Archive through November 05, 2003 Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Former Adventist Fellowship Forum » PRAYER » Prayer Requests » Archive through November 05, 2003 « Previous Next »

Author Message
Chris (Chris)
Posted on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 12:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen, I will pray for you and Richard everytime I pray for my sister. I spoke to her Sat. night and she was making a list of things to take with her when she has to evacuate. It sounds like the fire only needs to leap a ridge to moveinto her area. She lives in Angelos Oaks on San Bernidino mountain, but works in Redlands so she's pretty close to you. May God keep and protect you all and all your loved ones.

Chris
Sabra (Sabra)
Posted on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 3:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just watching the fires on TV, wow! How close are you Colleen? Keeping you all in prayer. I talk to a little 15 year old girl from another forum and she is packing up to get out of there. Don't know the exact town she lives in but she said she wont be around a computer for a while. Which is not the best thing since she has multiple problems, she is into cutting herself and usually PM's me everyday. Pray for her, her name is Lisha, she really has problems.
Kme (Kme)
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 11:22 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen, I will pray for you and the others as well. I'm sorry this is happening. I'm concerned about a friend of mine who lives in that area. If it's any encouragment, I heard about an SDA family that lives in Montana who's house was surrounded by fire that burned thousands of acres this past summer. They evacuated not knowing if they would have a home to return to. The fire didn't touch their home.

God Bless
kme
Chris (Chris)
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 1:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My sister was just evacuated from Angelos Oaks. She took what she could in her Jeep and trailer. Everything else is left behind. She is in Redlands now. At least she is safe. Colleen, are you and Richard still okay? Haven't seen you post today.

Chris
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 1:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think we're still OK. Tuesday is my teach-without-a-break day--I have a class each period plus lunch duty! (I'm sneaking a peak at the forum while my kids are journaling!)

The fire is in our territory today. They're not evacuating Yucaipa yet, but they're doing manadtory evacuations in all the mountain communities down to the eastern border street of Yucaipa.

We're watching and praying...I'll keep your sister in my prayers, Chris. Thanks also for your prayers.

Colleen
Lydell (Lydell)
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 2:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I, like Melissa, am prompted to pray each time I see the news. Please keep us posted. We are all interested.

Colleen, praying for the release of creative ideas in working with the school kids through this. I know too well from our homeschooling days how imminent stuff can total distract students.
Terryk (Terryk)
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 3:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow we suffered the water and now you all have the fires. I keep praying for you all. That has to be terrible. We on the east coast just get the snow and rain. It has been some crazy weather. Well God Bless you all.
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 6:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They've announced school closures for tomorrow in Redlands (including our school) because of the thick smoke and falling ash. Yucaipa still does not seem to be in imminent danger, but Lake Arrowhead is in danger as are some other communities a bit higher up.

Have you heard anything more from your sister, Chris? At least the Santa Ana winds have subsided, and an on-shore flow is beginning. That means cooler temps and more humidity, so that should help.

And you're right, Lydell, about the distraction of students. I would say that probably a good third of my students, if not more, had to evacuate their homes at some point during the past three days, and while most of them are back now, they are really distracted--understandably. Many have been going home with headaches and feelings of sickness--the smoke has been thick and oppressive. Yesterday I went to the office for some Advil between classes, and I meet three other colleagues there also getting Advil for their headaches!

Praise God for the change in weather, though!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers. I'll keep you posted.

Colleen
Doc (Doc)
Posted on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 11:23 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi All,

I went to a four day retreat last week, in central Hungary, the other side of the Danube from here. There were about 40 people present, and we had teaching, counselling, prayer, and time to get to know each other. There were people from various churches, and when everyone introduced themselves on the first evening, two ladies said they were Adventists.
I was rather surprised, and my first thought was, what are they doing here?! It turned out they were SDA, not Christian Advent Fellowship, the hard-line historical branch ń Iíve only had contact with CAF before. It was interesting, but I found God was dealing with my attitude somewhat. A couple of times, I ended up in a situation where I had to pray with them, or for them. I was praying for one of them, Piroska, and the Holy Spirit specifically told me to tell her that Jesus loved her, and she did not need to be afraid of him. I thought, Oh yeah, she is going to think I am dropping hints. Anyway, I did as I was told, and two days later (!) she told me that she had specifically asked God to show her that he loved her.
It turned out she had lost her husband, and the pastor had been counselling her, so the rest of the church had been making snide remarks about how she was well in with the pastor. She felt because of this she would rather not go back to the church, and her son was being baptised in the Baptist church soon, but she was not sure about going there, because of the Sabbath (groan, itís always the same, isnít it). There was another couple there at the retreat too, from the Baptists in the same town, and they were really nice, we had some good chats. Anyway, I believe some of the others, and not myself (nothing to do with me!), helped her to understand that the Sabbath is not a salvation issue, and she may well be joining the Baptists when she goes back. She even told me specifically just as they were leaving that she had had a great time, and realised everyone really loved God and was serving him.
The other one, Anna, also had various fears, and she particularly called me over for a chat in one of the breaks. She had been there before (and was responsible for bringing the other one along this time), and admitted that in her church they had told her said was not doing right by going to this retreat, she would end up going in the wrong direction! She also asked if I thought she may be too bad for God to give her the Holy Spirit. I said no at once, and showed her Galatians 3: 1-5, which I think is a specific answer to that question, ěDid you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?î She asked if I was saying that because of the Sabbath, so I said, no, I was saying it because she asked about the Holy Spirit and that was the answer. I told her I was neither a Sabbath keeper nor a Sunday keeper. She found that a little strange I think but accepted it easily enough. The amazing thing is, I did not even get irritated.
Anyway, after prayer and ministry and counselling, both of them looked so much better at the end than they had at the beginning. They looked free and joyful.
Well, one point of that long rambling story is that God showed me not to judge people who may have a label (SDA), because in this case they really were open to him, and came along to the retreat to meet with God, just like the rest of us.
The other is, to ask if perhaps one or two of you can offer up a quick prayer for Piroska and Anna, that when they get back to Hajdúszoboszló (over in the east, the opposite end of the country from where I am), they can remain free and not sink back into SDA gloom and doom. Also that Piroska at least will follow through on her decision to leave.
Thanks and God bless you all,
Adrian
Chris (Chris)
Posted on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 11:35 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Doc, I have prayed fro Piroska and Anna as requested. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work on their hearts and minds, guiding them into the full realtionship with jesus that He wants them to have.

You bring up a good point. We should not judge individuals because we cannot possibly know their heart. In my experience, most Adventist I have interacted with are very sincere, really do want to live according to scripture, really do want to serve God. The problem is not with the people for the most part. The problem is with the system and doctrines that put these sincere God-seeking people under bondage, fear, and uncertainty. While we can't judge individuals, I believe we have a duty to judge any system that distorts the Gospel message.

Chris
Melissa (Melissa)
Posted on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 11:39 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have prayed as well...
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
Posted on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 1:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I also have prayed for Pioska and Anna. And I also thank God that you were open to Him, Adrian, and that he used you to help show those ladies the love of Jesus.

I also agree with Chris above: I absolutely know that many Adventists are sincere and God-seeking. I do not believe that Adventists per se are anti-gospel, but the system is. May Adventists are truly looking for Jesus, as it sounds Piroska and Anna are--indeed, as I and probably many of us on the forum were!

I really do believe that God is calling those who want to follow him, and there is a polarizing happening in the SDA church and also in the world. Adventism has deceived thousands of people, and some of those do not want to have their Adventist bubble burst. Others, though, are seriously looking for peace and want to follow Jesus.

I also believe that we have a duty to judge any system that distorts the gospel. And you're right, Adrain, about praying that Anna and Piroska will not fall back into the darkness of Adventism. There is no doubt that they will experience guilt and fear (perhaps Anna especially) when they go back to the environment where she heard she was doing wrong by attending the retreat.

Praise God for your contact with those women, Adrian, and that you knew what you were dealing with, and that you were responsive to God's leading you!

Colleen
Terryk (Terryk)
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 11:27 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank you Doc for sharing your story. It was so uplifting for me. I too have prayed for your friends and pray that God will send someone there to help them in their journey. They will need to have support so will continue to pray for them. Thank you for allowing God to use you. Great work you are doing
Doc (Doc)
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 12:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks to you all for your prayers and support,

Actually, it meant a lot to me to meet Adventists who were open to listen to Christians from other churches. The ones I usually talk to are from CAF, and that is just like banging my head against a brick wall.
Anyway, I don't know if I'll meet these two again, but I hope I so.

Good point Chris, the problem is not with the people but the system which keeps them in bondage. Though you are absolutely right it is our duty to expose any false gospel that people may be spreading.

God bless,
Adrian
Terryk (Terryk)
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 3:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think the word is brainwashing. You are so programmed to believe the lies and there is so much fear put into that you do not dare question. I was so blind back then it is so hard to believe now that I feel for all that stuff. Another thing when you do talk to somene they are taught well sister White says at the end of time great lights will go out. People will leave and talk bad about the church. How can you fight that.
Freeatlast (Freeatlast)
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 3:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Please pray for Gracehound.
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 5:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Freeatlast, I will pray for her. Can/Will she come online?

Colleen
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 5:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just have to respond to TerryK's post above. You are right, Terry. The word IS brainwashing. Adventism not just information that we learned which we subsequently found was untrue and needed re-learning. It was fear and certainty that we would lose all the good things of life and of the hereafter if we left.

Even today's young Adventists, who don't all know the details of their religion, have fear about leaving. I have a friend wholived in the LLU women's dorm a couple of years ago, and as she began to discover Jesus and branched out into attending church on Sundays, the girls on her floor, who could not biblically support their viewpoints, argued almost endlessly at times with her about not leaving the Sabbath. One even said, Well, just in case it might be true that the day will be the test, I'm not going to leave the Sabbath.

Adventism is not just misinformation. It's outright deception held in place by the deep fear that if they were to really study the Bible, they might not be able to remain convinced of their Adventism. Such a possibility is terrifying.

The power of God is NOT in deception.

Colleen
Freeatlast (Freeatlast)
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 7:37 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I doubt it Colleen, at least not yet... Thank you for your prayers.
Chris (Chris)
Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 8:39 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Adventism is not just misinformation. It's outright deception held in place by the deep fear that if they were to really study the Bible, they might not be able to remain convinced of their Adventism. Such a possibility is terrifying."

Yes! One of my good friends, who now has come out of Adventism, told me a story. During his early transition time, when he was just starting to see chinks in the SDA armor, he had lunch with his SDA father in law. He told his father in law that he had recently become more interested in Bible study and had been studying quite a bit. His SDA father in law's response was, "Well, you better be careful. I know a lot of people that studied themselves right out of the church." I also had an encounter with this same man (my firends father-in-law) when he stopped by during one of our Bible Studies. He of course started in about the importance of keeping the Sabbath day etc. and I started reasoning with him from scripture. He found himself unable to refute the scripture. At a certain point he became frustrated and blurted out, "If you would just close your Bible for awhile and listen to what I'm telling you!" My own father-in-law doesn't study the scripture without a Sabbath School lesson in hand because he believes it's too easy to be led astray. Another friend's father told her that she should never read the Bible without SDA study guides or EGW because she'll misunderstand the Bible without the proper aids. He became angry with her and stormed out of her house when she insisted on sola scriptura.

Colleen, you hit the nail on the head when you said there is actually a fear of what might be found in scripture. A very sad situation indeed.

Chris

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration