Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Paige and Akira watched the bag of popcorn rotate slowly in the microwave. They waited until a rush of popping sounds died down before taking it out and letting it cool. They were at a church party, and Miss Martin had asked them to make some popcorn for everyone. Akira… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15 “Sammy is so sweet!” whispered Hayden, gazing at her brand-new brother. As she watched the baby, Sammy stirred and opened his eyes. He waved chubby little arms in the air. “He’s so tiny!” Hayden said in awe. Then she frowned as the baby began to cry. Mom… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 30:5; John 11:11-17, 34-36; 1 Peter 5:7 Dixon gasped as his bike flipped through the air. A searing pain ripped through his palms and knees. “Owww!” Angrily, he brushed away his tears. “I will not cry!” he said aloud. He picked up his bike and hobbled home. Dixon’s hands and knees ached… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 6:31-36; Romans 15:5-7 “I guess Lydia’s okay, but having a new kid join your class in the middle of the year just messes everything up,” Haley complained when her mother picked her up at school. “I mean, we’re in the middle of our science projects, and we’ve already starting rehearsing our skit… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 3:18; 1 John 5:11-13 Daniel listened politely as his elderly neighbor chatted with him and his mom in the front yard. “You and my grandson Benjamin would get along so well together,” Mrs. Crane was saying. “He really enjoys skateboarding. And did I tell you that he plays basketball?” Daniel nodded. “And… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 16; John 15:8-17 Grace twirled her hair nervously as she walked up to Ms. Evie. Evie looked the same as she did months ago—only now she was in a wheelchair. Evie looked up with a bright smile when she saw Grace. “How is it that you’ve grown even taller in just a… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:17-22 Aries threw her mom’s cell phone on the counter and ran to her room as fast she could. She slammed the door and belly flopped onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Soon there was a knock on the door. “Aries, can I come in?” Mom asked. “I guess so,” Aries was able… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:89-90, 103-106; Matthew 5:6 “How much do horses eat?” asked Jared as he and his Uncle Bill walked through the horse barn. “A lot!” Uncle Bill replied. “It’s a good thing we can put them out to pasture every day.” He grinned. “Did I ever tell you about the no-feed horse?” “No…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:16; Colossians 2:2-3 The teacher handed out the graded test papers, placing them face down on the desks. Layla was afraid to turn hers over and instead slipped it into her notebook without looking. When the bell rang, she shoved her notebook and jacket into her backpack and headed for… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 4:7-14 “Hey!” said Zoe. “What’s wrong with the water?” She turned the kitchen faucet knob as far as she could, but all she got was a sputtering sound. She groaned. “I’m so thirsty!” “When I got home from work, I found a notice on the door saying the city water department would… Continue Reading…