Archive for May, 2008

May 7, 2008

Goodbye School
by B.J. Hamrick, RTF Staff Writer

Dear School,

I fell in love with you back in first grade. You were fun, attractive, and easy to get along with. We played games, laughed, and spent a lot of time on the playground.

Then the honeymoon ended.

By our sixth year together, you became sickeningly needy. I hardly wanted anything from you, but you always demanded something from me. The worst part was when I couldn’t spend time with my friends because I was too busy attending to you.

(more…)

Filed under: BJ Hamrick, Real Teen Faith Writers, real fun

May 5, 2008

Writer’s Bloc held a contest for teen writers. One of the prizes was publication on Real Teen Faith. We don’t often have fiction on RTF, but we are pleased to offer this winning entry. It’s a great story!

The Spartan
By Jamin Goecker

Ben rolled over and punched his pillow. His clock beamed 12:03. He sighed and lay on his back. Green blobs vibrated in the lava lamp on his desk. Moonlight cut through the blinds and stabbed a multicolored award tacked on the bulletin board over his desk.

Best eighth grade Bible verse memorizer

Did I get that only a year ago? I’m certainly old enough by now not to be afraid of being alone

His lip quivered as a laundry pile rose and formed an armored figure. The soldier lowered a long spear and tickled Ben’s throat with its leaf point.

(more…)

Filed under: Jamin Goecker, writing

May 4, 2008

Are you looking for a great discipleship resource? Check out Real Life Downloaded, a site that ties in current events with lessons that connect with students.

This week’s lesson is On Fire! Hey, it’s great AND it’s free! How do we know about it? Suzie is one of the curriculum writers for RLD, and it’s a great tool she is excited about. (No, we don’t get any kickbacks from this, just the satisfaction of sharing a resource with those who teach and work with teens seeking real-life faith).

Filed under: youth worker resources

May 3, 2008

Maddee Schrader, 16, RTF Staff writer and Suzie interview author Erynn Mangum, author of Miss Match!

Maddee: Congrats on your recent wedding! After writing so much about a single girl and her dating relationships, what is it like to be married?

Erynn: It is awesome! My husband, Jon, is my best friend – we have so much fun together. Thanks for the congrats!

Maddee: Are any of the characters in your books based on real people?

Erynn: A couple of characters are based on composites of different people I know – but there isn’t one that’s just based on one specific person.

Maddee: You say you love coffee, so what are your favorite three drinks at Starbucks?

Erynn: Oh gosh…Mocha, Caramel Frappuccino and um… oh! The Cinnamon Dolce Latte. That one is yummy. (more…)

Filed under: Real Teen Faith Writers, Maddee Schrader, writing, real interviews, dating, sex

May 2, 2008

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

Review by Maddee Schrader, RTF Staff Writer, 16 

Erynn Mangum published Miss Match when she was twenty-three, and calls it semi-autobiographical. I’m always cautious of first-time authors, but in several cases have felt shamed afterward for doubting. Enough said.

Lauren Holbrook is twenty-four, living at home and working at a photography studio owned by her best friend from first grade. Besides being alarmingly addicted to coffee (“liquid candy bars”) and Milky Way bars, she might be considered normal save for her unusual hobby.

She is a matchmaker. (more…)

Filed under: Real Teen Faith Writers, Guest Writers, dating, real review

May 1, 2008

“The LORD alone is God! The LORD alone is God! We have not built the altar in rebellion against the LORD. If we have done so, do not spare our lives this day.

But the LORD knows, and let all Israel know, too, that we have not built an altar for ourselves to turn away from the LORD. Nor will we use it for our burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings. If we have built it for this purpose, may the LORD himself punish us. ”We have built this altar because we fear that in the future your descendants will say to ours, ‘What right do you have to worship the LORD, the God of Israel? Joshua 22:22-24 New Living

Can you imagine building an altar to let the whole world know that you are serving God, only to see an army of angry warriors coming over the hill to crash the party?

That’s what happened to the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manassah. Talk about misunderstood! But did you know this is still going on today?  (more…)

Filed under: faith in action, teens making a difference, real links, real word