| Author | Message | ||
| Derrell Registered user Username: Derrell Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2002 |
They were totally sincere and knew that everything they taught was the end-time truth. Their sincerity and Biblical proof took me for a ride, but they were dead wrong. I am willing to listen and hopefully learn, but I am no longer willing to just believe, regardless how right it sounds and looks. Lyndell, I'm sorry. I understand that you didn't mean that one shouldn't question. I am simply not at the place where I can listen to doctrinal exhortation without a generous measure of distrust. "Once bitten, twice shy." | ||
| Derrell Registered user Username: Derrell Post Number: 125 Registered: 10-2002 |
"I wonder if it would help if you shift your focus from listening to others and instead WORSHIP with them?" Good point! | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 389 Registered: 7-2004  |
Derrell, I can certainly relate to the "once bitten, twice shy" idea. I was one of those who was tricked into becoming SDA as an adult. I spent plenty of time questioning my own ability to judge anything and was wary of everything people had to say and teach. | ||
| Derrell Registered user Username: Derrell Post Number: 128 Registered: 10-2002 |
"questioning my own ability to judge anything" LOL! Makes one feel like an idiot, doesn't it? | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 365 Registered: 8-2004  |
 Kind of! But God promises to carry even the 'idiots' thru, once we surrender to Him! It was thoroughly embarassing for me to admit that SDAism was wrong, that I hadn't been right for all those years. . . . and then to recognise that I STILL wasn't! I could trust that God is true, but I couldn't extrapolate from that that my beliefs about Him were therefore all right! I suddenly realised why faith IN HIM is needed - because it's not WHAT we know, but WHOM. That I, who had thought myself a 'teacher of the truth' really was just a baby Christian who needed most to rest in God's arms, eat, drink, sleep, and grow! How wonderful now to know that I don't have to trust myself to 'get it right', and I don't have to trust other people to 'teach me right', I only have to trust the One who IS right! Blessing, Mary (Message edited by helovesme2 on December 13, 2005) | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 114 Registered: 6-2005 |
Worshipping with others has been the real blessing in the search. Last Sunday, at Sabra's church, I was overwhelmed with the realization of how MANY people are "out there" worshipping God in all kinds of places. I felt that instant connection with the body of Christ as a whole, and it was awesome. Thanks Sabra! Its not the people, its the institutions I dont trust. I'm sure its a classic case of projection. Lydell, Im open to hear any input, and I will have to prayerfully ponder your statements further. I appreciate straight talk. I know I'm not seeing the big picture clearly...thats why I posted my honest feelings. I can't tolerate pretense anymore, especially in myself. I appreciate having a place to share the good, bad, and the ugly! Yes, Diana, I tend to want things NOW! Thanks for your prayers. I am lonely, I am grieving.. the loss of belonging to a church, the loss of identity, (even tho the new one is better), the loss of my father bit by bit to a terrible disease. It is a lot. I think the lonliness is greater because my husband doesnt share the journey. We are "soul mates" in so many areas, just not in the most important area. Thats a new loss to me as well. Its hard to walk into a new church solo, and not have anyone to debrief with. God is faithful, that much I do know. I know the final outcome. Thats the one certainty I hold. Anyway, I appreciate all the input. Im beginning to feel "at home" here, so thats a start... Hugs and prayers, Java | ||
| Foofighter Registered user Username: Foofighter Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2005 |
Patriar-Wow! Thanks for the Bon Jovi reference. I was reading the posts here, have been feeling the same way, is there really God, Jesus. Been pretty depressed the last few days. So I was scanning the posts, eyes tired and thought did i just see Bon Jovi on FAF? I'm a huge fan and that just brought a big smile to my face. Their music has lifted my spirit many, many times. I guess this is off the subject but I would love to talk to another Jovi fan from FAF. Colleen has my permission to give you my e-mail. But back to the topic. My emotions have run from elation to despair to numb. Why does it have to be so difficult to know God, or to know if God knows me. I have been addicted to FAF for about 2 years. I appreciate the honesty and information from everyone here. Leaving Adventism is great and I sure couldn't go back ever. But starting over with finding a church, even starting over with God is quite daunting at times. | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 390 Registered: 7-2004 |
Now I have to go track down the Bon Jovi reference. Thanks. Of course my first thought on hearing the phrase once bitten, twice shy was hearing the Great White version in my head-- although I know it was a re-make, Ian Hunter I believe wrote the original. And yes, Derrell, it does leave one feeling like an idiot. And thankful that God has a plan for saving idiots. | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 269 Registered: 5-2004 |
As someone who's also felt the despare and fears and pain of leaving, I don't wonder that we're not all that different from the Israelites. So often I think, "those numbskulls. they had God visible by the cloud in front and parting rivers and providing food, yet they still wanted to go back." And then I find myself shaken by doubts, or at a particularly lonely stretch where the "leeks, and vegetables of Egypt are so tempting". But I've learned that it is by keeping God before me consciously is the best thing I can do to fight the uncertainties. I'm a plan girl, and not having a plan laid out in front of me is nerve racking. But I know the ultimate Planner. And He has a plan for each of us that is beyond our wildest dreams. During our transition He led in ways that were startling to me and brought such peace and assurance to my life. So, when the doubt come I fight them back by remembering where I was, and where I am, and Who I know and worship, and Who knows where I'm going With prayer that He will continue to pour out His Peace on us all! | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 391 Registered: 7-2004 |
I enjoyed a book that I picked up recently on the topic of our relationship with God. It wasn't a book that pretended to have all the answers neatly packaged, but I could relate to the author's descriptions and explanations (even if I think a little of his theology is whacked). The book was Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. | ||
| Derrell Registered user Username: Derrell Post Number: 129 Registered: 10-2002 |
Great White and Bon Jovi are both awesome groups. "Slippery When Wet" remains in my top ten favourite albums ever. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3067 Registered: 12-2003  |
Mary and Esther, you both expressed what I've thought and experienced. Derrell, I used to wonder as a jr. high kid in Bible class (when we were learning that Ellen was a TRUE messenger of God, unlike Joseph Smith), how anyone could actually know what was TRUE. Everyone, I reasoned, believed their religion was right. Who really had the final arbitration of truth? But then I retreated to feeling oh-so-smug that I belonged to the TRUE church that believed ALL the Bible and had the ONE TRUE LAST DAY prophetess! How awesome was that?! I've concluded that I can't get my "truth" by trusting any human. I have to expect that God Himself will teach me. After all, if he said those who searched for him with all their hearts would find Him, then He is admitting He has the responsibility of revealing Himself to those who desire to know. I no longer think anyone should "surrender" to anyone in their discovery of what is real--no assembled body, no general church consenses, etc. A person should only surrender to God with the desire to be taught what is real and true. He, after all, is the only one who has access to all reality, and He is the only one who can reveal it to us. I continue to pray for you and your kids, Derrell... Colleen | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 386 Registered: 10-2001 |
Hey Javagirl, I loved having you at church! You are welcome anytime. It's not that far and you could spend the weekend if ya want. Bring Carol2 and we'll have a slumber party, ha! | ||
| Derrell Registered user Username: Derrell Post Number: 130 Registered: 10-2002 |
"I continue to pray for you and your kids, Derrell..." Thanks Colleen, I appreciate that. The kids are such awesome little people. By the way, they will soon have a new sibling. | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 601 Registered: 7-2004 |
Foofighter, I can't remember if you are Mrs. GB...is it you? When I saw Patriar mention Bon Jovi I thought of you! | ||
| Blacksheep Registered user Username: Blacksheep Post Number: 29 Registered: 3-2005 |
Colleen, your post reminds me of when I was a kid, and one time I'd be thinking how did I get so lucky to be raised in a family who knew the "truth" (smugly!) and then the next thing I'd think how do they really know this is the truth...and the doubts, thankfully won out. Course the doubts remain. But the good thing is that I don't doubt a Higher Being who has brought me this far. He's also brought me to FAF, and I am very thankful for that. The first time I purposely broke the Sabbath to make a point to myself that I needed to do this to make that leap, it brought me extreme peace. Now how do you explain that to your SDA family!! (I didn't) They would have surely thought that was a false peace brought on by the devil himself. I do believe that God's hand is guiding me, tho He may think I'm a bit slow in coming into His plan for me. This thread has helped me alot just knowing I'm not the only one doubting lots of stuff. At least I'm not alone. (well, I kinda knew that) but it is just since finding this web site that it occurred to me that it might be alright finding fellowship in a Sunday church. I'm not ready for that. But I am viewing Sunday keepers in a whole new light. That's a real positive. | ||
| Tisha Registered user Username: Tisha Post Number: 168 Registered: 3-2005 |
Javagirl - you said you had the "realization of how MANY people are "out there" worshipping God in all kinds of places. I felt that instant connection with the body of Christ as a whole, and it was awesome." I have often felt that way too! I will notice someone wearing a cross or praising Jesus and just feel amazed that we are connected in that way. Before, it was only SDAs that seemed connected to each other (and still are!). Now I understand that there are all these other Christian brothers and sisters around me everywhere I go! We are one big Universal Christian Church! It reallly is awesome! -tisha | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2102 Registered: 3-2004  |
Tisha, It really is wonderful to connect with other Christians, no matter what the name of their church is. I am constantly amazed how a Christian is so willing to talk about Christ and what He has done in their lives. I like belonging to this brotherhood of Christians. God you are so awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3072 Registered: 12-2003 |
The fellowship of Christ-followers still astonishes me, and it points out increasingly clearly that the "close-knit fellowship" we had in Adventism was a counterfeit. It felt familiar if not completely safe; it felt "special", even though I often felt pretty "un-special" among my fellow Adventists. I often felt that I had to just hold on tightly to my facade or I'd be a total non-entity. When I'm with others who know Jesus, even if I don't know them and find I'm not immersed in easy conversation, I have a sense of quietness and similarity. It amazes me how easily other Christians pray for each other and how significant knowing Jesus is to them. I guess that's the bottom line; what unites us now is not social status or doctrines; Jesus Himself is our core, and in Him we are all related. He is so amazing--He makes us one with Him and with each other in Him. Colleen | ||
| Foofighter Registered user Username: Foofighter Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2005 |
Hi Dd-Yes, it's me. I got a little giddy last night over Bon Jovi. I'm a true fanatic. Ric b- I can totally relate to getting sucked in as an adult. I was 24 and had no biblical knowledge to speak of, but interested in prophecy. So I was totally hooked by Ellen's visions and all the prophetic stuff. Sometimes it feels as if I just stumbled out of a 25 year long tunnel back into light and normalcy. |
