Searching for My Savior's Perfect Will

Love

2011-07-16T11:42:00.004-04:00

“Guilty!”

The dreaded sentence has been pronounced against His love. Now she must face the consequences of all her bad choices.

The things she’s done are repulsive to Him. Even so, He knows in His heart that He still loves her deeply. He can’t bear to think of her suffering.

So He insists on taking her sentence that she may go free and have a chance at a better life.

The idea proves far easier than the action. The sentence is excruciating! Yet all through the agonizing punishment, the cruel, blasphemous taunting and mockery, the torturous beatings, and the inhuman crucifixion, thoughts of only one person fill His mind.

Her.

I’m so glad she doesn’t have to go through this, He says to Himself. I’m so glad I could do this for her.

It won’t be much longer now, He reminds Himself as the pain intensifies. Soon we can be together again. Forever. I will gladly bear scars for all eternity if it means that she is spared! I love her so much!

He suffers in silence as the hours drag by like eons.

Just a little while longer, He repeats, and we can be together forever.

Father, He prays in the midst of His agony and humiliation, help Me make it through this for her sake. Just a little while longer. Just a little… while… longer…

***

He sees her coming from afar. Finally! The reunion He longed for is about to be a reality! The one thing that kept Him going through the most unbearable moments of His ordeal was the thought of her. He had done it all for her. So that beautiful smile He loved could always illuminate her face. To think, they would soon be married! And then nothing would ever separate them again.

Now, as she drew near, He had eyes only for her. The smile was on her face as she scanned the tiny garden, their special meeting place, looking for Him.

He stepped out of the shadows of the trees into the sunlight, all the love He had for her written on His face. The she saw Him…

And gasped, drawing back in horror.

“What is it?” He asked, His own smile replaced by a look of bewilderment. Looking down, He checked His appearance, really noticing the huge, hideous scars on His hands and feet for the first time. He nodded, understandingly. “I know, the scars are ugly and quite shocking, but in time, we will hardly even notice they’re there.”

But she was shaking her head, backing away slowly.

“Darling, what is it?” He asked again, taking a step towards her.

She stumbled five steps backwards. “I’m sorry, I can’t…”

“Can’t what?”

“I can’t….marry you!”

“But…why not? I love you, and you love Me. You said yes to My proposal.”

“I know, but… How can I explain…” She couldn’t finish the thought or bear to look Him in His eyes. “It’s just…Your scars disgust me,” she finally whispered. “How will I explain them to anyone? Everyone would stare at us, whispering, wondering. It would be so…” She again averted her eyes, her face heating with shame.

“But I went through all that for you. Because I love you,” He pleaded with her to understand. “Who cares what people think, as long as we’re together?”

“It’s more than that, I mean…What You did for me was nice, but…” For a long moment, she stared at the ground, as a tear slipped from her eye and slid down her cheek. Finally, eyes still on the ground, she whispered, “I just…can’t do ‘forever.’ That’s my whole life!There’s so much I want to do, so much I want to experience.” She slowly backed away, shaking her head. “I…I love You. I really do, but…not enough for forever. I’m sorry!”

Then she turned and fled down the hillside path.

“Wait! Please!” He called, starting after her. “I love you and everything I’ve promised you will more than make up for anything you may miss out on here.”

She halted and turned to look back, her conflicting desires playing across her face like a movie.

“Please, please,” He pleaded, “come to Me. Stay with Me. Marry Me. “

She hesitated, frozen in indecision while tears streamed down her face. She took a step towards Him.

His heart gave a tiny leap of joy. The next instant His blood ran cold within Him as a hooded figure stepped out from behind a tree and grabbed hold of her hand. It was His enemy! Even in the shadows of the hood he still recognized that ominously attractive face, and the mocking smile. It sent a fresh slice of agony through His heart.

“Come, my love,” the enemy said to her as he pulled her around to face him. “We have so much to do! There is so much I want to show you!” He started back down the path, coaxing her along gently yet insistently.

He had her full attention, so captivated was she. She only hesitated one second more to look back over her shoulder at Him. Then she followed the hooded enemy.

The choice was hers. There was nothing more He could do. He would not force her; for then, she would be unhappy. Still, it cut His tender heart in two to watch her ride off into the sunset with His enemy.

Betrayed.

By one He loved so dearly.

And with His deepest enemy!

It was late when He finally made His way down the hill, His heart breaking with a pain greater than all He had felt before.

~written by Raimona from http://araioflight.wordpress.com/ and reposted with permission. You all should visit her blog!

Will you break your savior's heart?

Shabbat Shalom,

~ Victoria

What I've been up to

2011-06-06T21:11:00.005-04:00

Shalom Everyone!
I wish I would update my blog more often, but whenever I remember that I haven't written anything in months, I don't have much to say, or the time to write it down. But today, I'm finished using excuses and I'm going to update. OK. now to start over.

Shalom everyone!!! :-)
I hope you all have been great these past few months. I have officially finished my first year at college!!!! Praise YHWH!!! YHWH has been faithful. He has kept me safe and has blessed me during this year. I have met many wonderful people, several of which I consider to be my dear friends. I was blessed to have two roommates and best friends. I miss them and I thank YHWH for the opportunity to have met them.

If you're wondering how I will be spending my summer, here is my plan:

1. Study for Sociology and Humanities CLEPs
2. Fulfill the requirements of my clinical clearance (for nursing school)
3. Volunteer at Hospital (I'm working at the Labor and Delivery department)
4. Prepare for next year's courses
5. Practice piano and violin.
6. Possibly get a part-time job.

YHWH has been teaching me about him. I believe his word and no teaching of man can contradict what he has declared . I love obeying his commandment I have learned that he gave us these commands because he loves us. He isn't pulling us into bondage, but just like a dad gives his children rules to protect me. YHWH gives his children laws and statues because he wants to protect us and set us apart. We may not understand all of his commands but we obey them because we know that he has our best in mind. We don't obey him to earn salvation but we obey him because we love him.

By this we know that we are the children of Elohim (God), when we love Elohim, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of Elohim that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous~1 John 5:2-3

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.~ Psalms 119:18

And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved~ Psalms 119:47

Have a great Summer,
~Victoria

O Modesty

2011-01-26T20:06:00.004-05:00

O Modesty, where is thy blush? we may ask,

O Nakedness, where is thy shame?

Fast slipping away from the people of God

Till some are mere Christians in name.

O Modesty, thou art a virtue quite rare,

A most treasured gem of each saint.

But where are the women aglow with God's love,

With courage to be labeled quaint?

The world treats unkindly who will not conform

To rules that Fashion declares.

For any who dare to step out from the crowd

Will notice the whispers and stares.

Yes, Fashion is cruel, she has her designs,

For she is the foe of the Lord.

She violates principles God has laid down

In counsel quite clear in His Word.

The daughter of Fashion must pamper her pride,

For meekness would make her too plain.

So vanity leads to all manner of show,

And Modesty's held in disdain.

As Modesty flees, and the goddess now reigns,

Discernment and conscience both sleep.

The church and the world now appear as if one--

How God's holy angels must weep!

O Modesty, waken the people of God

And let us recapture thy grace!

Adorn us with purity, meekness and love--

Prepare us to look on His face!

www.movingtowardsmodesty.com

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.~ 1 Timothy 2 :9-10

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Elohim of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in Elohim, adorned themselves ~ 1 Peter 3:3-5a

Blessings and Shalom,
Victoria

Shabbat Shalom

2010-12-24T23:05:00.005-05:00

"How many observe Christ's birthday? How few his precepts! O 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments."

~ Benjamin Franklin~

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29

I pray all of you have a blessed Shabbat.

~Victoria

Oh, I Praise Him for His Faithfulness

2010-12-17T00:50:00.005-05:00

YHWH's faithfulness never ceases to amaze me!! I am finally finished with my first semester of college!!! But my semester ended with a huge mistake. Today, or yesterday to be exact, I was supposed to take my last final. I was talking about it all week. I kept saying, "My last final is at 1pm on Thursday!" I was taking the final at a later date because there was a conflict between another one of my classes. Anyway, I got up this morning, packed my things, did some last minute studying, and got bundled up because it started to snow. I was talking to my mom at 12:10, knowing that I had a 10 minute walk to the building where the final was being administered. For some reason, I decided to leave at 12:15, even though I knew I would be extremely early. I got to the room at 12:25 and the room was empty except for one girl and my teacher. I asked him, where was everyone, and to my chagrin he told me that the final was at 11 am!!! I had mixed up the times because the original exam!!! The original exam was at 1 pm on Tuesday, but the make up was at 11!!

I was panicking. I missed my final. This would mess up my grade! But for some reason, what I believe to be the mercy of YHWH, my teacher decided to let me take the exam. He said he understood it was just a misunderstanding. I was able to take my final, without having any points deducted. Praise YHWH!!!

What I find to be so amazing is that, my teacher was just about to go home because of the snow. If I had arrived 10 minutes later, I wouldn't have been able to take the exam. It was the Holy Spirit that prompted me to leave early. I praise Yah because He is always faithful. He helps me whenever I need Him, even when I don't know it.

Singing songs of thanksgiving,
Victoria

It's Not Inferior

2010-12-06T11:18:00.005-05:00

I am a woman I find nothing inferior in my wanting to cook, loving to clean, enjoying babies and keepin a good house. No need for Greek titles such as goddess or queen. I've ascended beyond the need for it. ~Strength and honor are her clothing ~Proverbs 31

~Delilah Marie~

Six Days Shalt Thou Labor

2010-11-26T17:14:00.002-05:00

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of YHWH thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days YHWH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YHWH blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.~ Exodus 20:8-11
Have a blessed day of rest.
~Victoria

Circumcise Your Hearts

2010-11-19T18:33:00.003-05:00

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. ~Deuteronomy 10:16

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one
inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not
in the letter; whose praise is not of men..., but of God(YHWH) ~Romans 2:28-29

YHWH hasn't changed. His main concern has always been the condition of the heart. SHABBAT SHALOM!!!
~Victoria

Send Out Thy Light

2010-11-15T11:41:00.008-05:00

Shalom everyone!! I don't know if all of you listen to the music I have playing on my blog, but I was listening to the first song We Shall Assemble by Hallal and in the middle of the song, one of the members reads a Bible verse that I love and I just wanted to share that verse because it is one of my favorites.

Psalm 43 :3-4
O send out thy light

and thy truth: let them lead me;

let them bring me unto thy holy hill,

and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of YHWH (God)

Unto YHWH (God) my exceeding joy:

Have a Blessed day!
~Victoria

WAKE UP CHURCH!!!

2010-11-02T20:42:00.001-04:00

No matter how many times I watch this video, it convicts me anew. One of the best quotes from the video: "Even if you have to bury your theology, just bury it and get right with God."~Keith Daniels. Pray for the church.
~Victoria

I Am a Lady Therefore

2010-11-01T20:16:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone!!! I was reading the Challenging Femininity Magazine for November, and I read this awesome article written by Miss Jocelyn and I just had to share it. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I Am A Set-Apart Lady Therefore I will not…

Disrespect my family (what the Father has put together let no man put asunder)…

Sacrifice beauty for vanity and acceptance (who wants to be a whitewashed tomb)…

Defile myself by baring my flesh (If you want respect, respect yourself)…

Run men down with feminism or chivalry (Hey if they open the door – I’ll thank them. If I can help them by holding it open – No problem)…

Be forward or flirt (a pearl is to be sought after and is a rare find)…

Have a potty-mouth (instead I’m going to speak the Torah of love)…

Tempt a young man (He’s someone’s future husband.)…

Violate my purity (True love waits.)…

Have the manners of a cave-woman (I was not born in a barn.)…

Keep fellowship with loose and strange women (bad company corrupts good standards)..

Dance in a way that does not honor the Father (Grinding is done in woodshop class, not on the dance floor.)…

Abuse my body with alcohol, drugs, food, chemicals, etc (I am the dwelling place of the Set-Apart Spirit)…

Obsess about my physical appearance (I am fearfully and wonderfully made.)…

Be discontent in my current situation (the Fathers knows when we are ready, where we are at, and when we will arrive)…

Underestimate the power of YHVH (He’s bigger than my mistakes and wrong turns!)…

Fellowship with men who don’t respect me (I am a set-apart child of the Father)…

Disrespect the wise counselors the Father has placed in my life (only a fool hearkens not unto advice and counsel)…

Let my heart’s guard down until a commitment is made (marriage is forever, it is not to be taken lightly)…

Lose faith in the Father (He knows all things and all we need to do is trust)…

I am a set-apart lady therefore I know where my hope lies.

Here's the link to the original article: http://feelinfeminine.com/?p=6488

And make sure you read this month's Challenging Femininity Magazine:

Blessings and Shalom,
~Victoria

A Bit Late

2010-10-16T22:27:00.002-04:00

I know I said I will update this blog every two weeks, but this time that update fell on the week of midterms, and I had to study all week. However Midterms are now over, and I have time to write.
Shalom everyone!!!! College is officially half over for this semester. Because at my college we have a curfew for the first six weeks, I have been spending a few weekends on campus. During those days I really got a chance to know my roommate. I love the fact that Yahweh blessed me with such a sweet roommate. We have a lot in common. I couldn't ask for a better roommate. She reminds me to focus on my homework, when I get distracted, and we encourage each other to reach our weight loss goals. (I've lost 10 lbs!!!!) Pray for us, as we seek our Savior's will, and follow His commands.

I'm getting the hang of my classes, and I might take violin lessons next semester. What I really don't like is that Hampton University severely needs a censor button. I shouldn't have to cover my ears every time I walk to the bathroom, because the ladies curse like sailors. It is one of those things that I may never get used to.

I may be 'adjusting' to college life, but I still long to be home. When I get to come home on the weekends, there is never enough time to relax and feel normal again, before I have to go back to campus and all the stress from classes. I miss my family, and a hug over the phone is nothing like a real hug. I can't wait till December 11 when I can come home for winter break.

I will try to post again within the next two weeks, maybe I'll have some pictures too. Until then
Shalom b'shem Yeshua Ha Mashiach
~Victoria

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."

~ Jane Austen

Bi-Montly Update and Yom Teruah

2010-09-11T19:32:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone!!! I have finished my first week of classes and I think I've been here long enough to give my perspective of college.

In the first week, we went through orientation. I met my roommate, who is a gem. She is an answer to prayer. She is a Christian, very nice and considerate. I really like her. I also met the 'student leaders' who tried to get us to 'adjust' to 'campus life'. I had to sit through explicit, risqué skits, listen to filthy music that was played during mandatory programs, and learn that I have to worry about being drugged through my drink by my peers. Not a very good first impression. I have met some very nice ladies and I probably have made some friends.(It is too early to tell) I also have met some ladies who for some reason have to decided to lace their language with filthy words. I worry about one of those words coming out of mouth. Every time I hear them I hear them (which is several times a day) I pray that Yahweh will keep my mind pure and my lips from even letting one of these words slip out.

Okay, enough negativity, on to the positive. I really like my teachers. They are strict, but make the classes interesting. My piano teacher is wonderful, and just like the one I had in high school. My brother has called me at least twice every day and he makes me laugh when I feel like crying. My parents call me all the time to make sure I'm okay and to keep me on track. Daddy and Mommy pray with me every morning. Best of all yesterday I got a chance to shared my faith with my roommate and another girl from my floor. The girl was wondering why I always wore skirts. I was nervous and I think I was shaking , but I was able to tell her the scriptures behind my dress and headcovering. Afterwards my roommate wanted me to show here the actual verses so I did and we talked about it for a few minutes. All the glory goes to Yahweh! I desperately needed that practice sharing what I believe. If the opportunity comes again, I want to be able to confidently share the Gospel.
Well today is Yom Teruah or the Feast of Trumpets. This Feast is a shadow picture of Savior's return. What's interesting is that it is know as the day that no man knows just like no man knows the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will return. This is my first year celebrating. Sadly I'm not at home so I couldn't do much. According to Leviticus 23:23-25, it is a day of rest and since it fell on Shabbat this year I celebrated both of them together. I listened to shofars online (I don't own one), spent the rest of the day singing, playing and listening to music. I also imagined what the trumpet will sound like when our Messiah actually returns. It could happen in our generation!!!

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand~Joel 2:1

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.~1 Corinthians 15:51-52

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Thessalonians 4:15-17

Halleluyah!! I can't wait!!

Chag Sameach Yom Teruah and Shabbat Shalom!!
~Victoria

What's Next

2010-06-28T18:02:00.004-04:00

Now that I am finished with high school, the question that most people ask me is: what are you going to do now. If you have been reading my blog, you know that I believe the will of the Father is that women be keepers at home. I did not always believe so, but God has changed my heart. He used ladies like Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin and many of my blogger friends to point out the areas in His word where He laid out His plan for married women. I believe that during my 'single' years, I should be preparing for that time. I believe that in the Bible, YHWH put daughters under their father's authority until marriage, and thus ladies should be literally living under their father's roof to be under their protection, not hundreds of miles away in a Godless campus. This is the way the Father has led me so far.

I'm not finished yet, so to any feminists that I have enraged, please don't flood my comment box with hate mail. Yet. :) I still haven't told you if I am going to college or not. okay?

Just because I believe that women should live in their fathers' house until marriage does not mean, in any way, that I am against education. I believe that everyone should try to educate themselves and not have to depend on others to explain things to them. This is crucial, especially when dealing with the Bible. What I am against is the 'college atmosphere.' Evolution, humanism, and Feminism are just a few of the ideologies that Believers will have to combat when at college, and we would be there without the support of our families. Many people say that being in that environment will 'strengthen our faith', but at 17 or 18 we are not seasoned warriors. I consider myself to still be in the learning stages of my faith. I still need my parents' advice and guidance while I'm searching the Scriptures for truth. Thus to attend a pagan God-forsaken college, hundreds of miles away would be paradoxical.

Okay I'm done with my opinion on college, now I figure it is a good time to tell you that my parents disagree with me. Not on every point, but on a few. They want me to have a degree. For them this would let them feel that if there was ever a situation in which I would be forced to work, (i.e. my husband died or became disabled) I wouldn't be unable to get a job. They tell me that they want to prepare me for any situation I might be in, because we don't know what God has planned for me. So what am I going to do? I'm going to college on August 28. We have had many talks and prayers on this subject,and we have considered the other options, but my family doesn't have a business in which I could assist my father, and distance learning is not feasible for us. Now I do not want anyone to think that my parents do not love me or are not concerned about my spiritual well being. They are doing what they believe is best for me.

My Daddy told me that he did not want me going away for college, this made the choice of where to go easier. I will be going to the same college as my sister, only 15 minutes away from my house. I will be living on campus during the week because my classes have long breaks in between. I will be able to come home every weekend. Even though I am not leaving home, this will be a big change for me. The college is not a Christian one, and I know that I will be challenged spiritually. I went on the college's website, and they said that headcoverings are not allowed unless I write an essay explaining the religious reason that I wear one, and it must be approved by the school chaplain (a woman). My coverings are headband style and I'm not sure how strict they are about this, so please pray that I will not have many problems with that.

I decided that I will study nursing. I'm leaning towards being a midwife, because I can make it into a business, that I will not have to work for anyone, and it is one of the biblical professions for women. (See Exodus 1:15-22 Shiphrah and Puah) I love babies and am very interested in medicine, so this seems to be the best thing to study. I am praying for guidance.

This will not be easy. My beliefs are extreme and 'legalistic' to most professing Christians. I'm not like most girls my age. (but then again I don't want to be) YHWH is my Father and I'm putting my trust in Him. Like Daniel when he was in a pagan nation, I am purposing in my heart not to defile myself. (Daniel 1:18) I covet your prayers my sisters.

Blessings,
Victoria

Finally Done!

2010-06-24T19:47:00.008-04:00

On Saturday, June 12th, I graduated with the Home Educator's Association of Virginia (HEAV) from high school!!!!! Halleluyah!! It was a wonderful weekend. My family came down on Friday and left on Sunday. I got my picture taken on Friday, and on Saturday, we had the graduation. There was a long rehearsal in the morning, but it was exciting, because i realized that in two hours, I would be a high school graduate. I talked to four of the graduates around me and found out how many siblings, they have, where they're going after graduating, and what kind of field they want to go into. Who says homeschoolers are anti-social?

We marched in to "Pomp and Circumstance", and listened to Tracy Klicka sing. (She's the wife of the late Christopher Klicka, a member of the HSLDA) For our commencement address we had a real treat! Ken Ham, the founder of Answers in Genesis gave an inspirational message entitled "Life's Meaning and Purpose after Graduation." He shared some apologetics with us and told us what to be in life. What should we be? Well diggers. :) His scripture reference was Genesis 26:28-21 ~And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah

He told us that the 'Philistines' (the secular humanists) have destroyed the 'moral wells' that our forefathers had dug. It is our responsibility to re-dig those wells and dig new ones, because the world comes up with new ways to attack our faith. It was a great speech.
After the speech we lined up to receive our diplomas. It was great to have my diploma handed to me by my parents. Here's a picture of my diploma:

A close up on the inscriptionOn the inside it says " This Certifies that Victoria Rebecca -------- has completed the Course of Study prescribed for Graduation by Holy Childhood Academy. ( The name of our homeschool) In Testimony Whereof this Diploma conferred, and we have subscribed our names on the 12th day of the month of June in the year 2010. And it is signed by my parents and HEAV.

There were 196 graduates, the largest number ever for HEAV! It was a lot of fun. I praise Yahweh for helping me to survive Calculus, Statistics, and Physics. *shudders* I praise Him for my parents who studied and provided me with the best education ever!!!!

Barukh attah YHWH Eloheinu melekh ha-olam she'asah li kol tzorki! ~ blessed are you O Lord God king of the universe who provides for me all my needs.

~Victoria

Has Yahweh Blessed Me? Yes! Immensely !

2010-05-24T20:10:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone!!! How are you all doing? My siblings asked me yesterday what I wanted for my birthday, and as I was thinking about it, I realized I really don't need anything. I find myself quite content with the things that I have. The more I think about it I need to praise God for His many blessings. I can agree with Paul when he said: "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content"~ Philippians 4:11b

Oh how Yahweh has blessed me! My parents are still married; I have a roof over my head; I've never had to go to bed hungry; my Dad has a job; I was homeschooled and raised in the nurture and understanding of God! In three days I will have lived for 17 years!! Halleluyah!!!

Praising my Savior,
Victoria

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1

Passover Thoughts

2010-03-30T22:52:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful day. I have recently become interested in the Hebraic Roots of our faith. I'm amazed with the new light they shed on Scripture. Well today is Passover. All of the biblical holidays are shadow pictures, or prophetic. Jesus has fulfilled the Spring feasts and will fulfill the fall feasts when he returns. I find them all fascinating. I'm not celebrating Passover completely this year, but I wanted to share a section from an article explaining how Jesus was our Passover lamb.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Cor 11:28

Paul (or Saul, as his Jewish/Hebrew friends would have called him) was writing this admonition to a predominantly Gentile (or non-Jewish) body of believers in Corinth. They did not understand a lot of things because many did not have Jewish heritage to fall back on... Paul corrected them for many things most Jews would never have to think twice about. For example, sexual immorality still seemed to be an issue for many believers coming out of a pagan society. It appears too from Paul's instructions about the Lord's Table that many did not understand the significance of the meal. How many Gentiles today understand the concept of purging ourselves from the sin that so easily entangles us so that we are READY for the presence of the LORD?? How many of us do not experience the presence of God in our midst because we have not removed the leaven from our midst?? Paul said for us to purge out the old leaven, so that we be a new lump... for Messiah our Passover (Paschal) lamb has been sacrificed for us!

Why is Jesus called the Passover lamb?? Consider briefly the description of the Passover lamb that was a normal part of the feast for countless years after God gave Moses the command to keep this feast.

On the tenth of the Jewish month Nisan, the Passover lamb was led through the Sheep Gate for its journey to the temple. When it entered in, people would wave palm branches in all four directions and sing a Psalm known as the "Hallel". The Hallel for those of you who do not know is "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord". They laid palm branches down before the lamb as it walked. Consider this from the Word of God:

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road;
others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out,
saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' Hosanna in the highest!"
Matt 21:6-9

The Passover lamb was taken to the Temple for four days for a specific purpose: it was to be kept under close observation. Why? The Passover lamb had to be a spotless lamb. Around 50 separate tests were performed to insure the lamb's purity. On the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, after the lamb was officially declared to be pure and free from defect, it was placed upon the altar at 9:00 AM. The lamb remained until 3:00 PM in the afternoon. At that time, the High Priest took a knife and slit the throat of the lamb and said "IT IS FINISHED". After the death of the lamb, it was taken and then thrust on a vertical pole. A horizontal pole was transfixed on this pole and the lamb was layed out on it so that its skin could be flayed. The skin on its back was removed to ensure one thing: that it was as pure on the inside as it was on the outside. The heart of the lamb was removed and all the blood was drained from it. In all of this exercise, not one bone of the lamb was broken.

After Jesus was lead into the city, He was watched closely by many in the temple area over the next four days. He said Himself that they could have apprehended Him at any time because He was in the temple teaching almost the entire week!

Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not take Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Mark 14:48-49

The Pharisees, Scribes, Lawyers, and Teachers of Israel examined Yeshua thoroughly, quizzing Him about the Law and trying to catch Him in His own words!

And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.... Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. When they had come, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? "Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it." So they brought it. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's." And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at Him.....

Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all? Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Messiah is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool. Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people heard Him gladly. Mark 12:12-44

How do we know that Jesus passed all the tests?? Very simple. God Almighty Himself spoke from Heaven that this lamb was spotless.. that He was pure... that He had glorified His name in Jesus!

"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die. John 12:27-33

This voice came for the sake of those who needed to know whether the lamb was pure... if Jesus had sinned with even His mouth, the Father would not have made this pronouncement!!! Two voices from heaven marked the sinless life of Jesus... one when Jesus entered His ministry at age 30. God said at that time, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The voice of the Father does not speak from heaven like that if someone has committed sin! The first voice testified that Jesus had lived sinlessly for 30 years, up to the time of His baptism with the Holy Spirit at the River Jordan. The second voice came three years later, at the culmination of Jesus ministry. This voice testified once again that Jesus had not sinned during His public ministry. The lamb was pronounced PURE by voice of God Himself!!

On the fourteenth day of Nisan, after Jesus had taken the Passover meal with His disciples the night before, faced betrayal in Gethsemane, and had endured a night long of anguish and torment at the hands of both Roman and Jewish officials, He was lead away to be crucified at the third hour.

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. Mark 15:25

For those of you who do not know, Mark wrote from the Jewish perspective, and the third hour was 9:00 AM in the morning. [On a side note, the Apostle John used the Roman time system, and said that the TRIAL was still taking place at the 6th hour... which by Roman time was 6:00 AM.. thus placing the trial BEFORE the crucifixion exactly as would be expected]

Jesus hung on the cross from 9 AM to 3 PM, when according to Scripture, Jesus voluntarily yielded up His spirit as an offering and cried, "IT IS FINISHED!". By dying so quickly, the Lord Jesus did not have one bone broken as did the other two men beside Him (crucifixions normally were LONG and they were expedited by the breaking of a leg bone to bring the onset of suffocation even sooner). Exactly at the SAME TIME that the High Priest slaughtered the Passover lamb of Israel, THE PASSOVER LAMB of the WORLD was slain and cried "IT IS FINISHED". According to the Scripture, the veil of the temple where the Holy of Holies separated the glory of God from the fallen humanity was SPLIT in two, from top to bottom. Jesus our Paschal Lamb has been sacrificed!! The sacrifice has been paid... now purge the leaven ... purge all known sin from your life... remove the idols from your household... prepare your home and family for the PRESENCE of the Lord! The veil has been torn.. the glory of the Lord is awaiting a resting place in the hearts of men and women today!

Halleluyah!! Have a wonderful day and Happy Passover!

Rejoicing in my Savior,

Victoria

you can read the whole article at this link http://www.threemacs.org/themes/jewish/passover.htm

Spring is Here!

2010-03-27T14:48:00.022-04:00

Hi Everyone! I hope you all are doing great. Well the weather here has changed for the better. I think it's safe to say that spring is here. I love seeing God in science, and when I think of all the processes that must happen for a plant to recognize that the weather is warm again and that it is time to come out of dormancy, I realize what an awesome God we serve. The plants are sprouting again and, I kind of got camera crazy. :) Here are some pictures:

Here are a few more pictures I took, along with two verses from a hymn I'm learning:

For the Beauty of the Earth
For the glory of the skies

For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies

Christ our God to thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise

For the wonder of each hour

Of the day and of the night

Hill and vale and tree and flow'r

Sun and moon and stars of light:

Christ our God to thee we raise
This our Hymn of grateful praise!

Shabbat Shalom,
Victoria

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. ~Psalm 104:24

I'm Back. Snow and Sewing

2010-02-28T15:50:00.009-05:00

Hi everyone!
I took a 30 day break from the computer, and then I got hit with writer's block! :( But I'm back now. Not much has been going on around here. Preparing for A.P's takes up most of my time, so that's something.

We have had an average of 3 inches of snow for the past four years, but this year we've had more than 12 inches in four weeks. That is more than enough for me. It's beginning to warm up here, and I'm looking forward to spring. The snow was pretty though.
I have been attending a sewing class for the past four weeks. I have a wonderful teacher who we''ll call Mrs. P. She has been sewing since she was seven, and currently sews all her clothes. Mrs. P. is so dedicated to sewing, she wears a seam ripper around her neck. (It's handy. :D ) She is very patient, adn takes the time to answer al of our questions. She showed us some of the projects that she has done, and got everyone excited about sewing. I look forward to going to class every week. Our first project is a bag.
I'm making the blue one. I'm learning so much, and one day, Lord willing, I 'll be able to sew my own clothes.

I purchased a head covering from Cover Your Hair, and I was very pleased with it. I definitely will use them again. It looks like this
I hope you all have a blessed week.
Love in the Messiah,
Victoria

I love Sunday Dinner

2009-12-13T18:12:00.004-05:00

We have had dinner together as a family every Sunday, since I remember. Although when we were in Georgia, we had dinner together every night except Saturday, Sunday dinner was always special. We always had a special dinner, and then we had family meeting. During family meeting, we would discuss what was happening this week, tell Daddy how school was, and talk about whatever we wanted to do. To me I felt lucky that my Daddy started this tradition of family meeting.

When we moved here to Virginia, my Dad changed his work schedule, because he wanted a more active role in our homeschooling, particularly my brother's. He now works at night. This ended our nightly family dinner, but we started to do something new: Family Bible Study. First we read through the entire Bible, then we did a study on Paul's Epistles. In our Bible studies, I saw the Bible in a different light in two ways. 1. I actually had to think about what I believed. This is something that I desperately needed. I had before accepted everything I heard at church without asking myself, "Is that what the Bible really says?" I will speak more about my 'churchianity' experience in another post. 2. I got to watch my Daddy's passion for the scriptures. Sometimes Dad seemed to be preaching to us because he would repeat certain verses and raise his voice, but now I understand that he was trying to make sure that we understood the importance of what he was teaching us. Sometimes Dad would start to cry over a passage of scripture, and he always says "I was on my way to hell, but God saved me!"

Our dinner table is my Dad's pulpit. He is not a 'preacher', but he ministers to us. I've learned many things at our dinner table; things I will keep with me and pass on to my children. (If it's God's will) I thank my heavenly Father, for giving me an earthly Father who cares so much about me.

In our Savior,
Victoria

Excerpts from Tortured for Christ

2009-12-05T08:56:00.004-05:00

Two weeks ago I received this book from Voice of the Martyrs. It is the story of Richard Wurmbrand the founder of VOM. It was an excellent book. Some parts were shocking; some made me smile, and others made me realize that I have so much freedom to share my faith here in America, and do I do it as much as I should? No. Why? I'm afraid of what some people will say about my 'radical beliefs'. Well, Jesus had a radical message, and that didn't stop him from sharing it. It is something that I need to pray for. Also, this book made me think about the very real possibility of being tortured for my faith. I had thought about dying for my faith and I know that eternity with Jesus is better than one moment on this earth, but the thought of being tortured scares me so much. I pray that if that ever happens to me that the Lord will give me courage, because I know that right now I have none. Okay, here are three of my favorite parts in the entire book:

"For me, to preach the gospel to the Russians is heaven on earth. I have preached the gospel to men of many nations, but I have never seen a people drink in the gospel like the Russians. They have such thirsty souls.

An Orthodox priest, a friend of mine, telephoned me and told me that a Russian officer had come to him to confess. My friend did not know Russian. However, knowing that I speak Russian, he had given him my address. The next day this man came to see me. He longed for God, but he had never seen a Bible. He had no religious education and never attended religious services (churches in Russian then were very scarce). He loved God without the slightest knowledge of Him.

I read to him the Sermon on the Mount and parables of Jesus. After hearing them he danced around the room in rapturous joy proclaiming, " What a wonderful beauty! How could I live without knowing this Christ!" It was the first time that I saw someone so joyful in Christ.

Then I mad a mistake. I read to him the passion and crucifixion of Christ, without having prepared him for this. He had not expected it and, when he heard how Christ was beaten, how He was crucified and that in the end He died, he fell into and armchair and began to weep bitterly. He believed in a Savior and now his Savior was dead!

I looked on him and was ashamed. I had called myself a Christian, a pastor, and a teacher of others, but I had never shared the sufferings of Christ as this Russian officer now shared them. Looking at him, it was like seeing Mary Magdalene weeping at the foot of the cross, faithfully weeping when Jesus was a corpse in the tomb.

Then I read to him the story of the resurrection and watched his expression change. He had not known that his Savior arose from the tomb. When he heard this wonderful news, he beat his knees and swore- using very dirty, but very 'holy' profanity. This was his crude manner of speech. Again he rejoiced shouting for joy, "He is alive! He is alive!" He danced around the room once more, overwhelmed with happiness!

I said to him, "Let us pray!" He did not know how to pray. He did not know our 'holy' phrases. He fell on his knees together with me and his words of prayer were: "Oh God, what a fine chap you are! If I were You and You were me, I would have never forgiven You of Your sins. But You are really a nice chap! I love You with all of my heart."

I think all the angels in heaven stopped what they were doing to listen to this sublime prayer from a Russian officer. The man had been won for Christ!"

"On one occasion a Communist was giving a lecture on atheism. all factory workers were required to attend; among these workers were many Christians. They sat quietly hearing all the arguments against God and about the stupidity of believing in Christ. The lecturer attempted to prove that there is no spiritual world, no God, no Christ, no hereafter; man is only matter with no soul. He said over and over that only matter exists.

A Christian stood up and asked to speak. Permission was given . The Christian picked up his folding chair and threw it down. He paused, looking at it. He then walked up and slapped the Communist lecturer in the face. The lecturer became very angry. His face flushed red with indignation. He shouted obscenities and called for fellow Communists to arrest the Christian. He demanded, " How dare you slap me? What is the reason?"

The Christian replied, "You have just proved yourself a liar. You said everything is matter... nothing else. I picked up a chair and threw it down. It is truly matter. The chair did not become angry. It is only matter. When I slapped you, you did not react like the chair. You reacted differently. Matter does not get mad or angry , but you did. Therefore, comrade professor, you are wrong. Man is more than matter. We are spiritual beings!"

"The distinctive feature of the Underground Church is its earnestness in faith.

A minister who disguises himself under the name of "George" tells in his book about God's Underground the following incident:

A Russian Army captain came to a minister in Hungary and asked to see him alone. The young captain was very brash, and very conscious of his role as a conqueror. When he had been led to a small conference room and the door was closed, he nodded toward the cross that hung on the wall.

"You know that thing is a lie," he said to the minister. " It's just a piece of trickery you ministers use to delude the poor people to make it easier for the rich to keep them ignorant. Come now, we are alone. Admit to me that you never really believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God!"

The minister smiled. " But my poor young man, of course I believe it. It is true."

"I wont have you play these tricks on me!" cried the captain. "This is serious. Don't laugh at me!"

He drew out his revolver and held it close to the body of the minister.

"Unless you admit to me that it is a lie, I'll fire!"

"I cannot admit that, for it is not true. Our Lord is really and truly the Son of God," said the minister.

The captain flung his revolver on the floor and embraced the man of God. Tears sprang to his eyes.

"It is true!" he cried. "It is true. I believe so, too, but I could not be sure men would die for this belief until I found it out for myself. Oh, thank you! You have strengthened my faith. now I too can die for Christ. You have shown me how."

~Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand.

If you want to get a copy of this book, go to this link:https://etools.ncol.com/a/tfc/bg_vomtfc_persecutioncom-tfc-flash_346.html . The book is completely free with no charge for shipping.

In Christ,
Victoria

"To forsake Christ for the world, is to leave a treasure for a trifle... eternity for a moment, reality for a shadow. ~William Jenkyn.

Greg Gordon's 95 Theses To the Evangelical Church

2009-11-19T13:38:00.005-05:00

I hope you all get a chance to read all of these theses. They hold so much truth.

To the Evangelical Church

"I have been writing this volume while residing in Germany for a teaching trip. I am humbled by penning these 95 theses in the same country as Martin Luther did many years ago. I submit these to the evangelical church of our day and pray that God would allow anything of truth in these pages to bend and change men's hearts back to God." - Greg Gordon

Thesis 1 - The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God.(Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Mathew 6:9).

Thesis 2 - Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2.(Acts 2:42,44, Acts 2:46, Acts 2:38).

Thesis 3 - We meet for one hour a week and consider that apostolic church. Many evangelicals treat church like any other social club or sports event that they attend.(Acts 2:46, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 1:14).

Thesis 4 - We have made Christianity about the individual rather then a community of believers.(1 John 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:16, Jude 19).

Thesis 5 - In evangelical churches the priesthood of all believers is not acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. The biblical view of a plurality of elders is practiced by very few.(1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:11-13).

Thesis 6 – The evangelical church as a whole has lost the concept of their being engrafted into the promises given to Israel.(Romans 11:17-18,20, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:15).

Thesis 7 - There needs to be a recovery back to teaching through the whole counsel of God expositionally.(Acts 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15).

Thesis 8 - We take it too lightly, the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession.(Psalm 119:16, Acts 13:44, Nehemiah 8:9).

Thesis 9 - There has never been more access to the word of God yet so little reading of it.(1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Psalm 119:59).

Thesis 10 - Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge and do not practice what they read.(James 1:22, Matthew 7:21, 3 John 4).

Thesis 11 - Worship has become an idol in many churches. The music resembles the world more than anything else. (Amos 5:23, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 5:21).

Thesis 12 - The world is shaping the views of the evangelical church more than the church shaping the views of the world. (Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:13, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).

Thesis 13 - The evangelical church spends more money on dog food then missions.(2 Corinthians 9:6, Luke 21:2, Acts 4:34-35).

Thesis 14 - We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and consider following Him a sort of jovial thing rather then it truly costing us our actual entire lives.(Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 8:19-20).

Thesis 15 - There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples.(Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:14).

Thesis 16 - The modern day evangelical believes the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while other parts are to be worldly and secular. Rather than our entire life’s being spiritual and our walk with God. (1 Peter 4:2, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 2:6).

Thesis 17 - The modern day evangelical finds Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent.(Philippians 2:21, James 3:16, Romans 12:1-2).

Thesis 18 - Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting, praying, suffering are considered legalistic.(2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 1:8, Matthew 6:17).

Thesis 19 - Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the gospel, and the sacrifice of the call of Christ.(Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 10:34).

Thesis 20 - We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace in the Church. Flippant confession, shallow consecration, superficial surrender.(Luke 14:28-30, Luke 14:26, James 4:8).

Thesis 21 - Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached with the requirements of repentance and discipleship.(Acts 2:38, Luke 14:26, John 8:31).

Thesis 22 - Presently, the “High-Calling in Christ Jesus,” has never been offered at such a low level. Forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity, confession without consecration.(Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 4:11, Luke 13:24).

Thesis 23 - Such terms as: Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, repentance from dead works, are all foreign to this church age of cheap grace.(Acts 2:37, Psalm 119:9, Hebrews 6:1-2).

Thesis 24 - The modern evangelical church loves itself more than its neighbor. (1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3).

Thesis 25 - The church must repent of its idolization of personality and business principles.(2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:23).

Thesis 26 - The elders and pastors of the church, as ministers of the gospel, are charged by Jesus to feed the sheep. But sadly many are fleecing the flock to supply their wants.(John 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 2:15).

Thesis 27 - The qualities most in demand in today's pastorate are frequently foreign to the qualities which are made most important in Scripture.(1 Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 1:5-7).

Thesis 28 - The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of.(2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 2:6).

Thesis 29 - There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate.(3 John 9, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 12:22).

Thesis 30 - The evangelical pastor must trust the Spirit, not statistics.(2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 8:14).Thesis 31 - Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect.(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Jeremiah 1:7-8).

Thesis 32 - God’s prophets are ill treated and shunned by most evangelicals and considered too extreme or harsh.(Jeremiah 6:10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 4:16).

Thesis 33 - An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?(Matthew 24:4,11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Jude 8).

Thesis 34 - There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits. God has no interest and is not required to honor a gospel that is false.(2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Jude 16).

Thesis 35 - There is an epidemic of a sort of “mock” salvation being preached from many pulpits today. It is a gospel message that is not authentic. It is correct in doctrine but false in reality.(2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 John 5:11-12, Romans 8:9).

Thesis 36 - What is this “mock” salvation that is being spoken of? Simply deﬁned it is a salvation that does not make men holy.(Jude 4, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:17-18).

Thesis 37 - No other evangelical phraseology has caused more damage to true gospel preaching then this simple coined phrase: “we are all just sinners saved by grace.”(Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 10:26-27).

Thesis 38 - There is a gospel message that keeps men sinners and never allows them to change and become saints in actual experience.(1 John 2:29, Colossians 3:5-8, Titus 3:8).

Thesis 39 - The warning of Christ is against this gospel where professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ.(Matthew 23:13, Psalm 119:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4).

Thesis 40 - Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God.(John 6:26, Romans 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11).

Thesis 41 - Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke.(Jeremiah 6:14, Proverbs 1:23, 1 Timothy 5:20).

Thesis 42 - Run from gospels that focus on your success and prosperity. From those that use the name of Jesus Christ only for personal gain. (John 2:16, Acts 20:33, Jeremiah 6:13).

Thesis 43 - Run from gospels that focus only on self-improvement.(1 Timothy 6:5, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:14).

Thesis 44 - Run from churches where men and not Christ are gloriﬁed.(Colossians 1:18, Jude 25, John 16:14).

Thesis 45 - Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no searching Word, no repentance from sin, no mention of the blood of Christ.(1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 3:13, Revelation 1:5).

Thesis 46 - Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence.(1 Corinthians 5:4, Psalm 80:14-15, Jeremiah 12:11).

Thesis 47 - Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin.(1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 10:30-31, Hebrews 4:13).

Thesis 48 - Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda.(Jude 10-11, Jude 19, 3 John 9).

Thesis 49 - Run from those who preach division between races and cultures.(James 2:4, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 5:9).

Thesis 50 - Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying.(Jeremiah 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 John 2:16).

Thesis 51 - Run from preachers who tell only stories and jokes.(Ephesians 5:4, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:12).

Thesis 52 - Run from those that are only after money and they use one gimmick after another to get your money.(2 Peter 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Corinthians 9:18).

Thesis 53 - The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.” Is not found in the Scriptures.(Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:20).

Thesis 54 - Evidence of true conversion is something that does not seem important to modern day evangelicals.(1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:17, Matthew 7:20).

Thesis 55 - In result thousands of sinners think of God having only one attribute, love! which has allowed multitudes to sit at ease with their sins.(Romans 1:18, Acts 5:11, Psalm 2:12).

Thesis 56 - God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life has caused much confusion in evangelism to the lost.(Romans 3:19, Acts 26:18, Philippians 3:18-21).

Thesis 57 - A Gospel of love and grace only without the law of God is being preached. Martin Luther called this gospel a doctrine of Satan.(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 2:4-5, Romans 3:19).

Thesis 58 - We have inherited a system of evangelistic preaching which is unbiblical. This has clearly arisen from the careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation.(Colossians 2:8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 1:6).

Thesis 59 - Decisionism and the sinners prayer has been the major cause of false conversions in the evangelical church.(2 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

Thesis 60 - Evangelicals are swelling the ranks of the deluded with a perverted gospel! Many who have made decisions in churches have been told in the inquiry rooms their sins have been forgiven will be surprised to hear “I never knew you depart from me.”(Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21).

Thesis 61 - Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit of God in confirming men in their supposed salvation.(1 John 2:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Galatians 6:12-15).

Thesis 62 - The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most evangelicals.(Matthew 13:42, James 5:1, Psalms 9:17).

Thesis 63 - The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern evangelical pulpit.(2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13).

Thesis 64 - The second coming of Jesus Christ needs to be re-instated as the general thrust and burden of the church. (1 John 3:2-3, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Thesis 65 - The evangelical church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God. (Hebrews 12:28-29, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31).

Thesis 66 - The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals rather than simply obeying the Scriptures call to personally evangelize themselves.(Acts 8:1,4, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14).

Thesis 67 - Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life.(Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:17, 2 Peter 3:9).

Thesis 68 - The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not imposed on sinners initially and creates half-saved people who have a Saviour but not a Lord.(Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 6:18).

Thesis 69 - We are not open to correction, discipline or rebuke. And most would rather just move to another evangelical church somewhere down the road.(1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:7-9).

Thesis 70 - There is a great deal of preaching that amounts to a mere believing of the different theories about salvation, instead of persuading men to come to Christ and be saved.(John 5:40, Colossians 1:28, 2 Corinthians 4:5).

Thesis 71 - There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel.(1 Timothy 1:11, Jude 25, Romans 15:29).

Thesis 72 - There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from evangelical pulpits.(John 3:20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5).

Thesis 73 - Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling the world’s goods is something that does not appear wrong to evangelicals.(Jeremiah 22:17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:3).

Thesis 74 - Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. Yet it was one of the major themes and glories of the apostolic church.(1 Corinthians 15:14-15, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33).

Thesis 75 - The evangelical church has relied more on technology then God.(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4).

Thesis 76 - The prayer meeting is considered in the evangelical church one of the least important meetings. The idea of meeting for an entire day together seems ridiculous and a waste of time.(1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:31, Philippians 4:6).

Thesis 77 - Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the evangelical church in our day.(Jeremiah 10:21, Philippians 2:21, Ephesians 6:18-19).

Thesis 78 - Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for the church.(Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31).

Thesis 79 - The evangelical church has many organizers but few agonizers.(Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 9:1-3, Jeremiah 9:1).

Thesis 80 - We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. The one gift we need the most is the gift of prophecy.(2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 12:31).

Thesis 81 - The evangelical church at large has never been more frivolous about the things of God. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached. (2 Peter 3: 11, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 3).

Thesis 82 - The evangelical church at large has forgotten how to pray.(1 John 3:22, Acts 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Thesis 83 - Churches are more dependent on tradition rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 7:13, Acts 16:6, Acts 13:2).

Thesis 84 - It might seem strange to say that ministers of religion are “pleading for impurity and sin.” Yet this is exactly what multitudes of professors preach and teach that you cannot be free from sin. That you must sin!(Romans 16:18, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1).

Thesis 85 - The Apostles and Christ always preached from the vantage point of the possibility to walk holy and free from sin.(Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 6:19).

Thesis 86 - Sinners are not saved to sin but rather saved to holiness and good works.(Romans 6:13, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:14).

Thesis 87 - Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the church.(2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:12).

Thesis 88 - A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day.(1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Thesis 89 - Most in the Church are utterly confused about the practical godliness, obedience, and good works which the Scriptures readily mentions.(Titus 3:8, John 10:32, Revelation 3:15).

Thesis 90 - Little or no emphasis is put in evangelical churches on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ, conforming us to His image.(1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 4:1).

Thesis 91 - Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly Church or for worldly Saints but for a “glorious Church.”(Ephesians 5:27, Titus 2:14, Colossians 4:12).

Thesis 92 - Christ does not come into our unregenerate, sickly, impure hearts as many contemporary theologians say. He gives us a new heart to dwell in wherein is found holiness and righteousness.(2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:8, Ezekiel 18:31).

Thesis 93 - A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy Church is God’s judgment upon the world.(Matthew 5:14,16, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Thesis 94 - If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more then a theory.(2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Thesis 95 - Unbelief has us captive; the evangelical church is gagged and bound as risen Lazarus, it needs release in this final hour! (Hebrews 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Hebrews 11:6).

Shouldn't this be posted on the doors of every church in America, to encourage faithful, Bible believing churches (no matter how few there are) and to remind the compromising, worldly churches that God is not mocked.

Blessings to you all,
Victoria

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed

2009-11-14T20:52:00.000-05:00

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future, is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken for the case of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. My banner is clear. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

- A final testimony by an African Christian just before he was martyred for his faith.

Women's Liberation: The Prodigal Wife

2009-11-02T19:05:00.003-05:00

My dear friend Sarah Busby posted this article on her facebook page, and I enjoyed it so much I had to share it. I hope all of my readers who are homemakers are encouraged by this.

Women's Liberation

A paraphrase of a Bible parable for today's prodigal women.

A certain man had a wife and three children. The wife becoming dissatisfied with being a mother and doing housework and coveting the money and material belongings of her neighbors, said to her husband: "Secure for me the social security number that falleth to me, divide unto me thy wardrobe of trousers, and I will go out into the world and seek a man's job." With reluctant heart the husband granted her desire and divided his wardrobe.

Not many days later the wife donned slacks and with a tool box took her journey far across town and secured a man's job. She made big wages but she associated with the wicked and listened to the vulgar stories that they told. There was a mighty spiritual famine in the land, and she grew lean in her soul.

The children turned loose at the mercy of the neighbors, soon forgot they had a mother. But the husband fondly remembered how it was in the home when the wife had been there and wished that she would return. He dined on cold lunch meat while the wife tried in vain to fill her stomach with the husks of cheese crackers that fell from the vending machine. And no man gave unto her the respect due to a lady. One day at rest period as she sat engulfed in cigarette smoke and smutty stories, she came to herself. "Here I sit surrounded by vulgarity having sacrificed the respect due to a lady. At home is my deserted husband, and roaming the streets unrestrained are my children. The money I make seems so small when compared to the peace of mind and soul that was mine before I left home."

In vain she did try to smother her conscience with thoughts that she was contributing to the family's economic welfare. However, it was in vain. Therefore she said to herself, "I will arise and go to my husband and will say to him, 'Husband, I have sinned against heaven in neglecting you and the children in this way. I am no more worthy to be called thy wife nor mother to thy children; make me thy hired housekeeper.'" So, she gathered her tools and started home. While she was still a long way off, the husband saw her and ran and clasped her in his arms. And the wife said, "Husband, I am not more worthy to be called thy wife, nor the mother of they children." But the husband said to the children, "Run and bring hither a dress and the best apron. Rush to the market and get a steak off the fatted calf, and let us have a hot meal once more. For this thy mother was lost but is found, so rejoice and be merry."

From http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/homemake/keepers.htm

Be blessed,
Victoria

On This Day of Evil...

2009-10-31T14:49:00.004-04:00

I decided to simply quote the Bible.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19-20)

Little children, let no man deceive you: 1 John 3:7

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:9

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

What communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14b

Nothing is 'innocent' about Halloween according to the Bible. Don't Compromise.

Praying,
Victoria

See my previous post on the pagan backgrounds of Halloween here: Why not Halloween.

Applesauce!

2009-10-09T20:00:00.006-04:00

Today, my dad went to a farm to restock our freezer with goat. Well the lady who ran the farm gave him a bushel of apples for free. We didn't exactly know what to do with them, but we recently got a recipe for applesauce, so we decided to try it. Here's the recipe so you can try it, even if you only have four apples.

Applesauce

1 lb apples (about 4 medium)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
cinnamon (optional)

Wash apples, then peel, core, quarter and cut into thin slices. Place in saucepan with sugar and water and simmer at medium heat until apples are soft and somewhat transparent, about 10-15 minutes. Add cinnamon if you like.

*NOTE: If you're health craze like me, the applesauce doesn't need sugar. As long as you don't use Granny Smith apples, the sauce is just fine by itself. Also, I used five lbs of apples, so just multiply the recipe by the amount you're using.

Here's the finished product:

Have a blessed day,

Victoria

Random Pictures

2009-10-03T16:56:00.010-04:00

Hello everyone! I haven't been sure what I should blog about. Besides school, nothing much has happened around here. So, I thought I would show you some pictures I've taken recently, so you can see what's happened

My dad bought an apple tree a week ago, and planted it this week. In about 2-3 years we should be able to pick fresh apples.

Also, one of our tree's roots were encroaching on our house, so my dad and brother dug them up and here is the after picture.

Now hopefully the tree doesn't fall! :)

Our garden is on its last leg for this year. We get a few tomatoes, but it's almost time to harvest our pumpkins.

The marigolds are still blooming though.

My cat always seems to entertain us. She has some serious territorial problems. Every time a stray cat is in our yard she make this howling sound that sounds like she's in pain and growls like a maniac, while the other cat just stares at her and sometimes actually sits down, just to prove that he's not intimidated by her. That really gets her upset. :) I took this picture.

(I think she needs to see a psychiatrist)

Anyway, in closing here is a video of Pouncer trying to get me to pet her. You'll notice that she gives up her charade after she gets what she wants.

In Christ,

Victoria

I Got An Award!!!

2009-09-07T10:54:00.003-04:00

I received my first blogging award from Sister YahChna! Here are the rules: 1. Write five (5) interesting facts about the person who gave you this award. 2. Jot down ten (10) interesting facts about yourself or your hobbies. 3. Pick your ten (10) most deserving recipients and describe them. 4. Leave a comment on the recipients' blog to tell them they've been tagged. 5. Paste the award badge in your side bar. Okay, About Her: (1) She loves Yahweh with all her heart. (2) She has three lovely daughters. (3) She is a stay at home mom. (4) She keeps the Biblical Feasts. (5) She dresses modestly. About Me: (1) I love to play the piano. (2) I recently discovered that I like canning. (3) I wear a headcovering and dress modestly. (4) I love to change recipes and make them healthy. (5) My greatest aspiration is to get married and to have a quiverful of children. (6) My favorite subject is science. (7) I love to knit. (8) I believe that homeschooling is the best way to educate your children. (9) I can read French (mostly). (10) I'm graduating this year!

I'm awarding:

and Alexandra

I know that's only eight, but I can't think of anymore right now.

Blessings,

Victoria

35 Reasons Not to Sin

2009-09-04T18:16:00.003-04:00

I found this on the rebelution website. It's so true!

35 Reasons Not To Sin

Because a little sin leads to more sin.
Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
Because my sin saddens the godly.
Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
Because my sin may influence others to sin.
Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
Because my sin is adultery with the world.
Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
Because to sin is not to love Christ.
Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it’s own.
Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

Striving for perfection,
Victoria

The Cross Room

2009-09-03T13:39:00.002-04:00

The Cross Room

The young man was at the end of his rope.

Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.

"Lord, I can't go on," he said.

"I have too heavy a cross to bear.

"The Lord replied,

"My son, if you can't bear it's weight,

just place your cross inside this room.

Then open another door and pick any cross you wish.

"The man was filled with relief.

"Thank you, Lord,"

he sighed, and did as he was told.

As he looked around the room he saw many different crosses;

some so large the tops were not visible.

Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.

"I'd like that one, Lord,"

he whispered. And the Lord replied,

"My son, that's the cross you brought in."

By: Author Unknown

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

~ 1Corinthians 10:13

Unexplained Hiatus

2009-08-29T12:24:00.003-04:00

What kind of blogger celebrates her blogoversary and than leaves her blog for over a month?!! Me!! Sorry for not posting. I finished volunteering two weeks ago, but I have been focusing on finishing my first year of French before the new year.

This year will be my senior year, and I can't wait get started. This year will bring a lot of challenges and decisions that my parents and I have to go through together. Many seniors come to the simple decision that after high school, they will go to college. Well it's not so simple for me. College was the only decision for me up until two years ago. Two years ago I wanted to become a pediatrician who had four children (two boys and two girls) who went to a nice Christian school. The Lord has changed my heart. (Thank you Jesus!) My ultimate goal now is to be a helpmeet to my husband and a mother to as many children as the Lord sees fit. What's my problem? I'm not sure if God wants me to go to a Christian college 2hrs. away from my home, go to a college 15 minutes away from my home, or to not go to college at all and distance learn.

I greatly solicit your prayers. I would greatly appreciate it if you would not tell me what I should do in the comment section. If you have any scripture verses that could help I would appreciate it. I want to do God's will.

Your Sister in Christ,
Victoria

My Blogoversary!!!

2009-07-14T15:58:00.003-04:00

Today I have been blogging officially for one year!!!! Yea!!! This year has been a wonderful experience for me. It's hard to believe that simply writing down my thoughts helped me to grow in so many ways. Before I started blogging, I wouldn't say that I was ashamed of my beliefs, but I certainly was afraid of what others would say, if they knew that I didn't believe the same things they did. When I write down my beliefs, it causes me to really think about what I'm saying, and when I think about it I realize that I don't just believe these things because it sounds good, or it makes sense, I believe what I believe because God has truly convicted me of this based on what I read in His word.

Also, in this last year I have met many dear Sisters online who encourage me with their comments and emails, and I'm so thankful to God that I had the chance to meet them. You ladies challenge me with your unwavering love of God and I admire that in you.

And last but not least I've had fun. Blogging has rekindled my love of writing. I love thinking about what I can write today, what I can write that will stimulate my readers to comment. :) Lord willing I will be here for many more years.

Your Sister in Christ,

Victoria

What I've Been Up To

2009-07-12T16:14:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone. I'm so sorry for the lack of posts. Last week I started volunteering at three different places. Two hospitals and my local library for about eight hours five days a week. Also besides the fact that I love working in the OB/GYN section of the hospital, I haven't had much inspiration, but I figured that you guys won't be too bored hearing about what I been doing for the last two or so weeks.

Besides volunteering, I spend most of my day with my family. We had wonderful 4th of July. We invited a lady and her grandchildren over for our barbecue and spent the day playing board games and just talking. The lord has blessed us with a bountiful harvest of tomatoes, so many that we don't know what to do with them. My mom froze two bags of them, and we plan on canning the rest of them. I'm really excited because I've never canned before, and I think it's a great skill to know. I plan on posting on the process.

The thing I love the most about working in the OB/GYN center of my hospital is seeing all the babies, especially twins! I can't wait til I have (Lord willing) children of my own.

This might seem trivial, but I'm just realizing that I love hymns. I've heard many hymns on the radio, but since we don't sing hymns in my church much (at all), I never got a chance to memorize them. I'm currently memorizing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Personally I think that the words of hymns have more meaning than songs written today. These songs stood the test of time because the words meant so much to Christians everywhere.

I'm also memorizing 1st Corinthians 13. I love this passage and when I say it over and over the words sort of open up to me. I realize that this passage is explaining what it really means to love. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (the definition of vaunteth is to speak boastfully of; brag about) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Cor. 13:4-7.That a pretty high order! If you think about it, these are some of the many characteristics of Christians. I found many things that I need to work on, but that's one of the reasons we read the Bible, to learn how to be more like Christ. I hope you all have a blessed week. I leave you with this quote:

Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. ~George Mueller

Love in Christ,
Victoria

PETA has gone too far

2009-06-18T11:15:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON — The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants the flyswatter in chief to try taking a more humane attitude the next time he's bedeviled by a fly in the White House.
PETA is sending President Barack Obama a Katcha Bug Humane Bug Catcher, a device that allows users to trap a house fly and then release it outside.
"We support compassion even for the most curious, smallest and least sympathetic animals," PETA spokesman Bruce Friedrich said Wednesday. "We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals."
During an interview for CNBC at the White House on Tuesday, a fly intruded on Obama's conversation with correspondent John Harwood.
"Get out of here," the president told the pesky insect. When it didn't, he waited for the fly to settle, put his hand up and then smacked it dead.
"Now, where were we?" Obama asked Harwood. Then he added: "That was pretty impressive, wasn't it? I got the sucker."
Friedrich said that PETA was pleased with Obama's voting record in the Senate on behalf of animal rights and noted that he has been outspoken against animal abuses.
Still, "swatting a fly on TV indicates he's not perfect," Friedrich said, "and we're happy to say that we wish he hadn't."
Deputy press secretary Josh Earnest said the White House has no comment on the matter.

taken from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/17/peta-wishes-obama-hadnt-s_n_217162.html

Look, call me an animal hater, but I think this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. My brother and I have declared war on the flies in our house and we aren't going to 'trap them and release them into the air!!!!' What's next? Don't kill rats that caused the black plague, but release them so they can infect some one else!!!! God told Adam to have dominion over the fish of the sea the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth~ Genesis 1:28 not for them to have dominion over us!!! Now I love animals, I don't condone cruelty to animals, but come on. A fly!!
We need common sense!
Blessings,
Victoria

Sixteen!!

2009-05-27T21:23:00.004-04:00

As many of you know today is my 16th birthday! I I had a wonderful day. My family wouldn't let me do anything, no matter how much I wanted to help. My dear sister made me two cakes: a cream cheese pound cake and a carrot cake. Yesterday, around 10pm, just one hour after Gabbi put the pound cake in the oven, the electricity went out. It didn't come back for two hours. We were afraid that the cake would fall due to the lack of heat, but it didn't. Here's a picture:

Isn't my sister great? I thank the Lord for keeping me for sixteen years. I know I couldn't have done it on my own.

Blessings in Him,

Victoria

Would You Deny Christ?

2009-05-17T21:38:00.001-04:00

I certainly enjoyed this. I hope it encourages you today.

RUSSIA: HYPOCRITES

They were singing choruses when the two soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the Russian soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes.
"What are you doing here?" They shouted. "Worshiping your imaginary God?" The church members cowered in their pews, wondering if there were more soldiers outside.
"All of those who are faithful to God, move to the right side of the church," said one of the soldiers, his face a mask of hatred. "You will be shot for your faith. You who wish to go home and keep your life, stand on the left side. You must decide to live or die. Those who are faithful to this 'God' will die. Those who deny Him can live freely."
Ten minutes earlier everyone had sung praises equally. Now it was a question of life or death. Some stood to the left, looking sadly or waving apologetically to those on the right. Some stood on the right, their eyes closed in last-minute prayers.
"You on the left are free to go," one of the soldiers said moments later. Those people filed out, taking one last look at those who would soon be dead.
When those on the right remained, the soldiers put down their weapons. "We, too, are Christians," they said, "but we wish to worship without hypocrites."
-- Extreme Devotion, Voice of the Martyrs

Blessings,
~Victoria

Strawberry Muffin Recipe

2009-05-15T19:29:00.012-04:00

Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a wonderful week. My week has been pretty wonderful. I haven't posted much this week so I'll just post this recipe.

Healthy Strawberry Muffins

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup quick oats

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

1/2-2/3 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1-1 2/3 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen, chopped)*

Streusel (below)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Line 12-18 muffin cups or grease the bottom of them. Sift the first seven ingredients together in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl whisk the next four ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones. Stir thoroughly Fold in strawberries.

Spoon batter into muffin cups and sprinkle with streusel.

Bake for 18 minutes, or until tester comes out clean.

Streusel: 3 tbsp. raw (or regular) sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Stir together

*Note: If you use frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw them by running cold water over them.

And now here are some miscellaneous pictures of flowers in my yard.

Can any of you name all of these flowers?

Have blessed weekend,

Victoria

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T07:28:00.003-04:00

I hope you ladies enjoy this poem by Mark Bullen. I know my mom did.

DEAR MOTHER

NOT NEAR ENOUGH IS SAID TODAY
ABOUT WHAT MOTHERS DO:
THE PATIENCE AND THE LOVING CARE
OF THE FAITHFUL AND THE FEW.

TOO MUCH POMP AND PAGEANT
IS GIVEN TO THOSE OTHERS
WHO GIVE THEIR HEARTS TO SOME CAREER
AND NOT TO BEING MOTHERS.

THEY'VE GOT TO HAVE THEIR FANCY CAR;
MORE MONEY IN THE BANK;
BABYSITTERS RAISE THEIR "KIDS"--
NOW WE HAVE THEM TO THANK...

FOR OVERCROWDED PRISONS,
AND TEENS ON DRUGS AND DRINK.
THEIR FAMILY'S NOT IMPORTANT,
OR, SO THEY SEEM TO THINK.

DUNKIN' DIAPERS, CLEANING HOUSE--
IT'S NOT TOO COOL THESE DAYS:
GOT TO HAVE SOME BIGGER TOYS;
NEED SOME JOB THAT PAYS.

BUT THANKS TO GOD, THERE ARE STILL
OLD FASHIONED MOTHERS 'ROUND;
NOT SWAYED BY THE OPINIONS OF
SOME NEW AGE FEMALE CLOWN.

STEWARDS OF GOD'S HERITAGE,
WHO SEE THEIR SACRED CALL,
TO TRAIN THEIR CHILD TO LIVE FOR GOD
LEST SATAN MAKE HIM FALL.

IT IS SAID THAT NO YOUNG MAN
IN SIN AND RUIN HAS STRAYED;
WHO HAD A MOM WHO LOVED THE LORD,
AND EARNESTLY FOR HIM PRAYED.

THERE IS NO HONOR OR GLORY
NO WORDS THAT WILL SUFFICE,
TO SHOW TO YOU OUR GRATITUDE,
THAT YOU HAVE PAID THE PRICE.

TO GIVE TO US A CHANCE TO KNOW
WHAT THRONGS WISH THEY COULD SHARE:
THAT'S GROWING UP WITH MOM AROUND,
NOT OFF AT WORK SOMEWHERE.

THE MEDIA WON'T CROWN YOU, MOM,
TO SHOW THE QUEEN YOU ARE;
THEY'D RATHER LIVE IN SINFUL LUST:
THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES TO SCAR.

I'M GLAD YOU DID NOT BOW YOUR KNEE
TO THEIR MATERIAL GODS.
I SEE I'D NOT HAVE MADE IT,
JUST LOOKING AT THE ODDS.

I'M GLAD YOU PUT MY LIFE AHEAD
OF OTHER THINGS TO DO.
BECAUSE YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE TO ME,
I GIVE MY HEART TO YOU.

MARK BULLEN

Happy Mother's Day! I hope all you mother's have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Victoria

Oh How Good the Lord is!!

2009-04-28T16:23:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I got my ACT results, and I got a 30!!!!!! I reached my goal! Praise the Lord!!!!!! According to my results, my scores were in the 99th percentile for english, 95th for math, 85th for reading, and 92th for science. The Lord is good! I really wanted to thank you all for your prayers. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much. ~James 5:16b

Leaping for Joy,
Victoria

Sewing my own headcoverings

2009-04-26T14:14:00.004-04:00

After my post in July on my first sewing project using the machine, my sewing machine was having problems (caused by me) and was forced into premature retirement. well I still wanted to learn how to sew. So, I decided to actually read the instruction manual for the machine. I realized how to backstitch, re-thread the bobbin, and sew slower. At least five months ago, I bought some material to make myself some headcoverings, the simple bandanna and wide headband style ones. So using my newly acquired knowledge, I made two headcoverings. The first one wasn't so neat, but I did better on the second one. Here's a picture of it:

I guess everything gets better with practice. I'll finish making the rest of the coverings for practice, then maybe I'll be able to move on to other things, eventually clothing!

It has been really hot here. Yesterday it was 93 degrees when the weatherman said the high was 80. :( But, I prefer the hot to the cold, so I guess I can't complain. I hope you all are having a wonderful Lord's Day.

Looking to the Hills,
Victoria

Babysitting Experience

2009-04-17T21:58:00.002-04:00

Well, as the title suggests, I was babysitting this afternoon. I had a wonderful time babysitting two sweet children, Hannah and Gideon. I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but taking care of children brings me so much joy. It also makes me realize how much I have to learn before, Lord willing, I become a mother.

I don't talk about my mother as much as I should. I think that one of my mom's greatest abilities is being a good teacher. In my eyes, a good teacher should be knowledgeable about the subject, patient, able to instruct, but ready to correct when needed. So I'll share a problem that I had today while babysitting.

When I babysit, I have a tendency to play with the children and become their 'pal', but then I don't know how to reprimand them, while remaining their 'pal'. For example, today while I was watching Hannah, she started to throw the blocks she was playing with in the air and at the walls, and occasionally a block would hit someone. After throwing the blocks she would laugh, and unfortunately I would laugh with her. (shame) After awhile she was throwing the blocks around her little brother, and she could easily hurt him. This time I told her to stop throwing the blocks, but she thought that it was still funny and that I was still joking with her. Fortunately my mom stepped in to bring order back to the situation. She simply told Hannah 'no'. She didn't smile, laugh, or break eye contact with her. Hannah knew my mom meant business. Needless to say, we didn't have anymore problem with block throwing.

Later on my mom pulled me aside and said, "Don't encourage anything that you don't want to deal with later. You can have fun with children, but you need to make sure that they realize that you, not they, are in charge." I 'm going to keep that advice with me, so I know what to do next time.

I really had a wonderful time today. Poor Gideon wasn't feeling too well today, so he wanted to be held a lot. While I was rocking him, I was thanking god for making me a woman, so that one day I will be able to hold my own child and comfort him (or her). But I must say my favorite time was during nap time (or attempted nap time.) Hannah didn't want to sleep so she just laid down, and while she was doing so she was talking to Stephen (my brother) and me. I was ecstatic to hear this come from her mouth.
Hannah to Stephen: "Stephen, my family loves Jesus, and Jesus loves me. Do you love Jesus?"

Stephen: " Yes, we love Jesus too."

Oh, I was floating on air! This four year old child was proclaiming her knowledge of the Savior's love, something many adults are afraid to do. I applaud Hannah's parents for instilling in their child the love of Christ.

Matthew 21:16~And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Living for my Savior,
Victoria

Twenty Years

2009-04-15T21:23:00.002-04:00

Today, my parents have been married for twenty years. With divorce, so prevalent in America, I thank God for keeping my parents together. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!! Praise God for twenty years!!!!
Blessings,
Victoria

SAT Results

2009-04-07T20:57:00.004-04:00

Hello all! As I said before, I received my SAT scores today. My score was a 1970. Now I wasn't sure how to post this without sounding overjoyed because I wasn't completely pleased with this score. My highest score was in the Writing section because it is the easiest section for me. Unfortunately, everyone looks at the Math and Verbal section and ignores the writing. My Math/Verbal score was 1290, and I was aiming for 1300. Not bad right? I'm still going to take the test again to try to hit my goal. I'm very thankful to God for helping me because I scored 110 points higer than I did on the PSAT.
Thank you all for praying!

Your Sister in Christ,
Victoria

ACT!

2009-04-03T22:25:00.001-04:00

I'll be taking the ACT test tomorrow. I would appreciate your prayers.
Thanks!
Victoria

April Fool's Day (A.K.A.~ Atheist Day)

2009-04-01T18:14:00.003-04:00

I got this in an email today, and I've posted it for your enjoyment.

COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY:

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days.

He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days.

The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate
presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel and declared, 'Case dismissed!'

The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, 'Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case?

The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others.

The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah. Yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays.'

The judge leaned forward in his chair and said, 'But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.'

The lawyer said, 'Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.'

The judge said, 'The calendar says April 1st is 'April Fools Day'.
Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God'.

Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.

Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.

:)

On a happier note, today is my sister's 18th birthday. Since she is in college, I'll say: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABBI!!!"

Blessings,
Victoria

Is He Here?

2009-03-23T15:26:00.002-04:00

I just found this cartoon, unfortunately it's not funny.

The church today needs revival.

Blessings,

Victoria

Prayer Requested

2009-03-13T21:14:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!! I apologize for the lack of posts. For the past two weeks I have been studying for my SATs. I will be taking the test tomorrow from 8:15 to 12:00 EST. I would appreciate if you all will pray for me during that time.

I wish I could say that I will resume regular posting after that, but the ACT is just two weeks after tomorrow so I will try to post, but it will be sporadic. Thank you all for understanding.

Trusting in Him,
Victoria

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-03-02T21:31:00.005-05:00

Today...
March 2, 2009

Outside my window...
Snow covers everything!!

I am thinking...
Why did it snow?!!! Spring was coming!!

I am thankful for...
Shelter

I am wearing...
My nightgown

I am reading...
Phillipians and Proverbs
Do Hard Things

I am creating...
nothing right now

One of my favorite things...
hanging out with my family

For education this week...
SAT prep and French study

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
managing my time

A spiritual lesson I am learning...
honouring my parents

A godly character trait I plan to work on...
charity

Scripture I am memorizing...
1 Cor 13

I'm praying for...
God to show me His will for my life

For the rest of the week...
church and my brother's games

A picture I'd like to share...

Blessings,

Victoria

Have You Acknowledged Him?

2009-02-28T15:53:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone! I have finished reading Do Hard Things, and I will post my review soon, but I wanted to share an email that I got earlier this week.

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.'

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them. 'I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.

'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments ..'

'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.'

'What blessings should they acknowledge? ' I asked.

'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.'

'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity. '

'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .'

'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'

'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world .'

'If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare .'

'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.'

OK, what now? How can I start?If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are..

Giving Thanks,

Victoria

New Books

2009-02-27T19:28:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I bought some books that I've wanted to buy for some time. I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris and Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris.
I've already read the first part of the book, and so far I love it. It has giving me a lot of things to think of. I will give a full review on this book when I finish reading it.
I hope that all of you have a blessed weekend.

Blessings,
Victoria

A Young Maiden's Daybook

2009-02-23T21:47:00.005-05:00

Today...

February 23, 2009

Outside my window...

the wind is howling

I am thinking...

It's still cold!! When is spring coming?!!

I am thankful for...

too many things to name

I am wearing...

My navy blue sweat shirt and jeans skirt

I am reading...

Galatians, Ephesians, and Proverbs

I am creating...

a multi-colored blanket

One of my favorite things...

learning how to play my favorite hymns on the piano

For education this week...

SAT prep and French study

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...

hospitality

A spiritual lesson I am learning...

obeying God rather than men

A godly character trait I plan to work on...

obedience

Scripture I am memorizing...

Romans 12:1-2

I'm praying for...

God to show me His will for my life

For the rest of the week...

Nothing exciting

A picture I'd like to share...

Blessings,

Victoria

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-02-10T10:06:00.005-05:00

Today...
February 10, 2009

Outside my window...
The sun is shining brightly

I am thinking...
It's cold!!

I am thankful for...
a wise mother

I am wearing...
My navy blue sweat shirt and jeans skirt

I am reading...
1 Corinthians and Proverbs

I am creating...
a multi-colored blanket

One of my favorite things...
helping others

For education this week...
SAT prep

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
knitting

A spiritual lesson I am learning...
Studying to be quiet

A godly character trait I plan to work on...
patience

Scripture I am memorizing...
Ephesians:3:20-21

I am praying for...
The salvation of my extended family

For the rest of the week...
I have a very quiet week

A picture I'd like to share...

blessings,

Victoria

America the Beautiful, or so you used to be.

2009-02-08T16:25:00.004-05:00

I hope you enjoy this poem. After you have read it, head over to this website to read some other articles written by Judge Roy Moore. You can read about Roy Moore's life here .

America the Beautiful, or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty; your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly, poisoned by cocaine,
Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said, "Abstain.
"From sea to shining sea, our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray.

We've kept God in our temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool, and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful, if you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee.
By Judge Roy Moore

Blessings,
Victoria

A Great Testimony Through Poetry

2009-02-05T21:45:00.004-05:00

My Sister in Christ, Sarah wrote this poem on how dressing modestly can touch another. This poem was based on experiences in her life:

While I was standing on my street
I thought to glance around
To listen to this world's heartbeat.
The things which did abound!

Their puffed-up hair, their wanton eyes
Their showy fashion clothes
Their painted faces can't disguise
What apparent to me grows

Their chests push out
Their eyes look down
Their mouth, a snarly, shallow frown
The girls look out
Their eyes sunk in
Their paint could never hide their sin

I walked along, and said, "Hello!"
They looked down in disdain
They laughed and then they drawled slow,
"My, aren't you strange and plain."

I looked down at my dress to see
Why they so laughed and mocked at me
A simple dress, without adorn
My hair is covered, simply worn

I thought a minute on my dress
My hid body and hair
My face was calm, without distress
For Christ was standing there

I looked them softly in the eyes
My eyes shamefaced and soft
Unlike those girls, I'd no disguise
These words I'd spoken oft:

"You ask me why I walk and look
So different from you
You see, I am not of this world
I'm foreign through and through.

You see, I belong to my Lord
My God who lives above
He gave to us His Holy Book
His Spirit full of love

That Book, so precious to my heart
Opened my life to see
The plans He has for all of us
For you, the world, and me

That Holy book, it says so clear
Our bodies we must hide
The women's hair we cover too
To honor Him who died

I dress this way to honor Jesus
It is His way that truly frees us
Not only dress, but life and heart
We must from sin and self depart!"

They looked at me, eyes open wide
A few glared down with hate and pride
But one, his mouth ajar supplied
These words, which his true self belied:

"You act as if we're all so bad
Like for our lives we should feel sad
We're all good people, don't you know?"
Oh, how that set my heart aglow!

God opened up the Scriptures wide
Not from my book, but from my mind
I spoke bold in a gentle way,
"The Lord has brought me here today."

I told of Moses on that mount
When God's Hand wrote the Law
Explained that man's heart was a fount
From which great sin did draw

No natural man does put God first
They use His name in vain
They worship idols, stone or worst
And say, "My life I reign."

They don't respect His holy day,
They will not give their lives away
But arrogantly, this is sad,
They disrespect their Mom and Dad

They despise others, and they kill
Their hearts they with desiring fill
Not of the Lord, but of the earth
They wallow 'round in sin and mirth

They slander, snigger, whine, and lie
And on a woman cast an eye
And with their body or their thought
Give in to lust that Satan wrought

They do not thank our blessed Lord
They think this life a game
Yea, they despise His blood outpoured
They glory in their shame.”

I looked at them, pricked by the Law
A few had walked away
But O, the others, O, they saw
The gift I had today.

I shared with them that awesome word,
That Jesus came to die
That through His blood, our sin withered
If we to Him would cry

I told them of His loving grace
How free for all to see
I told them of the life I lived
And how the Lord changed me

They said to me, “What must I do
To leave this life of sin?”
I said, “Repent ye through and through
Let Christ abide within.”

And so that day, the sun shone down
Upon three weeping souls
They made the Blessed Master Lord
He made them fully whole

I wept with them, and then I cried,
“Go now, and live as one who died,
This world of sin and self refuse
But to the Spirit be of use

Let Him guide you on the way
Your life alone to guide
Go, read your Bible, watch and pray
His Word in your life hide

They looked at me with face aglow,
With thankful eyes and hearts
And now I know in Heav’n they’ll be
When they this life depart

As I walked home, the Savior said,
“Well done, you faithful one
You showed them Law, justice and love
And now, the vict’ry’s won.”

I bowed my head and bowed my heart
“O, Lord, it all was You
You took Your Word and took my life
Those testimonies two.

I am but an unworthy slave
I’ll serve You all my days
But I thank You that, my precious Lord,
My life can be Your praise.”

Praising his name,
Victoria

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-02-02T12:35:00.009-05:00

Today...

February 2, 2009

Outside my window...

The sun has won its battle with the clouds!

I am thinking...

It's a lovely day, I may go for a walk

I am thankful for...

God's blessings

I am wearing...

My navy blue sweat shirt and jeans skirt

I am reading...

Romans and Proverbs

I am creating...

the same sweater

One of my favorite things...

enjoying nature

For education this week...

Studying Calculus

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...

knitting

A spiritual lesson I am learning...

Listening to the Holy Spirit

A godly character trait I plan to work on...

charity

Scripture I am memorizing...

Romans 8:35-39

I am praying that...

America will remember the mistakes of the past, and not repeat them

For the rest of the week...

Knit/Crochet Night at the library.

Piano Lesson

A picture I'd like to share...

How my Day Went and Another Driving Adventure (Disaster)

2009-01-31T21:06:00.005-05:00

I thought I would just tell you all what I did today. I got up this morning and baked another bread per my sister's request. (She's in college and didn't get to try my first one) Besides that I enjoyed my family and did some cleaning. Also my dad took me driving again. I truly believe that I am going to become prematurely gray because of the amount of traumatizing driving experiences that I go through. I have a tendency to panic when I'm behind the wheel. Today I went driving on a commercial street instead of a back one. I was so afraid of hitting another car that I was holding on to the steering wheel for my dear life. Fortunately my dad was there with me. He kept on encouraging me, telling me that I was doing fine, and reminding me of what to do when I panicked and forgot everything.:) On the way back home (the sun had set) somehow instead of turning on the indicator, I turned off the lights. Now in the panic mode, I kept yelling to my dad "What did I do?! I can't see!!" , but my dad just reached over and turned back on the lights. I pulled over so that the cars behind me could pass, and then I started again. We made it home safely. (Thank God)

How my dad treated me in the car, reminded me of how God treats us. No matter what we go through, He's always right beside us, encouraging and instructing us. And when we mess up and are in trouble, He steps in and takes over until we are ready to start again. And I know that God was in the car with me today. Have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow.

Praising His Name,

Victoria

Pray for the Unborn

2009-01-28T18:15:00.010-05:00

(I'm sorry that some of these pictures are too big. Click to see them completely)

I know, I've posted this before, but since Obama lifted the ban on using taxpayer money to fund international family planning (baby murdering) organizations I just wanted to encourage all of you to sign the Fight FOCA Petition, if you haven't already. (the link is on my sidebar) Who deserves to be protected more then the most innocent of people. I didn't want to go on an all out rant on why abortion is wrong so I used the above pictures. I'm not going to say that I'm sorry for posting these pictures. Everyone deserves to know the truth. Sisters, we need to pray.

Jeremiah 1:5~ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Psalms 139:13-14~ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Exodus 20:13~Thou shalt not kill.

Constantly praying,

Victoria

My First Successful Bread!!

2009-01-26T19:55:00.007-05:00

My experiences in bread baking only cover putting the ingredients into a bread machine, and waiting for the machine to ding. I have tried to make bread by hand before, but the recipe I used was not very clear on some things such as: heat the water until very warm (120-130 degrees) not until boiling. :) Also they didn't mention what kind of yeast to use. They assumed that I would use Rapid Rise yeast and not Active Dry. So I ended up letting the bread rise for ten minutes instead of 45. So my finished product was a small, very heavy and salty bread.

This time, however, I used the recipe from Fleischmann's ® Yeast Best-Ever Breads this book included step by step instructions with pictures to demonstrate kneading, rising and resting the bread, and shaping. Perfect for the inexperienced bread baker like myself! I didn't take many picture of my bread, but I have a few:

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.~Proverbs 31:15

Looking unto Jesus,

Victoria

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-01-26T10:14:00.004-05:00

Today...
January 26, 2009

Outside my window...
It's still cloudy

I am thinking...
I can't wait for spring

I am thankful for...
the simple things in life

I am wearing...
My purple sweat shirt an jeans skirt

I am reading...
Psalms and Proverbs;
Every Now and Then

I am creating...
a sweater that I started a long time ago

One of my favorite things...
classical music

For education this week...
Starting a new semester

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
baking bread

A spiritual lesson I am learning...
disciplining my mind to stay focused on Godly things

A godly character trait I plan to work on...
taming my tongue

Scripture I am memorizing...
Psalms 141:3-4

I am praying that...
FOCA will not be signed

For the rest of the week...
nothing much

A picture I'd like to share...

His Handmaiden,

Victoria

Lessons from Service

2009-01-25T15:00:00.002-05:00

Today at church, we read this verse: Psalms 8:4~What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him?

This verse reminds me of how unworthy we are. We were sinful, and an abomination in his sight. We should be humble, and thank God for his mercies that He gives us everyday. But some of us have the nerve to put people on a pedestal and act as if they are God.

...For without me ye can do nothing~ John 15:5b

We need to give God the glory, and depend on him, not man.

Blessings,

Victoria

Why I Wear a Headcovering

2009-01-22T19:00:00.006-05:00

I realize that many people won't agree with me on this subject, but I just wanted to post my take on the headcovering controversy.

My first encounter with headcovering was when I came across this article http://www.fims.uwo.ca/NewMedia2007/page29554211.aspx when they were interviewing some Canadian Mennonites about their life, and they said that they covered their heads because of the command in 1 Cor 11. I thought "What?! Headcovering is in the Bible?" I decided to look this up to see if they were misquoting scripture, and lo and behold it was there.

1Corinthians 11:4-16~ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every man that prayeth or prophesieth having her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all and one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature teach you that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

It seemed obvious to me that women are supposed to cover their hair while praying or prophesying. But what is that covering? At first I thought it was hair, but then what about men? Should they cut off their hair in order to be uncovered? And what about people who had alopecia or cancer? They can't do anything about not having hair. Also how long is long? I have never cut my hair (except for occasionally clipping the ends to stimulate growth) and my hair is barely past my shoulders. So my conclusion was that hair is given to us as a covering but not the one talked about verses 5-6. Hair is our natural covering but when we pray we must have an additional covering to symbolize submission.

I wear a headcovering to symbolize my submission to God. When I wear my headcovering people tend to stare at me probably wondering "Why is she wearing a headcovering?"

I wear two kinds of headcoverings. I wear veil style, (my favorite)

and the headband style(my parent's favorite)

Now to avoid any posible arguments I just want to make it clear that I do not believe that headcovering is salvation issue. Also I do not believe that if a woman does not cover her head that God doesn't hear her prayers. I believe that the Christian women should pray about the headcovering issue, and do what God tells them to do. This is what I am convicted of, and you may not agree with me. I do not believe that it is my place to judge if someone is saved or not. Only God can do that because He sees the heart.

Blessings,
Victoria

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-01-19T11:51:00.004-05:00

Today...

January 19, 2009

Outside my window...

A fog envelopes our house

I am thinking...

About MLK's legacy

I am thankful for...

warm blankets in the winter

I am wearing...

My melon colored shirt and black skirt

I am reading...

Psalms and Proverbs;

All She Ever Wanted

I am creating...

nothing at the moment

One of my favorite things...

The Hymn "It is Well"

For education this week...

Preparing for semester exams

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...

planning meals for my family

A spiritual lesson I am learning...

The importance of staying in God's presence

A godly character trait I plan to work on...

Submission

Scripture I am memorizing...

Philippians 2:5-10

I am praying for...

Our future President

For the rest of the week...

A youth leader's meeting at my church

A picture I'd like to share...

Funny Driving Experience

2009-01-17T12:17:00.004-05:00

Well today for the first time my dad took me driving on the road. It was a back road, so there wasn't many cars. Because of my previous driving experience, I nearly drove into our garage, I tried to stay just at the speed limit. This did not please my dad.

Dad: "Victoria why are you driving so slow? Speed up! At least drive the speed limit!"

Also I had problems keeping the car on the road.

Dad: "Keep on the road. Why are you so near the curb? You're driving off the road!!"

And I had problems turning and dodging potholes

Dad: "Slow down on the turn! Don't head towards the holes! Did you have to hit every single hole?!"

My brother was no support either.

Stephen: "We're all going to die! AAAAHH!!!!"

(Just so you know, no one was injured in this trip)

My sister drove us home and Stephen and my dad were comparing my driving to her's.

Stephen and Dad: "When Gabbi is driving your back is pressed to the chair because she takes off at lights. When Vicky is driving you sitting fine but then you lurch forward because of a sudden stop."

There was a lot of comments like that for the rest of the trip home. If you have noticed my mom was not present for this trip. My mom refuses to teach me how to drive because my sister's driving scared her. Sometimes when Gabbi is driving, Mom squeezes my hand to calm her nerves. Oh well. That's the end of my tale.

God Bless,

Victoria

Nothing Compares to You

2009-01-16T17:13:00.004-05:00

I found this wonderful poem. Enjoy!

Nothing Compares To You
by WhtDove

I'm sitting here filled with
the amazing things you do
How the waters stay in the oceans
And the vast beauty of the view

How the stars are hung in the sky
Within them is written your word
How we are the following sheep
And you are the only Shepherd

How the sky is painted with color
Bursts of orange in the sunset glow
How much knowledge it took to make
And how little us humans know

How intricately you planned it
There was nothing you left unthought
From the delicacy of a baby
To all the sins of ours you bought

There's no other love that's out there
As deep and as faithful and true
No other comfort to be found
Because nothing compares to you

Nothing compares to your miracles
Or the listening time you spend
How you always take good care of us
And our broken hearts that you mend

To us, our problems like mountains
To you, they're no problem at all
You're ever so watchful and there
To help catch us, when we do fall

I'm just sitting here filled with wonder
At the awesome things that you do
At being our Lord and Savior
Because nothing compares to You!

Praising our Matchless Savior,
Victoria

Contemporary or Compromise?

2009-01-14T19:46:00.003-05:00

Most christian music today is labeled Contemporary Christian Music. This is a fitting name because the word contemporary means current or modern, belonging to the same period of time. My problem with C.C.M. (see above) is that some of these new songs are not truly Christian songs.

I believe that a Christian song or hymn should make us want to worship God, tell of God's goodness, encourage us to stay on the straight and narrow path, or quote scripture. What songwriters today need to realize is adding the words like God, Jesus, or holy to a worldly song doesn't make it Christian. Here is an example.

This song is called Lovely Day. Here is the worldly version:

When I wake up in the morning, love

And the sunlight hurts my eyes

And something without warning, love

Bears heavy on my mind

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me

Just one look at you And I know it's gonna be

A lovely day ...

lovely day,

lovely day ...

When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face

When someone else instead of me

Always seems to know the way

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me

Just one look at you

And I know it's gonna be

A lovely day.....

When the day that lies ahead of me

Seems impossible to face

When someone else instead of me

Always seems to know the way

Then I look at you

And the world's alright with me

Just one look at you

And I know it's gonna be

A lovely day...

And here is the 'Christianized' version:

When I wake up in the morning love

and my heart is filled with pain.

The smile I had upon my face is gone

can't see the sunshine from the rain

when I think of You

then the world is all right with me.

Lord just one thought of You

and I know it's gonna be

a lovely day (lovely day [4x]

Jesus You're the lover of my soul,

the fire that burns deep within

You are the joy this world can't take away

The Spirit tells me this will never end

when I think of You

then the world is all right with me.

Lord just one thought of You

and I know it's gonna be

a lovely day (lovely day [4x]

I know you going through some stuf now

feeling ruff now,

feel like givin' up now

But how can you learn if you don't fall

But how can you walk if first you don't crawl

But through it all
You keep blessing me

while people keep on pressin' me

and stressin' me

because they never hear a preacher flow
Let's come together with one heart,
one mind until we see the sunshine

when I think of You

then the world is all right with me.
Lord just one thought of You

and I know it's gonna be

a lovely day (lovely day [4x] a lovely day yeah [repeat]

So how do we know if the song we are singing is a truly Christian song? Here are a few question you can ask yourself: Does this song truly glorify God, or does it just sound nice? Could this song be used to address a boyfriend or girlfriend? Does this sound like a worldly song? (Note: there are always exceptions this is just a general list)

After you ask yourself these question, I would suggest that you do some research on the song. Find out who's singing the song, (because sometimes secular artists make a 'christian' song to appeal to the church to make more money.) and find out if it is just another remake of a worldly song.

You can't go wrong with songs that put Scripture to a meter. I love scripture song because they song wonderful, and they aid in memorization. Music is another way to glorify God, but we have make sure that we a truly praising Him.

Praising His Name,

Victoria

Young Maiden's Daybook

2009-01-13T09:17:00.005-05:00

Today...
January 12, 2009

Outside my window...
The sun is struggling to show its face

I am thinking...
I should have posted this yesterday

I am thankful for...
God's forgiveness

I am wearing...
My striped shirt and black skirt

I am reading...
Psalms and Proverbs;
The Indwelling

I am creating...
striped socks

One of my favorite things...
Listening to the Turkish March

For education this week...
J'apprends comment parler le français. (I'm learning how to speak French)

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...
organization

A spiritual lesson I am learning...
To trust in God

A godly character trait I plan to work on...
Patience

Scripture I am memorizing...
Psalms 66:18-20

I am praying for...
Faith

For the rest of the week...
I will attend some of my brother's basketball games

A picture I'd like to share...

In Christ,

Victoria

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-01-05T18:30:00.004-05:00

Today...

January 5, 2009

Outside my window...

Is the calm serenity of night.

I am thinking...

This is a wonderful meme

I am thankful for...

Heat!

I am wearing...

My jeans skirt and burgundy sweatshirt

I am reading...

1st Corinthians, Proverbs, Psalms, and Matthew;

God's Answers for Your Questions

I am creating...
a knitted hat

One of my favorite things...

The love of my family

For education this week...

I am studying the change in public education since the 1800s

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning...

knitting

A spiritual lesson I am learning...

patience

A godly character trait I plan to work on...

Submission to God

Scripture I am memorizing...

Hebrews 12:1-2

I am praying for...

God to show me what He wants me to do with my life

For the rest of the week...

Knit/Crochet night at the library

Piano practice on Wednesday.

Tons of school work

A picture I'd like to share...

Want to do this meme? Head over to Ally's blog for the rules.

The Greatest Commandment

2009-01-03T12:06:00.004-05:00

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lowyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbout as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ~Matthew 21:34

In my previous post there was a discussion on whether or not Christians needed to keep the Biblical Feasts mentioned in the Old Testament. Jesus was our sacrifice, and accepting Him is the only thing we have to do to be saved. But Jesus said that he did not come to do away with the law but to fulfil it. So, need we follow the law out of obedience? Wouldn't that make us legalistic? I prayed about this, and God brought the above verses to mind. He said that on these two laws hang all the law and the prophets, in other words all the commandments given in the Old Testament.

Because we love God we won't kill, steal, commit adultery, worship idols, or follow the world. Now we are not going to get everything right and I believe that keeping is a personal choice. If you keep the feasts as a way to show your love to God, then do it. I'll admit that I don't know everything, only God knows everything. That is why we must pray. We won't understand the Bible without God's help. When we come across something that we don't understand we have to ask God for wisdom and guidance. He promised that if we acknowledge him in everything that he will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:6) If we mess up that's okay. God said that he sees our hearts. But when we ask for his guidance we must make sure that our personal preferences don't get in the way. When God speaks to us it isn't audible, and if we don't submit to his will, our own selfish desires can block out what he wants us to hear. I struggle with this constantly as I search for His will that is why I named this blog Searching for my Savior's Perfect Will. I will always be searching because I will always need my Savior. New problems arrive every day some that I have faced before and some that I haven't. With God's help I will not fall into sin. When I try to solve my own problems it never works out right. But what I love is that God promised to never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) What a friend we have in Jesus!

Always Searching,

Victoria

Lack of 'Christmas' Posts

2008-12-23T13:55:00.003-05:00

I know that many people have posted about their beliefs about Christmas; whether they celebrate it or not. I do realize that Christmas is over, but I wanted to let everyone know how I feel about it.

My family has celebrated Christmas all my life, and I believed that Christmas was a Christian holiday. But earlier this April I found a blog that said that they didn't celebrate Christmas because it was a pagan holiday. I found this very strange because I was brought up to believe that Christmas was Christian. As I became more and more familiar with the blog world I came upon more people who believed that Christmas wasn't Christian. This intrigued me. So I did some research and I found out that Christmas was not originally about the birth of Jesus, but was, in fact, based on a pagan festival known as Saturnalia. This festival celebrated the birth of the 'sun god'.

I have found many sites that explain the history of Christmas you may check them out if you like: (Disclaimer: I do not endorse everything on these sites they are used merely for reference.)
http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story.htm
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=61264&display_order=2&mini_id=1290

Here is a link to some great videos on the history of Christmas: http://blowthetrumpet.org/ThreeChristmasVideos.htm

These links differ on certain details but the message is the same: Christmas came from pagan roots.

Another interesting thing to think about is Jeremiah 10: 2-4
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. The deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. I cannot say that God is talking about Christmas trees directly, but it is seems to be saying that decorating trees are of the pagans.

Most historians say that Jesus was either born in April or in October not in December. So why do we celebrate Christmas? Was 'Christmas' just another attempt to 'Christianize' another holiday?
My biggest excuse for celebrating Christmas now was that it was a family tradition. but Colossians 2:8 says~ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. So I cannot celebrate Christmas simply because of tradition, and there are no true scriptural reasons to celebrate it so I cannot celebrate it with a clear conscience. This year you could say I had a severe lack of 'Christmas spirit'. I did not decorate the tree or give gifts. Hopefully I will be able to completely remove Christmas from my system.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and Happy New Year!

In Christ,
Victoria

In Response to a Comment part 2

2008-12-13T20:00:00.005-05:00

I appreciate all of you who have left a link to websites and scriptures that I should look up in part one of this post. I have done my own research online to find out what other, more reliable sources say about my post Why not Halloween. What surprised me was that History Channel supported Brother Fred's article on Halloween. Here is the link to H.C.'s background on Halloween: http://www.history.com/minisites/halloween/. Brother Fred did have some things mistaken like he mixed up Druids and Celts, but like Sister Penny said the names of certain practices and the people who participated have been changed or mixed up throughout history. We get our information through a secondary source not a primary one.

Although History Channel may not be the best source on scientific things, (because they believe in evolution) I have found them to be very trustworthy on historical facts. Therefore I will not change the original article that I posted, the important thing is that we realize that the holiday is pagan, and that we realize that God doesn't want us to celebrate it.

Staying true to the path,
Victoria

We live in an Unbiblical Economy

2008-12-12T17:17:00.004-05:00

I heard something on CNN this morning that really shocked me.
(by the way this quote is not word for word.):

"For the fifth month in a row, Americans have been spending less. They have been paying off their debts. This is good for the consumers, and bad for the economy."

Me: "Why is people spending less a bad thing?"

Mom: "Because we live in an economy that is built on debt."

Now if we lived by the Bible's standards we wouldn't be in this predicament:
Romans 13:8a~ Owe no man any thing..... Proverbs 22:7~ The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Our forefathers knew that debt was not a good thing. Taken from my history book United States History Heritage of Freedom:The most urgent problem facing Washington's administration was the payment of the national debt. Without a sound financial policy , the new government could not hope to gain the respect of either its own citizens or foreign nations. Alexander Hamilton (the first Secretary of the Treasury) realized that the new federal government would have to prove its integrity and its ability to function by paying its debts.

If only we would follow the examples that the Lord has given us in the Bible and from our forefathers. Then America can reach its full potential.

Seeking the old paths,
Victoria

In Response to a Comment

2008-12-09T17:54:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago I received this comment on my post 'Why not Halloween' :
Lucy said:
enough is enough!
There is no such thing as "Saman, lord of the dead"- Samhain is the Irish word meaning October in English.
Nor is there such thing as a "lord of the dead" in Irish pagan beliefs.
The term Oiche Samhain merely means October night. We do not light and jump over bonfires at Oiche Samhain. That was done on Midsummer night.Jack'O'Lanterns are an English concept.
Trick or Treating is an American idea. Previous commercializing children went from door to door imitating the "dead" by requesting a trick or treat, because it was once believed that if the dead didn't get a treat (food) they would play a trick (curse) someone.
Oiche Samhain is my heritage nad not for you to critize

Then later I got this comment from Anonymous:
I can only agree with Lucy here. That website you... quoted (copied and pasted word for word, whatever)does not have its facts straight. Do a little of your own research instead. It's fun! And you will find that most of what that website says was fabricated (read: made up or heavily altered) by the likes of Jack Chick and his ilk. Not exactly paragons of sanity and common sense.

Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you should lie down and believe everything you are told! I am as well, and I find that questioning and researching things STRENGTHENS my faith. It is amazing to learn about God's Creation and everything in it, wouldn't you agree?

God bless and happy holidays!

Like Anonymous said, the information I posted on this post was not my own research. I got it off this website: http://www.montney.com/inspire/halloween.htm, and because this is not my work I realize that there is a possibility that the person got some information incorrect. I now realize that this person doesn't say that he got his information from a history book or any reliable form of research, which means this could just be his own words.

Now I am not saying that I don't believe that Halloween is pagan holiday because I do. I'm saying that the origins of the common Halloween traditions that I posted may not be accurate. I really like anonymous' idea of doing my own research to find the correct origins of Halloween, and I do plan to do this.

If any of you know of any reliable websites that I can find some accurate information on Halloween, could you post the URLs in the comment section. When I find the real origins of Halloween, I will change the previous post.
I don't want to cause any confusion on this subject and I definitely don't want anyone to be mislead by what I post on this blog.

Striving to follow the truth,
Victoria

Ten Things I do daily

2008-12-07T15:43:00.004-05:00

I was tagged by Sarah ! Here are the rules:

*Post the six to ten things that you do on a daily basis
*Link to the person who tagged you.
*Tag five other people
*Leave a comment on the blog of the person that tagged you letting them know that have posted this to your blog.

All right, here are my things:

1. I hug my parents and my brother.

2. I check my email and blog.

3. I pray. (If not during Bible study then through out the day, for any reason)

4. I play my piano.

5. I take care of my cat. (whether she wants me to or not.)

6. I read. (My bible, books, things on the Internet)

7. I cook something

8. I talk to my sister on the phone. (unless she's home from college, then I talk to her face to face.)

O.K. I tag: Lacy, Levi, Sister Brenda, Tracy, Jordan, and Anna, and anyone who wants to do it!!

Looking to the hills,
Victoria

Rite of Passage

2008-12-03T18:34:00.005-05:00

On Thanksgiving I turned 15 1/2, so today I went to the DMV (department of motor vehicles) and took the test to get my learner's permit, and, with God's help, I passed!! A lot of people have taken the test many times and failed, but I only had to take the test once. (Praise the Lord!)

I have driven go-carts before, but I drive very slowly because I'm afraid I'll crash.
I have only been behind the wheel once, when my dad asked me to drive the car up the driveway, and I almost ran through our garage. :) Hopefully I will do better next time. Maybe I can convince my mom to let me drive to church tonight! (Not likely)

God bless,

Victoria

How Big is Your List?

2008-12-03T12:28:00.001-05:00

You can tell the size of your God by looking at the size of your worry list. The longer your list, the smaller your God. ~Unknown

Matthew 6:25-26,31,34 ~Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we ear? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

God bless,
Victoria

Thanksgiving at my House

2008-11-27T20:48:00.010-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your day went well. Today was wonderful for me. Working in the kitchen all day can be tiring, but when you see the satisfied faces of the people who eat your food, it is worth-while.

The menu for dinner today was:

Turkey

Ham

Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni salad
Rice with peas
Stuffing, and
Stir-fried vegetables

And for dessert we all had apple pie. (no Million dollar pie today)

Here's a picture of the turkey just as it was coming out of the oven.

I was watching the local news today, and they were talking about how so many people have lost their jobs over the last year. There were interviewing a man who had been laid of from his job at the shipyard, and is now homeless. He spent his Thanksgiving at a shelter, and yet he said that he was thankful to God that these people were there to serve him dinner. This made me think as I looked at our table today.

I see plenty of food on this table. We didn't have to go to a shelter to get dinner today. My dad still has a job. I should never have a problem being thankful. Sometimes I catch myself complaining, or being unsatisfied with the things I have. God has blessed me so much.

I wanted to post the top ten things that I am thankful to God for.

1. For God sending his son to die for me

2. For having two parents who are still married.

3. For my mom being able to homeschool me.

4. For having a home to live in.

5. For my sister being able to come home from college to spend Thanksgiving with us.

6. For the wonderful people who I have met through the blog world who have encouraged me in my Christian walk. (Thank you all!)

7. For having my own room.

8. For living in America.

9. For religious freedom.

10. For being able to read the Bible without the fear of being incarcerated.

What are you thankful for today?

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. ~Psalms 68:19

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. ~Psalms 92:1

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ~Ephesians 5:20

God bless,
Victoria

Pie Making and Baking

2008-11-26T20:29:00.017-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!! Well the title probably told you that I made pies today, and I decided to share the recipes with you.

Country Apple Pie

Ingredients:
10 inch Two-Crust pie pastry (no substitutes!)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of salt

8 cups thinly sliced pared tart cooking apples (about 8 medium) ( I use granny smith apples)

4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions: Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pie crust. (recipe below)

Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in apples.

Turn into pie crust lined pie plate, 9 x 1 1/2 in. or regular pie plate 10 x 1 1/2 in. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of whipping cream.

Cover with top crust that has slits cut in it seal and flute. Brush with remaining whipping cream.

Top with leaf of other shapes cut from pastry scraps if desired.

Bake 40-45 minutes of until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust.(Note: this pie has a tendency to bubble over so I suggest that you place a cookie sheet under the pie so you don't mess up your stove.)

10-inch Two Crust Pie Pastry

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening or 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoon lard

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon salt

7-8 tablespoons cold water

Directions: Cut shortening into flour and salt until particles are size of small peas. (or smaller)

Sprinkle in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl(1 to 2 tablespoons water can be added if necessary).

Gather pastry in a ball. Divide pastry in half; shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface.

Roll pastry following these step-by step directions. (sorry no pictures):(

Roll pastry out from center to outside edge in all directions, occasionally giving it a quarter turn. Lift pastry occasionally to prevent it from sticking to surface.

Fold bottom pastry into fourths; place pie plate with point in center. Unfold and gently ease into plate, being careful not to stretch pastry.

Cut slits into top pastry; fold into fourths . Unfold over filling. Overhang top 1 inch beyond edge. Fold and roll overhanging pastry under edge of bottom pastry ; press to seal.

Form a stand-up rim on edge of plate while pinching top and bottom edges together. This seals pastry and makes fluting easier.

Crimp a 2-3-inch strip of aluminum foil over the fluted edge to prevent excessive browning. (also known as burning) :) Remove aluminum foil 15 minutes before the end of the baking time. (Note some of the pictures posted above show examples of each of these steps.)

Oh, and here is a picture of my finished pie. (yes it is a little burned) :)

Now, I'm not done with this post. I have another recipe to post. This one is for a a pie that you might have not heard of.

Millionaire's Pie (Or as we call it in my family Million-dollar pie)

Ingredients:

2 graham cracker pie crusts

9 ounce cool whip

1 large can crushed pineapple

1 can condensed milk

1 can chopped pecans

1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions: Mix lemon juice and condensed milk in a large bowl. Add, well drained, crushed pineapple. Add nuts and then fold in the cool whip. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.

Pour into pie crusts.

Okay now I'm done. :) Enjoy!!

(note: if you have any questions on either one of the recipes, feel free to ask in the comment section.)

Happy Thanksgiving,

Victoria

Country apple pie recipe taken form Betty Crocker's Cooking for Today, Millionaires Pie recipe taken from Peace on Earth Cookbook

Thanksgiving Poem

2008-11-24T17:36:00.003-05:00

Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!
~Author Unknown

In Everything Give Thanks

2008-11-23T21:15:00.005-05:00

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. They cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distress. Psalms 107:1,6

This is a great example of thankfulness straight out of the Bible: Luke 17:11-19 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priest. An it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

I realize that eventually everybody will forget to say thank you to someone, But God gave us life, and more importantly His son. He deserves our thanks if no one else does. I know that society has emphasized on the food portion of Thanksgiving, but remember the original reason for Thanksgiving was and still is to give thanks to God. Take some time right now to thank God for the wonderful things he has done for you. I'll get you started: you're alive, you can breathe on your own, you have a chance to be saved from your sins, etc... Pretty soon you should have a very large list of things to thank God for.

Thanking him today and forever,

Victoria

Neat Quote

2008-11-19T22:10:00.002-05:00

“When given a choice between two evils, choose neither.”
C. H. Spurgeon
Something to think about.

God bless,
Victoria

Faith

2008-11-11T15:37:00.006-05:00

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. ~Hebrews 11:1,3,6

Here are two great representations of what faith is:

"Faith is believing what you want to believe, yet cannot prove."

Forsaking
All
I
Trust
Him

Be Blessed,
Victoria

Now is The Time to Trust in God

2008-11-05T22:09:00.015-05:00

As many of you know, America has chosen Barack Obama to be their 44th President. Many of you know what my position is on both of the candidates, and like many of you I was disappointed when I heard that he won. I was afraid about him keeping his promise to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, and other things. I began to enter the worry mode. {not a good thing :)} Fortunately, I examined my reasons for worrying, and I realized that I wasn't trusting in God, the master of the universe. My mind went to these verses in Jeremiah: Jeremiah 17:5,7~ Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, whose heart departeth from the Lord. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Yes, we have a new president, but no matter what God is in control! Barack Obama can do nothing unless God allows it. All hope is not lost; our hope is the Lord!

Now, we as Christians have an obligation to pray for our new president. Why? 1Timothy 2:1-4 ~ I exhort therefore , that, first of all, supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. In order for us to live a peaceful life we must pray for everyone in government.
My Dad told me this today: "Barack Obama is our new president no matter what; all we can do now is to bombard him with lots of prayer." James 5:16b -The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We must never forget this.
_________________________________________________

On a happier note, today the people of California passed Proposition 8. (this makes gay marriage illegal in California.) Praise the Lord! I believe that as long as we keep praying for government, God will not allow ungodly politicians to get rid of our Christian values.

Keep Trusting in God!

Victoria

Why Not Halloween.

2008-10-31T20:05:00.004-04:00

I have never celebrated Halloween because I thought that it was a day to honor Satan. I have recently found out that it is a lot worse.

Taken from http://www.montney.com/inspire/halloween.htm

WHAT IS HALLOWEEN?
Millions of Christians will allow - even encourage - their children to participate in Halloween on October 31. The Christian church tried to eliminate the Druid celebration by offering All Saint's Day as a substitute. As Christianity spread over Europe and the British Isles, it attempted to replace the pre-existing pagan cult worship of Apollo, Diana or Ymir, but to no avail. Some churches will fully sanction the event with parties held on their premises. Decorations will feature witches, brooms, cats, Jack-o-Lanterns, and bobbing apples.What's the harm? Where did this holiday come from? Why is the holiday celebrated? History provides the answer.The uninformed Christian has no idea that there truly are demonic spirits, which are contacted and activated as people call out to them in jest or in seriousness. Every act around Halloween is in honor of false gods, which are spirits in the realm of the Satanic. Those who have been deeply involved in witchcraft and who are now free, declare that even those who say they worship spirits of nature are in actuality contacting the satanic realm without knowing it.

HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN
The American celebration rests upon Scottish and Irish folk customs which can be traced, in a direct line, from pre-Christian time. Although Halloween has become a night of celebration to many, its beginnings were otherwise. The earliest Halloween celebrations were held by the Druids in honor of Saman, lord of the dead, whose festival fell on November 1.It was the Druid's belief that on the eve of this festival, Saman called together the wicked souls that within the past 12 months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals. They were released in the form of ghosts, spirits, witches or elves. The Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, also believed that the cat was sacred because cats once had been human beings but were changed as a punishment for evil deeds. From these druidic beliefs come the present-day use of witches, ghosts, and cats in Halloween activities.If we as Christian parents simply disregard the unchristian aspects of such practices as mere fantasy or superstition and then encourage our children to participate in them, we run the risk of communicating the message that the spiritual battle waged by the rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12) is not to be taken seriously.Allowing children to participate in the celebration of Halloween may appear to be quite harmless on the surface, but the spiritual implications are far from Christian. In today's world, fortune-telling, Ouija boards, ESP, telepathy, horoscopes, voodoo, clairvoyance, yoga, hypnosis, magic, transcendental meditation, Eastern religions, reincarnation, metaphysics and many other practices are expressly forbidden in Scripture. They are related to the occult and satanic forces. Therefore believers should have nothing to do with them. Note the following Scriptures:"Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 19:31)"Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance" (1 Chronicles 10:13)"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you." "A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads." "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Leviticus 20:27, 20:6)The Bible very clearly instructs Christians to have nothing to do with the practices of darkness. Halloween is a rite with pagan, demonic roots. The Celtic people who lived over 2,000 years ago, feared the evening of October 31st more than any other day of the year. It was the eve of the Lord of the Dead. To celebrate, the people built bonfires, wore masks and costumes in order to prepare for the arrival of spirits. Fire rituals and divination were part of their celebration. Pagan priests even offered human and animal sacrifices. The following symbols and customs all have satanic origins:

JACK-O'-LANTERN
The term "Jack-o'-lantern" came from an Irish folk tale of the 18th century. Jack was an Irishman. He had tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree. He then cut a cross symbol in the tree trunk, thus trapping the Devil in the branches. At his death, he was unable to again access to Heaven because of his meanness. The Devil, having a long memory, would not allow him into Hell. So he was forced to walk the earth endlessly. The devil took pity on him and gave him a piece of coal to light his path. Jack put it inside a hollowed-out turnip that he had been eating.

APPLES
Apples were considered have long been associated with female deities, and with immortality, resurrection, and knowledge. One reason is that if an apple is cut through its equator, it will reveal a five-pointed star outlined at the center of each hemisphere. This was a Goddess symbol among the Roma (Gypsies), Celts, Egyptians, etc. There are many Halloween folk traditions associated with apples: a. Unmarried people would attempt to take a bite out of an apple bobbing in a pail of water, or suspended on a string. The first person to do so was believed to be the next to marry. b. Peeling an apple in front of a candle-lit mirror was believed to produce the image of one's future spouse.c. Attempting to produce a long unbroken apple peel was said to estimate the number of years you had to live. The longer the peel, the longer your life expectancy.

BROOMSTICKS AND WITCHES
This image (however cartoon-like) shows an actual ritual in which witches mount broomsticks (symbol of the male organ) and leap high around the fields on them to "teach" the crops how high to grow. In our drug-conscious society, it should be noted that the flying witch actually related to the fact that witches believed they could fly great distances to their feasts by smearing their bodies with "flying ointment." This ointment actually contained drugs like bella-donna, aconite and cinquefoil and gave them psychedelic "trips" so that they thought that they flew distances. Are these images we wish to convey to our children?

BLACK CATS
The black cat is also both the witches' "familiar" or magic helper, and is the chief totem (idol) of the goddess of Wicca, Diana. In legend, she turns into a black cat to commit incest with her brother, Lucifer. It is also a form of the Egyptian goddess, Bast.

GHOST AND SKELETON
These relate to the belief that spirits of the dead were roaming throughout the land. They induce fear in children.

FRUITS AND NUTS
Three of the sacred fruits of the Celts were acorns, apples, and nuts - especially the hazelnut, considered a god and the acorn, sacred from its association to the oak.

SKULL AND MASK
The Druids wore masks, skulls and costumes, even offered human sacrifices on October 31st, to ward off evil spirits.

BOBBING FOR APPLES
In AD 43 the Roman Empire was in solid control of the Celtic people. As a result of this control the idol worshipping Romans introduced another ceremony honoring their false gods to the already demoniacal Druid New Year's celebration. It was in honor of their goddess of fruit trees. They would try to grasp fruit, floating in water, without the use of their hands. This is the origin of
bobbing for apples according to the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Associated Press quote, October 16, 1977.

TRICK OR TREAT
The Druids went from house to house asking for a contribution to their demonic worship celebration. If a person didn't give, their trick was to kill him. The people feared the phrase "Trick or Treat."Therefore, it is inappropriate for Christians to celebrate Satan's high holy day or to celebrate with those who practice witchcraft and use occult symbols such as witches, black cats, ghosts, jack-o'-lanterns, etc. This time can be used to make children aware that Halloween is an alliance with the powers of darkness and that it is now our privilege to live as children of light.As believers, we can take this opportunity to provide a creative alternative to this celebration of darkness. In ancient Israel, the majority of Jewish festivals occurred at the same time as pagan festivals. God did not simply tell his people not to engage in pagan festivals, He provided an alternative. During every major pagan festival, the Hebrew people would take part in a God-given alternative, a festival celebrating the same general subject but with a completely different focus.As a parent of young children, you have a responsibility to follow the biblical admonition to protect and train them with Scriptural principles. Children need to be taught that there is no such thing as a "cute" witch or a "friendly ghost". Scripture is very clear that Christians are not to celebrate pagan rituals. The Halloween season is a golden opportunity to make this clear to the children.

The person on this website also believes in making a Christian substitute for Halloween; I believe that even though there is nothing wrong with substituting Halloween with something more Christ-like, I do not think it is necessary. Some churches hold "Harvest Fests" or something similar but I ask why. It seems that we are still giving significance to this day. My family treats Halloween like another ordinary day. Today is not a proper, Christ-honoring holiday so there is no need to acknowledge it. Today we stayed home and prayed. I admire the people who use this day as a chance to witness, who explain to others the reason why they don't celebrate this day, and who don't give Satan the victory by blending in with the world.

Jeremiah 10:9a- Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen.

God Bless,
Victoria

This Week's Highlights

2008-10-25T15:42:00.012-04:00

Well not much has happened this week. I didn't go anywhere except for a nice shopping trip with my mom, but I did have some fun inside. It was really cold this week so I had to find a way to keep warm while wearing skirts. I found out that layering is the best way. I think that I was warmer than everyone in my house. (The power of triple layers!!)

I had to do an experiment on mold for biology. (Yeah!) If you this is your first time reading my blog I love science, period. There was only one problem with this experiment: I'm allergic to mold. :) I really wanted to do this experiment so I had to wear a mask, but we didn't have any masks, so we improvised:

By the way I'm smiling in this picture. :) The following are various pictures from my experiment:

The last two pictures are of my mold sample through a microscope.

We have been making popcorn the old-fashioned way a lot just to see if it is better.

I prefer old fashioned popcorn for two reasons. One: old fashioned popcorn taste better (in my opinion) because it is not sickeningly salty or buttery. Two: old fashioned popcorn is healthier because you use less oil and salt.

Today we watched Facing the Giants one of my favorite movies. I love this movie because it was clean and Christian. It is definitely a must see.

Enjoy your Sunday!

In Christ,

Victoria

Dear Mr. McCain

2008-10-20T19:08:00.005-04:00

Here is McCain's letter:

Dear Mr. McCain,
Your campaign confuses me a lot. On paper you seem to be a very conservative man who is against abortion and gay marriage, but whenever I hear you speak, you have the tendency to focus on the war and the economy with a few comments about the other issues. I realize that explaining how you plan to deal with the economic crisis is important, but aren't the other issues, like abortion, just as important if not more? Sometimes I wonder if you aren't talking about this subject because it isn't very popular, and if this is true, what will you do if you become president? I know that your running mate talks about this subject, but you are the one running for president, why don't you?

Mr. McCain, when you picked Sarah Palin as your running mate, did you really think that she was your best choice or were you just playing politics? Most of the people I know support Obama, and I can't say that I support you because I'm not sure that you share the same values that I do.

James 1:8~ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Mr. McCain, the fact that you do not make your view on all the issues clear makes me wonder if the things in print about your position on the issues truly reflect you viewpoint. Are you a true Conservative, or are you a liberal conservative?

Proverbs 29:2~ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Mr. McCain, if you became president, would America rejoice or mourn? Think about it.

Sincerely,
Victoria B.

So who do I support? Obama or McCain? Neither. I cannot support either candidate with a clear conscience this year therefore I will support neither. Lacy put this sidebar on her blog that I thought was pretty cool:

God is in control, and He knows each of the candidate's hearts. He will put His candidate in office. I refuse to worry about this election.

Trusting Jesus,

Victoria

Dear Mr. Obama

2008-10-16T18:52:00.001-04:00

As promised here is one of two (or maybe three) posts on the election.
I was struggling with deciding which way to write this post, so I decided to write a 'letter' to each of the candidates. Here is my 'letter' to Senator Obama:

Dear Mr. Obama,
When I first heard that you were running for president, I was excited, It was amazing to see a black man running for president, who actually had a chance to win. At the time I thought that, if I was old enough, I would vote for you. My parents have taught me to make sure that I understand where each candidate stands of the issues, so I did an online search on the issues. When I read that you approved Roe vs. Wade, I knew that I could not support you.

Mr. Obama, you profess to be a Christian; I am not the one to judge the validity of that statement. Mr. Obama you said "If one of my daughters made a mistake, I would not want them punished with a baby." You also said that if you were elected president, the first thing you would do is to sign the "Freedom of Choice Act" .

Jeremiah 1:5~ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. This verse clearly shows that God has a plan for every child even those who are not born. Exodus 21:22-23 ~ If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. God believes that an unborn child is a life! Exodus20:13~ Thou shalt not kill. According to statistics, over 1.5 million abortions every year in America. Mr. Obama, if you sign the "Freedom of Choice Act" you will be an accomplice to the murder of over 6 million children. God is not pleased with abortion, and he promises dire consequences for those who participate. -Revelation 21:8~ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderer, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Please read these verses for yourself and listen to what God's word clearly states.

Sincerely,
Victoria B.

What I would like to say to the African Americans out there is "Please don't vote skin color. Vote issues."

Senator McCain's letter is coming up.

Looking unto Jesus,
Victoria

Extremely Busy Week

2008-10-15T16:28:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted for over a week? How is that possible? I know I planned to. Oh well. It has been difficult to post because we were out almost every night last week. Our church had Revival last week, I went to my public library for a Knit/Crochet night (one of the librarians comes and teaches the teen girls how to knit and/or crochet.), and today I had to go to a public school to take the PSAT's. (scary music) :) I'm glad that's over.

You probably have noticed that I finally changed my template without destroying my sidebars. Right now I'm trying to figure out if I will keep this template or choose another. Tell me what you think. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to leave comments. They are extremely appreciated. Warning: The next post on this blog may be about politics. You have been warned.

In Christ,
Victoria

Tagged!!

2008-10-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

I have been tagged by Mia!!!
Rules:
*Link to the person who tagged you.
*Post the rules on your blog.
*Write six random things about yourself.
*'Tag' six-or-so other people at the bottom of your post-
*And leave comments on their blogs letting them know they've been tagged.
*Let the person who tagged you know when you've written the post.

Here's mine.

1. I lived in Panama for three years.

2. I am very interesting in simplifying my life in the distant future

3. I love to knit.

4. Music is my passion, but playing the piano is my favorite instrument.

5. I love wearing semi-old fashioned clothing.

6. I enjoy to read biographies about missionaries and other people in ministry.

Okay, I will tag Lacy, Sarah, Tracy, Serenity, and anyone else who wants to participate. (I can't think of 6 people) :(

Template Restored Yay!!!

2008-10-04T20:00:00.000-04:00

You probably have noticed that my template is back to normal. What I did was I had accidentally reverted my template to classic mode. I did some troubleshooting on Google and found this blog http://betabloggerfordummies.blogspot.com/. This blog is like a dictionary all about blogger. It is very easy to use, but don't feel insulted because the blog is for 'dummies' . :) I'm a very happy 'dummy'. Many thanks to everyone who tried to help.

God Bless,
Victoria

Template Troubles

2008-10-03T20:26:00.000-04:00

If you are wondering why my all my links are missing from my blog, the reason is that I tried to apply a new template from http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ and it obviously didn't work. I will be trying to restore my old template over the next few days. If anybody can help me, it will be very appreciated.

In Christ,
Victoria

Welcome October!

2008-10-01T20:28:00.000-04:00

Well today is the first day of October, and outside the leaves are changing. I'm studying Biology this year and I was studying the scientific explanation of why the leaves fall and change color. According to my biology book, when the temperature starts drop, a layer in the leaf, called an abscission layer 'cuts' the leaf at the petiole, or base of the leaf. A special enzyme called cellulase then weakens the cell walls of the abscission layer, allowing the leaf to break off under its own weight. When the abscission layer forms, it cuts off the flow of the pigment chlorophyll, which gives the green color, allowing some of the other pigments to show their colors, producing yellow, orange, and red colors in the leaves. Oops, I went off on a science rant. :) The point I am trying to make is that, although science can explain the process the change in leaves, it cannot explain how this process originated. But I can. We serve a God who carefully arranged that the leaves will fall at the exact time in order to protect the plant itself. When I study biology, I see how God created this perfectly ordered universe, and I marvel at His power.

Serving Him everyday,
Victoria

The Story Behind the Song: It is Well

2008-09-27T14:23:00.000-04:00

Most people have heard the song: It is Well. It is a song of the hope and peace that faith in God brings, no matter what we go through. The story behind this hymn is probably more inspiring than the song.

The words of the song were written in 1873 by a man named Horatio Spafford. Horatio Spafford was a wealthy lawyer who had invested a lot of money in real estate in Chicago, but when fire ravaged the city in 1871, Horatio lost a great deal to the fire. Horatio had also lost his son around this time. Still, for two years, Spafford-who was a friend of evangelist Dwight Moody-assisted the homeless, impoverished, and grief-stricken ruined by the fire.

Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation. They were to go to England to join Moody and Ira Sankey on one of their evangelistic crusades, then travel in Europe. Horatio Spafford was delayed by some business, but sent his family on ahead. He would catch up to them on the other side of the Atlantic. Their ship, the Ville du Havre, never made it. Off Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and sank within 20 minutes. Though Horatio's wife, Anna, was able to cling to a piece of floating wreckage (one of only 47 survivors among hundreds), their four daughters--Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie--were killed. Horatio received a horrible telegram from his wife, only two words long: "saved alone."

Spafford boarded the next available ship to be near his grieving wife. Standing on the deck of the ship heading across the Atlantic, Horatio Spafford soon saw with his own eyes the very spot where his four daughters and 226 other people drowned. Only because of his faith in God was he able to write, "When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea-billows roll, what ever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Now here are the words to the complete song It is Well:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea-billows roll,

What ever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “

It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blessed assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, O, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

Thou clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

“Even so” it is well with my soul.

Praising God for His Infinite Mercy,

Victoria

Information taken from the following websites: http://www.ch-of-christ.beaverton.or.us/The_Story_Behind_the_Hymn.htm and http://www.angelfire.com/ms/spiritual/page16.html

The Heavens Declare....

2008-09-24T15:33:00.000-04:00

...The glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork~ Psalms 19:1
The following pictures are examples of His handiwork:

These are some of my favorite verses about the heavens:

Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. ~ Nehemiah 9:6

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah ~Psalms 50:6

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. ~Psalms 102:25

When I look at the sky, I wonder how anyone can deny the existence of God. God is the greatest artist ever!

Praising Him Daily,

Victoria

P31W Graphics and New Forum

2008-09-19T22:44:00.000-04:00

Jocelyn has created some beautiful scripture graphics using the some of the verses from Proverbs 31. Get the html codes here.

Also, Lacy has created a new forum called the Pilgrim Sisters Fellowship where you can post your thoughts and meet other Christian Ladies.
Check both of these out today.

Looking unto Jesus,
Victoria

Just Do It

2008-09-18T20:17:00.000-04:00

We all do it sometimes. We tell ourselves that we can do something later, then keep putting that thing off until the last minute, then we panic. I know because I do this a lot. Yes, I am an admitted procrastinator. This is a habit that I find hard to break, but the solution is simple: just do it! Resolve not to do anything else until that project or chore is done.
For the ladies out there who are homemakers in training, learning to do things when we can, should be on the top of our to do list. Right now, our mothers are the keepers of the home, but when we get married that job will be passed down to us. Our lives will get busy, and the free time that we don't appreciate now will be gone. We will have to get things done when we have the time. So ladies, this is the challenge that I am giving myself this week: simply don't procrastinate! Why not join me and learn this biblical trait that all H.I.T.'s should learn.

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

In Christ,
Victoria

Prepared to Stand Out?

2008-09-17T14:14:00.000-04:00

When we get saved, most of us return to our lives with renewed vigor, knowing that Jesus has forgiven our sins. But is that it? Yes we're saved, but is that all to it? We can rejoin our old groups, keep our old friends, and if one of our friends catch us praying, we will tell them that we have become a Christian, but besides that nothing changes? Does that tell you something? It could mean that although, our conversions were sincere, we haven't grasped the concept of being separate. We may have to stand out.

The Bible says If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you~ John 15:19.

Also, it says But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: ~ 1Peter 2:9 {empasis mine}

This seems to say that Christian should not fit in with unbelievers, and we definitely shouldn't blend in. I find that when God convicts me of something, it usually makes me stand out more. I really didn't like that because I already had a hard time making true friends. But I came to realize that whenever God convicts me a something, it usually makes me a better person, and if I stand out or if people don't want to be my friend it means that God has a better friend out there for me. I just have to wait.

Outside my house, we have a holly bush. (picture below) We haven't hedged it in a while, so it's growing out of proportion. What I noticed, was that some of the branches grew taller than the others and really stuck out, and I thought that's how we have to be also. The more we grow in Christ the more we will stick out, but if we try to blend in, we will stop growing in Him. So today I encourage all my Christian Sisters out there, who may be struggling with not fitting in, to not give up. God has a plan for you and promises to never leave you nor forsake you. Don't give up.

Looking Unto Jesus,
Victoria

Banana Bread Recipe (Healthy Style)

2008-09-12T22:24:00.000-04:00

Baking is one of my favorite pastimes, but I know that tons of sweets are not good for me. So, I decided to experiment with some of my favorite recipes to make them healthier. Science is my favorite subject, and baking is a science, so why not? Today I made two banana breads. I mixed together two recipes and added my personal preferences. I mixed the Banana Bread recipe from the Alpha-Bakery Children's Cookbook and the Banana-Raisin Whole Wheat Bread recipe off the Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flour bag. So here is the recipe for my healthy Banana Bread:

2/3 -3/4 c. of sugar

3 large mashed bananas

2/3 -3/4 c. of oil (you can use one stick of softened butter if you want)

2 eggs

2 c. of whole wheat flour

1 tsp. of baking soda

1/2 tsp. of baking powder

2 tsp.- 1 tbsp of vanilla (more if you like)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. of salt

1 c. of raisins (optional)

1/2 c. of chopped nuts (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease a loaf pan 9x5x3 with butter or oil.

Mix sugar, bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.

In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients together, then add to wet ingredients.

Pour into pan. Bake for 60- 70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the bread. (Note: times may be different with different ovens.)

Let cool 10 minutes in the pans then loosen to remove from the pans.

Let cool completely before slicing. (Note: This recipe makes only one loaf. I doubled it when I made it.)

I hope you enjoy it!

In Christ,

Victoria

We Will Never Forget

2008-09-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

Seven years ago today, The World Trade Center buildings collapsed. I, like many others, was shocked. I happened to be in New York City that day because my family had to bury my great-grandmother. My Dad and brother were in Manhattan, and they saw the smoke coming from the towers. By the time they got home, the towers had collapsed. The official death toll, as of June 2004, is 2,976. Pure proof that there is still evil in this world. Pray for the families of the people who died, especially of those who died trying to save others.

In Christ,

Victoria

Why Not to Homeschool

2008-09-10T19:23:00.000-04:00

Ten Reasons Not to Homeschool

by Jim Muncy

January 12, 1995

Why send your kids to public schools rather than homeschool?

Here are ten good reasons:

10. Skill development: Public schools do a great job of teaching children to sit down and shut up while the teacher engages in crowd control and mindless administrative duties. The ability to put one's mind on hold, sit there and do nothing is a skill that will be in high demand in the competitive marketplace of the future.

9. Lack of ability: I couldn't teach my own child--I don't know how. After all, anything meaningful in life can only be taught by those properly trained and certified to do so.

8. Financial aspects: We can't financially afford to homeschool. Without the school based health clinics, how could we afford to keep our children supplied with condoms and birth control.

7. Goals 2000: I want my children to learn all the correct stuff. Given how fast history changes, I want to be sure they are up on the most recent version.

6. Scheduling benefits: Staying on the same schedule as everybody else has its benefits. That way, when we go to Orlando, we can make sure that we spend our time waiting in lines rather than wasting it on all those rides and attractions.

5. Close friendships: I like the fact that my children are spending so much of their time with people not in their family. I would much rather my children's closest friendships be outside the family rather than within.

4. Separation of church and state: As long as we keep church and state separate, then the more time I can keep my kids under the control of the state, the less time they can possible be under the harmful influence of the church.

3. Socialization: What possible better way could there be to give your children the social skills they will need as adults than to stick them with children their own age all day. Besides, the best influence on your child is the one randomly assigned to the seat behind him or her in home room.

2. Class size: Learning can't occur in groups of less than twenty students. There is nothing quite like being lock-stepped through material with thirty other students to really develop within a person that true love for learning.

1. Class pace: I want my child to know how to learn at the proper pace. If a child can't keep up with the class, then it serves that child right to be left behind in the dust. If the child is learning too fast, then he or she needs to learn to slow down. And besides, what gives any child the right to assume that he or she can learn things he or she wants to learn rather than what the board of education decides should be taught for any given grade level. Anything learned at the wrong time might just as well be left unlearned.

Well I'm convinced. :)

Victoria

A Very Noble Aspiration

2008-09-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

When I say that my greatest goal and aspiration is to be a wife and a mother, some of the possible reaction and responses could be: shock, questions such as (what about establishing your independence?), (Do you want to be dependent on a man for the rest of your life), (You will end up being a doormat); anger, (You don't appreciate all the work that women have done to be treated the same as men); and sometimes disappointment.

But what does the Bible say? 1Timothy 5:14 ~I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary, to speak reproachfully. Titus 2:3-5 ~The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. The Bible seems very clear to me. Are we striving to do what we want or what God wants?

Now I know that I have just made some feminists very angry, but this is what I believe God wants me to do. By the way, this post was not written to make feminists happy. Feminists believe that women don't need men, or that a women is just fine by herself, making her own place in history. Before this feminist movement, Motherhood was a very noble job, but now it is looked on with scorn. Why is that? I think it is because we became dissatisfied with the role that God has given us. It wasn't good enough, or interesting enough. Some people think that raising children isn't important enough. What is more important than training the next generation? Greed is also another factor. We weren't satisfied with the money that our husbands made so we decided to make some of our own. The love of money is the root of all evil.

I am very thankful that my mother decided to homeschool us. My mom shocked me when she told me that she didn't originally plan to homeschool us, but certain situations, that I believe that God put my parents through, and the state of the schools changed her mind. I plan to homeschool my children, if that is God's will. I know that my beliefs are not very popular, and you don't have to agree with my personal conviction, but I am here to please God, not man. I plan to post something about my journey as a homemaker in training every Thursday. What are you're personal aspirations or goals?

In Christ,

Victoria

Searching for My Savior's Perfect Will

Love

What I've been up to

O Modesty

Shabbat Shalom

Oh, I Praise Him for His Faithfulness

It's Not Inferior

Six Days Shalt Thou Labor

Circumcise Your Hearts

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. ~Deuteronomy 10:16

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men..., but of God(YHWH) ~Romans 2:28-29

Send Out Thy Light

WAKE UP CHURCH!!!

I Am a Lady Therefore

A Bit Late

Bi-Montly Update and Yom Teruah

What's Next

Finally Done!

Has Yahweh Blessed Me? Yes! Immensely !

Passover Thoughts

Spring is Here!

I'm Back. Snow and Sewing

I love Sunday Dinner

Excerpts from Tortured for Christ

Greg Gordon's 95 Theses To the Evangelical Church

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed

Women's Liberation: The Prodigal Wife

On This Day of Evil...

Applesauce!

Random Pictures

I Got An Award!!!

35 Reasons Not to Sin

The Cross Room

Unexplained Hiatus

My Blogoversary!!!

What I've Been Up To

PETA has gone too far

Sixteen!!

Would You Deny Christ?

Strawberry Muffin Recipe

Happy Mother's Day

Oh How Good the Lord is!!

Sewing my own headcoverings

Babysitting Experience

Twenty Years

SAT Results

ACT!

April Fool's Day (A.K.A.~ Atheist Day)

Is He Here?

Prayer Requested

A Young Maidens Daybook

Have You Acknowledged Him?

New Books

A Young Maiden's Daybook

A Young Maidens Daybook

America the Beautiful, or so you used to be.

A Great Testimony Through Poetry

A Young Maidens Daybook

How my Day Went and Another Driving Adventure (Disaster)

Pray for the Unborn

My First Successful Bread!!

A Young Maidens Daybook

Lessons from Service

Why I Wear a Headcovering

A Young Maidens Daybook

Funny Driving Experience

Nothing Compares to You

Contemporary or Compromise?

Young Maiden's Daybook

A Young Maidens Daybook

The Greatest Commandment

Lack of 'Christmas' Posts

In Response to a Comment part 2

We live in an Unbiblical Economy

In Response to a Comment

Ten Things I do daily

Rite of Passage

How Big is Your List?

Thanksgiving at my House

Pie Making and Baking

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one
inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not
in the letter; whose praise is not of men..., but of God(YHWH) ~Romans 2:28-29