real advice: it’s summer, what now? (pt. 2)

sun & road

by Editor Halee Matthews

Still bored, huh? Don’t worry, I’ve got more ideas.

6. Tutor. Even though school is out, some parents are trying to help their kids work on their math skills or iron out the wrinkles in their grammar. Whatever the case, pick a subject you’re good at and make good grades in, and let families know you’re willing to do a little tutoring. Just keep it fun and interactive. Then both the kids and parents will appreciate your skills. (more…)

real advice: it’s summer, what now? (pt. 1)

sun, sky

by Editor Halee Matthews

It’s summer (just in case you missed the blinding sun and scorching heat). And now that you’re over the “woo hoo, no school” phase, you might find yourself a little bored. (Unless you’re in summer school, in which case, you have my sympathy.)

If you find yourself staring up at the ceiling, debating how to fill your time, here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Volunteer. Great causes are always looking for people to help them out. You could go with a longer term commitment, like several weeks, or just a few days; most organizations are flexible. (more…)

real question: what’s up with money?

credit card

“You cannot serve both God and money.” “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

I’m sure you’ve heard those before. So what does that mean? What’s the role of money supposed to be?

What do you think? What’s the role of money in your life?

real devo: money & this world

money and the world

by Staff Writer Matthew VanTryon

“Money makes the world go ’round” is a phrase often uttered, especially in the affluent United States. Though some may scoff at this extreme notion, it is truer than it may seem.

Virtually everything on this earth costs money. Most arguments either involve politics or, you guessed it, money.

Take for instance the current NFL Lockout. I am by no means a football guru, but I do know that as of right now there is no football season because people that already make millions of dollars want even more (I know this isn’t the entire situation, but that’s not the point). According to the NFL Player’s Association, the minimum salary for an NFL player is $295,000 per year. (more…)

real devo: let’s talk about money

cash in hand

by Staff Writer Stephany Mendia

Now this may sound greedy, but let’s be honest: we all want money, we all like walking around with some spending money in our pockets. But summer is for fun not work, at least in my mind it is. So I’ve come up with a solution: jobs we like to do!

In school when picking electives, teachers advise me to pick classes that relate to what I want to grow up to be and major in while in college, but I think that we should have the same attitudes about the jobs we hold. (more…)

real story: miracles

twenty dollar bills

by Staff Writer Arianna Zander

“We don’t have any money.”

I was young at the time, so I guess my Dad’s words didn’t sound as serious to my ears as they did to the rest of my family. He showed us the empty folds of his wallet, his face missing his usual smile. “We’ll eat tonight. I don’t know how, but God will find a way,” he said. (more…)

real fiction: forgiven

Teenagers - Whispering a Secret

By Staff Writer Arianna Zander

“How could you?” My words are ice. Tears decorate Taylor’s brown eyes, and she backs away two inches. Licks her lips, studying her pink nail polish instead of me. “I… I didn’t mean to. You know I’d never hurt you on purpose. I’m your best friend.”

I shake my head, and reach for the door handle. It’s cold, and I feel the shiver all the way to my toes. “No,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “Ex best friend.” (more…)

real story: trust

CBR003158

By RTF Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

Ever done one of those trust exercises where you fall back and let a friend catch you?

Well I haven’t. It’s not that I don’t trust my friends. I would trust them wholeheartedly with certain things. Such as taking care of my things if I was gone, or handling my money, or my feelings given a certain situation.

However…

(more…)