by BJ Hamrick, RTF Staff Writer

To be honest, I’m probably the last person who should write an article about self-respect. After all, I’m the girl who permed her hair, dyed her skin, and over-waxed her eyebrows… all in hopes she’d like herself when she was done. (Unfortunately, it’s hard to like yourself when your skin turns orange and your hair grows the consistency of cotton candy.)

It’s not just a girl-thing. Guys work hard to like themselves too. Whether it’s lifting weights, running, or choosing that one shirt that looks like you’re not trying at all (you wouldn’t want the girls to know!) – it’s important how you look.

But what about how you look on the inside? Experts say there’s more to liking yourself than having the perfect body. Knowing yourself – inside and out – is important too. (more…)

Derek Hanisch, RTF Staff Writer

Most people recognize the name Bono. Famous with the band U2. He’s also a famous humanitarian. One may argue that he’s one of the most well know Rockers in the world. It may surprise some to find out that Bono is a follower of Christ. Below is an excerpt from an interview he had. I really liked the perspective he had on Grace.

“I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace…You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics-in physical laws-every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it.

And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that ‘as you reap, you will sow’ stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my sin and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question.”

I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity. (more…)

by Suzie Eller, RTF Founder

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.  (John 15:5  THE MESSAGE)

Dear God,
When I spend time with you
I grow
Like a vine
Heavy with fruit
Fertilized with your Spirit
Blip! (more…)

Unplugged, one of our fav places on the web, shares their thoughts on the PG-rated movie, Coraline.

Excerpt: Most 11-year-olds want new parents at some point. And Coraline is no different. Especially since Mom and Dad have moved the family from Michigan to Oregon—where it rains most of the year. (Ugh!) Mom says it’s too muddy to play outside. The house is boring. And the only kid she’s met is really weird.

Oh, and the food’s lousy, too. Mom doesn’t like to cook.

So nothing in Coraline’s little world feels right. Until the day she sets out to do some exploring—and finds a door to an alternate reality. Yep, right there in her new room, covered over with wallpaper, is a little door that leads to a world in which she gets just the right everything.  Read the rest of this review.

What did you think of this movie?

by BJ Hamrick, RTF Staff Writer

Crumpled and lost
In a new world
The wind blows hard
I’m tossed and hurled

Wasn’t it best
How I used to be
With legs to crawl
And eyes to see?

What are these frail
And aching things?
I call them pain
You call them wings

I wrote this in an e-mail to a friend one late night. I was struggling because I’d cried out to God so many times to heal me, and yet all of Heaven seemed silent. Then God reached down into my heart and showed me that the sickness I thought was tying me down, was the thing He was using to help me fly to new heights in my relationship with Him.

By Lydia Rule, RTF staff writer

I sat outside of the church auditorium with a friend.

You could read the uncertainty in her eyes. She was weighing the cost of following Christ, afraid to trade her life for what God had to offer. “Not right now, maybe later. I still have things I want to do,” was all she could reply.

Few weeks later, I lost contact with her. My family moved, her e-mail address didn’t work anymore, and no one knew how to get a hold of her. (more…)

by Debra Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

 

If God sent you a box of candy hearts, what would they say? Perhaps some of these things…

BE MINE

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

LOVED MORE THAN U NO

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. (more…)

 

 

By Catey Yuen, RTF Staff Writer

Actions speak louder than words.

How many times have you heard that before? I’ve heard it, at a rough estimate, more than a million times in my still-brief life. But I never really thought about it until just recently.

I’m part of a Christian young speakers’ group. I’m used to representing Christ and my group on the platform. I can look really good if I try hard enough and I’m thinking about it.

But get me off the platform and how well do I represent Christ? Am I consistent in my witness, or am I causing people to think badly about God’s people sometimes? (more…)