December 22, 2020

Temporary Connections

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:24-29; John 6:27-29 Julie sighed in satisfaction as she looked at the Christmas decorations she had hung in her room. She had tried to tie a string from her closet door to her curtain, but the string wasn’t long enough, so she’d stretched her curtain into the middle of her room and… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 6:27

December 21, 2020

Best Friends

Bible Reading: John 15:9-15 When Porter came home from school, he had a big smile on his face. “You seem to be in a good mood,” Mom said. “Yeah, I am,” said Porter. “I think I finally have a best friend!” “Oh?” Mom turned to look at him. “Who’s your best friend?” “Seth—the new kid… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 15:13

December 20, 2020

Alike but Different

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 13-20 “Mom, I’m so stupid!” cried Vivian when she arrived home from school. “Why can’t I be smarter?” “What’s wrong, honey?” asked Mom. With tears in her eyes, Vivian handed Mom her math test. “I got the worst score in the whole class,” she said, her voice trembling. “Oh, Vivian,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4

December 19, 2020

Be the Gift

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Ephesians 1:3-8; 2 Peter 1:3-8 Sarah looked longingly at the fluffy stuffed kitty on the shelf. It was just what she wanted for Christmas, right down to the glittery collar around its neck. Slowly, she placed it in the cart. Mom bent down to check the price. “Sarah, this one… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:11

December 18, 2020

The Wrong Way

Bible Reading: John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9 “You should have seen James in gym class today!” Garrett said as his family began dinner. His younger brother gave him a nasty look, but Garrett didn’t seem to notice. “Our class played touch football against the third graders, and you know what James did? When he got the… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:12

December 17, 2020

Mary’s Part

Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-33, 46-49 Speaking parts were being assigned for the church Christmas program, and Kaylee eagerly waited for her name to be called. She was sure she was the perfect one to take the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus. No one can memorize lines as well as me, she thought. “Braelyn.”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 20:27

December 16, 2020

Martyrs

Bible Reading: John 12:24-26 “We had a spelling contest at school today,” Nate told his mom one afternoon. “I goofed on the word ‘martyr.’ I spelled it m-a-r-t-e-r.” “Do you know what a martyr is?” Mom asked. Nate nodded. “It’s a person who gives their life for what they believe. We learned in Sunday school… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 9:24

December 15, 2020

Santa Pause

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:30-32 “All right, boys. Turn off that video game and help set the table.” Ethan hit the pause button. “We should be able to beat that level after dinner,” he told Levi as they scooted into the kitchen. Mom was balancing the baby on her hip and stirring a bubbling… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Mark 6:31

December 14, 2020

All Better

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:1-5 Taylor watched as her little sister, Brianna, put her baby doll in its cradle. “Night-night,” Brianna said, covering the doll with a blanket. She set three more dolls on her bed. “One, two, three,” she counted. “That’s how many old I am!” Taylor laughed. “Yes, Brianna, you’re three. You’re so big!”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:2-3

December 13, 2020

Secret Service

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-4 Hannah and Gabe waited patiently while Mom unlocked the door to their apartment building. After working at the store all day, Mom walked wearily up the stairs. “I sure am tired tonight, and my feet hurt,” she said. “I wish I didn’t have to work on Saturdays. Did you kids have… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:4