Lynn, a mom to a teen, read my book “Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know“. In it a teen shares that if she could tell her mom anything, she would tell her about all the times she struggled with a guy who was physically abusing her and was making her feel like her life didn’t count.

I shared with parents how important it was to listen — all the way to the end. Without lectures, or “in my day” stories, and without freaking out, and gave practical helps to reconnect with their teen and to really hear what they were saying.

A mom named Lynn read that story and that chapter and had a great talk with her teen son–one she didn’t expect and one that was amazing to her. This is what she had to say: (more…)

Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway?
By T. Suzanne Eller
Kregel, 2007, 162 pp., $11.99, www.kregel.com

From YouthWorker Journal, Review by Adam Griffin

What youth worker has not been frustrated by students whose faith waxes or wanes based on whether or not they can feel God right now? Who hasn’t dealt with kids who live by “borrowed convictions”? Whether they got them from their parents or their youth pastor, kids tend to grasp belief systems that they have been “raised in” without taking faith seriously and making it personal. Through six short, surprisingly deep and probing sections and their coordinating five daily devotions, Making It Real attempts to lead its teenage audience to a personal and living faith.

Completing 30 daily devotions may be an unrealistic expectation for many students, but then again, the goal of Christ-likeness requires a serious effort. Suzanne Eller consistently refuses to water down that commitment. Using a variety of scripture and thought provoking questions, she offers teens much more than another philosophy. She presents a faith worth living for.

 

Excerpted from Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life

 

Have you ever noticed that people tend to put a higher value on objects owned or worn by a famous person? Worn-out guitars used by rock stars or desks used by past presidents are auctioned for thousands, even millions, of dollars. We often make the same judgements about people, but God doesn’t do this. In the eyes of God, we are all valuable. ~ David R., Age 18

The Cross by Lawrana M., 14

(Excerpted from Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life)

The cross that hangs from my neck
is a symbol of who I am

What I hold close to my heart
some people will never understand

He died for them, too,
not just for me

If they knew someone died
on Calvary

Would they wear this cross
like me?

Or is this a secret that everyone knows
and chooses not to believe

Not comprehending it comes with love
and forgiveness for eternity

Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life by T. Suzanne Eller is #1 on Amazon Book’s Bestsellers List for Drug & Alcohol Abuse: Teens.

If you have a friend who is struggling with addiction and who wonders if God cares, please order this book and send it to them. If you want Suzie to autograph it for them and to send it personally, e-mail RTF for the details ($12 cost of book and $3.00 shipping/packaging/media mail.)

 

I’m so excited! The other night I woke up with a great idea. I wish I could share it with you. I will. I promise, just not yet.

But I will say that a new teen fiction series is in the works. The twist? It will involve real teens. Maybe even you.

Intrigued? Stay in touch. . .

I’ve been looking at your website, and I really like the article, “Living on Borrowed Convictions”. I teach middle school students at a Christian Montessori school. My students don’t have much faith to speak of. I want to be able to “teach religion” in such a way to encourage them to ask “big questions”: Who am I? Who is God?, etc. without teaching dogmatically.

Do you have any suggestions? We are interdenominational. I think we need to start with Relationship with God before the Rules. We also have to be able to encourage searching for answers without compromising the Truth. Any thoughts you have would be welcome! (It’s okay to share this question on the web.) Thank you! (more…)

I just finished reading your book, “The Woman I Am Becoming”. It’s weird how things work out. I was actually at an airport and I thought I would pass time by browsing through one of the stores. I found your book on the inspirational stand and for some reason I thought “I need to read this book”. And I’m glad that I did.

I’m a second year in college away from home. I’ve been struggling to find a bible study group, as the one on campus is small and unsteady. This also effects finding a community. All my close brothers and sisters are back home and due to time difference it’s hard to communicate. Lastly, I just want to say that Chapters 8 thru 10 were great reminders and it gave me a new perspective on giving and makes me question how I spend my money. I just wanted to say thank you for writing such inspirational books.

God bless.

Kristen (more…)