Bible Reading: Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 23:23-28 “Half of these nuts aren’t any good,” complained Gracie, who had been cracking walnuts for the dessert her mother was making. “They’re black and dried up on the inside.” She picked up a nut and showed it to her mother. “Don’t bother cracking the bad ones,” said her brother… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-33 “Mom, I’m scared,” Presley whispered in the middle of the night. “I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about Isabel and her car accident. What does intensive care unit mean?” Mom offered her a much-needed hug. “Presley, have you not been able to sleep because of this? It’s scary, isn’t it? Intensive… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 4:13-16 “Happy third birthday, Jake,” Elizabeth said, handing her younger brother his present. It was beautifully wrapped up in superhero paper. “Hope you like it.” They were having a party outside in the garden for him with some families from church. Jake glanced up before giving a loud shriek and… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 9:1-7 Seth crept into the dark room. He switched on the lamp and waved his arms back and forth above the crib. Leah didn’t notice him. She was blind. “Hi, baby,” he whispered. She turned her tiny head toward the sound of his voice. He patted her hand through the bars. “What… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 16:2, 11; Philippians 1:6, 9-11; 1 Peter 3:10-11 Not another essay! Serena groaned to herself as the teacher wrote the subject on the board: What I Want to Be When I Grow Up. I hate writing essays. Besides, I don’t know what I want to be. Serena sighed and wrote down the… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:12-13; 1 Peter 3:12 “Grandma, you’re on mute. You have to tap the little microphone icon to turn your sound on,” ten-year-old Samara instructed her grandmother over the video call. “I can see your mouth moving but I don’t know what you’re saying,” Samara said in frustration. She was eager to tell… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-6; James 4:7 During their vacation by the sea, Lena and her family visited an old lighthouse in the area. “What does a lighthouse do, Daddy?” asked Lena’s little sister Arianna. “It shines light far and wide, so ships out at sea are guided to a safe place to dock,” Dad told… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Danar was silent as he rode home from his first pencak silat competition. He had been looking forward to the Indonesian martial arts competition and had even won third place, but now he found it hard to celebrate. His father looked at him. “You’ve been awfully quiet,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Isaiah 64:8; 1 Corinthians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11 “I don’t understand why Miss Wong picked Melanie to sing the solo at church instead of me,” said Freya as she flattened a stick of red modeling clay onto the table. “I’m the best singer in the choir, and I have a much better stage… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 “This camping trip was fun,” said Jack as he helped Dad pull out the stakes that held their sturdy tent in place. “But I miss Grandpa. He would have loved this.” Dad stretched out an arm and drew Jack close. “I miss him too,” Dad said gently. “But he’s with… Continue Reading…