Signs of the Times

with contributions from Clara Bernhardt, Charles Pendleton

Clara Bernhardt
in a column of The Preston Times
Preston, Ontario, Canada

We need to think positively, to face life fearlessly, and to trust God steadfastly, in order to live life successfully and happily. Really, it's not hard to do. For every fear substitute faith. Learn to say with David, "My soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast" (Psalm 57:1) .... St. Paul knew and practised it, for he advised, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

And isn't that where all the trouble, all the fears, all the despair, all the hopelessness arises— in the mind? No one can control your mind for you, but you, yourself. It is up to you to create the atmosphere in which you wish to live, to stock your mind and your memory with thoughts that will be a help instead of a hindrance. The secret lies in the same 57th Psalm, whose words can be ours, too: "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me."

Centuries ago, in the midst of deep personal trouble, the Psalmist wrote those lines. They are just as true today as they were then. The limitation lies within ourselves, not with God.

Charles Pendleton
as reported in The Hemet News
Hemet, California

Attorney Charles Pendleton, speaking at a ... Rotary meeting ... declared ..."God does not promise immunity from trouble, but He does promise to make us 'more than conquerors.' He does not guarantee good weather, but He does guarantee to take a man through it.

"You may choose to fly 'blind' into the future or you may choose to allow God to guide you. You may choose to live as though He didn't care or isn't able to help you, or you may take Him at His word and enjoy the safety and security He delights to give

"Man was meant to be free, the servant of God alone. Man enjoys his maximum freedom, his optimum productivity and efficiency, when he serves God.

"Mastered by God, man is master of himself and his world."

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August 4, 1962

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