December 2005 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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December 2005 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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It was a blustery, stormy Christmas Eve. A strong wind from the north was blowing the falling snow into drifts. All the earth was blanketed in white as night settled down on a small town in the Midwest.

A busy pastor, weary from making last minute calls before Christmas, was approaching his home afoot when he passed a boy in his early teens. Something unusual about the boy caused the pastor to slow down a bit. The youngster was carrying on his back a heavy burden. He puffed as he walked, and his breath was visible in the cold crisp evening air.

“You have quite a load for a boy your size,” the preacher said.

Stopping momentarily, the red-faced youngster replied with a smile in his voice, “Oh, he ain’t heavy, mister, he’s my brother.”

Sure enough, he had a small boy on his back. The pastor wished them both a merry Christmas, and stood motionless in the snow as he watched the boy and his brother disappear in the darkness.

He could not get the boys out of his mind. “What a sermon for Christmas!” he thought as he made his way up the walk to his home. “He ain’t heavy, mister, he’s my brother.”

Surely at this Christmas season you and I will know many troubled, overburdened, discouraged souls to whom we can give a lift. And after all, they are our brothers—yours and mine.—By C. L. Paddock, Signs of the Times, December 21, 1954.

Quote: “Never think that God’s delays are God’s denials. Hold on: hold fast: hold out. Patience is genius.”—By Buffon, Signs of the Times, December 23, 1908.

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Don't miss the January 2006 issue of Signs of the Times: “The Benefits of Being a Christian”, “Do Christians Have to Keep God’s Law”, “Where the Bible Came From”, “Are You Trying to Catch God?” and other important articles. To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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There is an old fable about a puppy that was vigorously chasing his tail. An old dog saw him and asked, “Why are you chasing your tail so?” The puppy answered, “I have mastered philosophy. I have solved the problems of the dog universe, which no dog before me has rightly solved. I have learned that the best thing for a dog is contentment and happiness. I have discovered that contentment is in my tail. Therefore, I am chasing it; and when I catch it, I shall have happiness!”

The old dog said, “My son, I too have paid attention to the problems of the dog universe, in my weak way, and have formed some opinions. I, too have judged that contentment and happiness are fine things for a dog and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase it, it keeps running from me; but when I go about my business, it comes after me.”

The fabled dog apparently knew a great deal about life. He put his business before his happiness, and his happiness came along. With the human family there can be only one business. Jesus made this clear when He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. All the things that people feel will make them satisfied and comfortable will come along after they seek the kingdom of God.—By Neal Becker, These Times, December 1955.

Quote: “Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will.”—Unknown, These Times, April 1966.

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NEW from Pacific Press— The gripping story of missionary William Carey is now available in full-color on DVD. The story unfolds in dramatic detail in “Candle in the Dark” when Carey sails to India in 1793 with a reluctant wife and four children. In spite of severe hardship it is amazing that he didn’t abandon his mission and go home. Instead, the family stayed for over 40 years. There he oversaw more translations of the bible than had been done in all previous Christian history combined. Includes eight different language tracks, including Spanish and Portuguese.

Read the first chapter of this book online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com Order online or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955.

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A beautiful story is told of Benjamin Parsons, who was one of the greatest preachers of his day. He was lying on his death-bed, and a friend, coming in to visit him, inquired, “Well, Parsons, how is it with you?”

A smile of perfect peace shone on his face as he answered, “I am resting sweetly on three pillows; infinite power, infinite love, and infinite grace.” All these meet in Jesus Christ, and one who lives close to Christ may pillow his head on these three pillows.—S. S. Times, Signs of the Times, January 18, 1905.

Quote: “Do you know that more than half our trouble is borrowed? Just suppose that we could get rid of all unnecessary and previous terror; just suppose that we could be sure of final victory in every conflict, and the final emergence out of every shadow into brighter day, how our hearts would be lightened. How much more bravely we should work and fight and march forward! This is the courage to which we are entitled and which we may find in the thought that God is with us everywhere.”—By Henry Van Dyke, Signs of the Times, December 17, 1940.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: This holiday season give your friends and loved ones a gift subscription to Signs of the Times. Order from your Adventist Book Center. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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He lived in the plain little farmhouse at the end of a lane that turns off the highway above the covered bridge and disappears in the dense foliage which overgrows the riverbank. Since the early years of his married life he had lived there; and of all the rural characters on the broad flatlands south of the river, he certainly was one of the most picturesque. A strong-willed old patriarch, his friends and neighbors often found it difficult to understand his likes and dislikes.

One of his most vehement aversions was ripe tomatoes. He was fond of green-tomato pickles and sauce, and did not object to the use of ripe tomatoes in other dishes, But fresh from the vine—“No, siree! Not for me!”

Where his idea about ripe tomatoes all started, not even those closest to him knew. Perhaps someone told him that they are not good for food. Possibly he may have read such a statement somewhere. Or his prejudice may have resulted from a combination of circumstances. It is doubtful that he himself knew exactly.

One thing is certain, it was not a proved dislike. His boast was that he had never tasted tomatoes. The way he said it, it was plain that he never intended to.

As the years passed, the old farmer’s aversion became a matter of pride. His attitude was scornful and superior. His manner was emphatic and final. To be sure, he grew tomatoes in his own lush garden which flourished at the river’s edge, and was disappointed and humiliated when his were not as early or as large as those grown by his neighbors. He enjoyed watching his wife and children eat them. But he? “No, siree!” Not he! Not ever!

Finally, in his seventy-third year, a wise and winsome granddaughter induced him to taste a ripe tomato. Once his consent was given, a special trip was made to the garden, and a half-pound beauty was brought fresh from the vine. It was washed and sliced and carefully seasoned to taste. Then the family stood back to watch.

That was an epic moment. Gingerly and with fine condescension the white-haired grandsire took a bite, chewed it exploratively, swallowed. He took another, then a third. Then the reaction set in.

The expression that came into his face was unforgettable. Surprise, awareness, incredulity, chagrin—all were there in one meaningful, shamefaced total. “S-a-a-y,” he exclaimed, “they are not bad! They’re good! S-a-a-y, I’ve been missing something! Yes, siree! I’ve been missing something good all my life!”

We can smile at this farmer’s imagined dislike, and shake our heads at the price he paid. His objections had been needless; he had feared that which did not even exist. However, the lesson his experience teaches cannot wisely be laughed aside.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8—By Sanford T. Whitman, Signs of the Times, October 14, 1952.

Quote: “Christ can do nothing for you till you can do nothing for yourself.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, November 11, 1908.

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Now available—LARGE print “Desire of Ages”. Perfect to give as a gift to a loved one. Available at: http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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When David Livingstone returned to his native land after spending sixteen years in the continent of Africa, he was given many honors. The story of his explorations, trials, and triumphs for Christ stirred the hearts of thousands. Many honors were heaped upon him. When the University of Glasgow conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Law, he told that assembly of teachers and students the secret of his indomitable courage and perseverance. “Shall I tell you what supported me through all these years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile?” he said. “It was the words of Jesus, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ “ Matthew 28:20.

There is not promise with greater meaning to the child of God. There is no truth we need to realize more.—By Julius L. Tucker, Signs of the Times, January 20, 1942.

Quote: “Would you judge of the lawfulness or the unlawfulness of a pleasure, take this rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things; whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, that thing, to you, is sin.”—John Wesley’s mother writing to him when he was in college, Signs of the Times, December 26, 1900.

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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[/]

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