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Bricks2026
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Your Turn 2026
Contests

Sign up for RP’s July 13-22 screenfast challenge!

Bring peace to your mind while raising $100 for charity.

***** 

Are you struggling with keeping screens in their proper place? Do you or your children find it hard not to reach for your device, almost without thinking? Last year, over 1,000 of you joined us in “breaking the spell” for 10 days. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, making it evident we would all benefit from doing this every year.  So for ten days, we're going to get re-oriented. We're asking everyone – as much as it is possible for you – to steer clear from your smartphone, computers, TV, and tablets for the ten days of July 13 to July 22, 2026.

Speaking of together, we’re asking you to sign up with an accountability partner – someone who can see how you are doing and egg you on. And you can do the same for them!

Need a device for work, or to stay in touch with family? No problem. You are welcome to come up with your own exceptions. Just write them down in advance and stick to them.

Some generous supporters have pledged to donate $10 per day for every day you manage to go screen-free from July 13-22. The money will be split between two fantastic kingdom causes – Reformed Perspective and Word & Deed –  to a maximum of $20,000 split between both causes.

A few tips

  1. Commit. Don’t allow yourself to make easy exceptions, even if you are having a hard day. For example, just because you are at someone else’s home doesn’t mean you can enjoy screens again.
  2. Don't get sucked in. If you still need screens for basic your job or other functions that are essential, go for it, but ensure that you are only using your tablet and phone for that and only that. For example, if you need a phone for directions, don’t take the opportunity to scroll the news. If you need a computer at work, don’t let yourself go to other websites or play an online game.
  3. Out of sight, out of mind. Help yourself by hiding your devices and make them difficult to access. Maybe even take the TV off the wall.
  4. Log out. Log out of your social media accounts so that it isn’t easy to quickly open them.
  5. Hide your app icons. If you need still need to use your phone, hide all the icons of the apps you want to steer clear of.
  6. Come up with a plan. When you find yourself wanting to reach for a screen, what'll you do instead? Make a plan. It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Perhaps say a prayer, take a drink of water, try to memorize a verse, do a set of 10 jumping jacks, or read a couple of pages of a book you’ve been meaning to get to.
  7. Have alternatives ready and waiting. You and your children are going to need something else to do with your screen time, so you need to have options, otherwise you'll just spend your time pining for your phone. Get out books, magazines, art supplies, a soccer ball, or whatever. For more ideas be sure to check out our article "What can I do anyways? 35 screen-free alternatives.
  8. Invite accountability. Let loved ones know what you are doing, and ask them to check in on you regularly to see how it is going. Tell them not to let you off the hook!
  9. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Don't we all need help on this front? So don't let yourself off the hook - let's do this together!

Register for the July 13-22 nationwide by filling in the form below.

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Because

What if you were rich as you could be? You owned everything, far as the eye could see. You loved to share these riches with a friend, of your gener...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

The Ring

He looks down at his wrinkled fingers Thumbs the gold band wrapped around it His wedding ring 71 years ago the church bells rang Then her father g...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Sonnet for an Unknown God – Acts 17

I saw an altar, nameless, cold, and bare, With faded letters signed “The Unknown God.” A feeling dark and lonesome lingered there, A shadow of ...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Borrowed language to thank my dearest Friend

As Moses raised the serpent up so God’s own Son was lifted high. Alas! My Saviour Jesus bled, my Sovereign Lord did die. His sacred head was wou...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Anxiety and trust

There are moments when the world grows quiet, yet our minds grow loud. Worries replay themselves in the dark – unfinished conversations, uncertain futures, fears we cannot seem to turn off. Anxiety does not discriminate by age or season of life; it visits children facing school pressures, adults carrying responsibilities, and older hearts wrestling with health or loss. For many believers, this restless mind can also stir guilt: If I trust God, why do I still feel this way? Scripture does not shy away from these questions. Instead, God’s Word speaks gently and truthfully to anxious hearts, inviting us not into denial, but into trust. Anxiety is often treated as a modern problem, but the Bible tells a different story. God’s people have always wrestled with fear, uncertainty, and restless thoughts. From the psalms of David to the teachings of Jesus, Scripture meets anxiety head-on – not with condemnation, but with compassion and hope. David, a man described as being after God’s own heart, openly expressed his anxiety before the Lord. In Psalm 55 he writes, “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me.” These words are not polished or calm; they are raw and honest. Yet David does not hide his anxiety from God – he brings it directly to Him. This shows us something vital: feeling anxious is not a sign of weak faith. What matters is where we take our anxiety. Even faithful servants of God experienced moments of overwhelming fear. The prophet Elijah, after boldly standing against false prophets, fled in fear and despair, asking God to take his life (1 Kings 19). God’s response was not an angry rebuke. Instead, He provided rest, nourishment, and gentle reassurance. This pattern reveals God’s heart toward the anxious: He does not push us away but comes closer to us. Jesus addressed anxiety during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 6:25-34, He speaks directly to worried hearts, saying, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.” These words are familiar yet often misunderstood. Jesus was not dismissing real concerns or suggesting that faithful people never feel anxious. Rather, He was redirecting His listeners’ focus – from the uncertainty of tomorrow to the faithfulness of their Father today. Jesus points to birds and flowers, reminding us that God faithfully provides for His creation. If God cares so attentively for what is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more does He care for His children? Anxiety often grows when we imagine a future without God’s presence. Jesus invites us instead to trust that the same God who is faithful today will be faithful tomorrow. One of the most comforting promises in Scripture comes from Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Notice that Paul does not say anxiety will disappear instantly. Instead, in the next verse, he promises that God’s peace, “which transcends all understanding,” will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Peace is not always the absence of anxious thoughts; sometimes it is God’s protection in the midst of them. Trust, then, is not a switch we flip but a practice we return to daily. When we have anxious thoughts, we are invited again and again to bring them before God. Peter echoes this invitation when he writes, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). The command is paired with a reason: God cares. Our ability to trust rests not in our strength, but in His. It is also important to remember that God often works through community. Scripture reminds us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Seeking help from trusted believers, pastors, counselors, or medical professionals is not a failure of faith. It can be an act of humility and wisdom. God never intended us to walk through anxiety alone, and the Church is meant to be a place of refuge. For those walking through seasons when the mind will not be quiet, Scripture offers this steady reassurance: God does not slumber or sleep (Ps. 121:4). Even when we lie awake, restless and worried, He remains fully attentive. Modern anxiety – especially among our youth – cannot be reduced to a single cause. Excessive screen time, diets filled with preservatives, sedentary lifestyles, and constant stimulation all play a role. These realities are not spiritually neutral; they reflect a way of life increasingly detached from God’s design. When we ignore these principles, there are consequences – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. However, it would be both unbiblical and unloving to conclude that anxiety itself is proof of sin or spiritual failure. Faithful men and women throughout Scripture experienced deep distress while walking closely with God. As Christians, we must resist the temptation to spiritualize anxiety into shame or dismiss it as mere weakness. Instead, we are invited to ask a more faithful question: What does anxiety reveal about how far modern life has drifted from God’s design for rest, embodiment, community, and trust? In this sense, anxiety may be less a personal moral failure and more a symptom of living in a world that has forgotten how to live rightly before God. The Christian response, then, is not condemnation but restoration – calling people back to healthier rhythms, deeper dependence on God, embodied community, and compassionate care for both soul and body. In doing so, we bear witness to a God who does not abandon the anxious, but meets them with truth, grace, and healing. Anxiety may visit, but it does not have the final word. The final word belongs to a God who sees, cares, and invites us to rest in Him – one prayer, one breath, one day at a time. Mark Hicks was excited to submit this article to the Your Turn contest. We are grateful to share it with you, but very sad that he is no longer with us to see it in print. On May 25, the LORD took Mark home to Himself. We mourn his sudden passing with his loved ones, but rejoice that He is alive in Christ. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." – Philippians 1:21...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Your Turn 2026 – the top 25!

RP's 2026 Your Turn contest has come to a close, and it was a doozy – so many great entries displaying all sorts of talents. If you haven't read, watched, or heard them all yet, we've got all the top 25 linked to down below. These are the ones that made it into the May/June 2026 issue, listed in the order they appeared in the magazine. Winners are noted, but all of these are amazing. WRITTEN – best of the adults I went to church by Natasha Fennema Educational peace by Tamara Nieuwenhuis The first bell by Ilsa Ravensbergen Created to commune by Madeleine Dewitt On kids in the pews and God's faithfulness by Jennie VanDriel Life inside the lines: a profile of an artist by Holly Enter – WINNER A love that gives birth, even without bearing children by Saadi Al Azah WRITTEN – best of the youth 14 ways of looking at a star by Ariel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: a play for family gatherings by Brianna In its time by Miriam – WINNER How hardships bring you closer to God in true faith by Leanna Child of God by Jenny VIDEOS - best of the adults Beautiful things by Joel Van Der Molen – WINNER Behold by Cameron Blokker In Zion born by Rebecca Vanveen VIDEOS - best of the youth On being a budding archaeologist by Jeremiah – WINNER My dog Bruno doesn't understand by Holly On kids learning Hebrew by Aslan Getting out of your comfort zone by Loria Waking up at 5:20 by Jake AUDIO - best of the youth The archive of unspoken words by Meaghan –WINNER Her name was Mia AUDIO - best of the adults Little man by Miriam Bruning – WINNER All that I need by Mary Koppert – FAN FAVORITE WINNER It was never easy by Savannah Brouwer ...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

A Love That Gives Birth, Even Without Bearing Children

There are people who may never hold a child of their own, yet they carry within them a love that gives birth to something far deeper. Some hearts welcome strangers as though they were long-lost sons... Some open their homes the way others open their arms... Some treat the weary as family, the refugee as a brother, the one who struggles with language as though he had always belonged. These hearts do not give birth to children of flesh and bone but they give birth to something eternal: A new hope in a tired heart, a smile on the face of someone who thought he had none left, a sense of peace in the path of someone who had walked alone for too long, a feeling of belonging in the life of one who believed he had no place in this world. Such people are like Rahab... She was not a princess, nor a prophetess, nor someone with a noble title. And yet her house became a refuge, her courage became a doorway through which God’s people entered, and her simple act of love became a crimson thread woven into the story of redemption. Because love, true love does not wait for a cradle to be full. It waits for a heart to open. There is a love that may never prepare a crib for a child, but it prepares a table for the lonely. There is an embrace that may never hold a newborn, but it holds a wounded soul until he can stand again. And this is the truest meaning of parenthood in the Kingdom of God: not the birth of bodies... but the birth of life, warmth, and hope in the hearts of others. ***** “Often, my writing flows from deep inner moments, between pain and joy, where I experience God’s presence in the small details of life. This piece was born out of reflecting on a love I have truly experienced, a love not defined by physical ties, yet one that gave me a profound sense of belonging. While reading the story of Rahab, I was struck by how an open heart can become a refuge, and how a simple act filled with faith can enter into God’s greater story. In that moment, I remembered people who embraced me with genuine love, and their love became for me a living testimony that God still works through open hearts. This is why I wrote: to express a love that gives birth to life in others, even without bearing children.” - Saadi...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

I Went to Church

I went to church when I was young, Where psalms and hymns were always sung, Was baptized as a baby there, And often went to God in prayer, I knew some Bible stories well, I thought that I was safe from hell, My heart, I felt, was good enough, To save me when the times got rough, But Jesus Christ I didn't know, The planted seed had yet to grow, From church and God I fell away, I had to leave, I couldn't stay, I felt it all must be a farce, A lie made up, for truth seemed sparse, A cult, a sham, twas make believe, I didn't want to be deceived, For many years I lived in sin, Away from God, my faith was thin, But I could never shake the thought, That there was more than I'd been taught, My endless questions brought despair, I searched for answers everywhere, I had to know just what was real, Based on the truth, not how I feel, But then God opened up my eyes, Turned out the world was full of lies, The truth was always there with me, I just was blind and couldn't see, The Holy Spirit in my soul, He gave new life and made me whole, That's when the Bible came alive, And faith deep down began to thrive, 'Cause what was missing all along, Was Jesus, to whom I belong, I learned that I had been set free, From all my sins and misery, Because of His great sacrifice, Where on the cross He paid the price, I was redeemed, my sins no more, I now had Jesus to live for, I went to church when I was young, Where psalms and hymns were always sung, To that same church I go today, But in a very different way, Twas as a Christian I was raised, For that our God is to be praised, He gave me roots, the seed, it grew, And then He made my heart anew. ***** “This is a poem I wrote about faith and my testimony, a life of redemption, and my spiritual journey.” - Natasha...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Your Turn: the video finalists

We had some fun and fabulous video entries, so be sure to check them all out. We start with five from the 18-and-under youth category, and then furthe...
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Contests, Interview with an artist, Your Turn 2026

In its time

Let’s start off with an introduction to one of my closest friends. My Opa was one of my best pals since I was born. We had a special bond, the kind ...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

How hardships bring you closer to God in true faith
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Contests, Interview with an artist, Your Turn 2026

Life Inside the Lines: a profile of an artist

Twelve-year-old Klaas Stel sat uncomfortably before a blank canvas at a beginner art class. The year was 1958, and as the son of poor Dutch immigrants...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Educational peace

It was the closest to a deal breaker we’d had. In our year and a few months of dating my fiancé and I had covered all the important topics extensively, or so I thought. That summer evening as we talked it finally hit me that my husband-to-be was set on Christian school for any future children we might be blessed with, and not, in fact, ever, interested in homeschooling. “He really means it” I thought. I saw resolve and promise. He wanted something very good for his children and he would provide this for his family, Lord willing. I had been homeschooled and it had been a wonderful experience that had filled my mind with possibilities. I had strong opinions about education and wanted to teach my future children myself. Stubbornly optimistic, I swung the opposite way as I thought this through, “Maybe I can still change his mind!” I knew he’d already seen a new side of homeschooling by getting to know my family. I figured this was just the beginning of him seeing things from my perspective, ignoring that perhaps that meant I should also try to see things from his. The more sobering realistic side of me had to consider this man I loved and his desires for any children we might have. Could I follow his lead if it was different from my plan? Discussing topics that are far in the future can result in two people thinking they know their future selves so well that they can decide now what they will be then. It sounds a little arrogant, but isn’t that what the marriage commitment is as well, a promise to have and to hold, through sickness and health, till death do us part? We really don’t know what that will truly mean, when those vows are made. However, we do so in faith, and faith can move mountains. Our first son was born and any conversations about education were few and far between in those first years. In my day-to-day choices I opted out of the early education classes that were numerous in our area as I didn’t believe in rushing children towards early reading, but instead set out to provide our son with lots of natural learning opportunities; get our hands messy, read lots of books and answer his many questions, as simple as that. Before our oldest was Senior Kindergarten (SK) age we had 2 more children and had moved to a new neighborhood and school district. For my precocious oldest I set up a ‘school room’ in the basement while knowing full well that homeschool families generally do school at the kitchen table. I was not immune to being a rookie. We worked through the alphabet, doing an activity or two per letter and searching for those letters in books and on signs when we were out for walks or running errands. Learning became a part of every day. We did the program, Five in a Row by Jane Claire Lambert and enjoyed that very much. I gave my son a harmonica after we finished reading the book Lentil by Robert McCloskey and found that to be a musical instrument that sounds kind of nice, even from a beginner! Was this homeschooling despite my husband’s wishes? Well, yes and no. He liked the idea of me educating our son until he was SK age, at which point he would go to school. By this point we had talked about this often and agreed on this plan. I felt really good about this most of the time, especially since our son was becoming so excited to go to school and I got to try out some of the teaching methods I’d had in the back of my mind for so long. I recognized that I was still feeling pulled in two directions and I remember praying about my lack of peace, and arriving time and time again to the answer to trust Him. To trust that God led me to my husband and that I could follow his lead because he also loved the Lord. Sometimes this was a literal cap to the bottle of endless misgivings. Trust Him, and trust him. When the time came for us to pick a school, there was that same tug in my heart in the opposite direction as we considered a school that was nearby. The school was small, and that appealed to me. If my babies had to leave me I was glad it was to a school where they wouldn’t be lost in a crowd and ignored. A little dramatic, but these were my early thoughts! If I was going to be a school mom I wanted to like the school. What was involved with being a school mom anyway? That first day of school arrived much too quickly for me, and at long last for him. He was born in February and had been 5 for ages. His enthusiasm soothed me immensely, but I put him on that bus and then went inside to cry over a sink of dishes. His words at the end of the day, “It was my first day of school and I did it!” have made me smile so many times in the years since. My thoughts during this first year were many. In some ways it felt so wrong to pack a small child a lunch and send him off for the day. I didn’t want to ignore that feeling, but was still trying to trust. I would need to let him go eventually, right? An impossible thought when they have bright trusting eyes, and still climb into your bed every morning for a snuggle before the day starts. In conflict to these thoughts was a thriving happy child with a teacher and community we were beginning to love. I spent time thinking about the course my life was taking in comparison to what I had known growing up. I went back and forth a lot as God was showing me the way. It was a special kind of fun to show up at school and see my child light up with excitement to show me what they had been learning. I felt myself being established as the one who welcomed him home and caused that big exhale at the end of the day. Homeschooling had always been an example to me of the only schooling option that allowed a child to be an individual. Simply by moving through the day as a group, a student in a classroom setting did not have the freedom to be ahead or behind their peers. Expecting all to fit neatly into a shape grated on me as I had seen in my own family that my older brother excelled at many things, and being homeschooled allowed him the time to pursue his interests, and to glean education from them. Similarly, I had a strong interest in art and our schedule offered ample time for creative expression. My younger brother by 3 years was easily doing my math, peering over my shoulder and giving the answers long before I understood what the lesson was asking. I’ve since forgiven him for this but it really got on my nerves at the time. I was able to grow at my own pace, in the biggest way perhaps in that I didn’t read well until grade 3, and I didn’t know that until I was an adult. I didn’t know that I was behind. Is there a school anywhere where a child could be “behind” and not know it, besides in homeschooling? I am so thankful I wasn’t aware of my slower pace, and had the space to figure it out without pressure. That later start has not held me back, though it easily could have been a shadow I carried with me if I’d endured teasing, or had seen worry in the eyes of my parents or teachers. My own life experiences were the main reason why I felt a pull to homeschool my children. Additionally, I felt I needed to defend myself, for the rest of my life if that’s what it took. “We aren’t weird, we aren’t lacking in social skills, we don’t have holes in our education.” (These situations do occur, but it’s not simply because of homeschooling. Every educational environment has students that don’t fit the mold perfectly, and teachers that unfortunately miss the mark.) That defensive position would have been a selfish reason to homeschool, and would have been an unsteady foundation for an education. It was humbling to admit to myself and others that I could grow up homeschooled, absolutely love it, and then leave it. Once you are on the team you don’t leave it and do something else. At least that’s how it can feel. The other team, the one I was outside of for so long is full of… loving parents too. What did I think would be there? In walking through each school year beside my children I’ve been able to glean a great deal of wisdom from fellow parents and the staff at school. Many of them struggled to send their babies to school too. I wasn’t alone in missing them and wasn’t alone in relishing the quiet house. One mom pointed out to me that each teacher has their strengths in teaching, and those strengths can bless our children. I saw this in the grade 1 teacher who taught the Christian faith in a way that made my 6-year-old truly love the Lord and pray with new understanding. Or the teacher who showed how to be determined and not give up when something is hard, or who said just the right thing to make a hard concept suddenly click. We are so blessed by these adults that pour Christ-like love and excellence into our children! Each teacher has made an impression and each year has brought positive growth. Many of my fears were for nothing, and many of the strengths homeschooling offered we have been able to provide within and alongside the school. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being the Mom who works a lesson into the day, as homeschooling showed me that lessons learned as you live your life have as much impact as the ones learned in a classroom following a curriculum. When your school recognizes that educating children falls primarily on the parents, and their intention is to come alongside that goal in support and with the Christian faith held central, well, that can be counted as nothing but a great blessing. This past September we began our 8th year at our school. I am no longer going back and forth in my mind wondering again if this was the right choice. God gave me an unexpected opportunity to learn in leading us to send our children to school. I thought I was one of the fortunate ones who was more open minded than others due to homeschooling, but I had misunderstood others the same way they had me. By trusting God through following my husband’s lead I have been rewarded in more ways than I could say. There is no way to guarantee our children the very best in life, but that is often what we receive despite ourselves. I had an excellent upbringing, and by God’s grace and great love, my children are too. ***** “This article is about following God’s lead for education choices for our children. My husband and I had differing opinions about education as we started our marriage, and I wanted to encourage others who might face something similar. I hope to show how God can surprise us with His goodness when we trust Him.” - Tamara...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Your Turn: the audio finalists

What follows are the very best of the audio submissions, starting with the two best 18-and-under youth submissions, followed by a trio of songs by the adults. The best of the youth   WINNER Meaghan's "The archive of unspoken words" (5 minutes) “Growing up I was someone who often tried to hide bits and pieces of my personality. I only showed parts I thought other people wanted to see. I've since learned that you should never ever apologize for who you really are because God made us all unique. I love writing poetry! Like loooove it. So what better way to wave goodbye to that part of my life than through something I love." ***** FINALIST Talia's "Her name was Mia" (12 minutes) “I decided to do an audio recording on a story which I wrote about a woman and her journey through faith. It emphasizes a few main points, the main one being faith over fear." ***** The best of the adults WINNER Miriam Bruning's "Little man" (4.5 minutes) “I wrote this song towards the end of a very difficult postpartum phase with my first child. I was finally able to start feeling genuine joy again, watching my son grow and develop. This song wrote itself over two evenings as I reflected on how much I had to be grateful for. I feel so overwhelmed by God’s grace and love shown to me, both in giving me my beautiful son and blessing me with an incredible husband. I get so much joy out of watching our little man (who is two years old now!) copy everything his daddy does. I hope that by sharing this song, it can help to remind families, and mothers in particular, of the joy that can be found in the midst of the highs and lows of parenthood. I feel that the more I try to focus on gratitude, the more the Lord gently and lovingly shows me what I have to be grateful for." ***** FINALIST Mary Koppert's "All that I need" (6 minutes) “This song was born when I stepped into the shower on a Saturday afternoon. The verse that’s in my bathroom was tumbling around in my head. Suddenly, it had a melody, a meter; it even rhymed, right out of the pages of Scripture. On Sunday I was picking out the music on the piano. By Tuesday, I was refining the lyrics and laying down the melody on my notation software; the song, though needing refinement, was complete. Curiously, it wasn’t until I made yet another tiny tweak to the lyrics, that I was hit by the truth. This song that God gave me, was the very deepest cry of my own heart. I am a mother of 5 children living with a rare, incurable (but treatable) blood disorder. I am intimately acquainted with endless sighing and physical weakness. What began as a general meditation became a personal journey through 2 Corinthians 12: His strength is made perfect in my weakness and His grace is all that I need. My prayer is that this song would be a companion for those walking through their own 'night.'" ***** FINALIST Savannah Brouwer's "It was never easy" (6.5 minutes) “This faith is a fight. It is a battle. We are meant to be soldiers. Soldiers are not sitting around waiting for the battle to be won, they are walking with an aim, a goal, and they will not rest until they reach that goal, even if it costs their life! That’s the purpose in this song – to encourage you to walk into those dangerous places, those unknown places and know God is carrying you to see his glory in it all! A couple months back I was expressing all these thoughts to my friend Hailey Vanderhorst and she said she would write a poem about it all. Just from a handful of notes and a good conversation, It Was Never Easy was created. These are the words she wrote down to capture the things God has been pressing upon my heart and I am deeply grateful. This song wouldn’t be together without her!" ...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Child of God

A mother held her newborn son and whispered in his ear, “I love you so much, little one, I hold you very dear. I love exactly who you are, I love you through and through. The LORD knew how He was blessing me, when He gave me you. Knitting together your heart and mind as you grew inside of me, In His wisdom He fully planned who you were going to be. God made your little hands and feet, your eyes and nose as well, so you can do so many things like dance, jump, see and smell. You will grow bigger every day, and as more time will pass, you and I will both wish that time had not flown by so fast. You are a child of God, He declares you are His own. The truth is your identity is found in Christ alone. This truth is dear to us, but some people get it confused. They think “whatever makes me happy” is a good excuse to completely change how they look, and change their very self, so they can try to live as someone other than themself. They think that they will love themselves more than they did before, but they do not know that Jesus Christ loves them so much more. Our Saviour loves these people so much more than they could know. He loves every inch of them, from their head down to their toes. He died out of pure love for them, exactly as they were. The way that God created them is what they should prefer. When you attempt to change yourself in every single way, you find that loving how God made you is the better way. I hope when you grow up, my dear, you love how you were made, so that others may look to you and see God’s love displayed. Reach out to those who have no hope, give them a listening ear, so by loving them they will see that God is always near. Surround the people who do not know what to be or do, pray for them and tell them that through Christ they are renewed. My darling, if you ever have thoughts that you need to change, or if you don’t feel good enough just the way you are made, you can come to me and tell me, I’ll wrap you in my arms. I’ll whisper that I love you, exactly the way you are. I love you because you are mine, but not just mine alone. You are a precious child of God who bought you as His own.”   ***** “I wrote this poem a couple years ago for an assignment in my Health class. We had been discussing the topic of Identity, what our society has made it, and how we as Christians are to respond. I wanted to write something for children as well as adults to remind them that our identity is not dependent on our fluctuating emotions, but our identity is in Christ as image bearers of God.” - Jenny...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

On kids in the pews and God’s faithfulness

Don't you sometimes sit in church. and look in amazement at some of the young families in the rows ahead of you, and wonder how these little ones can possibly sit still for a whole hour? True, some are better at it than others, even in the same family, but they are there faithfully every Sunday. It is amazing that week after week, you see improvements! It makes you laugh when you see an older sibling straightening out a younger fidgeting one. Not always easy! In our Reformed tradition, taking your children to church, from age 3 or 4 on, has been the norm for many years. It hasn't been an easy thing to do! It's often a trial for Mom and Dad, to see to it that the youngest is learning to sit still, just like the older brother or sister. But amazingly, they learn! We have friends who, many years ago, gave up the battle of taking their children to church, saying it was much too difficult to keep them quiet: they needed to be entertained in a much more appealing way. They found a church that catered to the needs of their kids; they wouldn't need to sit still; they could interact and speak their minds (and oh! they had minds of their own) as much as they wanted to. So often the kids’ wants were catered to. What they liked and disliked was taken into account. It so happened that these friends visited us last year. Yes, they had their worries about their now grown and married children, who didn't go to church anymore, and in turn had not taken their children at all – "It's a different world, Mom and Dad, that was maybe okay in your days, but things are so much faster paced, our kids have to keep up with all the latest. But Mom, don't worry, we still say a simple prayer at mealtime, the one you taught us, Mom!" Our friends came with us to church during their stay, morning and afternoon services. They were appalled that again there were families with little children in church in the afternoon. "Ach, die arme kinderen!" exclaimed my friend Betsy – (Oh those poor kids!), "Do they have to sit still again for another hour?" I leaned over and replied to Betsy, "Isn't that how you and I learned to sit still during worship services so many years ago? And it hasn't hurt us!" Just then another family walked in, sitting in front of a family with little kids, and it being before the service, they turned around and exchanged little tidbits with giggles. It warmed my heart! And then I just had to share with Betsy – "Watch them sing when the service starts!” Oh! How thankful I was that our local Christian school still had the custom of teaching the students a psalm or hymn every week. Our pastors knew which ones! And oh! Those kids in the rows ahead of us didn't disappoint. Even though it was a difficult Genevan melody, they knew the song! They sang their hearts out, and I couldn’t help it, I had tears in my eyes – it was so moving. I didn't say anything to Betsy, but after the service, if I'd had a huge bag with chocolate bars, each of those kids would have gotten one from me. We live in worrisome and confusing times, for us, and for our children. The pace of change in society seems to increase every year. What a comfort to have the solidity of God’s unfailing Word as our comfort and our guide. Our God is faithful – even when we are not always! The Lord made a covenant with us His children – something we can bank on! Psalm 105 is often sung at baptisms; reflect on these beautiful words from the Genevan Psalter, verse 3: He is the Lord, our God unfailing, His judgements everywhere prevailing. He will remember and uphold His covenant made in days of old. The STEADFAST WORDS of His command A THOUSAND GENERATIONS STAND! When our children learn these psalms, the meaning of the words is not always grasped, but the words are committed to memory. And by God’s Holy Spirit they are brought to mind through different circumstances throughout their lives! That’s God’s Word; it never returns to Him empty. We can reflect on the beautiful words of Isaiah 55:9-11: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth, and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Thank the Lord for faithful parents, for faithful pastors, for faithful teachers at our Christian schools!! Hold them up in prayer!! And remain faithful – it comes with many blessings! He has promised! ***** "The reason I wrote the article was to tell how easily we’re influenced by the culture around us – it’s so easy to give in, and it’s so understandable to wish your kids to be happy and unfettered by old-fashioned dictates. But our faithful God wants us to be obedient – to obey is better than sacrifice. He wants our hearts and commitment. “How shall the young direct their way – What light shall be their perfect Guide? Thy Word oh Lord will safely lead If in its wisdom they confide!” That’s from Psalm 119. Again and again, we’re reminded that we need to be under the faithful preaching of His Word – and what better way than to bring your children to Church! Haven’t you had it, when you really don’t feel like going to church on a hot Sunday afternoon – yet you go, and somehow been richly blessed by the preaching, the singing! Don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the great truths and comfort of His Word to us. Let’s be thankful that we still have the freedom to take our children to church!! Our forefathers did this under much more difficult circumstances, and parents under repressive regimes must teach their children before they attend school the eternal truths and comfort of salvation in Jesus Christ – belonging to Him, body and soul!! That He will never leave them!!!" - Jennie...

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Contests, Your Turn 2026

 The First Bell

The first bell came all too soon. The shrill cry echoed through the empty halls. Hands cold and clammy, she rose from the chair, facing the empty clas...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

14 Ways of Looking at a Star

I. Star: noun. A fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun. II. There were no birthday candle...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

Created to Commune

A first neighborhood I was far too young to remember staying over at the neighbors’ on the fateful day my sister –  vernix-covered and with oh ...
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Contests, Your Turn 2026

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: a play for family gatherings
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Contests, Photos 2026

RP's 2026 Summer Photo Contest: Let's get real!

The fascination with AI media creation, be it pictures, videos, and music, has turned sour for many of us. AI images are increasingly felt to be easy, cheap, and too often deceitful. In contrast to this AI gloss, God’s creation stands before us as a witness to just how real and powerful He is, so that everyone is without excuse (Rom. 1:20). It’s anything but artificial. Our challenge for you this year is to take photos that capture what reality looks like on this side of eternity. There is brokenness, but there is also hope, darkness but now light, strength and fragility, complexity and order… God’s fingerprints are everywhere. As always, the themes are meant as a springboard for your creativity and not any sort of limitation on it. Just try things, have fun, and share what you capture with all of us! So get clicking... and don't forget to include a line or two explaining what your photo is all about! Categories: Children and youth (under 18) Adults (18+) Rules: Maximum 2 entries per person Must be an original photo, taken in the last 12 months Include a line to explain how the photo relates to the theme (max. 100 words) Provide permission to RP to publish your photo online and/or in print if selected Include the name of the photographer and photo title, and for the under 18 entries, the photographer's age. Prizes: Winner and runner-up, and a selection of other entries, for both categories will be printed in Reformed Perspective this Winter. Winner of each category will receive a $150 gift certificate from Reformed Book Services or Providence Books and Press; runner-up will receive a $75 gift certificate. Deadline: Send your photo (high-resolution) to [email protected] before Sept 1, 2026 ...

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Bricks2026, Contests

CAN YOU BUILD IT BETTER?
– the brick-building contest results!

We had another wonderful response to our brick-building contest. We asked whether entrants could think of “things that aren’t but should be” – we wanted to see if they could “build it better” and more than 200 entrants said that yes, they could. We had all sorts of cars and trucks and motorhomes and tractors that could drive, and fly or float, turn garbage into tires or rocket right across the ocean at 28,000 km/hr (and, if you weren’t careful, they might even sting you!). In a “great minds think alike” moment, two entrants designed creative alarm clocks that used a teapot and a coffee pot to motivate a sleepy sort to get up now! And if you don’t like coffee or tea? There was a hot chocolate machine too! Some of the submissions were enormous like a plane that was 6 feet, 7 inches long, and a robot that people can go inside of. There were also a number of major appliances reinvented – dishwashers, dryers, and washing machines that had been upgraded to be even more automatic. And let’s not forget some fantastic homes – an apartment building that includes a smooth bar, a house on wheels, one that flies, and who wouldn’t want to live in a castle? There were also some entries that were powered and functional – like a tractor that could distribute Mentos, and a bulldozer of sorts that can collect all the LEGO that gets kicked under your couches. It was clear once again that our readers are a creative lot. While a picture can be worth a thousand words, in this case you have to check out the videos. Be sure to check out our YouTube playlist to go see the winners and the honorees give you a tour of their creation. The inventiveness on display is sure to spawn even more. Do you want to encourage your kids’ creativity? Watch these videos with the whole family and you won’t be able to stop your littles (and maybe your bigs too) from pulling out your LEGOs. That family fun is a big part of the reason we’ve enjoyed this contest. Our kids are growing up with screens all around them, and we need to help them fight the pull to distraction. And when hundreds of parents and kids do something constructive and creative instead, we’re experiencing the joy of doing what God made us to do – we are glorifying Him in time spent in communion, and glorifying Him too, by reflecting just a bit of His creativity. ***** Adults 18+ WINNER Colin Van Manen – Samurai sword mech Built entirely out of extra grey pieces, complete with a sword, a jetpack, a face mask, fully-functioning and posable parts… and with a pilot seat for the driver because it’s a better commute than a car, right? HONORABLE MENTION Felicity Tamminga – Washer/dryer one-basket system Imagine if you had a special laundry basket that could just be dropped right into your washing machine, and then, when the wash is done, lifted out and slotted right into your dryer – no hauling each piece out one by one! 14-17-years-old WINNER Jeremy, 15 – Tea pot alarm clock Have you ever slept through your alarm? That won’t happen with this upgrade – instead of just a sound, this one tips a teapot over to pour water on sleeping you. To add to the cleverness, the interior of the clock is a model bedroom, complete with bed, sleeper, and tiny teapot alarm clock! HONORABLE MENTIONS Everett, 14 – Technic crane This is a functional, motorized crane that works via a remote control. It’s just downright impressive! Charlotte, 14 – The ultimate motorhome! It’s got 3, count them, 3 bumpouts, a cat condo, bathtub, fireplace, solar panels, and all the storage you’d ever need. Gerred, 17 – Avro Arrow CF-105 This is what should have been – but wasn’t – if Canada, under Prime Minister Diefenbaker, hadn’t scrapped the Avro Arrow. Everyone loves a good history lesson with their build, right? It includes air defense systems with nuclear-armed missiles and functional landing gear and is just a really cleanly built plane. 10-13-years-old WINNER Quinten, 13 - A self-sustainable floating island This is a detailed build! It includes dams, wind turbines, rooftop gardens, and solar panels. There’s space for camping, for farms and rural areas, plus a city equipped with a hospital, police station, fire station, and a church. There’s even a lighthouse to guide the boats from the ocean/lake. To add to the detail, there are even layers of rock underneath the build where the island was ripped from the ground. HONORABLE MENTIONS Austin, 13 – Self-cleaning LEGO machine LEGO should clean itself up, but it doesn’t. Introducing the self-cleaning LEGO machine! An entirely motorized vehicle with two drive wheels – each with its own motor – and a spinning blade connected by gears to its own motor. It collects the LEGO into the hopper for you to simply empty and start again. Problem solved! Evan, 13 – Plane and tank A plane…and a tank? With stabilizers, shooting missiles, a tank turret under each wheel, wing flaps, and landing gear where the tank wheels are hidden while flying and deployed while driving, and extendable wings for added armor – who’s the engineer up for building this? Eden, 12 – The mall with more There are some things we can all agree on, and this is one of them: “I think that all malls should have a waterpark and a petting zoo.” 9 and under WINNER Oscar, 9 - Jurassic World abandoned jungle Join 7 explorers as they brave Jurassic World with all its predators, erupting volcanoes, caves with hidden animals, fighting dinosaurs, and a dino-capturing helicopter. Let your imagination run wild! HONORABLE MENTIONS Eliza, 8 – Bumble car It’s a bee car that can drive, park, and fly. And watch out, it can also sting! Adam, 6 – Hygiene helper “It has everything you need to go to school” – a toothbrush to brush your teeth, comb and scissors to style your hair, gets you dressed, helps you eat breakfast, and will walk right up to you to get things started! Carina, 9 – Walk-in picture frame “I thought it would be really cool if you could walk into a picture frame because then you could paint or draw your own world and walk right in.” Some of our other favorites! There were so many great entries that we just had to share at least a few more – here are some of our other finalists! Be sure to check out even more videos on our YouTube playlist. ...