By RTF Editor BJ Hamrick

Dear BJ,

I hear a lot about people waiting to have sex until they’re married. Seriously? Where’s the fun in that?

- Just Wondering

(more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

See the tall, gorgeous, light-haired, model-looking girls?

I’m not one of them. (more…)

Happy Retro Day! This week’s retro piece is a great reminder that no matter what kind of darkness you may find yourself in, you are never alone. And if you ever need someone to talk to, we’re here. Email us. ~ Halee

by RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

I’m not the type of girl who likes to be put in a box. But on a warm Fall day in the mountains of North Carolina, my friend Laura talked me into it.

Literally.

“It’ll be fun,” she said. “Just crawl in.” (more…)

By RTF Editor BJ Hamrick

I’m not sure if it was the crash or the blood-curdling scream that alerted me to the fact that I was on a plane with a group of terrorists. I sat there staring, shaking… wondering. (more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

Here I am again

Back at square one

I thought this would end

It’s only begun

This circle of grief

Traced into my soul

Cracks open and bleeds

I long to be whole

(more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

One of my friends recently called my boy and I “green”. I wasn’t sure if she meant we were naïve… or eco-friendly. Of course those two labels are synonymous in our small town, where recycling places you in the same gossip category as an eco-terrorist.

I have to admit – my boy and I are slightly on the green side. We’re not obsessed with it, but we try to do things like wash our tin foil, scrub our cat litter, and fertilize our garden with our own septic system. Just kidding about the tin foil. (more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

The scar on your arm

Is only a clue

Of the scar inside

That once terrified you

The fear is gone

The scar remains

A reminder of loss

And the power of pain

Love is a man

With a scar on His arm

It runs deep like yours

He understands harm

The scar on His arm

Is only a clue

Of the scar inside

That He bears for you

****

I wrote this several years ago for a friend when he told me he struggled with cutting himself.

At the time I didn’t tell him that I understood how he felt… I couldn’t even admit to myself that I struggled with self-harm.

Eventually the day came when I was ready to ask for help…

If I knew where he was today, I would tell my friend — you are not alone, and you can be free from this.

I know.

Your journey starts with finding a safe place to be vulnerable…

Contact me or Halee at realteenfaith[at]gmail[dot]com for more information.

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

You’re tangled in her web
It’s obvious to me
There’s nothing I can do
To make you feel or see

She’s bringing you down
Pulling you deep
‘Cause you’re tangled in
Her web of deceit

You’re hanging on her words
Her every phrase so sweet
You’re dancing to the sound
Of her mysterious beat

When the music ends
With weary, tired feet
You’ll despair and die
In her web of deceit

“…for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.”

- Proverbs 6:22

****

A note from B.J.: I know this is a weird poem, but I wrote it a few years ago when I was sad about the path a friend of mine was taking. It was hard to watch him make choices I knew were hurting him… and I know a lot of you are in the midst of similar choices.

I’ve been there. And I want you to know the web is never inescapable. I would love to encourage your heart if you are struggling today. Email me at realteenfaith[at]gmail[dot]com if you need to talk.  -bj