| Author | Message | ||
| Louise Swartz |
Today I'm praying, fasting and trying to finalize my letter of resignation from the SDA Church - after 10 years. Husband isn't ready to leave. He has SDA children & grandchildren. I like to be prepared. What kind of fallout can I expect? (letters, phone calls, visits?) | ||
| Jude the Obscure |
Dear Louise, Thanks for trusting us enough to share here. I'll leave to the hands of many others on this website who are more capable than I of helping to prepare you for what fallout to expect. Instead I'll paraphrase/reapply a bit of scripture for you from Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV): "By faith Louise Swartz, when called by God to go to a place she would later receive as her inheritance, obeyed and went, even though she did not know what the future would hold. By faith she made her home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; she lived in spiritual tents, as did others who also left, who were heirs with her of the same promise. For she was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Peace to you in Christ, Jude | ||
| Lydell |
Louise, so glad to see that you have found your way over here. This is a kinder, safer forum for you to ask questions than the other where I left you a message this morning. Blessings on you. I know it looks kind of scary right now, but you are in for such an awesome journey with God! A verse the Lord gave us when we were leaving Adventism was, "you will hear my voice behind you saying 'this is the way walk in it' when you turn to the right or left." He has been so faithful to keep that promise! I'm certain he will do the same for you. Praying for your husbands heart to be softened and ready to receive those seeds of thought! | ||
| Bruce H |
Louise It sounds to me that you are doing the best thing you could do, (--Today I'm praying, fasting--). This is the only way to handel your situation. I would like to advise you to do a good study of prayer because this will be the only thing that trully works. first, pray for God's will to be done. Second, pray that God will bind the evil spiritual forces in your home and on your family. Third, pray that God may open the eyes and ears of your family that they may see and accept the truth. Fourth. Pray that God will give you patience to wait for His will. Bruce H | ||
| Colleentinker |
LouiseóI totally agree with the above posts. Bruce is right: pray for patience; pray to know God's will; pray for God to bind the evil spiritual forces that will oppose your family. He is faithful; he will reveal himself, and he will guide you! The main thing we've encountered is silence. Most of the Adventists we associated with have simply dropped from sight. We had a flurry of curiosity from some at first, but after we talked, we didn't hear back. One or two have continued to call ocasionally, but for the most partósimply silence. The hardest thing for me was facing leaving my identity. Everything I knew about myself was formed within the church. I felt like I was losing myself. But God is so amazing. He had a most wonderful community to which he brought us. We have found more understanding and love and support and prayer than we ever had in Adventism. Our prayers are with you, Louise. There is amazing, unexpected freedom when you act in truth! | ||
| Lydell |
Louise, I think the first question you need to address with your husband is salvation, if he is not already saved. That will make a big difference in how you approach anything you have to say to him about leaving the church. If he has not yet accepted Christs offer of salvation, then none of the church's contradictions with the Word you might show him will make any difference. And it will most certainly affect how you pray for him. | ||
| Gary Mayo |
Louise: I find your question to be very interesting. The "Church" will not even skip a beat when they see you gone. Most SDA Churches do not contact missing members. As for your husband, if he reads the same things you are reading, he will follow a similar course. If he does not read what you are reading, he will not. If he will not read the material, tell him you need his help, and read the things to him, asking him questions about it. This will place him in a place of authority, and he will learn along with you, without being afraid of being led. Good blessings for you is my prayer. The SDA-EGW Historical Society . |
