Scripture Sunday

Luke 24:1-11

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them,Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Happy Resurrection Day! So glad I serve a RISEN savior!

Scripture Sunday

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Have you ever sat in a church service and thought the Preacher was speaking straight to you? Well this happened to me not once but twice this morning. In Sunday School this morning we had a special speaker and she spoke a little bit about prayer. Then one of Preacher Walls' points in this morning's sermon was about prayer.

This past week you have noticed I have posted several different prayer requests on the Memories & Blessings' Facebook page. There have been so many people in need and several of my past clients have been in the hospital or really ill. I am so thankful that when I have asked you to pray you have. You may not know the people personally but I guarantee those people can feel your prayers.

Tomorrow, my baby brother Cody will be having surgery. He will be having his gallbladder removed and some other things going on. The surgery is said to last around 3 hours. Today marks 24 days that my little Codeman has been at Children's Hospital. It is nothing short of the grace of God that my parents and he have kept their spirits high. My Daddy is an absolute modern day Super Man in my opinion. I do not know how he does it all. He's always been a hero of mine but throughout this hospital stay he has shown again why. My Mom, who when she reads this will make fun of me for being a Daddy's Girl because of my above statement, is also doing very well. She has been able to continue her dialysis and take care of herself. All while being a great support to Cody and just being the greatest Mommy ever (like always). Can you tell I'm a little proud of my parents? Cody has been through so much and I know the many prayers on his behalf is the reason he still has that handsome smile on his face.

Please keep my brother and the rest of my family in your prayers tomorrow. His surgery should begin around noon and I will post updates throughout the day.

I love Matthew 21:22 but it's one of those that make you stop and really think. The whatsoever you shall ask in prayer is the easy part. We all know that we can ask anything of God, big or small, and He will hear us. But it's the next part that really gets ya - "believing, ye shall receive". How many times do I ask for something but then not really believing that God will do it? I am so guilty of doing this. Not only should I ask God to watch over my baby brother tomorrow and guide the surgeon's hands, but I should also believe that He will do so. I must have faith in what I'm asking God to do. What if God only heard the prayer we 100% believed he would answer?

Mrs. Joyce gave us this little chorus today in Sunday School. It's called "Thank-You". I love it! It talks about thanking God for the prayers He hasn't answered yet. The last line of each verse says, "Thank you for what you are going to do!". Awesome! So, thank-you God for keeping my Cody safe tomorrow during his surgery and thank-you for the quick recovery he is going to have!

"Thank-You"

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Thank you dear Lord, I can fully trust you.

Because you know best, my heart then can rest.

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Thank you for answers to prayer not yet seen.

Thank you for faith my petitions to bring.

Because you know best, my heart can rest.

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Thank you for things that I cannot see now.

Thank you for loving and showing me how.

Because you know best, my heart can rest.

Thank you for what you are going to do.

Playing Catch Up

I am so behind on blogging! I've been getting my days all mixed up ;)

Scripture Sunday

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Over the past few weeks the power of prayer has been so relevant in my life. My little brother Cody has been in the hospital and has been a very sick little boy. But, God has been so good. He's getting better everyday and will have his gallbladder surgery next week. My mother who suffers from anxiety and is on kidney dialysis has done remarkably well during this time. This is certainly God showing his power and showing great things that I really didn't think would be possible. Then a few days ago my friend's little girl was rushed into brain surgery and is now doing very well. Prayer is powerful. Prayer changes things. I'm so glad that I have a God who wants to answer my prayers and wants me to ask Him for help. He wants to show us things that we never thought would be possible.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your prayers. It is so awesome to me that I can list a prayer request and within minutes have several comments of people who are praying for my need. You are all too sweet and I am glad I have clietns who also believe in the power of prayer with me!

Tuesday Around Town

Today's "Tuesday Around Town" is a little different than those in the past. There are two things that really excite me when I see them on Facebook. 1 - Seeing photos I've taken as people's profile pictures and/or cover photos and 2 - seeing other photos and then in the background seeing a photo I've taken in a frame or hanging on the wall. Yes, I'm weird and look at the backgrounds of the photos :)

Today, I'm going to show some photos that past clients have sent me of their photos from Memories & Blessings being displayed in their home. If you have photos displayed in your home send a picture to me, I'd love to see them!

Wordless Wednesday

Scripture Sunday

Isaiah 40:28-31

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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.

Ever feel like you just can't get ahead? Like you are swimming really hard to get to the top of the water and just can't get there? I'm having one of these types of days today. I feel physically and emotionally tired. I feel like I can't get anything together. This attitude then quickly turned into a pity party this afternoon. Someone once said, the only people who come to a pity party are you and the Devil. That is so true! I began to tell myself how horrible the past few weeks have been. My brother has been in the hospital for 10 days, I feel like I can't keep my house clean, My husband has been working so many long hours we have seen him a lot, I have gotten way behind in my editing and I just want to sleep - a lot! I quickly realized that the Devil was putting all these thoughts into my head. I was allowing the Devil to use this time to distract me and make me tired. The reality of it all is - my brother is in the hospital but will get to come home one day, unlike many other children in that hospital, my house may not be spotless but at least I have a rough over my head and food on my table, my husband may be working a lot but at least he has a great job and he is able to minister to people during the hardest time in their lives and I may be behind in editing but I am so thankful I have sessions to edit! And well the sleep ... it will come when my kids get older - a lot older :) So, yes I may be tired but I am one blessed girl.

After, I was through with my pity party this afternoon God immediately placed these verses on my heart. I love verse 28 - "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding." I may be tired but how so thankful that my God (the same God that is the Creator of the Earth) is never tired. The Bible then goes on to tell us that God will give us strength. HE will help us. So glad for the Word of God and the little things God shows us when we need them the most.

I'm going to share a song with you - no I'm not going to sing, lol. I listen to it all the time. Whenever I feel down or think I'm not going to be able to handle the things life throws my way. It simply states, "I know I'll be okay, because He knows my name!". So thankful this evening! I truly am blessed. (The video was found on YouTube, I did not make the video).

Next time your tired and just feeling down - remember, God loves you! God will give you strength if you lean on him! Have a wonderful and blessed week!

Scripture Sunday ~ Monday Edition

I am sorry that I didn't post the "Scripture Sunday" yesterday. I had the awesome opportunity to spend the afternoon at my Aunt's house with some of my Mom's family. I had so much fun and it was awesome to see two cousins who I haven't seen in years! I am so thankful for that family time! I'm also glad I didn't post yesterday because last night's sermon was awesome! Preacher Walls, of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, preached on Heaven. You could really sense the presence of God in our service. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it with all of you! Please enjoy the first of a two part series- "Things in Heaven".

Revelation 21:1-5

¹And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

 ²And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 ³And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 ⁴And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 ⁵And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

1. Heaven is a real place.

Revelations 21:1-2

2. Heaven is a remaining place.

Revelations 21:1, I Corinthians 3:12-15

3. Heaven is a readied place.

Revelations 21:2, I Corinthians 2:9

Think about this - this beautiful world was created in only six days. The Lord has been preparing Heaven for 2000 years!

4. Heaven is about relationships.

Revelations 21:3, Thessalonians 4:13-18

The only thing man made in Heaven is the nail prints in His hands!

5. Heaven is a place of relief.

Revelations 21:4-5

No hospitals, no graves, no sorrow, no wars!

What a day that will be!

Scripture Sunday

Luke 8:22-25

 ²²Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

 ²³But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

 ²⁴And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

 ²⁵And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

For the past few months in Sunday School we have been studying about the miracles that Jesus performed. The miracle mentioned in these verses of Luke has always been a personal favorite. I love how it shows just how powerfuly my Lord is.

There are many things about this story that I love but my favorite is located in verse 22. Jesus says, "Let us go over unto the other side of the lake". How awesome! The Lord knew that they were about to hit a mighty storm - a storm that would scare even these seasoned sailors (in fact, the seasoned sailors thought they were going to die in the middle of the storm) - yet, he told them they were going to the other side of the lake. Which means, he had already promised the sailors that they were going to make it through the storm! We know, as long as Jesus is with it us, that we are going to make it through any storm! 

Candice also mentioned in our Sunday School lesson to notice that it wasn't the storm that awoke our Savior. What awoke Him? The unbelief of the sailors. They were the ones who woke him up. They were the one that didn't believe in His power. 

 Are you in a storm? Do you have the faith of these sailors? Or do you have the faith that the Lord will bring you through? This is something I struggle with every day! But I can always remember, what mighty and powerful Savior I serve!

Love this song - "He's the Master of the Sea" by the Squire Parsons

Scripture Sunday

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16. It's also one of the first verses you probably  memorized as a child. It seems so elementary, yet so powerful!

Now that I am a mother, and have a son of my own, this verse is that much more amazing. God loved this world, full of sinners, so much that he willingly gave his Son to die for us so we could be in Heaven with Him one day. His only son! I don't know that I could willingly allow Eli to die for a bunch of sinners. Could you give your son up?

God knew we were sinners and could not enter a perfect and sinless Heaven the way we were. So He gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could have the opportunity to be with Him throughout all eternity.

This verse also states that all we have to do as sinners is believe on Him and we will receive everlasting life. That's it - just believe. No works are involved! God gave us the simplest yet most wonderful gift - we just have to believe and accept it.

If you have any questions on how you can accept this great gift, please feel free to contact me. I'd love to share the wonderful love of God with you!

Scripture Sunday

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

What an amazing love! That God would send his only son to die for my sins! Enjoy this video of a great song that reminds us of God's amazing love ... Janet Paschal's "Written in Red".

Scripture Sunday

Luke 5:18-20

 ¹⁸And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.  ¹⁹And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.  ²⁰And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

 

As I have laid here in bed today sick with the flu this Bible story was brought to my attention. No, I'm not deathly sick or paralyzed like this man but there are so many things I can learn from him. Growing up I was always told to surround myself with good people, run with the good crowd - because you will become who you hang out with. This man had friends who loved him enough that they took him to Jesus when he couldn't get there himself. They took him to Jesus because they knew nothing or no one else could help him. I am thankful for friends who I believe would do this for me. When they see I'm having a bad day or am in need of prayer I have several people who are the first to offer to "take me to Jesus". Not physically, but in prayer and remind me of God's grace and love.

 

I want to be the this type of friend - who puts all aside and am willing to take my friends to Jesus. I want to have the faith these men had in verse 20. I know that my Jesus will heal my friends, physically, emotionally or spiritually, if I am only willing to take them to Him.

 

So, until next time I leave you with this thought - what kind of friend are you? Are you willing to take others to Jesus?

Sripture Sunday

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovngkindness have I drawn thee.

As we approach February, the month of love, I have been often reminded of God's love towards me. I am so thankful that he showed His love by sending His son to die on the cross for my sins so that I could one day spend eternity with him.

This verse is awesome! In the middle of the verse God says, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Do you know how long everlasting is? Forever! This includes not only here on Earth but also all of eternity. This also means He will continue to love us no matter what we do! He knows exactly where we have came from, what sins we have committed and all that we do - yet, He still loves us unconditionally.

What an amazing and everlasting love!

Scripture Sunday

Psalm 27:14

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14 is one of my favorite verses; however, it is a verse that I am constantly failing to follow.

Wait on the Lord ... patience - this photographer is bad at being patient. I hate the waiting game! However, I must remember that by waiting God will bless.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart ... This simply means that if you have faith and put your trust and hope in the Lord he will give you stregnth while you wait. I love that God straight up tells you that you're going to have to be patient sometimes but he also tells us, better yet promises us, that He will give us strenght in the process! Our God is so good.

Wait, I say, on the Lord ... Really, back to the be patient thing again? It must really be important if God felt the need for David to write it twice in one verse! Our timing is not always God's timing, but God's timing is perfect!

What are you waiting on? Remember this verse the next time you're waiting to see what God is doing or has in store for your life!

Truly Blessed,

Megan