By Brandon Jubar, Faithteen Issue #19

The hardest person to satisfy is you. It’s safe to say that we tend to be our own worst critics. Most of us don’t think we are talented enough, or gifted enough, or that our abilities are worth anything to anyone. But all our abilities are gifts from God, and they are meant to be shared.

Most of us would agree that, except for certain extreme situations, taking something that doesn’t belong to you is wrong. But what about not sharing something that we are supposed to share? Should we be concerned about violating God’s command, “You shall not steal?”

But I don’t have any gifts!

Everyone has a gift, because we reflect God’s goodness. In fact, most people have more than one gift that they can share. (read rest of this article and check out Faithteen Ezine)

By Derek Hanisch, RTF Staff Writer

I still remember that day three years ago. I stood in front of two hundred youth at a juvenile detention center to give a sermon. I hadn’t prayed about what I was going to say. I had done the preparation on my own. I was giving the sermon on my own. And I bombed. I bombed badly. It was a real self esteem crusher for me. Because of it I hadn’t spoken in public since.

I’ve been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at my school, and just recently we put on an Interfaith Conference with the Muslim Student Association. Each faith had a twenty minute introduction before questions were taken from the audience towards both faiths.

I was asked to be a part of the panel. Without even thinking I said no, remembering the last time I had tried to do something like this. Two others were chosen for the Christian panel and things were good. One of the speakers fell through and immediately I was asked again. I had been praying that God would open up doors and use me. I couldn’t deny it anymore. I prayed about it that weekend and knew that this was something I had to do. I said yes. (more…)

Are you an up and coming designer looking to feature your collection? Then Rock the Runway 2009 is the place for you! Join other designers from the Tampa Bay area and beyond as we showcase their talent and ability to design fashions for today’s Christian woman.

Have you ever aspired to be a model, but are afraid that you don’t meet the world’s requirements? Come out and audition for Rock the Runway 2009. Join other women of all ages as they work the runway and show that true beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Are you a local artist that wants to have your music heard? Experience the thrill of playing your songs to a fashion show at Rock the Runway. All musical styles welcomed, from rock to hip-hop! Whether you have a band or are a solo artist, we want to hear from you!

Find out more at Rock the Band.

Are you a teen girl who loves to write? Do you see yourself speaking to crowds about Christ? What’s the next step? Where do you start? Where do you find the inside scoop?

She Speaks conference has an amazing Next Gen track. Real Teen Faith founder, Suzanne Eller, will be one of the Next Gen keynotes and workshop speakers, working with phenomenal musical artist Lindsey Kane and others to connect with teen girls who want to take their ministry to the next level.

You need to register soon as it will fill up. Mark your calendars for July 31 – August 2, 2009 in beautiful Concord, North Carolina.

Worship. Great food. Fun. Workshops galore! Speaking evaluations (if you sign up). Mentoring from women already doing what you feel God speaking to you about. Check it out for more details!

Have you checked out this reality TV show? Real Winning Edge features faith-filled celebrities and real-life teens who are living on the winning edge.

 

The Chronicle Telegram, Cindy Liese
GRAFTON — It was 3 a.m. Sunday, and the temperature had dipped to the 30s.

Lauren Ferritto, 14, and Jordan Kushner, 13, were finally asleep in their cardboard box, huddled under sleeping bags and blankets.

All of a sudden, police officers started shaking the box.

“They said, ‘You have to move — you’re creating a disturbance,’ ” said Lauren, a ninth-grader at Midview High School.

She nudged Jordan, who was very angry about being forced to move.

“I got out of the box and shoved it,” Jordan said.

The two teens were among 24 young parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Peace who got a small taste of what it was like to be homeless.

“It made me realize what people go through on a daily basis,” said Jordan, an eighth-grader at Midview Middle School. “A box is cold, uncomfortable and hard.”

After spending the night outside the former Assumption Church on Elm Street, the teens said they were hungry, dirty and smelly.

But they still made the rounds at Mass on Sunday and collected $2,064 for the St. Joseph Shelter at Reid Avenue and West 15th Street in Lorain. Read the rest of this article.

Standing For What You Believe

Interview with a guy who stood for the right thing
By: Debra Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

Shadrach, a young man captive in a foreign country, took a bold stance—and brought revival to an entire nation. But he didn’t do it alone. He had the help and support of his friends.

Sitting at a corner booth in a nearby McDonald’s, Shadrach barely looks old enough to hold a learner’s permit. Yet his blue eyes speak volumes about his passion for Christ.

He’s dressed casually and just come from school. He has a goofy grin and an easygoing manner.

Before we begin the interview, Shadrach stops midway through his Big Mac to make one thing clear, “We weren’t looking to be heroes or big shots. We just wanted to serve our King.” (more…)

 

From Raleigh to Russia: With Love

by Lynn Cowell, RTF Guest Writer

Sunday morning church can be predictable in many churches in American.

Music. Announcements. Sermon.

But on one Sunday, the announcements caught the ear and heart of Jordan Water’s mom. Their church was hosting children from countries with extreme poverty and they were looking for one more family to step up. Jordan’s mom, Pam, knew they were that family.

That summer with Artem was just the beginning of a new passion for Jordan and her family. After weeks of loving on this little boy and experiencing the heart break of sending him back home, Jordan and her father, Keith, decided to visit Russia on Jordan’s Christmas break.

She spent two weeks in Belarus visiting four orphanages that were so cold inside she never took her coat off!

 “The children were dressed in rags; the boys often in girl’s clothes and vice versa. The smells of the orphanage were overpowering; the children smelled so untaken care of,” says Jordan, “but they were desperate to be touched, to be hugged, to be kissed, to be loved that it brought me to my knees in tears as I hugged them 10 at a time.” (more…)