Friendships

God designed man to not be alone, it all starts in Genesis- Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 2:18)
It's a fact, not a thought. In friendships God wants us to know it is good to have friends, and keep good company. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
"Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good character." Bad friendships, bad examples- really can ruin your good character and it is important to know The Lord wants you to have amazing friendships. Because our earthly friendships should be an example of our Heavenly one. We need to show others through friendship that God loves us and wants us to treat each other as Jesus treated us. 
Having good judgement (wisdom) in picking and choosing good friends is something we all desperately need. Without it, where are our good friends? 
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says 
" Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; If either one of them falls down, one can help the others up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." 

In the beginning it's good to have amazing friends and in the end it is too. God never ever intended us to be alone in any sense, that's why we're blessed with family, support systems of any type and friends. Choose friends wisely, seek Gods wisdom in your friendships and don't let people hurt you or make you feel less than what you know you deserve. 

side note- check this blog out, Alyssa is amazing with her words. I have lots to learn! http://blog.alyssajoy.me/?p=1191

Religion & Praise

 I was reading my bible tonight, trying to figure out what to write about.. do I write about love, do I write about friend fights, what does God want me to speak on? 

2 things came to mind. well one, and other God had me flip to in my bible.

1st one, 'religion'. people always ask me, "Victoria, why are you so religious?" and I honestly get mad. cause I'm polar opposite of religious. religion to me is like a book of scary rules that is set out to make you seem like you're perfect, but you're not. religion to me is slavery and acting fake. that's not what my relationship with God is like. 

religion is like, "if you do this, then I'll love you." 

God says, "no I love you right now, and you don't have to be perfect". We may do things for him, but they're in honor and in praise, not in pain or disgrace.

2nd thing, God took me to the book of Psalms, (my favourite book, as we all know) Psalm 96:3-5 

"declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people's! for great is The Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.." & it goes on declaring his awesomeness. 

to me that's just saying, why hide the fact that he's awesome & loves you and forgives you no matter what you've done to him or to anyone!?

we're forgiven, and loved and we need to shout his praise (psalm 100:1) and be glad he's who he is. God deserves to be praised and Jesus is his son.. he deserves all of the acclaim. 

when it says "marvelous works" I just think of everything- galaxies, the earth and just existence. We may get pretty annoyed of every day things, but this is crazy and One made it all. 

(God, AMEN! ;)) 

It's like dissing someone's painting, they worked hard on it to make millions of people happy & all of them hate it & don't want it. 

think about it in Gods perspective. He made this beautiful earth and the galaxies and stars & for some- his beautiful art isn't enough. "He is worthy to be praised"(psalm 96:4) This isn't enough? 

We need to give credit where credit is due, if we give artists credit- God deserves it too.

that includes your beauty, because God made you too. 

since Genesis 1:27 God has said we were made in his image. we were made from his beauty, he lives in us & for us. 

Which brings me back to the religion topic. 

Christianity is about God searching for man, not man searching for God.

which brings me to a quote from one of my favourite poems- Jeff Bethke of course. and that's 

"religion says do, Jesus says done. religion says slave, Jesus says son. religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free- religion makes you blind, but Jesus makes you see" 

Religion isn't what I am, Jesus is who I have & God is my father. There is no rules, there's love, there is no outfit we're supposed to wear, there's love. God loves us for who we are, right now. 

Religion is full of rules and things that make the world think your holy, and of God- while I'm over here knowing Gods real love, your following your list on how to make yourself look better. 

I don't need to impress anyone. 

there's no religion that could win me over what God has for me, religion made me blind- but Jesus helps me see. 

Using Your Abilities To Honor God

In life we're all blessed with abilities, skills and interests- but are we really using them to Gods advantage, are we using them to honor Him? 

You may say, well I have nothing I'm good at- so I can't honor Him like this.

Everyone has things they're good at.

For me, it's writing. An interest and skill I enjoy immensely. I not only write poems, and fun stories- I use my abilities to honor and talk about God~like in this blog! 

Others have abilities (like you) such as playing hockey, dance, musically talented, they can draw.. etc, the just goes on and on and on! 

But for you... what is that one thing you go, "yeah I can honor God with that everyday of my life!" 

Romans 12:6-8 

Talks about using your abilities to honor God, and knowing that you can do things through and for him in a fun way. Not just on Sundays and at Youth Group. As Christians we're called to do the "impossible", with God- there's no such thing! AMEN. 
^"6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

He uses us in crazy ways, from an insane testimony- to using your insane piano techniques to bring a girl to Christ- you never know how He'll use you. Just be ready and willing to set your feet where he wants you to walk, and when you're scared- He'll carry you. (

There's a great movie called Facing The Giants, it's about a football team that is so focused on only winning football teams they forget they're even a team! 

When there coach (leader) starts to guide them down the right path. They realize that the main idea is to honor God with their ability & love him through their wins and through their losses. 

Loving Jesus isn't hard, but living a life He did-is. If we try our best every day and use the little things to help our Christian walk- we will see a change in not only ourselves, but the world around us. Life has never been lived before, you're not always supposed to know what to do. - using your skills is one way you can make a change- & it starts with ONE. 

So question, what are you doing to honor God today? 

Gods Design For Marriage

      Genesis 2:18
    "It is not good man be alone; i will create a helper fit for him"   

  Right from the beginning God created man to have a partner, to have someone to share everything in life with, first it was with Adam and Eve.
Then we zoom to Romeo and Juliet, and then The Notebook. But if anyone knew real love, they'd know the greatest love story of all time is your relationship with Jesus above all else. Your love. Your life. We always like to think in life that the best love stories are in movies, and books we read. They can only be made up, and no one will ever love us like that.
Fact is, you have a God that loves you more than anyone on this planet ever will, more than any script writer can handle, His love for you is in no comparison to this world.
There are countless verses on Gods design for marriage, but lets start with 1 Peter 3
(3:3-5) "Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of your hair and the putting of your gold jewelry, or the clothing your wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious"... Your beauty is within, and i know we've all been told that a million times, but its only because its absolutely true!
The right guy God places in your life will come along who was fit for you, and not only rock your world, but show you Gods love. 
People always say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes a community to make a marriage. God said I chose marriage to reflect who I am in the trinity, serving and loving one another. 
When you're married its a covenant, not a contract- its not "do this, and I'll give you this". It's i love you right now, i want you right now, i pursue you right now, i give you grace right now. and when you understand that, you'll be able to give it back to the other person in your marriage. 

God wanted to show us through marriage; His love. It's the closest thing we can get to Gods love, and in this life- people need love. always. 
In my life, I know obviously that I've never been married. I pray that one day when I am it is a covenant  not a contract- that we love not envy, that we show grace and love each other as Christ loves us. I know that I've experienced love, felt it and know what it is. 
It can be hard, but at the end of the day it needs to be in Christs design- if its not, it's not love. 
As Jeff Bethke says "You need to search her heart, and her mind first before you ever touch her booty. Maybe invest the same amount of time in her, as you do in Call of Duty." 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4OK9DmLpCY&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1 

Girl Talk

Being Under Pressure

Writing a heart felt and true blog is hard work, knowing just what to say when you feel people will need to hear it, knowing the right verses to pop in for certain situations and living your life realizing every moment can be a lesson. I'm no one to talk (at least not at the moment) and say that my life is hard, and i'm going through some terrible life changing things, and turning it into a beautiful testimony. I know that I'm living the testimony I will one day speak about and hopefully change lives. 
Because I know as for right now, life is going pretty great. I mean everyone has there daily challenges, and constant self battles- but there's always good in the bad days. 
I try so hard every week to come up with some amazing words for you all to hear, and like anyone I get writers block and end up disliking what I've posted. Not every week is going to be perfect, but if its in Gods plan- the right words will come. 

Now, onto the better part of my crazy writing! 

This week I've really comes to the realization that I'm pretty insecure about myself. I mean what teenage girl isn't?
We have to fight for guys attention, feel pretty, slap on makeup everyday, deal with school.. all that fun stuff, plus handling our daily walk with God.
It's hard work being you, I know and trust me I understand that.
But is every day worth fighting for the worlds attention, while you already have someone who wants you more than anyone ever will? is life really worth worrying about when we have someone mightier in control? 
When we give our lives to the world always craving and expecting their acceptance, it will never happen, never win and no one will ever love you more than Jesus does. I've realized through my insecurities that they don't matter, because i am loved. YOU are loved. 
The book of Psalms is my favourite book in the Bible, and its because most times things in that book are pretty straight forward and clear, and a day where I'm upset I can just go to that book and know I'll find some encouraging words that are easier to understand. 
Psalm 59 "Deliver Me From My Enemies"

"Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
    protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil,    and save me from bloodthirsty men."
In that verse i feel like it talks in fear of the world, and being hurt. Then this verse comes along: 

"But you, O LORD, laugh at them;

you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies."

And then verse 8, 9 and 10 come and we're sure God is more mighty. Realizing Our God is more mighty than any insecurity, any person letting us down, any plan gone astray, etc. 
OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL. And He loves you just as you are, and someone someday on this earth will show you Gods love by loving you just as you are, as well. 
Insecurities don't match Gods endless love, no person fighting against us will ever win. God is mighty, is holding your life, and has a plan for it- in fact, it's already planned out. (600 million years ago, believe it or not) 
Never let the thought patterns of the world bring you down, or your personal insecurities or battles weigh the good in life- then there's nothing to smile about and God is then out of control. If you ever need someone to grab your anchor and pull you back into reality, let it be God.
There could never be a more beautiful you, be happy with Gods perfect design, embrace it and share what God blessed you with, with the world!
You are one of a kind. All in Gods image. Love it. :) There is no better captain than Him. 

For the entire Psalm:
http://esv.scripturetext.com/psalms/59.htm

Philippians 4:13 :)

Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
Do we all really know what it's like to be in complete need, and complete want?
Is it just those who are rich who never feel lonely, & is it just people who are poor who crave happiness?
We have these stereotypes that tell us that those who are rich aren't poor, and those who have little aren't rich.
Truth is, you could be the poorest man alive, but be the happiest & you could be the wealthiest and be the most un-happy.
God tells us to be content in any situation, no matter the circumstances, and we can gain strength through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)

In any situation you're in, gain strength from God :)