| Author | Message | ||
| Hallanvaara Registered user Username: Hallanvaara Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2004 |
I叮 a new member here. I have read your conversations and been so blessed trough them that you never know. I hope that someday I can hug and thank you, my dear friends. The final and most important thing that "ripped the veil" from my life was your conversations about sabbath. That the Jesus is the Sabbath and the Law took everything in the right places. When before the whole Bible seemed to accuse me for my insufficiency now every verse leads to Jesus, answer to every verse is Jesus. The pure gospel. But I guess you like to know who I am. I叮 almost 44 yrs old (or young  ) woman from Skandinavia, Finland. Yes, "Nokialand". I叮 second generation adventist, now former. My mother was a strict fundamentalist and you never couldn另 argue, contradict or doubt anything about SDA religion or even her叫 opinion. She and SDA叫 were absolytely right. Period. I was brainwashed and fed by religion like the geese that are fed for the bigger livers. All my life I was distressed and felt my insufficiency to fulfill all the demands. Sometimes I tried to forget all about the religion, sometimes I got back and seeked the peace Jesus promised to us. Without result. Then I started rebel and contradict EVERYTHING, even God and Jesus. I knew that something was very wrong about SDA teachings. But same time, I knew that the Father and the Son were truth, but I just couldn另 make sense how. I asked and pondered and all my thoughts focused to one question: What is the truht? I thought about Pilate and what he felt when he made the same question: What is the truth? Then in short time I undergone many personal failures and I had to go to mental hospital for couple of weeks to recover. I got as my personal nurse a lady who was the only one there that believed in Christ. It must been a guidance. We were free to discuss all possible things about my troubles and she saw how big and crucial question I had to solve. She didn另 push her opinions at all but said to me: "I know that you find the truth someday." And I found. Trough these sites here in Internet, trough you, my dear friends. God guided me finally to the right pages (ellenwhite.org, truthorfables.com) and here FAF where I could read your conversations. It was pure Gospel and I can另 never thank Lord enough that He guided me here. And I can另 never thank you, may God bless you. Couple weeks ago I sent my resignation and 4 passages in which I don另 believe any more to local SDA church and asked to inform me when it叫 done. I got the notification and 3 pages more full of verses and opinions. Local minister wanted that I make my decisions not in hasty and tried to apologize (of course) EGW and her writings. Now I史e started a big job. My local church minister must have blinkers on because he asked me in which case EGW contradicts the Bible and he assumed even that you have to be a theologian to understand Moses叫 rituals and laws to understand how to connect them to the Investigative Judgment. I translated the text (ellenwhite.org and truthorfables.com) and wrote my reply whole last Sunday, almost 12 hours and my bum is aching still. (My chair...  ) I wrote 8 pages and got only to chapter 2 where I am going to prove whole IJ as fable. In first chapter I proved EGW being as false prophet. I think I have to write altogether maybe 30 pages to say what I want to say because I want to show that I really know that the truht is not in those false arguments. I have prayed that the Lord may lead my writings and words that I don另 offence anybody but the pure Gospel is found in those words. This is my story in short. I know that you, too, my friends, found your way to the Lord after many troubles and bends. But now we can rest, we are at home. We have Jesus and that叫 all we ever need. May His blessings come upon you everyday. Your friend, Halla PS. Pardon my english if it sometimes is not correct. I hope you still understand me. | ||
| Thomas1 Registered user Username: Thomas1 Post Number: 92 Registered: 4-2002 |
Halla, my sister, Your English is beautiful and your soul is as well. You have found Jesus. He is the most precious gift of all. Never let anyone take your eyes off of Him or distract your attention from Him. It is so easy to get bogged down in defending doctrines that we forget that Jesus is THE POINT and the only point of our faith. Wrap your arms around Him. Love Him and let Him love you. And, never let anyone take you from Him, again! Welcome Home! <>< In His Grace! Thomas | ||
| Doug222 Registered user Username: Doug222 Post Number: 444 Registered: 3-2001 |
Hallanvaaram Welcome! You have found a place of solace and true Biblical fellowship. Here you can be free to bare your soul in the company of supportive, grace filled friends. We all have been forgiven freely, and our goal is to share that same grace with each other. However, most importantly, you have found a gift that is more precious than gold--the freedom that is found in Christ. Rejoice and be glad in it. Although it seems impossible, everyday you will rejoice in this gift more and more. I would have to agree with Thomas wholeheartedly. Those who are still in bondage will attempt to put your newfound faith on trial. They will attempt to keep you in bondage to the law. But remember, YOU ARE FREE!!! My favorite verse is Galatians 5:1, which says:
Every person on this board who is a former has experienced the same tactic that your minister is using--having their beliefs placed on trial. You must realize that the questioning does not emenate from a true desire to know truth, but is simply a thinly veiled attempt to convince you of the errors of your ways. II Corinthians 3 tells us that until the veil is removed in Christ, no one can see the glory of the New Covenant. I exhort you to spend your time cultivating your new relationship with Christ, while leaving the arguing of doctrine to the Holy Spirit. Let your life be the witness. Lastly, I encourage you to seek out the fellowship of grace filled Christians who do not carry the SDA baggage that we all share. This ministry serves a vital function (providing healing and empathy to the hurting former Adventists), but it cannot even begin to replace the blessings that are received when you sit at the feet of those who have not had the experience of SDA indoctrination. The two different perspectives will help you develop into a more round Christian. Welcome to the universal family of God--the "real" Remnant Church. In His Grace Doug | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 40 Registered: 12-2003 |
Halla, welcome to the forum. Praise God for revealing himelf to you, and praise him for setting you free! I also want to caution you about not becoming involved in "arguments" or frustrating discussions over doctrines and bibilical truth. You may find that writing out your beliefs, as you have said you are doing, will strengthen and clarify what you have come to understand. If, however, your pastor wishes to "discuss" or argue your points with you, I'd be very catious about having such conversations. As Doug pointed out, those discussions are often attempts to get your eyes off of Jesus and to pull you back into confusion. I will pray that Jesus will grow you in Him and that he will guide you to other Christians with whom you can fellowship and study the word of God. I'm so glad you are here! You have security now in Jesus, and your life will be forever changed because of Him. Colleen | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 168 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hallanvaara: Welcome... and God's peace to you... While I think it is healthy to write out the 'proofs' against the errors of adventism for yourself, don't expect a lot of response to those you are sending them to. As Doug has said, only when the veil is removed by the Holy Spirit will they see the truth. Does that mean you won't be a positive influence in that direction? Not necessarily, just leave the results to God. As one who has written volumes of "proofs" to the SDA in my life in the last 4 years, it can be extremely frustrating and discouraging if you expect to have your views validated or even positively acknowledged. Fortunately, I EVENTUALLY learned my job is merely to live the truth. If others choose not to respond, that is not my responsibility. Until I learned that, I had constant turmoil trying to "convince" someone of their errors. Now, I proclaim the truth of God in complete peace (though sometimes with great sadness for the other person) regardless of the response I get. Every day, I learn something new and glorious about the God we serve ... and continue to be daily thankful for the Christ that saved me from myself. Christ truly is our rest and I don't think I fully comprehended that meaning until my time here. It is a great place of God. Doug has given some great advice and encouragement. I can only echo his sentiments there. | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 169 Registered: 7-2003 |
Gee, Colleen....took the words right out of my mouth... :-) | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 264 Registered: 1-2003 |
Welcome Sister. I can truly say you are a sister because we are bonded by the same adversity. Leaving SDAism is not easy because "well meaning" people think you are lost...why? Because they equate SDAism with the Ark that saved Noah and if we leave the safety of the Ark, we are lost. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The Lamb is worthy and the only way off this planet is through the gate keeper-Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't let them take your joy and your assurance as they will try to do. Have you told your mother? What was her reaction? I am so happy another person on this planet is free in Jesus...because if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! Do not let them bring you back into bondage or man-made rules! I will be praying for you! Love, Pheeki | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2001 |
Halla, Praise God, I feel the Holy Ghost! I have chill bumps! Hallelujia, Glory! Many many blessings, you have wonderful days ahead of you, getting to know Jesus the way He really is and always has been. Just a small word of advice that might save you a lot of heartache: You can reach the seeking but you can't reach the blind. Don't be at all surprised when SDA's don't see the truth you have been blessed to receive and it is usually best to stomp the dust off of your feet and head on to more open territory. Lots of us can attest to that, unfortunately. Great to have you here. Sabra | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2000 |
Hallanvaara, A hearty FAF welcome! It is exciting to know that heaven has a party when Jesus is born in a new heart. In his own time, God has called you out of Adventism. What a miracle of love and grace! Truly God is in the business of transforming lives. This website successfully provides healing and fellowship for those who have suffered spiritual, psychological, and monetary abuse. This is a "safe" environment that enables one to share, fellowship, grow, and learn. It is most important to become a part of a sound, biblical church or fellowship in your community. Even though we were "burned" and/or "deceived", we must not isolate ourselves from the family of God. We really need each other in our journey with Jesus Christ. What a blessing and encouragement to be with God's wonderful people on a regular basis! Again, WELCOME to the Former Adventist Fellowship Online. You have come to the right place--you belong here. The best part of your odyssey of faith is just ahead. In awe of His grace, Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Hallanvaara Registered user Username: Hallanvaara Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2004 |
Dear sisters and brothers. First time of my life I can say that from the bottom of my heart. It feels wonderful. Your attitude towards me is so warm and I feel I found my family, finally. I agree with you that I can另 expect much from SDA叫. I know also that discussing and arguing is fruitless and doesn另 lead anywhere. I said it to him in my letter that I have no interest to discuss anything. But I felt I had to write him once more and tell him that at last I found my Saviour, true Sabbathrest. I don另 know him personally but if he REALLY doesn另 know those things about SDA`s, after my letter he knows. It叫 his decision whether he seeks the truth or not. I leave him and the whole SDA church to God. I have felt so much joy and true happiness after Jesus came to my life. I never let Him go and nobody ever is going to lure me no more in fairytales. I haven另 found a church to go but I am not worrying. Jesus is enough for me and I can reinforce my faith to Him by reading the Bible and discussing with my sister. And I have you, my friends, when I need sisters and brothers. As a matter of fact, we here in Finland don另 have so many churces as you there in USA and no one of those existing churches feels right to me (mormons, jehovas witt., lutheran, charismatic churces...) We have only those mainstreams and if there is christians like you and me I don另 know where they are. May Jesus lead us together. Somebody asked me about my mother. My mother is old and she has dementia. We never can discuss about things anymore. I just have to forgive her. I叮 not any more bitter for my lost childhood. If it supposed to be my path to Jesus it was worth it. Praise the Lord because we found Him and no man can take Him away anymore. Tuija (Halla) PS. Now I wonder why I used nickname when I wrote yesterday. Please, use my real name, Tuija. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dear Tuija - what a beautiful name! I just want you to know that I am lifting you up in prayer as well. I am also in the process of leaving my Adventist church and I am getting many calls and emails from people there - it is emotionally exhausting. You are so brave to step out in faith and though is is a time of trial you will be strengthened through it. your sister in Jesus, spokenfor | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2003 |
In spite of the emotional toll these questions and calls and emails take on your hearts, still this time of leaving is perhaps one of the most ripe times of your whole experience for sharing what you've found. For about a year after we left, people we knew would call or ask us why we left. Sometimes we had long conversations, sometimes brief, but we got to tell our stories and share the amazing truth of Jesus with many people we would otherwise never have shared with. After people get used to your being gone, the contacts diminsh, and some stop altogether. God uses every step of your leaving as a means of glorifying himself through you. So even though you feel drained many days, just know that God is working through these conversations, and he is using you to tell the truth about Jesus to your friends and acquaintances. Praise Him for being faithful and for being sovereign over even the timing of our lives! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 41 Registered: 3-2004 |
Tuija, After reading about you, I said Thank you God that my name was taken off the church books long ago and all I did was decide not to rejoin the SDA church. The people from the SDA church I was attending do not bother me about coming back. Only 2 people have contacted me and that was before I learned the Gospel. I told both of them why though. I told them I had found out the EGW had plagiarized and said she was inspired by God. I could no longer believe in her. They questioned that, but God fixed it so I would not give in to the 2 ladies. One of the ladies is a friend and I am going to her college graduation. Other than that, no one from the SDA church has contacted me, not even the ministers I spoke to about being rebaptized. That is fine with me. God has been good to me and taken care of me. He will do the same for you. A friend and sister in Christ, Diana |
