March 2011 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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March 2011 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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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I heard a familiar cry of distress in our back yard one evening and, hastening to the rescue, found three-year-old Bob crying lustily. Large tears were chasing one another down his cheeks. Between sobs he managed to tell me that his little playmate George, who lives across the street, had driven him out of his yard and would not play with him. “George hit me too,” he said.

I looked him over for marks or bruises, and failed to find any evidence of bodily injury on the surface; but it was plain to be seen that his little heart had been broken. I dried away the tears, and turned his attention to other things.

Half an hour later, I found Bob and George playing together on our front porch, having the time of their lives, the past entirely blotted out, not only forgiven but forgotten.

This text flashed into my mind, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children.” I longed for that same spirit of forgiveness toward my fellow men.—By Charles L. Paddock, Signs of the Times, May 11, 1926.

Quote: “Nobody will err about the way to God if he really resolves to follow that way. The Spirit of God will guide those whose hearts are set upon coming to God.”—By Spurgeon, Signs of the Times, July 10, 1923.

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Don't miss the April 2011 issue of Signs of the Times: “From Prison to Palace”, “When Was Jesus Crucified?”, “Who Is Jesus?”, “Prayer, It Doesn’t Have to be Hard” and other important articles. To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at www.pacificpress.com/signs

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What constitutes a miracle? It is nothing more or less than any phenomenon which man can neither explain nor imitate. It does not mean that God nullifies His own laws thereby, “for God is not the author of confusion.” 1 Corinthians 14:33. Neither does it prove that God is helplessly bound by His own laws and unable to use them according to His wishes. Perhaps the following incident best illustrates this point: A skeptic was trying to convince a Christian that the reign of law prevented miracles. He held a jackknife in his hand and said, “If I let go of this knife, no power can suspend the law of gravity, and it will fall.”

His believing friend said, “Now watch my knife,” and he flipped it upwards so that it remained stuck in the ceiling.

“Oh, but you did something to it,” argued the infidel.

“Yes,” replied the Christian, “and that is exactly what God does!”—By Paul K. Freiwirth, These Times, February 1952.

Quote: “The sermon you enjoy most is not likely to be the one that will do you the most good.”—From The Raleigh Biblical Recorder, These Times, June 1964.

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NEW from Pacific Press—Surviving Grief by Sandy Zaugg. Author Sandy Zaugg knows something about hardships and trials. When her children were 8 and 13, she lost her husband to cancer. Nine years later, her son died as a result of an automobile accident. This book is the honest rendition of one woman’s struggle through devastating grief and her ultimate realization that reaching out to others is often the best healer. No two experiences are the same, and Zaugg doesn’t pretend to have the answers for everyone. What she does offer are some very candid, practical suggestions for facing the future. Share this small book with someone who is grieving, or read it yourself to better understand how to help someone who has experienced a traumatic loss.

Read the first chapter of this book online at http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/Detail.tpl?sku=081632400X Order online or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955.

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My little daughter, not yet in her teens, demonstrated not long ago a childlike faith in Jesus. After hearing a certain dictator severely blamed for the chaotic conditions present in the world, and pondering the problem, she offered the only solution in these words: “If someone would only go over there and convert that man to Jesus, it would save the world from all this trouble.”—By Lawrence E. C. Joers, Signs of the Times, September 5, 1939.

Quote: “Try to be a sun to your planet.”—By Charles G. Bellah, Signs of the Times, May 6, 1930.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: In a challenging world Signs of the Times gives hope and direction. Each month it takes on current issues and leads people to Jesus for relevant answers. The result is changed lives! 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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Frederick the Great was so heartily opposed to dueling that he resolved to put a stop to it, at least in his army. He issued an order that the first party engaging in a duel without his consent should be summarily punished. On the very next day after the promulgation of this order, an officer appeared before him and asked his permission to challenge a comrade to mortal combat. He gave his consent, but stipulated that he should be notified beforehand of the time when, and the place where the duel was to be fought.

The hour appointed for the conflict arrived; and when the belligerent parties appeared upon the ground they found the king there. And to their great surprise saw a gallows erected on the spot! The challenger appealed to Frederick to know what this meant.

“It means this,” answered the king sternly: “I intend to witness your battle until one of you has killed the other; and then I will hang the survivor!”

It may be believed that the duel was not fought. And thenceforth dueling was a rare event in the Prussian army.—Unknown, Signs of the Times January 31, 1884.

Quote: “What seem to us but dim funeral tapers may be Heaven’s distant lamps.”—By Longfellow, Signs of the Times, January 25, 1910.

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Read articles from previous issues of Signs of the Times at http://www.SignsTimes.com

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It is said that a man one day was strolling along in the country, and he noticed a magnificent golden eagle flying bravely upward. He watched it with delight and admiration, and as he did so, he noticed that something was wrong with it. It seemed unable to go any higher. Soon it began to fall, and then it lay at his feet a lifeless mass.

What could be the matter? No human hand had harmed it. No sportsman’s shot had reached it. He went and examined the bird, and what did he find? It had carried up with it a little weasel in its talons, and as it drew these near to it for flight, the little creature had wormed itself out of them and drank the life-blood from the eagle’s breast.

How like this is all sin! It may appear a little thing, but it fastens upon the soul and works death and destruction.—Gospel News, Signs of the Times, July 29, 1897.

Quote: “Suffering is the plowshare that breaks up the fallow ground of the heart, without which flowers and fruits of fragrant, tender graces can not be developed in the life. Great saintship and small suffering are seldom found together.”—By T. H. Nelson, Signs of the Times, January 5, 1926.

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“Here is the blueprint, Bob,” said Mr. Mason as he handed a slip of paper to the stalwart young man at his side. “Be sure you follow it carefully, and I should like to have everything ready for inspection when I return from Europe.”

“Thank you, father, for your confidence in me, and I shall see that your wishes are carried out to the best of my ability.”

Mr. Mason, a businessman in an eastern city, had recently purchased a tract of land on which to establish a country home. He entrusted his son, who was a contractor, with the carrying out of the details of the blueprint.

Bob forthwith set his men to work. The house grew from day to day and finally was finished. Then followed the barn, utility house, swimming pool, fences, and landscaping. One thing more remained, the sinking of the well.

“Oh!” said Bob in surprise as he scanned the blueprint for the details of the well. “I’m sure father didn’t mean to have his well in that location. That doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the plan.”

“Better follow the blueprint,” suggested a workman.

“But the well would be more convenient in this location. I’m sure father will agree. We’ll put it here.”

A few weeks later when Mason had returned from his trip, he inquired of Bob as to the progress of the construction.

“All ready for inspection, father,” answered the proud son.

Mason looked the place over, scrutinizing every detail of the work. His inspection completed, he looked his son in the eye and said: “You have done a wonderful piece of work, but you have followed your own blueprint instead of mine. That’s a disappointment.”

“Why, father, how can you say that? Everything is according to your blueprint except the well, and I was sure you would like the well better where I put it.”

“That’s the point, Bob. You followed my blueprint as long as it agreed with your own; but when you came to a point with which you disagreed you did as you thought best.”

God has a blueprint which He gave to His people from Mount Sinai. If we follow His blueprint we will love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.

Jesus bade us follow His blueprint while He has gone to prepare a home for us in the heavenly land. How about it? When He returns to inspect your life, will He find that you have followed His blueprint, or your own?—By Fern Row Casebeer, Signs of the Times, March 21, 1950.

Quote: “We are a Bible-starved nation.”—By Dallas L. Sharp, Signs of the Times, January 15, 1924.

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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