| Author | Message | ||
| African (African) |
The name African? I registered about a year ago. This was a couple of months after my great discovery that there was a life outside Adventism. It was also the first time I was exposed to the internet (believe it or not!). Even now, I am unable to spend as much time on the internet as I need to. (So if I introduced myself in the wrong place on the forum you now know why) It has been a very slow process, yet one that has helped my progress thus far. A wonderful friend, only known by name, has helped and guided me through so much in the past year. PRAISE GOD! This friend told me about FAF and gave me links to follow, took time to lead me to the truths I so needed to learn. There were many times when I know I imposed on this friendís time schedule ñ but this was the only connection I had. I remember thanking God for my new found helper/friend (and still do!) and asking for forgiveness for ësteppingí into someoneís life so uninvited. But I had to hold on! I had never heard of anyone leaving the SDA church. I was scared, yes, so afraid that if I used my name ësomeoneí would discover that I was ëfalling by the way sideí. (yes, we can all smile now ñ but it was scary stuff back then). I used the name African, hoping someone else from Africa would respond, perhaps I would discover someone from my own country. Remember I felt all alone ñ never heard of anyone leaving the church ñ this is contrary to your experiences. I now thank God for the love and support from all of you ëfriendsí who have responded so willingly. With my lack of knowledge about how to get around on the internet, coupled with the fact that I am time limited with the use of internet ñ I spent the little time I have had ,on reading the different peoples stories on their new discoveries and just knowing I was not alone in what was happening to me ñ it was like a soothing balm for my restless soul. I also printed the shocking material on EGW to read later. I kept all this to myself for about four months, then I began to show and share bits with my spouse. I must add, that although I was/am so limited ñ The Holy Spirit has been revealing and leading me AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME! I can see it now. When I consider my journey so far, I know that if I had discovered some things before others, I would most probably have rejected the messages revealed to me. God even chose a special friend to help and guide me every step of the way and to point me to such a positive way. I will always be in awe of my friendís patient, understanding & caring spirit which so mirrors that of what Christ would want from all of us. You all may not hear from me often because of my limitations but I am asking that you continue to pray for us as we move forward. I will definitely be looking out on the forum for anything that will help my situation. Please don't mind me if I do not post or reply everyone all of the time, I trust you will understand. Thanks! | ||
| Dennisrainwater (Dennisrainwater) |
God bless you, and welcome "African"!!! It is so very good to see you here!! You have found a wonderful place to learn and grow -- there are some very good friends here who can share your fears and feelings. And who can lend some very wise and Spirit-led advice. I'm so glad you found this oasis of rest and healing for the soul. It looks like you already have, but if you do some poking around in some of the old archived discussions, you will find extensive conversation on nearly every topic you can imagine, or that you are likely to have questions about. Welcome once again, and it's so good to see you here -- finally ;-) Den<>< | ||
| Bmorgan (Bmorgan) |
African, Thank you for sharing, and explaining the choice of screen name. I completely understand your initial fear about being "found out." I had no inkling that many people were as disgusted with the dissonance as I had been. I knew many people who left the church, but they was the general feeling and expectation that they would return to the fold. They had merely "backslidden," but gave intellectual ascent to the "TRUTH" The one person I knew who became a christian and joined another church, was ambivilent about their feelings regarding adventistism. They knew it was not good, but felt there was enough good in the teachings of EGW. The idea of false doctrine did not cross their mind for they had not studied. They were just happy to be free and involved in a healthy church. It is amazing how much you and I have in common. If I were to be politically correct, I would claim the far remove root of my ancestry and call myself African. However, I would be hardpressed to identify my country. I do like Eygpt and Ethiopia/Eretrea but don't have the distinctive facial features of the people of either country. So I'll just stick with being just insignifcant ME. I am awed by the preciousness of our Lord. He delivers us from bondage and gently guides us on the journey. So often we mistake the shadow of His hand over us for darkness. I am at a place in my life where I can lovingly look away when my adventist friend are hostile and ostracize us. God is teaching me and I am a little more apt to learn how to be patient with those who chose to stay behind in the throes of Adventism. Many have made the choice to remain. Others are stuck by unconscious blindness and deception. If ONLY they would or could choose to take the risk and walk into FREEDOM. I am learning to respond to them with kindness but in truth and confidence from the Lord. I do realize that it is deep spiritual warfare we are up against. The Evil One intends to keep what he has control over. I remember feeling desperate enough to reach out and touch somebody I knew in NAME only. They were kind and gracious enough to allow me in though I was uninvited. I found instant bonding with my heart and soul. I truly believe God gave me that gift of friendship. Even today I still reach out and "BUG." I no longer have to apologise or ask forgiveness because we both realize God has brought us together. I am forever grateful. African, I am glad you feel you are among friends here on the forum. Like porcupines, we come together and sometimes some of the quill poke others hard. Inspite of that we pull together again. It is a 'God Thing" Thanks for contribution.to the forum. I do appreciate everyone here. I am happy to have "invisible" friends with whom I share a common bond. Your imput, however small, will bless someone of significance.. I thank God for you. Blessings Bmorgan | ||
| Janet (Janet) |
God bless you, African! Great to have you "hanging around". The nice thing about this forum, is that there are no time limits. Read whenever, post whenever, but know you are prayed for and thought of. Blessings, Janet | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Bmorgan, I loved your sentence, "So often we mistake the shadow of his hand for darkness." Wow. That is so true. I love how God teaches us and calms us through each otheróI praise him for everyone on this forum! Colleen | ||
| African (African) |
Yes, Den - I have found an Oasis!! I have just been reading archive discussions and have been drinking in such refreshment! I love your statement Bmorgan, that so often we mismistake the shadow of His hand over us for darkness. I can relate to that. I've just shared this statement with my sister who is going through troubled times in facing a divorce. Yes, He does deliver us and guide us. I feel so posive now and confident tht God is with me. I have been led a long way from where I have been in the past few months. I thank God for all of you on this forum. Your imput is such a blessing. Thanks for your love and prayers - every one of you. | ||
| Carla (Carla) |
Hello! I'm new here and am not really sure where I should post first to introduce myself. Anyway, I'm having serious doubts about the doctrines of SDAism. My discontent originated with EGW and has spread out from there. More on that later. For the past few years, I've felt like I lack something in comparison to non-Adventist Christians. I see fellow Christians actually seeming happy and concerned about other's well-being, while I do not feel happy most of the time and am indifferent to most other people. I've thought it was just a difference in personality or something, but I'm thinking now it's because I felt guilty for not doing all the things Adventists are supposed to do. I was never a vegetarian and basically ignored all the health laws, except for the unclean meats. Another thing that has nagged at me and made me feel guilty is the fact that I'm a working mother while I know Adventism frowns on this. My Sabbath-keeping has been slipping bit by bit over the last few years to the point where it's not all that important to me really, but I keep up a pretense of it for my family's sake and because it's what I'm supposed to believe. In short, I feel like I've been a bad Adventist. I first accepted Jesus as my savior when I was 14. I had started attending Sunday School at an Army Protestant chapel at the urging of a friend, so there were no denominational strings attached. A couple years later, my family and I attended a prophecy seminar put on by SDAs. We didn't accept everything at first because it was all so foreign, but several months after the seminar ended, we all agreed that the messages we had heard there seemed to strike a chord within us, so we agreed to attend the local SDA church. This eventually led to my parents and I having bible studies and being baptized into the church, followed a couple of years later by my younger brother and sister. Fast forward 18 years and I have a husband who I met in the SDA church (also a new convert) and two children ages 10 and 2. From church attendance and Sabbath School, my 10-year-old believes everything he's been taught and I'm thinking he will be ready for baptism soon....if we stay in the SDA church. He has not been shown the really detailed beliefs of Adventism such as the 2300-year prophecy or the doctrine of the millennium. He does have a basic understanding of the gospel, the second coming, the state of the dead, and the Sabbath. At this point, I'm not sure what I believe to be true on these doctrines myself, but I'm concerned about what effect leaving the church would have on my son as well. My husband is inclined to stay in the SDA church at the moment, but I've planted seeds of doubt in him (which I feel guilty about too!). I've always had my doubts about accepting EGW completely as a prophetess and as such, I've taken a lot of her writings very lightly and considered them only as a guide. After reading more of her writings lately though, I've given up on her altogether. Again, I'm a bad Adventist. What has bothered me is the apparent lack of commitment other SDAs have shown to her writings. There only seems to be lip service and nothing more. I honestly think someone would bring fried chicken (gasp) to a fellowship dinner if given the least bit of encouragement.  So what does an Adventist do once they don't believe in EGW? Fall apart, that's what. Right now, I'm in a state of apathy about attending any church of any denomination. I still have Jesus in my heart, and that's enough for now. But I know I owe it to myself, my husband, and my children to find a church family where we can grow in our faith and find fulfillment. I hope you all will pray for us and that the Holy Spirit will lead us in the right direction, which I believe is out of Adventism. Sorry for rambling on so. | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Carla, Thank you for sharing your story. That took a lot of strength and courage on your part to do so, but I believe you are being led by God. I am not an Adventist and I never have been, but my wife recently went through the exact same thing that you did and only in the last few weeks has she broken herself away from the SDA church. I can't tell you about the experience you are facing as well as other people in this forum can, but I can tell you that you've come to a place where you will be welcomed and loved. Look around, ask questions... lots of them. Thats what all the rest of us did. Most of all, dont get discouraged. I know thats easier said than done, but know that we love you, and most of all Chist loves you =). God bless you as you continue to trust God. In His Grace, Joel | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Hello Carla, Welcome to the forum! I believe you have arrived in the best possible place for your journey. Many people here have experienced almost exactly the same thing you are experiencing. Many, if not most, have found wonderful Christian communities (of many sorts) after leaving Adventism. I think I can reflect the things I have read here by making these recommendations: 1. Take your time. This is not going to be an easy journey. Leaving what has been such a central part of your life is a painful process. The people here will be glad to relate the things that helped them get through this colossal change. 2. Do everything in love and with the help of our Lord, Jesus. 3. Do not look for a more ìTrueî church, look for the One Truth, through the Word of God. 4. Test all things (ideas, interpretations, people, and actions) against the Scriptures. It is fine to read the writings of others to get another perspective. However, you must always test their opinions against the Bible. 5. Learn that the Bible does not speak in words, phrases, clauses, and one or two sentences. The Bible tells complex and continuing narratives that sometimes span the entire Bible. God does not hide in little parts here and there. His word is everywhere and makes sense when you let Him finish everything He is saying. 6. Pray, pray, and then pray some more. After that, start praying again. God has much to tell you. You just need to ask. One book I could recommend from the Bible for now would be Galatians. Do not read what anyone else says about it. Just read it start to finish, several times. Look up words, if you feel the need, but I think it will speak to you powerfully if you pray for understanding before and after each session. Others may have other thoughts. Those are mine for now. This reminds me of a story many have heard. I know someone will know who wrote it, but I cannot remember. It was a story about someone in a difficult time of life, spiritually. This person was in deep despair and was having vivid dreams every night. In the dreams, the person was walking along an empty beach in a severe storm. Every time the person looked back, there were only one set of footprints on the sand. After several nights, the person prayed to God and said, ìLord Jesus, I have been troubled about this time of my life and have needed your help. Where were you? Where are you? I dream about this every night. I dream that I am walking on a beach and you are nowhere near me.î There is a reply. ìI am always with you, my precious one. That is what the dream tells you.î ìHow can that be? I only see one set of footsteps.î ìCan you not see why? Those are my footsteps. I am carrying you in my arms.î God bless you, Jerry | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
I found the story. It is much better than the way I paraphrased it. Here it is: Footprints One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it: "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The LORD replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." By: Mary Stevenson (1922-1999) | ||
| Janet (Janet) |
Welcome Carla! Thank you for sharing some of your story...I am new at this too, and have found so much help here on this forum! I want to encourage you to continue to pray and stay in the Word, and God will be faithful to lead in the right path. As for being a "bad Adventist", I want to assure you that it is not even by works of "righteousness" that we may do, but according to His mercy, He saved us! :-) (Titus 3:5) You are loved, Janet | ||
| Carol_2 (Carol_2) |
hi carla! welcome and God bless you! we will all keep you in prayer, and He will hold you tight! i left about a year ago, and trust me, i know what you mean about "falling apart." you will experience some confusion, fear, doubts, etc. it's really difficult leaving adventism behind, i still bear some of the baggage, most of us probably do, but keep your eyes on Jesus. and jerry is right, study Galatians. i was amazed at how everything i was taught as an sda seemed to be pieced together, puzzle pieces being forced together, it never fit nicely. after studying God's word and coming to new understanding, it was amazing how simple it was! all the pieces fit so perfectly and easily - you will find the further you go the more clearly you will begin to see things. don't know if this makes sense but hang in there! also, this forum is wonderful, don't be afraid to ask ANYTHING! everyone here is wonderful and helpful, and extremely supportive. stay in touch, love and prayers to all, carol | ||
| Carla (Carla) |
Thanks to all of you for the warm welcome. I really appreciate it, and it actually made me tear up to see the kind welcoming and encouraging words. It's so nice to talk to people who understand and aren't judgmental. Jerry, I have read through Galations once so far as an overview, but I plan on reading it more in depth soon. I see why you recommended it as a place to start though. If you replace the word "Galations" with "Adventists", it fits pretty well, doesn't it? I know what they would say to that though. They would say they are striving to keep the commandments as a response to the love shown them by Christ, not as a method of salvation. Galations 3:19-25 seems to clearly show law-keeping was meant to be temporary. I need to read much more though so it will sink in good and deep. Thank you for posting the Footprints poem. It's always been one of my favorites, but it's meaning seems deeper to me now than ever before because I can see how Adventism encourages a person to do all the walking themselves. Trying to keep the law kind of makes a person more independent, even to the point of neglecting to rely on Christ in times of need. I know this has happened to me. I'd like to be able to look back at the footprints of my life and see only one set the whole way...the Lord's. Carol, your likening Adventist doctrines to puzzle pieces is a pretty good analogy, I think. At the time they were first presented to me, I found them quite amazing, and I marveled at the complexity of the Bible. It only makes sense to me now that God would not make things that difficult to understand and piece together. I know we can't have all our questions answered now, but the really important things are simple enough for a child to understand. And that's exactly how I feel, like a child. Please continue your prayers for me and my family, and I'll be praying for each of you as well. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Carla, welcome to the forum! I know those feelings you described: guilt, apathy, fear, guilt. . .did I mention guilt? I believe that God put it in my heart, when I was beginning to doubt and question, to pray for the Holy Spirit to help me read the Bible with no EGW understanding coloring my perception. I also asked God to direct my study, to teach me what he wanted me to learn, to know what he wanted me to know, and to bring to my attention those things he wanted me to read. God is so faithful; if you have given your life to him, as you have, he is already directing you, and he is in your questioning. The new, EGW-free understanding will not happen all at once. But, as you pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you, it will happen, one passage at a time. God will open to you the truths you need as you need them. The key is to be willing to be taught and to study! I also urge you to spend more time in Galatians. You can even use the marginal references in your Bible to help you do a bit of inductive study on certain words or phrases as they pop out at you or make you curious. In addition, many of the stories on this website (If you haven't read them yet!) are quite helpful and tell not only people's experiences but also how God led them scripturally to see the truth of our completed salvation and of Sabbath rest being fulfilled in Jesus. As you become ready to read other things, Dale Ratzlaff's book Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day ADventists and his book Sabbath in Crisis are extremely helpful. The second book is an in-depth, step-by-step study on the new covenant as it fulfills the old covenant. As for the children, that was one of my biggest fears also. As we studied, however, we told the boys what we were learning. I feared uprooting them when we finally decided to leave, but to my amazement, they were thrilled to leave. Living in Adventism had been hard on them, too. Pray also that your husband will be willing to begin studying the Bible with you. It's wonderful when you can discover freedom in Christ together. If he does not want to right now, however, Jesus will fill your heart with comfort and love and strength, and you can grow in Him anyway. The most important things are to pray and to be in God's Word, asking for his guidance. I also will pray for you and for your family. Colleen | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Welcome Carla! You are so right. As our pastor likes to say, "the Bible is so simple it takes a man to make it confusing." To praying much, I would add to take time to listen to the Holy Spirit as well. You know, it sounds like you are grasping the basics awfully well! You've got that gut instinct that something is wrong in adventism, you are being cheated out of something and you already know that there is this desperate longing in you that surely the Lord intends for there to me more. That's the Holy Spirit prodding you out of bondage into His freedom. You are going to get to know that God who passionately loves you(look at the story of the prodigal son again....do the SDA's ever teach you that God throws his arms around you, hugs you, and kisses you? Yet God is the father in that story!) Spend some time meditating on this thought today Carla: There's all this stuff you have been taught as an SDA is essential: sabbathkeeping, diet, no makeup, no jewelry, egw, preparing to run to the hills during the time of trouble, perfecting character, etc. etc. But you know, God has messed up somewhere along the line. The great God who created the universe has seemingly been unable to teach all these "great necessities" of behavior to His children for 2000 years of church history. He has had massive movements of evangelism thru history (and I know you may be largely ignorant of those at this time), He got the reformation going and righteousness by faith taught, He's raised up powerful preachers like Billy Graham who have led millions to the Lord (I've met many of them!), He is, as you have already noticed, leading the believers in the non-sda churches to lead joyfilled lives. Hmmmm, one would think that His power to teach would have already extended to the "great truths" that adventism declares are so necessary. But instead He has been silent on these things. Isn't that interesting? And you would think that He would have definitely stopped answering the prayers of those of us who have left adventism. Yet instead we are feeling richly blessed and feel closer to Him than we ever have. Interesting, huh? And where did you find Christ? It wasn't at a sabbathkeeping congregation. hmmmm You are right, the law's purpose is to bring us to Christ, period. At that point we become a fully adopted and deeply cherished member of His family. But the SDA teaching of law keeping places us instead in a position of being a foster child. You fear you are only in the home temporarily, you aren't quite positive if you are keeping all the rules right, and constantly worried that if you make a misstep you will be cast back out on the street. That is not how Christ intends us to live our lives! Don't spend your time for now on figuring out the doctrines. Just spend your time on getting to know HIM. Not what does He want you to do, but what is He like. It is in understanding His character first that we are opened up to understanding doctrine. Spend your time teaching your son about this God who loves him. Start praying with him at night when he goes to bed about the small specific needs in his life...opening up the opportunity for the Lord to make himself real to him. Kids are very very flexible. I think he is going to be very attracted to the fellowship and freedom he will have when you eventually reach another church body. Got time to read him a Bible story, I mean really from the Bible (something like the Message Bible maybe). Use the stories of Christ's healings in something like Mark. Their short. And there's your opening to talk about a God of love. How about your trying out attending a neighborhood Bible study for now? Often churches will have things like a Beth Moore or Kay Arthur Bible study that is open to the community. It would be a good way to gradually get to know some other Christians without feeling the need to make a big move to a church immediately. And, if your husband is open, you might occassionally start asking him, "hon, what do you think this passage is saying?" or "have you ever wondered what it would have felt like to be one of the disciples giving out the loaves and fishes?" Anything to get him thinking about God, not doctrine necessarily. Praying for you! | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Welcome Carla! God has a purpose for your life and if you were fulfilling it in the Adventist church you wouldn't have so many doubts. The first feeling I felt when God started speaking to me as I searched the Word for the first time ever, was amazement that He had actually contacted ME, gotten through to ME!! I felt so priveleged and blessed that I was able to see past the veil with the help of the Holy Spirit. God is calling up some faithful people in these last days to spread the TRUTH of the GOSPEL, to save as many souls on this earth as possible before He comes back and YOU are one of the called!! Isn't that amazing? Pray without ceasing, ask for guidance and understanding in your studies and God will bless you for seeking His face. I'm so excited for you! Read some of the testimonies too, I really liked Greg Taylor's. Keep us updated! | ||
| Carla (Carla) |
Sabra, that is a very sobering thought which had never occurred to me before. To think He would call me out for a special last day ministry when there are so many others who are much better qualified is frightening and exciting at the same time. I must pray for His leading about that. He's got a lot of work to do on me, that much is for sure. I'm so confused at the moment, I can't imagine being of help to anyone else, as much as I would like to. Perhaps my own family would be a good place to start. My parents, in-laws, brother and family, and sister are all in the SDA church. My brother is actually an Adventist minister. It seems like a monumental task at the moment, but I'm taking the advice I've received here; taking it slowly and spending much time in prayer and Bible study. Lydell, thank you for that wonderful advice of getting to know Jesus first and foremost and leaving the doctrinal issues alone. I admit I was planning on going about it in the wrong way. I felt like I just had to resolve my confusion about doctrinal issues and then chose a church to attend, but I can see this is all wrong. Along with my study of Galations, I need to spend some time in the Gospels. I feel like I know Him and have a relationship with Him. I feel His peace in my heart and can feel His leading in certain areas of my life, but not all. I feel I need to open my heart to Him more and see where He will lead me in the area of doctrinal beliefs. I also need to feel the joy that other Christians seem to feel in the knowledge of their salvation. I have been doubting my salvation at times, especially when I see others who seem so loving and caring while I feel bleak and almost lifeless. This seems to cast a shadow over everything and it's difficult to see through it. It's been drummed into my head to distrust emotionalism, but I feel like I need to feel SOMETHING. There have been times in church when I've heard something really touching, maybe a song or poem, and I just felt like getting up and saying "Amen!" But I didn't. There are a few perfunctory amens, but no one really says it like they mean it. It's sad, but during an SDA service, one minute we are asking for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the next we are quenching Him. I think SDAs have gone too far in shunning emotion in church services. I'm not looking to ever be on the other end of the spectrum either , but somewhere in between. I hope you guys know what I mean. My son would very likely enjoy being read to again. I've been neglecting this since our daughter was born. We've went through The Bible Story by Arthur Maxwell a couple of times in the past, but I know this series has an Adventist slant to it. He's so busy anymore with homework and other activities, but I'll have to see if he'd be interested in sitting down with Mom and reading some stories straight from the Bible for a few minutes in the evening. I believe he will be. He's required to read himself quite a bit for school, so it will be a nice change for him to be read to again. Colleen, it's a relief to hear that your children took to the change well. My son is fast approaching the age where Adventism will start to hurt, if you know what I mean. It hasn't affected him much so far to my knowledge, but I'm sure he doesn't tell me everything. I know my husband will be receptive to studying together with me, but I think the idea of leaving Adventism will be harder for him. In most areas of life, he is a pretty independent thinker, but on the subject of religion, he's very hesitant to budge from what he's been exposed to for so many years. I think it's fear mainly. He lost a good-paying job several years ago because the company stopped accommodating his Sabbath-keeping. He has since started his own business as a cabinetmaker. While he doesn't bring in as much income with this, I believe he is happier and of course he can have his Sabbaths off. This whole experience though has made him cling to the Sabbath doctrine with both hands, I suppose because he has had to struggle so much with it. I think he almost feels like it would be a betrayal to God at this point to question the importance of keeping the Sabbath. We both need to spend some time studying and hopefully this will resolve itself. I've mentioned the thought about Jesus himself being our rest, but we need to follow-up on this line of study for ourselves before we can reach any conclusions. Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Carla, don't worry about finding the work to which Jesus is calling you. When you find it, it will be because Jesus brought it to you, and it will be as natural as breathing. Just as he is revealing himself and his love to you, in the same way he will open up doctrinal issues when His time is right, and he will also bring people and opportunities into your path. It will all be in His timing and according to his sovereign will. He has called you to good works which he has already prepared in advance for you to do! (Ephesians 2:10) Just learn to rest in him. When he sends an opportunity into your life, he will also empower you and speak through you because of his Spirit in you. Continuing to pray for you and for your husband, Colleen | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Colleen is right, you can't go and "do" these things without God's annointing. Some people are not in a place to hear anything and others are ready. God will let you know by placing people in your path at just the right time with just the right questions and don't worry-you'll know the answers! Don't get any preconceived ideas that your family will listen readily at everything you have to say. Most likely they wont. I've found it's best just to present your stand and then-stand there. Confidence in your decision and your beliefs confounds the Adventists. If you seem unsure they think you're just "going through something" but when they start to see a change in your spiritual life, they don't know what to say. That's been my experience anyway with my family. You know, you mentioned that your husband left or was made to leave his job because of the Sabbath and now makes less money. Does that sound like God is working in that situation? I've found that when we give up anything for God, He gives us back a whole lot more than we gave up. I think God tries to get through to us and we just don't get the message all of the time. Since leaving the SDA church our income has increased by about 2500 a month! Not that God is all about material things, I'm not preaching the properity sermon, but we pay tithes and offerings on what He gives us, so I think it blesses Him to bless us and likewise. (No tithing debate, please). Guess I got off on a tangent-sorry!! ;) | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Carla, as you said, we can't trust emotionalism. But your gut instinct here is right too....HE gave us our emotions and there is no shame in them being involved in our relationship with Him. The very good news, Carla, is that there are plenty of churches out there who are open to you worshipping Him to include your emotions when the Spirit moves on them and without it becoming freaky. One of the wonderful things so many of us have discovered since leaving adventism is heartfelt worship. Not just singing songs, but singing songs directly to Him. Not just singing songs that talk about Him or the things He has done, but instead singing songs that speak directly to Him about who He is and how we feel about Him. They are love songs to God. As something to do next time you go to an SDA service, you might spend sometime flipping thru the hymnal looking at the words of the songs. I'm betting the songs that you love the most are these songs that are talking TO God. You'll notice that there are only a handful like that in the hymnal. And when we sing this way to God, we can't help but have our emotions sometimes become involved. Sometimes it causes you to weep with joy. Sometimes you have to raise your hands to Him or feel like you will burst. And, yep, it can even make someone dance (remember king David! You have lots of company in that feeling of wanting to shout 'amen') Really Carla, there are more important things than the sabbath doctrine. We left the denomination 9 years before we gave up the sabbathkeeping. We attended a church that meets on Sunday for many months before we really gave up the idea that the sabbath was "important". So with your husband, topics like assurance of salvation and that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (and that pretty much brings down the investigative judgment) are really more important to be addressing at this point. He, too, has got to reach the point of realizing that he is completely SAFE in God. (Does he have any committed Christians in his life that you know of? If not, we will begin praying the Lord places these attractive people in his path.) I suspect that is the key for anyone to even begin to start questioning the beliefs they have held. It's opening up to this thing of being in deep relationship with God that stirs your heart and makes you open to hunger for more of Him. Knowing Him leads to the resolution of the doctrinal stuff. |
