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Jerry (Jerry)
Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 7:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I believe there was a post on another thread about a new campaign by the SDA Church to "bring back the 'apostates'" (not in those words).

I found an interesting request in the February Adventist Review, which my wife gets and leaves around (not likely a purposeful act.) She has said I can read anything, so sometimes I find out things like this:

On Page 5 there was a request:
(my comments in RED)

Quote:

Tell Us Your Story
The Adventist Review is planning a special issue aimed at former/nonattending members.
We're looking for short stories (300-500 words) on one of the following topics: (a) a friend, family member, pastor, or teacher who convinced you to stay with the church when you were tempted to leave; (b) an experience that led you to leave the church; (c) an experience that brought you back to God and His church; or (d) a memory from your past that stimulated a disire for a closer walk with Christ and His church.
The deadline for Submission is March 17, 2003.
Keep your story 500 words or less, and send it to: "Glimpses From My Journey," c/o Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; e-mail to letters@adventistreview.org.




I have read many testimonies here that would technically qualify for this, espescially (b), (c), and (d). However, I doubt they would make the publication. My speculation is that they are really looking for some things like this:

(a) "I was tempted by the Devil and my friend, family member, pastor, or teacher brought me back to Adventism."
(b) "I was beaten down by evil thoughts and had to leave since I was so evil."
(c) "I was living in the Devil's clutches when I read Ellen White and rushed back to Adventism."
(d) "I remembered what wonderful, christian, true believers made up the Seventh-day Adventist Church and vowed to read more Ellen White."


Of course I am exaggerating. I guess this is just a comment on the irony of the stories I read. I don't think many (especially historic Adventists) can really conceive that (b) (c) and (d) can truly describe one thing.

No surprises, just interesting.
Doug222 (Doug222)
Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 8:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hmmm, I think we should all send letters in under option "b. As Jerry said, I don't think they are looking for our kinds of testimonies, but who knows. We all could respond to "c" and "d" as well, but reality says that they are defining "church" as God's remant church, and we all know who that is.

Doug
Jerry (Jerry)
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 7:38 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Another list of ìacceptableî answers (just for fun):

(a) A non-Adventist kept preaching from the Bible. I was beginning to listen, when my friend/relative/pastor showed me where Sister White disproved all that nonsense.
(b) I finally decided to leave Adventism when I was told that I could no longer deal drugs on Sabbath.
(c) . . . There I was with my broken leg, freezing in the snow on the ski-slope that Saturday, when suddenly I realized: This would not have happened if I had been in church, as I should have been. So I went back.
(d) . . . When I asked the head elder why he had such a holy expression on his face, he said, ìI read Godís Word two hours every day.î After that, I kept having dreams about reading. That did it! I decided that I had to do the same thing. So, I got out my tattered copy of ìThe Great Controversyî and . . .
Lydell (Lydell)
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 7:41 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gee, hey, this one really makes me want to write a letter: 'a memory from your past that stimulated a disire for a closer walk with Christ and His church'. Remember, my hubby and I started out as Christians, and went to the Adventists and left. See, we could tell them that we remembered all the experiences we had had BEFORE Adventism: we had been saved in other churches, there had been joy in the Lord, love amongst the brethren, no legalism, a focus on relationship with Jesus instead of "the sanctuary doctrine" and "investigative judgment"and the law the law the law plus our check list of who is REALLY a Christian, and no fear of what might happen during the 'end times'. I just know they would print it without editing! hahaha Yeah, if they were REALLY interested in knowing, all they would have to do is print this request for letters on sites like this one. Hey you SDA's that are secretly reading the posts here....make this suggestion to the Review for us.
Pheeki (Pheeki)
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 12:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You guys are cracking me up! J

How about...I left the SDA church because I wanted to wear the wedding ring my new husband gave me...we divorced and I threw the ring in the lake,so now I can come back!
tee hee.
Jerry (Jerry)
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 12:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Excellent, Pheeki,

**Scratching my ìskiing accidentî inserting your ìwedding ring epiphany.î**
Pheeki (Pheeki)
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 2:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen, please check the aol. email. Very important.
Pheeki (Pheeki)
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 2:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob 2, Leave me alone. Do not contact me at my home email.
Jerry (Jerry)
Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 7:26 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is disturbing.

I hope everything has been resolved.
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 7:55 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pheeki, we're taking care of it. Please check our emails to you. We'll stay in touch. I'm looking forward to your continuing posts!

I continue to pray for each one of us, asking for him to protect and bless us, to keep us safe and growing in him, and to hold us in his peace and love. Remember, He that is in us is greater than he that is against us!

I praise God for the people who come here, and I pray for him to reveal himself and to clarify truth and to expose and protect us from deception. He is faithful, and I praise him for his contancy!

Colleen

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