Bekah Hamrick Martin
Abbie Miller
Generation of Faith
By Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
We were all gathered around in a little camper out in the middle of a state park. Between my grandparents, parents, and two sisters, we were all pretty squished. As is our tradition, we took out the Bible and began to read. Then, we each took turns praying.
I didn’t think anything of it. After all, this is something that my family does every night.
But then it hit me. Three generations of my family were gathered together in worship, and here I was, just thinking that this was an ordinary event. I had been taking for granted what had taken years to build. (more…)
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall…
By Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
The all-mighty mirror. The average person probably spends a few hours a 
day staring at their own reflection, wishing their skin was darker, lighter, or smoother. They wonder what they would look like if their nose wasn’t as lumpy, or if their cheeks weren’t peppered with freckles. They fret about the zit that happens to reside in the middle of their forehead and refuses to give up its position. They wish their eyebrows were shaped differently. (more…)
Happiness?
Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
Recently, I was discussing the definition of “happiness” in a forum. The question was: what is happiness?
This made me think about how people often mistake pleasure as happiness. Pleasure is getting something you want or doing something you enjoy. The sort of feeling you get when you buy a new t-shirt or pair of flip-flops that you’ve always wanted. It’s the feeling you get when your team wins a game. And all of these things are good, but they won’t make you truly happy. Why? Because as soon as the pleasurable moment is gone, you will usually feel let down or sad that it is over. (more…)
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…)
Shy Shine!
By Lydia Rule
Ministry… it is a scary word, especially to inverted teenagers. Often, ministry is looked upon as something only the bold and brave attempt, but this is not true. God used shy people to spread the word just as much as he did the bold. Jeremiah was a shy person (Jeremiah 1: 4-9).
Moses did not think he was bold enough to do what God wanted (Exodus 3: 11-12). Gideon was hiding from enemies when God called him to be the leader of Israel’s army (Judges 6: 11-13). The woman who touched Jesus’ robe was afraid (Mark 5: 28-34). God can use anyone, including shy people! (more…)
You guys are going to love this! I recommend buying the book and reading it all the way through! It’s amazing! -Lydia Rule — Sorry Easter Bunny!
Matthew 28
1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2And, be
hold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
RTF: Thanks, Lydia! We waited to post this because it’s just as powerful the day after Easter, as it is on that special day.
Length: 117 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, and Kurt Fuller.
Most people spend their lives collecting the Almighty dollar bill; for Christopher Gardner (played by Will Smith), just having a dollar would be nice. The Pursuit of Happyness is a poignant tale of a young father struggling to take care of his five-year old son after his marriage falls apart due to money problems. The movie balances tears and humor as Christopher frantically scrambles to a prominent internship for a broker firm dressed in paint-splattered clothes and a jacket that stubbornly won’t zip. In spite of his appearance, Christopher’s vibrant personality lands him the coveted internship.
However, there is one major hitch, the internship is a six-month program with no pay, and only the best intern will get a job at the end of those six months. With no money, Christopher is soon put out of his apartment, and he and his son are forced to spend the night in a subway bathroom. Against the odds, Christopher fights to make a better life for his family even if that includes being chased by angry cab drivers and racing to work with a shoe missing.
The film gives an unflinching insight into the lives of those struggling to climb the American ladder of success from the bottom rung. It also portrays the bond between a father and son who hold on to each other while their world falls apart in unpredictable ways. The Pursuit of Happyness is a gripping film that will make you think about why you are happy, and what the true meaning of happiness is really all about.
The PG-13 rating of the film is due to some language, scenes of homelessness, and one scene between Christopher and his estranged wife. For these reasons, I would not recommend that young children see this movie. Overall, the film is well worth watching, and is perfect for a family with older teenagers.
Oh, and bring a tissue with you. If you’re like me, you’ll probably need one.
Bio: Lydia Rule has been published in NextStep magazine, The Torch, Aboite Independent, Long Story Short, Fundsforwriters, Acceleration, Around the Bloc,
CollegePlus, and Real Teen Faith. She is currently working on her fifth novel as
well as a variety of other writing projects.
asked yourself, “How can I know what God’s will is?” God’s word doesn’t give us the answer point blank. Imagine if it did though:
it did. But before you despair, there’s still hope! God’s word has verses that can help guide you in life. Each verse contains a clue or step for you to follow up on. Check them out! (more…)