Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Contemplating Resigning

Resigning ( Definition)- . To give up (a position, for example), especially by formal notification.




That pretty much means that I'm thinking about resigning from the "blogging world".Not set in stone, but I am contemplating. Either I'm losing the will power to write, or I'm just going through "writer's block". hahaI'm not doing it quite yet, but I'm thinking about it.


Well I guess we'll see what the next blog says in about a week... "Staying or Leaving?": /


I think I'll keep ya on your toes. :P


Thanks for reading.


Til Next Time fellow bloggers,
Tori Taylar

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Opening Your Ears

Listening (Definition)- 1.To make an effort to hear something. 2. To pay attention; heed.

I hear alot of Christians say, " Why doesn't God talk to me, like He does to other people?" " Ugh, it just seems like I never hear God talk to me!"

Think about it...
Are you really listening?

Did you read that definition?
TO make an effort.

If you want to hear God's voice, if you want to hear what He has to say to you, then all you have to do is stop and listen. You have to turn off the things around you, like maybe the tv, music, cell phones, and sometimes even your own thoughts to stop and make an effort and say, " God.. I want to hear your voice, I want to hear You speak to me." And you know what...? He WILL speak to you! You will hear Him so clearly, if you just listen! Make an effort! If you want to, you will! He doesn't chose to speak to certain people, He's not prejudice, or judging you of things you've done, He wants to speak to you in a different way, in a way that's made for you listen to.

You have to learn when God is speaking to you. I'm not saying you'll hear a voice like some people do, but God can speak to you through things.
He can speak to you through the Bible, through prayer, through someone else like family, friends, or even something that you read, and you just know that God wanted you to read it! God can speak to you through anything, you just have to have your ears & eyes ready at all times, to receive a Word from God.

If you have trouble, stopping and listening to God then, pray about it and ask Him to help you seek His voice more. Sometimes it isn't always easy to do, and you do have to prepare yourself but that's ok. Don't dwell in negativity or idle thoughts, that can keep you from hearing God.

Remember: Life won't always seem so complicated or confusing if you just listen to God's instruction, and ask Him to speak to you. :) Don't be afraid...all you have to do is ask, talk to Him like you can see Him sitting right next to you.
Trust me, He's there...and listening to your every word, and ready to share a special word with you. :)

Til Next time fellow hearers,
Tori Taylar

Father God, we just ask you that you help us prepare our minds, our hearts, and our ears to listen to you everyday, to receive whatever it is that you want to tell us, or have in store for us. We pray Jesus, that we will keep our hearts open and prepared at all times, to listen to your instruction, because that's the only way we can make it in this world. In Jesus Name..Amen.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sacrifice

Sacrifice ( Defintion)- 1. Sacrifice of one's personal interests or well-being for the sake of others or for a cause. 2. The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person.


Now the kind of sacrifice I'm talking about doesn't require you to go and kill an animal.
 I'm talking about Self Sacrifice.


What are you willing to sacrifice for God, or others?
We are growing up in a generation that is so selfish, and doesn't care about others at all, and sometimes don't care about God and the things  we'll have to sacrifice for Him.
Jesus was a sacrifice for us, to live. I think that we can definitely sacrifice something for Him.


Sometimes Christians tend to think that just the simple fact that we are Christians, we won't endure hard times or trouble or that the sacrifice for Him will be "willingly". Sometimes we have to sacrifice for Him, and it may be the hardest thing we've ever had to do, or we may not want to do it, but we have to.


We have to realize that we are set apart from this world, we can't blend in, and it may result in giving up some music that others listen to, or tv shows, or even cutting loose of some bad influences in your life. It won't always be easy but we have to do it.


For me, sacrifice, has always came to me when I wasn't expecting it or it was really hard to do it. Even as far back as I can remember I was making sacrifices for God, and it was really hard. I was 8 years old in a Catholic School. We had been Christian and going to COTR for a couple years. It was movie day that day, and the teacher put in Harry Potter for us all to watch. We were new Christians and I had been hearing for the past couple years not to even watch stuff like that to get into my spirit. ( I don't know why they had that in a Catholic School to begin with but that's another long story) My friends tried to talk me into just watching it, and " going along with it", but I knew that wouldn't be right. I went to the teacher and told her that I couldn't watch Harry Potter, because it wasn't good to watch and she and the other students treated me like I was weird, and I could tell that she didn't believe me and was frustrated with me. So was just going to sit in the back of the classroom and read a book, but she sent me in the lab by myself to read for a few  hours. It was one of the hardest times of my life. I remember sitting on that cold floor( Reason why I had to sit on the floor is because there were dead frogs waiting to be dissected on the table)  in the dark lab by myself crying out to God, asking Him, " If I did the right thing, why does it seem like I'm being punished for it?"  " Couldn't I have just watched the movie?" " Is it really that bad?"


I had the choice to stay in the classroom and be with my friends, and just watch that movie, but I knew I had to sacrifice for God.  Back then, I didn't know I was sacrificing, I was just doing what God wanted me to do. I had to do it for Him. From that moment on in my life, I knew that I was set apart, and things would never be the same. I talked about Jesus so much that the teachers had to tell my mother to tell me to " cool it down on the Jesus stuff." ( Remember this was a Catholic School) it's not like it was a public school. Ever since that movie day, I was treated as an outcast, among sinners, catholics and sometimes even Christians because they aren't willing to sacrifice. They don't want to change.


My reason for telling that story, is we seriously need to realize that we ARE NOT of this world and we MUST set ourselves apart by sacrificing for God. Even though it's NOT going to be easy AT ALL, and you may get pushed aside, laughed at, and treated differently for it,but you MUST do it anyway. Think about it, Jesus was laughed at, mocked, and pushed aside by His own people and He saved us all, we have to go through the same. Get used to sacrificing for God, make it a LIFESTYLE, because God forbid if you get left behind, you will seriously have to make some sacrifices for God then and it WILL NOT be easy. It'll come along with pain, heartache, and in that case even starvation.


BUT...
Even though we have to go through some hard times for God, doesn't mean it won't be worth it! We'll be sitting in the Kingdom of Heaven with The Lord God Almighty! Walking on streets of gold and fellowshiping with Him! Praising His name for Eternity! God will reward you for your sacrifice, even if we don't see that reward while we are here on earth, we'll most definitely see it in Heaven!


Til Next Time Fellow Sacrificers,
Tori Taylar

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

His Love Never Fails You

Fail ( Definition) 1. To prove deficient or lacking; perform ineffectively or inadequately.2. To be unsuccessful


Sometimes the things we go through in life, makes us think that we are alone or that somehow God has failed us. But never will God fail us, or forsake neither will His love for us.


We sometimes tend to think that just because we are Christians, we won't have trials and tribulations. Yet God's word said that we will go through suffering and rejection for Him, just for the simple fact that we are Christians. When we have a hard time, as in a tough breakup, family members may be sick or friends betray you we have to stand strong in God and remember that He is there for us and that He loves us, that we are not alone.  Sometimes our faith gets tested, to see if we will stand for Him through the good times and the bad. To see if we will still sing Hallelujah when things aren't easy at all.


Don't ever think that God has left you alone, or has forsaken you. Remember He died for us, and He loves us deeply, more than our minds can ever comprehend. Remember that Jesus does have feelings and when we say or think that He has left us or betrayed us, it breaks His heart because of how much He did for us. How can we possibly think such a thing after He died for us?


Jesus shows us what Love is, he showed us because He died for us, and no matter how wrong people treat Him, He still shows them compassion and love. No matter how many times we mess us, or turn our back away from Him, He still shows love towards us. We need to learn to walk in His love, and love others as He has loved us, to make it a lifestyle.  In this we know exactly what love is, and that's simply God..God is love.


Conclusion: If we are walking in God's love that He has shown us, we learn what love really is, so how can we ever feel alone or that He doesn't love us? It isn't possible.


1 John 3:16
" By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.


'Til next time fellow brethren,
Tori Taylar

Saturday, February 19, 2011

The Challenge Of Our Lifetime

They are a family too, stop global warming.
Global Warming ( Definition)-  an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution


Global warming is the most profound environmental challenge of our time – and it is accelerating at an alarming rate.
Our goal: to reduce the pollution that causes global warming and avoid catastrophic climate change.


 How do we know the Earth is Warming?
Science has shown that the Earth has been warming for the past 100 years.
As far back as the 1850s, a small number of weather stations around the world were compiling temperature records. These numbers grew during the 20th century and today there are thousands of land-based weather stations and ocean buoys in every corner of the world monitoring temperatures.


How do we know that Humans are responsible?
What warms the earth? I. The sun. II. Earth's Reflectivity. III. Greenhouse Gases.
All of these things cause Global Warming but which on these is our current reason for Global warming? It isn't I. The sun ( Ultimately, the climate system is powered by the sun: all else being equal, if you turn up the sun, you'll warm up the Earth. According to IPCC estimates, the sun has accounted for just a small portion of warming since 1750.), II. The earths reflectivity changes points to cooling not warming(Around 30% of the sun's energy that reaches the Earth is reflected back into space. Changes in how much sunlight is absorbed, and how much is reflected, can affect global temperatures. Using satellite and land-based observations and computer models, scientists have calculated how Earth's reflectivity has changed over time.) That leaves the greenhouse effect as the only remaining scientific explanation for the rise in global temperatures in recent decades. Scientists have direct measurements of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere going back more than 50 years, and indirect measurements (from ice cores) going back hundreds of thousands of years. These measurements confirm that concentrations are rising rapidly.
 . All the evidence points to the III. Greenhouse Gases.


 Conclusion: As far as scientists are concerned, it's case closed: human activity is causing the earth to get warmer primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, with a smaller contribution from deforestation. All other scientific explanations for why the Earth is getting warmer have been eliminated.


 The Global warming we are experiencing is not natural, people are causing it. Only CO2   
and other greenhouse gas emissions from human activities explain the observed warming now taking place on earth.
Animals are dying and our health is be threatened.


Get Involved and Fight Global Warming
Pollution, especially from cars and from making electricity, is a major cause of global warming. Find out how you can make a difference.
So here are a few ways that you can fight global warming without having to tie yourself to trees and what not. Simple easy ways that can be turned into a lifestyle:
I. Switch to Energy Saving Bulbs
II. Driving Efficiently: 1. Drive less aggressively. 2. Slowing down while driving. 3. Knowing when to use the air. 4. Don't Idle, if you are stopping your car for more than ten seconds ( not in traffic) then you can turn off your engine. Idling for more than ten seconds can use more gas and create more global warming pollution.
III. Driving Less, by combining trips, telecommute once a week, carpooling and using public transportation when possible.


Those are just a few simple ways that you can help change the planet, and I know what you're thinking " Can one person really make a difference?" The answer is, Yes! If everyone asked their self that question and said yes! Then we would change the world! We would be saving forests, animals, and putting ourselves and generations to come in better health! So don't think you aren't making a difference because you are! Every person counts! We have to stand hand in hand and fight global warming and make the world a safer place for wildlife and mankind!


'Til Next Time Fellow Tree Huggers. :)
Tori Taylar


If you'd like more information about Global Warming and how to help I highly recommend checking out some of these websites:


http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/


www.edf.org   ( Environmental Defense Fund )















Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Day

Valentines Day.
 The day for friends, family, lovers, and mates.

People tend to make this day about their "Valentine" and traditionally that's the way it was intended.

Yet the Valentineless can't help but feel yucky on this day. But if you don't have a speical Valentine, make the best out of this day the best way you can.

Trust me I'm not telling you to do something that I'm not doing myself, because I'm in the same boat. We can sail down this valentineless ocean together.

Usually every Valentines Day, I go around saying I hate this day, and to be honest I know I've only said that because of a lack of a Valentine. But I don't hate Valentines Day, it just isn't a day for me to celebrate yet, I guess. Haha

I may have not had a boyfriend and may not have one now, but I do have Jesus and He's love enough for me. If you're lagging around because you don't have a Valentine try to make the best of the day, and remember that you have a Valentine in Jesus. He's everything you need Him to be.

Don't waste the day because others make you feel loveless, or unloved. I know it may be hard, but know that you've found Love is Christ and He loves you and that's all that matters.

'Til Next Time Fellow Sailors,
Tori Taylar
 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Prom

Prom (Definition) - a formal dance, especially one held by a high school or college class at the end of an academic year.

Prom.
Pretty much something that every girl gets to dream of before the wedding.

The dress.
The shoes.
The jewelry.
The matching colors for you and your date.
Oh the planning can be overwhelming, yet something girls MUST experience.

Ladies, if you have the chance to go to prom, go to it!
Don't miss it. I think it'd be pretty cool to experience.

I'm a Senior this year, and I can't go to prom because of the simple fact that I'm homeschooled so the lack of a "real school" persay is why I can't attend. Some of my girl-friends invite me to come as a friend to their prom but i'd be put in a "third wheel" position and that'd be plain..awkward. Haha.

Sometimes I haven't given up on it but, considering the fact it's my last year of high school I've given up on it but who know's I may just get to go. (fingers crossed) 

If I don't I'll dream about my wedding instead, and wait a few years. Haha
Well that was my random spiel.

'Til next time fellow promers.
Tori Taylar