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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hear (07/08/10)
“You're not listening!”

The members of the leaders' training group looked startled and put on their most attentive expressions. Joe, however, stayed laid back on two legs of his chair with his hands deep in his pockets portraying a 'couldn't care less' attitude.

“Don't worry guys,” gestured Don – hands in a surrender position, “I'm just demonstrating what God often has to say to his people.”

The leaders' training group, led by Don, had just finished a study series on the Church and were about to commence studying a new topic on the importance of hearing God.

“Well Joe, you'd a lot to add to the other guys' input on the Church without proffering your own personal comments – so I'm giving you first shout tonight on how you hear God. I'd like to point out that definitions need to be brief so we can get to the main study promptly – fire away Joe!”

Joe swaggered into his answer with his head swaying and furnishing a half pout. “I struggle with hearing God – but I think that's scriptural. In Isaiah 42 v14 it states that God sometimes holds his tongue for a long period. That's how I sometimes feel: no response! It also says in the same verse that there'll come a time when he'll start shouting – could do with a bit of that at times. Our world certainly could!”

“Ok, thanks Joe. What about you Mary – how do you hear God?”

“It's not so much a voice, but God often speaks to me through visions and pictures that seem to come up on a screen. Some have a definite message on which I've acted. I helped rescue a desperate young mother from going into prostitution because of husband desertion and his bad debt. God pre-told me it all in visual form.”

“Wow!! If that's not hearing God, I don't know what is.” Don removed pretend sweat from his brow. “Clive, as briefly you can, give us some theological input.”

“The best way of hearing God – it's got to be the Bible – that's God's complete revelation to mankind; it's true God speaks in other ways but you can't go wrong with the Word. Church history is littered with horror stories when the Bible loses it primacy. Is that enough for you?”

“Thanks Clive! Maureen?”

“I agree with Clive, but God does speak to me in other ways too. I hear him when I see a desperate need telling me to stretch out my hand and help. I hear him when I'm knelt in prayer telling me that he loves me. I hear him in a baby's gurgling telling me that he's the mighty Creator. But best of all I hear him through the Cross telling me how valuable I am to him.”

“That's just lovely! Thanks Maureen! Go ahead Mark – your turn, I can see you champing at the bit.”

“I hear the Holy Spirit speaking within me. Just like an inner voice that I hear as plain as verbal words spoken by you or me. Remember Jesus said that his sheep would hear his voice. There have been times when I've wandered and lost touch. When I lose that intimacy I know I need to get back quickly. I can't do without the fellowship of his Holy Spirit.”

“Very interesting Mark and it's one of the ways that I've experienced God speaking to me. I too love to hear his voice in this way. Joanne, how are you finding the leadership course and would you like to contribute?” (Joanne was already in leadership but felt she needed a boost to her ministry).

“Really enjoying it Don and yes I'd love a go. I hear God in lots of ways but mostly I've been blessed by hearing the Lord through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the spoken words of those in ministry. Most of the steps forward in my Christian life have come about by hearing God through his dedicated preachers.”

“Jolly good testimonies guys; I'd like to give you all a pat on the back for your valuable contributions and don't forget to put your hearing aids in tomorrow.”
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This article has been read 1231 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lollie Hofer 
07/15/10
This was fun to read. I imagined folks from my church responding to Don's questions about hearing God. (Starting with Don...that's my pastor's name.) For each personality and how they heard God's voice, I was able to see someone I know. Great story!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/17/10
This was a great way to demonstrate that God speaks to us all a little differently.

You made me stop and think that how we hear God is similar to how a student learns in school.

How wonderful that our God loves us enough to make sure we can hear Him when He speaks to us, if we are willing to listen.
Mona Purvis
07/19/10
Very interesting take on the topic. Presented in a fresh way offering much to ponder.

Mona
Amanda Brogan
07/19/10
That was simply lovely! :) You did a wonderful job of showing many of the ways that God speaks to us -- could be through a sermon, a vision, a song, a book, another person, or even (and especially) His Word. His Spirit speaks to us in so many ways! It's just our job to be listening.
The hearing aid quip at the end was cute too. ;)
Virgil Youngblood 
07/20/10
Sometimes meetings can be interesting and productive, as you have clearly shown.
Carol Slider 
07/20/10
A very apt portrayal of how God speaks to each one of us. It's wonderful that God knows each of us so well that He understands what moves us. Good job!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
07/20/10
I liked all the different responses--as different as each individual. I felt like I was right there at that meeting, patting my foot to agree with the answers.
Chely Roach
07/21/10
I loved the line where Clive was told to give some brief theological input...half my church is seminary students, and they get looongwinded at our small groups. Lol. A little red ink: in the first paragraph, you did a great job showing that he could care less by jamming his hands in his pockets...no need to tell us that right after. Also, there were several missing commas, particularly around proper names near the end. Easy fixes to polish a great story. Loved the message you conveyed of the many, MANY ways that God speaks to us!
Maria Egilsson
07/21/10
Colswann:
You had me snorting out loud by the third paragraph!!! I love this piece because of all of the layers of meaning and the element of poking fun. So much wisdom in this. I would love to see this expanded as a teaching topic for a small group on Ways God Speaks To us. Then I 'd download a copy for our ladies bible study group.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
07/21/10
Fun and so easily translated in to a skit!
I see in theater mode more often than not!
Susan Montaperto
07/22/10
Very good delving. Very good writing on the many ways God speaks to Christians. God Bless and keep writing.
Edmond Ng
07/22/10
This story essentially summarizes some of the many different ways we can hear from God—audio, visual and in spirit. For me, I hear from the heart and the word, I see from the way God sees me through the different stages in my life, His guiding hands and His molding. O what a great God we have! We certainly don't need hearing aids to 'hear' God speaking. Thanks for sharing this.