Campus Life articles from January 2005

Campus Life archives from January 2005

Finding hope.(Speak up: your letters and e-mails)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I just read "I Felt Dead Inside" (Nov/Dec) about the girl who was a cutter and found help. I thought the story was great and very helpful. I cut myself, too. A couple of weeks ago, my high school called the crisis center on me. They were...

Staying friends.(Speak up: your letters and e-mails)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I really enjoyed the Nov/Dec Love, Sex & Real Life column called "A Good Breakup?" It was encouraging. My boyfriend broke up with me about two months ago in a note. Like the article said, it wasn't the best way. But the article helped me see...

We can help!(Speak up: your letters and e-mails)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I liked "I've Never Been So Hungry" in the Nov/Dec issue. I understand what Adam experienced because I've participated in the World Vision 40-Hour Famine here in Australia for the past two years. It definitely opened my eyes to the lives of...

Good picks.(Speak up: your letters and e-mails)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I love your magazine. What I most like is your "We Recommend" section where you substitute Christian music for some of the stuff we hear everyday in the mainstream. I've found some really good bands. Thank you!

Burnt muffin. Cool slogan.(Speak up: your letters and e-mails)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... We received over 100 cool T-shirt slogan ideas in our recent What's Your Statement? Contest. For our big winner, we picked: "Jesus is my Muffin Man. Do you know the Muffin Man?" So, what's the story behind this fun Shrek-quoting T-shirt? ...

I hated her class: I didn't know how to change my teacher's bad attitude, so I changed my own.(My Life As A Student)
January 1, 2005... "I still don't get it," my classmate Kevin * complained, shaking his head in frustration. "Why am I not surprised?" Ms. Wilkes said, rolling her eyes. My friend Samantha leaned over and whispered, "Why can't Ms. Wilkes help us instead...

Hiding from God?(Press pause: a quick stop for building your faith)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Think back to a time when you played Hide-and-Seek. You may have been really little, or you may have played just last week with a little brother or sister. Look around you. Where could be the best place to hide? Could you hide from someone...

Donkey talk.(Strange verses: outrageous stories from the Old Testament)
January 1, 2005... As a kid growing up, I was convinced my dog had the power to talk. I figured it was only a matter of time until she and I broke through the human/canine language barrier that has held mankind back for so long. I completely expected to walk...

Note this.(various)('The Case for the Creator' by Lee Strobel)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Read this! The student edition of The Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel. Here's a book with answers to a lot of those confusing science class questions! It's cool to see that Christmas aren't stupid to believe that God made the world and...

Daniel Jones: stepping for Jesus.(Upclose)(member of religious step dancing group)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Several guys stand clustered in an activity room at Chicago's Salem Baptist Church, wearing matching basketball gear. Then they move into a formation, and for a moment, the room is still. Then, a shout: It is the most infamous, well-known,...

New beginnings.(Reflections)(Poem)
January 1, 2005... New Beginnings The notebook page, squeezed into a tight, crinkled ball. rests on the left-hand corner of my desk, just like last week's, last month's, last year's regrets, mistakes, lost opportunities and...

I hid my pain.(My story: how Christ changed my life)(Column)
January 1, 2005... I chucked a stack of old CD cases across my room. They can't do this! I thought, grabbing a pillow and hurling it against the wall. They're Christians. Christians don't get divorced. It was May of my eighth-grade year, and my parents had...

Crime-in-a-can.(Brain Snax)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... It's your friend's birthday. When she enters the room, you surprise her by spraying her with Silly String. And then, you hear police sirens. Uh oh, they're coming for you! OK, it's not that far-fetched, but Hollywood residents and business...

Spy parents.(Brain Snax)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... You're out with friends and lose track of time. Everyone digs through pockets and purses for cell phones to call home. Everyone, except you. Your cell phone has already let your parents know exactly where you are. You see, it has a tracking...

Pump up the tulips!(Brain Snax)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Sure, you can look at flowers. And you can smell flowers. Touching and eating plants is normal, too. But, one innovative company is claiming you can now "experience plants and flowers with all five senses!" That's right, flower petals and...

Make it a blockbuster ... week?(Brain Snax)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... It's Friday night--time to chill out with friends, chow on some popcorn and watch... a few dozen movies?. That's what three Singapore contest finalists did. Sprawled across couches in one of the city's shopping malls, contestants watched 36...

Fast fowl.(Brain Snax)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Why did the chicken cross the road? No wait. The real question is: Why did the chickens cross the road? That's right, multiple chickens. It's not just a joke anymore but what British authorities must have been trying to figure out when 1,000...

Stressed about worship.(What's With My Faith?)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I love the Lord, but when it comes to worshiping by singing in public and raising my hands, I get so nervous. I do want to praise God, but I just feel like everyone is staring. How can I get over that? a: First of all, you can definitely...

Is dad in heaven?(What's With My Faith?)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I lost my dad when I was 5. I still wrestle with thoughts of whether he'll be in heaven. I don't know if he was a Christian. I'm afraid to ask my Mom. I really want to see him in heaven and I think about it a lot. Any advice? q: I am...

Too divided?(What's With My Faith?)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: Why are there so many different Christian denominations? And how do I know which ones teach the right things? I'm kind of confused. a: This may sound strange, but I appreciate different denominations--even if I don't always agree with...

Christy and Ryan: building hope in Zambia.(Upclose)(World Vision)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Christy sat in a circle, surrounded by children. She sang songs about Jesus and told them stories. But this wasn't your ordinary babysitting job or Vacation Bible School. These kids live in Zambia, a country in southern Africa. Many of...

My best friend needed God.(Friend 2 friend: how I shared my faith)(Column)
January 1, 2005... I punched Rick. He punched me. We ended up in detention together. As we walked out of detention, we got to talking about how stupid our fight had been. Before we knew it, we were best friends. After that, we only fought for fun, like when we...

What's wrong with poker?(What's With My Life?)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I play poker with my friends once a week. I really enjoy the game, just like I enjoy soccer, basketball or football. I'm not addicted to gambling. It's just a game I love and I'm good at. Sometimes we bet money and sometimes we don't. But my...

I hate my acne.(What's With My Life?)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I have acne that has gotten worse the last couple of years. I only know a few people in my grade who have acne as bad as I do, but they don't get ridiculed like I do. I want to do something about it but I know it's normal for teens. Also, my...

My parents don't trust me.(What's With My Life?)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I have a bad past. I've snuck out a few times and been involved in other things. Lately I've gotten myself under control but still, understandably, my parents don't trust me. I've dug myself too far into a hole. I don't know what to do. Any...

I was abused.(What's With My Life?)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: When I was young, my alcoholic mother and her boyfriends emotionally and physically abused me. My dad and my stepmom got custody of me when I was 6. They know there were problems but I've never told them details. Now, I am experiencing lots...

Another boring talk? Hot rooms and long talks that never end.(My Life In Youth Group)(Column)
January 1, 2005... I sat near the middle of the room as the worship band hit a guitar chord and asked us to stand. Eventually, I got up, stuck my hands in my pockets and stared blankly toward the front of the room. Of course, when worship ended, I'd have to sit...

Zed.(Comic)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... ARE YOU PLAYING BONGOS FOR THE YOUTH GROUP'S WORSHIP TIME, ZED? YEP. THAT'S GREAT! I LOVED YOUR TWENTY-MINUTE SOLO DURING "GOD OF WONDERS" LAST WEEK! OOOH, DON'T SAY THAT! WHY NOT? BECAUSE I REALLY STRUGGLE WITH PRIDE!...

CSI: worth an investigation?(TV, music & more: Mark Matlock answers your questions)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: There are now three different Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) shows on CBS. They seem interesting but revolve around horrible, grisly crimes. What do you think about watching these shows? a: Years ago a show called Quincy introduced...

Relying too much on Christian music?(TV, music & more: Mark Matlock answers your questions)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: My youth pastor believes I rely too much on Christian music to think and learn about God. I do listen a lot and use it to not only praise, but to think through my faith. He says I'm expecting too much from these bands. What do you think? ...

Pleasing to God?(TV, music & more: Mark Matlock answers your questions)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I found some Christian harcore bands I love like Mortal Treason, Living Sacrifice and Staple. I've checked them out and they seem to really live for God. But I wonder: Is it OK to listen to any kind of metal? I mean, does God enjoy listening...

Entertaining faith: mainstream music, movies and TV can give us a chance to talk about God with our non-Christian friends. How? Read on.(dialogue)
January 1, 2005... spiderman If you and your friends are watching this superhero epic on DVD, here are some things to talk about: * Point out scenes that seem to reference Jesus' story, like when Spidey sacrifices himself--arms outstretched and with...

Goat boy goes to high school: Matthew Thiessen: lead singer, relient k.(Music)
January 1, 2005... Relient K's Matthew Thiessen often sings about high school stuff like Sadie Hawkins dances, field trips and things like chemistry. But ever wonder what Matthew was like as a high school student in Ohio? Mmhmm. We wondered too, so we asked him....

Mission to rock: everlife.(Music)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... starting out: Amber, Sarah and Julia Ross started out in music five years ago when the youngest sister, Julia, announced they should start a band. That early effort didn't sound much like their current rock band, Everlife. "It was just the...

The making of a Jesus freak: tobyMac.(Music)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... not into church: As a kid, tobyMac (Toby Mckeehan) went to church because his mom dragged him there. He didn't pay attention and he really didn't care about going. In fact, he would often ditch Sunday school by hanging out behind the church....

Christian alternatives.(we recommend)(Illustration)
January 1, 2005... we recommend Christian alternatives ARTIST/ALBUM COMPARE TO NOTE THIS GRUNGE POP Building 429 Lifehouse, catchy grunge pop/rock Space In The Calling, ...

In the land of make believers: Hollywood has a lot to say about what it means to be Christian. Is any of it true?(Bobby Hill)
January 1, 2005... Bobby Hill isn't so sure about his dad's idea for him to go to youth group. Sitting in the church parking lot--wearing his suit and holding a Bible--he worries about what the Christian students will be like. He's sure they'll all be "boring and...

Not good enough? Singer Bethany Dillon is learning to trust in a God who is bigger than all of her bad days.(Christianity)(Cover Story)(Column)
January 1, 2005... The bell rings and the halls flood with students darting from class to class. Friends goof around and couples talk. But for Bethany Dillon, the time between classes wasn't always fun. Bethany, 16, says attending high school as a freshman made...

Gotcha: when pranks go bad.(Fiction)(Short Story)
January 1, 2005... Should I fill his locker with manure, or just let the air out of the tires on his new car? That was my dilemma. I needed some advice. Too bad Peter was the guy I wanted to pull this prank on, because he always gave good advice. Should I try out...

Exclusive: my relationship with Paul had taken over my life.(Christianity )(Column)
January 1, 2005... i lay on my bed, letting warm, wet tears fall as I picked up the phone and dialed * Paul's number. As he answered with his usual, upbeat "hello," I thought about how close we'd become after three years of dating. We were best friends. And...

God is not my coach.(Christianity)(Column)
January 1, 2005... I've often heard Christian coaches and athletes use the phrase, "God is a lot like a coach." I cringe every time I hear it because it reminds me of my high school basketball coach. For six months of the year, two-and-a-half hours a day, he...

I was sexually abused. Ray was a respected member of my church, but I should have told someone he made me feel uncomfortable.(includes related article "Warning signs")(Column)
January 1, 2005... I smoothed my skirt, checked my makeup in the mirror, grabbed my purse and breezed out of my bedroom. It was my first day at a new job, and I didn't want to be late. I'd be working in a used bookstore with Ray, a man I'd known from church most...

Do others know I care?(Campus Life Quiz)
January 1, 2005... You're needed! Others need your gifts, your talents, your laughter, your kindness and your listening ear. But sometimes it's easy to forget all that because we spend a little too much looking inward. Think about it. How often do you look...

Is there something wrong with me?(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: Sometimes I wonder why girls don't like me. I'm kind of awkward looking. I feel ugly. The only girlfriend I had said she went out with me because she felt sorry for me! I don't really know what to do, How can I find someone who really likes...

Do we need time apart?(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: My girlfriend and I are pretty serious about each other. I'm a year older, so I'll graduate before she does. I've been thinking about going to community college for a year, and then we can go to the same college together. If everything goes...

Uncomfortable with touch.(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: My boyfriend is a really "touchy" person--he likes holding hands and hugging a lot. I'm not really that way, and sometimes it makes me feel guilty. He's my first boyfriend, and I'm just not used to all that stuff. Everyone says it's fine,...

Should I ask her out again?(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I broke up with my girlfriend a few months ago, but I think I'm starting to like her again. I've been praying about whether or not I should ask her out, but I'm not sure I should. I don't think it's fair to ask her out again if we'll only...

OK for us to date?(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: There's a girl at youth group I kind of like. When I met her, she smoked, drank and used drugs. I've struggled with those things, too. Over the last few months, she's stopped using drugs and alcohol and really seems to want to know God...

Are we going too far?(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I've been dating the same person for about two years. We're both Christians. When we first started dating, our physical relationship went way too fast for me. But now we've found a boundary we can both live with. We go way beyond kissing,...

When do we talk about sex?(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: I'm committed to saving myself for marriage. My question: When is it appropriate to tell this to someone you're dating? I know it's important to be clear about your standards and values, but it just seems weird to blurt out on your first or...

He made me feel awkward.(Love, Sex & Real Life)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2005... q: A couple of weeks ago, a guy in one of my classes e-mailed me and told me he had a crush on me. He's not a Christian, or even my type, and I wasn't interested in even being friends, so I told him I wasn't looking. But I didn't tell him how...

Prayers about friends.(Amen)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Dear God, I know some of my friends aren't great for me. They sometimes bring me down a little. Some of them claim to know you, yet their lives don't show it much. Others don't want to have anything to do with you. Help me live in a way that...