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

June 29, 2019

A Lesson in Sacrifice

Bible Reading: John 15:12–13 “Are you ready?” Uncle Rick shouted over the sound of the boat’s motor. “All ready!” Alex and Susan responded in unison. As they slowly moved forward, the long rope connecting Alex and Susan’s tube to the back of the boat began to tighten, and so did their stomachs. This was their… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 15:13

June 28, 2019

Moving Day

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:12–18 It was moving day. Alaina sat sullenly in the back seat as her mom followed the moving truck Dad was driving. She let out a heavy sigh and started complaining . . . again. “I don’t want to move. I don’t want to leave my friends, and I don’t want to… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:5

June 27, 2019

Message Delivered

Bible Reading: Romans 10:13–15 As Parker’s family left their mission work to return to their own country for a few months, they sadly said goodbye to Aniceta. She had helped them translate the New Testament into her language. They knew she would miss them very much, and they would miss her too. In the weeks… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 10:15

June 26, 2019

The Big Picture

Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:9; 27:9 Sierra watched the TV eagerly when a commercial for her dad’s business appeared on the screen. His company was a sponsor for a local TV station, and an ad for their business had been recorded at the office where he worked. “Where’s your desk, Dad?” asked Sierra. “I don’t see… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:17

June 25, 2019

Baloney Sandwich (Part 2)

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 18:9–14; Romans 6:1–2, 11–13 “Dad, that TV guy is in town,” Levi said excitedly. “Hudson’s family is going to see him, and he invited me to go along. Can I go?” “What TV guy would that be?” Dad asked. “The guy who contacts people who have died.” Levi hurried on when he… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1–2