Bible Reading: John 3:16; 17:2-4; Romans 10:9

"I'm home," Miguel said, coming through the door carrying a tote bag.

"How was church today?" Grandma asked.

"It was good. I liked visiting Oscar's church, but I'll be glad when you're well enough to take me to our church again, Grandma."

"Me too. I'll be better soon and we'll go together again. I'll bet you're hungry."

"Oh, I almost forgot." Miguel opened the tote bag. "Oscar's mom sent us some soup and sandwiches and cookies so you wouldn't have to make lunch." Carefully he set up the lunch for the two of them, along with some lemonade.

"Thank you, Miguel," Grandma said. "That was thoughtful of Oscar's mom." As they ate, she asked, "What did the pastor talk about today?"

Miguel bit into his sandwich. "Mostly turtles."

Grandma was puzzled. "Turtles? Was it the story of Noah's ark?"

"No," said Miguel. "It was about Jesus and turtles and forgiveness and stuff." Then he laughed. "The pastor had a stuffy nose from allergies. He talked about his mother, but every time he said 'Mama' it sounded like this." Miguel pinched his nose and said, "Bob-uh."

Grandma smiled. "Tell me what the pastor said about turtles."

"That was confusing. He said we could all have a turtle life. I thought he'd show us turtle pictures on the overhead screen, but he didn't. I wanted to ask him about it later, but Oscar's mom was ready to leave."

"Are you sure he said you could have a turtle life, Miguel? That doesn't make sense."

"He said if I confess my sins and trust Jesus to save me, He'd forgive my sins and give me a turtle life. But I trusted in Jesus a year ago, and I haven't seen any turtles yet."

Grandma chuckled quietly when she realized what had happened. "Miguel, do you know what the word eternal means?"

"It means forever, right?"

"Yes. Now pinch your nose like you did before and say 'eternal.'"

Miguel held his nose. "Eh-ter-dull."

Grandma nodded. "I think the pastor with his stuffy nose said 'eternal life,' and it sounded like 'a turtle life.'"

When Miguel heard his mistake, he laughed so hard he rolled on the floor. "I still love turtles, but living with Jesus forever in heaven is better!"

-Teresa Ambord

How About You?
Have you been given eternal life with Jesus? The Bible says that our sins--the wrong things we do--lead to death because God must punish sin. But Jesus died on the cross to take that punishment for us and then rose again. Trust in Him, and He will forgive your sins and give you eternal life with Him. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) (Romans 6:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust in Jesus and be saved

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9; 13:9-12

Seth and his parents laughed as they watched Seth's five-year-old brother ride his new bicycle full speed up and down the driveway. The training wheels rattled as Camden tried to imitate a motorcycle rider. He wore his helmet and a pair of ski goggles.

"Camden, it's getting dark," said Dad. "Why don't you take off those goggles?"

"No!" Camden protested. "Motorcycle riders always wear them. I'm a motorcross racer!"

"But it's getting dark," Mom said. "The tinted glass on the goggles keeps you from seeing clearly."

"I can see," Camden insisted. "Watch this!" He turned and raced to the end of the driveway where he made a sharp U-turn. He didn't notice the loose gravel on the cement. The bike tipped and skidded in the gravel, and Camden spilled onto the concrete, scraping his hands and knees. Seth ran to help his brother untangle himself from his bike.

When Mom removed the goggles, Camden saw blood trickling down his leg, and he began to cry. "Come on in with me," said Mom. "Let's get that bandaged up."

After Mom cleaned and bandaged the cut on Camden's leg, they all sat down in the family room. "You know what Camden's accident reminds me of?" asked Seth.

"What?" asked Mom.

"My Sunday school lesson last week," Seth replied. "Camden didn't see the gravel because he was wearing those dark goggles, and Mr. Paul said we don't understand everything about God and what He's doing because we live in a broken world. Mr. Paul said it's like we're looking at life through dark-colored glasses. We don't see all God has planned, and sometimes we mess up and fall along the way because we try to take matters into our own hands instead of trusting Him."

"Good point," said Dad. "We don't realize the greatness of God's love and plan for us."

"Does God love us and fix our hurts like Mommy does?" Camden asked.

Seth and his parents chuckled. "God loves us more than anything!" Dad assured him. "Jesus died to save us, and He's always with us and comforts us when we're hurting. And someday, He will wipe away all our tears!"

Mom nodded. "Someday we'll see more clearly and understand so much more!"

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Do you feel like you don't understand much about life and eternity? That's because you can't clearly see and understand all there is to know about God and what He has planned for His children. Trust His promise that those who know Jesus will someday understand more fully when we see Him face to face. Until then, remember that He loves you and is always with you as He works out His perfect plan.

Today's Key Verse:
Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust God when you don't understand

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

"That's it! I'm never ever going back to choir again," Savannah sobbed when Grandpa collected her from church. "It was so embarrassing. I was told off for joking around and distracting everyone with my loud, off-key singing." Savannah sniffed. "But the truth is, I wasn't joking around. Why didn't God give me a good singing voice?"

Grandpa fished out a handkerchief and handed it to her, then gave her a hug. Savannah dabbed her eyes as they strolled back to the cottage where they both lived with Grandma.

Savannah had calmed down by the time they got home, and Grandpa gave her some hot chocolate and one of the brownies he'd baked that afternoon. Grandma was still outside, gardening.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Savannah said, munching her brownie. "I haven't really been enjoying choir. Singing has been a struggle."

"Everyone has gifts, you know," Grandpa said thoughtfully. "God has provided us all with talents, and some you won't discover until later on. He created us all differently so we can use our skills in church and in the world to help others and show them the love of Jesus. I love baking. Your grandma loves gardening, and you are fantastic at math--your teacher always mentions that at parent-teacher meetings. You've tried the choir, and it isn't right for your skillset, so find something else you love that you can use to help others. Don't give up. God loves you and cherishes you--not because of anything you do but because He created you and sent His Son to die for you."

Later, Grandpa made a mug of tea for Grandma and he and Savannah went outside. "The garden looks amazing," Savannah said as she looked at all the different types of flowers ranging from crimson roses to yellow sunflowers.

Grandma took off her gardening gloves and beamed as she took a sip of tea. "I love gardening. It's a gift God has given me."

"You see?" Grandpa said. "Look at Grandma's beautiful garden. If all the flowers and plants were the same, it would be boring. Church is the same way. Each of us is different and unique with something to offer."

Savannah smiled, silently thanking God that she didn't have to be the same as everyone else and that God loved her and made her unique.

-Cindy Lee

How About You?
Are you sometimes jealous of people's talents? Do you wish you had a particular skill they have? God thinks you're amazing. He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to repair the broken relationship humans have with Him and give eternal life to all who trust in Him. Our loving Creator made you and blessed you with talents. Rejoice and use your gifts to help others and point them to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Today's Key Thought:
God blesses us with talents

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Philippians 2:1-2

"I don't think I'm going to church tomorrow," Bryce said. He was lying on the floor in front of the fireplace, watching the flames shoot up toward the chimney. He glanced at his dad to see what his reaction would be.

Dad closed his laptop. "Why is that? We let you stay home last Sunday because you had a sore throat. What is it this time?"

Bryce rolled over on his back. "Dad, I've gone to church all my life. Why do I have to listen to the same things over and over again? It's always the same--sing a bunch of songs and then listen to the sermon." When he saw Dad frown, he quickly added, "I can read my Bible and pray here at home, can't I?"

"Yes, and it's important to do that," said Dad. "But Sunday is a special day to worship with other Christians."

Bryce sighed. "I'll be glad when I'm old enough to do what I want." He pointed to a log sitting next to the fireplace. "There's just one log left, Dad. Should I put it on the fire?"

Dad shook his head. "Just let it burn by itself--over there in the wood carrier."

Bryce stared at him. "Burn in the wood carrier! What are you talking about? That would make a mess! Besides, you know a log won't just start burning by itself." He gave Dad a quizzical look. "I'll add it to the fire, okay?"

Dad chuckled. "Okay. While you do, remember that just like those logs need the heat and flames from the other logs in the fireplace to burn, Christians need the warmth of being with other Christians. God tells us not to neglect getting together with one another. We can grow as we pray and read the Bible on our own, but we also need to spend time with other believers. They need us too--just like those logs that still are burning need reinforcement. As we spend time together worshiping Jesus and learning more about Him, we share the warmth of His love and reinforce one another with His truth."

Bryce reached for the last log. "All right," he said as he added it to the fire. "I'll go to church tomorrow."

-Beverly Kenniston

How About You?
Do you regularly attend church? Do you go willingly? Or do you try to get out of it because you wish you could be doing something else? Just like logs on a fire, you need other believers to shine the light of God's love and truth into your life. When Christians gather together, we can help each other keep growing in our faith. Be thankful for opportunities God gives you to worship and grow with other Christians.

Today's Key Verse:
We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. (ERV) (Hebrews 10:25)

Today's Key Thought:
Attend church faithfully

Bible Reading: Mark 10:46-52

Destiny and her sister Mazie bounced excitedly at the ticket booth. Mom had been teaching them all month about different sea animals. Now they were taking a field trip to the aquarium to see the animals they had been learning about.

When they entered the aquarium, Destiny pointed to a sign with a dolphin image and an arrow to the right. "Can we please go see the dolphins first?" Destiny begged.

Mom laughed. "Sure!"

When they reached the exhibit, Destiny hurried over and pressed her nose to the glass, watching as the dolphins swirled, twisted, and played. Their powerful tails pumped up and down as the dolphins glided smoothly through the blue water.

An aquarium worker noticed them and walked over. "Are you girls dolphin lovers?"

Destiny nodded. "They're my favorite!"

"Yeah, we've been learning about them at school!" Mazie said.

"Oh really?" the worker asked. "What have you learned?"

"Dolphins are smart!" Mazie said. "They like to play and eat fish."

"Yeah, and they use echolocation to hunt!" Destiny chimed in. "They make clicks that travel through the water as sound waves. When the sound waves hit an object, they bounce back to the dolphin and hit the melon, a part of their forehead that's made up of fluid and fatty tissue. The melon shows the dolphin clear pictures of what's up ahead, like sonar in a submarine."

"It sounds like you know a lot!" the worker said.

On the drive back home, Mom said, "Destiny, why do dolphins need to use echolocation?"

"Sometimes they can't see what's up ahead because it's too dark or murky," Destiny replied.

"Exactly!" said Mom. "That got me thinking about how faith is like echolocation."

"How?" Mazie asked.

"Sometimes things ahead are dark or uncertain. But our faith in Jesus means we can still have confidence God will guide us even when it's hard to see," Mom said. "We know Jesus is with us no matter what because He saved us and promises to be our light in the darkness. We can trust Him to help us."

"And dolphins don't doubt their echolocation," Destiny said. She grinned. "I'm going to be like my favorite animal and trust my echolocation. I'm going to trust Jesus to guide me."

-Olivia Summers

How About You?
Do you ever worry about what the future holds? Just like dolphins, we can be confident even if we can't see what's ahead. The Bible says our faith should guide us, not our sight. We can trust Jesus to lead us the way we should go. When you face an uncertain situation, seek His help by reading your Bible, praying, or talking with a trusted adult. Then trust that God will make His way clear!

Today's Key Verse:
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Live by faith