Contingency |Definition|- A future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
Recently I've had the challenge of finding beauty within the bizarre of life. It isn't always an easy battle but it's a road all of us will walk if we have any kind of longing for happiness in us.
Just about every moment of life we are walking around, searching.
Searching for deliverance, for the melody among the cacophony.
Searching for enlightenment in the numb conformity of the suburbs.
We tend to let this world run us out, run us dry, and stretch us thin. I know I had. The past couple of weeks I have definitely been stretched thin, so much to the point where I didn't think I was going to regain my shape. Every corner I turned, chaos, in every aspect. Whether it's based from recent decisions to heartbreaks and even to the future. I felt like the world was crumbling around me, that this dark valley was longer then the one I've walked before.
8am. on the dot. my eyes opened. wide awake. i look over at my clock and my heart sunk. knowing that i felt my current whereabouts were wrong, that i "belonged" somewhere else at that time.I had every intention on glooming through the day, barely making it through. Some days are harder then others. I stayed desolate and alone with my songbook and pen for about two hours. Slowly but surely I make my way upstairs, to be greeted by the face of my smiling mother. Just that smile, I found an inch of grace. The sound of my sister's laugh at her corny jokes, i found grace. The sleepy and worn out eyes of my father--grace. Even the furry face of my cat staring back at me-- grace. All of these things, brought an ounce of happiness, laughter, and thankfulness all in one. Wrapped up in a beautiful package labeled-grace. Something I wanted to so desperately open, like a child on Christmas. Something that would make me forget about all the other cares in the world and enjoy the moments I call "usual"; the moments I may even complain about. I then began to think that happiness is a choice; to be thankful for the myriad blessings that I have, rather then glooming about the few unpleasant, heartbreaking, and disappointing things.
I began to think,
-How can there ever be an act of peace coming from me when I don't have inner peace; inner happiness?
-How can there ever be inner peace within all of these innumerable outer distractions of "everyday life" lined up?
-How can I ever find something beautiful within the bizarre?
That's when the change of mind started to kick in, that's the when the new mindset was brought into the light.
Oh how easily we forget the incredible gifts given!
Oh how easily we forget the child that doesn't have clothes, because we can't have the ones we want to keep up with the trend.
Oh how easily we forget the ones that don't have a place to call home, because we "think" that we need a better one.
Oh how easily! Oh how easily all that can be forgotten.
Not at all am I insinuating that all we care about are the petty things, but we must admit for our own good that we do focus on them alot.
We all have hurts. I do. I've had disappointments, rejection, fear, and heartbreak all wrapped up in a deceiving package and put on my doorstep. I opened it, blind, not being able to see what it really was until it was too late. Yeah, it was too late to act like it wasn't there, but it wasn't too late to turn my mindset around for the positive.
It wasn't too late to stay optimistic, still looking for the final release; the aroma of healing and freedom.
It wasn't too late to still find something beautiful, still find that beautiful thing, still find that grace within all my contingency.
Keeping running towards the horizon, toward your own grace,
Tori Taylar
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Song Of Solomon Analysis |Introduction|
Song Of Solomon
Well, Like the title, this is going to be a series of blogs over the next couple weeks I'd say, on the Song Of Solomon in the Old Testament.
I recall a conversation,where people were saying that the Song Of Solomon was just about sex, and I tend to disagree, I believe it's about love between a man and a woman, or the love Christ has for us.
I will be using The Wycliffe Bible Commentary as my reference guide, and study of the Song Of Solomon chapter by chapter.
This blog, is just the introduction of the book and future blogs will be analyzed by the chapter. :) I hope you enjoy this series and I'm very excited to see what this book in the Bible really means.
Interpretation:
As to it's literary genre the Song Of Solomon is obviously a poem of love. The difficulty is how to interpret it. There are four different ways that you can interpret it.
I. The Allegorical View
This was the interpretation common among the Jews from ancient times, and from the it has passed over into the Christian Church. It seems that the Jews regarded the Song as expressing the love relationship between and His chosen people. Eventually the Christian Church saw in it reflected love between Christ and the Church.
II. The Dramatic View
The essence of this view, as advocated by Franz Delitzsch, is that the Song Of Solomon is a drama representing Solomon as having fallen in love with a rustic girl, the Shulamite, whom he takes to his royal palace in Jerusalem. And a particular form of this view, "The shepherd hypothesis", introduces a third character, a shepherd to whom the Shulamite girl remains faithful to despite the advances of Solomon.
III. The Typical View
This view, too, holds that in the Song there is portrayed the great love between Christ and the Church, King Solomon being regarded as a type of Christ and the bride, representing the Church. However this view differs from the allegorical in that it tries to do justice to the actual language of the Song without seeking a special meaning in every phrase, as the allegorical view does.
IV. The Natural or Literal View
The basic tenet of this view is that the Song is a poem extolling human love. From that point on, because of the inclusion of this book in the canon of Scripture, adherents of this view may differ widely as to the ultimate significance of this song of love.
Alrighty then, so the Song Of Solomon is pretty much instructing us to NOT glamorize physical beauty and idolize the biological aspect of marriage. Notwithstanding the straight-forward manner in which physical beauty and attractiveness are described, the love relationship portrayed in the Song is of lofty character.
Thus, the Song holds before us the ideal love relationship in a marriage.
The reading of this book, far from raising sensuous thoughts in our minds, should lead us to praise the Creator who created man in His own image, who made the human body beautiful. The very reading of this book should also make us aware of our sinful failures in our attitude toward members of the other sex in general, and in particular our sins of the flesh within marriage.
This it is by this book the Holy Spirit will lead sinners to the Christ who is also the Redeemer and Sanctifier of holy wedlock. Seeing and experiencing the purity and holiness of this earthly bond of love will also lead us to better understanding of that love relationship which is heavenly and eternal, namely, the spotlessly pure and indestructible bond of love that exists between Christ and His Church.
Well, I hope you guys found this blog helpful and loaded with information about the Song Of Solomon. I know I'm excited to explore this book in the Bible in a deeper way, and take it how God intended for us to receive it and definitely not in a sinful way. I hope you guys will read with me to the end. :)
Let's go on this journey together,
Tori Taylar
Well, Like the title, this is going to be a series of blogs over the next couple weeks I'd say, on the Song Of Solomon in the Old Testament.
I recall a conversation,where people were saying that the Song Of Solomon was just about sex, and I tend to disagree, I believe it's about love between a man and a woman, or the love Christ has for us.
I will be using The Wycliffe Bible Commentary as my reference guide, and study of the Song Of Solomon chapter by chapter.
This blog, is just the introduction of the book and future blogs will be analyzed by the chapter. :) I hope you enjoy this series and I'm very excited to see what this book in the Bible really means.
Interpretation:
As to it's literary genre the Song Of Solomon is obviously a poem of love. The difficulty is how to interpret it. There are four different ways that you can interpret it.
I. The Allegorical View
This was the interpretation common among the Jews from ancient times, and from the it has passed over into the Christian Church. It seems that the Jews regarded the Song as expressing the love relationship between and His chosen people. Eventually the Christian Church saw in it reflected love between Christ and the Church.
II. The Dramatic View
The essence of this view, as advocated by Franz Delitzsch, is that the Song Of Solomon is a drama representing Solomon as having fallen in love with a rustic girl, the Shulamite, whom he takes to his royal palace in Jerusalem. And a particular form of this view, "The shepherd hypothesis", introduces a third character, a shepherd to whom the Shulamite girl remains faithful to despite the advances of Solomon.
III. The Typical View
This view, too, holds that in the Song there is portrayed the great love between Christ and the Church, King Solomon being regarded as a type of Christ and the bride, representing the Church. However this view differs from the allegorical in that it tries to do justice to the actual language of the Song without seeking a special meaning in every phrase, as the allegorical view does.
IV. The Natural or Literal View
The basic tenet of this view is that the Song is a poem extolling human love. From that point on, because of the inclusion of this book in the canon of Scripture, adherents of this view may differ widely as to the ultimate significance of this song of love.
Alrighty then, so the Song Of Solomon is pretty much instructing us to NOT glamorize physical beauty and idolize the biological aspect of marriage. Notwithstanding the straight-forward manner in which physical beauty and attractiveness are described, the love relationship portrayed in the Song is of lofty character.
Thus, the Song holds before us the ideal love relationship in a marriage.
The reading of this book, far from raising sensuous thoughts in our minds, should lead us to praise the Creator who created man in His own image, who made the human body beautiful. The very reading of this book should also make us aware of our sinful failures in our attitude toward members of the other sex in general, and in particular our sins of the flesh within marriage.
This it is by this book the Holy Spirit will lead sinners to the Christ who is also the Redeemer and Sanctifier of holy wedlock. Seeing and experiencing the purity and holiness of this earthly bond of love will also lead us to better understanding of that love relationship which is heavenly and eternal, namely, the spotlessly pure and indestructible bond of love that exists between Christ and His Church.
Well, I hope you guys found this blog helpful and loaded with information about the Song Of Solomon. I know I'm excited to explore this book in the Bible in a deeper way, and take it how God intended for us to receive it and definitely not in a sinful way. I hope you guys will read with me to the end. :)
Let's go on this journey together,
Tori Taylar
Friday, July 1, 2011
Love Is My Story
Love is my story.
To react in love in everything I do.
To show God's love to people, just as He has shown love to me.
To love unconditionally.I desire to fight for those who can't fight.
To use my rights to fight for theirs.
I'll fight until my hands are callused and body is worn for them.
To love the ones that are too tired to love.
To love the ones that need to feel loved.
Well all need love whether we think we do or not.
Love from a friend, love from family.
We need to pass love on in every possible way.
Love one another. Love is the step that we have to take.
Love is the whistle we blow for peace.
Love will speak louder then words in an equality speech.
Love will march with us to the end of the horizon.
Love is the deliberate act of forgiveness.
Love is what will clean up this mess.
Love is love.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Live.Change.
Little facts that we has human beings need to know. Super important, and this has a dear place in my heart. I hope you will take the time to watch this:
Live.Change.
Live.Change.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Too Much?
Much-(Definition)- 1.To a great extent; a great deal.
Sometimes you can put a little bit to much faith, trust, in somebody when you should really be putting ALL your faith in the Lord.
When you start to put to much faith in people, that's when you get let down. Because you get your hopes up,but everyone is human. People, no matter who it is, will let you down sooner or later in some kind of way, shape, or form. The thing is, you mustn't get angry with them, or blame them for the disappointment they brought you but you need to recognize that no one is perfect and give them the benefit of the doubt. Now I'm not saying to let people run over you,and not to express your feelings because I'm not at all, it's just don't ruin a friendship or relationship over something that everyone does. Which is to disappoint and make mistakes sometimes.
Putting your trust in God and God alone, is putting Him in control of your life. It's saying," God I surrender, I can't do this on my own and I need you to guide my footsteps." And when you do that, He takes over. He's suddenly in the drivers seat and things will begin to happen in your life that you never even dreamed of, and you'll wonder why and then you'll know it's all God. Sometimes God has us do things in our life that we may not understand, like becoming friends with certain people to influence them, or even losing a friend and you don't know why. But God does. I have to admit this is something I still have trouble with, is to not question God and His judgement. To seriously leave it all to Him. It's a hard thing to do, and just because I'm writing this blog doesn't mean that I have it down pact, because I don't at all. I'm still going through the process of just letting God do His thing and be in total control of my life and to guide my footsteps.
No matter how old you are, we all need guidance, and He may bring that guidance through your parents, aunts, uncles, or any wise experienced person in your life. That's why we must humble ourselves and listen, even when it's hard to or you don't think your parents are right, but they it always turns up that they are. Whether we see it now or not. We may see it when we get alot older, and we'll be teaching the same thing to our own children.
Well..I guess all I want to say is, let God be in control of your life, and things will be much better then what we could ever do. :)
Til' Next Time Humble Friends,
Tay
Sometimes you can put a little bit to much faith, trust, in somebody when you should really be putting ALL your faith in the Lord.
When you start to put to much faith in people, that's when you get let down. Because you get your hopes up,but everyone is human. People, no matter who it is, will let you down sooner or later in some kind of way, shape, or form. The thing is, you mustn't get angry with them, or blame them for the disappointment they brought you but you need to recognize that no one is perfect and give them the benefit of the doubt. Now I'm not saying to let people run over you,and not to express your feelings because I'm not at all, it's just don't ruin a friendship or relationship over something that everyone does. Which is to disappoint and make mistakes sometimes.
Putting your trust in God and God alone, is putting Him in control of your life. It's saying," God I surrender, I can't do this on my own and I need you to guide my footsteps." And when you do that, He takes over. He's suddenly in the drivers seat and things will begin to happen in your life that you never even dreamed of, and you'll wonder why and then you'll know it's all God. Sometimes God has us do things in our life that we may not understand, like becoming friends with certain people to influence them, or even losing a friend and you don't know why. But God does. I have to admit this is something I still have trouble with, is to not question God and His judgement. To seriously leave it all to Him. It's a hard thing to do, and just because I'm writing this blog doesn't mean that I have it down pact, because I don't at all. I'm still going through the process of just letting God do His thing and be in total control of my life and to guide my footsteps.
No matter how old you are, we all need guidance, and He may bring that guidance through your parents, aunts, uncles, or any wise experienced person in your life. That's why we must humble ourselves and listen, even when it's hard to or you don't think your parents are right, but they it always turns up that they are. Whether we see it now or not. We may see it when we get alot older, and we'll be teaching the same thing to our own children.
Well..I guess all I want to say is, let God be in control of your life, and things will be much better then what we could ever do. :)
Til' Next Time Humble Friends,
Tay
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Proper Young Lady
Lady ( Definition)- 1. a woman who is refined, polite, and well-spoken. 2.any woman.
Now a days I look around, and girls out there just don't act like proper young ladies anymore.
Dressing in dresses, and wearing high heels don't make you a lady, but your mannerisms and actions do.
Seriously girls need to act like proper young ladies, if they want guys to treat them like one. It's hilarious, I hear girls all the time saying, " Why won't he carry my things, and open the door for me?" When they aren't acting like ladies at all. They are chasing after the guys, forever running & giving them hugs and trying to get their attention but then want the guys to chase after them. It just won't work.
Girls, guys do like to chase after us, they like to be chivalrous and be needed,to be a man. You just have to let them do that. I'm not saying be rude, and tell them " Carry my things, open the car door for me!" But when you treat yourself with respect and carry yourself like the lady you are, that will come naturally where they will want to do that stuff for you.
Guys like girls, that are polite, well-mannered and acts like the weaker sex. And now a days that's so hard to find, that when you act that way, you'll stick out like a sore thumb and he'll look at you differently then all the other girls.
You should want to act like a young lady, not because you'll get guys attention but because that's how you should be, you should want to carry yourself with poise and grace.
Like the ladies God created us to be.
Let the guys be men, and let them come after you, and stop running after them. You chasing after them, just shows that you're no different then every other girl out there,that wants their attention and will almost make a complete fool of yourself to get it.That you don't really respect yourself. Trust me, they like the excitement of the chase and of the "different girl" whether they realize it or not.
The second definition of a lady said, " Any woman." Any woman can be a lady, you just have carry yourself that way.
I don't know about you, but I don't want that Jezebel spirit on me, where I won't let guys do things for me, and eventually that spirit turns you into something that God didn't intend for us to be. We are supposed to be pure women of God, preparing our hearts and minds, to be a future wife someday. There was something that stuck out to me this morning as I was reading my Proverb for the day, it said " He who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." - Proverbs 18:22. So many girls can take that in a prideful way, saying " See..they need to find US and they'll get favor from the Lord!" Where a true lady will see it as an honor and a huge responsibility on our part as girls. Yes, that is what His Word said, but we have to make sure that we are a wife worth finding,worth dating, worth marrying, and worth them spending the rest of their life with. We have to make sure that we are spiritually grounded and that we are Godly examples and pure, polite, ladies of God.
Let's face it when you treat yourself with respect by acting like a Godly lady, then a nice Godly man will come your way and respect you like the lady you are. :)
'Til Next Time Ladies,
Tori Taylar
Now a days I look around, and girls out there just don't act like proper young ladies anymore.
Dressing in dresses, and wearing high heels don't make you a lady, but your mannerisms and actions do.
Seriously girls need to act like proper young ladies, if they want guys to treat them like one. It's hilarious, I hear girls all the time saying, " Why won't he carry my things, and open the door for me?" When they aren't acting like ladies at all. They are chasing after the guys, forever running & giving them hugs and trying to get their attention but then want the guys to chase after them. It just won't work.
Girls, guys do like to chase after us, they like to be chivalrous and be needed,to be a man. You just have to let them do that. I'm not saying be rude, and tell them " Carry my things, open the car door for me!" But when you treat yourself with respect and carry yourself like the lady you are, that will come naturally where they will want to do that stuff for you.
Guys like girls, that are polite, well-mannered and acts like the weaker sex. And now a days that's so hard to find, that when you act that way, you'll stick out like a sore thumb and he'll look at you differently then all the other girls.
You should want to act like a young lady, not because you'll get guys attention but because that's how you should be, you should want to carry yourself with poise and grace.
Like the ladies God created us to be.
Let the guys be men, and let them come after you, and stop running after them. You chasing after them, just shows that you're no different then every other girl out there,that wants their attention and will almost make a complete fool of yourself to get it.That you don't really respect yourself. Trust me, they like the excitement of the chase and of the "different girl" whether they realize it or not.
The second definition of a lady said, " Any woman." Any woman can be a lady, you just have carry yourself that way.
I don't know about you, but I don't want that Jezebel spirit on me, where I won't let guys do things for me, and eventually that spirit turns you into something that God didn't intend for us to be. We are supposed to be pure women of God, preparing our hearts and minds, to be a future wife someday. There was something that stuck out to me this morning as I was reading my Proverb for the day, it said " He who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." - Proverbs 18:22. So many girls can take that in a prideful way, saying " See..they need to find US and they'll get favor from the Lord!" Where a true lady will see it as an honor and a huge responsibility on our part as girls. Yes, that is what His Word said, but we have to make sure that we are a wife worth finding,worth dating, worth marrying, and worth them spending the rest of their life with. We have to make sure that we are spiritually grounded and that we are Godly examples and pure, polite, ladies of God.
Let's face it when you treat yourself with respect by acting like a Godly lady, then a nice Godly man will come your way and respect you like the lady you are. :)
'Til Next Time Ladies,
Tori Taylar
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Giving Up
Ok, so my last blog ( literally minutes ago) was talking about quitting the whole "blogging thing". Basically because I didn't know what to write about, and I was feeling like I was losing the will power to write. But now I know that it was just "writers block". Becaaaaauuuuuusee....
God has told me what my topic is! :D
So, Topic: Contemplating Resigning ( Giving up):
Resigning(Definition)-To give up (a position, for example), especially by formal notification.
Sometimes, we all think about giving up or quitting. Sometimes it's not something like blogging, or a hobby. We think about quitting relationships and even quitting on God when things get hard.
Thing is, yes we are going to have hard times but don't ever give up on God. He never gives up on us. We have to remember the strength that God has given us, to endure hard times, whether that's a tough relationship with a significant other, friend, or family member, or pain and suffering. Whatever the "hard time" is, we have to remain strong.
Giving up, won't ever get you anywhere, you'll just be stuck in the same place. God intends for us to be winners, and how can we if we give up on things and not want to try at all? Now I do understand, taking a break and getting a fresh start with things. Maybe if you need to take a break from songwriting, writing etc, that's a great thing to do because sometimes we have to step away for a while but just make sure you don't give up on it and never pick it back up again just because you don't think you can do it. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Just remember that, and say that to yourself and He'll help you through anything you need to get through. He'll help you say the right things to people to "mend" that relationship, He'll help you write the right words on that song or blog.
Just always, always remember not to give up God, He comes through for us when we least expect it, and it's all according to His timing and plan for us. Even though we may not see how "this or that" will help us, or why we have to go through the things we do, but God knows what He's doing, and He has a perfect plan for our life all according to His perfect time. All we need to do is sit back and let Him take the wheel in our life. Let Him take full control, and just see where He'll take us, and let Him move in our life.
Who are we to question the things He has for us?
Well, that's all for my spiel today. Hm, guess I have my answer: Staying. :)
Til Next Time fellow winners,
Tori Taylar
God has told me what my topic is! :D
So, Topic: Contemplating Resigning ( Giving up):
Resigning(Definition)-To give up (a position, for example), especially by formal notification.
Sometimes, we all think about giving up or quitting. Sometimes it's not something like blogging, or a hobby. We think about quitting relationships and even quitting on God when things get hard.
Thing is, yes we are going to have hard times but don't ever give up on God. He never gives up on us. We have to remember the strength that God has given us, to endure hard times, whether that's a tough relationship with a significant other, friend, or family member, or pain and suffering. Whatever the "hard time" is, we have to remain strong.
Giving up, won't ever get you anywhere, you'll just be stuck in the same place. God intends for us to be winners, and how can we if we give up on things and not want to try at all? Now I do understand, taking a break and getting a fresh start with things. Maybe if you need to take a break from songwriting, writing etc, that's a great thing to do because sometimes we have to step away for a while but just make sure you don't give up on it and never pick it back up again just because you don't think you can do it. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Just remember that, and say that to yourself and He'll help you through anything you need to get through. He'll help you say the right things to people to "mend" that relationship, He'll help you write the right words on that song or blog.
Just always, always remember not to give up God, He comes through for us when we least expect it, and it's all according to His timing and plan for us. Even though we may not see how "this or that" will help us, or why we have to go through the things we do, but God knows what He's doing, and He has a perfect plan for our life all according to His perfect time. All we need to do is sit back and let Him take the wheel in our life. Let Him take full control, and just see where He'll take us, and let Him move in our life.
Who are we to question the things He has for us?
Well, that's all for my spiel today. Hm, guess I have my answer: Staying. :)
Til Next Time fellow winners,
Tori Taylar
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