Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 4:8 “Mom, can I bake a cake for Mrs. Grahame?” asked Gianna. Mom looked at her in surprise. Gianna often complained about their elderly neighbor. “That’s a nice idea,” Mom said. “But why do you want to do that?” “At church yesterday we had a lesson on kindness. We’re…
Bible Reading: Romans 7:15-25</a > Kelly urged Sandstorm into a trot as she rounded the field. She loved riding, but today even the sun glinting off Sandstorm’s golden mane couldn’t stop angry tears from falling. Sandstorm took the opportunity to munch on some tasty grass. “Kelly, use your reins!” Aunt Selah yelled, jolting Kelly to…
Bible Reading: Romans 10:4; Hebrews 10:19-22 “Found it!” Tristan held up a small puzzle piece in triumph. “Great job!” Grandpa gave Tristan a high five. “We’ve been looking for that piece for weeks now!” “I can’t believe we’ve almost finished a 50,000-piece puzzle, Grandpa! This had been our hardest one yet.” Grandpa nodded. “This will…
Bible Reading: Matthew 24:4-7 “Tonight I have to memorize a bunch of dates about the Civil War,” Antonio said as he and his brother and sister pulled up chairs around the kitchen table to do their homework. “We’re being tested on them tomorrow.” He pulled his history book out of his backpack. Julian opened his…
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:4-9 “Okay, I’ll try again,” said Aurora. Turning, she jumped into the pool with a huge splash and swam for a short distance. Then she grabbed the side of the pool and gasped for air. She looked at her dad in dismay as she climbed out. “I give up, Dad.” “Don’t give…
Bible Reading: Psalm 18:28-33 “Do we have to leave already?” moaned Madison as she and her family prepared to go home. They had stayed a few days with her grandparents and spent the time talking, joking, and enjoying just being together. Now the time had come to say goodbye—a long goodbye because in less than…
Bible Reading: Luke 15:1-7 “Today I want to tell you a story about some ducks that live by my house,” Mr. Peters told his Sunday school class as the kids gathered for their lesson time. Clara eagerly sat down to listen. “Yesterday I was down at my pond and saw a mama duck and her…
Bible Reading: Psalm 37:3-8, 39-40; Proverbs 3:5-6 Have you named that kitten yet?” Roman’s dad asked him. Roman grinned and looked at the kitten he was holding. “Yep. This is Snowflake,” he said as the kitten purred and snuggled comfortably in his arms. “Thanks for letting me keep her even though we already have two…
Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39; 1 Peter 4:16-19 Wren swiped at the tears that threatened to stream down her face. She would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry. The government was watching; their eyes seemed to be everywhere. Wren took a deep breath and focused on the verse she had memorized. The eyes…
Bible Reading: Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; Colossians 3:13 Ben slowly folded a shirt and placed it in his suitcase. “Why can’t I stay here with you?” “Because your father wants to spend time with you, Benji,” his mother answered. Ben sat on his bed next to the open suitcase. “Then he shouldn’t have left us.”…
