| Author | Message | ||
| Constance Registered user Username: Constance Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hello Everyone! I have been a member of the SDA church my entire life, until just recently, when I decided to study the bible on my own without the influence of others. God has opened my eyes to what truely matters. It has not been an easy journey. Many family members have made it extremely difficult. So as my first post, I would like to say thanks to you all! I have found a lot of comfort in reading that Im not alone, and that others have gone through the same thing. Thank you all for your encouraging posts! | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 356 Registered: 11-2004 |
Welcome Constance! I look forward to hearing more from you  | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 222 Registered: 8-2006 |
Welcome, Constance! We're glad you have found us! There are many people who have left the SDA church after many generations who post, and can help navigate you through with your family. I'm glad you are comforted here, and know you are among friends. When you are ready, I would love to hear your story. Blessings, Susan | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 176 Registered: 9-2006  |
Constance, God bless, if you ever have time or the inclination I would like to hear how you came to go off on your own and study the Bible for what it says, in other words what do you feel triggered you to do this. River | ||
| Kathy23 Registered user Username: Kathy23 Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2005 |
Welcome Constance! You will find many people here willing to help you, inspire you and encourage you on your new journey. Kathy | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3096 Registered: 3-2004  |
Constance, Welcome to FAF. Seeing as you have been reading here you know that we can disagree, but do it kindly. We pray for each other and can bare our soul here and know that there will be those who understand. When you are ready, tell us about your journey with Jesus. One thing that I have really learned is that we do have an awesome God. Diana | ||
| Constance Registered user Username: Constance Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 |
I would love to share with all of you. I was raised in a very strict SDA family and for 22 years I have never even questioned anything. I just believed that everything I was taught was the truth and that the SDA was the true church of God. I was passionate about the beliefs of the church, expecially the Sabbath. I was always taught that this is what matters to God, and not following this was taking the mark of the beast. When I met my husband, who was raised in a non-denominational church, I wanted more than anything for him to accept adventism. But he was being very stubborn about it! In hopes of proving the SDA beliefs to him, I made it my goal to research the beliefs of the church and why they believe what they do. This is when it all started. The first thing that really caught my attention was Ellen G. white. Rather than prove that she was a true prophet, God showed me that she was not a true prophet at all. Not only does she bluntly contradict the Bible, she contradicts her own writing. This discovery made me think a lot about SDA's. I started to look into what the SDA's biblical basis is without EGW in the picture. To my amazement rather than God showing me what I had always believed, I saw things in a whole new light. I began to discover countless verses explaining what Jesus truely did when he died for us. I couldn't put down the Bible! It was very exciting! I was finding out so much that I had never even known. Although this was not an easy transition for me, God was with me every step of the way. I had never in my life felt so close to him! My husband and I have found a great church that we love and now we can study the bible together. The problem that I really struggle with now is my family, mainly my sister. She knows that I have been doing a lot of research and have been attending a new church. I just dont know how to tell her that I am leaving the SDA church without offending her. She is very sincere in what she believes and she makes it very clear that she is not happy with what Im doing. I just keep praying that she will understand that this is where God has led me. -Constance | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 68 Registered: 1-2006  |
Constance Welcome! I will be praying for you and your sister and the rest of your family. Bob | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 606 Registered: 10-2002  |
Welcome Constance! I'll be praying for you & your family. God is wonderful. Thank you for blessing us with your presence & story. In Jesus, Ramone Romero (in Osaka, Japan) | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3097 Registered: 3-2004 |
Constance, Thank you for sharing with us. Telling family can be difficult. I cannot say anything personally about it as all my family have not practiced adventism for a looooooong time. So, I will add you to my prayer list. A prayer for you: Father in Heaven, you are the I AM and you are our Father. I thank you for that. I thank you for Jesus. Right now I ask you to be with Constance and You tell her when and what to say to her sister. Only You know what is best for each. Send the Holy Spirit to the sister to convince and convict her. Continue to teach Constance and may she know that you are with her and will never leave her. Thank you God. You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Cforrester Registered user Username: Cforrester Post Number: 42 Registered: 7-2004 |
Constance. Welcome and congrats on your persistence. There are a number of us who determinedly attempted to be able to prove Adventism from the Bible but failed and instead found evidence upon evidence against it. God is wonderful. The truth shall set you free (but it'll tick off a few of those around you). There is no way of holding to the truth and following conscience without offending family and friends who remain. Christ offended many simply by being the Truth. But His love and gentleness also soothed and attracted the hurting and hungry throngs even down to today. Welcome again. Many here can relate. If you have any questions or need any resources, don't hesitate to post a question. | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 328 Registered: 6-2005 |
Welcome Constance, Having left the adventist church seven months ago, I can emphasize with your situation, especially the family part. Ask God to let you know when and how to share what He has revealed to you, to others. I prayed for guidance and timing for several months before I told my family and my church. In my human wisdom, it seemed a good idea to wait. My dad is terminally ill, and my mom is overwhelmed. I did not want to add to their pain. (I was 3rd generation, both sides). When the time was right, God made it abundantly clear. To stay quiet would have been disobedience to a God I love. He will let you know when, and He will equip and empower you. You are so right, the Bible becomes so exciting. Its all new, when the veil is removed! The Gospel becomes so clear, and simple. Shortly after I made the public announcement that I had left SDA, I was in a local prayer/concert hall. The musician was playing the piano, and singing over and over "It's gonna be worth it." It felt like God singing directly to me. I will say to you as well, with full assurance, "It's gonna be worth it." Lori | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5038 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome, Constance. I'm so glad you're with us! I so relate to that excitement and amazement when the veil comes off and the Bible becomes a whole new book! God will guide you in your conversations with your sister and family. He is faithful. He will also comfort your heart. Colleen | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 316 Registered: 12-2004 |
Welcome Constance, You are among friends and family here. This is the most exciting part of the FAF forum, welcoming fellow spiritual seekers of truth. We might seem like an odd lot at times, but we are here to help in anyway and at anytime. What you are experiencing in your new spiritual walk is the joy many of us have found as we accept the freedom offered to us through Christ's sacrifice. We also all have experienced the challenges of explaining our journey to family and friends. This can be very difficult, as those who have never been challenged by the questions we have asked, have no idea where we are coming from. You will find out that in the words of Thurber "Most people want to believe rather than know, to take for granted rather than to find out". This has been my experience with my interaction with family and friends. Always feel welcome to come here for support and if you have any type of question regarding this common journey we have, feel free to ask. God bless as you enjoy your freedom in Christ, Randy | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 725 Registered: 8-2004  |
Welcome Constance! Good to have you here. Mary | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 359 Registered: 4-2006  |
Welcome Constance! Great to have you here among us Nice to hear your story, I pray for your sister that she may realize the truth about SDA as well. Jesus you keep on amazing me with your awesome love! | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 364 Registered: 5-2004 |
Welcome Constance! So glad to have you join us here! May God continue to bless you in amazing ways and "fill you up with all the fulness of God".(Eph 3) | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 336 Registered: 6-2006  |
Hi Constance! Welcome. This is a great bunch, and you're among friends. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Leigh Anne | ||
| Insearchof Registered user Username: Insearchof Post Number: 101 Registered: 8-2005 |
Welcome Constance! Praise God for your journey! I also have studied my way out, as has my wife. I think that you will find a common thread in that it seems the Bible is a totally new book once you begin to read it for what it actually says rather than for what you have been taught that it says... Saved by His Grace! ISO | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 15 Registered: 8-2006  |
Welcome Constance! We're so glad to have you with us. The Joy you have already and will continue to find in your walk with Jesus Christ in the true Gospel is absolutely the greatest joy can experience. Bless you in your journey. Ardyj |
