July 9, 2019

The Painted Bench (Part 1)

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:23-24; Hebrews 12:14-15 Grandpa looked up when Gabby trudged outside and sat down next to him dejectedly. “Is something the matter?” Grandpa asked. Gabby took a deep breath. “Evan is mad at me. I said I was going to help him with his chores, but then I forgot and went out with… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: James 5:16

July 8, 2019

Baby Steps

Bible Reading: Colossians 4:2-6 William watched as little Jackson slowly walked toward his mother’s outstretched arms. “How’s Jack’s walking coming along?” he asked his mother. “He’s doing quite well—watch this. Come here, Jacky!” Mom cooed, encouraging Jack to walk to her. He giggled and slowly stepped closer and closer until he was in his mother’s… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Colossians 4:5

July 7, 2019

Starting Over

Bible Reading: Psalm 32:1-5 Dominic grinned as he looked at his little brother. “Your shirt is buttoned wrong, Brock! Look at this.” Dominic tugged at the bottom of the shirt. “See how this side hangs longer at the bottom than the other side?” Brock looked down and began to fumble with the buttons. “Here …. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 32:5

July 6, 2019

Under Your Nose

Bible Reading: Proverbs 2:1-5 “Look, Forest! An old baseball card!” exclaimed Jalen as the boys searched through a box in Grandpa’s attic. “Maybe Grandpa will let us have it.” “Yeah. I’ll ask him,” Forest said. He disappeared through the attic’s trap door while Jalen continued to look at other things Grandpa had stored up there…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:14

July 5, 2019

Up a Tree

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6 Raya stood in the backyard and looked up into the big maple tree. “Dad!” she called. “Help me!” “What’s wrong?” asked Dad as he ran toward her. “It’s Daisy,” said Raya, tears filling her eyes. She pointed up. “She’s stuck in the tree. She climbed up there, but now she can’t… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 25:4

July 4, 2019

Lady Liberty

Bible Reading: John 8:31-36 Isaac closed his eyes and let the cool breeze of the New York Bay wash over his face. He turned to his sister, Hannah, who was standing next to him on the ferry headed toward Liberty Island. “I can’t wait to see the Statue of Liberty up close! My friend Zack… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 8:36

July 3, 2019

Lights in the Sky

Bible Reading: Psalm 19 BOOM! BOOM! As the loud sound of the fireworks was followed by a shower of colorful sparks cascading downward, Hudson grinned and Chloe covered her ears. “I don’t like the noise,” she said, “but the fireworks sure are pretty!” The fireworks at the county fairgrounds the night before the Fourth of… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 19:1

July 2, 2019

Playing Christian

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-9 “I am the king!” four-year-old Bryce said majestically, putting on the glittery cardboard crown he’d just made. He took his mother’s broken wooden spoon for his scepter and climbed into Dad’s big leather chair. “Now you have to do whatever I say, Caden,” he told his foster brother. Caden laughed, then… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:5

July 1, 2019

Added Blessings

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:1-5 Paige rubbed her eyes hard. Don’t be a baby, she told herself. So you won’t go to summer camp this year. That’s no reason to cry. She stuffed the camp brochure into her pocket, closed the mailbox, and went into the house. “Is that you, Tom?” called her mother. “No, it’s… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:2

June 30, 2019

Smelly Presents

Bible Reading: Titus 3:3–7 After playing for a while in the basement, little Penelope came upstairs and walked into the living room with an armful of bundles. “Look!” she cried. “I made presents!” She handed one to each member of her family. Bryce wrinkled his nose. “Something stinks!” He sniffed the present in his hand…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Isaiah 64:6