February 2017 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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February 2017 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter The Signs of the Times newsletter is a collection of stories and quotes from past issues ofSigns and These Times. ***************************      A Chicago paper told of a conversation between the son of a pastor in that city and a neighbor boy.      It was quite early in the day, and the family had not yet had breakfast, when a little boy from across the street came into the yard, and beckoned through the window for the six-year-old son to come out and play. The boy answered, “I can’t come now, for we have not had our prayers.”      “Prayers. What’s that?” the boy on the outside asked.      “Why that’s talking to God, and my daddy knows how to do it too,” was the son’s answer.—By Uthai Vincent Wilcox, Signs of the Times, June 1929. Quote: “I long for the conversion of souls more sensibly than for anything besides. Methinks I could not only labor but die for it with delight.”—by Doddridge, Signs of the Times, February 10,1914. *************************** Don't miss the ­­­­­­­­March  2017 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or CLICK to order online. ***************************      Two little girls, both Christians, were one morning hurrying to school, conscious of the fact that they were late in starting. One of the girls, between breaths, said: “Mary, I fear we will be late. Let’s kneel down and ask God to keep us from being late.”      “No, Jane,” said Mary: “let’s hike right along, and pray while we are hiking.”      Jane consented, and they hurried on, and we believe they reached the school in time.—By A. E. Place, Signs of the Times, August 4, 1914. Quote: “If you know these two things—yourself a sinner and Christ a savior—it is looking from yourself to Jesus. Oh! There be men that quite misunderstand the gospel; they think that righteousness qualifies them to come to Christ; whereas sin is the only qualification for a man to come to Jesus.”—By Spurgeon, Signs of the Times, February 6, 1923. *************************** NEW from Pacific Press—Accepting Ellen White by Theodore Levterov. The early to mid-nineteenth century was a time of spiritual enlightenment. It wasn’t unusual to attend a religious meeting and observe someone experiencing visionary and charismatic manifestations. As such, Ellen White’s gift of prophecy was not unique or extraordinary. So how did Sabbatarian Adventists come to accept her gift as truly prophetic? It came about through four developmental stages in early Adventism. In Accepting Ellen White author Levterov examines each stage and the conclusions that eventually led Seventh-day Adventists to full acceptance of Ellen White’s prophetic gift. It is important to note that over the decades questions regarding Ellen White and her ministry have continued to appear, but Adventism has consistently defended and confirmed its belief in the prophetic gift of Ellen White that was affirmed through Bible study and prayer in those early years. CLICK to read the first chapter of this book online free. Order ONLINE or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955. ***************************      John James Audubon, famed for his studies as a naturalist and especially for his paintings of birds, began to make sketches at an early age. It was his custom however to throw away all his drawings at the end of every year. Therefore, says his biographer, there are no Audubon drawings in existence before those dated 1805—the nineteenth year of his life!      Thus, through dissatisfaction with past attainment, he grew into the notable artistic power of his later years.—By Warren E. Hall, These Times, March 1961. Quote: “No man can give at one and the same time the impression that he himself is clever and that Jesus Christ is mighty to save.”—By Denney, These Times, September 1966. *************************** Visit www.AdventistEBooks.com to see the largest selection of Adventist e-Books available! ***************************      One little boy, visiting with a neighboring family for a meal, noticed that they did not ask God’s blessing on their food before they ate. In his own home he was accustomed to a prayer of thanks.      Surprised at the lack of it now, he said to his hosts, “You’re just like my dog!”      “How is that?” they asked.      His embarrassing reply was, “He just starts right in, too!”—By James R. Webb, These Times, July 1966. Quote: “Unless the world has a spiritual rebirth within the next few years, civilization is doomed.”—By Dag Hammarskjold, These Times, December 1966. *************************** Looking to download great Christian music? Visit www.ChapelMusic.com ***************************      The story is told by the late C. Ensor Walters of a young man who professed conversion at a revival.      Not long afterward he went to Blackpool for a holiday. While there he wrote home to his mother. “Blackpool,” he told her, “is a wonderful place. If only I had been here before I was converted, I should have had the time of my life.”      That certainly was not the language of a man who was glorying in the cross, rather it was the attitude of a man who was groaning under it.—By H. F. De’Ath, Signs of the Times, June 6, 1939. Quote: “At all turns a man who will do faithfully needs to believe firmly.”—By Carlyle, Signs of the Times, April 12, 1899. *************************** Please place in your church bulletin or newsletter: Want to connect with your neighbor? Maybe a loved one far away? Each monthly issue of Signs of the Times® offers a colorful and interesting presentation of the full gospel message. 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: http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine-yearly-us-subscription.html ***************************      A relief light boat was built at New London many years ago. While the workmen were busy over it one man lost his hammer. Whether he knew it or not, it was nailed up in the bottom of the boat. Perhaps if he found it out, he thought the only harm done was the loss of the hammer.      But the boat was put to the service, and every time it rocked on the waves that hammer was tossed to and fro. Little by little it wore for itself a track, until it had worn through planking and keel, down to the very copper plating, before it was found out. Only that plate of copper kept the vessel from sinking.      It seemed a very little thing in the start, but see what mischief it wrought. So it is with a little sin in the heart.—From Golden Censer, Signs of the Times, May 10, 1877. Quote: “If you are acquainted with happiness, introduce him to your neighbor.”—By Charles G. Bellah, Signs of the Times, October 29, 1929. *************************** God Hath Not Promised! God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain. God hath not promised We shall not know Toil and temptation, Trouble and woe. He has not told us We shall not bear Many a burden, Many a care. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way, Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love.—By Annie Johnson Flint, These Times, September 1957. *************************** Looking for Spirit of Prophecy books sharing prices? CLICK HERE! ***************************     A crowd had gathered in a great Welsh “chapel,” barn-like in architecture, but spacious and filled with people. The preacher was hosted by a farmer. The time of the service arrived, and no preacher.      The good farmer became alarmed. He feared Hughs had forgotten or fallen asleep. He sent a servant-maid to his room to inquire. She returned in a few moments, and reported that she did not knock at his door.      “Why, sir, Mr. Hughs has company in his room. I heard him address another person and say, ‘If thou go not with me I will not go thither! I will not go except thou go with me!’” And, added the girl, “Mr. Hughs spoke as if his friend would not come. I do not think there will be any preaching at the meeting.”      “Oh yes,” said the farmer, “I understand it. He will come and he will not come alone. We shall have a melting, glorious time over there. Sinners will be converted at that meeting.”     And sinners were converted by the score.—Unknown, Signs of the Times, December 12, 1881. Quote: “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.”—Mother Teresa, Signs of the Times, April 1991.   *************************** I Would Like to Live!      I would like to live so that if my parents were living, my manner of life would give them no reason for undue concern.      I would like to live so that my companion would be willing to make the same choice she made nearly a half century ago to travel with me the rugged path of life.      I would like to live so that my children could truthfully say, “My father never drank; I never heard him curse; and I was born in a home of prayer.”      I would like to live so that my church could say, “He lives the doctrine he preaches.”      I would like to live so that I could discuss with my brother the difference of our creeds, in such a spirit that, though we continue to disagree, I would not be offensive to him.      I would like so to live that my grocer, my doctor, and banker could say, “His word is as good as his bond.”      I would like to live so that I would be remembered first in the sadness and sorrows of my neighbor’s life as well as the joys of his life.      I would like to live so the vilest sinner would feel that in me he has a friend who would like to help lift him to higher planes of living.      I would like to live so active in life that, when I die, my garden will be green and growing, and others will enjoy the fruit of my labors when I am gone.—By F. H. Harris,Signs of the Times, September 22, 1953. *************************** Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others.