January 9, 2024

A New Life

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 11:19-20 Riley couldn’t believe the man up front was still talking. He sighed and looked at Mom, who was listening intently. She had become a Christian a few months earlier, and she’d been making Riley go to church with her ever since. I wish things were the way they were before, Riley… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17

January 8, 2024

Memory Quilt

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 8:28 “That’s going to be so cool when it’s finished,” Kendyn said as she watched her mom sew some pieces of a patchwork quilt. Mom smiled. “I hope so. This project is very special to me.” She picked up a few of the fabric squares. “Do you recognize these pieces… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:9

January 7, 2024

Burdens

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:32-5:1; Philippians 2:1-4 “This is cool!” said Weston as he and some other boys from church hiked through the woods. Sometimes they walked easily along the well-beaten trail, but other times they had to scramble over fallen trees or weave their way around them. “Hey, Lucas!” Weston called out. “Race you to… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:2

January 6, 2024

Always Showing Up

Bible Reading: James 1:16-18 “It’s so snowy,” Johnny said as he looked out the school bus window. “I wonder if my mom will make it to meet the bus.” Caden glanced at his friend. Sometimes Johnny’s mom was waiting for them when their bus got to their neighborhood, and sometimes she wasn’t. “My grandpa will… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Hebrews 13:8

January 5, 2024

The Path Less Traveled

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:10-15, 18-19; Matthew 7:13-14 “This is so much fun!” exclaimed Scarlett as she tramped along through the snow with the other kids from her church. “Yeah,” said Ada. “This is a cool place to have a winter retreat.” Soon they came to a fork in the path. The kids ahead of them… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:14

January 4, 2024

The Smelly Cover-Up

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-12; 1 John 1:9 Jonathan took out his dad’s aftershave lotion and rubbed some on his face before leaving the bathroom. When his mother stepped into his room a little later, she sniffed the air. “What do I smell?” she asked. “Jonathan used Dad’s aftershave lotion,” Sophie hollered from her room across… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:2

January 3, 2024

Stretched Thin

Bible Reading: Psalm 40:1-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Angelo kicked at a stone on the pavement. “Did I tell you that I can’t go live with my dad?” he asked his friend Tai. “I have to stay with Mom.” Angelo sighed. “Dad always took time to do stuff with me. Y’know—guy stuff. Now I’ll only get… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 40:1

January 2, 2024

Instant Replay

Bible Reading: Psalms 19:12-14; 139:23-24 Levi and his dad were enjoying a football game on TV. “Watch out for that guy on your right!” yelled Levi, and Dad waved his arms as if the players could see him. But it was no use—the man they were cheering for went down. “That was dumb!” exclaimed Levi… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 32:5

January 1, 2024

No Strings Attached

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20 “Grandma, in Bible times people had to sacrifice animals to God, didn’t they?” Jovie asked one day. “Why don’t we do that now?” “When Jesus died for our sins, He was the perfect sacrifice. Animal sacrifices are no longer needed because Jesus’s sacrifice covers all our wrongs when we… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1

December 31, 2023

A Fresh Start

Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:22-23 Mitchell sat on his bed looking out the window. Tomorrow was the start of a new year, but he wasn’t all that excited about it. He liked things the way they were, and he didn’t want anything to change. “What’s up, Mitchell?” Mom asked as she walked into his room. Mitchell… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 118:24