Archive for May, 2007

May 31, 2007

Another “bad girl” hits the dust. At least, that’s the headlines ripping across the print magazines, and airwaves. But it makes me wonder. Are they really “bad girls”?

Last Sunday I sat in my home church and I watched a group of women sitting in the front row. They’ve been coming to our church for months now. One named Stephanie caught my attention. During worship she raised her hands. She jumped up and down with excitement.

Isn’t that distracting, Suzie? (more…)

Filed under: T. Suzanne Eller

May 26, 2007

One of the things that I love to do at Real Teen Faith is to talk about teens who are making a difference in the world. I ran across this quote the other day:

“I’m just a normal 12-year-old who’s trying to live his life, shining for Jesus and do what I’ve been called to do by the Bible. Any other kid [can do this], all they’ve got to have is a passion and let Jesus do his thing’.” Austin Gutwein

What did he do? What is he saying that anyone can do? (more…)

Filed under: real articles, real links

May 26, 2007

Phillip Yancey writes: “Increasingly, time pressures crowd out the leisurely pace that prayer seems to require. Communication with other people keeps getting shorter and more cryptic: text messages, email, instant messaging. We have less and less time for conversation, let alone contemplation. We have the constant sensation of not enough: not enough time, not enough rest, not enough exercise, not enough leisure. Where does God fit into a life that already seems behind schedule?” (Prayer, Does it Make Any Difference? p.15.)

Filed under: real quote

May 24, 2007

Pray Without Ceasing
by: Jade West, RTF Staff Writer

“Pray without ceasing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17

When I seek to pray throughout my day I notice a difference–in myself. My words are sweeter. I’m slower to anger and judgement. I’m kinder.

I use to think that “pray without ceasing” stuff was meant for the “super spiritual”. But lately, I’ve found that being “super spiritual” isn’t one of the requirements.

In fact, I’m finding more and more ways to pray frequently throughout my day. Here are my ten favorite: (more…)

Filed under: real devos, Jade west

May 22, 2007

Let Your Light So Shine by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The family van swung around the corner and stopped across from an old, beat down house. In front of the house surrounded by a high metal fence, a group of teens and adults stood in a circle, smoking and talking quietly. My mom honked the horn and a little boy ran out of the house towards our van. I opened the car door and let him in, making sure his seatbelt was securely snapped in. The excitement in his eyes told me that he was glad to be on his way to church.

Suddenly, one of the teens looked our way and shouted across the street, “Tell God hi for me!” (more…)

Filed under: real devos, lydia rule

May 22, 2007

Christianity Today — Campus

I spent a whole hour fixing my hair the first time I went to my church’s youth group. Why am I even going? I fretted as I struggled to get my hair to look half decent. I don’t really have any friends there. But I figured it was better than sitting around the house or doing homework. So I jerked a comb through my hair one more time, hollered “I’m Ready!” to my mom, and headed for the car. When Mom dropped me off at the youth pastor’s house, a guy I recognized from church answered the door.
“Hey, Katie, come on in. It’s cool that you came,” he said. He introduced himself as Ben and walked me into the living room. I blushed, flattered that he knew my name. Music was playing and kids were talking and laughing in tight little groups. Ben must’ve realized I felt out of place because he stayed by my side, introducing me to the others.
Soon, Ben and I started dating. Like the other kids in the youth group, we both agreed it was smart to save sex for marriage. But we never really talked about how far we would or wouldn’t go. It didn’t seem to be that big of a problem until we’d been dating over a year and ended up alone one winter afternoon.
Read rest of article

Filed under: real articles

May 12, 2007

Heartbroken

My world was once torn in two.
A sadness came and settled like dew.
All around me things did change;
And in my heart I’d try arrange,
Why my mind wanted different ways-
Filled with laughter and summer days.
And now that I am heartbroken,
What can I take from this world as a token?
A token? Why? Of pain and despair?
I wrinkle my nose and twirl my hair.
I’m thankful that I’m heaven bound;
The Lord Jesus Christ my soul hath found.
I rest in that He cometh soon,
To rid the world of all life’s gloom.

Blessings,
Kaitlin Atmore

http://www.missionamare.blogspot.com/

Filed under: real poem

May 10, 2007

Psalm 51:10-12
Baked Clay
By Maggie Johnson

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I will give you a new heart and put anew spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 37:26 (NIV)

When you were little, did you ever play with toy clay? My three brothers and I were constantly making sandwiches and people with the squishy stuff. One year we even made clay nativity sets for our family Christmas. The very last step of our creation was to bake the clay; otherwise, baby Jesus would fall apart. When we baked the clay, it got so hard that the only possible way to break it was to jump on it. And, believe me, we tried a few times.

(more…)

Filed under: Guest Writers, real devos