| Author | Message | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 187 Registered: 6-2005 |
Here is a copy of a letter I sent this morning to the church secretary of the Marietta Adventist Church. Dear Wanda, Please walk me through the process of Removing my name from and membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I would appreciate this happening as quickly as possible. Please know that this is not a decision entered into lightly. God has called me out into his loving arms. It is good to be resting in Jesus alone. Know I love you girlfriend, and will be happy to discuss this further with you, but my decision in final. Donít be sad or worried for me, praise with me! Lori For the rest of you here at faf: Ahh God is Good. Im really praising God for this freedom, and for all of you. Richard and Diana, I am dancing! Colleen, you understand the timing of this after our discussion yesterday. It is right for me, very clear, and very powerful. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 998 Registered: 7-2004 |
Dear Lori, My heart is dancing for you as you step into His arms and away from the past. Keep us informed. You have had so much change in your life in such a short period of time, and I want you to know that I, for one, will be there for you when you need a shoulder to lean on. God is so good, and he can make wonderful things of our lives if we let him. From where I sit, it looks like you are leaning on the everlasting arms. All praises to Jesus Christ. Belva | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 453 Registered: 1-2003  |
Lori, I think we all need to DANCE before the Lord. The last few days have been days of a deeply felt physical presence of Him holding me. We've chatted a few times so I'm sure you probably know what i mean. People are beginning to wonder about me as they see me "talking to myself".  Bless you in your new dance. Richard PS: I'm sending you two DVD instead of just the one I promised. I was watching the second one last night and felt so much at peace. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 76 Registered: 2-2003 |
After reading this thread, this song came into my mind. When we sing this at church a group of children usually come forward, clasp hands and dance and then they are usually joined by more people, toddlers to senior citizens, it's beautiful! Here is the chorus and one of the verses: ******************* "My First Love" Chorus: And like a child I will dance in Your presence Oh, let the joy of heaven pour down on me. I still remember the first day I met you, And I don't ever want to lose that fire, my first love. My first love is rushing river, a waterfall that will never cease; And in the torrent of tears and laughter I feel a healing power released And I will draw from Your well of life, my love And in Your grace, I'll be satisfied, my love ************* I'm dancing with you! | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1451 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thanks Lori and Leigh for those inspiring posts today! Stan | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3609 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dear Lori, Praise God! The timing is not an accident, and God will honor your acting in integrity. I'm proud of you! Continuing to pray... Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2404 Registered: 3-2004  |
Lori, I am dancing and praising God with you. He is always so awesome and we love Him as much as our human hearts can. Thank you God for carrying Lori in Your awesome arms at this time. Diana | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 220 Registered: 6-2005 |
One month from my letter reauesting withdrawing my name from the SDA church, and word is getting out. Responses are surprising. People I expected the most support from are hurt, angry, defensive. Others have shocked me with their support. Others have come forward with their own journey into Jesus alone. A lot broke out this weekend. I have felt the opression. Part of it is my own boldness, but then again, I pray about my discussions and communication. I just have such a desire for others to know that God has so much more in store for us. I really cringe when I think of the lost years in bondage to a system that promotes self-sanctification. God is moving me away quickly. Please pray for my son, as he remains in SDA school for now. Im concerned about how he may be treated by some. He has been through so much. The timing could not be worse in human standpoint. God has confirmed my leaving in powerful ways, especially the timing of it all. Please pray for me during this as well, Im struggling with feeling hurt and rejected and misunderstood myself. | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 482 Registered: 8-2004  |
Praying for you Javagirl! God has you firmly in His Grip, and you can trust him to keep you there! (I know you know that, but hopefully it doesn't hurt to be reminded! And as I remind you I remind myself.) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3810 Registered: 12-2003 |
JavaGirl, praying for you. It is not uncommon to experience great discouragement and spiritual assault after a time of intense "service" on the frontlines. Your amazing week of upholding Carol and Wayne and their family with prayer and love and emotional support was a time of great dependence upon God, energy drain, trust, and also joy. The assaults this weekend are not surprising and are calculated to unnerve you and discourage you. The same Power that intervened in Carol's life is holding you now. Jesus will not abandon you, and He will walk with you through these deep losses and grief and give you Himself as your reward. Praying for you and your son. Colleen | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 798 Registered: 1-2003 |
Java girl...I know what you are feeling. For me...I felt very free and very happy but then I would encounter opposition (like a 4-hour SDA bible study with my SDA preacher brother) and I would have fear...I was very afraid of being pulled back in...kind of like Al Pacino in the last Godfather movie where he kept saying "They keep pulling me back in!" When he was trying to go straight from the mob! I felt that way. The thing that pulled at me the most was the sabbath. I loved the sabbath...but I have to say...I was the enforcer in my house. If it wasn't for me, there would have been no observation of it, really. My husband even now, though he believes in Sabbath doesn't even try to make it happen. When I was SDA, I avoided relatives homes on Friday/Sat. if I knew they didn't observe sabbath as I did. If I knew the tv was going to be on especially. And conversly, there were relatives of mine who avoided us on Sabbath because we were more lax than they were. It truly is a legalistic nightmare and something that divides families and friends. This confusion and division cannot be from God. It took me a long time to let go and realize our Sabbath rest is Christ. I prayed and prayed and one day I understood it after reading Hebrews 3 and 4...I had missed one word...all those years...the key to Hebrews 3 and 4 is the GOSPEL! It became totally clear to me that the rest being offered was salvation in Jesus Christ. Wow! Now I was truly free. I find that most SDA that I talk to (mostly relatives) can agree that the church is flawed but they cannot get past the sabbath brainwashing. One of my b-i-l's, the sweetest guy on the planet, even admitted it was ok to worship on Sunday as long as the sabbath was observed. How does one observe the sabbath? By not working...but then you get off into all kinds of minutia on what constitutes work. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they realized it isn't physical work anymore (that was a teaching tool for Isreal) but resting from working out our own salvation!!! Why is the sabbath such a hang up? It's like a strong hold! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3813 Registered: 12-2003 |
Pheeki, it IS a stronghold. I believe the Sabbath is such a deep problem because it was the shadow of Christ for the Israelites. They were to observe the seventh day as a reminder of God's completed work and His rest after creation, as a reminder of God's leading them out of bondage, and as a shadow of the coming completed work and rest in Christ. What better way to keep people from experiencing security in Jesus than to deceive them with the SYMBOL of Jesus? The symbol, of course, is attractive, because it offers something tangible to "do", and it also brings with it a certain sense of "specialness" to those who "know enough" to keep it. They "get" a day off when the rest of the world flounders in ignorance (at least I remember having feelings of superiority like that!). If Satan can keep people rallying around the signpost instead of reaching the promised land, they will never inherit the rest God has promised them. I believe Sabbath is deeply powerful for significant spiritual reasons. Adventists have put their hope in their traditional meaning of the day instead of in Jesus alone. In a real sense, it is "another god"óa form of idolotry. Colleen | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 484 Registered: 8-2004 |
For other examples of things that were once used to point to God being turned into idols, consider the bronze serpent, or Bethel. | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 224 Registered: 6-2005 |
THanks for continued prayers all. I found out yesterday that my resignation letter was being presented to the board last night. I had quite a period of sadness, and grieving. So many people I love and care about. I was worried about my son. I was concerned that in my overzealous defense of the Gospel, that I had hurt people, and damaged relationships. At about 7pm, when the board was likely meeting, I had a real sense of peace come over me. Not excitement, just calm peace. Today I am feeling excitement. I know God is protecting my comings and goings. I know he is with my son. It occured to me, that at the time my friend Carol left, I was defensive and awkard around her. It was also when I started studying on my own, in independent bible study. I didnt see the connection before, but I bet she was praying hard for me and others at that time. Our friendship has survived, and I know she has maintained close friendship with many adventists, despite doctrinal differences. This gives me hope. Please see the Praise section! Love and Prayers Lori |
