January 2006 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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2006 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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Robert Morrison, the noted missionary, wrote to friends in England, asking for an assistant.

In response a young man from the country came and offered himself. He was an earnest Christian, but was rough and unpolished. He was introduced to the gentlemen of the board, and had a long talk with them. They then asked him to call again in an hour or two, and they would give him an answer. In talking the matter over after he was gone, they came to the conclusion that this young man would not do to go as a helper to Dr. Morrison.

Finally they said to Dr. Phillips, one of their members, “Doctor, you see the young man when he calls again, and tell him that we do not think him fit to be a missionary; but that if he would like to go out as a servant to the missionary we will send him.” The doctor did not much like to do this, but he did it. He told the young man just what the board said.

Now, many a young man would have been angry on hearing this, but this young man did not feel or act so. After hearing what the doctor said, his answer was: “Well, sir, if the gentlemen don’t think me fit to be a missionary, I will go as a servant. I am willing to be a hewer of wood or a drawer of water, or do anything to help on the cause of my heavenly Master.”

He was sent out as a servant; but he soon got to be a missionary, and turned out to be Dr. Milne, one of the best missionaries that ever went to that country.—The Christian, Signs of the Times, March 12, 1912.

Quote: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”—By Billy Graham, These Times, November 1980.

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Don't miss the February 2006 issue of Signs of the Times: “Nine Ways to Guard Your Home Against Divorce,” “How You Can Make Your Sabbath Special,” “Do You Know Your Final Destination” and other important articles. To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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Abraham Lincoln loathed the idea of capitulation. He even hated the very word “capitulate,” it seems.

When on a certain occasion Lincoln heard that General Marcy had used the term, the president immediately sent for his chief of staff. “General,” Lincoln sternly addressed Marcy, “I understand you have used the word capitulate. That is a word not to be used in connection with our army.”

Lincoln certainly had the right idea about battle, for capitulation means “to surrender on stipulated terms.” A successful army does not do that; it just does not surrender on stipulated terms.

We are at war. You and I, as Christian soldiers, face a foe far more powerful than any earthly enemy. Satan is against us. He is a vigilant foe. But there is no need for you or me to capitulate to Satan.—By W. A. Townend, These Times, July 1951.

Quote: “Many a man who would never think of dashing out of a morning without his breakfast, his vitamins and his briefcase, plunges headlong into a perilous day with an unprepared soul. ‘A little talk with Jesus’ readies the body, the mind and the spirit for whatever comes. After all, everything began with God. How foolish of us to start anything without Him! Whatever this new day may hold for you, make sure of one thing. ‘In the beginning God. . . .’!”—By Vance Havner, These Times, February 1961.

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New from Signs of the Times: Pocket Signs, Secret Rapture. For a FREE sample copy, send your name and mailing address to []becbin@pacificpress.com[/] before January 15.

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Years ago, so the story goes, a group of people were sailing in a little vessel one night. A great storm arose and threatened destruction. The people huddled together in the cabin. By and By one dared to crawl out of the cabin onto the deck. A few minutes later he came back with a new light in his eye. “We are going to weather the tempest,” he declared. “In the flare of lightning I caught a glimpse of the face of the pilot and he smiled.”

In a stormy world, look up, and see the face of the Friendly Pilot and you’ll be assured that you will “weather the tempest.”—By R. Reinhold Bietz, Our Times, January 1946.

Quote: “The gospel does not tell us not to have enemies; it tells us to love our enemies.”—By Gustavo Gutierrez, Signs of the Times, August 1990.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: This new year, give your friends and loved ones a 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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If you ever reach the point where you wonder if the struggle is worthwhile, give this a twirl: “Charles W. Post brewed his first Postum in a barn. . . . J. L. Kraft was a grocery-store clerk when he began peddling cheese from a one-horse wagon. He began this venture with the sum total of $65. . . . H. J. Heinz planted horseradish and came up with 57 varieties for the delicatessen housewife.—By J. O. Iversen, Signs of the Times, July 1962.

Quote: “Two persons will not be friends long if they cannot forgive each other’s failings.”—By La Bruyere, Signs of the Times, February 17, 1942.

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Maximum Ministry E-newsletter is a brand NEW offering from Pacific Press. It is designed for ministry professionals and lay leaders who want the best resources available. Subscribe now at http://listserve.pacificpress.com/maxmin/emailservice/ to receive the FIRST ISSUE. The first issue will be emailed the middle of January.

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A youthful urbanite once asked an elderly rustic why he, and everyone else in the neighborhood, was taking life at such a leisurely pace and not conforming to the breakneck speed of the cities. The old man philosophized: “Well, son, half the time the things you catch up with aren’t worth the things you pass up when you’re in a hurry.”—By Paul K. Freiwirth, Signs of the Times, July 26, 1955.

Quote: “Don’t have such broad views that you can’t get them thru the narrow way.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, August 1908.

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Make ANY purchase online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com during the month of January, 2006 and receive your choice of one of these two books absolutely FREE: “Dr. Arnott’s 24 Realistic Ways to Improve Your Health” or “60 Ways to Energize Your Life”.

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A wretched man shivered in the London fog one day in 1877. He had been a fugitive for years, scared by his own shadow. Suddenly he spied a large placard. His whole appearance changed as he read:

BY THE QUEEN

A Proclamation

For extending pardon to soldiers who may have deserted from our land forces.

The proclamation declared that Queen Victoria, to mark the completion of fifty years of her reign, extended pardon to all her soldiers who might have deserted, providing they would report within two months. A list of commanding officers and their addresses followed. Deserters were urged to contact one of these officials at once. The proclamation ended with the words, “And we do hereby make further declaration that every offender herein referred to who shall not avail himself of the pardon we now graciously offer shall be held amenable to all pains and penalties provided under the Army Act. Given at our court at Windsor, the 17th day of June, 1887, in the fiftieth year of our reign.”

God proposes to treat sinners as if they had never sinned. But in order to receive this redemption, sinners must accept it. And they must accept it while it remains available for them. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2—By Raymond L. Cox, Signs of the Times, June 1969.

Quote: “Some men are eulogized for their military victories; others, for their marvelous inventions; others, for their masterful statecraft; others, for their profound scholarship; others, for their brilliancy in the fine arts; others, for their vast fortunes to philanthropy; and others, still, for their leadership of some social or religious reform. But the highest eulogy is of goodness rather than greatness.”—The Methodist Protestant Recorder, Signs of the Times, December 6, 1932.

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

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When a Russian artist asked Tolstoy for his impressions of the central figure in a painting of the Last Supper, the great man said, “You do not love Him or you would paint Him better.” If we loved Him more there would be a greater steadfastness to principle, a higher standard of morality, and a greater zeal in service.—By Julius L. Tucker, Signs of the Times, January 27, 1942.

Quote: “The heart is best nourished when we are ministering to the needs of our neighbors.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, November 25, 1908.

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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[/]