“Be holy, because I am holy.“ – Leviticus 11:45 There exists in the Roman Catholic Church a strict order of monks known to most as the Trappists. Trappists surrender all personal possessions for a life of tight dietary regulations, complete obedience to superiors, round-the-clock prayer, and a minimum daily requirement… Read More »The Holy Teenage Life: Real Faith, Real Happiness
Habitual sins (which I often refer to as “pet” sins) are a problem for everyone, from the serial killer sitting in prison to the most pious Christian in your church. Did you think you were alone in this struggle? Be assured, you’re in good company. Habitual sins are those you… Read More »Your Deepest Desires: The Truth About Habitual Sin
In an age where things that used to make people gasp and blush are now commonplace in literature—especially, young adult literature—it’s great to see a thriving “clean” YA fiction market. This means enough readers still demand virtue and integrity in their media. And if you’re a Christian, you might be… Read More »The Problem With Clean YA Fiction For Christian Teens
When I first wrote book three of my short story series Seasons of Kane (check out my short story library), I wasn’t just new to writing fiction. I was new to the entire industry of teen literature, and as such my goals as an author were still very, well, nebulous. Write entertaining… Read More »Christian Dating: There Must Be More to It Than This!
In a previous post, I talked about fighting habitual sin and why persistence matters. Everyone has habitual sins we struggle to let go of. You know which ones they are for you. But some sins creep into your life with almost no notice, like the Virginia Creeper in my garden.… Read More »Look Truth in the Eye: Self-Examination for Christian Teens
Popular culture wants you to think purity is outdated and irrelevant—an oppressive relic spilled over from the Elizabethan Era. “Forget purity. Follow your heart, be true to yourself, do what makes you feel like you.” The typical Christian response, however, would seem to support this tainted view of purity. Wearing… Read More »The Right Reason for Purity: It’s Not What You Think
Picture yourself walking into the YA section of your local library. You pluck a book from a shelf at random and flip it over to read the back cover summary. It sounds intriguing. You want to read this book, but you hesitate. Why? Are you worried that, while diving into… Read More »Is Book Banning the Answer? What Christian Teens Should Know
Who decided all-over body hair is acceptable for men while women must have perfectly smooth, hairless legs? Why are slim thighs and large breasts considered ideal? Where did we get the idea that blonde hair needs to be blonder, black skin should be lighter, and light skin should be tanned?… Read More »Proverbs 31: How to Rise Above the Seduction of Unattainable Beauty