| Author | Message | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 1995 Registered: 5-2007  |
Today, Jan and I are going over to Santa Rosa to visit the grave of my great-grandfather who was one of the original converts to Adventism in California back in the 1880s. The problem for my “good” Adventist family is he was a ‘closet’ alcoholic who couldn’t get his booze during Prohibition and had a stroke while attempting to drink Sterno. He was disowned by the family and spent to last six years of his life in the county hospital. His grave is only marked with a number embedded in a cement filled soup can because his family, a very large family, considered him nonexistent. They told me lies instead of telling the simple truth and my sister and I only found him a couple years ago. This, by the way, is an example of why I hate what Adventist theology has done to my family and why I am a part of the forum. Fearless Phil | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7937 Registered: 3-2004  |
Glad you are with us Phil. Thank you for sharing about your family. Please be safe driving home. If you see any formers along the way tell them HI for me. Diana L | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 275 Registered: 5-2009 |
If we have to overcome all our sins to pass the IJ, then I guess observable sins just have to be hidden away in shame. Bless you as you visit your great-grandfather--he wasn't non-existent in God's eyes! | ||
| Jonvil Registered user Username: Jonvil Post Number: 339 Registered: 4-2007 |
No Holy Spirit! The non-gospel has resulted in the most contentious and critical group of people I’ve ever met. John | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10946 Registered: 12-2003  |
Phil, God is redeeming your past. He is faithful! Colleen | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 1996 Registered: 5-2007 |
IRONY Our visit at the grave of my great-grandfather went extremely well. The president of the Sonoma County Historical Society gave us the ‘red carpet’ treatment. After seeing the cemetery, which had been abandoned on a wooded hillside, we visited with county officials at the court house and then went to where a restored (I helped out with) painting of the county hospital is on display, which is where my great-grandfather died and was abandoned by the family. Now, here is the ironic thing. The day before I attempted to locate the grave of his wife, my ‘good’ SDA great-grandmother in a Vallejo cemetery but the office was close due to budget problems. So, I couldn’t find her grave. For the moment at least, she is ‘lost’ but my great-grandfather is found and being honored. I like that. Fearless Phil | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 987 Registered: 10-2008 |
Fearless Phil, Thank you for sharing with us. You are indeed fearless ... for it takes courage to no longer hide in denial and break through lies and deception. It was incredibly wonderful to meet you and Jan ... What a treat!!! ... Hugs to both of you. Keri | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 278 Registered: 5-2009 |
"I once was lost, but now am found!" Love to you both! And Keri! And Freeatlast...and Blessed... (and anyone else I met but has slipped my mind...) You all are God's special 'encouragers"! |
