Born and raised in west Texas amid the dust and often oppressive heat, Rev. Chambless was shaped by his environment to endure regardless of circumstances. He grew up among people who were practical, wise and who got to the point without much fanfare. From them he learned to appreciate seeing the world through other people's eyes. All of this led him to develop a style of writing and preaching that reflect the people and values he was raised with.

Among the lessons he learned were:

• "When you have said what you were going to say, shut up."
• "Talking about it won't get it done."
• "A cat can have kittens in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits."
• "If you're not happy where you are today, you won't be any happier somewhere else tomorrow."
• "If it is to be, it is up to thee."
• "Don't look at the sun."
• "Yes, there are things to be scared of in the dark."
• "Never try to catch a porcupine."
• "The one who gets you into a mess might not be trying to hurt you. The one who gets you out might not be trying to help."

It is his hope that the comments contained in this collection may lead you into new areas of exploration in your own spiritual journey, that it may give you new ways to understand God's word, and that it will cause you to question what you have always believed. Questioning in spite of fear is the supreme act of faith.