July 28, 2023

Spoiler Alert

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-9; Colossians 1:24-27; 2:2-3 Becca and her mom sat on the back porch, reading and drinking iced tea. “I just finished my third mystery!” Becca closed her book with a smile. “I love reading mysteries and trying to guess the endings. I’m pretty good at it.” “I like mysteries too.” Mom… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Colossians 2:2

July 27, 2023

Picking Blueberries

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:8-14 “Yummy!” Sophie squealed as she popped another blueberry into her mouth. Amber giggled. “Sophie is having so much fun.” “When you were little like your sister, you used to do the same thing,” Mimi said. “There’s just something special about picking blueberries for the first time.” “And picking them off your… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:103

July 26, 2023

Inside the Shell

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 23:23-28 “Half of these nuts aren’t any good,” complained Gracie, who had been cracking walnuts for the dessert her mother was making. “They’re black and dried up on the inside.” She picked up a nut and showed it to her mother. “Don’t bother cracking the bad ones,” said her brother… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 23:28

July 25, 2023

Give It to God

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-33 “Mom, I’m scared,” Presley whispered in the middle of the night. “I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about Isabel and her car accident. What does intensive care unit mean?” Mom offered her a much-needed hug. “Presley, have you not been able to sleep because of this? It’s scary, isn’t it? Intensive… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5:7

July 24, 2023

The Party

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 4:13-16 “Happy third birthday, Jake,” Elizabeth said, handing her younger brother his present. It was beautifully wrapped up in superhero paper. “Hope you like it.” They were having a party outside in the garden for him with some families from church. Jake glanced up before giving a loud shriek and… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:20

July 23, 2023

Leah’s Eyes

Bible Reading: John 9:1-7 Seth crept into the dark room. He switched on the lamp and waved his arms back and forth above the crib. Leah didn’t notice him. She was blind. “Hi, baby,” he whispered. She turned her tiny head toward the sound of his voice. He patted her hand through the bars. “What… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:18

July 22, 2023

The Flame

Bible Reading: Psalm 16:2, 11; Philippians 1:6, 9-11; 1 Peter 3:10-11 Not another essay! Serena groaned to herself as the teacher wrote the subject on the board: What I Want to Be When I Grow Up. I hate writing essays. Besides, I don’t know what I want to be. Serena sighed and wrote down the… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 23:6

July 21, 2023

Never Muted

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:12-13; 1 Peter 3:12 “Grandma, you’re on mute. You have to tap the little microphone icon to turn your sound on,” ten-year-old Samara instructed her grandmother over the video call. “I can see your mouth moving but I don’t know what you’re saying,” Samara said in frustration. She was eager to tell… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:12

July 20, 2023

False Lights

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-6; James 4:7 During their vacation by the sea, Lena and her family visited an old lighthouse in the area. “What does a lighthouse do, Daddy?” asked Lena’s little sister Arianna. “It shines light far and wide, so ships out at sea are guided to a safe place to dock,” Dad told… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:14

July 19, 2023

An Eye for an Eye

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Danar was silent as he rode home from his first pencak silat competition. He had been looking forward to the Indonesian martial arts competition and had even won third place, but now he found it hard to celebrate. His father looked at him. “You’ve been awfully quiet,… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 5:8