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Asurprise
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Username: Asurprise

Post Number: 3113
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 10:53 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was wondering what changes you've noticed in your thinking since leaving the SDA church?

One major change for me is that when I was an Adventist, I looked forward to the things and adventures I could do and enjoy in Heaven. Now as a Christian, I'm still looking forward to that, but those things now take a HUGE back seat to my looking forward to being with God, Himself! I've found that there's something so indescribable and desirable about God's Presence that it defies description!

What about the rest of you? What things have changed for you?
Foofighter
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Username: Foofighter

Post Number: 285
Registered: 7-2005
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 12:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Asuprise,

One big change is how much I enjoy studying the Bible and listening to other pastors/teachers. I have learned so much more about the culture of the Jews, what they heard and wrote meant to them, in that time and context, rather than how these concepts and ideas sound to us, as 21st century Americans. It has been exciting, informative and so interesting!

We don't live around too many SDA's or hubby's SDA family, but I'm free from caring one bit about anything they would think about us and our change from Adventism, even if we were around them.

I feel true freedom in Christ and like a giant black cloud has disappeared!

I feel secure in God's love and salvation.

I feel like myself again. I joined when I was 24 and spent 27 years there. I finally feel like I can breathe again, really breathe! I had some rough times to work through with regards to a lot of anger about being in the SDA church for so long. It felt like such a huge waste, and took a real toll on so many parts of my life. I still feel it occasionally, but not as much and not as often.

Another really exciting thing is that I truly feel born again. It's hard to describe exactly, but I know and see how God has changed me from the inside out. Almost on a cellular level somehow. I couldn't say exactly when it happened, but it did. I feel like "a new creature".

Probably so many other things. I guess that will do for now!
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 14476
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 12:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh, Foofighter, I love your "cellular level" expression! Yes, that totally describes it! It's hard to explain; we are completely new!

I have SO MUCH LESS anxiety. I used to be waiting, always, for the "other shoe to drop". God has given me TODAY.

Amazing.
Colleen
Annikahansen
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Username: Annikahansen

Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2013
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 4:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh, I totally hear all of you! I also feel A LOT FREER. I got a lot of things out of my system after having been sheltered and cooped up in this borderline cult community. People think I have mental/emotional issues, and well, now that I know what I know, it's not a surprise how I've become that way. Now I can be MORE like MYSELF, NOT like the clone SDAs want everyone to be. It's great not having to be assimilated anymore by the SDA Borg. :-)

Another plus is that I got to know God on a whole new level and it's pretty exciting! :-)
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 10024
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 3:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am FREE of all the sda teachings. God cleaned them out of my brain, a little at a time during the 25-30 years He was working on me before He pulled me out completely 8 1/2 years ago. Thank You Awesome God!
Diana
Redeembyhim
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Username: Redeembyhim

Post Number: 17
Registered: 4-2012
Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 7:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have so much freedom in Christ and I love interacting without other believers without the anxiety of having to share the "truth".I no longer worry about family members receiving the mark of the beast.
Redeembyhim
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Username: Redeembyhim

Post Number: 18
Registered: 4-2012
Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 9:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

oops...that should be "interacting with other believers".A typo is a great opportunity to repeat something of great significance.
Gmatt
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Username: Gmatt

Post Number: 44
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 9:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Asuprise, You expressed my thoughts exactly. Formerly my thoughts of heaven were about studying and understanding great mysteries, where I would travel and how I would travel, what 'superpowers' I might possess and the unimaginable beauty of my mansion. I'm embarrassed now because I realize that, in my selfish little mind, heaven was all about me. Now I am filled with such gratitude that even if my eternal life were spent as a pebble I would be the most joyful pebble in existence - because I would be in the presence of God Almighty! Being in His presence is ALL that matters!

Another thing that has changed dramatically for me is my perception of God. When I was an Adventist He was kind of a small human-like God. Now I can't even begin to wrap my mind around the Power and Majesty of this God who loves me so!
Ric_b
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Username: Ric_b

Post Number: 2016
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 4:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It becomes easier and easier to simply accept what Scripture says as true, even as I struggle to understand how it is true. Instead of working to make Scripture fit an understanding it becomes more about allowing my understanding to be shaped by Scripture.

I never thought of heaven the way some of you describe, perhaps a benefit of not being raised SDA.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 14479
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, June 14, 2013 - 12:26 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh, Gmatt, me too! God is SOO much BIGGER than He used to be...

And Rick, I'm having the same experience with Scripture that you describe.

Colleen
Kbuhler
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Username: Kbuhler

Post Number: 31
Registered: 4-2013
Posted on Friday, June 14, 2013 - 4:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, I am only 2 months out of SDA and the biggest change in my thinking processes is total confusion. Before, everything was black and white. Today I know NOTHING except for the pure simple gospel.

The positive changes are hunger for the bible and truth; no nagging guilt over not being able to read EGW; no nagging guilt over my morning coffee; and best of all total assurance of Jesus love and salvation, and knowing He is going to sort out all the confusing other stuff. Right now going through the gospels to have a clear understanding of what Jesus taught and how He lived that out in the reality of our messed up broken lives.
Ric_b
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Username: Ric_b

Post Number: 2018
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 5:53 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kbuhler,
I think many of us can relate. One of the great changes is becoming comfortable with not having THE answer to every single item. Paul preached nothing among the Corinthians but Christ and Him crucified. Putting the first things first is refreshing.
Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 8:56 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Bible makes sense; I can listen, read, and learn from great teachers (Swindoll, Begg, Zacharias, Jeremiah, Sproul, Piper, MacArthur, and Courson, etc.)knowing that I am not being deceived by Babylonians. God is greater than I can comprehend, 24-7 sabbath rest, and Jesus, Jesus, JESUS! "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:1,2

Craig
PS: Bacon :-)
Mjcmcook
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Username: Mjcmcook

Post Number: 1124
Registered: 2-2011


Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 9:07 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Craig~

Amen!!!

~mj~
Sharon3
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Username: Sharon3

Post Number: 209
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2013 - 3:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes to all of the above.
We went to a Christian Private High School graduation Saturday. I was in awe of how everyone speaking, including students were giving praise to God and glorifying him. The whole graduation was called a worship service. It was a major difference to my 50 year alumni weekend from an Adventist academy and my graduations from academy and college.

Also, everyone talks differently about Jesus and they talk about bringing people to Christ, not to a denomination.
Mjcmcook
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Username: Mjcmcook

Post Number: 1126
Registered: 2-2011


Posted on Monday, June 17, 2013 - 3:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Since leaving the adventist church many years ago and being"born again" into CHRIST,
my adult children with me, I have attended several of my Grandchildren's graduations
from Christian Schools.

I have experienced just what you described, Sharon3, and it always
brings Great JOY to my heart!

~mj~
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 14482
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, June 17, 2013 - 4:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Craig, I agree...on all counts!
Colleen
Nowisee
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Username: Nowisee

Post Number: 1344
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, June 29, 2013 - 6:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I relate to all the posts! I remember (the Heritage Singers?) singing about "There's Going to be a Picnic in Heaven". Heaven really was all about me--do you remember that some of us were taught that we'd have special telescopic & microscopic lenses on our eyes? I certainly was taught that. Jesus just wasn't the center of heaven for me.

A HUGE difference is the "aliveness" of the Bible! I can understand it now! It's intricacy is astounding to me. I would have never enjoyed reading/studying it before.
Punababe808
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Username: Punababe808

Post Number: 477
Registered: 4-2012
Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2013 - 3:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It was on the news I this past week, Nowisee that the eye surgeons can now implant tiny telescopes into eyes of people with macular degeneration. I guess now the SDA's will have to come up with a new incentive for their minios to seek heaven.
Punababe808
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Username: Punababe808

Post Number: 478
Registered: 4-2012
Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2013 - 3:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It was on the news I this past week, Nowisee that the eye surgeons can now implant tiny telescopes into eyes of people with macular degeneration. I guess now the SDA's will have to come up with a new incentive for their minios to seek heaven.
Dt
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Username: Dt

Post Number: 162
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Saturday, July 06, 2013 - 10:10 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The fear is gone. Truly gone. All of the anxiety and endless worrying about the END TIMES was just lifted, as though it evaporated.

No more endless worrying about the current state of my salvation, whether the smallest unconfessed sin was keeping me from being saved.
Gcfrankie
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Username: Gcfrankie

Post Number: 947
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Monday, July 08, 2013 - 9:16 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You know what I enjoy most about being out is letting God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son out of the box sda's have placed them. They are free from the box and so am I.
The Holy Spirit has taught me I do not need to know every little thing because the church says so (ugh) but is taking me by the hand and teaching me what I need to know when I need to know it and will continue to teach me.
My soul is so much calmer now than it had ever been when I was in the sda church. The fear from their teaching are gone. I am no longer looking over my shoulder worried about some unconfessed sin that will keep me out of heaven and away from our awesome Father and Son.
Gail
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 14522
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, July 08, 2013 - 5:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gail, yes. The fear is gone. I used to have continual anxiety about unconfessed sins, deliberate sins (such as washing the floor after sundown on Friday evening because I couldn't bear to have it dirty on Sabbath), and so on. I never knew I was safe or eternally secure. My future depended on me, and I KNEW I would never get it right. I could rationalize anything...and I would always feel guilty later.

I knew I was hopeless...well, pretty much...

Colleen
Trans4mer
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Username: Trans4mer

Post Number: 337
Registered: 9-2011


Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2013 - 9:01 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Someone mentioned above about a 'cellular level' change. Makes sense to me. I have high confidence in Oswald Chambers because he is so insightful for me and he did say that being born again causes physical change. I think it'd be safe to say that other theologians believe that also. In any case I just like the concept. I just wish we could get healing change more often.

Charles

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