Home Sweet Home

Quick update...yes, this is me writing (though Rachel took over with me dictating. :D). Surgery took a little over 4 hrs, and went well overall.

Got home around 5pm. Doing pretty good. I'll write more in a week or so.

Before Surgery

Thank you for your prayers!

God has definitely proven to be my Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord is present) more than I even knew.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

~ Psalm 27:1 ~

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth...One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple...When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek...I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

~ Psalm 27:4, 8, 13 & 14 ~

Jehovah-Shammah

Today is the 'big day'. For those who are praying, thank you. I so appreciate it.

Jehovah-Shammah...what does that really mean??
Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord". It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known", which denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly.
Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as "there" or "present".  Jehovah-Shammah is a symbolic name for the earthly Jerusalem. The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will will be a restoration.

The same is true about each one of us. God has not abandoned us here on earth, leaving us to to natural state of corruption and sin. He wants to redeem us and conform us to His image.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

~ Hebrews 13:5 ~

He also wants us to give our bodies - each one a temple of His - to Him, of our own free will.

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?

~ 1 Corinthians 6:15a ~

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

~ 1 Corinthians 3:16 ~

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
~ Romans 12:1 ~

Most people know the song, "This ain't my home, I'm just a-passin' through..." And it is so true! 

A dear friend said: "This is such a great time to learn.....never despise it.... or so want the end goal that you are unable to enjoy the journey."

This is my little saying right now, because these next few months will be a huge journey, and an opportunity for me to grow.  As one of our pastors said yesterday: "You'll learn to lean and trust in God even more through this..because you're going to need Him an awful lot!!"

Busy Valentines

Valentine's Day was filled with many different activities...

First of all, I signed my life away to surgery (consent forms) at my surgeon's office, and had a bunch more pre-op pictures and moulds taken. He did a "model surgery", pictures of which, I hope to post soon.

Second of all, as most Coeur d'Aleneans know, we were honored to have Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum campaign here in Coeur d'Alene, before going on to Boise. We were privileged to listen to him deliver a message to a packed house of 600 people (around 400 people had to be turned away due to lack of space).

Yes, thus far, we are casting our vote with Senator Santorum for President. Out of all the candidates, he seems to be the most balanced in his views and looks to be the best choice to fit our Nation's need for revival. Throughout his service in the Senate, he has shown Conservative views and values, but also has a strong faith (although he is Catholic, he professes to be born again), good character, humility, decency, is down-to-earth, and is a family man.

I encourage you to watch his speech (given here in Cd'A) , and since I doubt most of you will want to sit through all 81 minutes of it, I have included below a time summary of where the important issues start (after allowing it to load, simply click on the moving bar, and drag it to the time you want). Some include sound-bite type stuff, but they all include the depth needed to inform.

A friend of ours said: "Taking just a few minutes focusing on these segments will allow you to be better informed on this candidate than by watching months of TV." Enjoy!

Rick Santorum's Coeur d'Alene Speech

19:10 - Health Care

21:00 - The real reason Health Care is expensive. (Excellent comparison of Health Insurance with Auto Insurance)

37:35 - Energy

65:26 - Defense

68:40 - Entitlements

71:55 - Welfare

74:01 - Healthcare specifics

76:43 to 79:40 - Brilliant Treatise on Social Security

My evening was filled up with our church's Valentine's Banquet, which was put on by the College-age kids in our church.  We all had a wonderful time, serving, eating, and cleaning up. What a special time fellowshipping with other young people while being a blessing to others!!

Most of our group

What Is True Love???

1 John 4:7 says: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

Digging deeper, we find John 14:15, 21: "If you love Me, keep my commandments. ... He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him."

Note that every time it says love, the Greek word is "Agape" which means 'unconditional love'...the kind that God had when He sacrificed His only Son for our sins, to redeem us.  This is the word that is used over and over and over again in 1 Corinthians 13, where Paul describes in detail what makes Agape so singular.

So often, we read that chapter, but don't really take it to heart in what it really means. I would encourage all of you to read it again, and really meditate on what he is saying here.  In what ways do you need to grow or are you lacking??
I really like vs. 11, where it says: "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

I think so often, as we become adults, we bring some of that childish immaturity with us, and instead of being able to take care of at least us and 1 other person, we are self-centered and me-focused.  I know this is definitely something God has been working on me about, as I am in this transition phase.

I encourage all of you young people out there, seek God in regards to any areas you may need to grow & mature in. Yes, we should still have fun, and be like little children in our innocence, but not in an immature, selfish way. It should be in a sensitive and responsible way, not hurting others to our own amusement.

7 Spheres of Influence

For the last couple months, every Sunday morning (6:30am), we have been a Bible Study/discipleship of sorts with our dear friend -- Chris Hogan (president Noble Call Institute) via Skype.

Simultaneously, this last week, our Wednesday Night Bible Study Group started the Vision of a Leader by Bruce Wilkinson, a powerful study on the Truth of Exponential Leadership through the book of Nehemiah.  (Maybe I can post what I am learning through that some other time.)

This morning, Mr. Hogan talked about the 7 Spheres of Influence, and that whoever controls these 7 "Mountains" controls the kingdom (or our country):
Family
Government
Business & Finance
Religion
Education
Science & Medical
Arts & Media
Each person has a "niche" in one of the above areas: a place or job where you belong, what God made you to do & gave you a passion or vision to do. (e.g. My dad's would be Business & Financial and mine would be Medical.)

There are also 5 "greatest" benefits for being "in your niche", which are:
Having a Purpose in life
Having Provision enabled by God to accomplish that purpose
Having Protection by God in order to do that work
Having Pleasure in what you are doing
Having Peace in knowing that what you're doing is from God

Just like birds have a Beak, Feet, Feathers...and a Brain which makes it easy to identify what they 'do', God created us with a Spirit, Soul, Mind, and Strengths that makes it easier to identify what niche God has created us to do:
- Spirit - God gives us rhemas (a guide to that niche) comparable to a bird's instincts
- Soul - God gives us a passion for people (what 'types' of people do you feel called to? e.g. certain circumstances, or a specific 'age group')
- Mind - Research (what do you love to read & research?)
- Strengths - What comes easiest to you (What gifts & talents has God given you?? e.g. magnetism, influence on others, persistence, etc.)

Mr. Hogan pointed out that 7-10% of our National population are homosexuals (Atheist & Agnostics would be another one), and what did they do? They started infiltrating our Arts & Media, and then Education, Politics & down the line with their trash junk, making the minority 'rule'...and so now, even talking "bad" about homosexuality is almost equated to Racism!!! Appalling!

We, as Christians, have the God-given responsibility to infiltrate our System with God's righteousness and principles.  Jesus said: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you to "Go....teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  (Matthew 28:18-21)

Likewise, He said:  "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

He makes it clear though, that even in our roles of leadership and influence, we are not to become proud or self-righteous about it but are to meek and humble:
"But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

Something to prayerfully think about:
What 'niche' has God given you??
What main sphere of influence has God called you to?? (We should all strive to influence every sphere, but usually He gives you a main/overarching 'calling' as well.)
How does He want you to serve Him in this sphere??

Remember Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

A dear friend shared the following truth: "A vocation is your great joy meeting the world's great need."

Unemployment vs. Out of Work Explained

I've always been a Abbot and Costello fan (selectively), because my dad has always been one (& he's the best)...and well...maybe it runs in the genes....I don't know. Good humor...and good laughs...
Anyway, the following crossed my path, and I had to share it. Enjoy...and please don't count yourself as one of the "out of work"!!

COSTELLO:  I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.
ABBOTT:  Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 9%.
COSTELLO:  That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT:  No, that's 16%.

COSTELLO:   You just said 9%.

ABBOTT:  9% Unemployed.

COSTELLO:  Right 9% out of work.

ABBOTT:  No, that's 16%.

COSTELLO:  Okay, so it's 16% unemployed.

ABBOTT:  No, that's 9%...

COSTELLO:  WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 16%?

ABBOTT:  9% are unemployed. 16% are out of work.

COSTELLO:  If you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT:  No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO:  BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT:  No, you miss my point.

COSTELLO:  What point?

ABBOTT:  Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.

COSTELLO:  To who?

ABBOTT:  The unemployed.

COSTELLO:  But they are ALL out of work.

ABBOTT:  No, the unemployed are actively looking for work... Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO:  So, if you're off the unemployment rolls, that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT:  Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO:  The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?

ABBOTT:  Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise, it would be 16%. You don't want to read about 16% unemployment do ya?

COSTELLO:  That would be frightening.

ABBOTT:  Absolutely.

COSTELLO:  Wait, I got a question for you. That means they're two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT:  Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO:  Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT:  Correct.

COSTELLO:  And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?

ABBOTT:  Bingo.

COSTELLO:  So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.

ABBOTT:  Now you're thinking like an economist.

COSTELLO:  I don't even know what I just said!

And now you know why our National unemployment figures are improving!

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

~ Proverbs 13:4 ~

(In other words, "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.")

Why We SHOOT Deer

DISCLAIMER: THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME!! =)
Read, Laugh, and Learn:

I had this idea that I could rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it.  The first step in this adventure was getting a deer.  I figured that, since they congregate at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away), it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it, and transport it home.

So, I filled the cattle feeder, and then hid down at the end with my rope.  The cattle, having seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it.  After about 20 minutes, my deer showed up - 3 of them.  I picked out a likely looking one, stepped out  from the end of the feeder, and threw my rope.

The deer just stood there and stared at me.  I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold.  The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation.  I took a step towards it, and it took a step away.  I put a little tension on the rope, and then received an education.

The first thing that I learned is that, while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope.

That deer EXPLODED.  The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt.  A cow or a colt in that weight range, I could fight down with a rope and with some dignity.  A deer -- no chance.  That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled.

There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it.  As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rop was not nearly as good an ideas as I had originally imagined.  The only upside is that they do not have as much stamina as many other animals.

A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up.  It took me a few minutes to realized this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head.  At that point, I had lost my taste for corn-fed venison.  I just wanted to get that devil creature off the end of that rope.

I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slowly and painfully somewhere.  At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer.  At that moment, I hated the thing, and I would venture to guess that the feeling was mutual.

Despite the gash in my head and several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognized that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in.  I didn't want the deer to have to suffere a slow death, so I managed to get it lined back up in between my truck and the feeder - a little trap I had set before hand...  kind of like a squeeze chute.  I got it to back in there and I started moving up so I could get my rope back.

Did you know that deer bite? 

They do!  I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody, so I was very surprised when ....... I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist.  Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and slide off to then let go.  A deer bites you and shakes its head--almost like a pit bull.  They bite HARD and it hurts.

The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly..  I tried screaming and shaking instead.  My method was ineffective.

It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds.  I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now), tricked it.  While I kept it busy tearing the tendons out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose.

That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day.

Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about head and shoulder level, and their hooves are surprising sharp ... I learned a long time ago that, when an animal - like a horse - strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is to try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards an animal.  This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape.

This was not a horse.  This was a deer, so obviously, such trickery would not work.  In the course of a millisecond, I devised a different strategy.  I screamed like a woman and tried to turn and run.  The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there isa good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head.

Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and 3 times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down..

Now, when a deer paws at you and knocks you down, it does not immediately leave.  I suspect it does not recognized that the danger has passed.  What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are laying there crying like a little girl and covering your head.

I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away.

So, now I know why when people go deer hunting, they bring a rifle with a scope......to sort of even the odds!!

All these events are true so help me God... An Educated Farmer.

Supposedly this story is true, though Snopes sites it as "undetermined" (they have the 'rest of the story' at the very end...which is quite worth the read). ;)
Either which way, I think the moral to this story, is:

Creativity is a good thing ... but sometimes, maybe efficiency is more worth the story!

As they say, 'learn from those who come before you!'

They Say I'm Crazy....

December 7th, 2011 was a really good day for me. It was that day that my Orthodontist gave me the go-ahead to get my Orthognathic (jaw) Surgery done anytime after February 1st. On January 9th, I had a meeting with my Oral Surgeon to get a preliminary surgery evaluation done, and on January 16th, I got the Surgery date scheduled for Monday, February 27th, 2012!!!!

Why do I need surgery done? My jaws are not aligned with one another, so that I have an open and cross bite...(only a few of my teeth touch--mostly posterior molars, and my midline is 1 tooth off), making chewing quite difficult (to say the least) and limiting my food/nutrition intake. Also, my sinus passages are all messed up and deformed, so they're going to open them up, as well as some other stuff....

What's going to be done? I'm actually hoping to have 5 surgeries done...crazy, I know... :-/
1) Orthognathic (jaw) Surgery - Basically, they're going to slit me from 'ear to ear', except it'll be horizontal, and inside my mouth, or as my dad says "they're going to take all my upper teeth out and then put them back in. :) Seriously though, they will be cutting above my upper gums, all the way around, and "move" it to the correct position, and then place titanium bolts and plates and sutures to hold everything in place. This link gives a bit of an idea regarding what orthognathic surgery entails, though it focuses more on lower jaw problems/surgery than the upper jaw, which is what mine is.
2) Nasal Sill Osteoplasty - To correct my sinuses
3) Inferior (partial) Turbinectomy - My turbinate bones are abnormally large, which has caused many problems (mostly breathing), so they will be removing around 1/2-2/3rds of them.
4) All 4 Wisdom Teeth removed - And, I guess it's that time of life....I have to have them out anyway, and since my bottom 2 are resting on nerves, I might as well get those taken care of now instead of having them done in 3-6 months...(and have all the pain, limited food, (and fees), limited to one sitting too, right???) I mean, what is a little extra pain?
5) Labial Frenectomy (of the frenulum) - like my older brother's, my frenulum (the skin that attaches my lip to my gum, is too long), and so, following in his footsteps, I'm hoping that they can make the little 'slice' at the same time...  I've helped do Lingual Frenectomies (for tongue-tied infants), so that'll be fun.

Everyone says I'm crazy, because I'm excited...or maybe that is just the way I handle it....I mean, why worry over...well...anything?? (Isn't there something better that you can expend your energies on?) Why not make it  into an 'adventure' and an 'experience'?? Doesn't that make you more qualified to help and understand others even better??

I do have to say though, that the one thing that will be... ....interesting, is potentially getting IM (intramuscular) shots...I have always enjoyed getting my blood drawn...in fact, every time I do, I kind of get a "high" feeling, (if that's allowed), and IV's aren't that bad (helps get me hydrated), and I've given tons of IM shots to others--both people and animals...but, well....I don't want to say I'm nervous...but it will be an experience!! (especially with 'the' locations....)

Recovery Time? So, you're probably wondering what the recoup will be like...here is what I know so far:  Pretty much, I'm supposed to treat my jaw surgery like a fracture-meaning it'll take at least 6 weeks to be kind of healed.
Eating will be very limited for 6-12 weeks, and depending on if my jaws are tied shut, I might have to be fed through a feeding tube (like we use for alpacas and goats) B-|  for the first few days.

Recovery time really depends on the person, in regards to how fast they are able to "spring back". For the first 2 days, I'll be pretty much down for the count, and the worst day - for pain - is Day 3. After that, it'll vary...with how many operations I'll be having done, it might prolong my "springing back" for a bit...we'll see. From Day 10-14, I should be back to kind of normal, except for any strenuous work (like swimming or barn activities/dust), and by the 4th-5th Week, I should be able to do all of the above.

Of course, ideally, I'd like to be able to be downstairs for Bible Study the Wednesday following, and be at church the next week....but that is probably unrealistic...or is it??

As you can probably see, I'm kind of treating this whole thing lightly....but I would sincerely ask for your prayers.

- With any operation and anesthesia, there are dangers, and unexpected aftermaths. I have a lot of appointments in the next few weeks to prepare for the surgery, including physical and heart checks, to make sure my body can handle the trauma.  I am not allergic to any medications, that I know of, but of course, there is always that possibility. Please pray that I would continue trusting God with everything, and that I would survive the operation. (if it is His will of course ;p)

- We have done a lot of research, in regards to finding our Ortho/Surgeon team, and are confident that the job will be done well. Our surgeon is very detailed, and takes each patient individually, instead of lumping them in a 'group', per se.  Please pray though, that as he prepares and performs the surgery, that God would guide his hand and his mind, and that he won't have any "oops!" moments.

- Please pray for my parents and siblings, that there would not be any unnecessary stress, and that as Mom especially will probably take care of me, that God would give her more added grace during this time.

- That as we discern and research our Pain Management Options, that God would give us wisdom

- That above all, I would be a light and witness to all those around me (both in the hospital and here at home), and that I wouldn't get too grumpy or selfish....either (like I would tend to do). I know it will be struggle for me to keep always positive...because sometimes...honestly, it's easier not to!!

Throughout all, please do not think that I am 'fearful' or 'nervous' or need 'condolences' about all of this. It's just not the way I'm wired. I am excited. I am looking forward to it, and am taking everything else in stride.

I am left with these verses:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

~ Philippians 4:13 ~

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.

~ Jeremiah 30:17 ~

....I am the LORD that healeth thee.

~ Exodus 15:26 c~

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

~ Isaiah 40:31 ~

The Atheist's Holiday

A friend forwarded this to me, and though I have heard it before, I thought it would be bring a smile to some faces. Of course, this is a fictional case, but I'll I leave it as is...

In Florida, an atheist created a case against Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair to atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge, and after listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling saying,
"Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays..."

Leaning forward in his chair, the judge replied, "But you do. Your client, counselor, is woefully ignorant."
The lawyer answered, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."
Unperturbed, the judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fool's Day. Psalm 14.1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.

Therefore, April 1st is his day.

Court is adjourned..."

As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.  For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?  It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.  He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and 

Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great.  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

~ Psalms 18:30-36 ~