Bible Reading: PROVERBS 16:23-24; JAMES 3:9-12 “Better hurry or you’ll miss the school bus!” said Mom. Carmela quickly finished watering the hydrangeas and roses she had planted in her garden. How pretty they looked! Carmela loved to help things grow. She put down the watering can, ran inside for her bag, and hurried out the… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: MATTHEW 6:19-21 Ben fidgeted in the pew. His button-up shirt felt tight. “Funerals are so boring,” he whispered to his dad, who gave him a look that Ben knew meant Be quiet. Just then the pastor said, “Anyone who would like to share a story about Barney is welcome to come forward now.”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: MATTHEW 5:43-44; LUKE 10:27-37 Olivia shifted uncomfortably in the pew. The pastor had just told the story of the Good Samaritan, reminding Olivia that Jesus wanted her to be a good neighbor too. She knew this, of course, but why was it so hard sometimes? “Jesus loves you,” the pastor continued. “He loves… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 PETER 5:6-10 “What’s it like in Africa, Mr. Martin?” River asked. Mr. Martin, a missionary who had come back home for a few months, was a good friend of River’s family. “I’d sure like to see all the animals,” said River’s brother, Andrew. Their sister, Janae, shuddered. “Not me! It would be… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 4:12-13L IN ITS TIME. Bellamy hopped up into the dentist’s chair, leaned his head back, and opened his mouth wide so the dental assistant could clean, polish, and floss his teeth. When she was finished, Dr. Scott came and checked to see if there were any cavities. “I found… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: EPHESIANS 2:4-10 “Hi, Mom. What’s for supper?” asked Aubrey as she came into the kitchen. Mom grinned. Aubrey asked the same question every day when she got home from school. “I’m sooo hungry when I get off the bus,” Aubrey said. She went to the stove, lifted a lid off a pan, and… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: EPHESIANS 6:10-17 “Damon, grab your catcher’s equipment and I’ll help you practice,” called Dad as he opened the back door. Damon scrambled from the floor, grabbed his gear, and rushed out the door. His little sister Gemma was close behind him. Damon stopped on the patio and pulled the chest protector over his… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: JOHN 15:3-5 Lola and her parents applauded as the founder of a Nigerian charity was honored for her contributions to society. “Her family must be so proud,” Mom said with a smile. Dad nodded. “I know I would be!” “I want to be like her when I grow up,” Lola chimed in. “If… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: EPHESIANS 4:1-6 Lola flung her backpack into the car and slammed the door behind her. With a snort, she folded her arms across her chest and scrunched her face into a furious scowl. Silently, Dad navigated out of the primary school parking lot and eased into traffic headed toward their home in Lagos,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-11 Rubbing the last of the toothpaste stains on her sleeve, Stephanie checked herself in the bathroom mirror one last time. Probably nobody would even notice. She rushed into the hallway toward Mom’s impatient calling. “Stephanie, come on! It’s time to leave for—what happened to your uniform?” Stephanie stopped with a grimace…. Continue Reading…