Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-8; John 15:7 Jack sighed as he finished praying, feeling discouraged and wondering if his prayers did any good. As he left his room, the scent of toast filled his nose, and he hurried downstairs. “Breakfast!” Mom called. Jack took a seat and began to pray but then stopped. After his last… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 8:16-17; 1 Peter 1:3-5 Mr. Washington, a lawyer, opened a folder and cleared his throat. “The last will and testament of Norman Philip Kinsner,” he read. “I, Norman Philip Kinsner, being of sound mind…” What a strange thing for Grandpa to say, Emmery thought. She glanced around the lawyer’s office. She missed… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 3:23-28 “Asher, did you invite Toby to Bible camp yet?” Mom asked as she placed a dish in the oven. “No, I forgot,” Asher answered from his spot at the table. “That’s what you said last week…and the week before that,” Mom said with a frown. Asher shrugged, his eyes glued to… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 15:4-7 Lila walked wide-eyed through the market. It took two hours of walking out of the Andes mountains to reach the village in the valley, so Lila rarely accompanied her mother. Now she stared in wonder at the variety of goods for sale. There were piles of produce—potatoes, cucumbers, and maize—tables filled… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:8-14 “Grandma! Grandpa!” called Reagan and Vinny as they ran outside to greet their grandparents, who had just pulled into the driveway. Grandma gave them each a big hug. “We missed you while you were on vacation!” she said. “Did you have a good trip?” “We sure did,” said Vinny. “Come see… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Genesis 12:1-5 “Goodbye,” Lily said as she looked around at the home she’d always lived in. “I’ll miss you.” As she got inside the car with Mom, Lily thought of the garden with its apple trees and the swing she loved. She swallowed back the tears, wondering how their new house could possibly… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-3, 8-9 “We’re hungry!” announced Addison after she and her cousin Morgan helped their grandmother get her house ready for their family’s New Year’s Eve party. “Then I guess you’d like something to eat,” said Grandma. “What sounds good?” “Pizza!” the girls sang out together. Grandma smiled. “Don’t know why I asked…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 10:29-31 Thomas’s heart was heavy as he trudged down the road. Maybe I should run away, he thought. I bet nobody would even notice I was gone. Lately Thomas had felt left out in his family. When his older brother got a home run in a ball game or a good grade… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 147:3-5, 11 Sophia’s whole body shook with sobs. “Sophia,” said Aunt Kelly, comforting her, “please try to stop crying so you can tell me what’s wrong.” With great effort, Sophia did her best to control her tears. Her breath caught in her throat as she said, “Mom and Dad just told me… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-4; John 6:35-40; James 4:7 “Grandma, look! A squirrel climbed up on your bird feeder and scared all the birds away. He’s taking the food you put out for them. How can we make him leave it alone?” “I don’t know,” said Grandma. “I’ve tried several things, but squirrels are very good… Continue Reading…