The Perfect Gift

By Annette Stonger Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 Have you ever received a gift for Christmas you’ll always remember?  You might be smiling right now just thinking about it!  When I was a little girl, my parents gave my brother and sister and I a choice between receiving many little presents or one big gift.  I was the only one who chose the one item.  On Christmas morning, my sister and brother opened a lot of gifts while only one small card lay under the tree for me.  Yet, that single gift contained the biggest, most exciting gift I can remember—horseback riding lessons!  I jumped up and hugged my mom and dad.  I will never forget...

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Posted by on Dec 28, 2020 in Devotions, Devotions Archives | 0 comments

How WIll You React?

by Annette Stonger “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11 “I can’t do it,” Maddie cried, banging her fingers on the piano.  “It’s too hard!”  Maddie plunked one note after another searching for the right one. “Calm down, Maddie.  Stop striking random notes, and remember what you were taught,” I said. Instead, Maddie collapsed in a heap onto the floor, wailing. Have you ever lost your self-control and reacted like Maddie in anger and frustration?  When you are learning to swing the bat in baseball and keep striking out, do you get mad and throw the bat?  Do you struggle with your temper when your little sister or brother messes up your room? When your parents don’t allow you have...

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Posted by on Jun 19, 2011 in Devotions Archives | 0 comments

Stand Up!

by Annette Stonger Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 “I’m going to beat you up!” Ashley said. Maddie stared wide-eyed at the fifth grader sitting next to her on the bus. Ashley had been picking on Maddie all year long.  When she talked to her friends, Ashley glared at her and said,“Shut up, Maddie.”  Sometimes, Ashley even used bad language during the bus ride to and from school.  Even when Maddie said, “Please stop,” she wouldn’t. Has someone ever picked on you or called you names?  What should you do when you feel threatened by another person? Maddie was tired of getting pushed around by someone else, so she told Ashley, “I’m going to...

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Posted by on Nov 19, 2010 in Devotions Archives | 0 comments