February 2014 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

[Stan]

February 2014 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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A poor old deaf man resided in Fife, and was visited by the new minister shortly after his coming to the pulpit. The minister said he would often call and see him; but the time went on, and he did not visit him until two years later, when, happening to go through the street where the deaf man was living, he saw the deaf man’s wife at the door, and therefore could do no other than inquire about her husband.

“Well, Margaret, how is Thomas?”

“None the better because of you,” was the curt reply.

“What do you mean Margaret?” inquired the minister.

“Oh, you promised two years ago to come and pray every few weeks with him, and you have never darkened the door since then.”

“Well, well, Margaret, don’t be so short. I thought it was not very necessary to call and pray with Thomas, he cannot hear me.”

“But, sir,” said the woman, with a rising dignity of manner, “The Lord’s not deaf.”

And it is to be supposed the minister felt the power of her reproach.—Leisure Hours, Signs of the Times, December 8, 1881.

Quote: “The happiest business in the world is that of making friends; no ‘investment’ on ‘the street’ pays larger dividends.”—By C. R. Bernetske, Signs of the Times, September 23, 1930.

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Don't miss the March 2014 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online CLICK HERE!

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While ministering in the city of Ottawa, Canada, I once heard a lecture by Lord Shackleton. He told of his first great adventure, his expedition to the Antarctic. He had to turn back and leave some of his men on Elephant Island, amid the snow and ice. But he promised to come back for them. By heroic efforts he finally reached the island of South Georgia, where he obtained another ship and needed supplies. Then he started back for the men. He tried again and again to reach Elephant Island, but failed every time. Suddenly one day there appeared an open place through the ice leading to the island. Quickly he ran his boat through this channel, got his men on board the ship, and came back out just before the ice crashed together. The whole thing was done in half an hour.

When the excitement was over, Lord Shackleton asked one of the men who had stayed on the island, “How did it happen that you were all packed and ready for my coming? You were standing on the shore ready to leave on a moment’s notice.”

The man replied, “Sir, you said you would come back for us, so we never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was partly free of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and packed our things, saying, ‘Maybe Shackleton will come today.’ We were always ready for your coming.”

So, friends, let us remember that the Lord is coming. And let us be ready to go with Him any time, any day. What a wonderful encouragement this is to Christian living, to Christian giving, to Christian activity, to working in an effort to make the world better, to win men to Christ!

Jesus said, “I will come again.” And His words will never be forgotten.—By H. M. S. Richards, These Times, December 1952.

Quote: “The criterion for a church is not how many persons we can get to come into a church building, but how many we can get to go out to be a minister.”—By Peter Routh, These Times, November 1967.

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NEW from Pacific Press—Sooty, the Green-eyed Kitten is the tenth volume of Joe L. Wheeler’s popular The Good Lord Made Them All series. Sooty includes stories of cats, a pig, a cougar, and even a Tasmanian Devil—you won’t be disappointed as you venture through these precious animal stories.

Read the first chapter of this book online CLICK HERE! Order online or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955.

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A short man wanted to drive a nail in a wall to carry a big picture. He stood on a chair, but was not high enough. His wife put a small box, and, balancing himself precariously, he began to give the nail hesitating taps with the hammer.

His wife said, “Why don’t you give a brave blow or two, and settle it?”

He replied, “How can a man give a brave blow or two when he is standing on a foundation like this?”

That settles the question of certainty or uncertainty. It depends upon the foundation on which the preacher or the teacher is standing.

The Hebrew prophets never sounded a note of uncertainty because God Almighty was their foundation, and they knew that God stood behind their “Thus saith the Lord.”—Toronto Globe, Signs of the Times, March 31, 1936.

Quote: “Experience does take dreadfully high school wages, but he teaches like no other.”—By Carlyle, Signs of the Times, February 15, 1899.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: Sending Signs of the Times is the easiest way to share your faith. Each monthly magazine takes on a broken world and directs people to Jesus for relevant answers. The result is changed lives! 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

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Nestled far back on a rocky hill in the barren sands south of Phoenix, Arizona, stands a huge castle, known as Mystery Castle. This strange, phantomlike structure was built by a man who was ill with an incurable disease when he started the first room of the castle, and who had come to Arizona to regain his health.

Living in the open, he worked all he dared. He scanned the surrounding country from the Thieves Market in Mexico to Empress Carlotta’s castle in Chapultapec for everything from buttons to bottles and from stones to statues. These he used to construct his castle.

This interesting structure was built by the late Boyce Gulley in answer to his small daughter’s dream. Gulley worked twenty years on the castle, laying every stone by hand, carrying every bucket of water with which to mix the thousands of tons of mortar. His building, with its eighteen rooms and thirteen fireplaces, is beyond doubt one of the most unusual in the world. No two rooms are on the same level; no two fireplaces, alike. He had planned someday to send for his family: someday when it was all completed. But that day never came, for he died before it was finished.

The castle stands just as he left it, with no water and no electricity; yet it is one of the best architectural structures known to builders today. Its fireplaces have been acclaimed masterpieces of construction; and, although crude, the building itself is strong enough to stand a thousand years.

Most of us have dreamed of living in a castle, and I believe there is such a place being prepared for me even more beautiful, more enduring, and more perfectly constructed than Mystery Castle. It will have stones in its construction, for the foundations of the wall will be garnished with all kinds of precious stones. Instead of being roughly hewn, however, they will be smoothly polished and glittering.

The mansion being prepared for me will need no electricity: “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.” Water will be in great abundance, for flowing out of the throne of God will be a pure river, as clear as crystal.

It took the death of the builder of Mystery Castle for his family to inherit and live in it; they had not seen or even known about it until he died. Although I have read about my inheritance, it took the death of the Builder for me to be assured of my portion of the estate.

No, this is not a dream castle. It is a reality, not only for me, but for everyone who claims the familiar promise found in the Bible: “In My Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again. . . . that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Plan now to be in your mansion.—By Mrs. A. R. Holt, These Times, April 1952.

Quote: “It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that are most likely to be remembered.”—From Grit, These Times, November 1969.

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“I never forgive,” said General James Oglethorpe to John Wesley.

“Then I hope, sir,” replied Wesley, “you never sin.”—By Dallas Youngs, Signs of the Times, September 1959.

Quote: “In heaven we shall never regret any sacrifice, however painful, or labor, however protracted, made or performed here for the cause of Christ.”—By Mary Lyon, Signs of the Times, December 14, 1915.

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Recently a man attempted to drive a car without a motor from New York to California. He was to obtain a large sum of money if he succeeded. It took weary weeks of being pushed and towed by passing motorists. He had to invent all kinds of reasons for needing a push, as he was not allowed to reveal the real reason for his need of help. He finally reached his destination, worn out physically and disgusted with the sordidness of the whole affair. He felt he had cheated and defrauded the scores of motorists who had been led to help him.

As a friend told me this story, I could not help thinking of a great many Christians who try to get to heaven that way. They are headed in the right direction. They want to go, but they never accept or use the divine power which is available to everyone. They depend on the preacher to pull them along. They sit placidly beside the busy highway of life and talk glibly about their weaknesses, hoping for someone to take pity and push them a little closer to heaven.

When Jesus was about to leave His disciples, He told them, “And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.

Jesus never sent motorless Christians out on the highways of life. The power was promised to every believer.—By Leonard C. Lee, Signs of the Times, July 21, 1953.

Quote: “God’s ways are sometimes strange ways; but they are sometimes the only ways and always the best ways. So go with God all ways and always.”—By H. G. F., Signs of the Times.

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CLICK HERE for great sacred music!

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No Time for Hate

Life is too brief,

Between the budding and the falling leaf,

Between the seedtime and the golden sheaf,

For hate and spite.

We have no time for malice and for greed;

Therefore, with love make beautiful the deed;

Fast speeds the night.—By Margaret E. Sangster, These Times, August 1954.

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

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I *really* like this one:

Quote:

While ministering in the city of Ottawa, Canada, I once heard a lecture by Lord Shackleton. He told of his first great adventure, his expedition to the Antarctic. He had to turn back and leave some of his men on Elephant Island, amid the snow and ice. But he promised to come back for them. By heroic efforts he finally reached the island of South Georgia, where he obtained another ship and needed supplies.

Then he started back for the men. He tried again and again to reach Elephant Island, but failed every time. Suddenly one day there appeared an open place through the ice leading to the island. Quickly he ran his boat through this channel, got his men on board the ship, and came back out just before the ice crashed together. The whole thing was done in half an hour.

When the excitement was over, Lord Shackleton asked one of the men who had stayed on the island, “How did it happen that you were all packed and ready for my coming? You were standing on the shore ready to leave on a moment’s notice.”

The man replied, “Sir, you said you would come back for us, so we never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was partly free of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and packed our things, saying, ‘Maybe Shackleton will come today.’ We were always ready for your coming.”

So, friends, let us remember that the Lord is coming. And let us be ready to go with Him any time, any day. What a wonderful encouragement this is to Christian living, to Christian giving, to Christian activity, to working in an effort to make the world better, to win men to Christ!

Jesus said, “I will come again.” And His words will never be forgotten.—By H. M. S. Richards, These Times, December 1952.

[phkrause]

I totally agree Pam.

[Kevin H]

That was my favorite as well. Hard to top HMS