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…

Bible Reading: Revelation 22:12-17 “Let’s see who can find the brightest star,” Garrett said to his sister one hot summer evening as they looked up at the starry sky. “The loser has to buy ice cream tomorrow.” “I don’t think you can prove which one is the brightest,” said Eden. But she suddenly pointed to… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25 Before eating her lunch, Aranya bowed her head and closed her eyes to pray. When she opened her eyes, her lunch bag had disappeared. A few kids watched her and snickered. Aranya sighed. “Who has my lunch?” Several kids burst into laughter. “Ask God where your lunch is, Miss Christian,”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11; Isaiah 41:10 As Parker boarded the airplane with his grandmother, he had a lump in his throat. His parents were getting a divorce, and he was going to stay with his grandparents for a while. He felt as dark and gloomy as the day around him—not at all excited about… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:6-9 “Mom!” Eloise shouted from the darkness of her bedroom. Mom ran upstairs to find Eloise hiding under her covers, shaking. “Eloise, what’s wrong? Are you sick?” Mom asked anxiously. “No, I’m not sick. I’m, um, scared,” mumbled Eloise. “What has you so scared, sweetie?” asked Mom. “I don’t want to tell… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 4:13-16 SPLASH! Joelle’s brother filled the trench between their two sandcastles with a full bucket of water. “No!” Joelle’s eyes filled with tears. “Now they can’t get to each other!” She jumped to her feet. “Take the water away, Stanley!” Her brother shook his head. “There has to be… Continue Reading…