As we reach midlife . we are not prepared for the idea that time can run out on us, or for the startling truth that if we don't hurry to pursue our own definition of a meaningful existence, life can become a repetition of trivial maintenance duties.
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Father, we thank you, especially for letting me fly this flight ... for the privilege of being able to be in this position, to be in this wondrous place, seeing all these many startling, wonderful things that you have created. (Prayer while orbiting the earth in a space capsule)
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To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.
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It is not really difficult to construct a series of inferences, each dependent upon its predecessor and each simple in itself. If, after doing so, one simply knocks out all the central inferences and presents one's audience with the starting-point and the conclusion, one may produce a startling, though perhaps a meretricious, effect.
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No matter how one approaches the figures, one is forced to the rather startling conclusion that the use of firearms in crime was very much less when there were no controls of any sort and when anyone, convicted criminal or lunatic, could buy any type of firearm without restriction. Half a century of strict controls on pistols has ended, perversely, with a far greater use of this weapon in crime than ever before.
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To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else
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Acts 5:12:
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade.
(NIV)
Now by the hands of the apostles (special messengers) numerous and startling signs and wonders were being performed among the people. And by common consent they all met together [at the temple] in the covered porch (walk) called Solomon's.
(AMP)
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
(KJV)
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The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.
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A careful inventory of all your past experiences may disclose the startling fact that everything has happened for the best.
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Acts 17:20:
'You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.'
(NIV)
For you set forth some startling things, foreign and strange to our ears; we wish to know therefore just what these things mean--
(AMP)
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
(KJV)
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