June 2013 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

[Stan]

June 2013 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.

***************************

A number of years ago, people who traveled along the great Lincoln Highway noticed numerous white crosses along the side of the road. When tourists inquired as to the reason these small crosses were staked along the sides of the road, they were told that each cross marked the spot where some life had been lost in an automobile accident.

The crosses became more numerous as the months passed. Some towns built platforms and on these placed demolished cars as a danger sign to motorists. Still the accidents increased. Toy skeletons were hung up along the highway making things look as gruesome as possible, but the death toll still climbed.

Towns along this beautiful highway noticed that traffic began to grow lighter. Business seemed to drop overnight. Smaller highways were being used instead and something had to be done. A questionnaire was sent out to a large number of motorists asking them why they were using the smaller highways when they had access to one of the finest highways in the United States.

The answers which were received told in a very few words the reason. The motorists did not enjoy looking at all the crosses. They did not like to be reminded that a life had been lost at each mark along the road. Skeletons and demolished cars are not pleasant to look at, and they were continually being reminded of danger and death. Thus they would rather drive on a smaller highway with less conveniences than to drive on a main highway with such an outlook.

The crosses were removed. The skeletons and wrecked cars were discarded. Signs and beautiful pictures were put up in their places. Things that were pleasing and interesting to all were placed where the white crosses once were. The traffic returned, business increased, and the accidents and deaths decreased.

So it is in our daily travel along life’s highway. Do you see crosses and wrecks along the road or can you see flowers, pictures, and things beautiful? We see only the hard and ugly things in life if we make it so. We can think of nothing but trials and hardships or we can think of the reward which we shall have at the end of the road.

Are you looking ahead for the things that are to come? Can you see the blue sky above and heaven ahead or do you see nothing but the mud under your feet and the hardships and trials beside you? Let’s look ahead. It really pays.—By Charles L. Paddock, Signs of the Times, August 4, 1936.

Quote: “Preachers are pitchers, not fountains. Don’t expect them to pour out always if you give them no time to fill up occasionally.”—From Bible Reader, Signs of the Times, May 15, 1899.

***************************

Don't miss the July 2013 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine-yearly-us-subscription.html

***************************

An atheist rescued an orphan boy from a burning building. Having previously lost his wife and son, and wanting to be of service to his community, he offered to adopt the boy. The city authorities were afraid to put the youngster in the care of a godless man. However, when they looked at his scarred hands damaged by the fire, they knew that he deserved the boy, and permission was granted.

The atheist, a good man, soon won the orphan’s love. Often the boy would look at his father’s hands and say, “You did that for me, didn’t you, Daddy?” The atheist was proud of the service he had done. But he was not happy. There was something fundamental lacking in his home.

Several years later while visiting an art exposition, the boy saw a painting portraying doubting Thomas looking at Christ’s hands. The boy insisted that his father tell him the story.

“You did just what Jesus did!” he exclaimed when the atheist had finished. “Jesus saved Thomas, and you saved me!”

Through the child’s great love for the story and his frequent mention of the similarity between his father and Jesus, the atheist found his Saviour. After inviting Christ to dwell in his heart and in his home, he and his son found genuine happiness.—By Georgia Lausten, These Times, May 1954.

Quote: “It happened that a fire broke out backstage in a theater. The clown came out to inform the public. They thought it was a jest and applauded. He repeated his warning; they shouted even louder. So I think the world will come to an end amid general applause from all the wits, who believe it is a joke.”—By Soren Kierkegaard, These Times, March 1968.

***************************

NEW from Pacific Press—Stinky, the Skunk Who Wouldn’t Leave and Other Strange and Wonderful Animal Stories by Joe L. Wheeler. This, the ninth book in The Good Lord Made Them All series, is filled with stories both strange and wonderful. From Squeaker, the truck-riding deer, to Dude, the racing horse champion, and Casey, the chatty African Grey, these stories will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. As usual, Dr. Wheeler has put together an unforgettable collection of classic, vintage animal stories to inspire and entertain. Stinky is on sale for 25% off during the month of June.

Read the first chapter of this book online at http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/stinky-the-skunk-that-wouldn-t-leave.html Order online or from your local Adventist Book Center: 1-800-765-6955.

***************************

First of all, it seems too good to be true—still it is true—that you and I are invited to become shareholders in the greatest firm ever formed. I hope you have already accepted the invitation. Sometimes, when I meditate upon this incomparable privilege, I recall the story of the small boy who was struggling up the hill with a brick in his chubby little hands.

“Where are you going with that big brick, sonny?” asked a friendly neighbor.

“I’m going up to the big church,” was the eager response.

“Well, well, so you are helping to build the new church, are you?”

“Yes, I’m a part of the concern,” and the little lad beamed with pride and satisfaction. It was a great thing for him to feel himself a part of the plan for the building of the church in his neighborhood.

Even so my heart overflows with joy and gratitude to be permitted to be a member of the greatest firm ever formed. I, too, can struggle up the hill with only a very small brick; but wonder of wonders, the divine Manager assures me that He counts me “a part of the concern.”

Still, wonderful as it is, God is mindful of His children on earth, and desires us to be members of His firm. He knows us very well, knows how often we have wandered away from him, how often, like Peter, we have denied Him, and how sometimes we have sold Him for a bit of silver. Nevertheless, He says: “Come now, and let us reason together,” for “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” (Isaiah 1:18 and Jeremiah 31:30—By Matilda E. Andross, Signs of the Times, August 24, 1956.

Quote: “Conscience is a safe guide only when God is the guide of the conscience.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, November 28, 1939.

***************************

Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: Would you like to win a friend or neighbor to Jesus? Share a GIFT that will reach out to them all year long. Order from your Adventist Book Center. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine-yearly-us-subscription.html

***************************

A.H. Leitch, in an article that appeared in Christianity Today wrote: “Little old ladies make good foils for preachers’ stories. There was that little old lady. . . on a guided tour in Westminster Abbey. And there, surrounded by noble and ignoble monuments and competing guides, she asked a ridiculous question. ‘Tell me,’ she demanded a little nervously and therefore a little louder than she had planned, ‘has anyone been saved in this church lately?’

“The question shattered things; it hung out there in embarrassed silence. ‘Anybody been saved here lately? My dear lady, have you noticed the beautiful architecture? Have you no feeling for history? Being “saved” is for the Salvation Army, or maybe sweaty tent meetings; this is a cathedral.’ But there the question stood.”

The question still stands in many churches at home and abroad.—From These Times.

Quote: “The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church is the difference between phoning your girl and spending the evening with her.”—By L. Gene Stewart, These Times, November 1967.

***************************

New Sharing Book—Beyond Imagination—a wonderful book to share with friends and family about how much God loves us, because he created us. Order from your Adventist Book Center—1-800-765-6955, or online: http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/beyond-imagination.html

***************************

I stood on the old battlefield at Chalmette, Louisiana, where Andrew Jackson and his hastily gathered army defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. I gazed around the battlefield and saw a beautiful monument to the heroic Americans who fought and died for their city and country. I saw the Packenham Oaks, named for the British general who lost his life there. But I remembered by history: This battle was fought two weeks after the war was over. A peace treaty had been signed in Europe at Christmastime, and a messenger with the news was hastening to America to stop the hostilities. This battle with its heroism, its suffering and death, was all wasted for lack of communication between the Old World and the New.

Lack of communication has plagued this old earth ever since the fall of Adam.—By Leonard C. Lee, These Times, September 1967.

Quote: “Ministering angels attended the Lord of life as He walked side by side with peasants and laborers, unrecognized and unhonored. He was as faithfully fulfilling His mission while working at His humble trade as when He healed the sick or walked upon the storm-tossed waves of Galilee. So in the humblest duties and lowliest positions of life, we may walk and work with Jesus.”—By Ellen White, These Times, November 1969.

***************************

Looking for a GREAT e-Book—for the best selection of Adventist e-books visit: www.AdventisteBooks.com

***************************

Today!

This is the beginning of a new day.

God has given me this to use as I will.

I can waste it or use it for good.

What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,

Leaving in its place something I have traded for it.

I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil, success, not failure;

In order that I might not regret the price I paid for it.—Unknown, These Times, August 1967.

***************************

Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others.

[Naomi]

Enjoy the Signs and loved your post ... thank you

[phkrause]

As soon as I get caught up with my ARs, etc., than I will be able to start getting caught up with my SOTT mags. So thanks for these updates Stan.