| Author | Message | ||
| Chyna |
Dear Friends, Today two things happened, an SDA friend I knew from college wrote me after I gave her the link to my website, and I invited my SDA ex-b/f to FAF Redlands this Friday. so, as always when I'm feeling turbulent about Adventism, I turn to FAF. This morning I heard a sermon about unity in the church "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism." So, during the sermon I got increasingly agitated. "Why don't the ADVENTISTS understand this!" I was in Los Angeles and first, my job interview was in front of that ENORMOUS mormon temple, and then later on in the weekend I pass by a very large Christian Scientist Church. Inside I wailed about the amount of cultists there are so prevalent ... To shorten the story I went to the archives to read about those that leave Adventism, how, where, when, why. I thought it would be an awesome testimony for FAFers to publicize in this topic how long they were in Adventism, how long have they been OUT of adventism and what God has been doing in their lives in the meantime. I'll start... I have never been Adventist, I dated an Adventist for the better part of a year and got seriously involved with him, not knowing how cultic Adventism actually was/is. This past July 2000 he broke up with me. It was not until the end of July that he actually told me all of his aberrant doctrine. (After the break up). And then it was not until August when the light fully pierced my eyes about Adventism that it is a cult. It is now the end of January 2001, a full half year. I'm sure many many people on this site understand what I have gone through. I was totally broken emotionally and physically by this total betrayal. I lost ten pounds, I stopped writing poetry (what i love most), I stopped wanting to live. Yet all throughout that time I clung to God's Word, reading more and more about His grace and how it stood in direct opposition to the Adventist position. What did I go through? Hell. I had trusted someone utterly and completely with me, and he had betrayed me from the beginning with his deceptions. Even now I think about it. What did I do wrong? I trusted him when he had said our doctrinal differences were slight. What relationship can grow without trust? Yet he had made a mockery of that trust by deceiving me from the onset about his beliefs and what he had expected to happen (for me to convert to SDAism). All these thoughts and more lead to the damning evidence that SDAismis a cult. After knowing that I feverishly put together a testimony about being involved with an SDA, and shared it with as many SDAs as possible as well as other Christian friends. Where am I now? Jan 2001? well, I still haven't gained back those ten pounds. I still don't write poetry. My SDA ex-b/f won't talk to me, nor his entire SDA family. My relationship with God is even closer than it's ever been. I understand pain a lot better now, and heartache. I can think of my ex without my heart dropping through the bottom of my stomach. even though I feel more even keeled about losing my ex, I will never ever feel even keeled about Adventism. I hate it, I hate how Adventism makes Salvation less than what God has made it. in Him, Chyna | ||
| Jtree |
HI Chyna, Hello my friend, and your not alone on your post. I am about in the same boat with you on this one. Because I was there also. I met a lady, who became my fiance, and later my wife. A little while after I met her, and we were serious with each other. Something happened. She got involved in some Bible studies, with some other people (all being Korean). She was led to believe as many are, that the 1844 message was TRUTH! ADVENTISM..or in Korean, we call it AHNG SHI GEO (SHI is the "seventh"). My first time attending an Adventist church was in 1983, I went to Berrien Springs, and we were put into a different room, seperated from the Caucasian or English section. In our "room" for Church service were about 125 Koreans, and on the pulpit was a Korean minister and they had a special guest English speaker, and what he said was translated. They were talking about the book of Ephesians. Now when you enter Berrien Springs, on the town border, there is a brand new Korean SDA church just before you enter Berrien Springs. I work for the Post Office, sorting mail all night long, and I usually help "spread" false gospels, because of the mail I have to send out. Last two days is been nothing but those "Sabbath School Quarterly's" I want to MIS THROW them, but I can't do that sort of thing, but I wonder how many realize a Christian handles there mail everyday? I went along with it, allowing her to study, and become a full SDA member! I went through that same "hell" you went through, arguments about doctrine, ect. Even her minister's suggested, that since I do not accept SDA doctrine's, that she should break up with me. I lived in fear, not from like an Adventist lives in fear, but as a NON-Adventist, married to an Adventist. The times we had to go to Berrien Springs, or Niles Michigan, from the town we lived in was over 40 miles one way, kind of hard to OBEY Exodus 16:29, if you know what I mean? I felt betrayed as well. I should, like you did, was gotten out of it, completely. Today, they accuse me of being "angry at the SDA church" for this thing that happened to me. It's more than what happened to me. What happened to me is that some members tried to indoctinate me with the WHOLE 10 YARDS (I mean not 10 C's), but the beginning of it all, the message of it all. I'm not bitter at SDA people, at all. I just can't take the doctrines. I do study the SDA doctrines, not to become one, but to understand where they are coming from. I know many here on FAF, have asked about me, what my involvement with SDAISM ect. I am not nor will I ever be an Adventist, it's not a movement from God. | ||
| Max |
Wow! Joshua of the Rock! What an experience! Have you ever considered writing it up? Also, you could post it here in the "Stories" section. You would have to e-mail it as an attachment to Richard Tinker to do so. MC | ||
| Chyna |
dear josh, thank you so so much for sharing your story with all of us. especially me, it broke my heart all over again to know that you went through a similar experience as mine. thank you, Chyna | ||
| Violet |
Dear Friends, I have been reading you posts over the past several weeks. I happened on to your site while looking up support for SDA's who had the Holy Spirit open their eyes up. I am still on the rolls of the church, until the next business meeting. But you guys really serve a purpose I would of never had the courage to stand up to the SDA orginization had I not of had a place to read about how others had gone before and were released from the bondage of legalism. I hope to get to know you all real well. | ||
| Lydell |
Welcome Violet! Please know there is so much more to experience in the Holy Spirit "out here" than there is within the walls of the denomination. I've said it here before, but I'll repeat it now. For me, learning more about the Holy Spirit is like waking up one morning to discover my husband putting the finishing touches on a beautiful oil painting. I exclaim with surprise that I didn't know he could paint. His reply is that his paintings are all around me. And as I walk through the house I find out it is true. I've just never noticed before that his signature is everywhere. And then I find that he is also a master potter, sculptor, musician, poet, etc. It's quite an adventure discovering this whole new aspect of who He is. Please come and post often with the questions you are going to have as you let go of some of the stuff the SDA's have planted in your head. It's amazing to find out how much baggage we collect without even realizing it. My prayers are with you, especially if you will be in that business meeting yourself! Keep in mind that much of witnessing is not the actual harvest. Most of our witnessing involves planting seeds. And even with what you are doing now in leaving the denomination, you actually are planting seeds for others to think about. One of those seeds just may be the thing that moves someone else out of the darkness and into the light. | ||
| Violet |
Thank you for your kind words. I hope the seeds will be planted, as my husband and I were charter members of this church. You are so right about "stuff" that is planted in your head. I am having a hard time right now answering any Bible questions my 11 year old daughter had. I have to verify everything I say in the Bible as I do not know what I remember is Biblical or Ellen G Whiteical. It has been quite a humbling experiance. No, I will not be in that meeting I made my statement in writing so that there would be no room for misinterpritation | ||
| Max |
I praise God, Violet, for the work he is accomplishing in you: courage, for one. No, you won't be in the meeting! Nor need you be. They have no power to shut the gates of the kingdom of heaven in your face. I also notice the contrast between you and Kelly. She has chosen to stay in the church for now. And I praise God just as much for her and her decision as for you and yours. For both of you are God's workmanship! God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. Blessings, Max of the Cross | ||
| Violet |
Max, my husband and I thought about staying in the church and working from within, but we have two children and we had to get them out of the Ellen White filled Sabbath School classes. Also we felt our influence was not effective as the "pastor" (a layman who had put a lot of money into the congregation, whole other story) was very much against us, due to our outspokenness. We refused to be the "sheep" he demanded in his flock. This is why we chose to leave. Do you remember where Kelly's posts were I would love to read them. Thanks | ||
| Max |
Bless the God who blesses you and your family, Violet! God leads, God leads! I will look for Kelly's posts for you. MC | ||
| Max |
Violet, Go to "Topics". Go to "QUESTIONS ON SCRIPTURE" Search (Command+F) for "Kelly". MC | ||
| Valm |
Welcome Violet, continue posting us with your story, comments and questions. Lydell what a wonderful analogy. Valerie | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Hello Violet, Praise the Lord that He has led you here! I know that I ended up here accidently like you <chuckle>. God is Good. I'm hoping that you will be blessed as much as I have on this forum. Truly, this place is a blessing from God. Keep your thoughts and questions coming as you will have many. That's why there is such a forum as this. So we may all learn from each other and be a blessing to each other in the process. May the Lord Pour Forth His Blessings to you and your husband! In Christ Jesus name, amen. DtB, your sister in Christ Jesus | ||
| Violet |
I have gone back and read through some of Kelly's thoughts and questions. I can relate so much to where she is coming from. I remember a few months ago telling my husband that "I will NEVER go to a Sunday keeping church". I knew I was not happy where we were, but was so ingrained in the "Sabbath" that I thought I would commit the unpardinable sin if I attended another church. It came to me as I was reading Kelly's posts and your responses. The Adventist church so indoctinates its members that they cannot fellowship with other Christians on Sunday in church. If you leave the church and do not have a group like you guys you end up in a wasteland of nothingness. I had often heard that when people leave the church they normally do not join another church. Now I see why, before the internet you were isolated and did not have the support group or even the opportunity to read these passages without anyone knowing you were getting quesitons answered. Praise the Lord for the internet. The Lord can use any tool. | ||
| Chyna |
dear violet, you have such a lovely name. now I'm thinking of naming one of my daughters (well, not that i have any children or even a husband yet) that. I am so glad you've come to this forum to share yourself with us. God is so gracious how He has brought us all here together to support and "pour courage" into one another. in His love, Chyna | ||
| Valm |
Violet, Have you and your family found a church family that you are cofortable with? You appear very perceptive with reguards to the human dynamics involved in the change leaving Adventism makes on your life. In my own life I approach being out of Adventism much the same way an alcoholic or a vicitim of family abuse approaches life. I refer to myself as a "recovering adventist." There is a great book called TOXIC FAITH which helped me see through the psychological hold that the indoctrination of the SDA church had on me. I wish you and your family well. Once again welcome aboard! | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Violet!;-) It's great to see new fingers typing! Welcome!'-) Your, E.G. Whitical with Biblical really tickled me, that was creative:-)) I have been playing hooky and doing other things, working on a little study, etc. It is very important to have some support, whether it be a great husband and/or a small group to study with. My mom has left SDAism several times and when the void happened, you know, the 80+ books leaving, she fell into gross error filling that void back up. The "word faith" movement was were she ended up once and now she is back in Adventism. You sound like your are coming up on solid ground. Praise God for the salvation He has freely given us. Praise God we don't have to work our way to heaven anymore (because that was impossible anyway!) Praise God that all we have to do is believe to accept His gift, salvation by grace alone!;-)) I'm assuming you are in the under 40 group? Are from the East coast or West coast area? Well, into my cave I will crawl.....Maryann;-)) | ||
| Cindy |
Welcome from me, too, Violet! I'm glad you have joined here in our discussions...:-) Grace always, cindy | ||
| Valm |
Maryann, What is the "word faith" movement? Valerie | ||
| Cas |
Maryann, Was your Mom into Benny Hinn? What a nut that guy is. Just wanted to tell you guys I have not been to a church in over 1 yr. My heart left SDA'ism three or so years ago and physically left 1 yr. ago. Anyway, I finally had the oportunity to go to a "Sunday Church", a couple weeks ago. My friend (also former SDA)found this church she likes about 1 hr away from both of us and wanted me to meet her and go. So I took a deep breath and went! What a wonderful experience it was. I have never seen such an active loving church. They really help each other and and are there for members in need. They have what they call "barn raisings" where they go help those who have a structural need. There were so many things I was impressed with not to mention the sermon. My friend and I would look at each other almost in disbelief, knowing that the Lord was speaking straight through to pastor's sermon to us! I don't think I will be able to go very often but I was so thankful for the day and to know and witness for sure "sunday keepers" don't wear horns or have 666 on the forhead!!! (just joking) God Bless you all. |
