Persistence

J. Michael Shannon

Charles
Darrow was the inventor of the famous game, “Monopoly.” When he
first pitched the idea to Parker Brothers, they rejected it. They
even gave him fifty-two reasons why the game would not sell. Darrow
produced his own homemade version and convinced a local department
store to offer it on consignment. The game became an instant
sensation. Parker brothers approached Darrow again and asked to
develop the game. The deal was good for Parker Brothers and for the
Darrow family. Even today, his family receives royalties from sales
of the game.

_______________
J. Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati, OH.

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Persistence

J. Michael Shannon

The
“Chicken Soup For The Soul” series has been an unqualified success. It
has generated over eighty best-sellers. The first book alone sold eight million
copies. The “chicken soup” trademark has been transferred to other products
including greeting cards and a television show. It was not so easy, however,
to sell the first book. Jack Canfield, co-author and co-editor of the series
has recently released a book entitled The Principles of Success.
In that book he discusses how many times he and his writing partner, Mark Victor
Hansen, were rejected. The original book in the series was rejected by over
thirty publishers. Even their agent gave up and said he could not sell the
book. Jack and Mark continued to talk up the possible book at their seminars
and speeches. They even got pledges from people to buy their book when published.
Finally a small struggling publishing company, Health Communications, took a
chance. All this because Jack and Mark refused stop working on something they
believed in.

_______________

J.
Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati,
OH.

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Persistence

Robert C. Shannon

Just inside the magnificent walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, stands the bell
tower. It marks the beginning of the Stradun, the city’s main street. Two iron
figures strike the bell each hour. The bells ring twice every hour. The first time is on the hour. The second time is three minutes later. That’s
just in case you lost count the first time!

When we teach or preach or counsel
we must recognize that many do not hear the first time. They need to have the
message repeated.

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