By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

I lay on the floor, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

I can’t do this anymore, God. I can’t keep going.

Alone.

Four years. I thought this would be over by now. I thought that one day, after all the prayers my friends and I could muster, I would wake up whole.

(Continue reading B.J.’s story at Rad Revolution…)

If you’re like most American teens, you have at least one parent or guardian who takes care of you- ya know, makes sure there’s some food in the fridge, maybe even gives you an allowance and pays your cell phone bill.

But what your life would be like if your family had no money and you were sent to live with relatives who abused you?

Lilian doesn’t have to imagine. She knows. But thankfully, her story doesn’t end there. (read more)

by Staff Writer Jennifer Grimes

I have to make a confession . . . though, really, it is more like a declaration.

I’ve never been on a date before. And I’m 17.

There’s more.

I’ve never been kissed either. Not ever. Not even a peck on the cheek.

Now, this excludes family members, especially elderly great-aunts. I’m only referring to real kisses, like the ones between Prince Charming and the princess. (more…)

by Staff Writer Abbie Miller

Not to beat a dead horse or anything with this theme but… I’m single.

19.

Never dated.

Utterly single.

Sometimes this bothers me, and sometimes it doesn’t. But it would be slightly more glamorous and valiant, I think, if I was single by choice… if I had turned down scores of guys and went on my lone, merry way.

But that’s simply not the case. (more…)

by PluggedIn Reviewer Bob Hoose

Feuding families and star-crossed lovers. Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy is once more up on the screen, but this time with, uh, gnomes. The bickering enemies are garden gnomes living in colorful backyard domains and doing battle over and under their common fence. The blue garden belongs to the Montagues of 2B and the red Capulets next door reside at … not 2B.

Leading the Montagues is Gnomeo, a hard-fired hero who’s always up for a little grab-your-miniature-rake-and-rumble with his obnoxious red neighbors. Especially when it comes to that rough-and-tumble ornament Tybalt. He just makes Gnomeo’s beard bristle.

Well, he would if a painted-on beard could bristle. (read more at PluggedIn.com)

by Staff Writer Jamin Goecker

There are a lot of opinions when it comes to dating, especially when it comes to how we as Christians should date. It’s hard to name all the books I could find on dating (from cheesy pick-up line books to I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris) or really add anything new to the discussion, but I’m going to throw in my two cents.

Let’s get the scary stuff out of the way right now: from my experience, dating in high school is a bad idea. Not because it’s morally wrong but because there’s just no point in getting emotionally attached to someone when you both are going to change so much after high school. Sure, I know there are high school couples that work out but the chances of that happening from my experience is like winning the lottery.

There’s a better way. (more…)

by Staff Writer Stephany Mendia

I’ve got two really good friends who are currently in really wonderful relationships. I was there when they started to like their current guys, when they were in the “talking” stage, and even when one of them got asked out. And I’ll be honest — it’s exciting to help them get ready for dates, pick out presents, and hear their adorable stories.

But I think the best part has been that they’ve inspired me through their relationships. They’re both in healthy relationships and the part that gets me the most is that the boys are just right for the girls. (more…)

by iBeGat writer Aimee Lynch

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 3:16 ESV)

Every girl wants a valentine—someone who will love her with that special love she knows must be out there somewhere. Teenage drama centers on the constant search for the perfect person, but disappointment prevails when that person doesn’t turn out to be who we thought they were. Could it be that this desire for “perfect love” was planted there by God so that he himself could fill it? (read more at iBeGat.com)