December 16, 2017

The Pearl Necklace

Bible Reading: Colossians 4:2-6 Ashlynn stared out her bedroom window as Mom came into the room and sat down on the bed. “How are you feeling?” Mom asked as she stroked Ashlynn’s forehead. “I think you still have a fever.” “Why do I have to be sick today?” moaned Ashlynn. “I wanted to go sing… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

December 15, 2017

Not a Sore Thumb

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Peter 3:15-18 When Jordan got home from school, his little brother Zeb met him at the door. “Look what I got.” Zeb proudly held out his thumb, which was wrapped in a thick bandage. “I banged my thumb.” “Ouch!” said Jordan. “How does it feel now?” “Better,” said Zeb,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:17

December 14, 2017

The Dogsled Ride

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 “Why do we have to take Mrs. Anderson to church with us tomorrow?” asked Miriam. “I can’t stand her!” “I don’t like her either,” said Miriam’s little brother Brendon. “Me neither!” said Flynn, the youngest. “That’s enough!” said Mom. “That is not a kind thing to say about an elderly… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12

December 13, 2017

The Greatest Engineer

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3 “Grandpa’s going to like that birdhouse you’re making for him, Tomás,” said Dad. “It looks great—but I see it’s not quite like the one pictured in your woodworking manual.” “No,” replied Tomás. “I left the perch off and made the hole smaller. This way, starlings won’t move in before… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 1:3

December 12, 2017

In the Way

Bible Reading: John 1:11-14 “Mittens, you’re driving me crazy!” Mei said as she stepped over her cat. “What’s Mittens doing?” Mom asked. “Nothing, but I always have to step over him. I’ve actually stepped on his tail lots of times,” Mei said. “I don’t do it on purpose, but he always gets under my feet…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 1:12

December 11, 2017

A Fake Christmas

Bible Reading: John 3:14-21 “It’s so pretty!” said five-year-old Jessie as she stood at the rope barricade and stared in wonder at the shiny balls, glittering stars, and sparkling snow on a Christmas tree at the mall. “Is the snow on the Christmas tree real?” “No,” said Jessie’s older sister, Dakota. “It comes in a… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 6:23

December 10, 2017

The Problem Tongue

Bible Reading: James 3:5-10 Miles looked up as his little sister limped into the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “I need new shoes!” Presley said. She lifted her right foot. “This one hurts me!” Miles smirked. “Because you don’t know how to put shoes on right. You probably have them on the wrong feet.” He… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 39:1

December 9, 2017

The Diary

Bible Reading: Titus 3:1-8 “Thanks, Anya,” Naomi said when she opened the birthday present from her sister. “A diary. I love it!” “Read your book to me!” said Naomi’s little brother, Micah. Naomi laughed. “I can’t—the pages are all empty.” She flipped through them so he could see. “This is a book for me to… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Hebrews 8:12

December 8, 2017

No Greater Joy

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:9-11 The Ravens were up by one in the championship game of the winter league basketball tournament when the scoreboard buzzed. The game was over! All the guys huddled around their star player, Hank Phillips, who scored 28 of their 62 points. On the car ride home, Hank couldn’t stop looking at… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:10

December 7, 2017

Just Mud Dirt

Bible Reading: 1 John 1:5-9; John 13:3-10 “Patrick!” Mom’s voice startled him as he stepped into the kitchen. “Look at your shoes!” Patrick looked down at his feet and then at the trail of mud behind him. “How did your shoes get so dirty?” Mom asked. Patrick shrugged. “I was just outside.” “Well, please go… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:2