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| Getting married in front of a Cross was something I always wanted, and we got to do it twice! |
Friday, May 6, 2016
What kind of people get married twice?! Us. We did that.
Seriously, God? Throw me a bone here!
YOOO!
I'm coming at you this morning after church, farmer's market shopping, family lunch, and before heading to life group... it's been a busy Sunday.
Headed home from church Jake and I were talking about our finances, and we were frustrated. We both seem to ask the same question, "Where does the money go?!" We're young, and we're paying off the mistakes of credit card mishaps now as we are married. Much of that credit card expense was not spent carelessly but provided fixing of a vehicle when needed, an emergency c-section for a dog we didn't know was pregnant, a truck payment when Jake's surgery cost us more than what we had, and a few other things that were out of our control..but we're still paying them now nonetheless.
We are not frivolous spenders, and we feel like we are trying our hardest to get ahead the right way. We haven't walked away from any debt, and are really working hard to pay it off as quickly as we can. Both of us are working beyond our full time jobs to make some extra money to try and speed that up, we are extremely open with each other and are constantly communicating before, during, and after we spend any amount of money. And yet, we still feel like we can't get ahead.
Obedience. God calls us to obedience. And he is faithful. So faithful.
As easy as it is to look at our finances negatively, we are trying to look at the upside. EVERY bill, debt, and need was met that needed to be met for this pay period. (And has been met for every pay period before..even when we didn't know how it would, it got covered.) We didn't have to put anything on credit and we were able to buy our plane tickets to Wisconsin at an AWESOME price (366 TOTAL round trip) without putting them on a credit card. We filled our gas tanks and our fridge and freezer are full of enough food to get us through until the next check rolls through.. We are taken care of. We have been provided for. We are okay.
Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has it's own worries.. (Matthew 6:34)
In Matthew 6: 25-24 Jesus teaches about worry, and it comes down to seeking first HIS kingdom, and HE will give us everything we need. He knows our needs, he knows the status of our debts, he is aware of our bank accounts and how much or how little we may have. It's no surprise to him. He asks us to focus on today, and to seek Him first above all else.
God is good. He provides.
It's hard when you want so much, but feel like you're never going to get there.
BUT, perspective...
Jobs? We have those. Ones that provide health benefits, PLENTY of vacation time which means opportunity for more schooling or other jobs and hobbies for added income and fun!
Cars? Two that can reliably get us where we need to go!
House? One in a prime location with a fantastic yard and so much potential. We've had so much fun updating it together. Plus in a few years we'll get to buy it!
Each other... yeeeeah it's sappy. But it's true. I've got a husband who loves me more than I could ever fathom, who encourages me and forces me to see the bright side of everything. Even on the dreary days, he provides all the smiles.
And the most important thing.. Jesus? DUH! And he meets EVERY need!
__________________________________________________________________
So I wrote that last Sunday, and never posted it. And since that Sunday God has blessed us even more so than just covering our needs, he went above and beyond.
God is good, and oh so faithful.
Seek HIS Kingdom first, and the he will provide EVERY need and many of the wants that are best for you.. ;)
God,
Thank you for consistently meeting every need. You know the number of hairs on our heads, you knew what we'd struggle with before you created the Earth, and you love us with an immeasurable love. Help us to trust you in every circumstance, no matter how desolate some may seem. You are good, all the time.
Amen!
I'm coming at you this morning after church, farmer's market shopping, family lunch, and before heading to life group... it's been a busy Sunday.
Headed home from church Jake and I were talking about our finances, and we were frustrated. We both seem to ask the same question, "Where does the money go?!" We're young, and we're paying off the mistakes of credit card mishaps now as we are married. Much of that credit card expense was not spent carelessly but provided fixing of a vehicle when needed, an emergency c-section for a dog we didn't know was pregnant, a truck payment when Jake's surgery cost us more than what we had, and a few other things that were out of our control..but we're still paying them now nonetheless.
We are not frivolous spenders, and we feel like we are trying our hardest to get ahead the right way. We haven't walked away from any debt, and are really working hard to pay it off as quickly as we can. Both of us are working beyond our full time jobs to make some extra money to try and speed that up, we are extremely open with each other and are constantly communicating before, during, and after we spend any amount of money. And yet, we still feel like we can't get ahead.
Obedience. God calls us to obedience. And he is faithful. So faithful.
As easy as it is to look at our finances negatively, we are trying to look at the upside. EVERY bill, debt, and need was met that needed to be met for this pay period. (And has been met for every pay period before..even when we didn't know how it would, it got covered.) We didn't have to put anything on credit and we were able to buy our plane tickets to Wisconsin at an AWESOME price (366 TOTAL round trip) without putting them on a credit card. We filled our gas tanks and our fridge and freezer are full of enough food to get us through until the next check rolls through.. We are taken care of. We have been provided for. We are okay.
Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has it's own worries.. (Matthew 6:34)
In Matthew 6: 25-24 Jesus teaches about worry, and it comes down to seeking first HIS kingdom, and HE will give us everything we need. He knows our needs, he knows the status of our debts, he is aware of our bank accounts and how much or how little we may have. It's no surprise to him. He asks us to focus on today, and to seek Him first above all else.
God is good. He provides.
It's hard when you want so much, but feel like you're never going to get there.
BUT, perspective...
Jobs? We have those. Ones that provide health benefits, PLENTY of vacation time which means opportunity for more schooling or other jobs and hobbies for added income and fun!
Cars? Two that can reliably get us where we need to go!
House? One in a prime location with a fantastic yard and so much potential. We've had so much fun updating it together. Plus in a few years we'll get to buy it!
Each other... yeeeeah it's sappy. But it's true. I've got a husband who loves me more than I could ever fathom, who encourages me and forces me to see the bright side of everything. Even on the dreary days, he provides all the smiles.
And the most important thing.. Jesus? DUH! And he meets EVERY need!
__________________________________________________________________
So I wrote that last Sunday, and never posted it. And since that Sunday God has blessed us even more so than just covering our needs, he went above and beyond.
God is good, and oh so faithful.
Seek HIS Kingdom first, and the he will provide EVERY need and many of the wants that are best for you.. ;)
God,
Thank you for consistently meeting every need. You know the number of hairs on our heads, you knew what we'd struggle with before you created the Earth, and you love us with an immeasurable love. Help us to trust you in every circumstance, no matter how desolate some may seem. You are good, all the time.
Amen!
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Full Circle(s)
This past weekend I got to spend some time with AWESOME women of God, one of them being my own Ma :)
I had been on one of these Encounters before, and it was equally as awesome. But remember the new name of this blog..Padrick in Progress... since my last encounter, a lot has changed. It's been 3.5 years since the last time I went. I didn't want to go, but knew I needed to. You see the last few months I've felt a stirring in my spirit.. one calling for more. But I've been scared. Scared of what "more" looked like.
During the first session of worship before we got started on Friday evening, I couldn't even sing through the last 2 songs. I was so overwhelmed.. HE loves so greatly, and I was wrapped in it. As the songs filled the room I was reminded of all that has transpired since the last time I was there.
You see, the last time I was standing in that room, I was battling some issues that left me without any peace. Unforgiveness, insecurity, and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. But Friday I stood with hope, appreciation, and a thankful heart for all He's given and continues to provide. I stood with a full trust that God is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He will do.
As I stood enraptured by his presence, I kept thinking "Full Circle, I've come full circle"...When I sat down after worship I jotted down what the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart.
"Full circle, and there are multiple circles - like olympic rings they bind and are stronger. He brings us around and links us to another. People, experiences, strength, a deeper rooted trust in his goodness and his faithfulness. He BREAKS our steel chains of bondage - anger, depression, fear, selfishness, lust, inferiority... and he links a GOLD, royal, unbreakable ring of His grace, unconditional love, peace - His Holy Spirit."
Life is hard. BUT GOD gives us a way to face it with our heads held high. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Stresses bind us BUT GOD says that he leaves us with a Peace that the world cannot give. (John 14:27)
Our families seem to crumble BUT GOD brings beauty from ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)
Sickness and infirmity run rampant BUT GOD bore the whip so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
In all things.. BUT GOD.
He brings us around our circumstances no matter how hard, into the deep and out to the other side. And through that we see that there's so much more that God has for us. And then He wants to use us to bring freedom to those still living in the circles of bondage - fear, anger, bitterness, and just the hurt that comes with living in a broken world.
Jesus makes us whole. He doesn't just allow us the opportunity to "get into Heaven".. but HE MAKES US WHOLE. When we choose to hold onto the baggage that is no longer bound to us, it's like saying his death wasn't enough. But it was. That death covered ALL... and his resurrection brings healing. He wants us to walk in freedom. He'll bring you full circle, over and over and over again. He'll teach you how to hold your head high and he'll hold it for you when you just can't seem to pick it up yourself. That's all He wants, for you to trust in the love that He has for you, and to live in the freedom that has come through the cross.
Freedom. BUT GOD. Full circle. Trust. Insane Love.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
"I'm just doing the last thing he told me.."
I don't know if I've shared it on here before... but I have a serious love for Joyce Meyer. - If you don't know who she is, google her. She's a mighty woman of God who speaks TRUTH - and she's one who for the last two years has touched my heart greatly with the words God speaks through her.
Today I've listened to her sermon "What do you know?" 3 times! I highly encourage you to listen here's a link to Part 1 and Part 2.
ANYWAY - This whole act of "knowing" is something that God has been working with me on for the last few years - Joyce talks about how it's important that we not only take in knowledge but that there is divine revelation when we KNOW something - to know something so well that it changes our behavior and the way we live. (And by 'something' I mean God) She discusses how in the Greek language the word we use for "know" is translated into many different words.. like there's different levels of knowing. When we know that God loves us, and I mean REALLY know it, down in our core, we will live differently, we will treat people differently, we won't complain or grumble, we will be thankful 99% of the time, and we won't allow our circumstances or feelings dictate our behavior negatively or allow them to deter us from God's will for our lives.
This is something that I have learned through many trials and heartache - regardless of my circumstances God is good. No matter how I may feel, HE has plans to prosper me, plans to give me hope and a future. (Hebrews 9:11) - I know this, down to the deepest part of my core, I know this. Realizing this got me through many rough tear filled nights. NO MATTER WHAT I may be thinking or feeling, God is GOOD. HE will NEVER leave me nor forsake me. He LOVES me with everything. - Knowing these things changed my entire outlook on life. It erased every worry and fear for my future, it allowed me to be joyful even when I was angry or sad. Doesn't really make sense, huh?
Joyce mentioned the importance of setting aside time with God.. that even when we feel like we don't know what to do in that alone time, even if we just SIT there and wait for God to speak, that is enough for the moment.. and it's important. - Joyce said that it had been a while since she heard a SUPER direct word from the Lord about her Life.. she said people might say "Well then what are you doing if you're not hearing from God?" her response "Well I'm just doing the last thing he told me!"
"I'm just doing the last thing he told me." - Hmm.
This hit me. Hard. There's a certain situation in my life that is a good one, but it's been one that has been fought for prayerfully and ever so vigorously. And in the midst of the fight, I knew that it was worth it, I knew that it was for a much greater purpose than just for me to live out those "good" plans God has for me.. so many will be impacted if I am obedient to what God has asked.. When you get the thing you've been praying about, it's easy to rely less on God to handle that thing because now we have it! Why do we need to pray anymore? Right? WRONG! - It's the exact opposite, and I lost sight of that. Even though right now that thing is here - God hasn't told me to pray any differently.. so why did I stop? I stopped because the thing I was praying for was now tangible... so why pray for it? I could use my own hands and my own words to speak to it myself. Where as before, I was trusting God to handle it, HIS words to speak to it.
_____________________________________________
Okay so I wrote that many months ago...maybe even a year or more ago.. and I never posted it.
But even now that word remains ever true.
To KNOW something in our innermost being allows our lives to be different. To KNOW that God loves us with a fierce, everlasting, unconditional love.. changes our outlook, builds our faith, and brings joy in every circumstance.
"I'm just doing the last thing he told me to..."
God has been on me about writing more, digging, into him more, and sharing more of what he puts on my heart. I have used every excuse to deter this, but it's time to do what he told me to do. I've been praying to see God's vision for Jake and I's life more clearly.. to get more of an idea as to where we will be in the next year, two years, five years....But what God keeps telling me, is to do the last thing he told me to. To seek him first, and to pray without ceasing. So I'll do that.
This new blog revamp - "Padrick in Progress" is pretty much a journal that I'm sharing with whoever wants to read. God asks us to "Be Holy as I am Holy" - and being human, that will always be a process. I will not reach perfection until I am standing in Heaven with Him...but on Earth, there should be progress.There should be revelations, realizations, and life changes that happen as I strive for Heaven.
As you follow, I pray that whatever you read would direct you to the one who's love covers ALL and abounds much.
-Taylor
Today I've listened to her sermon "What do you know?" 3 times! I highly encourage you to listen here's a link to Part 1 and Part 2.
ANYWAY - This whole act of "knowing" is something that God has been working with me on for the last few years - Joyce talks about how it's important that we not only take in knowledge but that there is divine revelation when we KNOW something - to know something so well that it changes our behavior and the way we live. (And by 'something' I mean God) She discusses how in the Greek language the word we use for "know" is translated into many different words.. like there's different levels of knowing. When we know that God loves us, and I mean REALLY know it, down in our core, we will live differently, we will treat people differently, we won't complain or grumble, we will be thankful 99% of the time, and we won't allow our circumstances or feelings dictate our behavior negatively or allow them to deter us from God's will for our lives.
This is something that I have learned through many trials and heartache - regardless of my circumstances God is good. No matter how I may feel, HE has plans to prosper me, plans to give me hope and a future. (Hebrews 9:11) - I know this, down to the deepest part of my core, I know this. Realizing this got me through many rough tear filled nights. NO MATTER WHAT I may be thinking or feeling, God is GOOD. HE will NEVER leave me nor forsake me. He LOVES me with everything. - Knowing these things changed my entire outlook on life. It erased every worry and fear for my future, it allowed me to be joyful even when I was angry or sad. Doesn't really make sense, huh?
Joyce mentioned the importance of setting aside time with God.. that even when we feel like we don't know what to do in that alone time, even if we just SIT there and wait for God to speak, that is enough for the moment.. and it's important. - Joyce said that it had been a while since she heard a SUPER direct word from the Lord about her Life.. she said people might say "Well then what are you doing if you're not hearing from God?" her response "Well I'm just doing the last thing he told me!"
"I'm just doing the last thing he told me." - Hmm.
This hit me. Hard. There's a certain situation in my life that is a good one, but it's been one that has been fought for prayerfully and ever so vigorously. And in the midst of the fight, I knew that it was worth it, I knew that it was for a much greater purpose than just for me to live out those "good" plans God has for me.. so many will be impacted if I am obedient to what God has asked.. When you get the thing you've been praying about, it's easy to rely less on God to handle that thing because now we have it! Why do we need to pray anymore? Right? WRONG! - It's the exact opposite, and I lost sight of that. Even though right now that thing is here - God hasn't told me to pray any differently.. so why did I stop? I stopped because the thing I was praying for was now tangible... so why pray for it? I could use my own hands and my own words to speak to it myself. Where as before, I was trusting God to handle it, HIS words to speak to it.
_____________________________________________
Okay so I wrote that many months ago...maybe even a year or more ago.. and I never posted it.
But even now that word remains ever true.
To KNOW something in our innermost being allows our lives to be different. To KNOW that God loves us with a fierce, everlasting, unconditional love.. changes our outlook, builds our faith, and brings joy in every circumstance.
"I'm just doing the last thing he told me to..."
God has been on me about writing more, digging, into him more, and sharing more of what he puts on my heart. I have used every excuse to deter this, but it's time to do what he told me to do. I've been praying to see God's vision for Jake and I's life more clearly.. to get more of an idea as to where we will be in the next year, two years, five years....But what God keeps telling me, is to do the last thing he told me to. To seek him first, and to pray without ceasing. So I'll do that.
This new blog revamp - "Padrick in Progress" is pretty much a journal that I'm sharing with whoever wants to read. God asks us to "Be Holy as I am Holy" - and being human, that will always be a process. I will not reach perfection until I am standing in Heaven with Him...but on Earth, there should be progress.There should be revelations, realizations, and life changes that happen as I strive for Heaven.
As you follow, I pray that whatever you read would direct you to the one who's love covers ALL and abounds much.
-Taylor
Friday, October 31, 2014
Speak Life.
It's hard to take any type of criticism. It's hard to believe that anyone would disagree with you when you feel you've done your very best in that situation... The thing is, there will always be someone. Someone who feels you could have done better. Someone who feels you didn't do enough. And that's hard.
Growing up, I've always been a people pleaser. I wanted to do things the "right" way - so people would see that I was good, and that I would feel as if they appreciated me because I was good. As I've gotten older I've come to realize more that because everyone has an opinion, it's impossible to please them all. Someone is always going to disagree. Someone will always be there to criticize. Someone will get the wrong idea about you, based on an opinion they have or anger they've allowed to fester. It's disheartening, to know you've done all you could, but to someone else, it wasn't enough.
Bottom line, the most important being I answer to, is Jesus. - If I'm doing my best to seek his face, and to live out a life that brings glory to his name, showing his love unconditionally all the time, the opinions of other's don't matter. It's so cliche - we say it all the time. "Do what you want! People will think what they want!" There's a balance though, you don't want people to see you as someone who disregards every opinion, because God does speak through different people in our lives. I think it's important that we think about criticism when it comes, analyze where/who it came from, and decide whether it's something we need to address with ourselves or not.
It's important to think about where it came from, how was this person effected by me, positively? negatively? Is there an ulterior motive? Is what they said something to help better myself? Or were they tearing me down? - Just as God uses people to speak to us, Satan does too. He will use people to tear us down. - We've got to know the difference. We've got to be able to strike down any negative word from the enemy, as not to let it simmer and take root in our hearts. If that happens, we become the negative influence we don't want to be.. the same one that came down on us.
Something that has really stuck with me is our ability to speak life or death. It's amazing how a sentence that takes nothing but air and vocal chords to produce, can be more painful than a literal knife in the back. - I've made it my goal to speak life, be positive, and encourage with my words.
Growing up, I've always been a people pleaser. I wanted to do things the "right" way - so people would see that I was good, and that I would feel as if they appreciated me because I was good. As I've gotten older I've come to realize more that because everyone has an opinion, it's impossible to please them all. Someone is always going to disagree. Someone will always be there to criticize. Someone will get the wrong idea about you, based on an opinion they have or anger they've allowed to fester. It's disheartening, to know you've done all you could, but to someone else, it wasn't enough.
Bottom line, the most important being I answer to, is Jesus. - If I'm doing my best to seek his face, and to live out a life that brings glory to his name, showing his love unconditionally all the time, the opinions of other's don't matter. It's so cliche - we say it all the time. "Do what you want! People will think what they want!" There's a balance though, you don't want people to see you as someone who disregards every opinion, because God does speak through different people in our lives. I think it's important that we think about criticism when it comes, analyze where/who it came from, and decide whether it's something we need to address with ourselves or not.
It's important to think about where it came from, how was this person effected by me, positively? negatively? Is there an ulterior motive? Is what they said something to help better myself? Or were they tearing me down? - Just as God uses people to speak to us, Satan does too. He will use people to tear us down. - We've got to know the difference. We've got to be able to strike down any negative word from the enemy, as not to let it simmer and take root in our hearts. If that happens, we become the negative influence we don't want to be.. the same one that came down on us.
Something that has really stuck with me is our ability to speak life or death. It's amazing how a sentence that takes nothing but air and vocal chords to produce, can be more painful than a literal knife in the back. - I've made it my goal to speak life, be positive, and encourage with my words.
That verse pretty much says to "keep your head up" - Show love, and be kind. People will notice.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Delight in the Unexpected
I've talked in circles about learning to let God lead. I've spent my life making plans, only for them to be rearranged or obliterated by the Big Guy upstairs.
I'm finding more and more that when I remember that he is all satisfying, the plans are already written, and that I don't have to know it all - life is fun. Life is exciting! Life is exactly what God wants it to be for us, a purposeful, exciting experience. Not one that we dread or fear. Recognizing that frees us up from the anxiety of it all!
He's a great God. One who placed desires and dreams in us that he has great plans to fulfill. Sometimes we get upset, frustrated, and impatient in the waiting.. But that's where we grow. That's when we learn to trust and stand on his promise that he has great plans for those who love him.
Up to this point, life hasn't really gone the way I thought it would.. And that used to bother me. Now I'm incredibly thankful for it. My inability to see the whole picture clouds my judgement. By trusting the God who wrote my plan, I can rest assured that he wrote a pretty freaking good one.
For the first time ever I can honestly say without any fear or anxiety, but only with excitement, that I have NO IDEA where this life will take me. Who the heck knows?! (HE does) and he's the only one that needs to. I'm happy to be pleasantly surprised.
God is good. ALL the time.
He's pretty freaking cool.
So if you're currently frustrated with your situation... Remember that life is exactly what you make it. Even in the darkest of times we can find Joy in knowing Jesus. Remember that he is growing you for a greater purpose, that much of what you're going through now is going to help you speak into others lives. You will make a difference. Your story matters. - Remember to delight in the unexpected. God is a God of surprises.. Live day by day and let him do that! Don't think too far into the future, tomorrow has worries of its own.
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