| Author | Message | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
Girls, you make me jealous!  My hubby will not allow any such thing as piercing my ears...ah, but it's all good. I do get to wear clip ons, and there's a good selection out there. Just had to add my two cents. | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Sorry about that Sherry! Clip-ons hurt, I remember, I used to wear them when I was in highschool and my first year of college. Maybe he'll come around | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Thanks for all the input ladies. Hm, hadn't thought of the bit with the fillings. Haven't had problems there. Now I just have to get up the nerve! haha Yeah Colleen, it seems that it would be a bit like having a T-shirt declaring "set free from Adventism". ha | ||
| Grok (Grok) |
Got my ears pierced for my birthday 11 years ago. That was about two months after I quit going to the SDA church. Got my 2nd hole for my birthday this year! Love them! Plus I have a beautiful cross necklace that my husband bought me that I never take off! I also wear a wedding ring! and an engagement ring...and my class ring that I earned a couple of years ago after earning a degree in Microbiology. I still think about the person who posted (I don't remember who it was) about crying her eyes out as she gave away the jewelry her grandmother had given her. How each piece held so many memories and history. That struck me as so sad. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2004 |
I have always liked jewelry, even as a child in an SDA home. I never wore it though. I started wearing it after I was divorced. Then I joined a 12 step group for my eating disorder. It was that group and the things I learned there that cleared the cobewbs of Adventism out of my brain and deprogrammed me. I learned that jewelry, the wearing or not wearing of it, is not essential to salvation. When I did attend the SDA church I work necklaces, rings and bracelets. There was one couple there who accepted me as I was and I will love them forever. About 6 weeks ago I wanted to indulge my eating obsession, when the thought came to me, and I believe it was God, Diana, make this a be kind to Diana Day. Go get your ears pierced. So I stopped by the Pawn Shop and bought a pair of lapis studs and 14 carat gold studs, then I went and got my ears pierced and bought a pair of pretty CZs to put in for 6 weeks. At least I did not indulge my eating disorder that day. I was in Washington DC 2 weeks ago and went to see my SDA friends on Sunday. I did not say anything about my ear rings, neither did I take them off or point them out to my friends. They are glad I am studying the Bible, but they are not ready to change. I guess the point I am trying to make is God wants us to be free and to be the person he wants us to be. One of my sisters likes my pierced ears, another will not have hers done and the other one did not say a thing. I just do not make a big thing of it. If wearing jewelry interferedd with my relationship with Christ I would have second thoughts about wearing it. But as long as I put God first in my life, I am okay. Just my thought on the subject. In the meantime enjoy your jewelry and be yourself. The self God wants you to be. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 158 Registered: 12-2003 |
Flyinglady, I understand the significance of piercing your ears. I had mine pierced about seven years ago, and more than any other single practice, wearing earrings has symbolized my personal freedom from legalism. It's funny how symbolic such a trivial thing can be! I just don't feel dressed if I leave home without earrings! Colleen | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 271 Registered: 7-2003 |
Jewelry has always been a "keepsake" of sorts for me. My mother bought me my 1st gold necklace on my 16th birthday, it had an "m" charm. I still wear it. When I got my AA, she gave me a string of pearls, when I got my BS, I used the money to buy one of the gold chains that were popular at the time, and when I finished my masters I bought a "cultured" ruby ring. I also wear my grandmother's engagement ring and a couple of others I've acquired through the years. To me, they are like standing stones of the accomplishments in my life. Each piece has a story and reminds me of something significant to me. My mother has given me those name bracelets with each of my kids names on them, and I just love those. I remember my disappointment when B first explained how useless and wasteful jewelry was. I felt ashamed every time I was with him and was sure I was an embarrassment to him. He told me how his father wouldn't baptize anyone with jewelry, even just a wedding band. I eventually got over it as I read how God himself adorned his people. If he finds jewelry beautiful, such that heaven is decorated with gemstones, I can enjoy it too. | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 274 Registered: 7-2003 |
I think it is extrodinary that SDAs are so against jewelry when it appears that God is not. Here is how God describes His love and care of Israel: 10 ``I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet; and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 ``I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck. 12 ``I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 ``Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey and oil; so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty. 14 ``Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,'' declares the Lord GOD. Ezek 16:10-14 (NASB) | ||
| Mary_jane Registered user Username: Mary_jane Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2004 |
That is beautiful. I think people like EGW thought up things like that to drive us all crazy. My grandfather, an original SDA, would rant and rave at my grandmother for weeks if she so much as looked at a piece of jewelry in the store as they walked through. When I was 49, I finally got up the nerve to have my ears pierced. That was after I formally requested the church drop my membership. As I explained to a friend, I couldn't do that while being a member and representing the church, even though my own children and many friends thought nothing of it. My daughter had her ears pierced as a senior at Southern College, but wore tiny earrings at school and arranged her hair so it would camoflauge them. My son had his ears pierced. I finally decided that it was time. My mother had jewelry (a member of the Lutheran church), but wouldn't wear it around my father in deference to him. She wouldn't cook "unclean" meat or run the tv or radio on Sabbath for him, either. But she would occasionally (accidentally ! of course...) call EGW Mary Baker Eddy, to get a rise out of my dad. Looking back, I think she was on the right track. I think Mom probably would have joined the SDA church at one time if one of the old "saints" (another word would have been MUCH more appropriate) told her in no uncertain terms that if she went to church on Sunday she would go to hell. She had been going pretty regularly, but that put an end to that. My dad was pretty upset that the old biddy had said that, but Mom knew that was how they all really felt. But I have always liked jewelry, and I guess part of it has always been pure rebellion. I don't really want to rebel against God. Just the church which feels it is the truth, the beginning and the end, and so forth. It has put itself in the place of God, and made its own rules. Just as they accuse the Catholic church. Doesn't that sound familiar??? Is this the pot calling the kettle black???? MJ | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2001 |
My mom told her best friend she would go to hell if she didn't become an Adventist right after she joined the church, They weren't ever really friends after that, go figure. Mom regretted it. I remember always thinking that family was so much more "christian" than mine and wishing we were Baptists too. Funny things you remember. I got my ears pierced when I was 19 or 20, still SDA, mom didn't care just told me I shouldn't wear them around my non SDA family--dad's side. Now she wears jewelry, her church doesn't have a problem with it. Such a weird doctrine. All of my jewelry put together isn't worth probably 300.00 but it was OK to wear a 5,000.00 Rolex. (talk about swallowing a camel) It's so wonderful to be free! | ||
| Mary_jane Registered user Username: Mary_jane Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2004 |
It's the same with me about the jewelry. When I was in academy people wore big fat gaudy pins, and that was okay, but an itty-bitty pinky ring was a SIN, and could land you in HOT water. People could treat you like dirt and make you so depressed you contemplated suicide; but wearing jewelry was a SIN. It's all so convoluted. My husband has bought me a pearl necklace and some real aquamarine earrings that cost a hundred or so, but, like you, all together my jewelry isn't worth much. I did find out that real gold earrings do last longer and are "cheaper" in the long run than fake ones. But I wait until they're half-price at my local department store. Same with clothes. I almost never pay full price. I've never been able to spend a lot on things like that...partly my upbringing by parents who went through the depression, and partly just not having much money to spend. That is funny about your mom not wanting you to wear jewelry around non-SDA relatives. It's kind of like me not wearing jewelry until after I resigned from the church. I've ALWAYS thought most everyone else was more CHRISTIAN than my Adventist relatives. I had an SDA aunt and uncle who were as mean and spiteful and hateful as it is possible to be. My uncle had his missionary credentials, though, so he was a saint, and my aunt would tell you so!!! They destroyed their son and did their best to undermine the son and daughter-in-law's influence with the grandchildren...would just drop innuendos, and little things now and then. They wouldn't come right out and say things, but would say something that you didn't catch right away, but later, when you thought about it, you would realize what they REALLY said, and it would be horrible. It's really unfortunate to have to feel like your life is so much better after someone is gone, but some people stir up such evil! I guess I haven't realized how much less stress I have since I've been away from the SDA church. We moved from TN to Ohio, seven years ago. In TN we went to an SDA church that was really wonderful, and a lot of the people had similar views to ours. It was great. Then, we moved back north and went from church to church for a couple years. It was like deja vu. It was like being stuck in a nightmare. We had lived in AZ for years, where most of the churches were liberal, but comatose -- to go back to the way it was thirty years ago was scary!!! There were a few people who obviously objected to using EGW's writings, but very few. I felt totally disoriented, like I'd gone back to being a rebellious teenager, having to fight for any scrap of freedom! The one church we attended had some people who were very liberal and some that were extremely (vocally) the opposite. There were a couple young men who were staunchly traditionalists, who reminded me of the people the LDS church sends out on "missions", who seemed like "plants" to try to get people back where the conference wanted them. They would show up every now and then, and just kind of took over, and tried to get everybody "back on the right track". It was so bizarre! We finally gave up. I don't know that my husband would ever join a Sunday-keeping church. His sister is a Lutheran, and we've attended there a few times. I was baptized (christened?) Lutheran as a baby, and it's okay as far as I'm concerned. Hubby thinks they're "too Catholic". He says they do the sign of the cross, but I've never noticed it if they do. They do repeat the "Apostle's Creed" all the time, and that includes a bit about the "holy catholic church", or something, which makes me very uncomfortable. I just don't know what i want right now. Sometimes I really would like to go to some church, but then I just get kind of paranoid about the whole thing and chicken out. Most of the churches close to us are Baptist or some other really conservative types, and I would not be comfortable in that type of congregation. But I'll be looking around. Best wishes, MJ | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 274 Registered: 7-2003 |
Don't get hung up on the word "catholic". All that means is universal. I was confused by it at first too. Remember, Luther revolted against the Roman Catholic church. So, I'm quite sure the reference in the creed is used in the generic term, not in reference to the Roman Catholic church. The phrase means all Christians beyond the walls of a denomination, as I understand it. | ||
| Jeannette Registered user Username: Jeannette Post Number: 16 Registered: 3-2003 |
I guess down here in central florida jewlery is a non-issue in most of the SDA churches. A lot of the ministers wear wedding bands and their wives wear necklaces and earings and I would say about 50% of the congregation wear jewelry. I love wearing necklaces and rings but have been too chicken to have my ears pierced. I just don't like pain. Jeannette | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 71 Registered: 2-2003 |
I'm thinking about getting my ears pierced for my 40th birthday, if I don't chicken out! Leigh | ||
| Loneviking Registered user Username: Loneviking Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2000 |
MJ---where are you in Ohio? I lived in the Dayton Cincinnati area for several years and know of a couple of good churches in that area... | ||
| Carol_2 Registered user Username: Carol_2 Post Number: 151 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hi everyone! And a warm welcome to all the new folks! Get those ears pierced Leigh! It is so easy now, and is no worse than a shot, probably even less painful. Right when I "officially" left the Adventist church I went and got 2nd holes in my ears. For me I think it was a symbol (I, like Jeannette, was in an SDA church where jewelry and pierced ears were super common.) Anyway, the second holes are probably closed up by now, that lost its appeal pretty quick! Just wanted to comment on the Apostle's Creed also. I was wondering of its origin and significance....Melissa, maybe you have more information about it. At my church, a non-denom with Methodist roots, in the three plus years I've been attending we've said it once, very recently, and it surprised me. I too have a problem and am uncomfortable when saying the "holy catholic church." I just shut up at that part! Any additional information would be appreciated. Love and prayers to all, Carol | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 30 Registered: 12-2003 |
This thread caught my eye as I can so relate to all of you with the jewelry/earring thing. I always loved jewelry and NOT wearing it as an adventist was a struggle for me. I had my ears pierced in college and wore earrings for a few years - I was kind of in and out of the church during that time. When my husband and I became serious about being adventists I stopped wearing all jewelry, including my wedding band. We were in a pretty conservative area and I tended to want to 'blend' in. Well, when we decided to leave for good one of the first things I did was start wearing jewelry again. For me it was a strong personal symbol of my freedom in Christ. I've been enjoying it tremendously! For what my two cents is worth Leigh - go for it! Getting your ears pierced will pinch for half a second. Well worth it! What a fun birthday present! One of my friends who left the denomination last summer had her ears pierced togther with her teenaged daughter. She said it was a very freeing experience. It is a truly great way to exit a life of legalism! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 167 Registered: 12-2003 |
Leigh, as Spokenfor has said, "Go for it!" You'll enjoy it immensely. It's not nearly as painful as you might think; truly, it's no worse than a shot--and maybe not that bad!--and when you're done, you walk out with little gold or faux diamond studs, and it's just SO much fun! The New Bible Dictionary by Inter-Varsity Press says no one really knows exactly when the Apostles' Creed was formulated. It was not fully put together during the time of the apotles, but it also said that recent scholarship indicates that Christians began formulated creeds before the 2nd century. While no fully-formed creed exists in the New Testament, there are credal statements that appear there. "The NT 'creeds' range in scope from the simple confession, 'Jesus is Lord', to implicit Trinitarian formulations, as in the apostolic benediction of 2 Cor. 13:14 and such references as Mt. 28:19, . . . 1 Cor. 12:4ff; 2 Cor. 1:21ff; 1 Peter 1:2." (p. 241 in NBD) The word "catholic" (note the uncapitalized "c") in the Apostles' Creed simply means "universal", as Melissa pointed out. The Catholic church took the term for itself, and today we have a hard time hearing that word separate from Catholicism, yet the word "catholic" with its meaning pre-dated Catholicism. It is great, isn't it, to truly belong to the "catholic church"! Colleen | ||
| Praisegod Registered user Username: Praisegod Post Number: 31 Registered: 3-2004 |
Itís so weird about the number of people who saw something symbolic in getting their ears pierced. I, too, had determined the same thing. Since I sort of faded out of the church after being extremely active, wearing jewelry came towards the end. The final declaration of freedom to be who Iíve now become was to get my ears pierced. Unlike Jeannette, I was in a conservative church where you were definitely less ěChristianî if you wore jewelry. Iíd strongly encourage anyone whoís thinking about it to go ahead and do it. It really doesnít hurt; itís a lot of fun and it can symbolize your new freedom. Praise GodÖ | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 48 Registered: 3-2004 |
Ladies, It is so good to read how free you have become in Christ. Leigh, you said when you turned 40 you would get your ears pierced. When is your 40th birthday?? At 40 I was a pseudo SDA and not a Christian. I could go dancing on Friday nights, but could not wear jewelry. It took many years and finally I found the freedom Christ offered to me. So at 63 I got my ears pierced as I told about above. I also said, if it interfered with my relationship with Christ, I would not wear my jewelry. What got me interested in gem stones was the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation. With the streets paved in gold and a whole pearl at each of the 12 gates and the foundation of various gem stones, it must be beautiful. I lived in Northern Virginia, near Washington DC. One day I copied the names of the gemstones mentioned in Revelation and took the list to the gemstone exhibit at the Smithonian Museum of Natural History. I found about 8 of the stones mentioned. I do not remember which ones they were. So, I say again, Ladies, let us be the Christian Women that God wants us to be. God made these things to be enjoyed and as Chris pointed out from the Bible, God described his love and care for Israel by adorning them with beautiful cloth and jewelry. So I say praise God and thank you God for the freedom I have found in you. Diana |
