Longing For Jesus’ Return

Lisa M. Samra — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

When I was young, I loved going to Chick-fil-A, a US-based fast-food restaurant, for waffle fries and sweet tea. When, as an adult, I moved to another state, I was shocked to discover there weren’t any locations for hundreds of miles! On family road trips, we’d even plan our routes to allow for stops at Chick-fil-A, all the while hoping someday one would open closer to home.

David’s Deliverance

Tim Gustafson — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

In the semifinals of his high school wrestling tournament, Dave cracked a rib on his right side. He won the match but wondered how he’d survive the championship with a damaged ribcage. In the finals, Dave limped out to the mat on his left, uninjured leg.

True Treasure

Nancy Gavilanes — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

James threw a long rope with a powerful magnet tied to it into the waters of a New York lake. The “magnet fisher” was stunned when he pulled out a grimy safe filled with stacks of muddy one-hundred-dollar bills.

In the Stillness

Cindy Hess Kasper — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

When I was a kid and got up in the middle of the night, I often found Mom sitting in her chair in the living room. The glow of the table lamp revealed a book on her lap—her Bible. My mom had trouble sleeping because of her insomnia and chronic pain, but she made good use of her time.

Compassionate Understanding

Bill Crowder — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

My father-in-law was a gunner in a bomber over Europe during World War II. His plane was shot down and he was captured, spending several months as a prisoner of war. Jim rarely spoke of the experience, but those who knew him before the war said that he’d been a happy-go-lucky young man with a beaming smile.

Goals Aligned with God

Patricia Raybon — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

After getting fired from his job without prior notice, Wil became so depressed that he admitted himself into an inpatient mental health facility. Then one day, after weeks with no progress, he was taking his daily walk when his therapist, seeing him, smiled and called out, “I bet I’ll beat you to the community room.” Wil recalls, “That small act triggered something inside of me.”

Gentle Answers with God’s Help

James Banks — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

“Close it up. I’ve seen enough.” Those were the words of an older, experienced beekeeper to me one afternoon when I was learning how to tend a hive.

Not Ritual but Christ

Marvin Williams — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, thousands gather each year to burn Zozobra—a fifty-foot towering effigy stuffed with their worries, bills, and regrets. They shout, “Burn him!” as they hope the flames will devour their anxieties and troubles and reset their lives.

Listening to God

Kenneth Petersen — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

In a TED Talk, Celeste Headlee outlines “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation.” One of those might appear to be counterintuitive: In order to have good conversation, we need to listen. Often when the other person is talking, we aren’t really listening to them but forming in our minds what we next want to say.

Accepted by God

Karen Huang — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

He was the doctor who never turned away a patient—even if some couldn’t pay him and even though he himself had experienced rejection from society. In spite of Harold’s outstanding record in his medical studies, no hospital in London hired him because of the color of his skin. So in 1913 he opened his own practice in his home, often treating the poor for free.

Pray for Them

Mike Wittmer — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The movie Sully depicts the heroic landing of a stalled passenger plane on New York’s Hudson River. As Captain “Sully” strode off the rescue ferry, he told an official, “I need to know who’s hurt and how badly and I need a count.

Gifts Repurposed by God

Tom Felten — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Captain Tim Mullane diligently worked at sinking the SS United States—a massive ocean liner. In fact, he was paid to send it down to the depths. Mullane repurposes ships from sailing the seven seas to serving as instant artificial reefs on the ocean floor.

Acts of Devotion

Tim Gustafson — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Like all early departures from this life, Joe’s death shocked those who knew him. Just before he died, he’d begun making poor decisions. Now this husband, father, coach, and youth leader would no longer be there for those who’d relied on him.

Words from Friends

Katara Patton — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

As I sat in a Bible class at the age of twenty-six, I was baffled. Some of my classmates’ comments were discouraging. They seemed to have so many problems.

Comfort Amidst Tears

Sheridan Voysey — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The call from my mother came around 9 p.m. “It’s about your dad,” she said.

The Warmhearted Church

Alyson Kieda — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

When I was a child, I gladly accompanied my family to church every Sunday morning and evening. Our pastor exuded joy and always included the children in the service—and even encouraged my writing. My Sunday school teachers and pastor instilled in me a love for Scripture.

The Heart of the Matter

Bill Crowder — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

On a teaching trip to Moscow, I decided to take the subway to get lunch. Standing in the subway car, I started whistling simply because I felt good after an enjoyable morning teaching and the day was pleasant. The passengers stared at me like I was insane.

Children of God

Lisa M. Samra — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite books of optical illusions always astounds me as the pictures deceive my eyes—like one with two lines of the same length appearing to be different sizes, or the famous “impossible staircase” in which four flights of stairs seem to link in a continuous loop. It can also be a little disconcerting to realize we don’t always see things as they truly are.

God’s Rescue Plan

Nancy Gavilanes — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

When a father learned his five-year-old daughter had fallen overboard from the fourth deck of the cruise ship they were on, he plunged into the ocean forty feet below to rescue her. He held on to his daughter while treading water for more than ten minutes before the ship’s rescue team brought them safely back on board. As soon as the father heard his daughter was in trouble, he risked everything to save her.

Seeking God’s Kingdom

Elisa Morgan — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

My young grandson was spending the night in our new home, in a bed unfamiliar to him. He giggled with excitement as we read books under the dinosaur tent I’d pitched atop his cozy comforter, but when it was time to sleep, his eyes widened with worry. “How will I find you if I need you?”

Look to God

Leslie Koh — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Elise felt the panic rising. The book layout was due the next day, but the printer had rejected the photos. It could take days to sort it out.

Eternity with God

Amy Boucher Pye — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

On England’s south coast, two women who are both named Kate run the Coffin Club. They created this place for people to prepare for their eventual death through selecting and decorating their coffins. Kate’s dad died when she was thirteen, and she said, “It was horrendous.

Be Patient

John Blase — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Shiro Oguni once visited a group home for adults with dementia. Heartbroken at their isolation from the hum of society, he felt there ought to be a better way. Oguni’s creative genius led to what is known as the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders, an actual restaurant with this added twist—all the wait staff struggle with memory loss.

The God Who Helps

Anne Cetas — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

While driving her nine-year-old son to camp, a mother got lost after taking a wrong turn and getting the car stuck on a rural forest road in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Her GPS and phone quit working because of the remote area, so they were unable to retrace their way back. In desperation after being stranded for more than twenty-four hours and sleeping in their car overnight, they began to walk.

Deadly Confusion

Winn Collier — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A loud thump came from a window in the classroom where I was teaching and startled the students. Then another thump! A bird had flown headlong into the glass and bounced off, only to make another run for yet another crash.

Persevering into Joy

James Banks — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Nestled in a corner of the brick steps leading up to our front door is a hardy little scarlet begonia. We didn’t plant it—it must have grown there from a seed that fell out of a hanging basket. But we’ve let it remain.

Divine Comfort

Nancy Gavilanes — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The sound of the cascading water confirmed that I’d arrived at the 9/11 Memorial Pools in New York City, a place I’d avoided visiting for fear of being overwhelmed by sadness and grief from what took place there that tragic day in 2001. I walked around the two large reflection pools located where the Twin Towers once stood. It was deeply moving to see all the names of those who died etched on the walls—some with roses placed on them by loved ones.

Legacy of Generosity

Kirsten Holmberg — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Though we didn’t live in the same state as my maternal grandparents, I’m grateful to have known them as well as I did. They traveled regularly to Colorado to see us, and we enjoyed visits with them in California. As my sister and I became adults, our conversations with our grandparents expanded from playful childhood topics to include more serious discussion of finances.

God’s Open Invitation

Karen Pimpo — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Before my close friend’s wedding, we meticulously set the table for two hundred guests at the reception. With joyful anticipation we spent hours folding napkins, aligning cutlery, straightening tablecloths, and arranging flowers. After putting in all that work, we couldn’t wait for guests to arrive and enjoy it!

What a Fellowship

Patricia Raybon — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Rachel “church hopped” for three years before finding a Bible study group that provided what she couldn’t find in a traditional church—community. Rachel is Deaf.