Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Grady sighed as he looked at the unopened boxes stacked against the walls. “Tired of opening boxes?” his mom asked, stepping back from the picture she’d just hung up. “No, it’s just that I…I wish we hadn’t moved,” said Grady glumly. Mom put down the hammer. “I know it’s tough for… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18 The man in the video waved his arms as he spoke. “Do you have health problems or money problems? Do you want to get rid of your troubles? Just have faith in Jesus!” he shouted. “He’ll take all your troubles away.” When the video ended, Emery went next door… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 1:5; Revelation 7:9 When Mom heard a loud, gut-wrenching sob coming from Pam’s room, she knocked and then opened Pam’s door. Pam was sobbing uncontrollably into her pillow while holding a picture of herself and her sister, Kim. “What’s wrong, Pam?” asked Mom as she sat down on Pam’s bed…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 12:4-8 Jonah sighed as Eli swung the bat, sending the ball flying over the fence. “Home run!” Eli shouted, running around the backyard and stepping on imaginary bases along the way. The two boys had been practicing their hitting skills. Why is Eli always so lucky? Jonah wondered. All afternoon he got… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:21-25; Isaiah 11:6-9; Revelation 21:4 “Ohhh, I’m getting so itchy! I hate mosquitoes!” Grace slapped her arm. All evening she and her brother Wyatt had been bothered by the pesky bugs, but they hadn’t wanted to stay inside the cabin. “Well, I’m not ready to go in yet,” said Wyatt. “We only… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 116:9, 12-14 “I was really looking forward to seeing Niagara Falls this summer after we had to cancel our trip last year because of the pandemic,” Mindy told her brother, “and now Dad—” “Dad can’t help it that we had to change our summer plans,” interrupted Jeff. “One of the guys at… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 22:34-40 As Harper dashed out onto the playground, she spotted Lilly and Emma chatting on the set of double bars. “Hi, Harper.” Lilly grinned as Harper ran over to them. “Want a turn?” She gestured to the bars, where Emma was hanging by her legs. “Sure.” Harper pulled herself up onto the… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-17 The sound of breaking glass brought Dylan running into the kitchen. “Melanie!” he exclaimed. “What did you do?” Melanie stared in horror at the shattered pieces of crystal on the floor. “I…I didn’t mean to…” “That’s the vase Grandpa gave Mom right before he died,” Dylan said. “Boy, is she gonna… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 71:14-18 As part of a service project, the kids in Callie’s class at church made a weekly check on the senior church members who lived in their neighborhood. “It takes longest to check on Mrs. Deaton,” Callie told Elena, her project partner. “She always talks and talks!” Elena agreed, but they dutifully… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 33:12-20 Drums beat, flags waved, and trumpets blew! Sara’s and Milo’s eyes darted here and there, trying to capture all the excitement at the Fourth of July parade. The school band proudly marched down the street in new uniforms. As they played “The Star Spangled Banner,” the crowd stood at attention and… Continue Reading…