real quote: courage

be_strong

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,

for the LORD your God goes with you;

he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

real poem: a broken world

Happy Retro Day! This poem is a wonderful reminder of your unique purpose here on this earth. I hope it encourages and inspires you. Enjoy! ~ Halee 

Jesus loves me, this I know. . .

by RTF Staff Writer Catey Yuen

Open eyes greet the light
Walking into a dark world.
With small steps, I faced the darkness
Shattered hearts (more…)

real devo: rumors

gossip_kallisimmerman

DON’T FORGET: Register to win a free iPod by commenting on a post any day this week.

You can comment once every day for more chances. Winner announced Friday, March 19, 2010.

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By RTF Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

Those who have no sense deride their neighbors, but those who have understanding hold their tongues.

Proverbs 11:12

“Did you hear what she did last night?” The whispers were all about the school. I felt my cheeks grow hot as I clutched my books tight to my chest and hurried away from the two girls who were quietly talking over by the lockers. I felt their penetrating stares at my back as I practically ran down the hall.

(more…)

real advice: how can i get a free iPod shuffle?

blue-ipod-shuffle

Dear RTF Editors,

How can I get an iPod shuffle for free?

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Dear Readers -

Lucky you! It’s this easy — leave a comment on this post. We’ll do a random drawing next Friday, March 19, and announce our winner.

Leave a comment any day in the next seven days, and your name will be entered once for every day you comment (limit one comment per day).

Have fun!

real devo: storm

ethanhamrick_storm

By RTF Administrative Editor Ethan Hamrick

Tonight I saw I’ve been Peter

Afraid of the wind and the waves

Striving to know

The tide’s ebb and flow (more…)

real retro: knee knockin’ fear

Happy Retro Day! I hope this helps give you the courage to confront your fears. Enjoy! ~ Halee

publicspeaking

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. (more…)

real devo: bad days

scary shadow

by RTF Assistant Editor Halee Matthews

Sometimes I have bad days.

Don’t we all?

A bad day is like the furry, big-teethed monster under the bed that we feared as children. It grabs us and pulls us down into the depths. It manifests itself as an uncooperative alarm clock that maliciously refuses to beep on time. It’s the little old lady in the car in front of us who stubbornly pokes along at 10 mph under the speed limit. (more…)

real retro: candy hearts

Happy Retro Day! I think you can all figure out why I chose this to feature this week. And it’s sweet, unique, and fun. Enjoy! ~Halee

candy-hearts-593

by RTF Staff Writer Debra Weiss

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 (more…)