Let us begin with a quiet prayer. Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have stayed silent when someone needed hope. Give us the courage to share Your Love with gentleness and truth. Help us be faithful friends who point others to You. Amen. Joppa, Millo, and Mahle: The Message of Hope One quiet…
Tag: love
Joppa and Friends: The Little Shepherd
Children’s Ministry Reflection Title: The Humble Shepherd Peter teaches us how to live like Jesus. He tells leaders, “Be shepherds.” A shepherd is someone who takes care of others. Shepherds don’t push people around. Shepherds don’t act like they’re the boss of everyone. Shepherds help, protect, and guide with Love. Then Peter tells everyone—especially young…
Today: Day’s Journey Youth
Lord Jesus, fill young hearts and little hearts with Your Holy Spirit. Teach us to love You, trust You, and speak of You with courage and kindness. In Jesus’ Name, amen. Filled with Boldness In Acts 4, Peter spoke boldly about Jesus after being filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the same Peter who…
Joppa and Friends Crosswalk Safety
Day 2 — Look Left, Right, and Left Again Little Reminder:Cars can come from different directions, so take your time and check carefully. Hippie the Hippo’s Safety Tip:Look left, then right, then left again before you cross. Drivers! Kids run in all directions; pay attention! Prayer of Repentance:LORD, forgive us for being careless and distracted….
The Owner will Set the Table
Fruit for the Road Quiet Prayer (to begin)Lord Jesus, I quiet my soul before You. I don’t want to rush past what You are revealing. Give me a listening heart, and let Your peace guard me as You speak. Amen. The Dream One night, Linda dreamed she was walking past an orchard. An older woman…
Gossip is Not Welcomed at the Gathering, The Coop is Around the Corner
Lindsey’s voice was steady, but her hands still remembered what fear felt like. “I grew up in a religious background,” she began, glancing down at the rim of her mug as if she could still see the old years there. “And for a long time I believed… if I was good enough—if I prayed enough—and…
Made with LOVE
Mr. Martinez isn’t only drawn to Lindsey—he’s quietly captivated by her. Every morning, without fail, he finds a reason to stop by The Gathering for one… maybe two… of Lindsey’s famous cookies. She’s shared the recipe more than once—graciously, even playfully—but somehow, his never tastes like hers. Same ingredients. Same measurements. Same oven. Yet the…
Today
Father in Heaven, As this day begins, we come to You with reverence and gratitude. You are holy, faithful, and worthy of all our Love. We repent for the ways we have loved You halfway—when our hearts were divided, our attention scattered, and our devotion delayed. Forgive us for every idol we’ve held close, every…
Octopus Minds: Seeing the Light
Prayer Lord God,Forgive me for believing the lies spoken over mewhen I did not yet know what Love looked like.Open my eyes again to Your light.In Jesus’ Name, amen. When My Eyes Learned to See the Light Day’s Journey — Micro Devotional Scripture Sidebar “Arise, shine; for your light has come!And the glory of the…
Octopus Minds: When Staying was an Act of Protection
Lord,You see the choices we made when there were no safe options.Forgive the judgments spoken against those who stayed to protect others.Cover us with Your truth and peace.In Jesus’ Name, amen. Day’s Journey — Micro Devotional Scripture Sidebar “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” —John…