Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3; 1 John 1:9 Eyes bugging wide, Zachary stared at the laptop in shock. “What? NO!” Xenia rushed into his bedroom. “What’s the matter, Zach?” Stammering, he gestured at the screen. “It…it was right there…and now it’s gone!” Xenia looked at the document on the screen, blank except for one letter. She… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:8; James 3:7-12 As Jena stopped in the middle of the mountain trail, her friend Olivia bumped into her. “Whoa!” said Olivia. “Why did you stop?” Jena pointed to a hillside across the valley. “Mom said we’d see a place where there had been a forest fire—and that’s it!” “Wow!” exclaimed Olivia… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-2 “What smells so funny?” Will asked as his older brother Elliot drove the car into the garage. “Is it the engine?” Elliot sniffed and made a face. “Maybe. I’d better check it out.” Will got out of the car and watched as Elliot opened the hood. They gasped in surprise. Green… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 30:8-9; Philippians 4:18; James 4:5-7 “Nora, why don’t you go buy some bread and milk while I return something,” Mom said on the way into the grocery store. She held out a food stamp debit card. “Be sure to get the—” She stopped when she noticed the pout on Nora’s face. “What’s… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:9-12 “Don’t sit on that couch, Dexter!” Grandma warned as they walked into the living room. “I’m waiting for my new one to be delivered today.” Dexter glanced at the couch with the tiger-print cover over the top of it. “There’s nothing wrong with it,” he said, plonking himself down on the… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1; Matthew 14:30-31; John 8:12 “Come on, Dad. I’m almost to the top,” called Ryan. “Right behind you,” Dad called back. “This is so cool!” Ryan said. “I can see miles of ocean. This lighthouse must’ve guided a million ships to safety in the old days.” “Yep, and it still does,” said… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 19:28-40 “Does God really hear us when we sing?” Callie asked as her family exited the packed church on Sunday morning. Her mom smiled at her. “Of course He does.” “But there are so many people in the world!” Callie said. “And He loves it when we praise Him together.” Mom put… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 14:1-6 “Lucy! Stop barking!” scolded Oliver as he scooped the feisty terrier into his arms and hurried to the window. “Maybe Jacob is home!” Oliver peered out and then shook his head in disappointment. “It’s just the mailman,” he told his mom. “Well, your brother will be here soon,” Mom assured him… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 6:47-51 “Hazel, would you please fill the bird feeder?” asked Mom as she peeled potatoes for dinner. “I noticed it was empty earlier.” Hazel took the bag of birdseed from under the counter and went outside to the patio. As she carefully poured the seed into the feeder, she noticed her mother… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 5:6-11 “Hey, Grandpa, can we go for a hike in the woods behind your house?” Asher asked eagerly when he visited his grandfather one Saturday morning. “Let’s do it,” said Grandpa. “Want to take a picnic lunch along?” “Yeah!” Asher replied, and soon they were off on their adventure. They hiked all… Continue Reading…