My friends

      Well, the first quality I look for in a friend is if they are a Christian because I feel like my BEST of friends should be those who know the Lord and spend time with him. I do have friends that are non-Christians, but they are my BEST friends. The closest friends I have are Christians. I think this is important because if you hang out with good Christian people, you won't be as tempted to do those bad things that others do. It's cool to hang out with non-Christians too, but if you hang out with them too long, you will want to start doing what they do. I'm not sure what the refernce is, but in the Bible it says we are to be in the world, but not of it. And also if your best of friends are Christians, you will be able to help each other grow in Christ and be accountable for each other. I also want a friend that will love me at all times. In Proverbs 17:17 it says, "A friend loves at all times." The next qualitiy I look for is if the person is very pride and boastful about the material things they have. It is hard to hang out with those people who are always bragging about what they have. In Psalm 10:4 is says, "In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him, all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" Also in Proverbs 16:18 it says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  I also look for if the person is honest or not. I want a friend that will be honest to me. I also want a friend that is honest enough to tell me if I'm doing something wrong. I want my friends to hold me accountable, and I want to hold them accountable too. But I don't want a friend going around and making rumors about me. In Proverbs 16:28 it says, "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."  Luke 8:15 says, "As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."
        Some things I need to work on to be a better friend are I need to be nicer. I often make jokes that are somewhat rude, even though it's just a joke, I feel bad that I said that, and that's something I need to work on. I also need to not get mad at my friends so easily. I often get angry easily and it's hard for me to forgive. I also could be a better friend by not gossiping. Gossip is something I really struggle with, and instead of talking bad about someone at lunch, I need to work on bringing up God in the conversation and talk more about him with my friends.
       One of my really good friends is Hayley Bickerstaff. She goes to Enid High, and she is really cool and fun to be around. We have been friends since we were born. Even though we are really different, we get along well because we both have an important common denominator, Christ:). No matter how different the two of us may be, that doesn't matter because we have the most important thing in common! When I'm with Hayley, I feel like I can tell her anything and we have many discussions about Christ. She is really a great friend to me!:))
       Oh, and let's not forget that Jesus is a friend of mine too!!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8&feature=related