I weighed my options: should I buy the whole chicken from a local farm-to-table feed store or a big grocery chain? I said a simple, half-hearted prayer mixed with doubts. God answered my prayer in a way I didn’t expect. He desires open communication and knows our hearts deeply. Prayer is a powerful gift but can sometimes feel overwhelming or difficult when we don’t know the right words to say. My whole chicken prayer was a tangible reminder of God’s loving provision.

A childhood game of Red Rover becomes a lesson about what we all crave, to belong, to be chosen, to matter. One split-second decision can leave someone I love feeling betrayed and rejected. Jesus understands that pain firsthand. Betrayed by a close friend and rejected by those nearest to Him, He still chooses us, especially when we feel like outcasts. If you’ve ever carried the sting of rejection or the ache of betrayal, this story will remind you whose team you are welcome t

Running as fast as a Cheetah in their fancy light up shoes, giggles echoed across the gym. Frozen in time for a moment, a smile on the tagger’s face and a disgruntled frown on the other, each student eager to continue to play the game...