Bible Reading: John 3:1-8; 13:33-35 “Oh, Mom! Why did I have to get freckles?” Everly complained as she studied her face in the mirror. “Be glad you don’t have warts,” said her brother Miles. “Besides, what’s wrong with freckles? Mom has freckles, and she’s pretty.” Everly shrugged. “That’s different.” “I’m not really surprised you have… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:22-26; Romans 5:6 Jared tossed his backpack onto the kitchen island, plopped on a stool, and buried his head in his arms with a sigh. His dad looked up from his laptop. “Something wrong, Jared?” “Yeah, something’s wrong! Coach Jackson made Sam captain instead of me! I’ve been on the team longer,… Continue Reading…

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…