September 2010 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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The Signs of the Times newsletter is a collection of stories and quotes from past issues of Signs and These Times.

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A great artist once painted a picture to which he gave the title “Peace and Security.” However, to the observer, the picture at first glance revealed a scene that was anything but peaceful or secure; it portrayed a raging storm beating furiously upon the ocean, causing waves to dash wildly against a rocky shore. But this was not all the picture. High up on a tiny ledge of one of the great cliffs was a little bird sitting on her nest calmly and serenely viewing the raging elements below and above her. She sat in perfect peace, having absolute confidence in the solidity and steadfastness of the great rock on which her nest was built.

That sense of peace and security may be the experience of every Christian in a troubled and turbulent world when he trusts his God implicitly.

Even though the dark waters of affliction surge and foam, even though one must see a loved one “pass through the valley of the shadow of death,” even though pestilence and destruction are wasting on every hand, yet the trusting child of God may say with the psalmist, “I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.” Psalm 23:4.—By Estel W. Rogers, Signs of the Times, January 3, 1939.

Quote: “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance; it is laying hold of His highest willingness.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, June 30, 1881.

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SPECIAL EVENT: On Sunday, September 12, 2010, the Adventist Book Center will hold its first-ever book sale online at AdventistBookCenter.com, and simultaneously broadcast it on Hope Channel and Hope Church Channel. Great savings on thirty new books from Pacific Press and Review and Herald. www.AdventistBookCenter.com Don’t miss it!

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Don't miss the October 2010 issue of Signs of the Times: “Twelve Hours in Jerusalem,” “God’s Wonderful Family,” “Who Are Seventh-day Adventists?” “Before Her Time: The Ministry of Ellen White” and other important articles. To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at www.pacificpress.com/signs

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It may sound incredible, but it is true. In progress-conscious and liberty-loving America a man was once arrested for having displayed evidence of his belief in the practicality of the telephone. And the prominent newspaper, in cultured Boston, that published the news of the arrest wholeheartedly supported it by stating: “The authorities who apprehended this criminal are to be congratulated, and it is to be hoped that his punishment will be prompt and fitting, and that it may serve as an example to other conscienceless schemers who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of their fellow creatures.

“Well-informed people know that it is impossible to transmit the human voice over wires as may be done with the dots and dashes of the Morse code, and that, were it possible to do so, the thing would be of no practical value.”

“When did this happen?” you ask. In 1867. And the arrested man, whose name was given as Joshua Coppersmith, age forty-six, had to face the charge of “attempting to extort funds from ignorant and superstitious people by exhibiting a device, which, he says, will convey the human voice any distance over metallic wires so that it will be heard by the listener at the other end.” Just fancy trying to float a corporation to promote such a thing! Crazy! It seems that in those days the idea of a public company being interested in a telephone would have been somewhat comparable to a promoter today interesting people in weekend trips to the planet Jupiter.—By W. A. Townend, These Times, June 1952.

Quote: “In sickness or in health one can find comfort and constructive advice in the Bible. Individually and nationally its moral codes must be our guideposts for daily dealing and daily living.”—By Charles W. Mayo, surgeon, May Clinic, These Times, May 1953.

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NEW from Pacific Press—Who Do You Think You Are? by Doug Batchelor. Do you know who you really are? Many people don’t. Selfishness and pride camouflage the real person. It is obscured by popular culture and warped by the cares of this world. Pastor Doug Batchelor, president and speaker for Amazing Facts Ministries, believes that only in the light of Christ’s sacrifice can we even begin to appreciate how much we are worth to God. The goal of this book—the 2011 sharing book for the North American Division—is to help fan away the chaff, exposing the essence of who you really are. And more important, who you can really become through Christ.

Read the first chapter of this book online at http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/olink.tpl?sku=0816324158 Order online or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955.

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A pastor once dreamed that he stood before the judgment bar of God. He said that in his dream he heard God ask him, “Have you always been true?”

“No,” he replied.

“Have you always been kind?”

“No.”

“Have you always been just?”

“No.”

And as God continued through the long list of questions, the minister said, “No,” to each of them. “Then,” he continued, “ I thought the end had come, and judgment was to be passed. I bowed my head and waited for sentence, when I was conscious of a light before me. I looked up and saw a face—such a face—fairer than all the sons of men. I looked at His hands, and saw the marks; then I began to know who it was, and I heard Him say, ‘Father, this man stood for Me down in the world; I will stand for Him here.’ “—By John Lewis Shuler, Signs of the Times, August 14, 1923.

Quote: “Some people try to carry all the burdens they have had, are now having, and all they ever expect to have.”—By Charles G. Bellah, Signs of the Times, April 15, 1930.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: Clear, attractive, and timely. Signs of the Times brings the gospel to your friends and neighbors like nothing else! Send a subscription today. Order from your Adventist Book Center. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: www.pacificpress.com/signs

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According to a story reported in the Sacramento Bee some years ago, a group of men were discussing the statement “Money can buy anything!”

A wealthy businessman, it is said, went so far as to offer $4,000 to anyone who could convincingly name four desirable things which money could not buy. He was positive no one would be able to meet the challenge. He smiled skeptically when one of the men took out a pad and a pencil, wrote four short lines, and passed the note to the challenger. He glanced at it carelessly at first, then gave it a more studied look. Without a word he got out his checkbook and made good his promise.

The list of the four things money cannot buy read: “A baby’s smile; youth after it is gone; the love of a good woman; and entrance into heaven.”

Truly those words give rise to some very heart-searching thoughts. They take the wind out of the self-confident moneybag. They bring to men a fresh appreciation of priceless values, which money cannot establish or maintain.—By J. L. Tucker, These Times, November 1959.

Quote: “If you pray for bread and bring no basket to carry it, you prove the doubting spirit which may be the only hindrance to the boon you ask.”—By Dwight L. Moody, These Times, September 1972.

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For the very best in Christian literature visit www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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The Chop House is famous for its cuisine—good food offered on its own merits—but, since the first time or two, I’ve gone there as much because of Pasquale as anything else. He is the only waiter I’ve ever known who took the trouble to perfect his craft to the point of art.

His name is Italian, but his white hair and olive skin give him the look of a storybook wizard of no nationality at all. Short and slim, he glides as if on wheels, never hurried, always prompt. The moment he comes into the room, you relax and stop worrying about whatever is on your mind.

One sleety day I walked in just as he was greeting a customer I’d never seen before. In his mild baritone, I heard him say, “How do you do, sir?”

“I do everybody I can!” barked the newcomer, with the air of having invented the stale witticism and daring you to ignore either it or him. His voice boomed across the room and then some. Since my table was next to his, I could only resign myself.

I gave my order and settled back to admire Pasquale’s technique, which can make a festive occasion out of a workday lunch. The loudmouth had begun a campaign of petty faultfinding: his fork was laid at the wrong angle, the extra glass he had sent for was too large to mix his drink in, and he wanted an armless chair. Pasquale poured oil on the troubled waters as if here had been some real grievance, not just trifles magnified to attract attention.

After his perfectly cooked steak had been served and chomped up in a few hasty bites, I began to find him unbearable.

“Here!” he demanded. Judging by Pasquale’s unruffled composure, it might have been the accepted way to address a waiter. “Here, that was a good sample. Now bring me another!”

He continued in much the same style to the end of the second steak, when he embarked upon a long discussion of “the tip.” He apparently intended to humiliate Pasquale by pointing out that part of his income depends on the generosity of others. This was new to nobody, and if Pasquale’s dignity could have been injured by such a fundamental condition of his work, it would have happened long ago.

As soon as the boor had left, I spoke up.

“How can you stand it, Pasquale? You know the boss couldn’t afford to lose you, but he can do without that kind of customer very nicely. Why didn’t you tell him off?”

Pasquale smiled and reflected a moment before answering. “I play a little game. I say, ‘Pasquale, suppose this was your last day on earth. How would you want to act?’ “

I am not often speechless, but I was then.

Pasquale merely shrugged. “You see the difference it makes? All these things”—he sketched a gesture that took in rude customers, nasty weather, and other small vexations—“they aren’t worth getting sore about, not when you have only one day to live.”—By Vaughan Garwood, These Times, December 1975.

Quote: “People often ask me if I know the secret of success, and if I could tell others how to make their dreams come true. My answer is, you do it by working.”—By Walt Disney, These Times, August 1972.

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Read articles from previous issues of Signs of the Times at: www.signstimes.org

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At night as Dr. Horatius Bonar retired to rest, his last action ere he lay down to sleep was to draw aside the curtain and, looking up into the starry heavens, say: “Perhaps tonight, Lord?”

In the morning, as he arose, his first movement was to raise the blind, and looking out upon the gray dawn, remark, “Perhaps today, Lord?”—The Dawn, Signs of the Times.

Quote: “Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.”—By Spurgeon, Signs of the Times, September 26, 1939.

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Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others. If this FREE newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, and you would like to receive it directly on a monthly basis, email: join-signsnews@lyra.pacificpress.com