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Hope Generation

If you're 13-18 years old, Hope Generation is for you--with challenging views on alcohol, careers, depression, drugs, environment, faith, freedom, friends, media, music, parents, peers, school, sex, sports, suicide and more.

Dating That Hurts - You finally land a date with the hottest guy in school. You go shopping for new jeans and those great looking canvas mesh shoes with the straps.

Scars or Stars? - I remember the day a 13-year-old boy with a broken leg was wheeled into the hospital emergency room where I worked.

Runaway People - Have you ever run away from home? When you were 5 or 6 years-old perhaps you were mad at your mom for making you clean your room, or maybe you were upset because of something your dad said.

Kenny's Story - I can’t imagine our school without Kenny. His smile brightens everyone’s day. That’s why I was shocked when I heard we’d almost lost him. Last week he told me his story and the events that led up to that nearly fatal night:

The Waiting Game - People don’t like to wait. If you don’t believe it, just try sitting at a traffic light for three seconds after the light has turned green. You could start a war!

Modesty and the Bible - Tired of listening to your parents harp on you about immodest dress? Guess what? The Bible has something to say about it, too, and it’s not just about your clothes! The same Greek word kosmios, is used to talk about dress...

Smoking In the Family - My dad has been smoking for a long time. It really worries me. I'm afraid he might get cancer or something.

Leaving The Nest - It was the day before my first college semester started. Steve, a high school buddy, and I moved into our new room that day. Except for things like camp, it was the first time either of us lived away from home.

Childhood Games - We’ve all played the game. As children it was the most exhilarating game EVER! Simple yet highly methodical and stressful. Someone would be picked to count until 100, which as a small child seemed like forever.

Walking by Faith - Years ago I traveled to New Mexico with a youth group for a mission project. Our destination was a desolate mission on a Navajo Reservation in the high desert.

Stories, We All Got 'Em - We all go through times of disbelief, times of feeling down in the dumps, disconnected from the world and worst of all, from God. We feel as if our gusto has been depleted. We don’t believe like we used to.

Beans and Custard - For the longest time, I refused to turn my life over to God. Not because I didn’t want to be a Christian or do the right things, but because I was afraid to give Him absolutely everything.

Kiss of Death - Christina Desforges will never see her 16th birthday, and her family no doubt grieves her loss. But here’s the strange part; she was killed by a peanut!

Carry a Cross? - Q: Someone in church read a verse where Jesus says that we need to “carry a cross.” Is it true that we need to suffer if we want to follow Jesus?

Climb Every Mountain - The Tour de France is one of my very favorite sporting events. The bicyclists that pedal through the nearly three week race are some of the most super-human athletes in the whole world.

That Really Stinks! - My neighbor recently told me she is going to quit smoking…again. This is the third time (or is it the fourth?) since we’ve lived next door to each other that she’s quit. Starting to quit isn’t the problem, it’s STAYING quit...

All-American Sport - It is the only team sport played in the United States without European roots. It is also America’s first and oldest team sport, born and developed in the New World.

In the Rough - Whenever I look out over the rolling green as observed from the tee box of the first hole, the golf course seems to beckon my ball down the middle of the fairway. The sand traps seem to greet me like strangers I’ve never met.

Log in Your Eye - Who is the greatest sinner you can think of? If you’re like me, names like Stalin, Hitler, or Saddam Hussein come to mind. Responsible for the torture and death of thousands, who could fall further into wickedness.

Surfing with God 24/7 - I love God with all my heart. So I just don’t understand why I’m not living the lifestyle that a Christian should live. It seems as though I live my Christian life for maybe a day or two, and then I go right back to saying...

Sitting by Maynard - I am so grateful that my growing years included going to church every single week. My mother was very dedicated to taking us four kids regularly so that we would grow up with a strong sense of priority for meeting with God and his people.

Married at 16? - Can you get married with parental consent if you’re 16?

Love Likewise - Maxwell Maltz tells the story of a man who’d been severely injured while attempting to rescue his parents from a fire. His heroic efforts proved to be in vain, though. His mom and dad died in the burning house.

To Change the World - I was at work, sipping something hot, trying to wake up, checking emails, printing out calendars, when I decided to take a few moments to read an excerpt from my devotional book by Eugene Peterson.

Tithe - a Big Deal? - Do I have to give tithe and offerings? As a college student I only get like $8 an hour. Besides, I’m saving for a mission trip!

Dating Rules - I didn’t even know them that first day they came to my office for an appointment—but they immediately gained my respect. Sam and Karen,* two young college students, were concerned because their dating relationship was going...

Who Is Jesus? - Can you prove that He is God's son? This is far more than a passing question. On it hinges your life's purpose, its direction, its destiny.

Wearing His Faith - Nate Bozarth wears his faith in his sleeve. And on his back. And across his chest. With his collection of 10 T-shirts with Christian messages on them, 15-year-old Nate could wear a different T-shirt to school every day.

Fearless Faith - So what’s your phobia? According to a report I once read, our greatest fear is speaking in public. Our second biggest fear? Death. This strikes me as odd. I think about this when I’m preaching at a funeral.

Long-Tailed Weasel - I’ll never forget the day my Chihuahua dog, Mindy, encountered the Long-Tailed Weasel. We were strolling around the chicken coop when suddenly the weasel appeared at the doorway.

Got Word? - When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, getting enough milk into America's youth became a high priority.

Football Folly - I wanted a football uniform more than anything I had ever wanted before. At the age of ten it was all I could think about.

Sticks and Stones - When Emily came to school this morning she was greeted with a barrage of derogatory names. Why? The night before she had gone to a party with a boy one of the name-callers had a crush on.

Gang Chains - Joining a gang seems tempting, especially if you think you do not fit in. Has your family fallen apart? A gang may seem a substitute.

Attitudes and Success - On a recent trip to our local shopping mall my attention was arrested by the myriad of pithy sayings boldly displayed on T-shirts proclaiming adolescent attitudes and values. Some were funny; others were really pathetic.

The Skater - “Hey!” I shouted as I was shoved into the front door of my new school. "Next time, get out of the way!" growled a guy wearing skater pants and a baggy red shirt. Spying the tattoos that peeked out from under his shirtsleeves...

A Study in Love - For those young people who thought they knew everything about love, now there’s a college course about it. The Univeristy of Sioux Falls, S.D. is now offering a class entitled “Finding Dates Worth Keeping.”

Fear - I used to hear my grandmother quote this, "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our past history."

A Picture of You - They were sitting in a circle around my living room, the teenagers I’d come to love. We’d been meeting at my house every Wednesday night to study the Bible, share and pray.

A Gift for You - I couldn’t believe she’d tried to kill herself on Christmas Eve. “Why?” I asked myself on the way to the ER. “Why at Christmas?”

Does Hell Exist? - Does Hell Exist? The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us about hell.

Go All Out - “What’s Goin’ On?” a song released a short time after 9/11, featuring some of the most sought-after artists in secular music, including Bono, Alicia Keys, Diddy, Justin Timberlake, and several others, asked a simple question:

Heavenly Payback - I relish the rich and varied scents of nature – fresh cut flowers, blossoms in the spring, pine trees in the mountains and salt air at the coast. But there’s one smell in nature that sickens me.

True Blue - When I was about 14 years-old, my best friend Doug was my "soul mate." We did everything together!

Big Nose - Her nose and lips were swollen up like a balloon. She just lay there breathing heavily. My heart was pounding furiously as I settled her into the car and then raced to the closest hospital.

Jesus, in Love? - I know that the Bible says Jesus was tempted with everything we’re tempted with. So did Jesus ever fall in love? Did He ever find a woman He wanted to marry?

Fastest Teen On Wheels - At twelve, John Michael Edwards became the youngest person to get a racing license. Two months before his thirteenth birthday, he became the youngest driver to win a Daytona race.

Love Is... - Although it’s known as the “Love Chapter” and often read at weddings, did you know that I Corinthians 13 can help you and your classmates get along better and have a great school year? Here’s how:

Included - There were jocks, nerds, geeks, stoners, and bookworms. I could probably fill a page with the names we called various kids when I went to school—and that was 25 years ago!

It's NOT Maybelline - We’re in the supermarket. We’re making our way down the aisle to put our things on the moving belt that effortlessly inches our groceries up to the cashier. All of a sudden our eyes catch a glimpse of those magazines.

Guarding the Crumbs - Molly is a rather self-serving type of dog. We love her dearly, but she is selfish nonetheless. Especially with food.

Beyond Just Depressed - Everyone feels down in the dumps at times. Flunk an important final? Your girlfriend or boyfriend dump you? Your team lost the big game? Have a family member seriously ill? If you are normal, you feel bad.

Set Apart - What makes you feel confident about yourself? Is it your friends – your clothing – your popularity?

Left Behind - "Who’s going to be left behind when Jesus comes?" The wording of this question makes me wonder if you've seen the "Left Behind" movie or read the "Left Behind" book series.

Two are Better - Growing up is hard enough without experiencing loss. Yet it happens: the death of a family member or friend, the separation or divorce of parents, the breakup of a dating relationship or the end of a close friendship.

Father Knows Best - “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” Mark Twain

Grace Not Deserved - I glanced into my rearview mirror and pulled slowly to the side of the road. The officer was polite as he took my insurance card, driver’s license and registration and walked back to his vehicle.

Getting Started - You’re never too young to start working. Maybe today is a good time to think about getting a job. Don’t be too proud to start humble and rake leaves, do childcare or deliver newspapers.

Is It Real? - “Is that real?” This question comes often from young children who are learning to sort out the differences between “real” and “fake.” We hear plenty these days about “reality.”

I Look Awful! - I look awful. Nothing I wear looks right. Im so fat! Theres no way Im going swimming this summereveryone will laugh at me! If I only had Khakiras body What should I do?

Heavenly Boredem - Does God really want us to go to heaven and be with Him forever? Won’t He get bored or tired of us?

I Think I Can - I think I can, I think I can. My grandfather was born in 1915. Trains were the main mode of transportation. They were big, black iron beasts that had to be fed with coal.

Letting Go - Hanging on to something that once helped you isn’t always the best idea. In fact, it can be downright discouraging and unproductive. My case in point? Water-skiing.

I Hate School! - I hate school!! As long as I can remember these three words always came out of my mouth.

In Voluntary Joy - One of my most vivid memories of Pathfinders is belting out the song, “…volunteers, volunteers, voooooooool—unnnnnnn—teeeeeers!” However, it wasn’t until I had grown up a bit that I experienced the significance of that song.

Honesty is Best - Kailee came bouncing up to Janna after class and glibly asked, “What do you think of my new outfit?” It was the worst combination Janna had ever seen Kailee wear. The colors weren’t right...

Skywriting - Discerning God’s will for my life has confused me since I was a teenager. I committed my life to Christ during those years, but whenever someone would talk about God’s will I was always baffled.

Never an Excuse - Young love is so sweet. There’s a sense of freshness, newness and excitement. Love letters, phone calls, flirting glances, first dates and first kisses. But a not-so-romantic trend is on the rise in teen relationships.

Counterfeit Cuddles - Today, I saw something that freaked me out. Really. I was in a gift shop looking for a wedding gift when I turned a corner and caught a glimpse of a puppy all curled up and sleeping on a pillow.

The Buried Violin - As a missionary kid in Bangkok, I took violin lessons for several years. Unfortunately, none of those sweaty Friday afternoons with Briquette Barrois took hold. I am not now, and I never have been, a very good violinist.

Cats In Heaven? - My cat died recently, and I want to know if she’ll be in heaven. I’ve heard "No, she won’t be there," and I’ve heard "Yes, she will be there." I’m confused. Do you know the answer?

Foxhole Conversion - There’s a saying that states, “there are no atheists in foxholes.” Foxholes are dug on the battlefield by soldiers where they can hide protected while bullets whiz over their heads.

The Flying Bicycle - The day was gorgeous. A blue sky with a glowing orange sun shown down brightly on the mesh of pine needles and dirt that were rushing up to greet me and my BMX bicycle.

Almost Cancelled - “I’m sorry,” I said as I broke eye contact. “I can’t marry you tomorrow. The wedding is off!” Sobbing, I ran up the stairs and headed for my bedroom.

King's X - Club drugs, drugs you take at raves or parties, are the rage among teens today. The most popular club drug is Ecstasy, also called MDMA, “X,” or Adam.

Disagree Agreeably - It began with a disagreement over some petty little thing. It was probably something silly. My friend and I were both 13, and we didn't see eye to eye on a particular topic. We could have left it alone, but we didn't.

A Thankful Heart - “Ok, it’s time for prayer requests.” This is how I begin Friday Bible class when I sub at our Christian High School. It’s a Friday tradition that students look forward to.

I Feel Left Out - Male-female relationships inevitably affect almost all other relationships. I’m not sure there’s any way around that issue.

Make the Grade - It was a proud day when I sent out my graduation announcements. After all, it’s hard to work full time and take a steady menu of online classes toward a bachelor’s degree.

Twinkle, Twinkle - I remember I was a freshman in college. It was my first semester away from home. And I was on a plane flying from Atlanta into the beautiful city of Miami, Fla., for mid-term break. My heart started racing as the pilot. . .

Sexual Drive - I’m a healthy, virile, 18-year-old male. Since we’re not supposed to have sex, what are we supposed to do with our sexual drives and urges?

Starving for Perfection - I am your average 17 year old; healthwise, at least. I get plenty of exercise, and I get subconscious workouts by going dancing and mall-trolling with my friends.

Why Go To Church? - Some people think the Bible tells us to go to church. Actually, I don't think there's a single Bible verse that specifically tells us that.

On a Binge - Binge drinking is in. Today, to show everyone you have arrived, you show how much you can drink at a party. Not a beer or two, either. A whole six-pack, for starters.

All We Need Is Love - We grow up hearing that love is a beautiful thing. You don’t have to look far to see love or people in love. Love is practically all around us! Among our friends, at work, at school, in the park, in a restaurant, on TV…love is everywhere.

Choosing Love - I dreaded going to my first class of the day, and it wasn’t just the 7:30 bell that made me cringe. My teacher, Mr. M., was the worst teacher I’d ever had.

Suicide Solution? - “I’ve seen death once, not long ago, and near my home. Not a tiny bird or cat, but a boy my age and all alone”

Happy New Year - A new year. A fresh start. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Especially if you’d just as soon forget about the mistakes you made this past year.

Protective of Me - I’m a 15-year-old girl, and I’d like you to explain: Why are my parents more protective of me than my brother, who’s very irresponsible?

A Need for Speed? - Some people start wrestling with the speed demon from the day they get a drivers’ license. The weather is good. So is your car. You are in the country – nothing is in sight, on the road or off.

When I Grow Up... - “What do you want to be when you grow up?” From the time we’re children, we’re asked that question at every turn.

You'll Never Guess... - Why is there such pleasure in having a good, juicy bit of gossip to share? Have you noticed how it just sort of bubbles out of you?

'Tis the Season - It was the Christmas I’ll never forget. Instead of the usual celebrating, my days were spent in doctor appointments, tests, and surgery. I knew what I might be facing. Would this be my last Christmas?

Accurate Bible? - Why doesn’t somebody translate a more accurate Bible—one that’s more than one person’s interpretation of the original Hebrew and Greek texts?

Punked - It was just a joke, but I never thought it was that funny. I went to a boarding school and lived in a dormitory when I was a teen.

Charlie's Medicine - It’s two in the morning and cold outside and raining. The vet says the only hope of saving Charlie’s eyesight is to apply an antibiotic salve every two hours for the next coupled of days, so I drag out of bed; pull on my pants ...

Dad Won't Let Me Date - How can I talk Dad into letting me date? Pastor Edmond Answers: The best way is by demonstrating that you are a responsible person.

Bogus Bills - Emmanuel Ninger’s reputation as a counterfeiter is legendary. Known as “Jim the Penman” (named after a character in a play then running on Broadway), he drew, by hand, $50 and $100 Legal Tender Notes.

Euthanasia - We kill animals to put them out of pain; why is it different for humans?

My Jeremiah Complex - I think it’s taken me forever to arrive at a place in my life where I don’t feel completely lost. High school and college were a safe and predictable place. There were people ready to help me make the next step.

Too Little, Too Late - She was tired of tossing and turning. She’d tried counting sheep and unsuccessfully read some of her most boring scrolls, but nothing could help her fall into a deep restful sleep.

Grey Bird - One late Sunday afternoon while living in Southern California, I finally got around to vacuuming my truck.

Too Strong? - She was in trouble, and she didn’t tell me. She was my best friend, but she didn’t feel she could share her secret with me.

Grey Wolf - We were driving down a back road in cattle ranching country, along way from the last-seen farmhouse, when I spotted an animal skirting a stand of spruce and poplar trees.

OK to Pray? - Is it OK to pray for a person to like you? By all means–yes! In fact, that’s probably the first and best place to start! Note the first five words of your question: "Is it OK to pray?"

I Won't Leave You - You may be surprised to know that this favorite wedding text is not something said between a bride and groom, but was spoken between a mother and her son’s wife.

Dreams to Reality - Are you 17? Do you dream of doing something big? Do some people "hate" on your dreams? You're not alone.

Responsibility - Brandon’s grandparents were planning a drive around the island during their holiday visit, stopping at interesting places along the way.

Living With God - Even though I know God and He’s real in my life, how can I get a one-on-one, really close, personal relationship with Him?

Practice Makes Perfect - My daughter recently declared that she wanted to play an instrument. Since she already reads music from several years of piano lessons it couldn’t be that hard to learn to play something …like the flute, for instance.

Cold Feet - Have you ever failed to keep a promise? In April 2005, 32-year-old Jennifer Wilbanks of Duluth, Georgia, decided she couldn't go through with her elaborate wedding.

Romance Novels - I’m a 16-year-old girl, and I love to read romance novels. Maybe I enjoy reading them so much because I’m not in a relationship of my own.

Unfading Beauty - Going through the checkout at nearly any store today, you will notice a prominent topic on the magazine displays – beauty.

Harley Stranger - Sometimes we fail to see God’s protecting hand because it doesn’t come packaged the way we think it should. The long hot drive across the desert had been exhausting.

May I God, Now? - Enoch and Elijah got to go to heaven without ever dying. Obviously, they were very close to God. Is it possible for anyone—maybe even me—to be that close...

Parent Relations - "How can I get along better with my parents?" We all have problems with our parents sometimes. Even as an adult, you’ll find that parents will never stop being parents.

Military Killing? - I’ve enlisted in the military, and I’m about to go to boot camp. Someday I might end up on the front lines and have to kill somebody. The Ten Commandments say, "Thou shalt not kill."

Jesus Was Tempted - I know that the Bible says Jesus was tempted with everything we’re tempted with. So did Jesus ever fall in love? Did He ever find a woman He wanted to marry?

God Isn't Listening - God’s not feeling me. I pray, but nothing happens. How can I know He cares about me?

Body Art that Kills - I have a secret and it has something to do with tattoos. I’ve always wanted one. I wouldn’t even show it to anyone, but just know that I had one. It would be sort of a joke that only I knew about.

Moments of Worship - I remember once reading an author who gave young women suggestions for cultivating a close walk with the Lord. She mentioned daily Bible study, reading Christian literature, journaling, and other standard disciplines.

Sin or Entertainment? - How do you decide what type of films and TV shows to watch? Is it ever OK to see an R-rated film? What degree of explicit content is wrong to view?

My First Date - I finally got the guts to ask this girl for a date. I’m taking her to a fancy restaurant on Valentine’s Day. The problem is this will be the first time I have gone on a date with a girl!

Why Do Parents Split? - Parents don’t always tell us everything that’s happening between them, in much the same way that we don’t tell them everything that’s happening between us and our boyfriend or girlfriend.

Just Like Jesus - I was visiting my little cousins, Cole, five, and Lorinda, two, at their home in the country. We were investigating their great big backyard while watching their little dog, Cowboy.

Heart's Desire - Are you committing porn? I was asked this question recently. The bluntness jolted me. Although it wasn’t directed to me in particular, the author was specifically addressing Christian young women.

Welcome Hypocrites - Hypocrites are people who say one thing but do another. They are two-faced, two-timing fence straddlers who speak out of both sides of their mouths. They are the kind of people we love to hate.

Ode to Orange - Well, it all started at the Coke machine at my dad's gas station. You see my brothers and I had the somber duty of filling the soda vending machine whenever we worked down at the station.

Is Cussing a Sin? - Cussing is a form of swearing. When people use a cussword, it’s usually to express something negative. Every language has its own cusswords.

What God Wants - How do you know what God Wants you to do? How do you know what God wants you to be when you grow up? At what age would you know?

More Than a Mistake - There was a time when I was not sure my dreams could come true or if I would ever find true happiness. I didn't know if God could forgive me, or if I could even forgive myself.

Saving Edmund - I have a friend who comes to church about a third of the time. He’s a terrific guy; a good citizen; an exemplary parent. But he’s never quite made a commitment to the Christian faith.

When Someone Dies - I told my friend that when a person dies, it’s like they’re asleep until Jesus returns and resurrects them. But she says that when people die, they go to a kingdom and wait there until the Lord comes.

Dirty Dreams - I’ve been a Christian for a few years, and a lot of things have changed for me. For one, I’ve cleaned up my speech.

Enough Time - The alarm clock beeps. You groan, hit the snooze button, and try to hold onto to those few minutes before you jump out of bed, eat breakfast, get ready, and rush out the door.

Hope for Grace - In our world today, full of pain and sorrow, many are looking for a source of hope – a place of security and comfort. The security we depend on slips away as families break apart, and loved ones die in a war overseas.

Another Man's Wife - One morning a pastor was in the pulpit preaching a sermon to his congregation. He noticed a young teenage couple sitting near the front row. The young man had his hand on her knee and his arm around her shoulders.

Plastic Persuasion - Two weeks ago I received an unexpected piece of plastic in the mail. You guessed it – another credit card. The odd thing was, I didn’t apply for it.

Finding Balance - How do I balance homework, friends, God, and family? Oh, the dilemma of time management! Juggling responsibilities can be a challenge.

Faithfully Yours - It was just a lyric from a song, but it stopped me. “Faithfully, I will write…write you a love song with my life.” The song is written by a couple, Eric and Leslie Ludy.

Perfect Submission - A little over a year ago, I bought my wife a Pekingese puppy for Christmas. He was the last one of the litter; actually, his parents were sold before he was.

Friends or Not? - My friends are always pressuring me to do things with them that I know are wrong, like drinking alcohol.

Power to Change - I thought I was the only one who suffered from it. Not until after I had recovered did I realize that I wasn’t alone.

Standing Strong - One Tuesday afternoon, Katie’s mom dropped her and her two friends, Jessica and Danielle, off at the mall after school.

Better Than Convenience - We’re drawn to the things that “make life easier.” Drive-thrus, cell phones, wireless everything, DVRs and TiVos. We microwave anything and everything.

Guilt Trips - Why is it if I do something wrong, my parents have to bring up the Bible, what God wants me to do, and how God wants me to be?

Unexpected Friend - I don’t know why I thought working at summer camp was going to be easy. I knew I had to do something to help pay my school tuition, and working at camp seemed like the simplest thing.

The See-Saw - I’ll bet when you were a kid, you played on a seesaw. You can’t play on one by yourself very easily like you can a Gameboy, iPod or an Xbox.

Bumper Stickers - I don't know if this happens to you, but for those of us who have to commute to work in the mornings, there is one inescapable, unavoidable and at times frustrating phenomenon we have to endure--traffic.

Midnight Mission - As I slowly backed my car into the loading dock, a glance at my watch told me it was midnight.

Where You Belong - When I was sixteen, I spent a several days in a juvenile detention center. I had run away from home twice and my parents were at a loss to know what to do.

Thanks, Professor! - When I worked as a tutor in the Writing Center students would often come for help with their essays.

Crime Doesn't Pay - I recently discovered a news story about an unnamed teen who learned the hard way, that crime doesn’t pay.

Clean Your Closet - I remember as a young boy having a messy room. When I got home from school I would throw my backpack in the middle of the floor and my jacket on the bed.

Worse Than Junk - I once had a friend who was addicted to junk food. When we stopped to get gas, he'd rush in and buy a handful of candy and snacks.

The Spider That Could - Spiders. I’ve always been fascinated with them ever since I can remember.

Persistence Pays Off - A few years ago I became an avid weight lifter. I routinely exercised four or five times a week. For the first couple of years, I didn’t gain much muscle weight.

I'm Sorry - Singer John Denver had a string of hits in the 1970’s that ran the gamut of human emotion, but one that struck a particularly responsive chord in the hearts of many was a song entitled, “I’m Sorry.”

Scalpel of Love - Some time ago a news blurb caught my attention. Police in Florida reported a woman accused of stealing a 1.5-carrat diamond ring, had been forced by nature to give up the evidence.

Justa Taste - When I was in college, I had a girlfriend who thought she was cool, and could attract guys more readily if she drank beer.

A Walking Nightmare - Ambien, a sleeping pill, is the latest fad drug for American high school and college students. At nightclubs for young twenty-somethings, dance halls for teens or at house parties near a college campus or where high school...

In Evil's Presence - You are in class, not really paying attention. It is a beautiful day outside. You are focused on that. The door flies open. Someone is standing there with a gun. He starts shooting. You are in the presence of evil. What do you do.

Class of 2007 - With graduation just around the corner, I blew the dust off my high school annual and looked at pictures of former classmates. We all looked so happy back then, but a lot has happened since our sunny graduation day in June.

Truth about Steroids - Taylor Hooton was a good-looking, popular guy with a promising senior year baseball season ahead of him. Chris Wash was a guard on his high school basketball team, with a good chance of getting a college scholarship.

The Whole Truth - There is a very good reason our courtrooms require those testifying to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Leaving out details is a lie. If I testify that an acquaintance was at my home from...

Addicted 2 Gaming - Don’t think your love for gaming is an addiction? Think again! Researchers at the Charite University Medicine Berlin in Germany have found that people who describe themselves as “excessive” computer gamers showed classic...

That Summer Job - It’s spring. As spring starts sliding into summer young people’s thoughts turn to getting that summer job. A laborer is worthy of his wages, but no job means no wages. You get that first job by showing someone that you are...

Great Grain Robbery - You’ve been robbed! That’s right—without your even knowing it someone has been ripping you off every time you sit down to eat! What am I talking about? Food manufacturers, when they make things like bread and cereal...

Animals, Dumb? - National Geographic reported that a captive orca (killer whale) has learned to lure seagulls to its pool so it can eat them! The way the orca does it is gross but effective: it regurgitates fish onto the surface of the water.

The New Teacher - We received an odd gift that Christmas, a surprise package that arrived the first day of school rather than on Christmas Eve. Our gift was a short, muscular man dressed in dark slacks, loafers, an aloha shirt, and an...

Brain Drain - Have you heard that drugs can kill brain cells? It’s true. And even when drugs don’t kill brain cells, they cause changes in the way the brain functions. These changes don’t disappear when a user stops taking drugs.

Moose - While strolling along a wooded trail in springtime, we happened upon a mother moose and her newborn calf. The still-wet baby lay at her feet attempting to stand. We hushed our voices and walked backward...

Heart of Olympic Gold - In 1994, 15-year-old Joey Cheek watched Johann Koss skate to three Olympic gold medals in speed skating. Cheek was already a nationally known figure in American in-line skating.

Held Above the Waves - Something happened that changed my life forever. I went to Michigan Adventure with my church’s youth group, and I looked forward to a day of fun with friends, riding the rides, and swimming in the water attractions.

HIV 101 - We’ve heard it a million times: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Right now it’s cool to be healthy, and that old saying,“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is one that we should live by.

The Course You Choose - My nieces and nephews are sorting out what they want to do when they "grow up." One has graduated from college, a second graduates this spring. They plan to get “temporary” jobs, just until they find themselves.

Pack Your Bags - This was it. I zipped up my black duffel bag and threw it into the back of my Chevy Blazer. I stood, anticipating the moment when I would start the car and take off on my journey. I looked around.

Problem with Alcohol - According to the American Medical Association, approximately 11 million American youth under the age 21 drink alcohol, with nearly half of those drinking to excess (consuming at least 5 drinks in a row once every 2 weeks).

Helping Find a Cure - “I want to find a cure for MS,” said Christina Van Dam, a senior at Upland High in Upland California. Her goal was to raise $17,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. “They need the money for research,” she said.

God's Protection - This story happened last year, when there was snow on the ground and the roads were slippery. My parents own their own store, and ever since I got my driver’s license, they have sent me on errands.

TOO Much Fun! - It was five o’clock on a Monday morning and well below freezing. I was fifteen and on my way to the high school gym to lift weights and run before school started.

What's in a Name? - The Friday night before Super Bowl 2007, Scott Weise, a die-hard Chicago Bears fan signed a pledge before a large crowd in a Decatur, Illinois bar. If the Bears lost the big game, Weise vowed he would legally change his name...

Mind Over Matter - Braden Blyde reflects on his mother’s kind act. It changed the way he thought and the way he felt.

God's MVP - The National Football League stars that grab headlines today are quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers; but according to Michael Lewis’s latest book, the ones who grab the second-highest paychecks are left tackles.

Dying to Lose Weight - Want to lose weight? You bet. Want to lose weight with ephedra? You bet your life. Ephedra is advertised as an energy booster and a weight-loss aid. A natural product that occurs in plants, its active ingredient is ephedrine.

Desperation - What motivates a young person to go on a shooting spree that results in human carnage and heartache?

Twelve Years Old - They met at the local mall where they both enjoyed frequently hanging out with friends. She told him she was sixteen; he told her he was seventeen.

Smoke Rings - Two new types of cigarettes – kreteks and bidis – are getting teens, especially those in 7th and 8th grade, started with tobacco. These imports from India and Indonesia hit the United States the late ‘90s.

Upside Down Greatness - Richard Daley, the eccentric mayor who served in Chicago for 21 years, had the reputation of being a bulldog boss.

Dead or Alive? - The story is told of an old man in a village who was an authority on just about any subject. His life had been one exciting experience after another. Children loved to seek him out and listen to his fascinating tales.

The Hardbody Look - Teen steroid abuse grew dramatically between 1991 and 2001, at a faster rate than that of any other drug. For teenage girls it tripled. Why? Because steroids seem to promise good looks.

From Mouseketeer to... - We watched her grow up. Some of us may have even grown up with her. The spunky blond singing sensation was just 11-years-old when she wowed us on The All New Mickey Mouse Club TV show in 1981.

A Pinch of Bug Killer - I used to use chewing tobacco, as insecticide. I mixed it with water, and let it steep like sun tea. It works, but was too risky. Makers sweeten chewing tobacco with sugar, so you do not gag on the bitter taste.

Down on the Pharm - Pharming, raiding the family medicine cabinet for drugs that get you high, is growing quickly. Many teens have been experimenting with nonprescription potions.

Why Halloween? - Where did Halloween come from? Do other cultures celebrate a similar tradition? Does it tell us anything meaningful about life after death?

When Will God Come? - When will God come save us? Pastor Steve Answers: God will come save us today...

The Great Race - I had just finished changing to ultra-light racing tires and inflating them to 110 pounds pressure. The only bicycle preparations left were to change the gearing slightly and lubricate the chain with that special Teflon spray.

Predestined or Choice? - There’s a verse in the New Testament that says that we were “predestined” to be children of God. How does free choice fit into that idea?

Self-Control - I am in control of my feelings. I don’t have to yell and shout or be angry when someone crosses me. I can control the situation calmly.

Spider Bites - For the first five hours of the hurricane (Katrina), Ashley Bleidt and her beloved cat, Tom-Tom, hid in the linen closet in her bathroom.

"American Idol" Surprise - Oh man. It was the waiting that was the worst. I knew that at eight p.m., Tuesday night, Ryan Seacrest would introduce me. But I wasn’t going to be judged just for how well I belted out a tune by Fleetwood Mac.

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