Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .
i s n o t s t r a n g e ( 2 RELATED PHRASES )
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The phrase 'is not strange' appears 15 times in the writings of EGW page NOT on Original site Related phrase: it is not strange ( 8 ) - - is it not strange ( 5 ) ( below )
| You inquire with respect to the propriety of receiving gifts from Gentiles or the heathen. The question is not strange; but I would ask you, Who is it that owns our world? Who are the real owners of houses and lands? Is it not God? He has an abundance in our world which He has placed in the hands of men, by which the hungry might be supplied with food, the naked with clothing, the homeless with homes. The Lord would move upon worldly men, even idolaters, to give of their abundance for the support of the work, if we would approach them wisely, and give them an opportunity of doing those things which it is their privilege to do. What they would give we should be privileged to receive. { CS 185.1} also { TM 197.1} and { WM 278.1} and { 4BIO 185.4 }
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| “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” The Lord gave all Israel a necessary lesson. It would be well for all to read and ponder over the words contained in the tenth chapter of Leviticus. Is it not of sufficient consequence for us to take heed what we do when we are in God’s service? But are not these things forgotten? Is not a careless view taken of the word of God? Is not strange fire, which the Lord has commanded shall not be used, put upon the censers, and mingled with the incense which is offered before God? { RH April 20, 1897, par. 6 }
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it is not strange
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“Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.” To all outward appearances the cause of mourning does not seem to be a blessing. Bereavements come in manifold form, and we ask in mournful tones, Why are we thus afflicted? Jesus answers, “Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that if may bring forth more fruit.” The Lord “doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” God has manifested his love for man in giving to the human family as their substitute and surety his beloved Son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” a life that runs parallel with the life of Jehovah. Christ was the brightness of his Father’s glory, and in order that he might abide with him through the ceaseless ages of eternity, he came to the world to care for our apostate race. All heaven was given to us in Christ, and the Lord is bestowing rich and free mercies upon us, making every provision, in order that we shall individually stand as his representatives, making manifest to the world the efficiency and power of the grace which God alone can bestow. In view of what the Lord would make his people, it is not strange that the moral powers are disciplined by trial and sorrow. When the spiritual powers are dwarfed and crippled, when they fasten upon temporal and inferior things, the Lord permits affliction to come, just as the pruning knife is thrust into the vine branches. The tendrils entwined about earthly things must be unclasped, and earthly supports must be removed in order that the tendrils may entwine about God, and that the branch may bring forth much fruit. Christ says, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” { ST August 15, 1895, par. 2 }
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| Governor Washburn of Wisconsin in his annual message, January 9, 1873, declared: “Some law seems to be required to break up the schools where gamblers are made. These are everywhere. Even the church (unwittingly, no doubt) is sometimes found doing the work of the devil. Gift concerts, gift enterprises and raffles, sometimes in aid of religious or charitable objects, but often for less worthy purposes, lotteries, prize packages, etc., are all devices to obtain money without value received. Nothing is so demoralizing or intoxicating, particularly to the young, as the acquisition of money or property without labor. Respectable people engaging in these chance enterprises, and easing their consciences with the reflection that the money is to go to a good object, it is not strange that the youth of the state should so often fall into the habits which the excitement of games of hazard is almost certain to engender.” { GC 387.3} Read entire Chapter 21
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| The moral standing of a community is dependent upon the diffusion of Bible knowledge and the growth of true religion. Where the religious teachers bar the people from obtaining light from the Scriptures, unbelief, skepticism, and infidelity cannot but prevail. And with such examples as are given by these pastors, who are seeking to benefit themselves and not their flock, it is not strange that the people are self-indulgent, pleasure-loving, and sensual. But the Lord will cause the light of truth to shine forth amid the moral darkness; and those who receive the truth should be careful to correctly represent its sanctifying power upon their life and character, to show the contrast between the influence of truth and that of error. { HS 199.1 }
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| What blessings would be secured if the time that is worse than wasted in gossip, in ministering to pride or the gratification of appetite, were devoted with equal interest to the study of the Bible. But when parents are more anxious to have their children fashionably dressed than to have their minds stored with the truths of God’s word, it is not strange that the children themselves soon learn to regard dress and display as of more consequence than the things which concern their eternal interests. { ST May 19, 1887, Art. A, par. 10 }
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| Thousands of dollars were lost in experimenting with various plans,— building up and tearing down. Wisdom seemed to have departed. Sabbaths were spent by some in looking over the premises and devising improvements. God’s hand was not in all this. There were lofty ideas and extensive plans, but no capital and little experience. Without a close connection with Heaven and special wisdom from God, it is not strange that mistakes were made. But a greater wrong was done in throwing the blame on Bro. Jones. I saw that he did not understand how to make proper calculations for so large a building; but much has been charged upon him for which others were responsible; and some of his plans, which would have saved expense, were not accepted. I saw that Bro. Sisley took advantage of this state of things to raise himself on the downfall of Bro. Jones. { PH100 52.3 }
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| Recently I was talking with a young man who is departing from right paths. He makes the course pursued by yourself, when he was at Healdsburg years ago, an excuse for his defects. He spoke of the attention that you paid to young women, and to one in particular, and said, “His example is much worse than any example I have set.” That transaction was opened before me, and it is not strange to me that your wife wears so sad a countenance. { 21MR 96.4 }
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| I know this will sound very strange to you, but it is not strange to me now. I have had no liberty to do this before, but now I dare not move otherwise. I would not in my course of action in this case give to others the appearance that I was unforgiving, that I was driving from me anyone who was repenting and soliciting for the position she has held. Christ is to me my example in all things, and I greatly desire to represent Christ. Jesus is to me like a great Rock in a weary land. I want to be like Christ. { MR926 125.3 } |
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| After all Peter’s failures; after his fall and restoration, his long course of service, his intimate acquaintance with Christ, his knowledge of the Saviour’s straightforward practice of right principles; after all the instruction he had received, all the gifts and knowledge and influence he had gained by preaching and teaching the word — is it not strange that he should dissemble and evade the principles of the gospel through fear of man, or in order to gain esteem? Is it not strange that he should waver in his adherence to right? May God give every man a realization of his helplessness, his inability to steer his own vessel straight and safe into the harbor. { AA 199.2} Read entire Chapter 19
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| After Peter’s fall and restoration, his intimate acquaintance with Christ, after all the knowledge and influence he had gained by teaching the Word — is it not strange that he should dissemble and evade the principles of the gospel in order to gain esteem? May God give every man a realization of his helplessness, his inability to steer his own vessel straight and safe into the harbor. { TT 105.3 }
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| After all the failures of Peter, after his fall and restoration, his long course of service, his intimate acquaintance with Christ, his knowledge of Christ’s pure, straightforward practice of principle; after all the instruction he had received, all the gifts and knowledge and great influence in preaching and teaching the Word, is it not strange that he should dissemble and evade the principles of the gospel, for fear of man, or in order to gain his esteem? Is it not strange that he should waver, and be two-sided in his position? May God give every man a sense of his own personal helplessness to steer his own vessel straight and safely into the harbor. The grace of Christ is essential every day. His matchless grace alone can save our feet from falling (Manuscript 122, 1897). { 6BC 1108.6 }
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| A sister came to me in Oakland, and said, “Don’t you remember that you promised to give me ‘Vol. IV.’ when it was revised and enlarged?” “Did I?” said I, “and did you really believe I meant to do it?” “Certainly,” she replied. “Why did you think so?” I asked, “Is it not strange that you should think I would do that, simply because I promised you?” She looked at me in astonishment. She had been complaining to me of her lack of faith in God. “Now,” I said, “how is it that you can trust in a promise of mine, but cannot trust your Heavenly Father’s word? How is it that you can have faith in a poor, fallible mortal, and cannot rely upon the unchangeable God? I had forgotten my promise; but God never forgets. Why can’t you take him at his word, as you take me at my word?” We honor God when we take him at his word, and walk out by faith, believing that he means just what he says. He has not withheld his best gift. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” All heaven was poured out to man in that one gift; and how can we doubt our Heavenly Father? { RH March 19, 1889, par. 3 }
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| In light of Peter’s fall and restoration, his close acquaintance with Christ, and all the knowledge and influence he had gained by teaching the Word, is it not strange that he would pretend to be what he was not and evade the principles of the gospel in order to have certain people think well of him? May God give each of us a realization of our helplessness, our inability to steer our own ship straight and safe into the harbor. { ULe 74.6 }
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