The Bank Chicken Podcast

Chris Carey
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  • Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

Spiritual lessons from everyday life. Free weekly audio versions of chapters from my book, “Bank Chicken.” bankchicken.substack.com

  1. 4d ago

    The Runway: Ignoring the Warning Signs

    We’ve all seen warning signs. The question is: do we pay attention to them? In this episode, a youthful decision to drive onto an airport runway becomes an unforgettable lesson about choices, consequences, and God’s wisdom. What began as a harmless idea quickly led to trouble, damaged property, an encounter with campus security, an embarrassing apology, and a difficult conversation with Dad. But the story doesn’t end there. The experience serves as a powerful reminder that God’s instructions are not designed to limit our joy—they’re meant to protect us. Just as warning signs exist to keep us safe from danger, Scripture provides guidance that helps us avoid unnecessary pain and heartache. The Bible reminds us that our actions matter and that nothing is hidden from God. At the same time, it offers something far better than guilt or fear: practical wisdom for living a life that honors Him. This devotional encourages us to pay attention to God’s directions, hide His Word in our hearts, and choose the path that leads to peace rather than regret. Listen and be reminded that God’s warnings are not barriers to happiness—they are guideposts that lead us safely home. Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    The Runway: Ignoring the Warning Signs

  2. Oct 7

    God Remembers: When We Forget

    Have you ever forgotten something important? Most of us have experienced those embarrassing moments. Forgotten appointments. Missed birthdays. Names that slip away moments after being introduced. Or in this case, accidentally locking car keys inside a vehicle while trying to surprise a couple of friends on a date. In this episode, a humorous memory from years gone by becomes a reminder of one of the most encouraging truths in Scripture: while human memory is imperfect, God’s memory never fails. He never forgets His promises. He never loses sight of His children. He never overlooks our prayers, our struggles, or our need for His grace. Even when His answers seem delayed or His timing feels slow, God’s Word assures us that He remains faithful. What may feel forgotten to us is still fully known to Him. This devotional offers hope to anyone who has wondered whether God sees, cares, or remembers. He does. And because He remembers, we can trust Him completely. Listen and be encouraged: if God remembers every promise He has made, He certainly hasn’t forgotten you. Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    God Remembers: When We Forget

  3. Sep 30

    The Seed: From Death to Life

    Some of God’s greatest miracles begin where we see nothing at all. In this episode, a tray of tiny wildflower seeds becomes a powerful reminder of one of God’s most beautiful promises. After carefully planting seeds gathered from fields, roadsides, parks, and nurseries, there’s nothing to do but wait. Hidden beneath the soil, unseen changes begin taking place. Then one day, tiny green shoots emerge from the darkness into the light. The same pattern is woven throughout Scripture. A seed is buried and rises to new life. Jesus was laid in a tomb on a dark Friday afternoon, and on Easter morning He emerged victorious over sin and death. His resurrection changed everything. Because He lives, we have the promise of transformation, renewal, and eternal life. This devotional explores the miracle of growth, the hope of the resurrection, and the wonderful truth that God is still at work even when we cannot yet see the results. Just as a seed becomes a flower, Christ is transforming His followers into new creations. Listen and be encouraged: God specializes in bringing new life from places that seem silent, hidden, and hopeless. Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    The Seed: From Death to Life

  4. Sep 23

    Hot or Cold: More Than Lukewarm Faith

    Nobody enjoys lukewarm coffee or tepid water. It turns out God doesn’t care much for lukewarm faith, either. In this episode, a favorite insulated travel mug becomes a surprising illustration of one of the most challenging messages in the book of Revelation. Whether keeping coffee hot for hours or ice frozen through an entire weekend, the mug excels because it remains one thing or the other. It’s useful because it doesn’t settle for the middle. Jesus used a similar picture when speaking to the church in Laodicea. He warned against a faith that had become comfortable, self-sufficient, and spiritually indifferent. Like lukewarm coffee that has lost its heat or water that has lost its refreshing chill, a halfhearted faith serves little purpose. But God offers something better. Through His Spirit, He transforms ordinary lives into something meaningful and useful. Like a soothing cup of hot tea on a cold day or a refreshing glass of ice water in the summer heat, believers are called to bring comfort, encouragement, hope, and life to those around them. This devotional invites you to move beyond spiritual complacency and discover the joy of fully depending on God, allowing Him to make your faith vibrant, alive, and effective. Listen and ask yourself: Is my faith refreshing, encouraging, and life-giving—or has it drifted toward lukewarm? Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    Hot or Cold: More Than Lukewarm Faith

  5. Sep 16

    The Worm: Guarding Your Heart

    The greatest threats to a healthy harvest are often the ones we don’t notice until the damage is done. In this episode, a backyard tomato garden becomes a powerful lesson about protecting what matters most. While heirloom tomatoes are surprisingly easy to grow, they face a relentless enemy: the tomato hornworm. These well-camouflaged pests can quietly devour leaves, damage fruit, and destroy an entire plant in a very short time if left unchecked. That’s why gardeners stay vigilant. They inspect plants carefully, remove threats quickly, and create an environment where healthy growth can flourish. Our spiritual lives require the same attention. The Bible calls us to guard our hearts because everything we do flows from them. Negative thoughts, anger, jealousy, bitterness, greed, and fear can quietly take root and begin consuming the joy, peace, and love God intends us to experience. But when we intentionally protect our minds and allow God to renew our thinking, we create space for a rich harvest of compassion, kindness, contentment, and spiritual growth. This devotional is an invitation to examine what’s growing beneath the surface and to let God help cultivate a life filled with His goodness. Listen and ask yourself: What might God be calling me to remove so a better harvest can grow? Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    The Worm: Guarding Your Heart

  6. Sep 9

    The Hammock: Resting in God's Care

    Where do you go when you need rest from the noise, stress, and worries of life? In this episode, a lifelong dream of owning a hammock becomes a reminder of God’s invitation to rest. From childhood memories of swinging in a South Carolina hammock to finally hanging one on a Florida back porch, this simple place of comfort becomes a sanctuary for reading, writing, thinking, and quietly listening to the world around me. The gentle sway of a hammock offers a brief escape from life’s pressures, but Scripture points us to something even better. God Himself invites us into His presence, where we can find refuge, strength, peace, and renewal. He promises to hold us up when we are weary, shelter us when we are troubled, and give rest to our anxious hearts. Drawing from the Psalms, this devotional reflects on the beauty of slowing down, trusting God, and discovering that our greatest place of safety is not found in a hammock, but in the everlasting arms of our Creator. Whether life’s pace has left you exhausted or your worries feel overwhelming, this episode is a gentle reminder that God remains our refuge and resting place. Listen and be encouraged: when life’s burdens grow heavy, God invites you to rest in His care. Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    The Hammock: Resting in God's Care

  7. Sep 2

    The Greatest Notification

    What if the most important words you’ll ever hear are only two words long? In this episode, a modern smartwatch provides an unexpected lesson about faithfulness and grace. Among its many features, the watch can detect when hands are being washed and displays a simple message when the job is complete: “Well done.” That small notification points to a much greater promise found in Scripture. Jesus told a parable about servants entrusted with responsibility while their master was away. When the master returned, those who had been faithful received the highest praise imaginable: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” As believers, we look forward to a day when Christ will make all things new. Through His grace, He cleanses us from sin, transforms our hearts, and prepares us for eternity. More than any earthly achievement, promotion, award, or recognition, the greatest reward will be hearing our Savior’s words of approval. This devotional is a reminder to live faithfully today, trusting not in our own efforts, but in the cleansing power and transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Listen and be encouraged: the day is coming when faith will become sight, and every faithful follower of Christ will hear the words, “Well done.” Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    The Greatest Notification

  8. Aug 26

    Rest Steps: Climbing Higher with God

    What if the secret to reaching life’s biggest goals isn’t speed—but knowing when to rest? In this episode, a memorable climb to the summit of Oregon’s Mount Hood becomes a powerful lesson in perseverance and spiritual growth. From crampons and ice axes to glaciers, crevasses, and breathtaking views, the journey was demanding from start to finish. One technique made all the difference: rest steps. During the steepest sections of the climb, each step forward was followed by a brief pause. That tiny moment of rest allowed tired muscles to recover and made it possible to keep moving toward the summit. Life works much the same way. Whether you’re building a relationship, raising a family, writing a book, starting a business, facing a challenge, or growing in your faith, lasting progress usually comes through steady, faithful steps rather than sudden leaps. God understands our need for renewal. That’s why He gives us daily opportunities to connect with Him through prayer and Scripture, and a weekly Sabbath to refresh our minds, bodies, and spirits. This devotional reminds us that rest is not the opposite of progress. Sometimes, rest is what makes progress possible. Listen and be encouraged: God isn’t asking you to sprint to the summit. He’s inviting you to keep taking faithful rest steps toward His kingdom. Visit http://bankchicken.com for more! Get full access to Bank Chicken at bankchicken.substack.com/subscribe

    Rest Steps: Climbing Higher with God
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Spiritual lessons from everyday life. Free weekly audio versions of chapters from my book, “Bank Chicken.” bankchicken.substack.com

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