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…

Bible Reading: EPHESIANS 4:29-32 Darien scowled at his tablet screen. 2Cool4U was the worst. He had been playing a game online where they could chat with the other people involved, but this player was mean. Darien gritted his teeth at the rude remark that appeared on his screen. “Darien! Technology time is up!” Dad called… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10 “It’s not good enough!” Francis frowned at the picture in front of him. It was messy. He didn’t like it. “It is good enough,” Mom said, her voice calm. “Look at that.” Francis pointed to a spot where his paintbrush had slipped. “That blue isn’t supposed to be… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 JOHN 5:14-15 Sophia used to come home from school to cookies on the table and a big hug from her mom. She used to sit down and tell her mom all about her day as she ate the warm, gooey treats. But for the past several months, she’d come home to a… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8 “I hope all the seeds we planted come up,” said Diego as he looked at the area where he and his grandfather had just finished putting in rows of peas, carrots, and other vegetables. Grandpa leaned on his hoe. “I do too. I just hope we don’t get too many plants… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: ROMANS 6:4-11; COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 Rami tore the wrapping paper off the birthday gift from his dad. When he saw the book that was inside, he jumped up and down. “All right! The next Archer Perry book!” “Did I get the right one?” asked Dad. “Yeah! This is the next one in the series… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: HEBREWS 13:2; 1 PETER 4:7-10 “Oh no!” cried Jena when she heard they would be having house guests. “Do the Wilsons have to stay here? All we ever do is have people stay with us. Missionaries, international students—even complete strangers, like those people who got stranded in the snowstorm last winter!” “I thought… Continue Reading…