| Author | Message | ||
| Kelly |
Hi, Doug, This thread is in respond to on of your comments to my post on the prayer thread. You asked, "Don't you feel that your circumstances cause you to only be able to admire the tree from a distance and never really partake of it"? My reply is "No, I don't feel as if I'm only allowed to admire it from a distance; I feel as if I really am allowed to partake of it"! Christ came to this earth to give us freedom. Not human freedom, but spiritual freedom. The freedom that Christ gives to all mankind is a freedom that can function under democracy or under communism. "It is for (spiritual) freedom that Christ set us free"! In a way I live under a "communism of Adventism"; I would likely suffer physical and mental abuse if I revealed "my mind" to my spouse. But, this does not affect the freedom I have in Christ!!!! There is a vast difference in our physical freedom and our spiritual freedom. | ||
| Violet |
Kelly, Your story really touched me. I never thought about the two seperate lives, physical and spiritual. You are truly sacrificing yourself to be able to stay 100% in your childrens lives. Your story would make a wonderful book. I don't think that people ever think about someone staying like you do. Jesus came and stayed within the physical restrictions of this earth so that His influence would be seen and contrasted with the others in His time. Your children will see a difference in the way that you see the love of God as compared to the way others may see it. You are in a position where God can use you to free many from the bonds of Adventism. Many people have sacrifced living conditions to spread the gospel in foreign countries, you just happen to be doing it in the US. May God pour out His blessings on you and give you a peace you have never known before. Your sister in Christ Vi | ||
| Doug222 |
Kelly, I asked the question because it seems like you have to live a lie (not said in a disparaging way toward you). Every one of us can speak of the freedom we felt when we suddenly discovered that we didn't have to be saddled with this burden that Adventism has placed on us for years (and in most cases decades). To realize that, but then to have to pretend to continue to carry the burden (to pretend nothing has changed) is truly a heavy burden to bear. This is where you have to trust that God will not put on a person more than they can bear, because I know at this point I would be asking God why he revealed all this to me, only to have to stifle it. You are truly an amazing person. God belss you. Doug | ||
| Kelly |
What I have found Doug is that God has an amazing storehouse full of treasures that were already set up for me before the creation of the world. I have blessings by walking in God's grace that I would have never known if I had not accepted it. Actually, it is much easier to live the Adventist life "inside of grace" than it was outside of it. There is no pressure now because I know when I "fall short" that I have not lost my salvation. I know that I have just fallen back on God's grace and mercy. I can't be of any use to God in the Adventist system if I openly expose myself to them. They will reject me and also reject my words of grace. I'm sure there will come a time when I can tell all and not jeopardize my children lives. My husband is a good man, a sincere Adventist who doesn't know he is mislead. His opposition to those who reject Adventism is based upon misconceptions and fears-I can not place myself as his enemy. He would do everything within his power to protect his children from my so-called deception if he knew. One day God will make him as ready as I was to seek the truth and he will have the opportunity to grasp the grace of God just as I did. I have to "wait on the Lord". It will happen in his time, not my time. Yes, it is sometimes difficult and I do have moments of anger, bitterness and frustration but my Savior heals all those things that I bring before Him. The only wounds left unhealed are the ones that I try to "fix" myself!!! Eventually, these wounds become so painful that I cry out in anguish and beg for His help. I am the one that chooses to go through the pain of doing it my own way, not God. We are ALL amazing people when we trust in the Lord! | ||
| Colleentinker |
Kelly, I will pray for you and for your husband. God really does show us, moment by moment, what he wants us to do and when he wants us to do it. There is nothing that can limit or stop God's grace. Once you've experienced it, you can never be the same again! Colleen | ||
| Kelly |
Colleen, that's exactly right!!!! Once you've experienced the Grace of God you are never the same and you simply can't go back to the old life of arrogant self-righteous legalism. And thank you for praying for me! Kelly |
