| Author |
Message |
Susan_2 (Susan_2)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 11:35 pm: |     |
Dennis R., please e-mail that Signs artice to me. I missed that one. My e-mail is: susan1555@webtv.net Anyone else out there if you come across anything you think I might find to be a good read (including really really corny jokes) feel free to send it on to me. Also,my mother has been insisting that I read a book by Mark Findley calleed "The Almost Forgoten Day". Have any of you out there read this book? He says in there than Adan and Eve, Moses, Noah and Abraham and all the o.t. patriarchs kept the 7th-day, Sabbath holy. How can that be since it isn't until Ex. 20 that we get the ten commandments and it specifically says that I am the God who brought you out of Egypt? Noah was way before then. In this book Findley quotes the passage where Jesus says, "All you who are weary and heavey of heart come to me and I will give you rest". I guess you can guess what comes next. Yes, you are correct! Findley says to have true rest in Jesus this can only be done by observing the 7th-day, Sabbath and somehow (it didn't make sense to me so I won't try to explain it) he worked in the SDA teaching on The Three Angels Message, which also never made ense to me. Every week my mom watches Faith for Today on her t.v. Then she rders that weeks free book. My guess is that most those free books go to the already SDA faithful. Then she listens to The VOP twice per evening. It gets to be a bit much. I wanted her to read a nice book I bought at a local Christian bookstore that is written by Billy Graham's daughter. My mom won't read it because it isn't written by "a Sabbath-keeper". She asked me recently if I ever go to church anymore on Sabbath. I tld her yes, whenever I'm down in Southeran California I found a wonderful Lutheran church that has a service every Saturday afternoon. Apparently that doesn't count because Lutherans aren't Sabbath-keepers. Oh, me, oh, my. |
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 12:31 am: | |
According to the New Bible Dictionary published by Inter-Varsity Press, the grammar of the Greek text when Jesus says, "this IS my body which is broken for youÖ" etc, leaves "no ground for a literal equivalence as in the doctrine of transubstantiation." (p. 698) The text further compares the use of the word "is" to its use in Luke 8:11, Galatians 4;24, and Revelation 1:20 in which IS clearly is being used in a symbolic sense.
The Lord's Supper, however, was intended to be an intimate experience in which we embrace our oneness with Christ and also our unity with the body of Christ, the church. There's no question that the Holy Spirit blesses us during the Lord's Supper in ways that go far beyond the mere eating of bread and wine. The reality of Jesus's presence is powerful, and we literally do experience him even if the morsels we eat do not become his literal body.
Praise Him!
Colleen |
Susan_2 (Susan_2)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 12:52 am: | |
Colleen, what you wrote about the Supper is the nicest and most reverant i've ever read by someone who does not believe in the literal blood and body of Jesus being in the Emblems. Yes, His presence is present any way this practice is believed. |
Sabra (Sabra)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 7:42 am: | |
Agreed His presence is everywhere. I do enough debating about this with the Catholics, I don't see it has any bearing on salvation so i don't really get all hyped about it. I prayerfully considered it and the scripture that says if anyone say Christ is here or there do not believe him, was the one that convinced me it is spiritual presence, not physical. |
Susan_2 (Susan_2)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 5:13 pm: | |
Dennis R., Thank-you for The Signs article. Howeve the print wastoo smll to read so I went to the official SDA website. Then to "links", then to "periodicals" and scrooled down until I got to The August ise which I then read. Also, in that issue is an article about how Uncle Sam n this current administration is trying to overturn the first admendment with the partnership with the social service agencies. Oh, give me a break! ADRA has been on he taxpayers dole for years. What isthis? The SDA church dictators want the taxpayers had earned money but they don't want any other religious institutation to get any? That's whatI get out of reading The Sign and Liberty Magazine which also has a link from that SDA website. Everyone on here should read the Liberty magazine. It nearly makes me throw up! Apparently the SDA church is FOR theAmerican school children to NOT say "one nation UNDER GOD" in the flag salute. You lknow, I think I read those SDA plubications like some people gweak at a suvere auto acident or some people follow firetrucks to see the agony that others are facing. It's bad. I need to give it up. I think it's bad for my spritual deelopment Please, pray that Ill be able to overcome this sadistic gawking I do in reading SDA magazines. Thanks. |
Sabra (Sabra)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 6:18 pm: | |
I've often thought that the SDA's work hard to prevent God from being involved in anything outside of their 'religion'. Guess satan is glad of that! |
Insideoutsider (Insideoutsider)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 8:22 am: | |
When the Lord Jesus is not the "main thing" its not a surprise that there is a continual downward spiral. Susan, I think sometimes we "look" because we know we were in that automobile once, and it is kind of a horror-relief. It is a process, to leave it alone. In the beginning, I would go to God's word and look up passages I was learning that brought me a sense of God's love, nearness and comfort. I had a list written in the back of my Bible. The time came, when it was not such a struggle to have forgiveness toward them, and I was beginning to know I needed to pray for their freedom in Christ, and freedom to leave a vehicle headed for nothing but a painful conclusion. You have started a process, and you have already learned that God wants you healed and will teach you so much in the process/journey. We all have much to be thankful for,this Thanksgiving. I'm praising God for the journey you've started. |
Susan_2 (Susan_2)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 7:53 pm: | |
Dear Insideoutsider, Yes, I fully understand what you are saying. However, I do believe I have fully given up the SDA teachings that I was raised in. I believe this because in the 5th grade at age 11 my teacher was E.G. White all the way. She had never been to college so knew nothing about teaching academic subjects. Most of the school day was trying to indroctronate us into EGW. I can remember being in her room and thinking what a stupid relgion she was teaching us and that when I grew up I wasn't goijng to have anything to do with THAT RELIGION. This was mostly because she spent a great amount of time telling us that dionasuars were fake bones put there by satan to make people not believe the true story of creation. I knew she was stupid because I was a faithful reader of National Geograpgic. (still am) And, I KNEW N.G. was more credible than my teacher. Then in 11th grade at Monterey Bay Academy in "Bible Class" (i.e.: indroctronation class) my teacher would try to teach the class one thing and I would constantly raise my hand and say, "But, it says here,,,", and read his the Bible text that was contrary to what he was teaching us. Finily he tld me that since I liked reading the Bible more than earning the lessons he was presaenting I could put my desk in the hall and spend the period reading my Bible. I sure did luck out! He gave me a "D" on my report card but it didn't matter as I went to public school the next year and they didn't count that class. I really think I still look and gwak at the SDA reading material because it just amazes me that people are so caught up in it. Especialy people who are very very otherwise intelligent. My own kin are by and large very educated people, one even being dpartment head of the School of Business at a major SDA college, many nurses and teachers, farmers, etc. Smart people. So, why do they believe the Bible through the lens of EGW and the SDA leaders, especially Mark Findley, Lonnie Melloschinko, etc? |
Cindy (Cindy)
| | Posted on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 1:25 pm: | |
Susan 2, and all...
Hi, I know what you mean about reading Adventist magazines. I now mainly try to avoid them because I get depressed after reading them; but sometimes, in the hope that perhaps they have changed, I will pick up something and again read an article that is quite unbelievable and truly sad in light of "the glory of God in the face of Jesus"...
The recent "Adventist Review" (page 12 & 13 in the November 2002 edition that goes free to all members) has a short article that shows that nothing has changed...
or can, until Adventism denies their core doctrines and their belief in EGW as a spokeswoman for God...
The article talks of a "Christian" from another denomination finally seeing the truth of Adventism. It ends with this quote; a vintage Ellen White observation!:
"The Lord has His representatives in all the churches. These persons have not had the special testing truths for these last days presented to them under circumstances that brought conviction to heart and mind; therefore they have not, by rejecting light, severed their connection with God. Many there are who have faithfully walked in the light that has shone upon their pathway. They hunger to know more of the ways and works of God. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the very verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in". (Testimonies, vol,6, pp. 70,71).
What a horrible thing to say!
What of those of US who have analyzed these "special testing truths" and have rejected their validity in the light of the Cross?
I guess the conclusion has to be that we have rejected "light" and "severed" our "connection with God".
As Richard Fredericks wrote five years ago, the cultic Adventist mindset is that
"all other Christian organizations are viewed as holding tanks for sincere but misguided Christians who will join us in the end. We are their teachers. They are the deceived"...
Anyway... I am grateful for the freedom from these fear tactics, for the Rest given--all the time--in Christ, and for the Holy Spirit's Presence given to ALL believers in Jesus' work.
Grace Always,
Cindy |
Jerry (Jerry)
| | Posted on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 2:30 pm: | |
Very true, Cindy.
It brings to mind a recent conversation I had with an Adventist. I was trying to explain the fallacies of the various ìcalculationsî related to the end-times, in particular the 666 calculation from VICARIVS FILII DEI. The Adventist responded by saying something like this:
ìWhy are you always trying to tear down. Why donít you say some POSITIVE about 666, something Biblical.î
I said, ìIf I say absolutely nothing about it, it would be, by far, more positive and Biblical than what the ëprophecy seminarí said about it. The whole point of what I have been trying to tell you is that this teaching of your church is designed to provoke FEAR in the unsuspecting seeker of Godís truth. Rather than focusing on that, why donít you focus on Jesus and the incredibly positive gift He gave us.
ìThe Gospel is not based on fear. Read 1 John 4:17-18. ëHerein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.í
ìYou might wish to ponder why there is so much teaching that causes fear about salvation in your church. For me and all who believe in Jesusí completed atonement at the Cross, there is blessed assurance. For all who accept Him as our savior and the Holy Spirit into our hearts as a seal and guarantee for our inheritance, there can be no fear. Who, do you think, would most want to cause fear?î
Jerry |
Lydell (Lydell)
| | Posted on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 2:33 pm: | |
Hi Cindy, is this your first time posting? If so, welcome.
Yeah, being free from the bondage really makes Thanksgiving day bright, doesn't it? We can count off the things we didn't have to do yesterday:
1. We didn't have to worry that someone would have a real turkey at the table (or GASP ham!)
2. didn't have to worry about the "wrongness" of having a glass of milk with your piece of pumpking pie...
3.or that there was real sugar and spices in that pie...
4. or that you had stuffing....with those demon spices, and likely it was made with white flour in the bread...
5. that someone might actually watch one of those awful football games and their demonstration of competition (okay, so I hate football anyway)...
6. that you could listen to another Christian praising and thanking God and not be judging them because they didn't keep the "right" day...
7. you could give thanks to God knowing that your future is securely in His hands without fearfully wondering if this present conflict our country is in could be "IT"...
8. you could read a passage of scripture without an EGW filter over it...
9. you could simply rest instead of cleaning up the darned house to get ready for the sabbath....
geeee, this list could get real long real quick! |
Sabra (Sabra)
| | Posted on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 6:23 pm: | |
Hey Lydell, I like #9. I was just thinking about that today. I have one more day to sleep in before church on Sunday and I can watch TV all night tonight (and tomorrow night too if I want  )
#10. None of that sliced soy turkey with the terrible dressing inside (remember that junk?)
#11. Plenty of coffee to go with the pumpkin pie instead of Postum!
anybody else? |
Thomas1 (Thomas1)
| | Posted on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 7:11 pm: | |
How about
12 Going to a family dinner and only being able to eat what your family brought, because the other dishes might have "the wrong things" in them.
13. Having an Adventist offer the blessing at a family dinner where non SDA's are in attendence and using the opportunity to include SDA doctrinal points in the prayer as things to be "thankful" for.
Thomas |
Sabra (Sabra)
| | Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 7:46 am: | |
Oh yeah Thomas and they all pray "May we all be ready when You come" just to put a little fear inya! |
Lydell (Lydell)
| | Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 8:25 am: | |
That phrase is always so sad to me, Sabra.
Okay:
14. you know you are going into the Christmas season and can actually be happy instead of stressing over it maybe being wicked to have a Christmas tree in your house.
Hey, those of you who have young ones in the house, I heard a great idea for Christmas tree ornaments this week. Take a set of ornaments and write on each of them one of the attributes or names of God. Each year it will give you another opportunity to explain this to your kids. |
Derrell (Derrell)
| | Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 1:49 pm: | |
Back to #13
The annual Thanksgiving prayer TO the backslidden ones in my family:
"...and thank you for all of the wonderful present truths you have given to us through your servant. Thank you for showing us the times we are living in, and giving us the guiding light of the law and the magnifying glass of the Testimonies to take us through the time of the end. I pray that one day we will all be seated around that great Thanksgiving table in Heaven, and that none will be missing."
The unspoken part: "May that table be laden with Tofu Turkey, potatoes mashed with Loma Linda soy milk, whole grain bread, soy margarine, and all manner of bland delights that will not 'excite the senses'."
Derrell |
Terryk (Terryk)
| | Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 9:17 pm: | |
I think the funny thing is this change in our life has left us friendless from our forner friends. I have noticed though it has drawn us closer to our friends and family who were not SDA cult members. Now it is sad but we can laugh at how stupid some things I believed were. Well just thought I would add my two cents. I loved the things that were posted about the advantages we have now in holidays. |
Steve_R (Steve_R)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 5:44 pm: | |
This is sort of related to some of what was mentioned from Signs, and that is I was on a trip over Thanksgiving week, and on that trip I passed through the Florida pandhandle. While on Interstate 10 heading west, I saw one of the now famous SDA signs to the tune of "Saturday is the true Lord's day, Sunday is the mark of the beast" and it had a phone number to call. That sign really angered me when I saw it because I know how some adventists are and what lengths they'll go to in an effort to promote their cultic doctrines.
Here I was expecting a nice leisurely drive, but no such luck there. I remember about a year ago hearing about a similar sign in Oregon when the situation actually made it onto the "O'Reilly Factor' at one point.
At any rate, I was just annoyed, so wanted to vent briefly about it.
Steve |
Colleentinker (Colleentinker)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 6:13 pm: | |
I relate completely to your "holiday list" above! It's so good to have the smell of turkey baking in the house! We had a mixed crowd for Thanksgiving this year: some never-been-SDAs, some SDAs, and some former SDAs. One of the SDAs was a sweet, unsuspecting medical student who came with her roommate, also a med. student, who is a daughter of Baptist missionaries. I met her at women's Bible study at Trinity. The Adventist had no idea of our connection to Adventism (although her roommate did but didn't tell her!). When we asked where she went to school, she said, "Oh, it's a small college in Tennessee called Southern Adventist University."
We all replied, "Oh, of course," and one of our number said he had visited there although he attended Andrews, while another commented on graduating from PUC.
At dinner Richard had us each express thanks for something about God himself for which we were grateful. Our youngestó15 1/2ówas bold. He said what none of the rest of us would have said in that crowd, "I'm so thankful God led us out of the Adventist church." I'm afraid the Adventist med student was a little bit "shocky" by the end of the evening, but I think she also had a good time and felt welcome and accepted.
I just want to make one more comment about SDA literature/broadcasts, etc. I confess that I feel that "horror-relief" feeling Inside/outsider described above sometimes, but I've become convinced that just because we can never be compelled back into it does not insure that we are invulnerable to it. IF we believe that Adventism has a satanic claim in it and a spirit of deception, then the fact is that when we fill our minds with it, even for the sake of keeping up with what they're teaching now, we are opening ourselves to what Paul called "doctrines of demons". We are allowing those doctrines of demons to hold our attention instead of spending our time reading or hearing something that builds us in the Lord. We will be better equipped to "fight" those errors of Adventim if we allow Christ to build us up in truth instead of educating ourselves about the latest SDA tactics.
There was a good reason Paul told the Corinthians that they should refrain from eating meats offered to idols even though to him those idols were nothing. We have a vulnerability to Adventism, and even if that vulnerability will not pull us back into the "fold", it can cause us to focus on their evils to the exclusion of growth in Christ that could happen instead.
I am not saying it is WRONG to read or listen to SDA materials. I am only sharing my growning conviction that habitual indulgence, even for curiosity's sake, can end up working against us. It's one of those matters about which each of us must allow Jesus to direct us personally.
Praising Jesus for freedom and for true holiday joy,
Colleen |
Thomas1 (Thomas1)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 7:05 pm: | |
Colleen,
I agree completely about reading and "keeping up with" things of the past that we consider to be not from God. The older I get and the closer to home I get the more particular I get about what I place into my mind. One thing I have determined for me is that ANYTHING which takes my eyes off of Jesus and the Cross is not what I wish to feed my soul with. I don't read things which lead me away from Him. I don't watch entertainment which leads me away from Him. Even "good" things can be sinful if they take your eyes off of Jesus. The only reason I would ever indulge in SDA material would be for curiousity or judgemental reasons. Neither leads me to Jesus. The longer I read the Word and study the history of the Church and the Gospel, the more firmly determined I am in my faith in Him and Him alone. The things which I read in Adventist material are deliberatly deceptive. Deception does not lead me to Jesus.
As you said, each must allow Jesus to direct us personally. This is my choice. It is not easy to do. Like most here, the majority of my family is deeply entrenched in SDA theology. I was raised in it, fed by it, educated in it, and it was my TOTAL family and social structure for the first 20 plus years of my life. My father and mother both died in it. This means that I must reject what was the deeply held believe of both of my parents. Even after nearly 20 years on the "outside' there is a part of you that wants to go back and check out where you came from.
I wish only one thing, to be closer to Jesus than anyone on this earth has ever been before me so He may be reflected through me. I hope only that I may disappear and others may see only Him and want Him more and more. My eyes are ever on Him and His cross. I can't feed that desire with deception.
In His Grace
<><
Thomas |
Carol_2 (Carol_2)
| | Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 4:29 pm: | |
Omigosh! I've been gone for a while, computer was busted down a few weeks, then went home to the midwest for the holidays. Just want to say how much I've enjoyed this thread. Janet - I can relate to you, I don't post much, but receive such a blessing from reading this forum!
Just a couple of thoughts from what I've read on this thread....first, someone commented on 3ABN - I was in an SDA household recently where I heard probably an hour's worth of 3ABN - It's the first time I've ever heard this station - I was sickened! How can anyone, SDA or not, get into that stuff? Everyone I heard spoke (it was a Saturday morning, and they were having church) was extremely arrogant. Every other sentence was "the Seventh-day Adventist Church," "so & so, a Seventh-day Adventist conference blah blah blah," "the Seventh-day Adventist Church in such & such place." It occurred to me at that point that in the year and a half I've been attending another church, I can't remember once anyone ever mentioning the denomination or spotlighting it in any way...ever! Then somebody came on to give a "testimony." Of course a testimony to me now has a totally different meaning. This guy of course was explaining about how he was brought out of Babylon (his words,) learned the truth about the Sabbath first, then soul sleep, then the Mark of the Beast, being Sunday worship. How many people do you think are offended if they just happen across this station?
Another thing I really related to on this thread were the mixed feeling/opinions about reading SDA materials. I personally don't like to read them, they still produce fear and unease in me. I did have a neat experience this past week though, my husband and I had lots of driving time to relisten to Dale Ratzlaff's series about the Law, and Clay Peck's two-part sermon about the Sabbath - I didn't have a Bible with me (shame on me!) and my husband reads the KJV (which I cannot comprehend.) So while stopping at my friend's house in Kentucky she happened to have an extra free New Testament she'd received from Billy Graham and gave it to me. What a Godsend! Even though I've heard those tapes a number of times now, this time I started really writing down and re-reading Galations, II Corinthians, Hebrews, Romans, etc., and just felt this tremendous weight lifted off of me. I was able to read to my husband as he drove so many verses that are so doggone clear about the Law, how did we ever miss it as SDAs???? Like someone else mentioned, the farther I get from Adventism, the more I think how odd it is that I was so deceived, that so many can't see clearly what the Bible says! Anyway, it's good I had that Bible study in the car with my husband, because then on our trip a family member had out a book responding to Dale Ratzlaff, Sydney Cleveland, Mark Martin (is that his name?,) etc. Have any of you seen this book? It's a large size paperback. If so, I'd love to hear your comments. Gee, the guy who wrote that book listed every thing point by point that is asserted (sp?) by Ratzlaff & the others, and seems to defend each point very clearly and fully. I didn't read it much because it was upsetting to me, but I did note that he challenges points made about EGW and the SDA doctrines, however doesn't ever seem to challenge Paul or the New Testament. Anyway, I know I've rambled tonight - probably more for myself than anything else, but I was thankful for that Bible study and the simplicity and truth I find in God's Word - it's hard to argue with that.
Hope you guys had a wonderful holiday - love and prayers to all, Carol |
Susan_2 (Susan_2)
| | Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 11:23 pm: | |
Hi, everyone. Cindy, pleased to meet you. Colleen, are you in Southern Ca.? Please e-mail me at: susan1555@webtv.net, I generally call St. John's Lutheran my church home. In my community are around eight different congreations that have numerous interdenominational services and socials together. These are St. John's, my home church, St. Pat's Catholic, St. Paul's Catholic, St. Barnadas Epispalican, the Episcipalian church in the small town a bit over, the local Methodist Church and two local Presperterian churchs. Everyyear these churchs get togerther and have a HUGE interdenominational Thanksgiving service. It is always very patriotic and very praising to our Lord. My mother really likes going to this annually with me and I'm glad she does because most of the time she's so only into reading SDA reading material that I like her to wittness for herself that Christians of other denominations really do have a joy in their lives in being Christian. The children's chior from St. John's sang a song called, "We Are The Church". I hope my mom was paying attention because the words to that song are so wonderful. One line is, "The church is not a steepl. The church is God's people". It's a children's song and I just love that song! I also read that article in the Review that someone above mentioned. Another thing, I have numerous in-laws who are JW. Sure much of the JW and the SDA doctrines are very different but those two denominations are very alike in most ways in how they manipulate and totally brainwash their followers. My in-laws hardley ever even refer to their denomination by name. When talking to one another they always refer to the JW denomination as, "the truth". Such as, "Do you think she will ever come into the truth"? Or, "How long has Sister X been in the truth?" It's wild listening to my in-laws talk to each other and their JW friends. But, truly the SDA's have that same mindset. After much heartfelt prayer, I've, too, been led to believe it is not good for me to read the SDA or the JW reading material that I come into daily contact with. This is because those organizations magazines give me nightmares and God is a God of mercy and love and everlasting peace and caring. Focussing on God's grace does not give me nightmares but rather helps me sleep peacefully. BTW, I don't know what The Vatican would think if they found out that the local Catholic priests in this parish have proclaimed that ALL Christians are part of the body of Christ and as such the previous mentioned churchs give communion to the members of the other congreations and the pastors/priests give the sermons/homilies at each others churhes. At the Thanksgiving service it was held in the Methodist church this year and the lady priest from the Episcipalian church gave a sermon, the Father from St. Pat's Catholic gave a sermon, the pastor from the Presperterian gave a sermon, the local head nun gave the prayer and Bible reading (Catholic) and the Lutheran children's chior sang. It was wonderful Then my mother picked up a brouchure about this particular Methodist church and while reading a list of church staff found the name of the local SDA schools music teacher and he is also head of the church music and chior director up at the SDA church. My mom (and me, too) were surprised to see that he not only holds a staff position at the SDA but also at the Methodist church. Live 'n learn! |
Clay (Clay)
| | Posted on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 8:41 pm: | |
I agree with the thought Colleen made about the negative value in hashing over the SDA doctrinal mistakes. For me I realize it is not uplifting to my spirit and only results in more fault-finding and criticism coming from the "flesh".
I agree Thomas, that our focus should be on the positive truths of Jesus Christ and seeking to walk so totally surrendered to Him that others will see Him in us.
I have always believed that 'Truth' will expose error without dwelling on the error.
I also have to remember that I was in the SDA camp for most of my life and no one forced me to stay in that denomination. I choose to do so until the Holy Spirit lead me to understand differently.
I think that as a former, I am in just as much danger of feeling arrogant and holier-than-thou when comparing myself now to SDA's , as I did when I was a serious SDA locked into all the doctrines that make SDA's different from others.
I talked with a man the other day who had left another denomation (not SDA) due to the same harsh judgemental legalism as many of us experienced in Adventism so I must remember that Adventism does not hold the exclusive trait of legalism and untruth.
I realize many of you are hurting and angry for the deception you feel you have experienced in Adventism. We have to deal with those feelings and allow God's spirit to bring healing and forgiveness so we can move on in a positive experience with our Saviour Jesus Christ. He is everything to us now. We are no longer dependent on belonging to a denomination as part of our salvation. We are only dependent on Jesus Christ.
I find real strength in prayfully reading through the writings of Paul as he presents such a clear gospel and lifts up Jesus so beautifully.
I pray that as we talk with our Adventist friends, we will be able to be so full of love for Jesus that they will have a hunger to experience that same joy and peace.
As a true Adventist,one cannot really experience total freedom and peace in Christ Jesus. There is always that fear of "Judgement" and questions about 'Am I keeping the Sabboth as I ought?
Always looking at the externals to see if I measure up.
AS a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, I can know for sure of my salvation as long as I keep believing and trusting in Him. I am perfect today in Christ. Praise God!
He is working in me to will and to do his good pleasure. I just have to choose to yield my will to the Holy Spirit.
The good News really is good news and not just good advise. Salvation is "NOW" not sometime in the future if I perform a certain way.....
Keep looking to Jesus. Blessings to all. |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 105
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 7:50 pm: | |
I just have to say something here. There is a web site I found that had an article about the Shady Grove SDA Hospital in Maryland and how its administrator took money from it and the SDA church did not prosecute him, but moved him. From there I was to get to the rest of the web site. It had a special name and code to get in it but I discovered it. Now I cannot get into it.
I cannot find the page about the hospital.
But I have been thinking and I am sure it is God telling me, that I would be better off not going there. I am new out of the SDA church and my time is better spent here or on the other former SDA sites or reading and studying my Bible.
I do not want to get pulled back into their legalism and false teachings. So I will now tell God Thank you for hiding that web site from me. I got a very distinct feeling when I was at the Review and Herald site that I did not belong there. I was searching for a letter to the editor written by my son. I could not find it, but I did get this feeling that I should log off that site.
So, I will emphasize God's word and study it and not read about what I no longer believe.
Diana |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 282
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 12:03 pm: | |
Diana, I understand what you're describing. I also had the distinct "check" in my heart whenever I approached SDA information/productions for the first two or three years after leaving. There really is a powerful, seductive spiritual pull back.
Colleen |
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