Contributor Ed Chappelle: In the Darkness of the Vending Machine

Vending Machines are designed to give us instant gratification with little payment on our part. They provide a wide selection of food or products that entice us to purchase what they offer and in return we obtain instant gratification. They are a wonderful invention that can bring happiness in whatever season of life or journey we find ourselves in. The best part about the vending machine experience is that we don’t have to have an emotional, physical, or spiritual attachment … Continue reading →

The Speeding Ticket (3-Min)

The reflection of blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. Embarrassed, I pulled over. “Ma’am, can you explain why you were speeding?” “I wasn’t paying attention.” When I got home, I looked up potential consequences: one-year revocation of license, lawyer and court costs, license points…. I felt nauseous. Rather than worrying further, I bowed, “Father God, this license is Yours to take or to give as You desire.” I called my husband, and he called our attorney. “I might get … Continue reading →

The Speeding Ticket

The reflection of blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. Embarrassed, I pulled over. “Ma’am, can you explain why you were speeding?” “I wasn’t paying attention.” I knew not knowing my speed was no excuse. I was responsible for operating my vehicle safely. The officer ticketed me and I went my way. When I got home, I looked up the potential consequences: one-year revocation of license, lawyer costs, court costs, insurance points…. I felt nauseous. Rather than worrying further, I … Continue reading →

Watch the Bubbles (3-Min)

As my car crawled along the automated car wash track, my thoughts drifted to times past, when my husband and I would take our children through the car wash for the express purpose of playing, “Watch the Bubbles.” “Daddy, my bubble is racing yours!” our son would say. “Mine is turning swishy circles!” our daughter would say. I stroked my silver-steaked hair and prayed, “God, my children are grown, so why do I still want to watch bubbles?” Just then, … Continue reading →

Breakfast of Champions (3-Min)

Delight thyself also in the LORD. Psalm 37:4 KJVa Every morning, I prepare breakfast for our dogs. I rotate between doggies, feeding them morsels from a designated fork. Occasionally, one will rise. If I say, “sit,” the dog will listen, but only if I preface this with their name. Otherwise, she assumes I’m talking to another pack member. Our senior pooch stomps during the entire breakfast. She wants to make sure I notice her. The youngest gal takes each morsel … Continue reading →

Hot Dogs & Holy Spirit Nudges (3-Min)

Recently, while I was at a local restaurant, I kept feeling a nudge in my spirit to go to a clothing store when I finished eating. As I arrived there, I recognized a homeless man named Mike. We struck up a conversation. “I can’t give you money, but I’ll be glad to buy you a meal.” I pointed toward the restaurant. “Can I get a hot dog? Or two?” “Sure. Let’s get you two hot dogs. And ice cream too.” … Continue reading →

Hot Dogs & Holy Spirit Nudges

Recently, while I was eating at a local burger restaurant, I felt an inner nudge to visit a clothing store after I was done eating. I did so. As I arrived at there, I saw a homeless man I recognized named Mike. I got caught up between two car mirrors. That sure did catch Mike’s attention. He laughed, and we struck up a conversation and he asked for money. “I can’t give you money, but I’ll be glad to buy … Continue reading →

An Eye for Design

Intelligent design. This is a term we’ve coined to describe the complexity of nature’s design as evidence of an Intelligent Designer. God is this Intelligent Designer and He has an eye for design. Consider, for example, the honeybee. God equipped this tiny creature bee with five eyes—three simple and two compound. He fashioned the bee’s four wings to lock together during flight like a zipper. He gave the bee two stomachs—one for eating and one for storing nectar. He covered … Continue reading →

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