by Judi Weiss

I turned seventeen
At the end of May
But still read the Bible
So I can grow everyday

I am free because of Jesus
Who died for you and me
And even though I’ve done wrong
I asked him for this new identity

I want to be
More like Him everyday
I’ll just wait and see
Because He can help me change my ways

I’m freed by salvation
I’m a child of God
I’m bad at conversation
And only slightly odd

This is who I am
This is my identity
This is what I say
This is who I can be

I’m growing up
And moving on
I won’t let the pain of yesterday
Come along

By Judi Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

Summer is right around the corner and we’re all making elaborate plans for the next three months. This month, I’ll be turning seventeen. I have to start making plans for the next year. Whether or not I’ll go to college is still something I’m waiting for God to decide. I get scared when I think about the future and where I’ll end up ten years from now.
I know that the future won’t be easy or simple. I have a lot of learning left to do. I’ll be a senior this year and the thought of finishing high school is pushing me to want to get it done faster.
　
My teenage years weren’t my easiest, but I’m accustomed to them now. I know what I’m doing here. There have been a lot of times when I’ve turned to God saying “I don’t know what I’m doing here.”

And He’ll answer “Hold on.”

There’s a song, that a college intern at my church introduced me to, called ‘You Never Let Go’ by Matt Redman.

This song has helped me through a lot and it calms me down when I start thinking about my place in the world ten years from now. It’s a song that’s helped to teach me about the truth that God will never leave me, no matter what.
　

You Never Let Go

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

by Judi Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

Are we “friends”?

Friend is a tricky word. I learned long ago, you can’t just rely on people. More so than often, they can be “friends” not friends. (more…)

By Judi Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

I’ve always thought I had plenty of time. I always thought there wasn’t any need for rush. Then, last Tuesday, an earthquake hit my town, the first one to hit my town since the 1800s. Although no one was injured, it really made me think about some stuff.

The same thing I heard over the next few days was “The Lord’s coming back soon”, and it made me think about if he were to come, would I be ready for it. The answer, of course, is no. No one can be ready because no one knows the true time of when He will come back for us.

What I do know is I need to stop planning like I have so much time because, in reality, I don’t. Although I want to go to heaven, just like every other Christian, I’m not sure how ready I am. Especially when there’s so much more on earth that I want to do before my time is up. (more…)

Take it all

For Mr. Tracy, by Judi Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

Trust in the Lord. It sounds easy enough. Especially when everything is going good. The road is even. But what about when a crisis comes your way?

My youth minister, Mr. Tracy, was diagnosed with Hodgkinʼs Lymphoma, known as Hodgkinʼs Disease, in June of 2007. Hodgkinʼs Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. A type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell is what marks it.

He began seven months of Chemotherapy then a month of radiation. After the treatment, he received what heʼd been waiting for, the clean bill of health.

This past September, the small family was hit with another crisis. The cancer had returned. With his wife Robin behind him, Mr. Tracy began his one month of radiation for the second time. (more…)