Larry the Cucumber showed up during devotions Monday at CPE International. At least, his voice did through creator Mike Nawrocki, who shared how God led him to give up going to Africa as a missionary doctor and instead entrusted him and Phil Vischer, his college roommate, with helping children learn Bible truths.

Nawrocki, now a professor at Lipscomb University in film and animation, said Proverbs 16:9 and Esther 4:14 were significant in his turning toward children's ministry. He hit a "big crossroads" in his life when full funding came in for their first VeggieTales show. He understood how God had gifted him and recognized the power of story.

Today VeggieTales has a new lease on life as Universal has licensed the brand through Trinity Broadcasting Network. Nawrocki has teamed up with Tyndale House Publishers for a new series, "The Dead Sea Squirrels." He is also launching a Bible-focused podcast with prolific children's author Amy Parker.

Nawrocki told the audience, who gathered at 7:30 a.m. to hear him speak, in the voice of Larry the Cucumber, "And remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much."

Tying in with the purpose of Nawrocki's life, Jim Gage of Tyndale interviewed Tyndale's Senior Vice President and Group Publisher Ron Beers, the creator and general editor of the bestselling Life Application Study Bible (LASB), and Bruce Barton, president of The Livingstone Corp. about the Bible's third edition, soon to release with approximately one-third of new study notes and material. Barton noted an emphasis on the "grace and mercy" of God in the notes, while Beers pointed out changes in the language and tone. Modern situations such as sex trafficking and mass shootings are also addressed in the notes.

Beers said they often received testimonies of how the LASB affected people. His wife spoke to a visitor at their church who came to thank him for this highly applicable study Bible. She was a scientist who read the entire Bible and got saved as a result.

Retailer Charlene Wiggs of On the Third Day in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, also was blessed to win the cash-prize drawing for $200 offered during the devotional time.