Third week of scriptures for sisters and nieces

By Maggie

This week’s readings were harder for me to understand but I will do my best.

Exodus 23:1-2 “You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand. You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”

I so often in life find myself sitting around with my friends while they are in a conversation talking about others and I join them rather than getting up and not including myself in that conversation or even better telling them it is not the right thing to do and is hurtful to the other person. It is not the right thing to do but we often find our self in that situation. I actually just recently found myself on the other end of it. I was in the other room and heard someone that is close to me talking about me. I was extremely hurt and now am asking God to help me forgive that other person. I think that God has our best interest in mind when he tells us not to do these kinds of activities.

Exodus 9-14 I really like how important prayer was to Moses. This passage shows us that through prayer anything is possible. We just need to remember to ask God for what we need. I also think that I often remember to pray for things I need but forget to thank God for his many blessings on my life. This coming week I am going to focus on thanking God for his many blessings on my life.

Exodus 34:6 “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness”

I want to be slow to anger. I find myself getting angry very easily. God is so good and loving.

I had a very hard time reading the rest of Exodus. I guess I don’t understand why the descriptions were so in depth in the bible. All the measurements were so hard to follow and understand. What can I learn from all of the rules on how to give sacrifices and how to build the temples? I feel like I am really missing something in these scriptures.

This was in my bible and kind of helped me but I still feel like I’m missing something.

Exodus 40 Exodus began in gloom and ends in glory. The Israelites were once Egyptian slaves making bricks without straw. Now they’re free and on their way to the land God promised them. This parallels our progress as Christians. We begin as slaves to sin, are bought at a price by God, and end our lives on Earth with the promise of living with God forever. Is that a promise you’re counting on?

Leviticus 1-5 Again I had a hard time reading through these chapters as well. The one thing that stood out to me as I read this was that I am so thankful that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. I could not imagine having to give sacrifices for our sins. The song that stood out to me this week was by Carrie Underwood. It’s called Jesus take the wheel. Although it’s about a girl getting into a car accident I really feel like it fits in my life at this time. I want to surrender my entire life to God and have Jesus take the wheel in my life.

Scriptures for Sisters #4

It's Sunday night and I'm glad I have Mag holding me accountable to do my post about our readings. I really loved reading all of the details in building the Tabernacle, but his week Exodus Chapter 34 hit me the most.

"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, "maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7

As I was reading the bottom of my study Bible regarding these verses it talked about children suffering for the sins of their parents. They asked us to consider child abuse and alcoholism as well as selfishness and greed. This bothers me... a lot! I have always considered alcoholism as sickness; not sin. To me it is mental illness (that needs to be treated immediately!). Children definitely suffer because of these sins; there is no question about it. I know God is a forgiving, loving God and can handle any kind of stronghold, especially alcoholism, anxiety and addictions. To me it just seems children suffer enough when they have a parent who is hurting them as a result of their illness. I believe it is genetic (please don't judge me) and I just don't understand why it is treated as sin... that needs to be punished. And what if we are married to an alcoholic - and the whole "in sickness and in health" part? I feel so sorry for spouses, children of alcoholics and victims of child abuse. I have no words to describe how terrible this is for them. It was also interesting that selfishness and greed were compared to it; they just don't seem the same. Those don't seem to hurt my children and grandchildren the same; or is it just as serious? Yes!

"Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14)

This verse helps me better understand the issue above. I love that He is a jealous God and that He does not want us to worship any other god than Himself. I think too many of us use alcohol, anxiety, people, money, food, addictions, etc. as our God. We trust these things for comfort more than we trust God to help us feel better. He loves us SO much that He wants/needs/requires us to trust Him to get us through the trials and storms in our lives. Life is hard; it's not supposed to be easy; this is not Heaven. We are to trust Him in these difficult times and totally depend on Him to get us through the rough times. I love that He is jealous... for us!

" But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out." (Exodus 34:34)

Moses' face was radiant after spending time with the Lord. Isn't that so cool?! He felt the need to cover it with a veil so he would not scare anyone. I love how he removed the veil when he was in the Lord's presence; when he was speaking with him. When we are desperate for God in our life it is necessary to be completely honest with Him and not hide behind anything. He already knows what's going on in our life, but it helps to be real and share our deepest worries and concerns with HIm. He can be trusted. I just love that; I just love Him.

Happy THANKful Thursday!

43- sump pumps going out when we are in town... and before a flood
44- learning how to do a spreadsheet
45- having the money to pay the plumber
46- salisbury steak dinner my sister-in-law cooked
47- having small dinner gatherings so we can really talk
48- dinner with friends
49- being free to spontaneously help at a friend's dental office
50- a nice work schedule
51- baby showers
52- text message pictures
53- having the money to buy airplane tickets
54- old blogging friends stopping by for a visit here
55- those days where I get a lot accomplished
56- those days when I feel I can put an outfit together
57- mild winter days
58- looking down and seeing my mother's hands typing this post
59- a clean bathroom
60- a book about marriage that EVERYBODY should read: The Meaning of Marriage. by Tim Keller.

Do you have your own Thankful Thursday list going?

Niece Maggie #2 :)

by Maggie

Scripture for Sisters….and nieces.

This is the second week that I am writing about what I read. I am learning so much by writing about what I read and then reading your comments that you leave me. I want to say thank you for reading and commenting on what I write.

Exodus 2:3 But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.

I couldn’t imagine living at a time where we had to sacrifice a life for any reason. We come across very difficult decisions at times and we have to pray and follow what God wants us to do. When I read this it makes me think of my mom. When I was in her womb I got the measles from her. The doctors told her I would be mentally challenged and would have a hole in my spine. They told her the best thing to do was to have an abortion. My mom made the appointment, but the day of the appointment she decided that she could not have the abortion. My mom and dad prayed for the rest of the pregnancy until the day I was born. My mom said I was perfect; the doctors were amazed that there was nothing wrong with me. I know that God sees the effort we make to do the right thing even when it is hard. I am very thankful that my mom and dad decided to give me a chance at life.

Exodus 4:10-12 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

I can really relate to Moses in this situation. I am shy and have a very difficult time speaking in front of people if I am not sure what to say as well. I am a nurse and I can think of a time that I had to go speak with a family about their son who was dying. I had to tell the parents that we are not going to be able to keep their son alive because his heart is too weak. I was terrified. I am not even sure what I said. The Holy Spirit took over and spoke for me. What a relief to know that we are not alone.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

When we are going through a tough time it is hard to stay calm. We think that God is not with us and we have to do everything for ourselves. It is comforting to know that he will fight for us. I am going through a rough time right now. This is a good scripture to memorize when things get tough.

My question for the week?

Exodus 21:12 Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.

My question is, is there anywhere in the bible where God addresses the military? I know they are trained to kill people for our freedom but my concern is how does God feel about this?

Scriptures for Sisters #3

There was so much in this week's readings, but these verses got my attention in a fresh way:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." (Ex 4:20-21)

These verses are some of the most comforting I know in the whole Bible; and I need to hear them often. Everything happens for a reason and it's never by accident. He is so kind, caring and compassionate.

"But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said." (Ex 8:15)

So often in times of trouble when I get some relief I start believing I don't need God anymore; or worse yet, I don't give God credit and think I had something to do with it. And when I have a "hardened heart" I am not open to hearing what God wants me to hear, and I am prone to wander. I don't obey and life doesn't go smoothly.

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Ex 14:14)

The LORD will fight for me and for you! All we need to do is be still. It sounds so simple, yet I forget to just breathe and Believe He has everything under control. His plan is perfect!

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left." (Ex 14:21-22)

If God can divide the Red Sea I think He can handle this... and this... and this... :)



Do you need to soften your heart just a little bit, so God can do huge things in your life?

A Song for Saturday

Memories for Jen, Liz, Mag & Tim

My nieces and nephew were young when their mom passed away. Early this morning I woke up thinking about some of the many things I remember that they may have been too young to realize or may have forgotten.



(Clay Crosse was my first concert with Vic.)

-She was a morning person.
-She loved lists.
-She always had a glass of water before water was popular.
-She couldn't eat a sandwich if there were no chips in the house.
-She acted like a short order cook for her kids making them anything they wanted.
-She was at every single event her kids were involved in.
-She was crafty and always had something going.
-I think she "had" to have the crafts because she was nervous not doing something.
-Her house was either a mess or spotless; there was no in-between.
-Her priorities were in the right order and she would rock her kids (or any baby) with the house looking like a tornado just hit.
-She was more like a mom to me than a sister and I would go to her room if I was ever scared and she would protect me.
-She was very artistic.
-She was left-handed.
-She was Spiritual before it was easy and she didn't have the internet.
-She loved music.
-She used playing the piano as therapy.
-She would write letters, especially to resolve conflicts.
-She often wrote thank you notes.
-She was an excellent cook of comfort food.
-She always had her family eat dinner at the kitchen table.
-She always had the best groceries in the house.
-Her laugh.
-The way she teased, but never at the expense of anyone.
-How she set me up to do "singles" chats when I was single.
-How meticulous she was about cleaning.
-Her love for animals and always had cats, hamsters etc.
-She loved the windows open.
-She loved her garden and was proud to show you.
-She loved games like Scrabble and Rummy and was very good at them.
-She loved Sunday family dinners.
-She always made people feel comfortable stopping by and she was always home.
-She was the first to call me, "Ann."
-She loved hanging around the kids at a party more than the adults.
-She took me to my first Christian concert.
-She loved going out for breakfast; I loved to join her.
-She loved going to daily Mass.
-She was very quick to forgive her husband.
-She really knew how to make a home.
-There are many songs I hear that make me think of her.
-She loved wearing sweatshirts.
-She was the one I chose to be the Godmother of my firstborn.
-She enjoyed smoking.
-She loved candles.
-She cleaned houses and was a bus driver & had other jobs I don't remember.
-She didn't live for her job; she lived for her family.
-She would laugh when Mom wanted us to be serious; and we would follow her lead.
-She made cleaning look like fun.
-I think she was a Hippie in her day. She had a waterbed, incense and often wore a bandana.
-She was usually barefoot.
-She never wanted to disappoint Dad.
-She sometimes held a grudge and would forgive but not forget.
-She loved to be silly with her kids and tickle them almost until they cried.
-She was beautiful inside and out and she loved her family.
-She had a beautiful voice and I loved hearing her play the piano and sing.

Whenever I hear the song, "Leaving On a Jet Plane"  I think about the early morning when I heard God came to take her home. I also remember how happy I was that she wanted to go alone with me to Frankenmuth (that ended up being her last trip anywhere).  I will never forget her telling me that she was honored God was ready to take her, but was disappointed that it was taking so long. She was ready to go. She had planned every detail of her funeral and had a list waiting. I was honored that Fred asked me to do a reading at her funeral Mass. I am so grateful for all of the gifts she gave me in her life and the gift she gave me that when it's my turn to leave this world I will be okay and at Peace.



Vic still lives in each one of her precious children.  When I talk with them I feel like I am talking to my sister.  I will never forget her or stop talking about her. Please pray for each one of her children and grandchildren who miss her more than words can say. Thank you!

How do you want to be remembered at the end of your life?