2, 8, NKJV).

90 MILLION AMERICANS EXIT LABOR FORCE...



This was Friday's Headline....1 day after I finally enter the labor force again ...after being unemployed for the last 16 months! That Headline just hit me....as I heard in my spirit...

"and yet the DOOR was opened unto you!"


YEAH GOD!

I had even stopped looking for a job
in this vast world of unemployment
I wasn't losing HOPE...
I was gaining TRUST in God

NOOOOO...


I didn't receive unemployment insurance

I didn't receive food stamps or food bank

I didn't receive gov. housing assistance

I didn't receive gov. welfare of any kind

I didn't ask a soul for food or money

GOD IS MY PROVIDER 

Over and over...He has proven this by causing me to be the LENDER rather than the BORROWER. If I have no money to lend...I offer my time and talents. This has been a life experience for me...I learned the FAITHFULNESS of GOD ...from His PROVISION for my Preacher Daddy and our family. We were always poor...from a worldly point of view. But oh how RICH we were in the HANDS of the LIVING LORD.  

"Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest." Deut 23:19

"You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess."  Deut 23:20

"The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none."  Deut 28:12

BUT I DID....


Accept 2 friend's offer for shelter when I had none.
Both were kind enough to open their doors -
allowing me to 'regroup' -
after spending 2 1/2 years in isolation -
as dad's 24/7 caregiver.


GOD CAN USE BLOGGER...

and Bloggers....

for His good



 image from ongoingissues.wordpress.com


The only Social Media I use is Blogger...I've been on Blogger 3 1/2 years. It was God that nudged me in this direction...late at night back in 09. I'm reminded still...of how He gently walked me into this world of WORDS and FRIENDSHIPS. I didn't even have a Google account at that point. I didn't know what a blog was. All I knew was email and the web.

I chose my domain name as www.psalm45-1.com ...because I knew He had gifted me with the desire to write way back when I was a teen. But I didn't wait long enough to hear from Him or my domain and blog title would be the same. He chose the name of my BLOG right after I had purchased the domain.  'A Pencil In The Hand of God'. 

Mewww ?.... a pencil in the hand of GOD?? I was way to fragile of mind and emotion to ever think of myself as anything...in the HAND of GOD. Used by God...but HELD by GOD? I was so intimidated by His bold chose... that it took me a month to write my first post. God chose my header photo too ...which is why it never changes over time. He chose my blogger profile as the hand of the man who taught me about God...Jesus...and the Holy Spirit...my dear Daddy.

I live a sheltered life...still.

SHELTERED in the Arms of God!


He had a plan! God always has a plan. He will make a way...when there is no other way....because He can...and because He cares. He has walked me through some things that I knew nothing about...to get me where He wanted me to go. I have walked through most of them ...in FEAR.  Im walking into this new thing with some reservations that could be labeled FEAR too...but GOD is always beside me...even in my FEAR. He's walked me through life...even when I wasn't looking for HELP!...because He cares.

I'm no one special. 

He can do the same for YOU

 

 image from kntrlr.com

 As I stated earlier, I do not have accounts with

Craigslist; Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Google+; YouTube; etc....

I ONLY USE BLOGGER ....because it was His plan.


 


BUT GOD ....uses more than BLOGGER!



He sold my car on Craigslist 
while I lived in AR


He found my condo on Craigslist
when I moved back home


And Now... He has found me a job ...
through Facebook !!

GOD USES SOCIAL MEDIA TOO!...

 image from Forbes.com

 









 So ..to repeat myself........

DON'T GIVE UP ON GOD!
He can make a Way
Where there is no other way...

Its not enough to KNOW God...
He wants us to BELIEVE
that He is who He says that He is!
That His PROMISES are TRUE
That He CARES about me and YOU!


"Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Me and I will direct your paths." Prov 3:5-6
~ Your Heavenly Father


This new position is more of a MINISTRY
than a monetary GAIN for me...
an exercise in OBEDIENCE -
an exercise in TRUST


A  moving away from ...
my familiar and SAFE
my own COMFORT
my own UNDERSTANDING

OBSTACLES that dictate my future

I'm choosing to move forward until the UNKNOWN becomes KNOWN


This is just one more example of HIS TRUTH...HIS PROMISES... to them that love GOD...He will never ever leave us or forsake us. He alone... is our PROVIDER. All the riches of HEAVEN and EARTH...are in HIS HANDS. He is the GIVER of all good and right things.


"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8

PLEASE ...will you take a moment to share
how God has used social media in your life.
I'd love to hear your story.


Thanks for visiting and picking up the pencil.

PATRINA


20 comments:

  1. I don't watch TV [not for the last 7 years] but I guess if God can use a donkey to speak blessing rather than curses - He can use anyone and anything to bring about His plan. I only do Blogger as well so if this is considered part of the 'social media' then it's what God used to introduce me to YOU, Patrina! What a blessing our friendship even though miles apart - has been for the last 4+ years or so!

    Choosing JOY, Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed! Stephanie... what a JOY it has been...the friendships I've made are priceless. They are blessings from far away lands... They will sustain us throughout the rest of our journey HOME.

      haha... a donkey? yes...if He can make a Donkey speak... He can use anyone and anything...to accomplish His will.

      I like that!

      thank you so much for visiting...and for your beautiful...faithful friendship..

      HUGS...my far away friend

      Patrina <")>><

      Numbers 22:26-28
      Balaam’s Donkey

      26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

      (note to readers..the entire story of this donkey is found in Numbers 22... read it for your yourselves...)

      Delete
  2. PS:
    Get your wings ready - because Christ will soon return for us and we will fly away into the air with Him - being 'caught up' for the rapture. We'll be gone with Him [together I might add] for at least 7 years - then we will return with Him [as the Scripture says in Revelation 17:14] when His feet touch down on the Mount of Olives and He sets up His Kingdom to rule and reign on the earth.
    So--- saddle up your horses, girl! I know you have your wedding dress on and your cowgirls boots under the lace! You'll soon get the desire of your heart - to ride a horse and be with Jesus! There ain't nothing better === except maybe a dance with my JESUS in the snow on a sunshine!

    Keep looking to the clouds and listen for that trumpet sound! It's coming any day now!

    Choosing JOY with Great Expectation,
    Stephanie
    Psalm 126

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Music to my ears...that trumpet sound will be! Oh Lord...my strength and shield.. how much longer must we tarry?

      You got my number girl! Boots on and ready to ride! Oh Yeah!

      He is
      My Beloved
      I am
      His warrior Bride in boots!

      Patrina <")>><

      1 Cor 15:52
      "in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

      Delete
  3. Yes, I agree, God can and does use Blogger and other social media.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nita,
      just visited your place...what an awesome story of faith, hope, and love...

      Thank you so much for visiting and picking up the pencil. May your health flourish with the new-ness of spring like weather. (at least its here in my part of the world:)

      Patrina

      May you be healed in Jesus name..

      Luke 4:40
      At sunset all who had friends suffering from any illness brought them to Him, and He laid His hands on them all, one by one, and cured them

      Delete
  4. Absolutely beautiful post inspired, I know, by the Holy Spirit within you. I don't know if I have told you this before but I too was brought into the blog world by the Lord. After my 'lighthouse' vision in Australia shortly after I became born again we returned to the UK, to the North of England. I wanted to get up on a table in the street and tell everyone about the beautiful Saviour in my life, but felt I did not have the ability to convince. I suddenly started writing poems, one of which contained my desires, and I believe the Lord's answer to me. This poem ended 'and when you've learnt your Father's ways, each day to you revealed - then you too will show the world just how My love is sealed.' Each time I wrote a poem I opened my Bible and there was a verse highlighted to me which confirmed the words contained in that particular poem. To cut a very long story short, in an amazing way I was led to blogging, knowing nothing about the Internet, and as I sat down to compose my first post the words of the poem 'then you too will show the world' came out of the blue into my mind, and I realized that the Internet is accessible to the whole world.
    Every word of God proves true and my trials for thirty years have been mainly in sicknesses, but also in finances and He has kept me in both up to now. I believe that every word of God proves true if we wait upon that word coming to fruition. Two scriptures the Lord gave me when I first came to Him were 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding' and 'take every thought captive bringing it into obedience to Christ'. I could go on for ever, but I thank you for the encouragement you have shown on your posts. God bless you abundantly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brenda,

      I love your stories of faith and your strong testimony.

      'and when you've learnt your Father's ways, each day to you revealed - then you too will show the world just how My love is sealed.'

      I dare say too...that the Lord is using your testimony on your page...to encourage us in the Lord. I enjoy not only your personal posts...and all your awesome poems, but also your comments to your readers.

      The fun of blogging...to me...is finding relationships all over the world.. friendships that may never be blessed by actual face to face interaction... but friends true and true. The blessings are forever...

      Thank you so much for visiting and picking up the pencil to share your story.... sharing with the world...just how His LOVE is sealed! God is faithful!

      hugs
      patrina <")>><


      Deut 7:9
      Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

      Delete
  5. WOW! WOW! *giving you a standing ovation for this post and a so much love HUG* Thank you! Thank you so much! .....right now, am short of words because I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness to GOD and you.
    Yes, HE is always there.....always there meeting our needs and taking our burden and anxieties on HIS shoulder....HE is JEHOVAH SHAMMAH!
    GOD BLESS YOU my dear friend and warrior bride in boots! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SM,
      Thank you for the LOVE! I love your cyber hugs! If we should never meet this side of heaven..My online friendship with you will continue to last and last and last... you have become an awesome friend..and fellow lover of JESUS our LORD. It was through blogging that the Lord brought us together...way way back in the beginning...when He spoke a word of prayer for you...and I wrote it in the comments over at 'LIGHTALAMP'. I had never even seen your blogger profile or blog at that point....and the REST of the story is history!

      Whew! He is such an awesome God! His mercies indeed endure forever and ever. Honored to be in your circle of friends... my Americanized Nigerian friend! Now that your not soooo far away....as in a total different country...maybe God will someday have us meet face to face... before the rapture :)) I sure could use one of your big hugs...with skin on :)

      {{{{hugs}}}}}
      patrina <")>><

      psalm 85:10
      Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other

      Delete
  6. Through blogging I wanted to write about Him through my work and sometimes life's experiences. What I learn spiritually with hope to inspire or encourage others. Little did I know...God blessed me with many prayer warrior friends. As work had discriminated me against my disability, it is God Who continues to provide and help me endure. Whatever those people sitting in high positions had planned, it backfired. When they demoted me to Per Diem from being a regular employee, they can't force me now to work the days/ shifts they had me worked before. I have the option now to work when I want to. They can't do anything because it was their decision. The worst thing...many nurses left. Those who applied, no one had passed their background checks yet. They keep calling me to work when they demoted me in the first place. Now God gave me the advantage to say 'no' if I don't want to...

    But the harder thing I need to do was to forgive and not rejoice in this calamity ay work. Through a couple of years going through this storm, God had shown me He truly never leaves us nor forsake us. His provisions are endless but much more, like what you said, what riches we have in Him! I was angry at first when this happened only to be strengthened and comforted by Him. I know...anyone can take everything I have...that will be okay because I will always have Him...Thank you for your wonderful testimony of His goodness. Savoring His true promises you wrote as I read them. May you always be strong in the Lord's mighty power! To Him be the glory forever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RECUBEs

      I certainly remember the ordeal at work. it began while I was yet in AR with dad. It was a big deal... but I am so thankful that the Lord has walked you through it! And that blessings have been bestowed on you because of your faithfulness to the Lord who reigns in authority over this world.

      Your testimony and your presence on the web shines HIS light to the faithfulness of God and yes, that He never ever leaves those that love Him.

      Thankful that He has made you stronger in this fight for justice.

      Blessings to you and your family..
      Patrina <")>><

      Psalm 40:10

      I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

      Delete
  7. What an utterly affirmed post, Patrina! I am so excited about this new chapter for you; and for what God has planned for a time such as this.

    I have made some amazing friends on Blogger, too. It's been fun, encouraging, challenging, inspiring and something akin to cyber-church. Even now I am blessed to carry the prayer burdens of several, even as many have carried my own over the years.

    Bless you, sister. Can't wait for the update!

    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleeen

      'cyber-church'... i like that :) community that stretches from continent to continent!
      Amazing isn't it? What a reunion it will be in heaven when each others faces we shall see!!

      Definitely...a lot of prayer warriors in this cyber-church. I feel blessed by the prayers of others, and honored to be asked to pray for others.

      Definitely a new chapter...a new season. I have put in my first 3 days at work and survived! :) It will get easier. The JOY of the Lord is my strength.

      Blessings, Kathleen
      patrina

      1 Tim 2:1
      I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

      Delete
  8. The Lord has used BLOGGING to show me the world .... that can be negative, but positive. I was introduced by a friend to blogging in Sept of 2008. I still love it and hope to expand what He desires in it. By being able to search, read, share and discern what the world out there is thinking in areas of the US or WORLD has been eye opening .... but at the same time it has shown me where and what to pray for! It has ultimately shown me that GOD is a constant for me and that He is above it all and involved more than we can know.... but He uses us to connect and to be connected to His will to build the Kingdom. Blogging is like a visit with someone's heart and you can connect or comment or just pray for them! When I write, sometimes it is HIM writing so spontaneously what He needs to say to touch someone.....but sometimes I write, WANTING it to be Him and it comes out more ME....and it never touches like when it is all HIM!! So if I am not writing often, then I must be dry and not reading His word or in His groove, if you know what I mean.....we know when that is and sometimes just being STILL WITH HIM is enough and not to write! But Social Media has connected people that need encouragement from one another, especially those who don't want to go out physically to connect....but can be encouraged instantly without getting ready to go out or even brushing their teeth! I just thought of that because the first thing I want to do at times early is go to blogger to see what everyone is up to!! I have found fabulous written thoughts with God's hand in it to help my soul soar....and I am thankful for those who are obedient to write His words..... like you, Patrina! The sharing of pain is also key in encouraging others....Ann Voskamp quoted this.... "You can't escape pain....you can only pass pain on, or nail it to a CROSS"...and love how you share the pain and how God takes it and molds you....we need to hear that. Then another quote...."Laughter can rise like a resurrection..." Sometimes I can laugh out loud reading a blog..... no one watching .... or cry.... and it is like medicine for my soul!! That is why I don't care for FACEBOOK or other things, but love the BLOGGING. I am sort of a person who prefers to be alone at times and blogging keeps me normal!! It also gives me avenues to get to know others and their interests and tie it into my FAITH!! I love my BLOG friends that correspond back and forth when they can...we'll meet someday too!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sherry,

      I like what you said about blogging..."Blogging is like a visit with someone's heart and you can connect or comment or just pray for them!" Exactly....I don't always get to comment, as I just read on my device as I have time... but it keeps me connected and in tune with every ones lives and hearts...and oh yes, gives me a constant and living prayer life...

      "blogging keeps me normal!! " i smiled at this one...'normal'...what is normal anyway? Not certain, but I would bet that more people Facebook then blog... I thot blogging was abnormal...or at least of the beaten path...of most people. At least it always seems to me that I'm going against what most everyone else is already heavily into... I'm not a rebel against technology....just like to keep my life simple.

      However, as everyone should know by now...I blog because I like the relational interaction between my readers and me. If i didn't...I'd close the comments and just write. I'd get a whole lot more posting done...but I'd miss the whole point of blogging...in my opinion. I'd miss the opportunity of community!

      Facebook touts 'community'....each has a different function. Everyone I know that talks about their facebook community...is a sharing of photos...and quotes and quips and one liners... or a link...family to family friend to friend...keeping up to date with what's happening daily in each others lives. It has its function.

      As I stated, I don't have a facebook account. But it seems to have taken the place of inviting family and friends 'physically'... into your homes...for a contemplative cup of coffee....Blogging offers and welcomes this kind of contemplative conversation. Facebook doesn't offer the same platform....or should I say...it is not the accepted norm.

      I've said it before on this blog...BALANCE is everything. Most of our lives are out of balance with all this technology. So... I choose to write when I feel like sharing what's on my heart...or my sleeve if that's the case. I reach beyond myself to connect to those that have become my community of friends and prayer warriors. I comment when I'm static for a dedicated period... to let others know that I'm still here and they are never far from my thots.

      Like you, I love encouraging those in my community. And its really cool when you hear that something you've experienced and wrote about...has encouraged someone else. Blogging allows for that. It's like a revolving shower of blessings....from my house to yours :)

      I'll be seeing you at yours...soon :) keep the door open for me!

      hugs
      patrina <")>><

      1 Thessalonians 5:11
      Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


      Delete
  9. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. For far too long, it consumed me, drained me, was too important to me. It took me a long time to draw some boundaries around it all. That being said, the main draw for me has been the many wonderful new friends I've made and the ministry opportunities afforded to me because of my presence on the web. I've also been greatly ministered to by so many of you!

    I admire your faith in God as your provider. I've been challenged as of late along these lines. God is faithful. He's always provided for us.

    Blessings, sister.

    ~elaine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elaine,

      I echo your heart here..."the main draw for me has been the many wonderful new friends I've made and the ministry opportunities afforded to me because of my presence on the web. I've also been greatly ministered to by so many of you!"

      AMEN!

      I am so blessed by your testimony of faith...your testing and trial with cancer...has been an open invitation to sit with you in your pain ...and transition. What a light in the darkness your words have been to many...me included. You are so real! I can reach out and touch you in this cyber-church, as Kathleen called it. No one else....has invited us to have breakfast on the beach...with Jesus...none but you! I will never forget your invitation. You brought Jesus back to earth for me....at a time when I was feeling the need to be HELD by His unobtrusive embrace.

      God's got you on a journey...for sure. Isn't it comforting to know that we never walk alone! And that's the thing with blogging...we know who walks with us....they visit...they listen...they care..they pray.... COMMUNITY!

      God is indeed Faithful !

      Thanks, Elaine, for stopping to pick up the pencil. I am praying for your next stopping off point to be the best ever...may your journey find more peace then you could ever hope for. Thanks be to God for faithful warriors like you.

      hugs, dear one
      patrina <")>><

      2 Thess 3:16

      Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

      Delete
  10. It's good to receive and sometime give words of encouragement through social media. I suppose we do have to be careful. I'm glad that verse I have written is being read with appreciation and I believe that this is for the glory of the Lord Jesus. Which is what matters.

    Glad to hear of your work, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David,

      We are encouraged to encourage...that is belief in action, isn't it? My newest motto is 'Belief is the driver of ACTION'.

      I believe in community...community encourages each other. It is a principle of the Gospel...

      You encourage us with your verse...biblical prose...straight from your heart. not many can do that. I appreciate your focus on His Word.

      Thank you for visiting and picking up the pencil..

      Patrina <")>><

      Phil 2;1-2
      1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

      Delete

Thanks for picking up the pencil...

May the grace
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit ...
be with you all.


Patrina
His Warrior Bride in Boots

"HEAR The Word of The Lord"

MY BLOG POSTS

Prayer Changes Things

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ..... Romans 12:12

ipray

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DEVOTIONALS

DEVOTIONALS

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