March 16, 2017

Shame Off You

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2 Casey was sitting on the edge of the deck, shoving a pointy stick into the muddy spring earth, when Grandpa sat down next to him. “Hey, buddy. You’ve been quiet ever since your parents dropped you off to take your little brother to the hospital. Anything you want to talk about?”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:11

March 15, 2017

A Time to Remember

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Eleanor and Keely had been friends for a long time. They lived on the same street and went to the same school. But now Keely’s family was moving away. On their last day together, the girls played at Eleanor’s house while Keely’s parents packed. “I’m already sad,” said Eleanor after… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 22:19

March 14, 2017

So Much to Say

Bible Reading: Psalm 5:1-3 Maisie had spent most of the evening texting one friend after another. “Can I first text Bree real quick?” she asked when her mother told her to get ready for bed. “I want to see if she’s as nervous as I am about tryouts for the play.” Mom shook her head…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: James 4:8

March 13, 2017

The Boss

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:22-25 “Hey!” called Bryan as he ran into house. “I got a job! I’m going to mow Mr. Radcliff’s lawn every week, and he’s going to pay me!” “That’s great,” said Dad, “but right now, I have a job for you. The garage needs to be swept, and there are tools that… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:23

March 12, 2017

The Cost of Courage

Bible Reading: Isaiah 50:6-8; Matthew 9:10-13 “Great job in the game, Hailey!” said Mom. Hailey shrugged and sat down next to her on the sidelines. “What’s wrong?” Mom asked. “Is something bothering you?” Hailey’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s Kaylee and Jenna. They said they can’t be my friends anymore.” “Why?” asked Mom. “I thought… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Isaiah 51:7

March 11, 2017

One Hundred Percent

Bible Reading: Romans 3:23-24 Laura sat up in bed with maths papers strewn all over the place. “Six eights are forty-eight, seven eights are fifty-six, eight eights are—” Just then, Mum walked in. “Sixty-four!” Mum glanced at her watch. “Are you still studying, Laura? It’s late. You should be asleep!” Laura sighed. “I know. I’m… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:21

March 10, 2017

Not a Secret

Bible Reading: Acts 4:13-20 Andy brought Mexican jumping beans to school today,” said Tiernan at dinner one evening. “They look like regular beans, but then they move all by themselves. Andy wouldn’t say what made them move—he said it was a secret. But I looked it up online and found out. I don’t know why… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Acts 4:20

March 9, 2017

A Listening Ear

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:7-13 Ella looked at the tall buildings surrounding her new home. A big lump formed in her throat as she thought about the stormy divorce that had taken her father away from her. She tried to tell her mother how lonely she was, but she felt like Mom didn’t really listen. I… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:15

March 8, 2017

Let It Go

Bible Reading: 1 John 1:5-10 Katie’s brother Brent had wanted a pet monkey ever since Dad’s job had brought their family to South America. “Rico told me how to catch one,” Brent told his sister one day. “I made a hole in a big gourd and put a banana in it. When a monkey reaches… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Proverbs 28:13

March 7, 2017

Life Luggage (Part 2)

Bible Reading: Romans 12:18-21 James was quiet as the plane rolled down the runway. “Nervous?” asked Dad. “No,” said James. “Well, not about the flight. I was thinking about something you said. Are you sure everyone has luggage they carry in their lives? Even bullies?” Dad nodded. “Bullies often have the heaviest life luggage of… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:44