| Author | Message | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 286 Registered: 7-2004  |
Raven (Sheryl) reminded me last night that it was exactly 1 year ago that we sent our letter asking the church to remove our names from membership. Everyone here was a great source of encouragement as we approached that time. And the support from all of you have been an important part of this last year. We are in the middle of our first overnight visit AT SDA relatives since that time. I feel kinda guilty using their computer to read and post here. Wonder if they will look in the History folder after we leave? | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 599 Registered: 3-2005 |
Congratulations Ric and Sheryl for your one year anniversary. I also appreciate your valuable contributions to this discussion forum Stan | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2352 Registered: 12-2003  |
Ric and Raven, congratulations on your anniversary! You both have been thoughtful, insightful contributors on this forum. We're so happy to have been able to share this year with year, and we look forward to more! Praise God for His work in our lives. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1755 Registered: 3-2004  |
Congratulations Ric and Raven on your one year out. God has used you to bless each of us with your thoughts and prayers. Thank you God for bringing Ric and Raven into the Arms of Jesus. Diana | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 59 Registered: 4-2005 |
Ric and Raven, St. Paul declares, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" Gal 5:1 NASB. Freedom in Christ represents different things to different former prisoners in bondage. True freedom in Christ is illustrated in Jesus illustration of the Vine and the branches. His command to us was not to seek strict obedience to minute details of the 633 laws, but simply to "abide" (Jn 15:4,5,7). The branch does not leave the Vine to pleasure in it's own sinful desires, but abiding "in" the Vine, it is free to dance with the wind, reach toward the sun and give birth to the fruits, whose Life flows from the Vine. The Vine is also grounded in the Father (Cp Rom 8:4,5,9-11). We are to enjoy freedom. Christ set us free TO BE FREE! But that freedom remains in Christ and is always found in Christ if it is "true freedom." We were predestined to become conformed to the divine image, as the branch takes on the shape and configuration and identity of the Vine. (Rom 8:30). Soli Deo Gloria Jess | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 721 Registered: 7-2000 |
Ric & Raven/Sheryl, Blessings to you as you begin your second year of official "apostacy" (according to Adventism)! Of course, we all here know that, in actuality, you both are now, as you have been since knowing and loving the gospel, complete IN CHRIST! grace, cindy | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 722 Registered: 7-2000 |
Ric & Raven/Sheryl, Blessings to you as you begin your second year of official "apostacy" (according to Adventism)! Of course, we all here know that, in actuality, you both are now, as you have been since knowing and loving the gospel, complete IN CHRIST! grace, cindy | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 723 Registered: 7-2000 |
OOOPS! didn't mean to do that twice...:-) | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 725 Registered: 7-2000 |
Jess, What a great description of abiding in the Vine! Yes, we have the freedom now--because of Christ--to conform to the Divine Image. grace, cindy | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 229 Registered: 1-2003  |
Jess, thanks for your illustration of abiding in the Vine! That is true freedom indeed. It was great meeting you and your wife. Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Taybie Registered user Username: Taybie Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2005 |
Congratulations Ric and Raven/Sheryl! Praise God for your first year in freedom! I, TOO am celebrating my one year anniversary of freedom! It was this weeek last year that I not only sent off my letter of removal to the church, but also I sent out my invitations to my baptism in Jesus Christ ALONE!!!!!!!! I give him ALL the glory, praise and honor!! God is awesome!!!! Shontay | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2356 Registered: 12-2003 |
Shontay, congratulations to you, too! Praise God for setting us free. Thanks for your great description of freedom, Jess. Praise God! Colleen | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 60 Registered: 4-2005 |
"Whal pilgrims," as John Wayne would say, "Shucks. Thanks for the kind comments." Richard, Bonnie and I enjoyed meeting you as well. You're the only person we've met on this forum. And.....the good guys always sport a white beard! Proof of wisdom as well as great good looks. LOL Jess't a little humor on this special day. Striving to keep: Soli Deo Gloria in consciousness more and more. Jess | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 509 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jess, I keep telling you...you need to write a book. I love reading your inspiring thoughts. Mix that with your delightful humor and you have a best seller! I hope to be in touch soon. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1758 Registered: 3-2004 |
Richard, Congratulations to you also on your one year freedom found in Jesus Christ. He is so good. Diana | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 230 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jess, I've met a few more members of this forum than you but only because I live closer to the Friday Evening meetings than you do. I'm about 40 miles from them. When we met for lunch that day I was traveling North but now I'm slowly moving back south again. After leaving you I went up and stayed for one night with my parents before traveling another 350 miles north the next day. This past Sunday I traveled over to the coast and started south. I'm currently staying for 5 days at Sea Ranch up by Gualala. Today we went up to Mendocino and had a wonderful day. My daugher who I've mentioned before was with us. It's great spending time with her after her absence of two months. God is Great ! ! Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2363 Registered: 12-2003 |
How is your daughter doing on this trip with you? I know she just got out of a programódo you see signs of deep change? With prayers for you and her, Colleen | ||
| Tdf Registered user Username: Tdf Post Number: 86 Registered: 11-2004 |
Ric and Raven, Congratulations on your anniversary. Hopefully you know how much your friendship has meant to my C. and me, and we rejoice with you on this important anniversary. It's ironic that you are with SDA family this week. C. is staying with her SDA parents this week for the first time since our exodus. From my phone conversations with her, it seems that things are pretty stressful. Again, congratulations! tdf | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 283 Registered: 7-2004  |
Thanks to all for the congrats. We've certainly enjoyed the support this forum provides and all of your friendships. Tdf, hope C. is handling things okay. Even with reactions being mild on our end, the first visit is always the hardest. Our first visit did not include an overnight stay, and that was easier than it could have been. This time around, I was surprised at how little tension there was. Nothing controversial came up and nothing was said--it was just a relaxing visit. We're not sure if that means they've accepted it, think we're hopeless, or are trying to win us back with kindness... We pray that someday soon your visits can be stress-free! (Message edited by Raven on August 03, 2005) | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 231 Registered: 1-2003 |
Colleen, She has a changed attitude and is taking responsibility for her actions. She is really working on her anger issues. My continued prayer is for to encounter her Savior and give her life over to God. I continually remind my self that He died for her and she is HIs. I know we all need to have our road to Emasus experience. I can only keep my witness and life such that she will see God's work in my life and allow the Holy Spirit to control her life. God is at work and she is softer and gentler. She is working her PROGRAM. I know that her addiction is one of the more powerful ones out there and I can only be there for her and keep her in prayer. Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Melinda Registered user Username: Melinda Post Number: 29 Registered: 2-2005 |
Richard, Have you heard the song, "Spare an Angel" by Chris Rice? I think you would like it. I've thought of that song several times when I've read about your daughter. Here are the words: Spare An Angel by Chris Rice Found her stare'n at the rain And askn why it has to hurt so bad Wheres the limit to the pain her heart can take Before it breaks in half I wanted to be strong enough to hold her And show her the way But shes so far out of reach And now all I can do is pray Can you spare an angel tonight Send a little help from your side Cuz somebodys lost down here Let him wing his way through the dark Carry some of your love into her heart Can you spare an angel Spare an angel Spare an angel She wonders further in the dark Feels the cold and hears the thunder cry While the rain keeps pouring down Her only answer from the lonely sky She has no idea how much you love her Or how much you care So would you choose one of your best To be the answer to my prayer Chorus Oh I dont know what else to pray this time Maybe an angel can lead her lonesome heart away to Jesus side | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 232 Registered: 1-2003 |
Melinda, no I had not heard that song and thanks so much. I'm sitting here after getting up early to read and spend some quiet time and have enjoyed the view of the ocean nearby and four deer in the meadow outside the other window. Annie is still asleep and tears are running down my cheeks as I think of the words of the song. It truely fits many of my feelings. Again Thanks. Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2371 Registered: 12-2003 |
Richard, I'm happy to hear of her new attitude. I will also pray that she will come to know Jesus. Colleen |
