Teens Making A Difference

By Chuck

Often we hear that teens don't "get it." They are wrapped up in texting, Facebook/My Space or too into themselves to really care. This past weekend I worked a conference downtown called "Acquire the Fire." This is a teen event to promote Christian growth and development among other things. Many vendors were there and I of course was there helping at the Compassion booth for child sponsorships.

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What Kind of Friend Are You?

By MAD21

We all love a good quiz. Not only are they fun (well, some of them are), they help to teach us about what kind of person we are, and maybe give us ways to help us become a better person.

It's important, however, to keep a good perspective. The quizes are only meant for fun. Even though the questions and results of the quiz can make you think about who you are, there is no scientific proof that any of the information is true. You might take the same quiz the next day and get entirely different answers.

So with that said, here is our first quiz. Have you ever wondered,"What Kind of Friend You Are?" Take this fun little quiz and find out. When you're done taking the quiz. Come back here and post what your results were.

One Last Breath

A Story By LD, Age 13

As the last life-boat is being lowered, I know I'm not going to make it to the boat in time with my 2-month-old son. I have been parted from my husband of 10 months, in the crowd of frantic people scared to die. But I'm trusting God with my life as well as my family. I want to think the brightest that the love of my life will live and we can be together until our real time comes to leave this world, and I am not afraid to do so.

As I run to the tilting rail where the life-boat is just feet from hitting the water, I know I do not have much time. I begin to cry as I tuck $200, my gold wedding rings, and my will into his blanket that I pray is keeping him warm. I ask the women in the last boat to catch my baby as I painfully give him up to save his life. I remember a photograph of me and his father that I always kept in my pocket, and I quickly write on the back: I will love you forever, remember me by my love and your father by looking in your eyes, Mum. I tuck that in his blanket along with the other items, kiss him for what seems like the last time and finally give him up for his sake.

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Where Are You Running?

By MAD21

A recent story posted on Sloppynoodle entitled "If you are Real" by Suzanne Eller is one of the most beautifully written descriptions of a woman's journey through life I think I have ever read.

I think too many adults write-off the struggles that some teens go through as if they weren't real. Like, "Wait until they are adults in the real world, then they will know what struggles are." Adults tend to forget what life was like when they were young, and how it felt to be helpless, hurting and alone. While some teens struggle with normal everyday life stuff like friendships and grades, others have struggles that run deep into their souls.

I encourage you to be that person who reaches out to someone who looks like they need  a friend. Someone to not only tell them that there is a better way, but show them as well.

Read the story for yourself. I hope it changes your life.

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Why The Walls Are There?

By TB, Age 13

This special note is to parents. I once read a book called The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. He was a man struck with a terrible cancer, and was due to die in six months. In the time that followed, he put together a lecture explaining his life.

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