Nerd Power
I love your magazine. I like its emphasis on Christianity and God. There’s just one problem: I’m a nerd. I don’t play sports, I’m no BMX whiz, I don’t skate, I don’t play football, and I don’t do anything connected with athletics. I wish you’d include stuff in this mag that appeals to nerds: anime/manga, computers, games, hobbies. I don’t mean to offend you. I just needed to get this off my chest.

—J.K.S., Elizabethton, Tenn.

EDITOR’S NOTE: No offense taken, J.K.S. But to quote Napoleon Dynamite loosely, “Get some skills, bow staff skills, secret-government-ninja skills, growing-mustache skills, tater-tot eating skills. Girls like skills!”

Just kidding, OK? And in case that line doesn’t make sense, and if you’ve never heard of Napoleon — as if that’s possible — he’s the kid with a tight ‘fro and sweet moon boots who stars in a self-titled blockbuster teen flick.

Nerd chic is in, and it’s time Breakaway got with it. While we’ll never steer away from sports, plans are underway to cover the world of computer games, the anime craze, as well as some wild high-tech hobbies that appeal to all guys — athletic and, uh, cerebrally inclined, as well.

But in the meantime, make Napoleon proud: Pour yourself a glass of red Kool-Aid, fix yourself a quesadilla (or a case-a-dilla in Napoleon-speak) and brace yourself as Breakaway gets in touch with its inner nerd.

The Lord is my Rock Star
We live in a celebrity driven culture. I’m sure plenty of you have a famous rock star, actor or celebrity you admire. You watch his movies, listen to his music and rave about him to your friends. When your rock star brings out a clothing line, then later a biography, you can’t resist. You wear all the clothes and read only that book for days, taking in every word. Sound familiar?

Here’s a thought. Wouldn’t it be great if we worshiped God like a rock star and followed Him as devoutly? Instead of buying only CDs or celebrity mags, we should get devotional books or a new Bible. I’m not saying we have to go without all the stuff we enjoy. But I am saying that our role model, our rock star, should be out of this world — God! It’s my prayer that we will all make God the ultimate everything.

—J.Ballam, Hilton, South Africa

Sinless?
I heard a teacher at a Christian conference speaking about God wanting us to be perfect. He said the Bible isn’t talking about sinless perfection; we can never be completely without sin. But after we have sinned and come to God for forgiveness, He looks at our hearts and sees Jesus’ perfection there. What’s most important is Jesus’ sacrifice for us and the position of our hearts to God as a result. Of course, we should want to please Him and seek after His face with our whole selves. So know that even while the Holy Spirit convicts you and points out wrong, God doesn’t condemn you or heap on guilt. Be encouraged. God is doing amazing things!

—Jonathan Caleb Parsons, Saint Helena, Australia

Keep Your Clothes On
At nearly every youth conference, camp or any place there are large groups of teens, we girls are told, “Cover up. Put some clothes on. You are being a stumbling block to your brothers in Christ.” While I know this is true, I wonder if guys realize they do the same thing.

When I see a guy jogging down the street without a shirt, it’s hard to keep my mind clean. My friends have expressed similar feelings. I’m not saying that guys should never remove their shirts, but if you’re in public or know there are girls around, please make an effort to cover your chest. God made girls to appreciate the way your bodies look, and that often makes it hard not to think of our shirtless Christian brothers in inappropriate ways. Please try not to be stumbling blocks to us, as we endeavor the same toward you.

—D.K., Aberdeen, S.D.