Possible Impossibilities

My introduction to downhill skiing came with a bit of a violent touch. Everything seemed to be going well at first. My instructor had taught me a few basic things about getting around and I’d even descended a gentle slope without any problems. When my lesson ended I met up with my friend. I told her that my lesson went well, although I didn’t mention that I’d never skiied more than 10 feet at a time, had no idea how to turn, and could barely stop. And so she suggested that I get on a real chair lift to ski what she called an easy slope. It sounded a bit scary, but I hadn’t even fallen down yet. The trail was marked green on the map. What could go wrong?

As it turns out, a lot could go wrong. And...it did. As we sat on the chair lift my friend carefully explained how to get off at the top. It sounded like a piece of cake. I just needed to keep my ski tips up until they touched the ground completely, and then lean forward and stand up.

I really did try. When we got to the top I stood up and immediately found myself sprawled on the snow, skis and ski poles flung asunder. My left shoulder and arm seemed to be drastically twisted. I lay there stunned, but without enough sense to let them call the ski patrol to give me a ride down. I figured that now I was up there, I could make it down on my own. Getting up painfully, I collected my belongings and wobbled over to the top of the “easy run”. On the way there, I fell down again, and when I reached the run itself I knew there was no way I was going to attempt it. It looked way too steep for my skill level—and besides, my arm still throbbed. I just knew I would end up in a mangled heap at the bottom, barely holding on to life. So I took off my skis, hiked down the hill, and went right back to the practice slope.

By the end of the day I ventured up to the top again—and this time I made it down a different run on skis! It was even rather fun! And, although my arm hurt for weeks afterward, I wanted to go skiing again. I’ve gone quite a few times since then and while I’m still learning, I’m no longer stuck on the easiest ski runs. In fact, this year I skied down some interesting and challenging terrain. On one of my ski days this past winter, I made my way to the top of that slope I had walked down. My memory of a very steep hill had me feeling quite unsure about it, and I arrived at the top with foreboding. Staring in disbelief, I quickly realized that my “very steep hill” wasn’t steep at all. In fact, it looked more molehill-sized than mountain-sized!

My friends and I laughed about it and my memories of that hill have definitely taken a new turn, but this taught me a lesson that I don’t want to forget. When I’m in the midst of a difficulty in life it can seem too great to bear. But as I practice resting in Christ’s arms and learning lessons in His school, the difficulties that once seemed insurmountable become nothing that He and I can’t handle together. I’m asking Him to teach me not to shirk from mountains, but to lean on Him in every difficulty. He promises that there is grace sufficient for my every need and I know that He keeps His promises.

Tomi's Gods

by Margaret W. Eggleston

Just outside the gate of a little Japanese town stood the shrine of the goddess Kishibojin. Every morning for many months, a young girl came to the shrine and bowed before it in earnest prayer. Sometimes she poured cold water over her body as she prayed. At other times she cut off strands of her hair and offered them to the idol. Tomi Kagata was determined to have the answer to her prayer, and she tried in every way she knew to make Kishibojin hear her. Still her prayer was not answered.

Each day, after Tomi’s prayer was over, she worked hard at a factory. Then, in the evening, she went home to care for her ailing father and two small brothers. Tomi was always tired, even in the morning when she went to pray.

Things had not always been so hard. Although Tomi’s mother was dead, her kind father and loving elder brother had taken good care of the home. Then disaster struck. First, her father became ill. At about the same time, Tomi’s brother, Matsui, began to drink. One day he struck a policeman. To avoid paying a large fine, he ran away from home. Now it was up to Tomi to provide for the family.

Quarantined!

by Adele R. Dewey

Did you ever stop to think about
This place we call the earth,
And why you’ve never left it
Since the moment of your birth?
And how the folks in other worlds
Can all go out and in,
While you’re restricted to this earth?
You’re quarantined for sin!

God put up the quarantine
With a bright and flaming sword,
When the Father sent our parents
From the Garden of the Lord.
But His heart was moved with pity
As He saw our sad estate,
And the world that He had quarantined,
He moved near Heaven’s gate.

Then He sent the Great Physician
To our world to save the lost,
And reveal the love of God to man.
He did not count the cost
Too great to pay; but gave His life
A ransom full and free,
So He could lift the quarantine
That’s over you and me.

In the glad day before us
When He comes to claim His own,
He will take the purified
Right to His Father’s throne.
With the quarantine now lifted,
We may all go out and in,
And tell how He redeemed us
From the quarantine of sin!

Thirty-three Cents

by Minon Auda Hiebert

I clutched the paper and stared. Thirty-three cents! My senior year of academy was only half over, and my account carried a credit of just 33¢.

Father was ill, and Mother could never manage to help me from her meager earnings. When I had arrived in September with my savings of $200, I had hoped that I could work off my expenses. But my wages were low, and expenses were high. Now I had just 33¢ for the rest of the year!

Supreme Court of the Universe

How much do you know about the Supreme Court? Whether you realize it or not, its decisions affect our laws in big ways. Here are the basics:

• The Supreme Court always has nine justices. No tie votes!
• The Supreme Court is mostly a court of appeals—it decides on cases that lower courts couldn’t settle.
• The Supreme Court accepts only about 100 of around 10,000 cases referred to it each year—the ones justices think will help clear up questions to do with Constitutional law.
• Before the court hearing, lawyers from each side of a case hand in written arguments. At the actual trial, each side has just half an hour to speak and be questioned.
• After the hearing, the justices discuss among themselves which side has the backing of the Constitution. Finally, they take a vote. 
• After the vote, a justice from the majority side writes a court opinion. The judges from the majority side review and revise the report. Finally, they sign it. 
• Once the opinion is made public, it becomes the official interpretation of the law.

Odd beginnings. During its first term in 1790, the Supreme Court had no cases and made no decisions—but the justices still convened. Some judges of lower courts still wore tall white wigs, but Justice William Cushing alone showed up at the Supreme Court wearing his wig. After the boys loitering outside made fun of Justice Cushing, Thomas Jefferson added his opinion: “Do discard the monstrous wig which makes the English judges look like rats peeping through bunches of oakum.” 1 The wig came off!2

Divine court. Daniel 7 describes the supreme court of the universe, where the Ancient of Days and His Son are the judges. In this court, the judge is also the lawyer for the defendants.3 He longs to pardon whoever He can! And unlike human courts, the divine court never errs. “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously” (Psalm 67:4).

Puff's Choice

as told by C. Roscoe Swan

Art: Heidi Reinecke

I paused for a moment on the narrow trail and gazed at the rugged California landscape. What a beautiful place to hike!

Suddenly the silence was shattered by the distant roar of motorcycle engines. I listened for a moment. They were getting closer. Someone else had decided to take advantage of this beautiful day in the mountains.

I glanced around. “Puff! Where are you, girl?”

Immediately I heard doggy feet pattering toward me. My Australian shepherd raced up, bouncing and wagging from head to tail. We surely had named her right when we registered her as “Blue Puff Tempest”! I reached down and petted her fluffy blue merle coat. She had so much energy—like a tempest in a teapot!

It Only Takes a Spark

You know the song: “It only takes a spark to get a fire going . . . ” (In fact, this time of year you may find yourself around the campfire singing it quite often!)

But it does take a spark! 

Just as the tiny mustard seed grows into a large plant, and a little bit of leaven raises a whole batch of bread, even a small word or act for Christ can grow into something big. Jesus will bless and multiply our efforts to work for Him—when we start!

“Every follower of Jesus has a work to do as a missionary for Christ in the family, in the neighborhood, in the town or city where he lives” (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2, page 632).

Do you want to share your faith but are not sure what to do? Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Why not see how much you can accomplish in the next few months?

Crazy About Clouds

Matter of perspective. Over most of the lower 48 states, it’s cloudy 50–70% of the time. Over these same states, it’s also sunny 50–70% of the time. How can this be? It’s simply a matter of perspective. You can call mixed skies partly cloudy, if you please—but they will also be partly sunny! Of course, some places are cloudier than others. The cloudiest places in the U.S. are the Great Lakes region and the Oregon and Washington coast; the sunniest area is the Southwest.1

Sowing in the clouds. It takes more than water vapor to make a rain cloud. The vapor needs something to cluster around and make a droplet—something called a nucleus, such as salt or dust. Sometimes clouds that have enough water to rain never do simply because there are no particles to form raindrops. Because of this phenomenon, scientists have developed a technique called cloud seeding to encourage rain in dry areas. Airplanes fly through clouds, dropping tiny pieces of compounds such as calcium chloride or silver iodide to make “seeds” for the raindrops. Sometimes these particles are shot up from the ground, using rockets, balloons, or anti-aircraft guns.

Don’t steal my cloud! Because of arid climate conditions in certain areas, China is one of the top users of cloud-seeding technology. In fact, it’s so common that the government uses it to “guarantee” good weather for national celebrations. Cloud seeding does cause disputes between neighboring communities. Cities race each other to harvest rain—and the losers accuse the winners of stealing precipitation!2

Cloudy protection. Did you know that clouds have altered world events? A number of battles have been confused or called off due to fog or rain—and God’s providence. One battle in the Revolutionary War was even named “Battle of the Clouds” because a torrential downpour stopped the fighting.

Holy cloud. God used a cloud to protect and guide Israel on their journey from Egypt to Canaan—and to veil His glory in the most holy place. But this cloud was more than a mix of water vapor and dust particles. This cloud was holy—because it was God’s presence! It showed God’s heart longing: to dwell with His people.

1. National Climatic Data Center.
2. The Guardian, July 14, 2004.

Not Enough

Imagine us gathered together with a group of architects and builders. We've been summoned from all over the country because, as the man up front explains, we’re the best. There is no one more skilled or that can do better work. At first the compliment makes me feel good, but as the man continues to explain our task, I start to worry. Apparently God Almighty wants to come and dwell among men, and He wants us to build Him a house.

It isn't just any house, either. The perfection required in our work is mind-boggling. And on top of that, God Himself gave the plans, which must be followed exactly. As our leader's words sink in, I wonder how in the world anyone ever thought I could help with this project. I can’t remember ever doing absolutely perfect work and, even worse, I’m a sinner. I’m not good enough, not holy enough, not surrendered enough. If I dare to touch God’s house, I’ll mess it all up.

What Might Have Been

by Ellen White

I found myself at Battle Creek. We had gathered in the Tabernacle Church1 for a meeting of the General Conference.2 Prayer was offered, a hymn was sung, and prayer was again offered, with most earnest supplication being made to God. All could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Everyone present seemed sober and serious, and some were weeping out loud.

Unrealistic Choice

by Anne Connue

The congregation at a little country church had just sung a few hymns. Now they watched as their well-beloved pastor stood up and took his customary place behind the pulpit.

After an opening prayer, the pastor announced, “For prayer meeting tonight I have a special treat for you. One of my dearest childhood friends is in the audience, and I want you to meet him. In fact, I’ve asked him to share something with you. I’ve encouraged him to say whatever is on his heart.”

The pastor sat down as an elderly man stepped forward and greeted the audience with a smile. “We all like stories,” he began, “and tonight I have a story for you that particularly touches my heart. It involves a father, his son, and the son’s young friend.”

The man’s eyes held a faraway look, as if he were seeing things that no one else could view.

In Touch

Casey and I near the end of the "Glacier Trail."

Dear Young Disciples,

Last summer, my husband and I took a wonderful hiking trip to Wyoming. Glorious—that’s the only word for those mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs. Even though I’d seen much of it before, the scenery stunned and enraptured me.

Yet even while surrounded by natural wonders, I kept feeling drawn to the signs of life: green meadows decorated with flowers, chattering chipmunks, singing birds.

One evening at sunset, three elk trotted into the valley below. The two younger ones frolicked while the mother kept watch—and when she signaled, all three splashed across the river and bounded into the woods.

The Hand That Never Lets Go

by Ellen White

The sun shone brilliantly on the dazzling snow of one of the highest mountains of the Alps. In those mountains, an English hiker followed his guide along a narrow path. The Englishman reveled in the beauty all around him. He trusted his guide and followed fearlessly in his footsteps, although the track was new to him. Suddenly he hesitated as the bold mountaineer stepped across a deep, narrow chasm. Then, holding out his hand, the guide asked the Englishman to step across. Still the traveler hesitated, but the guide encouraged him to follow. “Take my hand,” he reassured him. “This hand never lets go.”

Unmistakable Beauty

I’d never seen this woman before, but when she walked into the sanctuary one Sabbath morning, right
away I knew I liked her. Silver hair gently framed her aging face, and her simple clothes had clearly seen better days. Even so, she radiated an unmistakable beauty. Her soft steps spoke of confidence and grace, and everything about her sparkled with warmth and friendliness. When I finally got a chance to speak with her, it seemed like we would never run out of things to talk about!

Their Treasure

by Margaret W. Eggleston

Art: Heidi Reinecke

“Are you ready, dear?” A woman’s anxious voice pierced the stillness of the little Armenian church.

A weary-eyed man smiled soberly at his wife, standing restlessly in the doorway. “Yes, darling, I am ready, except for—”

“Except for what?” The woman shifted a fat-cheeked baby onto her hip and glanced down at the wide-eyed toddler clutching her skirts. “The Turks could be here at any moment. They must not find the children. Hurry!”

The man picked up a large Bible. “It’s just that I feel I can’t go without this Book. It’s the greatest treasure in the village. How could I—the church deacon—leave it for enemy forces to destroy?”

“But look at it!” his wife sputtered. “How can we carry such a thing? It must weigh as much as a baby—or a week’s supply of grain.”

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

My friends and I had been canoeing for several days. The weather had been great—sunny and warm, hardly any rain, and not too much wind. But still, after hours and days of paddling out in the elements, we were getting tired.

That night as we ate supper, “Ian” vowed he was going to bed as soon as he’d washed his dishes. We laughed. He couldn’t be serious. The rest of us planned to take a walk to a massive waterfall close to camp. Who would miss that? Besides, it was only six o’clock, and hours from sundown!

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

The report had to be submitted the next the morning, and 100 pages still needed to be entered. Mr. Halfax wasn’t worried. He knew that his three secretaries could easily do that in half a day.

When his secretaries arrived in the office, they chatted for nearly half an hour. They finally got to work, but it wasn’t long before one got sidetracked on a website. Another broke a fingernail and decided to redo all her nails. Meanwhile, the third secretary took a long phone call from a friend.

After lunch, Mr. Halfax checked on their progress. Only about one quarter of the pages had been entered! Alarmed, he called in three additional secretaries. They were a bit more industrious. Still, they seemed to find ways to waste a lot of time.

My Dreams for His

by Jessica Pendleton

Life apart from love is just not working out too well for this planet I call my own.

The painful cries of suffering humanity can be heard from every corner. And when one lets the surrounding needs really sink in, there is no question: A life of even the most faithful service is as a drop in the ocean compared to the great need.

And yet in the midst of it all, I stand with my dreams clutched tight. Some are shattered beyond belief, while others remain pure and strong and beautifully whole. And I wonder: Can I really afford to trade my dreams for the dreams God has for my life?

The Law Condensed

by Lilienne, teenage Morning Manna member

This morning, I was studying Matthew 22:36–40.

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Using Strong's Concordance, I looked up what the words meant in the original language. When I replaced key words with their meanings, I came up with this paraphrase:

"Master, which is the exceeding great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt agape (which means unselfish love) the Lord thy God with all thy thoughts and feelings, with all thy vitality (actions?), and with all thy deep thoughts. This is the chief and exceeding great commandment. The second is like unto it, Thou shalt agape anyone you come in contact with as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the old testament law."

Wow! So basically the law means, "Love God & love your neighbor," which then can be condensed into one word: Love.  

Do we love God that much? Do we put others before ourselves that much?

It's the one chief and exceeding great commandment!

All in All

by Kezzia Keener

It’s not like he didn't have everything. Power, popularity, and approval followed the steps of this Pharisee who outwardly lived a blameless life (according to the righteousness stipulated in the law). This suited him fine—he wanted esteem, honor, and greatness—and he didn't hesitate to pull others down in order to gain a higher position for himself. But everything changed when this man, a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” came face to face with glory and saw himself as he really was: a sinner in need of grace.