| Author | Message | ||
| Nate |
I have such great times of peace and joy in my growing understanding of the Gospel as it works out in the life of a Christian. I did have a deep walk with the Lord as an Adventist. But there is so much more I am learning. While I no longer consider myself Adventist, and am sensing God leading me out of the church, as a pastor I have so many responsibltities to others. I also have a family. The way seems open most of the time. I sense the leading of the Lord. But there are times that the old tapes just start rolling. I hear all those statements like... "the last great deception will be to make of none effect the testimonies..." or those that indicate that the ones who give up EGW will some day give up the pillars of the SDA faith and then will become infidels and be lost (my paraphrase)Also the EGW statements about misisters that disagreed with her had the "blood of souls on their hands". Sometimes these things hit me and almost drive me to despair. I just spent a couple hours in prayer this morning as I prayed for God to truly make Himself clear to me. I prayed that He would just let me die rather than to dishonor Him. Little by little the peace began to flow back into me. The words of scripture and the promises of God kept pouring into my mind. I felt joy and release again in Jesus. I truly have to just hang onto the promises of the Lord. Speaking about the time of trouble. I have been through it to the very depths processing through all of this stuff. Repeatedly the Lord has brought to my mind the tests of a prophet. Also the statements of Gal. 5:1 and Gal 1:8. The Word of God and prayer has been my only source of refuge. Every time I go into prayer feeling burdened and filled with fear from the old tapes, the mark of the best stuff swirling around in my head, I come out with such a sense of peace and the presence of Jesus from the assurances of His word. I cannot tell you how many times I have been through this process. But I know that it is not as bad as it was at first. I guess what I am asking is for some words of comfort or encouragement from those of you who have been over this road before me. How long does this last? Does it ever end? One of the things that came to me this morning after the agonizing was over was this. If the process is this painful when the word of God is so clear, the depths of the programming and cultic indoctrination is much deeper than I had thought. The SDA system is NOT about freedom, but bondage. (Gal. 5:1 is so important). The Spirit of Christ is NOT about fear and "condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". Comments anyone? This is painful stuff! God bless, In Christ, Nate | ||
| Sammi |
Thanks Nate for this post, it's something that's been very heavy on my mind too. I'm sorry I cannot be of encouragement, but like you I also seek comments from others regarding this aspect of "coming out" of the SDA church. I am of course not a pastor, and not studied on EGW at all, just all the usual scary stuff we're told over and over as children and throughout academy. But what keeps coming to my mind is something I remember being told as a child, that "entire churches" will be led astray by their pastors in the last days (by leaving and joining "Sunday" churches!) Every time I even think of considering leaving the church, I start thinking about what my friends and pastors will say, and one of the first things I think is that they will smugly remind me that this just another sign that Jesus' return is so so near, my considering and believing these lies about the Sabbath and wanting to leave. And as I've said in the past, I don't feel nearly as smart as most of the people on this forum sound, and don't even know if I can successfully argue my position. Anyway, thanks for these comments, they tie into what I've been feeling for some time and have been shy to share. You continue to be in my prayers, as do Windmotion and many others on this forum. | ||
| Violet |
Dear Sammi and Nate, I have felt the same fear you both have. Worried about am I doing the right thing by turning my back on Adventism. I then think through why Adventism is so addictive. I my opinion they have to keep members through fear because nothing else is rational. If they bring to light the truth about tithing and the Sabbath then the other rules they have loose their hold and the "special" place they have is lost. They loose their funding and they collapse. One of the hardest things to do is to overcome what others think. I was totally abanondoned by my Adventist friends when I left. Oh I heard from then once or twice but that was it. The bridge between my freedom in Christ and their bondage to the law was too big a gap, at least for the time. Clinging to Jesus is the only thing that will get you through it. But the joy you will feel on the other side will more than make up for it. You will make new friends whom you can connect closely with of different religions. You will be amazed at what others have to say and marvel at their relationships with Christ. Sammi, don't worry about arguing your point. No one can ever sucessfully argue anything. That is why it is an argument. Only the Holy Spirit can touch those lives. Keep reading your Bible and accepting the promise of the Holy Spirit to come into your life and you will start to understand and feel more peace. There is much truth and comfort in the old saying "The truth will set you free". | ||
| Sammi |
Thank you Violet. | ||
| Doug222 |
Violet, Thanks for the encouragement. I am in a similar situation as Sammi and Nate. I agree that this is the method by which the enemy keeps us steeped in legalism. When you think about it, it is an ingenius tactic. Just tell people that they and they alone have the truth. Constantly remind them that if they should every leave, that they will be lost--it adds credibility to have the voice of inspiration, penned over 100 years previously. Discourage the members from associating or having anything to do with other "Christians," less the integrity of your message be marred. And, most of all appeal to ther need for achievement, by giving them an impossible to strive for--perfection. It will keep them so busy and distracted that they will miss the plain and simple truth of the Gospel. Sounds so ludicrous, yet each of us can see how we have fallen victim to it. My prayers are with each of you, and I ask that you pray for me. I think we know the answer, we need prayer for courage to decide t follow Christ at ANY cost--even the cost of friends, family, and fellow church members. In His Grace Doug | ||
| Sherry2 |
Nate and Sammi, blessings to you both. And to you too Doug, and anyone else out there. Nate, it's a grieving process and it takes a while. I have been out of the church 1 year now. Those first months were the hardest for me emotionally breaking the grips of "" like you mentioned. Those all fall with building yourself in the true Word of God without EGW. This is spiritual warfare "we wrestle not against flesh and blood...." Sometimes when the oppression of these sayings was pressing me to doubt my path I rebuked Satan in the name of Jesus Christ outloud and told him to leave. Sometimes I rested in God's arms and grieved and worked it through in prayer as you have mentioned. The more you're established inside of Christ, and secure in Him because of simply Him and no denominational identification, the more the grip falls away because it seems more ludicrous and against the true Gospel of Jesus in your eyes. Whereas at the beginning of this trip I was mildly upset by these things and could ignore them, now they are painfully, blatantly against Jesus and who He is. Dale Ratzlaff says it takes about 2 years to feel totally free. Can you believe it? To think that our SDAism is this toxic is amazing. Sammi, there is only one reason and one reason you could leave now and stand firm without having some major theological discussion with someone. At least that's how it was for me. I first left for the soul reason to know and understand my salvation was based in Jesus Christ and not my denominational membership. It was joyous for me to strip my name off the books, and have that assurance because it's all about Jesus Christ and Him alone! It is freedom! Alot of people didn't know what to do with that one because they wanted the big theological argument. And ofcourse I did have things I definitely disagreed with at that time, but that wasn't my main reason, nor did I try to argue or discuss with anyone the other issues. I mentioned them but said I'm not going to discuss it with you. God's blessings on all of you out there struggling with leaving. Remember, your salvation isn't based on being an Adventist. Your salvation is based on belonging to Jesus and Him alone. It came as quite a shock to my senses to think that my leaning on the church just in case was really a type of spiritual adultery. My folks would confess that things become clearer and clearer for them too the longer they are removed from the SDA church. Praise God for His undeserved grace for us! | ||
| Sherry2 |
This is the letter I sent to my church last year May 2000, if this will be of help or encouragement to someone: Dear Wyoming Church Members and Board, You and the S.D.A. Church have been my church family for a very long time now. So what I am about to share is painful and hard. I would like my name removed from the S.D.A. books entirely. I am sure of this, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is for the best. Reasons, reasons, why, why? is probably the question on your hearts. Rest assured I'm not leaving Jesus, friends. But I am trying to break free from some ugly sinful areas. I've seen people leave the church in the past, and people feel sorry for them and pray for their salvation, as though their salvation was based on their membership within the S.D.A. church. That isn't true. It's built on Jesus blood and righteousness working in our lives. I've seen too much apathy, arrogance, prejudices, and little life because we "have the Truth". I've seen that apathy, arrogance, and prejudices creep into my own life as well. I don't like it....I don't want it. My own self has had fear of leaving for fear that it meant I'd lose my salvationÖthat in and of itself is scary enough to me to make me think I need to back off. We are too much like the Pharisees - looking pretty and white washed on the outside but full of filth on the inside...but we're secure because we have the Sabbath and E.G. White.... Sort-of like the Pharisees feeling secure because they had the Law of Moses and were descendants of Abraham. I don't share this verse to point fingers; I share it because God keeps bringing me to it, and it speaks loudly of where the denomination is atÖ"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteousÖ"Matt. 23:27-29Öthat's only part of that chapterÖthere's more. And I truly believe we have idolized Ellen White - and aren't they producing a whole little village down there in Battle Creek to "share Church history"ÖWe are more inclined to make defense of her then Jesus and his love for lost sinners. I don't even think I understand the gospel. I can give a convincing text to text support for Sabbath, I can expound upon the state of the dead, and yet I do not know how to share with a sinner the simple message of the gospelÖthe closest I come to understanding it is through the 12-step program. The priorities of the church are screwed upÖin my opinion. So thank you for removing my name. I do not leave with hatred towards any of you. I'm going out as a babe again in the faith to learn what true salvation is, and what the Bible and the Bible alone teaches. I consider myself a Sabbath-keeping Christian who does not want any denominational ties at present. I want to fellowship with the whole body of Christ. You may not understand or agree with my reasons. I don't expect you to. But I must go where I believe God is leading me, not worry about the opinions of people. God bless, Sherry Reinbold | ||
| Lydell |
Sherry, loved your thoughts. Guys, any spiritual battle is always! going to come down to renewing your mind. You've got all the junk rolling around in there that you now recognize as being junk. Now you have to keep replacing it with the truth. As Sherry said, sometimes that just may require declaring it, outloud, to satan that you are on to his trick, but you now know what the Lord has to say about the subject. More often I think it is just you having to deal with yourself. It does help to have those handful of verses to repeat to yourself over and over until the revelation finally gets thru the SDAisms in your mind and takes root deep down. Nate, when those voices in your mind come up with the fear of rejecting egw, how about reminding yourself of some of the most glaring errors you now know that she made, for instance, "Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by His mediation." as opposed to Christ clear declaration on the cross, "it is finished." Sherry, you made an excellent point "your salvation rests on Jesus and Him alone". It's a powerful truth to hang onto when that fear enters in that you just might be doomed because of not keeping the sabbath. It's a very sobering realization that you WERE being taught you had to add something to your salvation, that Christ was not enough. I think it also helped me to spend some time thinking about the history of the Christian church and looking at the church today. If the sabbath, for instance, is truly so important an issue to Him, then why has he remained soooo silent. We are talking about millions of Christians around the globe and thru history who have had the obvious blessing of the Lord on them, have so obviously been used by Him, and He didn't set them straight. I mean, come on, this is GOD we are talking about! And folks, when you are going thru this fighting with old thoughts, it is a most excellent time to learn about the power of praise and worship. For those who haven't been into this, it seems an incredibly simplistic and almost ludicrous idea. But beginning your time of prayer with Him with intense worship, pouring out your love for the Lord and your thanksgiving for the truths He has shown you, speaking to Him as David did in the Psalms (like 145-150), puts stuff into perspective. By the time you get around to then talking about what is bothering you, it will seem much smaller. Please try it! I guarantee you that you are going to be amazed at the difference it makes. And keep praise music going around you all the day. And you know, it always helps to think, "gee, if God is mad at me, then why do I feel such peace, and why does my heart leap with joy when I read things like I John 5:11-13? If God is mad at me for thinking of leaving, then why is He blessing me spiritually in my times alone with Him?" Again, this is GOD we are talking about here. If He was displeased with you, then He wouldn't keep showing you new truth. He wouldn't keep directing your eyes to see new confirmations of that truth in His word, would He? | ||
| Windmotion |
If anyone is still interested in praying for me, I could use it. Since Friday my husband has been in rehab for his drinking problem. I know his drinking is related to his spiritual issues, because the further he falls away from God the more he drinks. Somehow he thinks he can fix it this way. He did take his Bible. I have urged him to ask a pastor the questions he doesn't understand concerning the Christian faith, and he says he doesnt trust anyone who is a sunday-keeper. He has pretty much cut off all ties to the SDA church, why im not sure except maybe he doesnt think he is good enough to ever attend. Anyways, I'm alone, worried and a whole lot of other things. I honestly don't see any way out of this mess. His two biggest problems with christianity are, he doesnt see God working, and if salvation is so simple, why are there so many contradictory doctrines about it. Praying sadly, Hannah | ||
| Dennis |
Dear Christian friends, At best, belief transitions are not without trauma. There comes a point in our Adventist identity, when we can no longer maintain the intensity of theological conflict forever or we will most likely become negative persons. At some point we must stop focusing on the negative and controversial and move on with our lives, even though it may necessitate a change of career position or denomination. Continual feeding on destructive thought patterns (i.e., "I may be lost if I leave the SDA Church," etc.) can leave us spiritual skeletons. Indeed, it oftentimes is a grueling process, yet it is also a process of a growing spiritual development. There is disappointment when our belief system is challenged, changed, or possibly even collapsed. Shifting something that is or has been so important to us and an integral or intrinsic part of our existence cannot be done without an experience of loss. We may find ourselves with spiritual numbness, confusion, fear, sadness, or anger to name a few reactions. It is important to allow ourselves to work through this rather than stifle the process. We are all spiritual pilgrims searching and struggling. Someone wrote the short poem: "To dwell above with saints we love--oh, that will be glory! To dwell below with saints we know--oh, that's another story!" Personally, today was a great day for my wife and I. One of our daughters and her husband joined us, for the worship service, at the First Evangelical Free Church (Lincoln, Nebraska) this morning for the first time. Yes, some may totally desert or ignore you in your new paradigm of faith, but the Lord will bless you with new Christian friends and even influence your immediate family. Oftentimes, my wife and I would come home to find pleading letters from SDA friends on our doorstep. Unlike many, we welcome their questions and concern. We invite them into our home for discussions. Some were amazed at truths they never considered. Still others envy our stance because they are currently denominationally-employed (an added dilemma). True friends can agree to disagree without hard feelings. The best strategy, with current SDAs, is to emphasize the relational aspects of Christianity. Frequently, Adventists, like some other groups, are into religion but not a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. I plead with them to stop "Judaizing" Christianity, and start "Christianizing" the world. Once they see that you really know what your new paradigm of faith is about, they may well conclude that no Adventist ever left the church with a better Biblical understanding. This strategy will require your memorizing new passages of Scripture. Above all, show genuine Christian respect to all that may not yet see things the way you do--be patient with them. After all, most of us that have left Adventism, did so only after diligent prayer and serious Bible study for several years. Large institutions normally change slowly if at all. I used to think that I could be a catalyst(reformer) for doctrinal change in Adventism. Finally, it dawned on me that one or even two changes would be far short of solid Biblical exegesis. Having a sense of hopelessness and a lack of assurance in our salvation in Christ, ought to alarm one to head for the exit door. The "escalator effect" of perfectionism is spiritually most debilitating. We can never be good enough to be saved. Sadly, many give up entirely their Christian experience while harboring a works mindset. Truly, the Lord will help us to survive any spiritual trauma to our soul. Now, we often wonder how we could have believed all those cultic doctrines for over forty years. My wife and I have never been happier in our entire lives. With warmest regards, Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Colleentinker |
Dear Hannah, Of course we'll pray. I've been praying for you and your husband, and perhaps this trip to rehab is God's provision in his life right now. I will pray that he will experience God's love in his life and that he will be receptive to recognizing truth. I'm also praying for you to find a church where you can fellowship, and I'll pray that God will be your peace and strength during this hard time. Remember, Sabbath rest is about the rest of security in Christ being yours all the time. You are in his rest, and he will hold you together and strengthen your heart. Nate, Sammi, and Doug: Richard and I experienced those same doubts and fears and rolling accusations. As Richard says, it's a perfect deception: EGW is a false prophetÖthe last deception will to be make her work of no accountÖEGW is a false prophetÖthe last deception will be makeÖetc. You know the vicious cycle. Those fears and quotes used to hit us unannounced at the oddest times, and they were quite paralyzing for a while. They do end. Sherry is right in her quote from Dale: it does take about two years to debrief, give or take a bit. The stabbing accusations may leave sooner. One thing all of us in our Friday night group have experienced is the longer we are away from Adventism, the stranger, the more cultic, the more toxic it appears. I really had no idea, as I was in the process of leaving, how cultic it was. I knew it was false, but when a long-term former at our new church mentioned "cultic", I reacted with discomfort. The more time passes, the more dark and decptive it appears. Most of us cannot even visit an Adventist church comfortably anymore because they feel dark and hostile. The fact that we all experience these stabbing accusations underscores the fact that leaving is a spiritual battle. When we leave, we are leaving an organization claimed by Satan and founded on deception. We are literally walking away from a claim of evil on our souls and asking the Holy Spirit to be in us where the spirit of Adventism had been. Of course Satan will launch an attack to confuse and guilt us. The wonderful thing about this part of leaving is that the time we spend bringing these fears to God and searching the Bible for the reassurance of his truth will increase our spiritual intuition. Satan means it for evil, but God means it for good. Lydell had an excellent suggestion; play praise music, and have it on often. I cannot begin to tell you what a difference that has made for me. Richard often plays praise music in his office at work, and often he notices a lifting of a sense of threat and oppression. (He works at an SDA university) I used to play classical music, vocal or instrumental, most of the time at home, but I find that the praise music keeps me in an awareness of Jesus and what he's doing, and I find myself worshipping him while I work. (I still play classical, too, but I usually play sacred vocal music.) God is in this difficult time, and he has a wonderful plan for you. He is bringing you out, and as you are committed to truth, he will show you, step-by-step, how and when he wants you to leave. God is so faithfulÖhe will complete what he has begun in you! I praise God for saving us and bringing us into each other's lives. And just think, we can now know that we WILL spend eternity with each other! Praying for us all, Colleen | ||
| Nate |
Thanks to all of you. I know this is a process and one that is of the Lord. The reminders about praise, naming the accusations as from Satan, recognizing the gift that God has given in His son and the gift of a struggle that makes the convictions and leadings of God even clearer for having to study and pray to get through it. All of this is most helpful. God bless you all! You are all in my prayers as well! In Christ, Nate | ||
| Kme (Kme) |
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but even after two years I at times am struggling with those SDA tapes. I just read some of the chapters that Canright wrote about his leaving the SDA church. I found it on sdaoutreach.org/books.html. Most of you will probably be shocked I had not already read Canright. I feel as though the shackles have finally been cut off! If any of you are still struggling, please take some time and read it, I hope it will do the same for you. I had always been reluctant to say the church was Satan's deception, and felt uncomfortable and taken aback when others said this, such as Colleen referred to it in her post above. (Please don't misunderstand Colleen, I greatly appreciate and respect your postings!) Those comments just seemed so strong, even though I disagreed with their theology, I guess I was still in denial or just naive to the many guiles. Oh, well I feel as though I've said a lot of nothing, but maybe it will help someone else who also struggles with the ties that still bind. Family etc... Prayers for all, kme | ||
| Carol_2 (Carol_2) |
thank you kme, i still struggle from time to time also. am looking forward to having a moment to read what canright wrote (i have not read him either!) thanks for sharing this with us, i'm certain there are many like us! love and prayers to all, carol | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Yes, Kme, I also recommend reading the two Canright books, ìThe Life of Mrs. White,î and ìSeventh-day Adventism Renounced.î I would go a little further. Assuming one has genuinely considered the possibility that there are serious errors in SDA doctrine; a person should read those books, and two more. The first is ìI was Canrightís Secretary,î which makes extremely clear how the church viewed Canright. The other is ìThe Case of D. M. Canrightî by Norman Douty, which properly disproves the outright lies in the previously mentioned book. All of these books are on the web. Mr. Canright was a fervent, prominent proponent of all SDA doctrines. He changed his beliefs when he did just what most people here did: He studied the Bible and prayed. His problem with the church started when he proclaimed his understanding publicly and revealed the inside story about the early Adventist movement. Unfortunately for the church, he had ample experience, documentation, education, and insight, which gave him the factual authority to argue against the doctrine and reveal the truth about the behavior of the ìchurch mothers and fathers.î He was also an extremely capable writer and orator. So the church did what it does so very well: It vilified and attacked Canrightís character and standing with God. Sound familiar? | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Dear KME, I'm so glad you found Canright, and I do understand what you're describing. His books were really helpful to me in solidifying my understanding of the truth about SDAism. About two or three years ago, my dad was developing difficulty communicating because of small strokes that were leaving him compromised. He still read, though, and he read Canright's book about EGWóher life. He was reading slowly because it took him awhile to digest it all with his fading eyesight and verbal limitations, but I'll never forget stopping by my parents' house one day and hearing my dad say, as he set the book aside, "She was an awful woman!" My dad had been an absolutely staunch, true-blue SDA, but he actually left the church and accepted the gospel and the truth about EGW during his 70's before he died. I just praise God that he removes the veil and leads us slowly but certainly into his light! Colleen | ||
| Kme (Kme) |
Thank you Jerry for the book recommendations. Seventh-Day Adventism Renounced was what I was reading yesterday online. My Present Standing, Introduction, Ch.1 Doctrines & Methods of Seventh-Day Adventists, Ch.2 An Experience of Twenty-Eight Years in Adventism,Ch.5 My Objection to the Seventh-Day Adventist System and Ch.8 Mrs. White and her Revelations, were the chapters that I read if anyone is interested. Chapter two is especially important, I think, since there are so many rumors about Canright. That's the reason I had not read his books, or The White Lie etc... I didn't want my reasons for leaving to be "someone elses opinion". I wanted my reasons to be from my own Bible study and prayer. Colleen, thank you for your encouraging words about your father. My heart is so heavy for my father, especially. I believe he has always been tormented with this belief system, although he won't hardly admit it especially to us, now. Sometimes I think he wishes he could be free, but is afraid to even investigate for himself. My whole heritage has been based on these lies! I sadly wonder what my life might have been like had I not been, and still am, warped from it all. I find it hard to believe that my father could ever be released and still maintain a connection to God or Christ, but miracles do happen. One family member told me this morning when I told her about Canright, that if she wasn't an Adventist she didn't know what she could be. I told her if she ever left she'd probably feel different, but I must admit I'm having trouble finding a new church myself. Colleen, if you don't mind my asking, how did your father come to a point of being open about reading that book? Was it after you had made a decision to leave or before? I don't know how to reach my father since we can hardly discuss religious matters anymore. Any help from anyone would be appreciated. kme | ||
| Kme (Kme) |
Oh, I forgot about the chapter "Did the Pope Change the Sabbath!" That's really something. People love to throw that one at me all the time. This chapter explains how the Adventist church takes what was written in the Catachism (sp?) out of context. They say the Pope changed the Sabbath to Sunday when in fact the Catechism says the "church" changed it or accepted it from the days of the apostles. There is a big difference! That is one of my families most relied upon "truths". Really the more I think about it it just goes on and on, doesn't it. This is just the tip of the iceburg. Yuck! kme | ||
| Bmorgan (Bmorgan) |
From the time I joined the SDA church in 1973, I learned about this very BAD man-D.M.Canright. I read about his life in the GUIDE magazine(youth periodical) He was a gifted and talented man who got "too big for his britches." He left the Adventism because it was not prestigious enough for him after he became educated. However, he was warned about leaving and regretted miserably. At EGW's funeral he paid tribute to her and said he was sorry for leaving the church. He later recanted and on his death bed he said he was a lost man. I learned and KNEW, he was a "bright light who faded," a "dangerous" man. A prime example of persons becoming too big for God after they are educated. He was always referred to as ..one of those... who tried but failed to destroy the church. Whew! You can imagine the shock and utter delight I had reading Canright's book two year ago. I even did a cross reference of his account reading EGW's TESTIMONIES TO THE CHURCH to verify and clarify some isssues. Colleen, I felt like your father and will often say, "She was as horrible person" It was hard for me to come to that realization because I was a disciple of hers. I felt like I woke up one day and some one said to me "Your mother is a whore" (Pardon the illustration). It was heart wrenching but I have moved on. Kme, I understand the feeling you had hearing or reading that church is under Satan's deception. For a long time, I would cringe to hear SDA described as cultic. However, I will say, Ellen White's horrible spirit charactizes the SDA church. Yes you get "pockets of resistance" (some genuinely sweet people)but on a whole there is a critical, judgemental, cold,accusatory aura prevail. Jerry, I agree with you and recommend the books highly. Carol, you will not regret reading. By the way, do you live in Atlanta. I am wanting to make contact with the person from the Atlanta area. i know someone who desperately need some encouragement. I know some one on here did mention being from the Atlanta area but forgot who it is. God Be Praised, He is Sovereign. Bmorgan | ||
| Carol_2 (Carol_2) |
yes, bmorgan, i'm in the atlanta area. don't know if i can help or not, but will be happy to do what i can. i am still in the early stages of leaving the church, and have questions and confusion to some degree, but have found a church i absolutely love, and am not looking back. (i may be incorrectly assuming this person in need of encouragement is a "former" or confused sda.) also, sabra is coming to visit this weekend (yippee!) as she's coming to atlanta for a conference, and i think she's a real dynamo and incredible witness! thanks to everyone for all the reading recommendations! love and prayers, carol | ||
| Bmorgan (Bmorgan) |
Thanks Carol, This person is a friend of mine whom I have not seen in almost 15 years. Over the weekend during "Sabbath" dinner at the home of a mutual Grenadian friend, she got hold of my phone number and called me immediately. When I told her we (my family) were no longer members of the SDA church, she let loose years of pent up frustration and anger. She still attends the church but was desperately seeking TRUTH- a relationship with Jesus Christ. She complained about feeling empty and disgusted. Even that day as she was expressing the emptiness she was feeling, she was given the "look" to shut up because there were new converts in their midst. Sounds familiar to me. I am also in a "stage of leaving." It has been only two years I left mentally. God is empowering me to become more and more confident and bold. I presented the Gospel to her and invited her to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. She did! It is Awesome! Of course she needs progammming  I promise to meet with her via phone at every opportunity we get and go through a one to one discipling. However, it would be wonderful for her to have a sister in the flesh in her location, to walk alongside her. Thanks for being positive and willing to help. If you email me through the Webmaster, I will send you the details and introduce you both. Thank you sooo much. Bmorgan | ||
| Bmorgan (Bmorgan) |
I meant to say, "She needs deprogramming." | ||
| Loneviking (Loneviking) |
Carol 2 and Bmorgan--- I just wanted to encourage you both to keep on searching and learning. Leaving is a loooong process, often taking three to five years from what I've seen. It took me three years to reach that point. Also, don't be afraid to ask some of us 'formers' questions about the churches we attend. Some folks find this helpful.......... In Him, Bill s. |
