by RTF Staff Writer Jamin Goecker

In case you haven’t noticed, guys and girls are different.

I’m sure you’re thinking, No! Really? What gave you that idea?

The truth of the matter is, God made us different for a reason. He didn’t make man and woman back in Eden and say, “Oh my. What have I done? These are completely different!” (more…)

“Hey, I was wondering… does God punish people?” – Josh

*****

Hey Josh,

Way to go with the deep question! You definitely got me thinking. To find out about the nature of God, we have to check out the Bible. And there’s one particular passage that comes to mind that I think will help answer this question.

Most of us know the story of David and Goliath. But the Bible has much more to tell us about David, including the bad choices he made. And he made some really bad choices. In fact, David had a man killed so he could have his wife! (I know it sounds like a soap opera, but I’m not making this stuff up! You can the whole thing in 2 Samuel 11.) (more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

My True Love,

Why did you leave so soon? We were so close. I spent all my time with you. I told you all my secrets.

You were the first one to know when I had a new story. The first one to know when I had late-night insomnia.

I ate with you. I cried on you. I was entertained by you. (more…)

by RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Tiny warm fingers curled around mine. I looked down to find Allie looking up at me with her big blue eyes. “I want my daddy. Can you help me find him?”

I smiled. “Sure.” At that, Allie took the lead to the door, leaving the nursery and the other childcare workers. The empty halls indicated the meeting must be over, and Allie’s dad would be somewhere around here.

Allie skipped ahead, blonde curls bouncing as she searched for her father. Still holding her hand, I struggled to keep up with her. I would not be seen running through the halls of a public building! (more…)

Happy Retro Day! Though this piece maybe retro, the topic is absolutely current. I hope it gets you thinking. Enjoy! ~Halee

by RTF Guest Writer Tim Sweetman

I stood on the Supreme Court steps in downtown Louisville at 12:02 PM shivering in the cold. All around me were people gathered around a huge statue at the foot of the steps. They were all listening to a speaker who stood at a black podium in between the huge columns at the top of the steps. These were people from all backgrounds – little children, businessmen, mothers, fathers, politicians, doctors, teenagers, and college students.

We were all gathered because abortion was legalized 36 years ago.

As I looked around at the faces, I realized that most of us were survivors of a genocide. A genocide that has taken almost 45 million lives away from our nation. A genocide that was taking a life every 20 seconds. A genocide that could have taken me.

But I was not aborted. (more…)

by RTF Staff Writer Derek Hanisch

Congrats!” Laura, my supervisor from the summer, told me one day on facebook chat.

“What for?” I asked.

“You’re engaged!”

“Huh?” I replied, flabbergasted. (more…)

By Guest Writer A.E. Zander

The night sky was dim in the park my brothers and sister and I walked in. Laying abandoned on the ground sat a plastic beach ball, proving to be irresistible to my brother, who instantly whacked it high up in the air- and straight against my eye. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his horrified look at the black ring around my eye. (more…)

Dear BJ,

I think my friend might be depressed but I’m not sure. He cries a lot and acts tired all the time. Should I be worried about it, or is he just going through drama?

- Worried (more…)