GO

So lately, I have had a lot of convictions about the way I live my life. God is working in me a lot right now, preparing me for what is ahead. I guess that graduating and getting ready to go off to school has gotten me thinking a lot about what my life looks like and who I am. Here is something I've lately been convicted of myself.
-taye


"Go and make disciples of all nations. . ."

For the past four months (yes, it has taken me four months), I have been reading David Platt's book "Radical". God has 'radically' changed my outlook of life through that book. I have one more chapter left to read, but in the first eight chapters, I have seen that the church in America today is seriously confused. We have taken the Jesus of the Bible, and turned Him into whatever Jesus we decide to "worship" but that this is not true worship, it is just lifting our hands and singing songs to something that is not there, we have taken the God and turned Him into a god. I say we because I am included in the American church. When I first began reading Radical I had an outlook that David Platt was not talking about me, but merely others in the church, some that I see every Sunday, that walk around believing they are following God and yet they are so lost. But now I see that in fact, he was talking about me- however, I did not realize that until last night.

A passage in the Bible that every Christian knows is the great commission.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." {Matthew 28:19-20}

We read this passage, which is a commandment of God, and we say "Okay" but never act upon it. We then go on our merry way believing that we are following God's will for our lives. However, I hate to break it to you, but the great commission IS God's will for our lives. A question so many Christians ask is "How do I find God's will for my life?" or "I'm waiting to see what God wants me to do with my life." However, He clearly points out His will for your life in Matthew 28:19-20!

The great commission is called the great commission, not the great suggestion. A verse we typically leave out of the great commission is verse 18:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me . . ."

That changes things, He has given the authority to tell us to GO, and yet we are still not GOING.

when you put it together the great commission looks like this.

 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  {Matthew 28:18-20}


I challenge you, and myself, today to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES. Give your life in OBEDIENCE to the God (not god) who has all authority in heaven and on earth. GO.



Monday Music

So, I am officially a college student now! It's insane to actually think that I am no longer in high school, and that in a few short months I will be living in a dorm in Jackson, Mississippi all on my own at college! Wow. God has been so faithful in bringing me to this point in my life and constantly teaching me and growing me in Him, even when I stray or sometimes run in the opposite direction of where I should be going. Here is some music for your Memorial Day Monday!
-taye

Caedmon's Call - some serious oldies, but I haven't listened to this song in a while and it just came on my iTunes a minute ago, it rings pretty true.

So, I have been obsessed with this song all week long (ha, that rhymes!) It's so awesome how "Christian" this song really is. . . "You were made to meet your Maker" Heck yes!

This was the song I chose for my graduation slideshow, I really haven't listened to it all that much, but when I was choosing a song, the lyrics to this one just really hit me and seemed like they hit the nail on the head when talking about getting to this point in my life:

"Making my life something so beautiful, beautiful"

It reminds me that I didn't get here alone, and that GOD is the One who has brought me here, not myself nor anyone else.

Valedictorian

Since I'm homeschooled, I'm basically the valedictorian of my class. Also, at graduation this coming Saturday, none of the six students graduating get to make a speech, so this is mine.
-taye

Valedictorian Speech

Valedictory means bidding goodbye or saying farewell, and in a way that is also what graduation means. And although this may seem like an ending, the reality of graduating is that it is also a new start. Graduation is one of the few times in life where one must say "goodbye" and "hello" simultaneously, and it can be scary, confusing, and exciting all at once. This moment is bittersweet for everyone who has ever gone through it before, and for us who are going through it now. It is a melancholy time in the "goodbye" sense of the moment. We must now leave the nest in which we have grown so comfortable and safe, saying farewell to the only people we have ever known-- our parents, our siblings, our friends, and our town. But I cannot say goodbye without being thankful for the eighteen years I have lived in LaGrange, and grown so comfortable at Highland Pointe Drive. I cannot help but show my gratitude to those who have had a part in creating this girl who is getting ready to spread her wings. To my parents, who have put forth so much time, money, and effort into giving me an excellent education, thank you for the energy you put into me as your third homeschooled child and youngest daughter. You have both taught me so much intellectually, but you have given me the foundation I need to obtain good character and to become a godly young woman. To Ragan and Spencer, thank you for all of the years you have made me laugh and cry; for the memories that I will always keep in my heart, and all the lessons learned and the examples given for me to look up to and the ones that show me what not to do. Thank you to the three most important girls in my life, you help create the four musketeers, and have always been there for me in any and every situation in life thus far, and I hope and pray you all continue by my side for the rest of my life. And since I am going to be the first Baptist nun,  I have found my soul mate in you three girls, and will forever cherish my friendships with ya'll. Thank you also, to my dance teachers- all of you. Thank you especially Mrs. Amy, Mrs. Nancy, Mrs. Karen, and Mrs. Miriam, for the years and time you put into encouraging my love for ballet. And to all the children I have babysat or taught in dance, thank you for helping me continue to act like a seven year-old, I think I have had more fun than any of you have, especially if I have ever blown bubbles or played on a playground with you.
The sad parts are the thank-you's and goodbyes, however now comes the exciting, kind of scary part: the hello's. As I head off to Mississippi, it feels as though everyone I know is going in a different direction. I know that all the people I have mentioned, and others, have prepared me well for the step which I am about to take into my future which God has perfectly planned for me. I have saved the most important thank-you for last: Thank you God, for this beautiful life have you blessed me with. Thank you for the incredible, godly people you have surrounded me with, thank you for the ability to walk and dance for Your glory. Thank you for the cross and for salvation, as well as for Your grace and mercy and patience toward me. I deserve none of these things, and yet You have given them to me, and so I pray that I give everything I have back to You. I want to close with one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite bears: Winnie the Pooh. This sums up everything I want to say to all of my family, friends, and others who have helped me along my way thus far.

"If there is ever a tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I will always be with you."



I asked God who I'm supposed to be...

This might possibly be my favorite song in this whole wide world

Letters...

Happy Tuesday! Here is a continuation of my letters to people who I've been close to throughout high school.
-taye

Dear Chris,
  You are the only brother-in-law I have ever had, so I guess you are a good one, considering I don't really have anything to compare you with. I'm kidding, you have been a great brother-in-law to me, and also Spencer, almost like a real brother. I remember meeting you for the first time at Amsterdam Cafe, and Ragan going with me to the bathroom and asking what I thought of you. I told her I liked you a lot and that you were cuter than the last boyfriend. My opinion of you has not changed much, especially on the first part, I still like you a lot and am thankful that you are part of our family.

P.S. I didn't forget about you in the last one, I simple wanted to make you wait in suspense to see what I would say about you!
P.P.S. Writing this has made me come to the realization that we have ZERO pictures together.


Dear Catherine,
   Getting to know you throughout this year has made me feel really old. I remember when I was the assistant in your ballet class when you were like eight years-old. But you have come a long way since then and you are turning into a beautiful dancer and a beautiful person. You have no idea how much I have loved getting to know you this year, it has made me want to be a better person, and a better example and leader at dance, and it has encouraged me to see your desire for God. You remind of my seventh grade self so much, which is both good and funny. Middle school is tough, awkward, and looking back it's the time that I made so many hilarious memories that I still laugh about. I will really miss you next year, but don't think I'm going to leave you alone, we will still talk a lot. I love you!

Dear Cary,
   It's amazing how close you can get to someone in just two days at Reunion. But I am so thankful that we became legit friends back in January. You will never know how much your friendship means to me and how big of an encouragement you are to me all the time. I love our awkwardness and our funny talks about magic bullets and pizza the size of my steering wheel. But most importantly, I love your desire for God, and how being a bystander in God's will is not good enough for you. You encourage me to be more passionate for the Lord and to be an example of a godly woman for you and for others. I love you!





Monday Music

I am about ready for graduation...only twelve more days!!! Here is some music for you Monday.
-taye

I heard this song for the first time this morning...whoa.

Love Shane and Shane. I also love this song off their last CD. Everything is different, everything. It make me take a look at my own life and ask myself if EVERYTHING is DIFFERENT because of Christ or I'm I am continuing to live in disrespectful, indifferent manner.

I usually am not a big fan of Adele, all her songs start sounding the same after a while, but lately I’ve been listening to her more and I’m starting to actually like a few of her songs…this one, for example.

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Tonight is the Senior Dinner for the four seniors at ballet. I graduate from High School in sixteen days. I move to Mississippi in three months. Yet, I still feel like I'm seven years-old half of the time. It seems completely crazy that I am about to go off to college; it really seems like only a year ago that my now twenty-five year old married sister went off to Auburn University and I was eleven. Yet here I am, eighteen, graduating high school and moving on to the next step in God's plan for my life. All of this has gotten me to thinking about the people who have helped me get here, and how they have impacted my life. From now until graduation, I'm going to be writing some letters to the people who have impacted my life, either in the past or more recently.
-taye

Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye
Dear Family . . .

Dear Mom,
     Thank you for giving me life. I guess you are pretty much the main one to thank for my existence, besides God that is. Nine months of carrying me around, hours of labor, and years of watching me grow up so quickly before you eyes. Thank you for everything you have done, do, and will do in the future for me. You have taught me so much. You taught me to love God, to have a good attitude in every situation, whether that is easy or difficult. You taught me to cook and to always clean my room and make my bed (however, I won't be making my bed in college, sorry). I have taught you a lot too though; I have taught you how to use the many electronics you have had over the years, and still don't know how to use.
     I have so much to thank you for. Thank you for your patience with me. I know I can be stubborn and sarcastic much of the time, and yet, here you are, after eighteen years, still being patient with me. Thank you for being friends with Lisa Moody, Christine Oliver and Claire Batchelor, your friendships with them brought me to the best friends I have and will ever know. Thank you most of all for signing me up for dance classes when I was three years-old, that might possibly have been one of the best decisions you have ever made in your whole life. Thank you for all you do for me, as well as the rest of our family. I promise I will call you at college and that I will come home as much as possible. But promise me that every now and then, you will brave the roads of Jackson, Mississippi to come and see me dance at school. I love you.



Dear Dad,  
     Ragan is mostly like Mom, and Spencer is like nobody really, but me, I am definitely my father's daughter. I remind myself of you every single day. I possess so many traits that came from you and you only: my sarcasm, my coffee addiction, we even have almost the same car. It must be that youngest child bond we have. God places the man as the head of a household, and you have fully lived up to that responsibility. You have loved me unconditionally, shown me the paths that I should walk, and been my strength when I needed it most. Thank you for accompanying and taking me on numerous trips: Philadelphia, D.C. New York, Texas, I have so many memories from these trips that I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you for teaching me how to drive, I can only imagine the patience it must have required. Thank you for sitting through hours of dance recitals and Nutcrackers, I'm sure they weren't the most exciting hours of your life, but it has always meant so much to me that you were sitting in the audience. I love you.

Dear Ragan,

     We are pretty much complete opposites, but that's what makes our friendship so fun. You are crazy and hilarious, and such a joy to be around. You constantly make me laugh whenever I am with you and am so thankful for everything you have been to me over the years. Sorry I kept my stuff so messy the years we shared a room. If it makes you feel any better, I still keep my stuff messy. When I was younger, you were the person who encouraged me to keep dancing. I looked up to you so much back then, and I still do, only in different ways now that we're older. You teach me so many life lessons, and it is so nice to have someone who has been through it all before to prepare for the future. So yes, we're different, but it makes me love you even more.

Dear Spencer,

     Oh brother, we have had many good times and bad. I guess it's just an unwritten rule that every brother and sister absolutely have to argue. I think that's the majority of what we did when I was in middle school and you were in high school. But that aside, I have so many good and funny memories with you as well. And now that we're older, we get along just fine. I am so thankful for the big brother God blessed me with, and the talks we've gotten to have over the past year or so. I really thought about everything you are to me that time you were in the hospital for a week, and I really appreciate you and everything you are. . .especially everything you are to me. You are a shoulder to lean on, a protective person over me, a boisterous, but funny guy, and I know I'll always have someone to celebrate my birthday with for the rest of my life. I love you.



Word Wednesday

Well, I am officially done with the dance year. It feels so strange, but I will still be at my studio until I leave for college in August, so it's not going to change too much until then. Church was awakening tonight, for me at least. Our previous youth minister spoke tonight instead of our current one, I love to listen to him speak, God really uses him. It's interesting to see how God speaks differently through different people. Anyway, I was just really reminded of the intensity of the cross and the depth of my sin and also salvation. Another thing I was reminded of that I am constantly in need of a reminder is how much and how incredible God's love is for us. How after we beat, scourged, whipped, slapped, spit on, and mocked Jesus Christ, what he asked in return was, "Father forgive them". . . how ridiculous is that? That is how intense God's love for us really is. Here's some of Luke to finish off your Wednesday.
-taye

Luke 23:18-47 (ESV)

"But they all cried out together, 'Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas'— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, 'Crucify, crucify Him!' A third time he said to them, 'Why, what evil has He done? I have found in Him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release Him.' But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

And as they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on Him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed Him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for Him. But turning to them Jesus said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, "Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!" Then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us," and to the hills, "Cover us." For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?'

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide His garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at Him, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen One!' The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him sour wine and saying, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!'  There was also an inscription over him, 'This is the King of the Jews.'

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And He said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!' And having said this He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, 'Certainly this man was innocent!'



Bittersweet Goodbyes

Well, I’m about to leave in just a bit to go to Troup High for my last dance recital in LaGrange. It’s bittersweet. On one hand I have so many crazy memories and I love the company girls and my students so much that I hate to leave them all behind; yet on the other hand, I am so anxious and eager to move onto the next chapter of my life and dance with new people and new teachers and have new experiences.


Needless to say that as I get my makeup on and spray my hair to death, I am getting pumped for my Senior dance recital . . . the playlist?

• Florence + the Machine

• Mumford and Sons

• Ellie Goulding

• The Cinematic Orchestra

• John Mayer

• Snow Patrol

• Coldplay

-taye

"If I could tell you that, I wouldn't have to dance."

~Isadora Duncan


Monday Music

I'm sipping a chai tea latte while I write this, and I made an A on my math final this morning. My Monday is beginning pretty well I'd say. This is my last week of dance at my studio here in LaGrange; our recital is tomorrow, senior dinner is on Thursday, and competition is on Sunday, after that all I'm doing is summer classes and then I'll be off to college in August beginning a new start on dance. Anyway, here's some music for your Monday.
-taye

I am not really a big country music fan, but I do love two country groups/artists: Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum. This is Lady A's newest song.

(Song starts at 18 seconds)

This song is really ringing true this weekend and the start of this week. I'm continually realizing my incredible need for Christ, as well as my need for prayer and time in the Word. I can clearly see the difference in my life, the way I speak and act toward others, when I am and when I am not consistantly doing these things and getting that time with God that is oh so necessary and vital to my life.

"When I cannot stand I'll fall on You"

We sing this one every now and then at Encounter (my church's contemporary service) it's repetetive, but passionate. I cannot help but cry out to the Lord sometimes to just fill me up with Himself, so that my life will look less like me and more like Him.

"For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:21

The Beauty of the Lord

This week has been an interesting one. Tuesday was the roughest day for me, and when I have days like that I tend to just wallow. But I remember after days like that how ridiculously selfish that way of thinking and feeling really is. It is not about me at all . . . it is only about Christ. Days like that are given to me to test me, to see where my faith really is, and when I choose to wallow, I am not choosing faith in God, I am choosing faith in myself and that won't do me any good at all, for I am weak and sinful, and cannot do anything without God's help and strength. Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days ever, I guess in a way it made up for Tuesday. I got to spend the day with one of my best friends, Grace, and we played on the playground, made my belated hello kitty birthday cake (why yes, we do act like we're 7 year olds quite frequently), and had a Starbucks date. Then I got to see my 8 year-olds I teach in ballet to get recital pictures taken in their beautiful gold sparkly tutus, and church was amazing. We sang "All my Fountains" by Chris Tomlin, one of my favorite songs from Passion 2011, which just reminds me that nothing good comes from me alone, it all comes from Christ and that all my joy and happiness spring from the well of life which is God.  Here's a video one of my friends posted on facebook yesterday, I thought I'd share.
-taye

http://vimeo.com/22439234

Click on the link to watch the video, but while you watch it, think about the Creator, God, who made all of this beauty of nature so that we might see just a glimpse of His indescribable beauty. 

Monday Music

I had such a beautiful weekend. The beauty of it was that I didn't really do much of anything at all. My sister spent the weekend with me and we watched the Royal Wedding Friday, and went to the high school's chorus show on Saturday night. Now my grandparents are here with me until tomorrow, I love spending time with them. They are a lovely picture of what I want to be when I am 70+. Today is my second-to-last pre-cal class until I graduate! All that is left is the final next Monday. I officially graduate from high school in 26 days! Not that I'm counting or anything. Anyway, here is some amazing music for your Monday morning.
-taye

We sang this song in Church yesterday, and I had forgotten how much I liked it. It is literally the epitome of my prayers right now, I really want to strive to have Christ at the center of everything . . . especially my love, words, thoughts, and actions. We had some tornadoes this past Wednesday night/Thursday morning, and Eric, the worship leader, yesterday made an awesome point that really hit me. There were TONS of trees down from the storms and he said, just imagine a single tree in the middle of all the chaos and damage of the storm, and that one tree simple stood, not moving or changing, in the middle of it all. If all that chaos and rubble is our lives or our world, that one, unchanging, unfaltering, steadfast tree is Christ.

I have been obsessed with Florence + the Machine this past week --

Cosmic Love is one of her best.

Fix you . . . such a classic, one which I think I will never get tired of listening to. One of my contemporary pieces for the recital is to this song, and so I've been trying to find deeper meaning to help my performance and to give me a thought to grasp while I'm dancing it. I've thought of a lot, but one thought that has really stuck with me is when I think of the song from God's perspective. We are broken, and God heals us, "fixes" us in a way.

"And the Lord...healed the people." 2 Chronicles 3:20

"For He wounds, but He binds up; He shatters, but His hands heal." Job 5:18

". . .I cried to You for help and You have healed me." Psalm 30:2

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

"I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him." Isaiah 57:18

and I could quote many, many more verses just like these. He is so good, so constant, and loving us with His everlasting and unfailing love, even though we poorly deserve any of it, He gives it all to us.