January 2022 Signs of the Times Newsletter!

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January 2022 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. ***************************      J. Hudson Taylor, great apostle to inland China, prayed when the crew of his boat cursed the wind that blew them steadily toward a cannibal island, and the wind shifted in the nick of time; Count Zinzendorf, Moravian missionary, pursued by savage American Indians, prayed, and was saved in his tent by a large rattlesnake which crawled into his tent, lay across his leg, and scared his would-be murderers away; John G. Paton amid wild tribes in the New Hebrides prayed at midnight blackness for a way to escape over a high cliff into the sea, and miraculously slid down an escarpment of rock hundreds of feet without injury.—Unknown, Signs of the Times, March 17, 1953. Quote: “Our divine Lord is equal to any emergency. With him nothing is impossible. He has shown His great love for us by living a life of self-denial and sacrifice, and by dying a death of agony. Come to Christ just as you are, weak, helpless, and ready to die. Cast yourself wholly on His mercy. There is no difficulty within or without that can not be surmounted in His strength. Some have stormy tempers. But He who calmed the stormy sea of Galilee will say to the troubled heart, "Peace, be still." There is no nature so rebellious that Christ can not subdue it, no temper so stormy that He can not quell it, if the heart is surrendered to His keeping.”—By Ellen White, Signs of the Times, January 3, 1906. *************************** Don't miss the February 2022 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or CLICK to order online. ***************************      One of the most fascinating stories of what happens when men take God at His word is that of Perry Hayden's experiment with his dynamic kernels" of wheat. Perry is the miller who felt inspired to give the world visual proof that tithing (giving one tenth) for the support of Christian work is a privilege upon which God's richest blessing is bestowed. In 1940 Hayden planted one cubic inch of wheat, basing his experiment on John 12:24 ("Except a corn [kernel] of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit") and Malachi 3:10 ("Bring ye all the tithes, . . . and prove Me now . . . if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it").      Out of the fifty cubic inches of wheat gained from the first harvest, five cubic inches were given to the church for the tithe. The second year he planted the forty-five cubic inches, and seventy pounds of wheat were taken. This was 1.16 bushels of wheat from the original cubic inch in two years, or 2,448.6 cubic inches—881,499 kernels from the original 360.      On the following Sunday 10 per cent of the seventy pounds, or seven pounds, was taken to the church as the tithe. The remaining sixty-three pounds were cleaned, treated, and prepared for the next planting in the fall.      Each year a tithe was taken out, with the result that in 1946 the harvest was 75,000 bushels of wheat valued at $150,000!—By Kenneth J. Holland, These Times, August 1951. Quote: “Nowhere shall we find anything that will help our spiritual life as will a study of the life of Christ. And as we seek to walk in His footsteps, there will come to us a supply of divine grace such as sustained Him under every circumstance.”—Review and Herald, January 6, 1910. *************************** From Pacific Press—The Earthy Canvas Vegan Cookbook, Dr. Kazzi finds inspiration for the creation of delicious, healthy recipes combined with beautiful food photography. This richly illustrated cookbook celebrates clean vegan eating in a unique and approachable way taking simple, plant-based recipes to an elevated level of palatability and presentation, perfect for sharing with your friends and family. Order ONLINE or from your local Adventist Book Center—1-800-765-6955. ***************************      By far the most prolific Seventh-day Adventist hymn writer of the nineteenth century was Franklin E. Belden, the son of Ellen White’s older sister, Sarah. Born in 1858, Frank was already writing hymns by the time he was in his early 20s. He wrote several hundred during his lifetime.      To give some idea of just how talented Belden was, it is reported that he could write a hymn in as short as an hour’s time. His daughter recalled her father going to Colorado to help in evangelistic work. While there he would listen as the minister would read a text to start his sermon. Belden would then slip out and write a new hymn based on the text. By the time the sermon was finished, Belden and his wife, who was also a musician, would stand and sing a new hymn based on the sermon text.      In 1888 Frank Belden went to the General Conference session in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, he did not accept righteousness by faith there. Later his aunt Ellen White wrote several letters to him from Australia, where she lived from 1891 to 1900. One ran to 15 pages in length. In her letters, she appealed to Frank to improve his relationship with God. For a time it seemed that he was making progress, but later he seemed to slip back into his old ways, especially after he felt that he had been wronged in some business dealings with the church. Though his aunt Ellen agreed that some of his complaints were justified, she still urged him not to let it affect his Christian experience. This supposed grievance laid the foundation for a course of action that led to his separation from the church about 1907. The last years of his life he was antagonistic toward the church of his youth.      During his career in the denomination, Belden either compiled or assisted in compiling several hymnbooks. . . . Probably the most popular hymnbook ever used in the Seventh-day Adventist Church was his Christ in Song. It was first published in 1900 and was revised and enlarged in 1908.      “Cover With His Life” sounds a warning to each of us. It is apparent from the words that Frank Belden understood the theory of righteousness by faith as he wrote this hymn. Sadly, although he knew the principles, it appears that he may never have actually accepted Christ’s righteousness in his own life. One may wonder how such could be possible, but Frank Belden’s experience serves as a warning to all. It is entirely possible for religion to become merely a habit—we may know all the right answers to the questions, but that is as deep as it goes.      Both the words and tune for “Cover With His Life” were written in 1899. F. E. Belden included the hymn in both the 1900 edition of Christ in Song and the expanded and revised edition that he brought out in 1908. Look upon Jesus, sinless is He; Father, impute His life unto me. My life of scarlet, my sin and woe; Cover with His life, whiter than snow. Chorus: Cover with His life, whiter than snow; Fullness of His life then shall I know; My life of scarlet, my sin and woe, Cover with His life, whiter than snow. Deep are the wounds transgression has made; Red are the stains; my soul is afraid. O to be covered, Jesus with Thee. Safe from the law that now judgeth me! Longing the joy of pardon to know; Jesus holds out a robe white as snow; “Lord, I accept it! Leaving my own, Gladly I wear They pure life alone. Reconciled by His death for my sin, Justified by His life pure and clean, Sanctified by obeying His word. Glorified when returneth my Lord.—James R Nix, From Early Advent Singing. *************************** Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: A new year is the perfect opportunity to offer hope to friends and neighbors. Signs of the Times® takes on a broken world and directs hearts to Jesus for relevant answers. The result is changed lives! Send a subscription today. Order from your Adventist Book Center. Call 800-765-6955 or go online https://adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine.html ***************************      Many years ago, a very learned minister of England was in the habit of preparing his sermons very carefully, and he used to read them very accurately. He did so for years, but there was never known to be a sinner saved under him—never such a wonder. The poor good man—for he was an earnest man and wished to do good, was one day at prayer in the pulpit, praying to God that He would make him a useful minister. When he had finished his prayer, he was stone-blind. He had sufficient self-possession to preach the sermon extempore, which he had prepared with notes. People did not notice his blindness, but they never heard the Doctor preach such a sermon as that before. There was deep attention, there were souls saved. He found his way from the pulpit, and began to express his deep sorrow that he had lost his eyesight, when one good old woman present said, perhaps a little unkindly, but still very truthfully:      "Doctor, we have never heard you preach like this before; and if that is the result of your being blind, it is a pity you were not blind twenty years ago, for you have done more good today than you have done before in twenty years."—Unknown, The Review and Herald, November 29, 1864. Quote: A RICH man once expressed his surprise at the statement of a poor man, that he never locked his doors. "I am not afraid," rejoined the poor man; "no one ever brought anything yet."—Unknown, The Youth’s Instructor, December 1, 1908. *************************** Looking for a good audio book? Visit: www.AdventistAudioBooks.com ***************************      As the family knelt for worship, grandmother prayed, and in the course of her prayer she asked God to bless Dale and help him to grow to be a real missionary for Jesus, and to help Cathy grow to be a missionary nurse.      At this point Carol, apparently afraid that she was going to be left out, jumped up quickly, and stepping to grandmother's side, pulled her ear and whispered in a loud voice, "Me too, Grandmother. Me too. Me a missionary nurse too."      I wonder whether adults are as fearful of missing the blessings of Heaven as was Carol. I wonder if I am as eager to serve as she.—By Blanche Clymer, The Youth’s Instructor, December 29, 1959. Quote: "The largest room in the world is the room for improvement."—Unknown, The Youth’s Instructor, September 22, 1931. *************************** Looking to give a Bible study this year? All the resources you need can be found at: www.ToolsForEvangelism.com *************************** Where Shall I Be? By EDNA ATKIN PEPPER Someday this luminous blue sky,      With thunderous sound unfurled, With rending roar and trumpet blast,      Will rouse a thoughtless world. Where shall I be that fateful day,      When mighty volleys roll And echo round the hemispheres,      Beneath that starry scroll! When lightning flashes dart about      And light that midnight scene, And pallor tightens every face,      And earth and sky careen— Where shall I be—praying to the trembling rocks      To hide me from His face. Or safe sheltered in      That great abiding place?—The Youth’s Instructor, January 5, 1960. *************************** Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others.