| Author | Message | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Greetings from sunny Florida and Gator Country! I am a newbie to the forum and I have been reading several of the old posts for the past week or so now. I would like to ask for some help but first I'll give you a brief testimony. I became a Christian when I was a child and rededicated myself to Christ when I started high school. When I started college 3 years ago I got involved with a campus fellowship and my walk with Christ has grown exponentially. I praise God for the wonderful things he's done in my life. About two years ago I met my soon-to-be wife over the Internet and, well, I already gave it away, hehe. During the course of our getting to know each other I learned that she was an SDA and at first I thought none of it. We would talk some about it and I could clearly see the differences in our beliefs, Sabbath specifically. We did get into some arguments, but we have resolved those issues to where we are agreed that Christ is indeed central to everything. During the past 8 months, I have been fervently studying the claims of Adventism, first from the SDA side and then from the "grace" side, so to speak. I admit that Adventism nearly had me suckered in with that Sabbath doctrine. It wasn't until I stumbled upon the FAF website that I finally saw the light I had been looking for. From there I found Dirk Anderson's and Dale Ratzlaff's sites and they have indeed been a blessing. I have studied enough to come to the conclusion that while many Adventists are indeed God-fearing people, their concept of grace seems to be very clouded by their insistence on the Sabbath and Ellen White. I consider my fiance to be a "fringe" Adventist. She's not nearly as involved in the church as she once was (she's no longer living as close to her other SDA relatives). However, when she considers her Christian life, she claims to believe all the SDA church has taught her. I believe her to be a genuine Christian, yet I do not agree with all the SDA church teaches, and she knows this well. I have tried to share with her, in indirect, nonthreatening ways and through more direct, not-so-successful ways to show her the truth about the Sabbath, but she seems set on keeping it. For me that's fine, as Rom 14 says, "let each be convinced in his own mind." We are getting married in a couple of weeks, and we will be spending the summer living with my parents until the semester starts again in the fall, where she will likely be surrounded by my other friends in my fellowship. Basically, she'll be exposed to a lot of GRACE teaching. I've personally taken the idea to allow my own life be an example to her and as we study to allow God's grace to speak through Bible studies and conversations we have together. I believe that once one fully understand's God's grace, that SDA "doctrines" can indeed crumble. My bigger concern is the fact that we are also expecting our first child in July. We are very committed to being as great as parents as we are capable, despite our young ages (I'm 20 and she's 19), but I am concerned about when our Christian upbringing comes upon a snag with say, the Sabbath and our differing views. I have given the issue over to God, but as most of you are former SDA's I am curious as to whether any of you in the forum have experienced or witnessed a situation similar to mineand if you could offer any advise, no matter how insignificant. I continue in prayer for her and our baby (he's beginning to kick stronger now=) ) and for all of you in your walk with Christ. Thank you very much for your ministry! Your brother in Christ, Joel Keep your eyes on Jesus - Heb 12:1,2 | ||
| Dennis (Dennis) |
Joel, Welcome to our forum! Thank you for sharing your testimony with us. I am pleased to learn of your Christian commitment amid difficult circumstances. The best sermons are seen, not heard. I think you are wise not to be confrontational with your wife-to-be. I suggest that you encourage her to research Adventism online. Few Adventists know very much about their belief system outside of their proof-text canon. This is especially true of cultural Adventists (meaning those that grew up that way). Being that you both agree to make Christ central in your lives, this will alleviate alot of difficulties; however, living with one's parents after marriage is not recommended--not even temporarily. The Bible teaches that we should LEAVE our father and mother when we get married. Having said that, I realize that none of us can always implement an ideal situation in life. The devil works overtime in trying to destroy the family unit. Hopefully, with that in mind, you and your fiance will find it essential to consult a Christian counselor or pastor as soon as possible (before marriage). Some of your concerns are beyond the scope of this public forum. You will be amazed how counselors and/or pastors can help you with difficult choices and problems. Being you are infanticipating as well, I applaud your parental commitment despite its early arrival. God certainly has great things in store for you and your new family. May God abundantly bless you! With best Christian wishes, Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
Joel, I agree with Dennis that you may want to consult a Christian counselor or Pastor. Based on the limited description that you provided, you will be facing some major obstacles. They are not insurmountable, but it is important that you recognize them and get professional guidance in how to negotiate around them, otherwise you may be destined for a very bumpy road. As far as the difference in you and your fiance's religious beliefs, I would tread carefully. I think you have the right idea about not being confrontational, but I think you also need to resist the opposite response, which is to become passive. The fact that your fiance is a "fringe" adventist or is less involved in the church than she used to be means nothing. She has been indoctrinated to believe that SDA doctrine is "the truth," regardless of whether she practices it or not. I cannot count the number of "non-practicing" Adventists who have said that "the church's doctrines are closer to the truth than any other church (as if they have actually studied this for themselves), and if they were ever to go back, it would be to the Adventist Church." What you will likely find is that once the baby is born, you will begin to see a resurgance in her committment to the SDA Church--especially if she is presented with the possibility that the baby could become a "Sunday worshipper." She is not likely to let go of those roots easily, and her SDA family will likely encourage her in this area. You must develop the wisdom of Solomon. Telling her that her beliefs are wrong will only cause her to defend them more vehemently than before. On the other hand, if you simply allow things to "run their course," she will have no impetus for change and will not relinquish her cultic doctrines. DO NOT believe for a minute that the fact that the two of you have agreed that Christ is central to everything that you two are in agreement on what that means. Deep inside, she still believes that the Sabbath is central and is the testing truth for all Christians. Look back into the archives for posts by a person named Chyna. She was in a similar situation with her SDA boyfriend. She found, as you will, that a SDA's underlying motive is always to lead YOU to the truth. You didn't give enough details for me to tell, but your fiance is likely in one of three categories (others may come up with more categories). 1. She is a "Cultural Adventist--meaning she was born and raised an Adventist, but has never studied any of the doctrines for herself, but has embraced them as truth; 2. She is a "Died in the Wool Adventist - a person who is well studied (or "catechized," as Lucias put it earlier) in SDA doctrine; or 3. She is a Inquisitive Adventist - one who attempts to understand why they believe what they do. Category #1 is probably the most difficult "nut to crack," because this person has no foundation on which to base their beliefs. People in Category 2 are almost as difficult, but they can evolve into Cateogory 3 Adventist. In my opinion, only Cateogry three Adventists are open to the true Gospel. If your fiance truly fits into the third cateogry, then I would suggest you follow the course of action that you have laid out. On the other hand, if she is a Category 1 or Category 2 Adventist, I think the approach you take will have be one of being loving, but firm. DO NOT compromise the Gospel under any circumstances. Whenever she attempts to draw you into discussion or participation in rituals or doctrines, you will need to gently but firmly redirect the conversation back to the Gospel. The burden will be on you (not her--or both of you) to keep Christ the central focus. I guess the bottom line is for you to realize that you and she may have two different interpretations of what "the Gospel" is. Adventism attempts to give you (its members) the impression that it is mainstream Christianity, but in reality, it is anything but. Your fiance is probably not being intentionally deceptive, but that doesn't keep her from being deceived. Make sure you are speaking the same language. "...even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned." Galatians 3:8 In His Grace Doug | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Doug and Dennis, Thank you very much for your responses. I know I likely show plenty of naive in knowing what to do about this. She and I have been trying to set up some councelling sessions for before our wedding and we likely will also after our wedding as well. Dennis, as for our living arrangements this summer, I totally agree about leaving your parents following marriage, it's more of a temporary situation for the summer as my home is some distance from where I attend college. We have a place of our own to move into come August. Since you both asked, let me provide a little more background on my fiance. She did not become a Christian until about 4 years ago when she was living in central California, and she became a Christian through the SDA church. I believe that her acceptance of Christ was indeed sincere as it changed her life dramatically. Through her family out there, she became indoctrinated with SDA beliefs. I don't have any doubt that she believes SDA doctrine to be the truth, and she holds all the Sabbath doctrine to be true. In that respect, she's part of Doug's Category 2. beyond that, she seems a little uncertain about the understanding of other doctrines, although she claims to believe them. For example, she cannot explain the investigative judgment or why Catholics are "bad". In other matters, I've noticed she's allowed her own thinking to make decisions about certain aspects of SDA doctrines. (As I understand it, independent thinking is discouraged among SDA's.) She's uncertain about how 1844 fits the scheme, unsure about the validity of Ellen White, and sees no problem with Sunday worshipping (so long as you worship on Sabbath too). She doesn't claim Ellen White to be an authority, so her Sabbath proof is just "proof texting". I certainly don't want to force her into a situation where she would become so uncomfortable that she couldn't handle it, I would like her to find the truth for herself. You were right Doug when you said that the burden would be on me to keep Christ the central focus. It will also be my burden to continue in prayer for her and to pray for open, honest, and fruitful conversation when issues do arise. I know a big danger is to become passive, which is what i dont want to do. I ask for your continued prayers. In Christ, Joel Heb 12:1,2 | ||
| Wally (Wally) |
Joel, I have read your posts with interest as I am currently living the circumstances you will be entering soon. Perhaps I can add a few thoughts. I am not an SDA, nor a "former" - I am a life-long member of a large mainstream Protestant denomination. My wife is SDA and we have two elementary school-aged children who attend an SDA school. My wife was raised SDA, but when we first met she was not active in the church. We were married in my church and our children were baptized as infants in my church. When our kids were still quite young, due to several circumstances, my wife was drawn back to the Lord, and naturally to the SDA church. My wife is fairly moderate in her views (not vegetarian, drinks coffee, etc.), but cannot let go of the Sabbath - although she is less legalistic regarding the Sabbath than others. She does not seem to hold other unique SDA "truths" in her belief system (such as the IJ) and reads EGW only occasionally. Nonetheless, she is now active in her church. Our kids are being raised SDA with an appreciation of my faith as well. As you can imagine, this is not easy, but is a decision we made together, thoughtfully in prayer, for the overall good of our family. I attend the SDA church with them probably once a month, and they attend my church about as frequently. My wife and I attend a Bible study together and we read Bible stories together with the kids. As much as possible, we keep Christ as the center of our faith and family lives. Yet, for as much as we work together and share much common ground, I still have great concerns about the spiritual upbringing of the kids. My hope is that they see through me another view that is different from the SDA message. They are still young and time will tell. I do have comfort that the Holy Spirit is working in them, through their baptism, to direct them to Christ, without a lot of additional spiritual baggage. The advice you received from others about counseling is good - my wife and I so far have been able to communicate effectively on this issue without it, but I always keep it in the back of my mind that we may need it someday as well. Try to find a common focal-point for your faith, whether it is a Bible study, fellowship group or other. Pray together and God will direct you. Be patient, and wait for opportunities to share with your wife your views when she may be open to consider them. This is on-going. My prayers will be with you both. In Him, Wally | ||
| Windmotion (Windmotion) |
Dear Joel, I also have never been an Adventist, but I have a husband who has not called himself an Adventist for almost a year. (We have been married for a little more than two years) From what I have seen, I have categorized Adventists as well, but in to two categories: Happy Adventists and Sad Adventists. Happy Adventists think their religion is the greatest thing since sliced bread. To me, they are the hardest to get through to. Sad Adventists are subdivided into two categories, those in the church and those outside the church but not in any other church. These people realize the heavy weight of legalism, but they don't see any way out of it. I would say Sad Adventists still in the church are the easiest to reach because they are still looking to God as best they can for happiness. My husband cycled between all three. He would be a Happy Adventist for a short period of time, but then he would fall into Sad Adventism inside the church. That would turn into Sad Adventism outside the church, whereupon he would become even sadder, and then "recommit" his life to being a Happy Adventist again. It was always hard for me to go to church alone when he didn't want to go with me. I was used to going with family and friends, so I quit going every week. (It's really hard to make friends with people in a new church when they are all married to people who attend church with their spouses) Sometimes he would actually not go because he would say it was a sin for him. (those were the Happy Adventist times) Other times he would be too busy or have to work. The things that eventually got him to leave were the "open letter" by Nate, the books "Sabbath in Crisis" and "Cultic Doctrine," as well as an overall frustration with trying to follow all the rules while seeing people break many of them yet still be closer to God than many Adventists. Early on, as a way to curb our arguing about the Sabbath, he asked me to write out my opposition to it, and he would respond in kind. I churned out a 30 plus page treatise, and he never actually responded to it, but it stopped the arguing and I learned a ton about the grace of God that I had never put together before. Anyways, God be with you. There will probably be some difficult parts ahead. Hannah | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Welcome, Joel! I totally agree with the responses above. Besides urging you to get Christian counseling, I would also urge you to pray that God will direct you to peopleóa couple or a small groupówith whom you can study the Bible together. If your fiance has a chance to read/study the Bible and ask questions of other Christians, she may begin to see that the Bible teaches something different than she has learned. Also, as several above have said, keep Christ central. It will be up to you to do this for two reasons: you actually know him without "another gospel" attached to him, and you are also her husband. As a very wise (but prematurely deceased) clinical psychologist once told me, if in a marriage only one partner is emotionally healthy, the marriage fares better if that one is the husband. Ask God to be in your marriage and to glorify himself in it. Your child will undoubtedly be the focus of most potential conflict. She will feel that she is bringing him/her up in sin if she doesn't take him to Sabbath school and teach him to keep the Sabbath. And Sabbath to an Adventist is not just a preference, as Paul talks about observing a day. To an Adventist, whether or not she fully understands the background for the belief, the Sabbath is the mark of the seal of God. Going to church on Sunday IS the mark of the beast. The reason, I believe, that this believ is so strong is that it is a spiritual deception. It is part of a spiritual battle. Hannah's suggestions above about reading material are also excellent. Above all, give her and your child and your marriage to God. Ask him to be in you and in your family and to reveal truth. Ask him to make streams of living water flow from you. Ask him to make you an Ephesians 5 kind of husband. Do not be afraid to stand for truth. Truth brings freedom, and truth in love is compelling, even if it's initially confusing or upsetting. Arguing will only make things worse, but God's authority in you will help you to love her and live the gospel before her. We will pray for you. Colleen | ||
| Violet (Violet) |
Hi Joel, I am so glad you found this web site! It is a great support group and has many wonderful people here. You have heard from many sides here, but I am from your wife's perspective. I was raised a SDA and married a Christian. The Holy Spirit worked in a strange way in our family. He found a topic that I wanted to do but the church said it was a sin and peaked my curiosity. Once I started studying, and it took about 3 years, the walls crumbled and now I am a grace filled, saved Christian. I don't know your wife, but I'm sure you could find a topic she does not agree on (with the church) and start studying it. Ours was wine, and why the SDA's required you to stop drinking and smoking before you could become baptized and be a member. The thought that an orginization would not allow someone to come to Jesus as they were killed me, and led to the demise of my relationship with the orginization. I wish you all the best. It is a long hard row to hoe, but the Holy Spirit will lead you and Jesus will hold you in His hand. Vi | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Hi Joel, welcome! You've been given some sound advise in all of the above. My thought is that you will be in an excellent position, as priest of the family, to woo her with knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father. How about asking the Lord to give you promptings of analogies between her/your love for your child and God's love for you both that you can point out to her. There are going to be abundant opportunities as the child is born and grows to make these observations. It seems to me that this, with the Holy Spirits teaching of course!, could become a natural lifestyle for you. And it would be a way of naturally leading her to understand that her Heavenly Father is, for instance, not one who is going to hold her past sins over her head waiting to slam her with them if she dies with unconfessed sin. (As the SDA's teach.) As others have said, it is absolutely essential that you find a group of loving Christians that you can get her around very very often. Not just for Bible study and worship, but for social stuff as well. Got any good Christian coffee shops around there? Take her to Christian concerts. Get outstanding Christian worship music to play at home. Fill your home with Christian music. In other words, get her hooked on the real and the counterfeit will begin to lose it's attraction. She will have a harder time justifying in her mind that the Sabbath is essential to salvation after she has gotten to know intimately solidly obviously committed Christians who worship on Sunday. Make a goal of recognizing any Christians she is drawn towards. Try to get them together socially. Make casual comments about some positive and godly trait you see demonstrated in their lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to do this job of wooing her with the reality of Christianity. I wouldn't be surprised if He gives you hundreds of little things you can do. You know, the Holy Spirit once warned me that we should never disparage the idea of doing these simple things, they have great power when done under His direction. | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Dear friends, Your kind words have indeed been encouraging, as well as thought provoking. In response to Lydell, I have been wanting for her to get involved with my fellowship where I go to school. Being that we've been some distance from each other (at least for the next few weeks until our wedding) that's not been possible, but when we both return with our little one in August, I know that she will be surrounded with the kind of Christian love that you described. She has met many of my friends within my fellowship and she's excited for herself to become a part of it. Of course I know continuing in prayer will be most important, and I continue to do that. Thank you for your prayers. Just wanted to share something before I go. I was in my Bible study group last night and we have been studying Romans all semester. We got to chapter 14 last night and man was it good. We got into a good discussion about the "disputable matters" within the church; those things that cause whole denominations to split. One of my biggest peeves about the Adventist church as a whole is their insistence on the minor issues that have nothing to do with the Bible. (For example the SDA belief that one must keep the Sabbath perfectly every week in order to be saved.) The last I checked Jesus didn't tell Nicodemous that he'd better keep the Sabbath to be saved. Paul didn't say in Romans 10 that if one keeps the Sabbath they'll be saved.And Revelation 12 and 19 make no reference anywhere to Ellen White. Yet SDA's won't even accept you unless you believe them. They don't affect my salvation whatsoever. Sure, we have our disagreements on the proper way to worship, baptize, or what foods we should eat, but they aren't essential. Christ is, and without Him, no one makes it to heaven. "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rom 14:17, TLB) Joel | ||
| Snowdove (Snowdove) |
Hi Joel Welcome. I agree with all the other posts, the only thing I could add is this. My husband and I take time to pray and read the bible every day together. Taking turns reading out loud a couple of chapters. Then we discuss what the Lord spoke to our hearts. The one point I should make is that we read from an unmarked bible so that focus is not on man's thoughts and interpations, but on the Small Still voice of the Lord that is speaking to us. This has brought both my husband and closer and has showed us the truth and the errors May the Spirit of the Lord guide you and my prayers are with you. Sherri | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Hi Joel and welcome! So glad you joined us. Of course you've been given a lot of wonderful advise, I only want to stress how important Bible study is. If you can read just 20 min. a day you can cover the whole Bible in about a year. The problem with a lot of christians is they don't actively read the Bible. Some don't even take it to church, few study it daily, so what they are getting their whole entire lives is someone else's interpretation of the Bible. This was the case with myself and not until I began to read and study the Bible and pray for God's will in my life did I ever understand His will for me. The amazing thing is that God WANTS us to know His will and He is more than willing and able to show it to us if we will just ask. Incorporate a daily devotional time into your marriage. Make it a habit and it will become routine and will increase your knowledge of the Word as well as your faith. God bless you and your new family, Sabra | ||
| Loneviking (Loneviking) |
Well, I'll add my two cents worth here Joel as I know where you are coming from. I'm an ex-SDA who grew up with an SDA mom and Church of Christ dad. It never really did work too well as mom went to her church and dad went to his alone. I initially went with the SDA church. The thing you have to understand is that you aren't dealing with just a difference in opinion over doctrine, you are dealing with an entirely different way of dealing with the Bible! SDA's do NOT approach the Bible as other Christians do. They apply (usually out of context) scads of Old Testament passages and say they apply today. They don't accept that there is a 'new covenant'---they say it is simply a restatement of the 'everlasting' covenant. They say that Gods' law (the Ten Commandments) have always existed--even though scripture says otherwise. They refuse to accept the New Testament as the rule of life for Christians under the New Covenant. And the Sabbath is the end all/be all and a close second is EGW. All of this is the reason why you have 'cultural Adventists'.....they truly do have their own culture, their own institutions, their own schools and hospitals, and don't see a need to interact outside their own circles. That's why I think so many other posters have warned you about thinking that you and your wife are in agreement about Christ. Anyway, the reason I went with the SDA's initially was the fear of being lost, the fear of going with false doctrine. Adventists are big on fear and if your kids go to an SDA school they will get the same culturalization that I and so many others on this forum did. You should know that and consider what it will mean to you if your little child rejects your beliefs. Also, don't be so sure that surrounding your wife with other Christians is going to change her. I left the church, but my wife won't leave. We have a lot of friends who belong to other churches--she is NOT sheltered by any means. One of her best friends from academy days left the church and attends a Seventh Day Baptist church---and my wife still can't see the light. That makes things difficult as she won't attend church with me, but seems upset when I won't go with her (sometimes I go). It's also causing a divide in our three kids. The oldest was baptized SDA last year (my wife said 'Why not? She can always change her mind later---you did!) and this daughter doesn't want to go with me to church. This oldest daughter is also in an SDA academy and I can see the creeping effects of the culturization going on. The second kid (also a daughter) never did seem to fit in the SDA circles, now goes to public school and loves the Church of Christ I go too and doesn't want to go anywhere else. This creates tension between her and her mom----which leads to accusations and hurt feelings. My wifes' church was struggling to stay alive, and my wife talked to this daughter several times about baptism. Finally, this daughter fell apart, started crying and shouting that the only reason mom wanted her baptized was to save her local church (the church is about to be closed for lack of members). We are now moving back to Cal. this summer, and the issue is where will she go to school? SDA academy? And then there is my four year old son, who basically is happiest going with mom. Who knows how all of this will affect him. The point to all of this is that when kids are involved in a divided family, things become much tougher for both parents and the kids. What I'm going through is something you probably will also. Your soon to be wife sounds like a cultural SDA---I have a mother-in-law that is one of those. She hasn't attended church in years and yet still feels justified in castigating me for going on Sunday and rejecting SDA beliefs. So, this is what you are up against---not just a difference in opinion on texts, but an entire cultural issue. So much so that I shoud point out that 'cult' forms part of the word 'cultural' and some of do feel that the SDA church does reach this level. You have my prayers for wisdom and my wish that things will turn out better for you than for me.............. | ||
| Thomas1 (Thomas1) |
Hi Gator! Back atcha from the Kingdom of the Sun (and the Son), I too can add my bit on this issue. I was raised SDA. I was fed by them, housed by them (Academy and college), taught by them, and believed that only through them and their beliefs could I ever come close to pleasing God. There lies the rub with SDA's. Most really don't know WHAT they believe, they only know the "catch phrases" like the "truth", "Remnant", Keeping the "true" sabbath, knowing what REALLY happens to you when you die, and KNOWING how the end of the world will come. Ask them to prove it from the Bible, and the Bible only......well, that's another matter. I had a longing to know HOW to be saved. Into my 40's I did not know, and didn't know how to find out. This began a constant search of the Bible. I have now read it through from cover to cover around 15 times .. I really have lost count, in 9 different translations. I finally found the Gospel, after my 5'th or 6'th reading. It gets sweeter with each reading! My wife was born in mainstream Christianity. For some reason, she was led to join Adventism in the 70's. Her one and ONLY issue was worship of the Seventh day. All of the other "doctrines" were only iceing on the cake. They HAD to be right, because SDA's had a real prophet, and believed the "true" day. She no longer goes to church, has smoked for more than 20 years, and uses the term "Sunday keepers" as a swear word. Needless to say, we rarely worship together. Oh Yes, she works on the seventh day, as well......BUT, maintains that "the sabbath is all there is". She is not alone. I know of several SDA's which fit into the same mould in some fashion or another. Your desire to compromise with an Adventist is real and genuine, I am sure. The problem is, in their mind YOU ARE WRONG. and YOU ARE LOST. They can't prove it, it just is! Counseling is good. Compromise is good (as long as you NEVER compromise the Gospel), but understand...unless your soon to be wife comes OUT of Adventism, you are in for a source of tension for the rest of your married life together. No amount of association with Christians will change her mind. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Be patient and pray for her. Live a life of Genuine Christian love. Set a Christ like example. But understand, until she leaves of the Spirit's will and her choosing, your Christian walk together will only be marginal. You will not share the real "core" of New Testament, Gospel centered, Jesus cenered Christianity. My prayers are with you as you enter into your union. My hope is that her love for you will be as stong as your love for her and that together, you will allow God and the Spirit to lead in all aspects of your life. I don't mean this is a "downer" but If you haven't been raised one.....and if you haven't bought into their beliefs, you really CAN'T understand what they are. There is no other belief system like their's. Even they acknowledge that.....after all, if there was, they couldn't be the "TRUTH', now could they? Remember you are always In His Grip Thomas <>< | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
Sonetimes I guess I've found myself thinking that i am going to have to do all the work in her understanding the truth of the gospel, but then I realize that God is the One behind the scenes. I can facilitate, but the real work is done by the Holy Spirit. Thomas, you were right when you said that I can't really know how they are, being that I was not raised among them. I can likely image the frustration many of you have had with Adventists you have personally witnessed to who, no matter how many Bible verses you show them, still won't budge. The Bible does indeed speak for itself though. I know this will indeed be a true lesson in patience for me. I thank God that I was never seriously drawn into Adventism. I am thankful for the knowledge that I have received concerning it so I know at least how to respond to their false claims. Thank you all for your continued prayers. Joel Keep your eyes on Jesus - Heb 12:1, 2 | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
Joel, have you asked her "Have you ever thought of taking your name off the books at the SDA church?" What would be her response to that? You know, if she shows affirmation, and wanting to learn different things, let her know about this website for herself too. Ask God the "when" and maybe talking to ex-SDA's will be helpful if she's thinking of making a break at all. My own story was thus: I asked for my name to be taken off the books first so that I could know that I was standing in Jesus for salvation alone. I reassured the people I wasn't leaving Christ or the Sabbath (at that time I wasn't leaving the day...and I still didn't leave "THE REST! - JESUS  So I told no falsehoods) and I continued to attend but had my name removed. I was open to the Berean idea and began studying like crazy - hence I studied myself out never to return by the grace of God Almighty! So keep talking to her, and remember we're here for her too. It's a most difficult thing. Who would've known I'd be blessed to have my folks leave too after I did. For that I am eternally grateful as well. Blessings. |
