Curious

Dear Curious:
I’ve watched several “Hannah Montana” shows and find them positive with good messages. In an interview with USA Today, Miley was asked what book she was currently reading. Her answer? Girl Talk with God. (I was excited to read that, because I wrote the book!)

I’ve read that she’s a Christian, but I haven’t been able to land an interview with her yet. We’ve contacted her publicity team several times but just haven’t had any luck.

Dear Susie:
What will hell be like for those who are unbelievers? Is it really all that bad? I know I’m a Christian and will go to heaven someday, but I’m concerned about my non-Christian friends.

Wondering

Dear Wondering:
You’ve asked a great question. Yes, hell really is bad! In fact, we can’t even imagine how horrific it will be. Every time the Bible talks about hell, we get very descriptive phrases. We’re told first of all that we’ll be separated from Christ (that’s bad enough), but we’re also told there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, that it’s a place of torment and punishment, that it’s a lake of fire and that it’s forever!

For more in-depth information on hell, see the article “Just Between Us” that I wrote for an issue of Brio in 2006. You can access that by clicking onto the spiritual health section of our Web site: briomag.com.

Dear Susie:
I feel really alone in ballet class. The girls have formed a clique, and I’m always by myself with no one to talk to. My ballet teacher never compliments me; she always looks disappointed because I can’t do a double pirouette when all the other girls can. I was one of her very first students!

Alone

Dear Alone:
It’s ironic that millions of people feel totally alone in the midst of a crowd. That’s where you are, isn’t it? When the other girls start talking among themselves, make yourself approach them. I know this will be tough, because you’re not feeling welcomed. But I’m wondering if that’s simply a feeling or if it’s reality.

Either way, you can still approach the other girls and ask them what they’re doing after class, if they’d like to see a movie or simply compliment them on how well they’re doing.

About the double pirouette . . . can you spend more time working outside of class so you will be able to accomplish this? If you’re one of her first students, your teacher may be thinking this is something you should be able to do perform by now. But whether you ever do a double pirouette or not . . . we love you . . . and you’ll always be able to do more than we can on the ballet floor!

Dear Susie
I’ve been a Christian since I was 4, but I’ve never been baptized. I know that as a Christian I should, but I go to a huge church and have a terrible case of stage fright. I just can’t imagine myself talking and being baptized in front of thousands. It’s too scary! What should I do?

Frightened

Dear Frightened:
Baptism is an act of obedience. Because Jesus Himself was baptized, we want to follow His example. It’s a wonderful testimony of the fact that we’ve repented of our sins and have placed our faith in Him.

KNOW that as God calls you to be baptized, He’ll also equip you with everything you need to complete that act. In other words, He’ll give you confidence, He’ll walk with you in front of thousands, and He’ll even be in the water and right by your side. Please trust Him! He’s not going to let you down.

Dear Susie:
My parents never knock on my bedroom door when they want to come in; they just come in. They get mad at me for locking my door, but when I’m changing clothes, I don’t want anyone walking in on me. They have done it so many times. I’ve tried putting signs on my door, but they still don’t knock. What do I do?

Frustrated

Dear Frustrated:
You definitely need privacy when you’re changing clothes! Have you done something to cause them not to trust you? Something to make them suspicious of you being behind a closed door? If not, sit down with them face to face and simply say, “Because I’m no longer a child and my body is now developing, I need the privacy to change clothes with the assurance no one will be coming inside my room during that time. Can we work out a system? Will you consider knocking when my door is closed or allow me to put a special ‘Changing’ sign on my door? I’d never consider walking into your room when you’re changing clothes, and I need the same privilege.”