| Author |
Message |
Esther
Registered user
Username: Esther
Post Number: 91
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 6:12 am: |     |
My husband and I were just talking yesterday about how this would be our first Christmas as "just Christians". For the first time I'm not plagued by wondering if we really shouldn't be celebrating a "pagan" holiday.
Instead, I'm filled with awe...to have the opportunity to celebrate one of the biggest and brightest events in earths history. I'm moved to my core with praise that the God of the Universe came to this earth to save us. It seems all the traditions of Christmas seem so much fuller this year.
I am so blessed, and so thankful to be where I am. I am overwhelmingly thankful to be a former SDA. To know where I was, to know that I'd never feel as I do now, if my life hadn't included being and Adventist for awhile. To now understand the Gospel.... That's what I've been reflecting on the last couple of days. And this holiday is really so special! |
Bb
Registered user
Username: Bb
Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 6:47 am: | |
Christmas was special in our SDA home growing up. We had a tree, lots of presents (not expensive) just lots of little things. My mom even made my dad a Santa suit one year, and he did the "ho, ho, ho" and passed out the gifts. (We were never told that Santa was real) My sister and I sat up late on Christmas eve by the tree each year and talked. The sad thing is that I was telling my mom how fun it was when dad dressed up like Santa, and she said that she feels "foolish" now for doing that. She thinks that she went overboard on the pagan Santa thing. Back then she mostly read the "Counsels on Diet and Foods" and I don't think she came across EGW saying that Christmas was bad. So now she wishes she hadn't made a big thing out of Christmas. But with all the other "religion stuff" we had to deal with growing up, I'm glad we got to have fun Christmas's. |
Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw
Post Number: 213
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 7:36 am: | |
I had a unique Christmas in 1995. I went to Haiti and we threw a big party for the local kids Christmas Eve who otherwise would have had nothing. It's sort of a bittersweet experience every year, while I'm glad children and adults get many wonderful gifts here, I always reflect back to this place. I only went through one year during the Christmas holidays in 1985 as an SDA, and do not recall where they really stood on that. It seemed to be a personal decision on how they celebrated it. |
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2
Post Number: 1185
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 7:59 am: | |
Bb. In one place EGW says to not celebrate Christmas. In another place she says every SDA church should have a Christmas tree at the front of the church so on the Sabbath nearest Chrstmas the children should come place their offerngs on the tree at the front of the church. The large urban church I attended with my partents did this. So, during Christmas season my parents refused to go into the SDA church. We'd usually attend the Church of God (Seventh-day) during this time. At the same time EGW was telling people not to do the festivities she was having big Christmas celebrations in her own home for her own family. You can read about it on Dirk's site as well as some of the others. |
Melissa
Registered user
Username: Melissa
Post Number: 616
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 1:22 pm: | |
Coming from a baptist background, there is also lots of prohibition on alcohol. I personally don't drink because I saw what it did to an alcoholic uncle. i would never want to do that to my family. It's also an expensive habit I've never really been able to afford...I'm more the water-type at resturantes. But I have friends that drink occasionally, and it is to their own conscience. To me, it's also hard to tell a kid not to drink when parents do. Of course, I've seen that go the opposite way in college....sheltered kids that run amuck once "free" from the household rules. That's just my personal preference. |
Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw
Post Number: 214
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 2:21 pm: | |
Melissa, thanks for your post. Some very good points there. I choose not to drink either and it's nothing to do with the SDA "conspiracy". ...oooh, I like how I phrased that one. :-)
My choice is because I was raised by an alcoholic parent and seen it's end results. Plus I had a kidney stone a couple years ago due to taking too much vitamin E, so water is the best way to keep the kidneys flushing out oxalate. Of course if you choose to drink around me, I have no problem with that. As long as you don't get too loose. |
Jeannette
Registered user
Username: Jeannette
Post Number: 68
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 3:30 pm: | |
Carol, where are you in Douglassville? We go there at least once a year. My ex-daughter in law lives there and we bring our granddaughter to visit her. I love that area. Where do you worship there? I wish we could have a reunion of formers here in Fl. I would love to meet all of you someday, I feel a connection with you all even though we've never met in person.
Jeannette |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 243
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 4:00 pm: | |
I shudder when I think how I was raised to believe anyone who put beer/wine to their lips was a terrible sinner. There is nothing "wrong" with alcohol. God asks that we not be a stumbling block for others, as Colleen shared. I have come to understand that God is angered by drunkenness. The sin is in losing our inhibitions and making choices we would otherwise not make. This is what I tell my children....why should we bring ourselves to a place that we could possible have debauched consequences due to something we can still have fun without? We choose not to drink in our home because of a history of family abuse PLUS I would rather eat my calories than drink them (give me chocolate any day!).  |
Carol_2
Registered user
Username: Carol_2
Post Number: 212
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 5:33 pm: | |
Hi Jeannette! I'm right at Lee Road and I-20, just a few exits east of Douglasville. Address is actually Lithia Springs, but I figured Douglasville was a little better known.
I attend church at Wesleyan Fellowship in Marietta. It's about 30 mins from where we live, but we were much closer before we moved.
I too would love a former gathering of some sort, and I think Florida is a great location! The only former I've met is Sabra, and let me tell you guys about Sabra! Seriously, she is just as cute and feisty and spunky as she sounds on here.....petite brunette full of spirit! As you can tell, I think a lot of her.
I know what you mean Jeannette, although I don't contribute often, and sometimes feel intellectually intimidated here (my fault totally, not anyone here!) there is such a connection with other formers, so many things they can relate to! Gotta run, phone's for me. |
Chris
Registered user
Username: Chris
Post Number: 484
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 6:13 pm: | |
On the topic of alcohol, I found this article on the subject interesting. It is a chapter in Dr. Hunt's book, "Beware this Cult" called "Ellen White and Alcohol". It appears that Dr. Hunt is not personally in favor of using alchohol, but he endeavors to analyze the topic from a purely biblical non-biased perspective. I appreciate Dr. Hunt bringing his scripturally based analysis to an otherwise emotional hot-button topic.
http://www.ellenwhite.org/btc/btc12.htm
Chris
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Ric_b
Registered user
Username: Ric_b
Post Number: 95
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 6:29 pm: | |
Given the cooler weather rolling in up here in the North, I think FL sounds like a great place for a formers get together. Particularly in the winter. |
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2
Post Number: 1189
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 6:38 pm: | |
Coleen, and Dd, When we have socials at the church alcohol is not served (Lutheran). The only alcohol served is at Communion. However, several times during the year different members will have socials at their homes. I'm not referring to the Bible studies in the homes where no alcohol is served but parties that are ment just for fun. Socials. The minister will leave the private parties early because he is well aware that his church members know he takes very seriousely his responsibility to be an examplle to his flock and to not lead any astray. So, he cuts out early so we can party down. I think that is good he does that. Bless his sweet heart but the parties do get more fun after the minister leaves. Now about Christmas-a lady who attends one of the two Lutheran churches in my area collects nativity scenes. I LOVE nativity scenes. Growing up I was never allowed to have one. I was taught they are idols and are a sin. In fact, to this day my mom believes a nativity scene is idolitry. So, at the Lutheran church the lady who collects nativity scenes as a hobby has and, I'm guessing, probably around 200 of them on display. The church only displays the small ones that can be on a table or a shelf. Not the big ones for lawn displays. I LOVE it. So, this afternoon I took my son to the church to see the nativity scenes. He was amazed. Then he said, "I guess you won't be asking Grandma if she'd like to come see these." He then asked me how come Grandma's church (SDA) doesn't practice anything from traditioal Christianity but they say they are Christian. I gave him a breif SDA history lesson and at the same time a bit of basic Christianity teaching. My mom also believes Christmas trees are a sin. She's going to be spending four days with her oldest grandson and his family next week. They have a Christmas tree and two nativity scenes, both that I have given them. My mom will be tolerant while there and honest, I think I'm a prophet because I can predict the future of this, after she gets home I am the one who will hear all about the heathen idols in my sons house. |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 805
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 7:37 pm: | |
Susan_2, I like your prophetic utterances. I am sure they will come true.
As for having alcohol. This weekend I felt so liberated, but I did not want to over indulge with the alcohol. I did not, thank you God. It was the first time I was with a group of people, some of whom are Christian, liberal Jew and felt so comfortable. I really felt like I belonged and it was not because I had a drink. It was a different feeling then I had ever had with people who were non SDA.
Thank you God for taking me out of Adventism. You are awesome.
Diana
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Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw
Post Number: 216
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 6:20 am: | |
I don't want to divert attention from this thread, but please read the last posting on "another forum". It's a e-mail I got from an SDA who really took offense at my remarks about SDA teachings. It will make you really glad you are no longer part of that sect. |
Jeannette
Registered user
Username: Jeannette
Post Number: 70
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 3:57 pm: | |
Carol, R used to live off Fairburn Rd she now lives off Rt 5 close to the Mall and her dad lives in Marietta. This past summer we camped in Hiawassi. I love the Ga mountains!
Yes, we have fantastic weather from Oct. thru April. You are welcome to come and visit any time.
Jeannette |
Carol_2
Registered user
Username: Carol_2
Post Number: 214
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 5:21 pm: | |
Hi Jeannette - we live not far from the mall! Please let me know if and when you're coming to the area. We'll exchange e-mail and numbers through Colleen. Cannot wait until our cabin in the mountains is done (we are in a small apartment right now....."empty nest.") We love it up there, our view of n. carolina, tennessee, and georgia is awesome! |
Tracey
Registered user
Username: Tracey
Post Number: 106
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 10:59 am: | |
I was just on Fairburn!!! My cousin lives there! Awww!!
Tracey |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 1054
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 1:08 pm: | |
Carol_2--could you email me, please, so I have your current email address easily accessible? I'll put you and Jeannette in touch!
Colleen |
Jtree
Registered user
Username: Jtree
Post Number: 207
Registered: 5-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 4:34 pm: | |
Merry Christmas everyone
Where have I been? I am now presently in China,
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