I never worried about my self-image until I suffered from a severe case of the chicken pox. When the sickness retreated two months later, countless scars remained, and humiliation captured me.

And when I looked at my reflection? I felt ugly. Worthless. Different from anybody I knew.

The discovery of makeup soothed me at first, but soon it became a mask I rarely removed. (more…)

by Assistant Editor Halee Matthews

I know you’ve been there (I definitely have!) – sitting at a desk with only a few pieces of paper and a pencil when your mind goes blank. Everything you ever learned flies right out the window while A, B, C, and D glare at you, daring you to choose the wrong one.

Just one look.. a quick glance right or left could help you think, maybe point you toward the answer you already know but just can’t remember right now.

What could it hurt? (more…)

How common would you say cheating in school is?

He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from calamity.
-Proverbs 21:23

If you’re like most American teens, you have at least one parent or guardian who takes care of you- ya know, makes sure there’s some food in the fridge, maybe even gives you an allowance and pays your cell phone bill.

But what your life would be like if your family had no money and you were sent to live with relatives who abused you?

Lilian doesn’t have to imagine. She knows. But thankfully, her story doesn’t end there. (read more)

by Staff Writer Abbie Miller

Not to beat a dead horse or anything with this theme but… I’m single.

19.

Never dated.

Utterly single.

Sometimes this bothers me, and sometimes it doesn’t. But it would be slightly more glamorous and valiant, I think, if I was single by choice… if I had turned down scores of guys and went on my lone, merry way.

But that’s simply not the case. (more…)

by Staff Writer Jamin Goecker

There are a lot of opinions when it comes to dating, especially when it comes to how we as Christians should date. It’s hard to name all the books I could find on dating (from cheesy pick-up line books to I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris) or really add anything new to the discussion, but I’m going to throw in my two cents.

Let’s get the scary stuff out of the way right now: from my experience, dating in high school is a bad idea. Not because it’s morally wrong but because there’s just no point in getting emotionally attached to someone when you both are going to change so much after high school. Sure, I know there are high school couples that work out but the chances of that happening from my experience is like winning the lottery.

There’s a better way. (more…)

by Staff Writer Matthew VanTryon

To say the issue of dating is a popular topic is an understatement. You can’t turn on the television or look through the check-out aisle at your local grocery store without being bombarded with the ideas of, sex, love, and relationships. So what does a healthy dating relationship look like for an average American teenager? (more…)