I've also been fond of the more worldly magazine Seventeen. After the failure of their faith section, though, I realized just how important and special Brio truly is. My dream used to be to work for Seventeen, but now I'd like to someday pursue a career in Christian journalism.

How would I get involved with Brio or other Christian magazines? Does Brio offer an internship to college students over the summer that I could apply for?

Lauren

Hi, Lauren:
Brio does use interns, but we use students from our Focus on the Family Institute. It's an incredible one-semester program for college students. Each student comes to Colorado Springs and takes exciting classes at our Institute and interns in the afternoon. Students receive college credit for doing so.

We don't use an intern during our summer months, because we're out of the office so much with Brio missions and personal vacation. In fact, two of our former interns are now on the Brio staff! Ashley Mays, our editorial assistant, interned with us in 2006, and Martha Krienke, our associate editor, served as our intern in 2003.

For more information on this program, go to www.focusinstitute.org. For information on other Christian magazines, grab a copy of the 2006 Writer's Market and consider an internship with another magazine.

I want to have a stronger relationship with one of my guy friends I've known for years. I know that if God wants us to be together, He's big enough to bring it to pass, but I'm getting really impatient! This guy seems to like me, but I'm not sure. Got any advice?

Impatient
From our e-mail bag

Dear Impatient:
You're right: God certainly is big enough to orchestrate this friendship into a romantic relationship if it's His will. And I hope you want God's will for your life more than your own way. You're not positive your friend actually likes you as more than a friend. I encourage you not to jeopardize the friendship you have by trying to turn it into something more. Trust God -- yes, I realize that's easier said than done. Tell God exactly what you're feeling. Tell Him you're impatient and ask for His endurance. He is faithful!

Dear Susie:
I'm not very popular in school. I fight with my parents, and I feel as though my life is totally worthless. You'll probably tell me to pray or read the Bible, but how can I get rid of the constant tears and hopelessness? I want to have a positive self-esteem and feel good about myself!

Hopeless
From our e-mail bag

Dear Hopeless:
Yes, I do want you to pray and read the Bible. Know why? Because a big part of healthy self-esteem comes from a strong, growing, intimate relationship with your heavenly Father. Popularity is fleeting. Arguments come and go. But a strong relationship with God is something concrete. It's something you can depend on.

Take a peek at Psalm 139 -- the entire chapter. Read it. When you've finished, read it again. Then choose a verse to memorize. Make it your goal to memorize the entire chapter by the end of the summer.

Why? Because there is so much power in the Word of God. And the more you apply it to your life and actually believe it, the more it will change your thinking.

Are there specific things you and your parents fight about over and over? Or are you simply fighting about everything? If you're not able to communicate with them without fighting, consider putting your feelings in a letter to them. Learning to communicate in a civilized way is a must if you're going to get along as a family.

You state that you're not very popular at school. Do you have friends at church? Are you plugged into a youth group? Are you a member of a Bible study? I'm hoping there are Christian teens around you with whom you do feel comfortable with and can be friends.

As you probably know, low self-esteem often comes from feeling insecure. I think by saturating yourself with Psalm 139, you'll realize how valuable you are in God's eyes. He loves you more than you can even comprehend. Ask Him to help you bask in that love and learn to love yourself as He loves you.

God wired us for relationships. You may already be reading your Bible and have a strong relationship with Christ, but perhaps other people are stomping on your self-esteem. That's not your fault. Again, ask God to teach you how to see yourself through His eyes, so you won't put so much stock in what others think.

And by the way, the Brio staff loves you, too!

Dear Susie:
This past year, my friends and I turned 17. One of the first things they wanted to do was to see an R-rated movie. They didn't even bother inviting me because they knew I wouldn't watch it.

I have very strong moral convictions, and it breaks my heart that my Christian friends don't even realize what they're getting themselves into. This pattern keeps continuing, with my Christian friends seeing tons of movies that Plugged In gives awful reviews to. I want to say something, but I'm not sure how. Is there any way to confront them about it nicely, or is all I can do pray?

Concerned

Dear Concerned:

Yahoo for you! I applaud your strong convictions, and I'm also glad to know you're using Focus on the Family's Plugged In resource for guidance.

Consider sharing the reviews with your friends on the specific movies they're seeing, and share Philippians 4:8 with them: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." Talk with your youth leader or Sunday school teacher as well. This would be a great discussion for your entire youth group. But the most powerful thing you can do is what you're already doing: Pray for your friends.