I’m overwhelmed. The hives spread down my neck and onto my chest. I debated making a doctor’s appointment. (I’m on the waiting list at 2 doctor’s offices.)

Then I got a text saying a loved one requires emergency surgery. I forgot about the hives!

I took my Bibles and the vaporizer to the office. I would rather spread my Bibles and notebook out on the kitchen table but I can’t maintain the humidity level for my skin.

I needed wisdom and comfort that can only be found in the Bible.

I texted 4 verses to my loved one: 2 Timothy 1:7; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; and Isaiah 41:10.

Luke 10:42, “But one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Christian Standard Bible

“Too often we expect that delighting in God’s Word should come naturally. We wonder if there’s something wrong with us when we don’t long to open the Scriptures as much as we long to check our social media. …When our circumstances get rocky, the Bible is our firm foundation. …So, cling to God’s word. Work hard to understand it. …And on the hard days, don’t give up. Persevere in your study even when you aren’t delighting, because you know that it saves your life and gives you life.”

Email from Maggie at wellwateredwoman.com

The surgery was a success!

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My grandson Gideon had a rough evening. None of my normal strategies worked. The way he pushed the pacifier to the right side of his mouth made me suspect teething.

When David got home, Gideon smiled at him, but then started fussing again.

David pulled up the song, “The Blessing” on his phone. When Gideon heard it he stopped crying and looked over at David.

He relaxed, took his bottle, and fell fast asleep.

Why did that song calm him? It is the song his daddy sings to him. He thought he was hearing his dad’s voice.

John 10:3, “The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Christian Standard Bible

It calms me when I hear God’s voice. He calls my name and leads me.

“Blessed are the ears that gladly receive the pulses of the Divine whisper, and give no heed to the many whisperings of this world. (3-1-1)”

“Principles of a Centered Life,” compiled and with notes by Michael Phillips

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It’s Gideon day! The day he spends the evening with me while his parents work with the youth.

A year ago, I would be there, too. I would cook in the Cafe, run up to the adult service to practice and play, and then return to wash dishes.

Sometimes, I feel like I am not ministering at all! That’s not true.

Matthew 18:10, “See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven.”

Christian Standard Bible

The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. These hives that are keeping me home are not from God.

But God is working for my good. He knew Gideon would need care on Wednesday nights. The hives that closed the door to playing and helping in the Cafe, opened a door to take care of Gideon.

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This 16-month battle with hives seems to last forever! But I see a little improvement every day.

Remembering that I went for three years without Prednisone brings comfort.

As my Grandma W. used to say, “This too shall pass.”

Mark 9:49, “For everyone will be salted with fire.”

Christian Standard Bible

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Yesterday our grandson Gideon was dedicated to the Lord. After church, David and Derek bought pizzas and Laura got Chinese.

David ordered white sauce in hopes that I would not have a reaction. We ate the leftovers for supper.

Mark 7:15, “Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

Christian Standard Bible

I moved the vaporizer to the bedroom and closed the door. I accidentally left the humidity gauge in the office.

My face started burning. Then my neck broke out. Was it the cheese from the pizza?

Feeling uncomfortable, I searched for the humidity gauge. The humidity was too high as was the temperature. I shut the vaporizer off and opened the door.

Do I watch my heart as closely as I watch the humidity gauge?

How many times have I said something jokingly at another’s expense and regretted it?

Lord, forgive me.

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Matthew 13:14, “He replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.'”

Christian Standard Bible

The reverse is true! Every plant that my Father planted will not be uprooted.

My Father planted me. I will not be uprooted.

No matter what my circumstances are, or how it looks, or the fact that my doctor gave up. I will not be uprooted!

A Proverb

Proverb 10:30, “God’s lover can never be greatly shaken. But the wicked will never inherit the covenant blessings.”

The Passion Translation

I will inherit the covenant blessings!

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What if Jesus had a Facebook page? What would he post?

Matthew 12:19, “He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.”

Christian Standard Bible

What about his comments?

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he responded with words from the Old Testament. Surely, he would do the same in his comments.

When would he hit the “like” button? Which posts would he share?

Some Proverbs

Proverbs 9:7, 8, “If you try to correct an arrogant cynic, expect an angry insult in return. And if you try to confront an evil man, don’t be surprised if all you get is a slap in the face! 8) So don’t even bother to correct a mocker, for he’ll only hate you for it. But go ahead and correct the wise; they’ll love you even more.”

The Passion Translation

I want to be more like Jesus – especially on Facebook.

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I meant to check my email and order vitamins but my browser froze. I cleaned the computer and scanned for viruses. I searched for the daily sheets I thought I printed while waiting. I didn’t find them.

I saw a form I needed to copy. The printer jammed and only printed 3/4 of the page. By the time I got that copy, the backup had been finished for several minutes.

I ordered what I needed and decided to upload my steps from my tracking app. It worked in December but not today! My birthdate was wrong on the app. It wouldn’t let me change it.

I opened the chat to see if they could help. I was instructed to respond in less than 2 minutes. The person I was chatting with responded after several minutes each time. She told me everything I already knew.

The phone rang, the washer stopped, and I was notified that they found our landline number on the dark web. It was our son who used that number for a few decades. I let the answering machine take the call and threw the laundry in the dryer.

I was feeling stressed. It was 11:45 a.m. and I hadn’t cracked open my Bible.

I have to stop multitasking. It’s a bad habit. When I concentrate on one thing at a time, I have peace.

That’s how Jesus intended for me to work. He knows I get side-tracked constantly and I tend to procrastinate. I try to do too many small things that turn into big time-consuming things.

Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Christian Standard Bible

A Proverb

Proverb 8:5, “Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise. For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart that will change your inner being.”

The Passion Translation

“Increasing our pace has decreased our peace.”

“The Word for You Today,” January 8, 2021

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I babysat my grandson Gideon last night. Uncle Luke called. Gideon heard his voice and thought it was his dad Derek. He got excited and started “talking” to him.

Since he enjoyed chatting, we “Facetimed” his cousin Olivia. He didn’t have much to say then. Imagine his surprise if we had “Facetimed” Luke!

Mark 6:2, “…many who heard him were astonished! …”

Christian Standard Bible

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“Which goes better with Benadryl – Claritin or Zyrtec?”

That was the question I asked my doctor today. The answer was Zyrtec.

I am afraid to watch my grandson because of the hives. Then I remembered he saw them on Sunday. They didn’t seem to bother him.

“If you consider what you are within you will not care what men talk of you. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks upon the heart. Man considers the deeds, but God weighs the intentions. (2-6-3)“

“Principles of a Centered Life” compiled and with notes by Michael Phillips

I know God heals every disease but it is on His timetable.

Matthew 10:1, “Summoning His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.”

Christian Standard Bible

This is my cross to bear today – but not forever!

Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

Christian Standard Bible

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