By Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Katelyn drew her legs up in her favorite chair and tapped the pencil on her notepad. The words flowed into her mind and she transferred them onto paper… (more…)

Warning from the author: I’ve been told there are parts in this song that sounds bitter.

Let me say now, I did not intend for it to come across that way.

When I wrote this song, I wrote from what I’ve observed and experienced a little myself. My intention is not to vent, but to bring up a point I believe is important to note.

If you want to talk about it, just let me know. I’m always all ears about what any of yall have to say.

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By Guest Writer Xochi E. Dixon

So full of too much I’m about to burst.

Fed up with drama, I hunger, I thirst. (more…)

By Staff Writer Abbie Miller

So, I know there are tons and tons of people today facing sexual temptation. It comes at them from every front. It looks lovely, desirable and bewildering. It immerses us in the idea of instant gratification; feel good now, forget the consequences. It takes tremendous strength to stand against such pressures. (more…)

Happy Retro Day! I hope this devo helps you remember to rely on God for everything. Just imagine all the things He can accomplish through you! Enjoy! ~ Halee

by RTF Staff Writer Jamin Goecker

I yanked the starter on my lawnmower. The engine popped, my shoulder ached, but no life sparked within the mower. In the Texas sun, I tried everything I could to make the stubborn machine operational. Nothing worked.

Several months before, I’d been enflamed to attend a mission trip. I refused to ask people for money and opted to earn what I needed. I figured I couldn’t experience the benefits of a mission trip if I didn’t take the responsibility of paying for it. But the price tag was daunting for a guy with just a mower and weed eater; $800 plus airline tickets. (more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

The world lost a hero today. He left the way most heroes do – quietly, quickly, and without much ado. He simply slipped off the scene. (more…)

By RTF Staff Writer Jennifer Grimes

Watching teen athletes on the television, I’ve once again become annoyed by the negative use of the term “teenager.” (more…)

Happy Retro Day! This is for all of you who have or had braces. (I’m a post-braces kid too. Never been so happy to get rid of something- 2 years without popcorn is an eternity!) I love the way Catey turned her not-so-great orthodontist appointment into a hilarious story. Enjoy! ~ Halee

by RTF Staff Writer Catey Yuen

So, I’ve had braces for almost the 18-month slot they allotted me (and if I have to go a day over, I think I will go mad).

Let me tell you a little bit about my braces experience. I HATE THEM.

I am a rule keeper as it comes to a lot of things. I got this nine-page long braces care sheet when I first got braces and on that nine-page long list sheet was this million-item list titled: THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT EAT WITH BRACES.

So I didn’t eat the stuff on there.

My friends aren’t really rule keepers. They saw THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT EAT WITH BRACES and read it as THINGS THAT YOUR ORTHODONTIST WOULDN’T LIKE YOU TO EAT WITH BRACES BUT YOU CAN STILL EAT ANYWAY. (more…)