| Author |
Message |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 334
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 4:43 pm: |     |
Yes, the SDA are influential in Haiti. I met an SDA Frenchman and his wife who support an orphanage there.
Diana |
Freeatlast
Registered user
Username: Freeatlast
Post Number: 203
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 5:10 pm: | |
Susan 2, how ironic that the SDA church in Clovis, California refused to baptize my ex brother-in-law on the grounds that he wore a simple wedding band, but the organization put a man literally covered in jewels on the cover of their flagship publication. The cognitive dissonance thickens... |
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2
Post Number: 767
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 7:17 pm: | |
Dear Freeatlast, Did you used to live in Clovis? Did you live anywhere in the Central Valley? Did your kids go to FFA? Did they go to Camp Wawona? How about the Soquel Campmeeting? Did you attend the Clovis church? Did ou see the front cover with the fellow with all the jewlery? |
Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw
Post Number: 69
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 6:28 am: | |
It's really sad to see how the SDA holds the people of Haiti in bondage, as if they don't have enough of it already. The situation is that the people will join any type of sect as long as the kids are getting sponsorship and/or an education. Something that is a rare advantage to get in a third world country. These people really have nothing for the most part, so it's probably a real challenge to get them to tithe and follow a certain diet code when neither money or food is in a very large supply. My first mission trip there in 1989, we had to stay at a guest house run by SDA's (even though we were not SDA's, they will allow "Sunday keepers" to stay because they enjoy getting any money they can). Anyway, the owners were very unfriendly towards us, but the Haitian people loved our company because they saw Jesus through us and not a bunch of rules. I think showing them that being a Christian doesn't mean you have to be boring or strict but filled with joy. I'm sure the SDA's didn't appreciate our influence. |
Freeatlast
Registered user
Username: Freeatlast
Post Number: 204
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 10:17 am: | |
Yes Susan2, I lived in Fresno from 1981-1989,and graduated from FAA in 1982. My Father was the Bible teacher there from 1981-1984. I went to Clovis church for a few services (I was married to my first wife in the Clovis church sanctuary in 1984), and worked as a counselor at Camp Wawona the summer of '82 and the following winter in the cafeteria. Never been to Soquel...
How about you?
|
Madelia
Registered user
Username: Madelia
Post Number: 67
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 12:24 pm: | |
Here is another example of cognitive dissonance: This week the SDA school my kids attend put on a VBS; they did this last year too. The program/curriculum they use is groupVBS; this year's theme was LavaLava Island. I thought it very nicely done. The DVD with the songs had lots of dancing moves and "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" sung rap-style. It was quite amusing to see the adults trying to follow the moves. And the video segments talked about fried bologna!! And the SDA health message was totally blown out of the water with the snacks: cookies, bagels spread with frosting etc. (Although I do know from experience that SDAs do love their desserts and chocolate 
One of the Bible stories quoted the scripture where Jesus tells the thief on the cross "Today you will be with me in paradise." I'm surprised an immediate explanation about the comma being in the wrong place didn't follow..
This might be getting off track here, but I'm curious from those of you who grew up SDA: did you have vacation bible school? Does the church have their own curriculum for VBS? |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 342
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 1:34 pm: | |
I grew up SDA but never went to VBS and as an adult never helped with one. Another "whoa" moment!! God did not have me do that for a reason.
Diana |
Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw
Post Number: 72
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 2:01 pm: | |
I got out just in time myself, they were looking to see if I wanted to be a deacon. Little did they know I was already on my way out the door...for good. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 495
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 3:06 pm: | |
I did go to VBS when I was little, but I do not know whether or not they have their own curriculum. I suspect they do--or at least did then. Perhaps some SDA VBS's branch out and do their own thing or borrow from others. I truly cannot imagine the church having a regular program without also having a curriculum or at least a strongly urged outline to follow, though.
Colleen |
Sheryl
Registered user
Username: Sheryl
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 6:16 pm: | |
My turning point was finding several websites on SDA differing viewpoints. I took the EGW books, and actually read through the sections that others had researched and found errors myself. I literally took all SDA literature I owned and did not read it for a month, devoted myself to the Bible only, and much prayer for God to show me truth. Then and only then did I discover truths that I never really knew,and the problem texts that used to baffle me now made sense. Before, my christian walk was cold, felt awful, and I felt like God was waiting to strike me dead at any moment. I felt no joy, nor the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, but now I do. Overall, my turning point was realizing that EGW was a false prophet. Once the EGW lenses were gone, the Bible became a joy to read. Wow!!! God does not give up on us. |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 90
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 7:39 pm: | |
Sheryl,
I would love to hear more of your story. It sounds very familar so far...You mentioned in another post (on another thread) that you were having difficulty finding a new church family? Do you have any Christians to fellowship with? I think that is so important in our walk out of Adventism. I will pray that God will direct you to the perfect spot to meet your specific needs. I have found that the more time I spend in God's Word and sharing His word with fellow believers, the more I want to learn and grow. Jesus promised us that once someone is in a right relationship with Him their satisfaction in life is everlasting - John 6:35. |
Sheryl
Registered user
Username: Sheryl
Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 11:38 am: | |
I have only tried one local Baptist church, attending on Sundays is still a strange thing to me. I read and post on Christian forums, read Christian sites and read the Bible a lot. I would have to say that my spiritual life has more "life" to it now, compared to when I actively went to church, that does not mean that I would rather forgo being part of a local body of believers. Finding fellowship is hard nowadays and have noticed on other forums that other Christians are having difficulty finding the right church due to the apostasy, PDL stuff, etc. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 619
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 11:58 am: | |
Sheryl, it's good to have you here! I believe that God will direct you to a church where He knows you will be able to grow and have fellowship. The longer I'm out, the more passionate I am about the necessity of finding a place to worship, even if one is uncomfortable with the day or with specific, non-divisive doctrinal issues.
I have heard so many people say that God guided them to the church where He wanted them. It might take some weeks, but ask God to guide you and to direct you where He wants you to be. He will make it clear!
Colleen |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 514
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 7:06 pm: | |
Sheryl,
Just keep praying, studying and reading the Bible and God will lead you to the church He wants you at. He led me to the church I now attend. I tried many churches, then the week after Mother's day God put the thought into my head to attend the big Christian church off 95 on Russell Road. I went on Sunday morning, entered this large auditorium that was filled with people, sat down and immediately felt at home. I have jumped into Bible study feet first. I have met such nice people.
He will do the same for you.
God has been good and is so awesome.
Diana |
