By Editor Halee Matthews

I stared at the scuff mark on my shoe.

One fabulously bright streak of white began at my toe, running along the side toward the back.

A white streak? Really? Aren’t most scuff marks black?

Just my luck. Especially since I was wearing black shoes. (more…)

by Assistant Editor Halee Matthews

It had been a long day. Josh was just one kid in a huge crowd. For hours they had been following the Teacher, waiting to hear him speak or do anything, really. Wherever he went, he did amazing things and no one wanted to miss it.

But they’d been following him for hours and boy, was Josh hungry. Looking around, he found a comfy spot in the grass and sat down. He pulled a bundle out of his bag and carefully unwrapped it – fish sandwiches, his favorite. Mmm, Josh could smell the fresh bread and the – “Does anyone here have any food?” (more…)

By Staff Writer Jennifer Grimes

Dear Callie,

I know you’re going to be confused when I don’t show up at your house this  afternoon and I don’t answer any of your calls. In fact, this is the last email message I’m sending you. Why? Well, it’s a really long story. (more…)

By RTF Staff Writer Shannon Meiers

To My First Love,

You were always there for me.  From May to August, you let me sleep in — even when I wished for the hustle and bustle of last year. You let me write a book and you put a stop to my school subjects, forcing me to finish it on schedule.

There were times I complained that you were boring. (more…)

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…)

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…)

by RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Day 1

Traveling on a bumpy dirt road on a donkey. Really? A donkey? At least my new husband was thoughtful enough that I don’t have to walk. My back already hurts from the baby inside. I’m not sure which is worse, riding or walking. If I ride – wait – let me back up a little, explain why I’m traveling and most importantly, why I’m pregnant.

It started when I was doing my chores and a strange man came up to me. He told me he was an angel from the Lord and God wanted me to carry his son. This really confused me at first. God wanted me pregnant? I wasn’t even married! I was engaged to my husband Joseph at the time. In my culture, it’s a shameful thing to be pregnant when you’re not married. But I was raised to say yes when the Lord asks. So I did.

Then our land’s ruler had this plan to make everybody return to their hometowns to be counted. Yes, the ruler is a man. He obviously didn’t think of pregnant women like me. I tell you, someday they need to think up a better way to travel. (more…)

by RTF Staff Writer Derek Hanisch

Sunday mornings in the church is a big deal. People from all different backgrounds and circumstances come together to worship and they dress up in clothes that feel uncomfortable.

The Sinner sits on a hard oaken pew as he pulls at his necktie. The pew is old, scratched, and stained, a reflection of The Sinner’s heart. Some unseen force has drawn him to this crowded place of the masses.

The Sinner is sitting on a crowded pew, but for all intents and purposes he is alone. The masses of people present don’t affect him; they don’t distract him from The Preacher. It may be a crowded sanctuary on a Sunday morning, yet at this moment it is just The Sinner and The Preacher.

The Preacher stands at the front of the church, large calloused hands gripping the hard edges of the pulpit. Bright lights fill his eyes as he stands in the spotlight. The Preacher is the center of attention on this fine Sunday morning. Sweat slowly trickles down his neck wetting his white collar. (more…)