There is nothing I love more other than seeing God reveal himself to me throughout my every day life. I recently have been trying to be more thankful and learn to count my blessings because I take so much for granted sometimes and rarely catch myself thanking the Lord for all he blesses me with. I hate admitting that, but it is just something I struggle with.
This whole month of October I feel like I have been tested in so many ways. Whether it be a little thing going on in my life or a huge dilemma I am facing, I have noticed and marked it as a test. I have learned and am still learning more and more to rely on God and only God for everything in my life. Reliance on him is the only thing that will get me through my struggles and weaknesses and just life in general. God is the ultimate planner and has my life all planned out for me. Yes, I hit a few bumps in the road here and there along the way to his ultimate plan for my life, but I need to be grateful for the opportunities he's given me along the way because all of these trials in my life thus far, have truly shaped me into the girl/daughter in Christ that I am today.
It seriously is so crazy for me to think back on this month and just how much i've grown in ONE single month. Like.. sometimes I just have to stop and look at my surroundings and check myself and pinch myself to make sure I am not living in a dream world. I don't mean for that to sound like everything my life is perfect like it would be in a dream world, because it is not by any means. However, the imperfections in my life are just forming the big picture for me. I realize I am going to screw up, but that does not mean I have to give up. God never wants me to give up because he knows I can push through anything IF I KNOW he is by my side. Which I do.
I do not know who reads this blog, but to all the readers out there.. I encourage you to check your self and make sure you are thanking God for everything.. even the imperfections in your life.. because he placed them there for a reason and it is all a lesson to be learned and for we know He works for the GOOD in your life and BRINGS you Goodness and Great JOY!
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Last night I had the opportunity to go to a place where students from all over the Greenville area come together and worship God. It’s called Resonate and its located right in the heart of Downtown. Katie is actually the one that introduced me to this lovely place but a few other people from Clemson go occasionally, too. I have been going for 3 weeks straight now and honestly can’t imagine ever missing a Wednesday night. It’s just that good. The speaker is Chris Armfield, and he’s spoken at FCA and just has a total gift from God for speaking to students. Worship is WOW! For those of you that know me, know I LOVE to sing, so worship is where I am must vulnerable and in contact with God. Also, the atmosphere of Resonate is just so laid back. When someone asks how to describe resonate its just something you cant put into words. Its all dimmed lighting, candle light, and just has a “chill” “come meet with the Lord” feel. I think that’s why I like it so much. Its just a place to come and open up with the Lord.
The past few weeks we have been in a series called “Un-Forsaken Life” and boy oh boy is it good. It’s seriously something everyone should stop and question “Am I living an un-forsaken life?” – Well last night the Un- Forsaken life question was “ What does a person in a un-forsaken life do when they are deceived?” well Christ read through Joshua 9 and 10, which is SO GOOD. (Did God really stop the moon and kept the Sun standing STILL for basically another whole day? YES! He did, because our GOD is THAT BIG! And THAT COOL!) – Tangent. Anyways, Chris pointed out that 1) An un-forsaken life CONSULTS before COMMITING to anything. à there is nothing you will do or nothing you’ve already done, you’re apart of the Kingdom of God! He is still able and WILL use you to bring HIM praise through whatever! You and I are a child of the King and Jesus Christ is our Savior & our BROTHER. How flipping awesome is that?
Pause: How do you respond when someone
Deceives you? Think about it.
2) An un-forsaken Life keeps covenants! – honors and keeps commitments.
My life is bigger than ME! Because of Gods perfect plan for me because he is bigger than anything we know.
3) An un-forsaken life knows the covenant is made with the CREATOR who can do absolutely anything
The enemy cannot and will not have control over you!
-Christ has already wont the battle!
Joshua 10:7-8 "So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors. 8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.”
4) God fights for the un-forsaken. He goes before you.
let me start off by saying I am in a season of learning how to be disciplined by God & to be obedient to him in all aspects of my life.
Today is Sunday, the Lords day, well everyday is the Lords day but most people believe Sunday is day to really worship God. I struggle with this as everyone else does, but we should be worshipping him all day every day. Our God is TOO good not to do that. I have been trying really hard lately to make it a priority to spend some time with him everyday, yes it's hard sometimes, especially to be in college and try and do this. Time is limited & stress is outrageous but I have found that whenever I spend time in the mornings or nights with my father in heaven he gives me enough time in the day to do what I need to do and get done what needs to be done. OUR God is faithful. True that.
However, today is Sunday like I said, and normally I go to church at 9 or 11. Saturdays always wear me out and always go by way to fast. We had a football game and I knew already this past week that I was devoting Sunday to be a "study day". Well last night I went to dinner with one of my roommates Logan & my friend Brant. We went to Wild Wings after the game. I was hungry but not really.. I had a different ache/growling in my stomach and I am pretty sure it was some type of spiritual warfare or something. I suddenly just lost my appetite and starting missing my family and just almost bursted into tears. I got up, went to the bathroom and told satan to GET OUT OF MY HEAD and for me to stop listening to his lies. I turned to my father in heaven and just prayed while in the bathroom. I know for a fact he was listening because I heard a voice telling me just to go talk to someone. So later on we were suppose to carve pumpkins (which we did) but while Brant and Logan went to the store to get the stuff I went to my small group leaders apartment, Katie. I am so blessed and grateful for Katie. Last year she was my small group leader as well but this year something has changed and she's just not my small group leader, she's my mentor and best friend. I know I can come to her with anything and she will lead me in prayer & lift me up. Long story short, I went to her apartment and just let it all out. She prayed for me and it was SO COOOOOL! After she got done, we like looked at each other and just were in awe of the Lords presence because we felt it! It was just so clear and evident that he was in that room with his arms around us. I know that sounds so weird to read but like, I felt my heavenly dads arms around me and it was probably the most exciting thing I've ever felt. (WOW moment: on the way to Katie's a song came on the radio that was just SO for me. It was definitely from God!!! The version is below) :)
Afterwards, I went back to my house and carved pumpkins with Lo, Brant, Jess & Braden. And normally I feel like I would've felt "boyfriend-less" but I didn't. I am in a season of singleness and I really am OK with that for once. I know the Lord has someone out there for me and it's just not time for me yet. My time will come, and the Lord has this awesome guy for me that I know will be able to put up with my diva-ness & love ME for ME despite my imperfections. God is so so good.
Anyways another wow moment. We got done carving pumpkins at like 1 so I knew getting up this morning for church would be hard and I had already thought about listening to a sermon online. So, I did. I felt like God was telling me the whole night to get up and listen to Elevations (in Charlotte) online sermon. So I did! And, UHHH once AGAIN (over and over again) our God is SO FAITHFUL. The sermon was so for me. Not only am I in a season of singleness, obedience but like I said I'm in a season of DISCIPLINE. And yup, you guessed it the sermon was on OUR DISCIPLINE FROM OUR FATHER, meaning our discipline from our daddy in heaven. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Today I am so thankful for all the things in my life. My life is no where near perfect, my friends are not perfect, my grades are not perfect, my family is not perfect, I AM DEFINITELY not perfect. Nothing is perfect but Our Great and ALMIGHTY SOVEREIGN God & his precious son Jesus Christ who DIED for ME and MY SINS in MY life. He has given me an awesome life & has chosen me to be his daughter and I don't know about you, but I think it's pretty cool to be a daughter of the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE. That's just mind blowing.. it's something you can't fathom.
Hebrews 12:8-13 says "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our GOOD that we may SHARE in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and PEACE
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Hope you all have a great rest of the day & a wonderful week! Seek him in all you do, for he IS good & knows EVERYTHING in the past, in the present and in the future. HE is GOD!
i've been awful at blogging lately.. but it's been a crazy few weeks! I move back to school in 2 weeks and am so excited for this new transition into clemson! I can't wait! Anyways, here's a song I heard today just youtubing different videos/songs and i fell in love with it! So take a listen! :)
FREE TO LIVE TOUR* everyone needs to hear about it :
Our Passion is “Freedom.”In our freedom we enjoy food and water, education and learning, good health, recreation and sports. We are free from the poverty that enslaves 2 billion people. Free from the dirty water plaguing one billion. We are free. We are free from injustice. Free from being captured and forced into prostitution and rape and slavery. We are free to come and go as we please. Free to move, and free to live. We are free in Christ. Free to move within His grace. We are freed from our spiritual bondage in the name of Jesus. And in that freedom is a clarion call that echoes in our hearts and throughout eternity. We were freed to bring freedom to others. Rescued to rescue. Redeemed to redeem. Today, billions live in slavery to something--far from the abundant life of blessing. They are orphans who look for food instead of going to school, children who walk for miles to gather a bucket of dirty water, then possibly to die if they drink it, but definitely die if they don't. They are children who have been tricked, and traded into the sex slavery. Raped hour after hour for unlimited profit. We can bring freedom to these children. We can bring the freedom of Christ to their lives.
Jon Egan, Meredith Andrews & Tom Davis will all be there!!!!
http://freetolivetour.com
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I can't believe I am about to type out that my sophmore year in college is.. over! Wow, time sure does fly in college! People warned me of that, but I didn't ever think Junior year would be sneaking up on me like this! So crazy! This year has been my favorite so far, and I can honestly say that I think Junior and SENIOR year are going to be even better. My walk with the Lord has gotten to be so much stronger & it's because of the girls and guys I hang out with, FCA, Small Group, and Newspring! It has been a complete change of my life from last year & it's just been an amazing journey for me! NOT TOO MENTION: my beautiful, Godly roommates for next year! I am sooo beyond excited to be living with Courtney, Jessi & Logan next year! We are going to have a blast together. The Lord has blessed me with amazing friends this year, and especially these beautiful best friends of mine! :)
Hey bloggers! Meet my new roomates Courtney and Logan & Jessi! WOW! I am so blessed to know such amazing/christ loving girls! It's a small world for sure. How did we meet you ask? Well it all started at a Clemson football game a few months ago! Jessi (my bestfriend from high school) and I are in the same small group/bible study. Our leader is Katie Wood (another girl from LTOWN). Katie lives in the same apartment complex as me and one of her roommates named Anna is Courtney and Logan's Small group leader! SMALL WORLD RIGHT? Well we met at the clemson game and just hit it off from there! This past weekend has been what I like to call "a roomie bonding weekend" - Friday - Jessi and I met Court and Logan at chickfila for some girl time/ ice cream! Then we went our separate ways. Eventually we met back up at Moes for dinner & then Jessi and I went to a birthday party. After that I think we watched a movie at their apartment (this weekend has just been so much fun and went by way to fast, and such a blurrrr) Saturday night - we watched Miss America together at Katie's apartment! Sunday rolled along and Jessi and I picked up Logan for Church then sunday night we went to Anna and Kristen (another one of katie's roomates) birthday party! After that Jess and I spent the night at Courtney and Logan's apartment & stayed up WAY too late. haha! MONDAY is where all the fun happened! The girls and I took a road trip to the gaffney outlets! WAY fun, and probably spent some money I shouldn't have. oh well, haha I got a few cute things! :)
Anyways I absolutely can't wait to live with these precious girls! We've gotten SO close & I just know the Lord is going to continue to bless our friendship. Next year is going to be amazing!
Well gang, I am not going to lie... I have enjoyed every single one of these SNOW/ICE days.. and tomorrow is just another one! Yesterday we all just played in the snow. Then once we got tired of that... the girls and I had a couch/nicholas sparks day..which consisted of wathing Dear John and The Last Song... plus a little dash of The Wedding Planner. Then our sweet friend Evan came to pick us up & he cooked us some taco soup at his place. We ate, watched the game (go auburn) and took one too many pictures on his sweet cool camera ( he has a canon..a NICE canon). His camera truly is a beauty. haha! Today the girls and I got up, looked outside, and saw...TONS of snow still, well it was actually icey snow...but still beautiful and white! No school again today called for another movie day. We watched like 5 today. Then Evan came to get us again & we went to the store and bought Chicken, and veggies & then cooked at my apt! After we cooked, ate, and took more pictures.. we went to pick up MICHAEL WALDKIRCH and welcome him home from his trip! (he went on a mission trip to Kenya) ...lets just say he was really tan & surprised to see a bajillion people crammed in a car to greet him!!!! Well after a fun filled day, my friends and I are cuddled up on the couch watching Letters To God... lets just say, its been an awesome day! Snow day #3 continues tomorrow! :)
Ouchhh! I am so sore! Yesterday was just a little bit too much for me! I was woken up at like 8:30 in the morning to take my mom to drop off her car at the honda place. In my mind I was thinking well I'll just take her to do that, drop her off at her meeting,then go work out. Well.. it all went as planned and I worked out after I did all of that for her, needless to say, it started my day off pretty well. After that I took one of my friends (in highschool, bahaha) some chickfila, yeah he loved me for it! Then, I went to a wonderful italian restaurant called Zorbas with my mom & her friend (Mrs. Pat). Mrs. Pat and my mom went shopping afterwards and my mom told me to go in her place and work out with her trainer and my sister at the body shop because she probably wasn't going to make it cause she didnt have a car... soooo, i went. and that's why i say OUCH! this morning I am in SO.MUCH.PAIN! but hey, working out twice in one day... im on a roll! haha today im doing weights with jessi @ Golds, then we're gonna do ZUMBA! .. now, i love zumba because i love to dance.. so maybe, just maybe zumba will help me wiggle off some of this soreness. ha, doubt it.
I seriously cannot believe it's already a new year!* 2010 flew by, and before I know it I am going to be graduation college.. okay okay.. lets not get to ahead of the game there... ha! definitely do not want to rush away college (because it's so great). Anyway, speaking of 2011... Jessi (my bestfriend) had a little new years eve get together! it was so much fun! we basically just watched carolina LOSE to an ACC team (FSU),, which was completely amazing... and then we danced all night long to our favorite music, and brought in the new year by watching the ball drop and counting down the seconds until 2011! BEST new years party by far! I love my friends! :) Happy NEW year! :) I hope 2011 brings joy to everyone! God Bless!
disreguard the last post.. i just found this super cute blog back ground! butt still wish i had a cute header. i wish my name could look cuter... oh well .. i guess ill figure it out sometime soon! ;)
So.. I want to start blogging again. But I am getting quite frustrated because I want my blog to look as cute as Kellys Korner, Teammolony, or blonde ambition....but It looks like Kellys Korner and Blonde Ambition might pay to have theirs customized... and I just dont think im up for that... oh well.. ive been searching on some blog websites for a cute background... the background I have now... is NOT what I want.. ha! it was cuter in a smaller picture...but on the actual blog.. I dont really like it. I want a cute picture to go at the top and stuff.. but im so dumb when it comes to blogger stuff. oh well.. maybe ill just sit on my computer all day long one day until I like the way my blog looks! Short and sweet and to the point. Have a great day! :)
so heres a little bit about me... My name is Taylor & I am a junior in college! My family & friends mean the most to me. I am addicted to coffee and diet coke. Love to shop, sing, and just ride around town listening to music! Love blogging, love twitter, and love facebook! :) obviously love being social! and above all else, I am christian & I am completely in LOVE with my lord & savior Jesus Christ!
