| Author | Message | ||
| Walkonwater Registered user Username: Walkonwater Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2006 |
The voice at the other end of the phone line was a little unsteady and tentative. "Daddy, what would you say if I told you I had started attending a Methodist Church?" My daughter Jenny, is a forth generation Adventist and her daughter is fifth generation. I was raised Adventist, my mother was too and so were her parents. Adventism is part of our family DNA and here is my daughter, with a touch of concern in her voice, asking if it was okay to do the unthinkable - join another church. What should I say? But before I could say anything, she rushed on to explain how the Adventist Church she attended was dead and how she had found Jesus in a new way at the Methodist Church. As I listened to the excitement in her voice I knew what she had found was real and when she paused, I said, "Jenny, do you remember the story of Abraham and how God told him to leave home?" "Yes Daddy, I do." "Well" I said, "that call was not only for Abraham, it is a call to everyone. We must all leave home and follow Jesus. Sometimes that involves leaving a physical home. Or it could mean leaving loved ones, or a profession, or even a church. If God is leading you, then you must follow." Years before, I too had left the SDA Church. While I was gone I found Jesus in a way I had never known before. I was excited about sharing what I had found. And I asked the Lord to lead me to a place where I could share my new found Friend. And where did the Lord lead me? He led me right back into the Adventist Church. I didn't particularly want to go back but I found that sometimes God leads us back home again, even if we don't want to go. And God has blessed! For 5 1/2 years I have led a prayer fellowship in a local SDA Church and we have a group of born again prayer warriors that every Tuesday night go boldly to the throne of grace. In those 5 1/2 years we have seen amazing answer to prayer. But the most beautiful thing I have seen is how people are really learning to walk the walk of faith. They are learning to make Jesus the heart and soul of their life. We have one dear saint who is losing her eyesight. She is nearly blind. But what a tower of inspiration she is to the rest of us as she praises God in every situation. Is the Adventist Church perfect? No. Is Adventist theology perfect? No. Are Adventists perfect? No! But you know what? We don't spend a lot of time worrying about that. It's amazing how small those things become when ones vision is consumed with the light of His glory and grace. As for my daughter, will she return to the Adventist Church someday? I didn't tell her this, but yes, I would like her to return; return and share what she has found in Jesus. But that is God's job not mine. In the mean time I can rejoice that she is following Jesus where He leads. WalkOnWater _______________________________________________ The Walk of Faith is a miracle in action. | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 2153 Registered: 3-2005 |
WalkOnWater, Thanks for sharing your story. I really like the answer you gave to your daughter about the call of Abraham. I find it interesting that he led you back into an SDA church. I would be interested in hearing more of your story, and what type of an SDA church it is. I am sure there are exceptions to every rule, and I am sure there are still some segments of Adventism where this happens and thanks again for sharing your experience. Stan | ||
| Walkonwater Registered user Username: Walkonwater Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2006 |
I am new here and I did not realize my post would end up in the middle of your discussion. Sorry about that. I have moved my post to the discussion of Adventism and called it "Would You Be Mad if I Left the Adventist Church?" WalkOnWater ------------------------------------------------- The Walk of Faith is a miracle in action. |
