December 20, 2023

Will Shovel for Brownies

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:17-24 Skye scooped the last bit of heavy, wet snow from his driveway and heaved it to the side. As he leaned on the shovel to catch his breath, his gaze fell on Mrs. Barans’ driveway next door. The snow lay in deep drifts, and her windows still had the curtains drawn…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Revelation 22:12

December 19, 2023

Grandma Redwood

Bible Reading: Psalm 92:12-15 “Isn’t Grandma too old to be teaching Sunday school?” Payton asked one day. “I mean, she’s almost seventy!” Mom laughed. “No, she’s not too old at all! Her first graders are crazy about her. And she tells me she’s learning and growing just as much as the kids are.” Payton’s eyebrows… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 92:14

December 18, 2023

Loved

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:16-19 Faith stepped out of the house alone with her soccer ball and sighed. Ever since her brothers had been born, her parents were always distracted. The twins always needed something, and it didn’t feel like her parents had any time for her. Faith had thought it might be fun to start… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:1

December 17, 2023

Born to Be Our “Saver”

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:21-23; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:5-8 “Grandpa, look at this map book I found,” said Casey. “That’s my old atlas,” Grandpa answered. “I used that atlas to teach your mom about places of the world.” Grandpa turned some pages and said, “See that green star? I put that on the town where I… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 3:16

December 16, 2023

Credit Due

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 9:23-24; James 1:17; 3:13 “Guess what, Mom?” Taylor yelled breathlessly, running up the driveway to where her mom was painting the window trim of their new house. “I got the lead part in the school play!” “Oh, Taylor! That’s terrific!” Mom put her paintbrush down and hugged her daughter. “Yeah,” said Taylor…. Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 44:8

December 15, 2023

Mold Me

Bible Reading: Romans 6:11-13; 12:1-2 “Grandma, let’s play a guessing game,” Aiden said after his parents dropped him off at his grandmother’s house for the afternoon. “I’ll tell you a riddle about what I have in my backpack, and you try to guess what it is. Here goes. I come in lots of colors. I… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Isaiah 64:8

December 14, 2023

Box of Paints

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:28-31; Colossians 3:23 Why didn’t God give me any musical talent? wondered Clara as she watched her family perform in the Christmas program at church. They can all sing so well—all except me. “It’s not fair,” Clara said after the program. “All of you can sing, and I can’t. I felt… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 9:10

December 13, 2023

God or Me

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-3; 1 John 4:12 “We’ll be late for church if Bella doesn’t hurry,” Parker complained as he laced up his new neon sneakers. “She takes forever to do her hair! I want to show my friends my shoes.” When they were finally on their way, Bella demanded that Parker close his window… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:3

December 12, 2023

Two Kinds of Kernels

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Paige and Akira watched the bag of popcorn rotate slowly in the microwave. They waited until a rush of popping sounds died down before taking it out and letting it cool. They were at a church party, and Miss Martin had asked them to make some popcorn for everyone. Akira… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17

December 11, 2023

Just Like Sammy

Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15 “Sammy is so sweet!” whispered Hayden, gazing at her brand-new brother. As she watched the baby, Sammy stirred and opened his eyes. He waved chubby little arms in the air. “He’s so tiny!” Hayden said in awe. Then she frowned as the baby began to cry. Mom… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 2:11