Climbing Walls with God

Today was a particularly difficult day for my family and I as we made arrangements to move my grandfather into a nursing facility close to us. This chapter- Psalm 18- really stood out to me today, and I trust it will encourage you also. 

Truly, God is perfect, infinite, all-powerful, and He doesn't need my help to be awesome. 

Psalm 18:29-35 (NLT translation)

The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
²⁹ In your strength I can crush an army;
    with my God I can scale any wall.

* Our God is so awesome, that nothing takes Him by surprise! He has the power to do anything under the sun, and the power to equip us for battle. 

³⁰ God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

*Don't you love the 'ta-da' feeling of this verse? "God's way is perfect." the end. Why do we question His ways? Stop second-guessing Him! God doesn't need a supervisor. 

³¹ 

For who is God except the Lord?

    Who but our God is a solid rock?

*Don't worry about having a back-up plan when you rely on God; He's It. He's where the 'buck stops,' and nothing gets past Him. 

³² God arms me with strength,
    and he makes my way perfect.

³³ He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
    he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.

*God knows what trials await us, and He will adequately prepare us for each and every one of them- and give us the strength as we need it.

³⁵ You have given me your shield of victory.
    Your right hand supports me;
    your help has made me great.

Tonight, I'm sitting in that right hand, trusting it will support my family and me in the days and weeks to come as we care for my grandfather during this final stretch. With the help of the Almighty God, He will make me victorious in this continuous battle of trust, and give peace in the most difficult of times. 

until next time. . . 

e

Simply Fun

January has come and gone, and so far my new year's resolutions are doing quite well! :) (give or take a few 'off' ' days.) 

Here are a few things I have enjoyed this year so far. Thought I'd share. 

1. My devotions. I'm reading Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling." If you're unfamiliar with it, check it out here. It's an overwhelming journey learning to walk and live in the Presence of Jesus, and trust Him with every problem and thought. 

2. A new addition to our family: Clear Play! I can't find enough positive words to describe this new technology we've purchased! Check it out on their website. Basically, it allows you to watch videos and movies and bypasses negative elements, language, etc. with the option to change the settings for each movie you watch. Super cool! 

3. Working on my Chopin Pedagogy Project. It's actually more fun than it sounds. I get to play some of the most sophisticated and beautiful piano music ever written- and call it 'homework.' :) Check out the Nocturnes by Chopin if you love relaxing piano music. Warning: you may fall asleep.

5. Enjoying scenery around me. I spend a lot of time on the road, and it's relaxing to observe the scenery. This was a beautiful sunset in High Point a few weeks ago. 

6. Eating good food. I love eating. Period. And, while I have been eating healthier this year (and enjoying the results), there's nothing like good ole Lexington BBQ, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Mmmm. Good for what ails ya! I love living in the South. :)

Then, there's mom's peach cobbler. Sugar free, except for the icecream. Wow- it's truly awesome! 

7. Random projects. I love crafty projects! And, these are a few I came up with. 

I have several dozen (no exaggeration) plastic easter eggs left over from last year. Blech. SO, brilliant me, decided to do something with them. So I painted and glittered them. I also painted polka dots on some of them. Anyways, they're pretty cute! 

The nest, Well. *clears throat* I wanted a cute little nest. Found one for $20.00, and thought to myself, "self, I can make that." So I did. With moss from Dollar Tree...and a Chinese Noodle Bowl dinner. Ha! No joke. I cut the bowl in half and hot-glued moss to it, and ta-da! Not difficult, cheap, and it's cute. Perfect combination! 

And, since it's February and Valentine's is soon approaching, I made cookies today for students and Sunday School kiddos! First time making the icing recipe and it was amazing! 

And. yes. that's a random green Shamrock on the right. March is soon too...right? :)

Happy February 9th! 

'till next time...