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When I Was Teaching Middle School, I Faced A ...
Contributed by Terry Barnhill on May 9, 2009 (message contributor)
When I was teaching Middle School, I faced a problem that’s common to all teachers. I’d be giving instructions to the class, and while I was talking, one or two hands would flip up into the air. They had a question. I wasn’t finished giving the instructions, and already they had questions. My response?
“Please put your hand down,” I’d say. “When I finish the instructions, then I’ll answer questions. And besides, you might hear the answer to your questions in my instructions.” Sound familiar?
Eventually, I figured it out, and even before I’d begin giving instructions, I’d explain, “When your hand goes up, did you know that your ears go shut? It’s true – because all you’re thinking about is your question. You’re not hearing what I’m saying. I could be telling you the answer to your very question, but you won’t hear it. All you’re thinking about is remembering your question.”
Sometimes that’s just how it is when we’re praying. Our minds are going a mile-a-minute with questions or concerns, but we’re not listening to God’s explanation. We’re too focused on our question to hear anything God says.
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John Was A Very Lonely, Wealthy Old Man. He Had ... PRO
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John was a very lonely, wealthy old man. He had worked hard all his life and built a great business and made loads of money. But, he was all alone. One Sunday evening as he was talking a walk to clear his head, he was drawn to a church where he heard wonderful, joyous music. It was a spiritual ...read more
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A Wealthy Man Was Taking A Cruise When Suddenly ... PRO
Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 20, 2005
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People Refuse To Believe That Which They Don't ...
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 18, 2004
People refuse to believe that which they don’t want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, ...read more
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Mamie Adams Always Went To A Branch Post Office ... PRO
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 18, 2004
Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp ...read more
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Recently Kgo Talk Radio In San Francisco ... PRO
Contributed by Dr. Randy Croft on Jul 5, 2004
Recently KGO talk radio in San Francisco conducted a call-in poll. Ronn Owens invited listeners to express their opinion. Thirty-five percent said yes, 33 percent said no and 32 percent were undecided. One listener, aghast at the large number of undecideds, protested, "It’s this sort of apathy ...read more
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