| Author | Message | ||
| Benw Registered user Username: Benw Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2006 |
Hello! My name is Ben, I am from down under in Australia. I came across this forum while I was looking into some information on the Seventh Day Adventist movement of churches. I belong to a Salvation Army church, and when I travel interstate I go to the Seventh Day Baptist Church. I thought I had better be up front about that, that I enjoy being involved with Seventh Day Baptists! Yet maybe we can leave the SDB for another thread! My grandmother was an Adventist, and that interested me as a child, yet I grew up in the Salvation Army and that is my backround. As a young adult, I got involved in a Pentecostal Church that eventually got heavilly into the Prosperity Gospel. As a result that ended pretty badly for me, I walked out of church and it took me two years before I got the strength to give it another go. I began to check out the Seventh Day Adventist Church at this time. What I really liked about the SDA was their family and inclusive atmosphere. Yet on the other side of the coin I just couldent accept the Ellen White as a prophet, the 1844 doctrine and the Soul Sleep of the Dead doctrine. God led me back to the Salvation Army and I am back wearing my uniform once again which I really praise God for. Yet there is something that I wanted to bring up that troubles me at times and I really do not know what to do about it. I find that in churches, I am often not really happy as such. I have been through alot, and on one hand I find it really hard to trust people, then I look at the Seventh Day Adventist Church and look at the close fellowship atmosphere where it is like you are part of a big family. I really really yearn for that in church, yet it seems a million miles away. I went to the Davidian website recently where the group is that is rebuilding the Waco site, and I spent all day reading there website, and there is a part of me that realises that doctrinally this stuff is not right, yet there is another huge part of me that is keenly interested anyway, and wishes that I could be a part of a group that is close knit and goal focused like the Davidians are. It has been said before that people that belong to the Seventh Day Adventist Church are often in cases people that are looking for a stricter walk with God if you like, and are partial to a stronger style of faith that might appear to an outsider more than a regular church. How did you break free of that? How were you then able to make the transition from going from the SDA fellowship, into another type of fellowship? Did you have to deal with feeling like you are really alone as I often do? I am sorry I am not more upbeat about all this, the advantage of the internet is that you can say what you feel and there it is! Anyway it is nice to find this site, I hope I can learn alot from you! All the best, BenW | ||
| Rafael_r Registered user Username: Rafael_r Post Number: 48 Registered: 2-2006 |
BenW, welcome to this forum. In my country (Dominican Republic) we say ®not every thing that bright is gold®, you also can find that ®close fellowship atmosphere where it is like you are part of a big family® with jehovah¥s witness too, I commend you to stay away from sda and jw. Testing the Spirits 1(A)Beloved, do not believe every (B)spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because (C)many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: (D)every spirit that (E)confesses that (F)Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3and every spirit that (G)does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the (H)antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and (I)now it is already in the world. 4You are from God, (J)little children, and (K)have overcome them; because (L)greater is He who is in you than (M)he who is in the world. 5(N)They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6(O)We are from God; (P)he who knows God listens to us; (Q)he who is not from God does not listen to us By this we know (R)the spirit of truth and (S)the spirit of error 1 John 4:1-6 In Christ, Rafael. | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 229 Registered: 6-2005 |
Welcome Ben, I got excited reading your post! I believe the longing for fellowship is evidence of God drawing you closer to HIM. He longs for our hearts, and longs to meet our most deep needs, for Love, acceptance, belonging, and unity with HIM first. Our Vertical relationship with God, the Unity with Him in Spirit, fullfills our lonliness. Certainly He desires Unity of Believers. If you read the progression of His final public prayers in John 17, you can see he prayed 1. For Himself first, for Gods glory. 2. For the disciples (That the disciples would be Protected from the evil one, by the power of HIS name) for one thing! 3. For all believers, to come together in Unity, so that the world would believe! John 14-17 is powerful study in revealing Gods will and loving provision for us through the Holy Spirit. Horizontal relationships will flourish, when God is put first. I think my 6 months struggle to find the right body of believers forced me to seek God alone to provide my needs mentioned above. Father, I pray that you will reveal yourself to Ben in even greater measure. That as you draw him closer to you, that You will bring people into his path, to share the journey. I pray for Ben to have discernment in his search for a family of believers to worship with and serve You. I pray that He finds the place you have prepared for him in the body of believers, and that his Spirit will have peace and a sense of belonging when He arrives at that place, in your timing. God Bless Ben! Lori | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2490 Registered: 3-2004  |
Ben, God started gently pulling me away from Adventism more than 30 years ago. Then when I discovered all about EWhite it was very easy to give her and the Adventist church up for Jesus. That was 2 years ago January. In the meantime God had provided me with extended family and friends that made the transition very easy. My immediate family are not practicing Adventism. They are in name only, so when I made my final break, there was no rejection of me as happens to others. Even as an SDA I did not have that family inclusive relationship with people from the church. Father in Heaven, You are the Wonderful God, the I AM and yet you know how many hairs are on our heads. Be with Ben right now, that he will know you and will be drawn closer to you. Bring him to the place where you want him, where he will be accepted and loved and will find fellowship with other Christians. Thank you God. As always, You are Awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3840 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome, Ben. We're happy to become part of your extended "family". I understand your loneliness. I second what Lori said about immersing yourself in knowing God and submitting yourself to Him. He will fill all those empty places in your heart. He doesn't do this filling, though, apart from bringing us face-to-face with our own pain and wounds. He walks with us as He reveals the truth to us about ourselves, and as we accept and acknowledge the ways we have been disappointed and have suffered, Jesus moves into those places in our hearts and heals them. God will lead you, as you ask Him, to the church where He knows you will be able to grow and flourish and find fellowship. He will also heal your heart. We look forward to getting to know you better! Colleen | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 365 Registered: 10-2005 |
Ben, There are truly sincere Adventists, I can see the appeal in that. I personally am someone who came to the Seventh-day Adventist church 20 years ago because of the health message. I had health problems, and they made the most sense. In our culture at that time here in America, most Christians had bad diets. I saw that outside of the Seventh-day Adventist church, other christians did not adhere to a dietary lifestyle that my doctors told me I needed. I'm not the anti-social type. I enjoyed the Adventist potlucks and how warm many Adventists were to me. How they handed me their babies and fed me healthy food. They seemed sincere and many Adventists are sincere. The Seventh-day Adventists did speak of Grace, I read the bible, but I did not know the bible well. I thought some of the people were just a bit off. When I saw other Christian denominations and churches, they appeared to be more liberal and I saw the Adventist culture as being more consistant with the bible because they were more concervative in their lifestyle. When I was baptized, I felt an added sense of security in agreeing not to smoke or drink. It made it easier to not be tempted by these things that in the past I had a weakness for. However, the problem with the church is the doctrine. When I was baptized into this church, they teach our salvation is through the church, not Christ alone. If you haven't read what is unique about the Seventh-day Adventist church. I would say the following link of FAQs is most accurate: http://www.sdaoutreach.org/Home/FAQ/tabid/61/Default.aspx Obviously you have discernment and sound intelligent. It has been my experience over the years that we as Christians are never above deception. Deception is all around us. If, the most important thing to you is your relationship with Christ, Grace alone. The Seventh-day Adventist church would not be for you. Some pentecostal churches may not be your style or biblical enough overall for you, that doesn't make them all bad. I know this through experience. And the same is true for baptist churches, they are also autonomous like many pentecostal churches, making many of them quite different. Perhaps a smaller church that is more personal would be more desirable to you. Sometimes this is difficult to find in a large city. But if you are in a big city, there are probably many choices. You might need to get involved in small groups or bible studies to get to know people, especially in the bigger churches. I would caution anyone to stay away from the Seventh-day Adventist church. It is my personal experience and belief that the Seventh-day Adventist church is a dangerous cult. I would also encourage sensitivity to the people who are Seventh-day Adventists, they will fear you if you speak against their church. They have been taught that people who worship on Sunday will someday persecute and kill them. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells me what I need that I didn't have as an Adventist. What really is most important to me now is Christ. The raising of Christ above every doctrine and the surrendering of self to Christ daily. If you are sincere and prayerful, He will guide you. Lynne | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 439 Registered: 7-2004  |
Welcome Ben! I know what you mean about prefering an atmosphere of close fellowship, and most SDA churches have that. Sometimes I think it's a little unhealthy, because it seems like the close fellowshipness of SDA's is usually built around SDA uniqueness and specialness. However, that has been a bit of a hurdle for us in finding a church where we feel comfortable. It's not the same other places, and I'm sure that's good in many ways. What we've found is that sticking with a smaller church helped us a lot to feel comfortable and a part of things. When I compare our church now with previous SDA church experiences, I sometimes feel a little lonely and wonder if/how we'll ever truly fit in. And yet, I'd rather not "fit" the way SDA's "fit" because it's clannish. Currently our church is about to start a building program and has plans to become a "large" church. That really bothers me, because I know from past experience and through our lengthy search for a new church home, that we fit best in small churches. Maybe by the time the change actually happens, we'll have transitioned enough and know enough people there to be ok with it. | ||
| Cw Registered user Username: Cw Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2006  |
Welcome Ben, you've come to the right place. I'm from "up top" in California and I'm a new member here also. But I feel welcome here even though I'm not a "former". Read some of the other posts here to learn more about everyone. As far as feeling the fellowship of like-minded believers goes-Christians have a fellowship one with another that is not unique to SDA. My wife and I are members of one of the larger churches in our area. If we only went to one of the three Sunday morning services each week we would get to know no one. However, we are involved in two "home groups" and we're on the greeting committee. You get to know people in small group settings and it's great to worship with the congregation. You can also be somewhat annonymous when you want. I figure it's the best of both (or is that all three) worlds. CW | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 206 Registered: 4-2005  |
Hello Ben, and welcome. May I paraphrase what was stated above. 'All that "appears" to glitter is not gold.' I thought Adventists had great fellowship. It can appear that way. But Ben, in every case I have been involved in in many churches, what they called "unity" was not Scriptural based unity but UNINFORMITY. When I took my stand for the authentic Gospel and shared that, many I had counted as true friends, turned on me like wild animals and tried to destroy me. Just like the "unity of the Pharisees and Priests" who plotted to murder Paul. And the attempts to kill Jesus and the apostles by those "good church members and leaders" who appeared in union. It is not God's union in Christ grounded on Scripture only. Should you ever express your belief in the immortality of the Christ-born soul, or your disbelief in the 1844 teachings, what looks like "unity, fellowship, and love" would suddenly attack you, ostricize you, treat you coldly and cease all that friendliness they expressed at first, when they thought they had another "fish on the line." Only the true Christian in that group would not act this way. I'm afraid what you call "unity and wonderful close fellowship" is primarily uniformity. Everyone walking in cadence to the same drill sergeant. No room for individualism of personal convictions. You keep in step with everyone else and mouth the beliefs, or you're OUT! If you focus on your union with Christ and pray, trust His Spirit to place you where His wisdom sees you need to be or bring into your life, others to grow together with you. Base your belief on sola Scripture and there you will find followers who know true fellowship, which springs from focusing upon Jesus, rather than upon mouthing beliefs that are sectarian. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3843 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jess, you said that so well. Christians really have unity because the God of the universe indwells them. Eph 4:3: "Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." The fellowship in Adventism is not established on the Spirit. Since Adventists really don't believe humans have a spirit that can be born from above, they don't really understand or, for the most part, experience the new birth. True unity comes from being sealed by the Spirit and being built together in Him and "rising to become a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph 2:21). This general lack of sharing the unity of the spirit is what makes Adventist fellowship so tenuous if one of them questions the doctrines or practices. Colleen | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1588 Registered: 3-2005 |
Welcome Ben to FAF! Thanks for sharing your experience. I was interested in the fact you went to a seventh-day Baptist church. I went to a very good SDB church in Riverside for two years while transitioning out of Adventism. I could still recommend that particular SDB church, because even though they regard the Sabbath, it was a place of true Christian fellowship. Stan | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 1024 Registered: 7-2004 |
Welcome to FAF, Ben. I pray that you will view us as brothers and sisters of the electronic age. You asked above what it was that allowed us to separate from the close fellowship of Adventism. I married outside of the faith, and that creates an automatic separation. I stopped attending for a couple of years just because it was too much of a struggle to attend two different churches every weekend. After our children were born, however, I felt the pull to get back to "The One True Church." My husband cooperated with me for a while, even to the point of paying for church school. During that time I was a Sabbath School officer and I recall going to Fresno to attend a workshop and encountering a conference bigwig who was so obviously in it for the power trip it provided for him. I can't really put my finger on it but I was amazed and totally overwhelmed by the sense of evil when he was near. I can't remember his name, but I don't think I'll ever be able to forget his face. I returned to the church determined to be a good citizen and to share my faith. I totally loved Jesus, and I think my exposure to a completely gospel congregation at my husband's church had made inroads that I was not aware of. I do know that I had a joy for Jesus that I'd never had before in my life. One day I was talking to a co-worker and the idea of sharing with her the principle of Investigative Judgment seemed to be the most natural thing to do. I even felt confident that I could show it to her using her Bible. I didn't know that the doctrine was dependent on KJV. I really believed that every belief treasured by SDA was completely supportable from scripture alone. Guess what, I found myself having to talk about 2300 evenings and mornings instead of days. I then realized that every time I had studied IJ in school we had ended up talking about Hiram Edson and his friend walking through a cornfield the morning after The Great Disappointment. I may have been naive, but I knew in my heart that no doctrine should have to take a detour through a cornfield in order to be proven. From that moment forward I stopped believing in the Great and Terrible Oz. I could finally see the motion behind the curtain. It took a lot of studying, and enough tears to have bathed in, but my joy this side of things is so much greater, and my walk with Jesus is just so much sweeter. I have dear bible study sisters who are as close to me as my real sisters would be. God's family is truly a family. Remember that. Welcome to this outpost of the Family of God. | ||
| Benw Registered user Username: Benw Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2006 |
Thankyou all so much for your many responses! It is really appreciated. Sometimes when I want to say something, I just dont get the words out right, I want you to know that I am very much commited to having a relationship with Jesus. I totally throw myself into my church and do my best to join in with the external activites of the congregation. I work through the day, and I study at Bible College at night. That is a Baptist Bible college which is with the Baptist Union which I think is similar to the Southern Baptist Convention in the U.S. One of the things that has sidetracked me if you like, is that all my life I wanted to be a Pastor. Two and a half years ago I signed up for college with that intention. Yet in Australia, the church is really tanking heavilly backwards and there are really very few opportunites for ministry as such, of all the students that graduate from my Baptist college, on average, three will go into full time ministry and of the rest, some may end up working part time, yet most will go back to secular work. I went there thinking that this would give me hope and direction, and I really have found discouragement, although I do enjoy the learning that is taught there. I feel like I am just going around in circles and not actually getting anywhere and that seems to pull me down into depression when I think about it. I go to church, and I just have this feeling that in general, people are there going through the motions. When the Salvation Army was formed it was probably the most on fire, evangelical church on the planet. Today although still evangelical, I just dont feel like it is how it was when I was growing up there. I dont really know why I feel this way, I just do. I have visited many churches and I tend to feel the same for most. If I go to a church and they start getting onto the Prosperity Gospel, I feel physically ill and it suits me just to walk out. I find that the Pentecostals and others that have the happening music tend to push the Prosperity stuff, and the churches that dont usually have they hymns and a presentation suited to the 1950's, and although people that belong to these groups are usually really nice, i just find it boring. I think that is why I went back to the Salvation Army because I found it a good mixture of both. I dont want to church shop, I just really yearn to be in a fellowship where the fellowship is close and real. and as we have discussed, I really only see that in the Adventist churches, yet I agree that that may not be the case for those that dont agree with all of the 27 doctrines of it. I feel a sense of guilt that I go to church, and I do feel like I am in relationship with Jesus yet I feel this sense of lonliness and despair. I hardly think that is how a Christian is supposed to be. I want more than anything to change. Yet I just feel like I am in this sense of darkness and things are going nowhere and life is just passing me by, no matter what I try to do to change. I set to prayer and it lasts for a few days, then it gets back to only a few sentances per day and I really wonder why God is interested to hear people give out lists of requests of things that He should do for them. I have a feeling that people die in train wrecks and things because God doesnt have the same value on human life that we do, so what then is the point in asking Him to make your life better anyway! Again I am sorry that I come across so dark, for the last several years I have been searching for answers to this stuff, so I know that this problem did not happen overnight. Still, despite it all, I will not, and have not turned my back on my faith in Christ. I genuinley love Jesus with all my heart, it is just that things in the outside of my life dont match the goals that I have in my heart I suppose. | ||
| Rafael_r Registered user Username: Rafael_r Post Number: 49 Registered: 2-2006 |
Ben, remember that we walk by faith not by feelings. 5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith Abraham, even though he was past ageóand Sarah herself was barrenówas enabled to become a father because he[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better countryóa heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:5-13 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fadeókept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faithóof greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fireómay be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. Be Holy 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a] 17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25but the word of the Lord stands forever."[c] And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:3-25 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My [c] soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermonófrom Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with meó a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Psalm 42 Psalm 43 1[a] Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. 2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1591 Registered: 3-2005 |
Rafael, Thanks for sharing all those marvelous scriptures. Ben, I agree with you about the Prosperity "gospel". This "gospel" has done more harm to shame the name of Christ as much as any other heretical movement. SDA is based on deception. So is Prosperity--these are false gospels. Trintiy Broadcasting Network has become one of the most blasphemous of all networks claiming to be Christians, They recently had a telethon in which the name of Christ was just utterly shamed. When you see the Benny Hinn's of the world, you know you have entered the realm of the false prophets. They are a major outlet for TD Jakes minstry, Isn't it ironic that Trinity broacasting is really Heresy broadcasting, in that TD Jakes anot only preaches prosperity, but he denies the Trinity. There are many good evangelical churches still out there. I don't know Australia well, but I do know that there are some excellent churches that teach foudational Reformation theology. You talked about the Salvation Army--the best charity organization on the planet--but it is possible that what you are seeing is a slight drift away from true Reformation Christianity, and if that happens, then a church starts drifting. One of the major reasons I don't consider Adventism an evangelical church is because they deny what Martin Luther called the true heart of the gospel, the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Stan | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 231 Registered: 6-2005 |
Thank you, Rafael, That post was meant for me as well, on this day, in this hour. I printed it out!  Lori | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 195 Registered: 3-2005 |
BenW, I believe that feeling of loneliness for me has literally been Spiritual Warfare. It's been my biggest spiritual pitfall my entire life, even inside Adventism. Anytime I moved toward the Lord in a significant way I had that deep empty feeling. A friend at church told me her and her husband sit outside in their car before the service and they ask God to send His Spirit with them, to make them ministers to other lonely people, to unify them with other believers, and that God has done that for them. When I've taken the time to pray, that's just what has happened to me. I will pray for you that God will give you the strength to follow the Lord and Biblical Truth, and that He will start giving you a sense of belonging in the midst of your loneliness. My advice: DON'T SACRIFICE TRUTH FOR A SENCE OF BELONGING. In the end pain and anger will be your only close companions. With Prayers, Lisa | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 73 Registered: 11-2005 |
Welcome BenW! Like Lisa, for me, that overwhelming feeling of loneliness I think is part of spiritual warfare. This past week by far has been the most difficult for me since I left Adventism as far as "feeling down and blue". I definitely miss and mourn my old mentors and friends, and even family connection that I had within the Adventist network. I just recently got the devotional book "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. Here is an exerpt from a few days ago regarding loneliness: "A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come -- people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, "...no one stood with me, but all forsook me...But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me..."(2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When "important" individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do--to look into the face of God for ourselves." This passage spoke to me so much. It touched my heart and was so perfect for me that I double checked the date to make sure I had the right day . Anyway, I'm praying for you. Grace | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3848 Registered: 12-2003 |
Grace, that particular Chambers devotional book has been profound in my life. During my early days of leaving Adventism, over and over again it seemed as if the day's devotional gave me insight I needed right then. It always pointed me back to trusting Jesus and knowing I could depend on Him, and it always seemed to open a new "window" onto seeing and understanding reality. BenW, I do understand what you're describing, and I think Lisa has described that spiritual battle of loneliness and the need for prayer and obedient Bible study really well. I cannot explain how it works, but I have found deep comfort and a "settling in" sense from the book of Ephesians. It's not a long book, but as J. Vernon McGee characterized it, "it describes the body of Christ". Until I spent half a year memorizing it, I never really saw the details of how we become united in Christ individually and then corporately through Him. I'd like to recommend that you prayóeven if you don't feel like itóand perhaps journal your prayers. Sometimes writing out your prayers keeps you more focussed and helps you know exactly what you mean. It also gives you more chance to hear God respond to you. The parallel thing I'd like to suggeset is that you begin literally copying the book of Ephesians into a journal, one sentence or verse at a time. You can use that sentence as a basis for praying. Ask God to teach you truth with His Spirit as you do this, and journal the significant ideas that each verse awakens in you as you pray and contemplate the words. Even the introduction, which is a greeting and a praise to God, is full of significance and is a window into who Paul was in Christ and who he knew God to be. I believe that as you commit to praying and using Scripture as a point of God teaching you about Himself and about you, much of the loneliness and despair will begin to resolve in the light He will begin to shine in your personal darkness. He is faithful to complete the work He begins in us (Phil 1:6), and He asks us to submit ourselves to Him and to His word for healing and comfort and rest. Praying for you... Colleen | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 478 Registered: 1-2003  |
Grace, it must be a God thing. You posted the very quote which I read with a friend of mine and felt I wanted to share here but didn't because of time and other presures. While not officially a former I have felt great sorrow and pain with some things taking place at my church recently. It is to complicated to go into right now but very lonely. Our small study group has felt a sense of conflict and oppression. Yet we can stand quietly in the assurance of God's leading in our individual lives and in the group as a whole if we surrender ourselves to Him on a moment by moment basis. Yes we must build our faith on the LIGHT that never fails. Just for your information I've found to websites which have Oswald Chambers posted. In fact I have the daily reading sent to me each day. http://www.myutmost.org/ http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php enjoy, Richard rtruitt@mac.com PS: Grace it was great to put a face to the name last Friday when I met you and your husband. | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2006  |
Just a minor correction, there is now 28 fundamental beliefs instead of 27 according to http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html |
