Let's rejoice with those who rejoice, and grieve with those who sorrow and came up short.
Author: Hugh H. Morgan
Our youth have worked hard, studied, passed all their exams, and now in a few days will graduate from their respected high schools, colleges, universities or seminaries. It is a happy time for many students and their parents. We rejoice with them.
However, I am keenly away of some who have not done so well. They have pursued a particular course of study for a desired profession but failed the final exam after a couple of years of study. They have come up short. Some outstanding youth just don't respond well on written exams. However, they are capable of doing excellent work in their profession or specialized field of service to others. There should be a person or persons who will come up with a plan to help students in this category to learn effective ways of learning and reporting what they have honestly learned on the written exam.
You might say, "I have nothing to offer that student. I don't understand their particular issue or problem." You're right. We will have to talk with those students in this category to know what the problem is for each student.
Those in administration of these schools of learning have fixed criteria for grading their students. They are the "gate keepers" for their profession. There have to be standards, and the student must understand that going into the program. Whatever the weakness of any student, it is my belief it can be overcome with the help of God and instruction from a person who cares about them and truly loves them.
The first step is to invite God to help you. When I was attending college, a university and then seminary I knew that I needed God to help me. In my particular case, I wanted to achieve a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology with a double minor in English literature and Speech. You see I had a problem of stuttering. God did not heal me immediately of stuttering like He did Oral Roberts. However, I believed He could and would. It was God Who called me to preach. In the process of being healed of stuttering, God used Dr. Sarah Lowery, a Speech Professor at Furman University, to help me. She saw immediately my problem. I had never been taught the phonetic alphabet in any of the schools I attended in Birmingham, Alabama. I now can pronounce any word I read or use in my speech or writing. I had been so fearful when I would start to speak or pray out loud. For the life of me, I could not start a sentence with "Let us pray." I could not say "Let." I learned to substitute other words to get started.
When I took any course in college or seminary I would find out what the requirements were for the class. In most classes I would be required to write one or more term papers with footnotes, etc. So, early on in the semester, I would select the title of the term paper in consultation with my professor. I immediately went to the library, read everything I could on the subject, took notes, and wrote the paper or papers in my own words as well as using direct quotes to strengthen the paper.
I had one professor who told the class the first day that there would be only one student who would make an "A" in the class, three students would make a "B", five students would make a "C", six students would make a "D", and the remaining four would make an "F".
I was furious, down right angry with that statement. So, I went to him to let him know that I personally objected to what he had told our class. I told him that I expected to make an "A" in the class because I am a committed student and wanted to learn. I told him if I failed below that grade of "A" to let me know. He never informed me. However, I made a "B."
It is my opinion this professor, and he was an excellent teacher of the subject, that he was dead wrong in his grading system. I should have reported him to the head of his department and to the president of Furman University. I don't believe that grading scale is appropriate or useful. It is a detriment to learning.
Whenever I studied any book I would bow my head in prayer and tell God I had about 30 to 40 minutes to study for this subject. I need Your help. I ask humbly that You would help me to learn this subject as I read this book. I promise to use what I have learned for use in the ministry You have called me to do. I want to honor and glorify You, and bless those to whom I will minister in Your Name. Help me to recall all I have honestly learned and be able to recall what I need to respond on the exam. In Jesus' Name, I pray.
You know, God always helped me and I did well. I worked hard, I was diligent, determined and dedicated in my personal study. It took pray and study, and no slacking.
I give God all the glory and honor and praise.
After I married Melvine, she became my biggest supporter. I confided in her my problems. Once I was required to write either 19 or 21 Evangelistic Sermon Outlines with Scripture references in a Course in Evangelism under Dr. Robert E. Coleman when I was in seminary. I thought I could never do that. I told Melvine. She listened. She paused and said, "Hugh, give me that pad. I can write them myself." That was all she needed to do. Those words ignited a fire under me and I soon completed the assignment. It is important to admit and confess our weaknesses as well our our strengths. You know we have both.
I made a vow to God early on in college that I would not study for any class on Sundays. I would devote that day to worship and rest. By honoring this commandment to keep the Sabbath Day Holy God honored me. It was Samuel who told king Saul these words:
1 Sam 2:30
For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
NKJV
If we will put God first in our lives, honor and respect Him in all we do to the best of the ability God gives us, you can count on it that God will honor you and help you to learn.
God has healed me of stuttering. I always feel anxious or nervous before I speak to any congregation or small group. However, when I get started I overcome it and the fear is gone. God helped me to graduate from Furman University and Asbury Theological Seminary. I graduated in the top 6% of my graduating class at Asbury Theological Seminary in May 1960. When I attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University during the summer of 1971 in residence (I commuted from Houston on Monday and drove home on Friday) I made straight A's in my classes in a Master of Sacred Theology degree program in Pastoral Care and Counseling). I never took a book home. I did all of my studies and writing of papers in the large library that was air conditioned. I lived in the men's dormitory. I wanted to spend quality time with Melvine, Greg and Stephanie when I got home around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. I desired to participate in worship with my family on Sunday and the ministry at the church plant that James and Thelma McDowell were doing in the eastern part of Houston. We lived in the western part of Houston in Fondren Park. Those were some exciting and meaningful times we had together with them and the congregation of this new and growing congregation. We developed a lasting friendship with James and Thelma McDowell and their family.
I hope I have helped some student by this article that has come from my personal experience in learning. If I can help you, please contact me by writing me at my email address: hugh@hughsnews.com
Author: Hugh H. Morgan
Our youth have worked hard, studied, passed all their exams, and now in a few days will graduate from their respected high schools, colleges, universities or seminaries. It is a happy time for many students and their parents. We rejoice with them.
However, I am keenly away of some who have not done so well. They have pursued a particular course of study for a desired profession but failed the final exam after a couple of years of study. They have come up short. Some outstanding youth just don't respond well on written exams. However, they are capable of doing excellent work in their profession or specialized field of service to others. There should be a person or persons who will come up with a plan to help students in this category to learn effective ways of learning and reporting what they have honestly learned on the written exam.
You might say, "I have nothing to offer that student. I don't understand their particular issue or problem." You're right. We will have to talk with those students in this category to know what the problem is for each student.
Those in administration of these schools of learning have fixed criteria for grading their students. They are the "gate keepers" for their profession. There have to be standards, and the student must understand that going into the program. Whatever the weakness of any student, it is my belief it can be overcome with the help of God and instruction from a person who cares about them and truly loves them.
The first step is to invite God to help you. When I was attending college, a university and then seminary I knew that I needed God to help me. In my particular case, I wanted to achieve a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology with a double minor in English literature and Speech. You see I had a problem of stuttering. God did not heal me immediately of stuttering like He did Oral Roberts. However, I believed He could and would. It was God Who called me to preach. In the process of being healed of stuttering, God used Dr. Sarah Lowery, a Speech Professor at Furman University, to help me. She saw immediately my problem. I had never been taught the phonetic alphabet in any of the schools I attended in Birmingham, Alabama. I now can pronounce any word I read or use in my speech or writing. I had been so fearful when I would start to speak or pray out loud. For the life of me, I could not start a sentence with "Let us pray." I could not say "Let." I learned to substitute other words to get started.
When I took any course in college or seminary I would find out what the requirements were for the class. In most classes I would be required to write one or more term papers with footnotes, etc. So, early on in the semester, I would select the title of the term paper in consultation with my professor. I immediately went to the library, read everything I could on the subject, took notes, and wrote the paper or papers in my own words as well as using direct quotes to strengthen the paper.
I had one professor who told the class the first day that there would be only one student who would make an "A" in the class, three students would make a "B", five students would make a "C", six students would make a "D", and the remaining four would make an "F".
I was furious, down right angry with that statement. So, I went to him to let him know that I personally objected to what he had told our class. I told him that I expected to make an "A" in the class because I am a committed student and wanted to learn. I told him if I failed below that grade of "A" to let me know. He never informed me. However, I made a "B."
It is my opinion this professor, and he was an excellent teacher of the subject, that he was dead wrong in his grading system. I should have reported him to the head of his department and to the president of Furman University. I don't believe that grading scale is appropriate or useful. It is a detriment to learning.
Whenever I studied any book I would bow my head in prayer and tell God I had about 30 to 40 minutes to study for this subject. I need Your help. I ask humbly that You would help me to learn this subject as I read this book. I promise to use what I have learned for use in the ministry You have called me to do. I want to honor and glorify You, and bless those to whom I will minister in Your Name. Help me to recall all I have honestly learned and be able to recall what I need to respond on the exam. In Jesus' Name, I pray.
You know, God always helped me and I did well. I worked hard, I was diligent, determined and dedicated in my personal study. It took pray and study, and no slacking.
I give God all the glory and honor and praise.
After I married Melvine, she became my biggest supporter. I confided in her my problems. Once I was required to write either 19 or 21 Evangelistic Sermon Outlines with Scripture references in a Course in Evangelism under Dr. Robert E. Coleman when I was in seminary. I thought I could never do that. I told Melvine. She listened. She paused and said, "Hugh, give me that pad. I can write them myself." That was all she needed to do. Those words ignited a fire under me and I soon completed the assignment. It is important to admit and confess our weaknesses as well our our strengths. You know we have both.
I made a vow to God early on in college that I would not study for any class on Sundays. I would devote that day to worship and rest. By honoring this commandment to keep the Sabbath Day Holy God honored me. It was Samuel who told king Saul these words:
1 Sam 2:30
For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
NKJV
If we will put God first in our lives, honor and respect Him in all we do to the best of the ability God gives us, you can count on it that God will honor you and help you to learn.
God has healed me of stuttering. I always feel anxious or nervous before I speak to any congregation or small group. However, when I get started I overcome it and the fear is gone. God helped me to graduate from Furman University and Asbury Theological Seminary. I graduated in the top 6% of my graduating class at Asbury Theological Seminary in May 1960. When I attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University during the summer of 1971 in residence (I commuted from Houston on Monday and drove home on Friday) I made straight A's in my classes in a Master of Sacred Theology degree program in Pastoral Care and Counseling). I never took a book home. I did all of my studies and writing of papers in the large library that was air conditioned. I lived in the men's dormitory. I wanted to spend quality time with Melvine, Greg and Stephanie when I got home around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. I desired to participate in worship with my family on Sunday and the ministry at the church plant that James and Thelma McDowell were doing in the eastern part of Houston. We lived in the western part of Houston in Fondren Park. Those were some exciting and meaningful times we had together with them and the congregation of this new and growing congregation. We developed a lasting friendship with James and Thelma McDowell and their family.
I hope I have helped some student by this article that has come from my personal experience in learning. If I can help you, please contact me by writing me at my email address: hugh@hughsnews.com