Salvation

  • The Good Father

    Read: Luke 11:9-13 “Matthew, when you’ve finished raking the leaves, come to the shed.” Matthew’s father pushed a wheelbarrow around the back of the house. Uh-oh, what did Dad want now? The last time he called Matthew to the shed, he asked him to pick up sticks that had fallen from the windstorm. Maybe he…

  • God’s Children

    Read: Romans 8:14-17 Leo sat at the dining room table with his mom, dad, and two older brothers. He had been part of the family for exactly nine years now. They bowed their heads, and Leo’s dad prayed. “Father in heaven, today we celebrate the day You brought Leo to our family. Thank You for…

  • Sting of Death

    Read: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 54-57 Landon ducked as a bee buzzed by, barely missing his head. He watched the bee settle on a flower before moving on. “That bee was so close to your head, he almost gave you a buzz cut!” Dad said with a smirk. Landon didn’t laugh. He had something else on…

  • A New Name

    Read: Romans 8:14-17; 9:25-26 Sophie sat on the kitchen floor petting her new golden retriever puppy while Mom snapped the stems off green beans. “Mom, you’ll never guess what happened today,” Sophie said. “Mira told our class she’s a real-life princess.” Mom let out a little chuckle, but when she looked at her daughter’s face…

  • Undeserved Gift

    Read: Ephesians 1:7-9 Tinkling bells chimed invitingly as the ice cream truck turned onto Cali’s street. Ice cream was one of her favorite treats, but it was just before lunchtime, so she was sure her grandma wouldn’t let her have anything now. But I can still have a little fun with the ice cream truck…

  • Use the Entrance

    Read: John 10:7-10 Ryan lay flat on his back in the cool green grass, watching the fluffy clouds floating across the sky above him. When he glanced over at the tall trellis covered with Grandma’s rambling roses, he noticed it almost reached the small balcony with the slider door that led to the guest bedroom….

  • The Big Stain

    Read: Psalm 51:1-9 Landon’s eyes widened in horror as his elbow knocked a bottle of paint off the table and it toppled to the floor. Blue paint spread in a growing blob across the kitchen. Landon jumped off his chair and quickly picked up the paint bottle. What am I going to do? he wondered….

  • It’s the Law

    Read: Exodus 20:3-17; Galatians 3:19-22 Graham set a large birthday present on his knees and shut the car door. Mom fastened her seat belt and turned to Graham. “You don’t have your seat belt on.” “I can’t reach it while I’m holding this present,” said Graham. “It’s only two blocks to Cameron’s house, so I…

  • New Life Mushrooms

    Read: Romans 6:5-11 Evan and James were hunting for wild edible mushrooms with their family. “Got one!” Evan yelled. “Wow, that one’s a whopper!” James said. “Just make sure you know it’s the right type,” Dad warned. “You know the rule: One hundred percent sure, then take the treasure.” They mushroom-hunted for a couple hours,…