| Author | Message | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 420 Registered: 6-2006  |
Recently I had a conversation with my FIL about his business that's dying a slow death. He owns a very old bakery and has been running into a lot of odd problems of late. Some of the problems have been so crazy that I asked him if he thought that maybe God was gently trying to tell him something. His reaction was no, this is all stuff that would've happened anyway. So then I asked him if he's prayed about just closing it's doors for good and he just kind of blew off the question. I found it odd, since he is all about SDAism, and I just figured that he would want God to be involved. My question is, does the average SDA look to God in everyday life? I feel like I have an ongoing conversation with the Lord on a daily basis, but as an SDA did any of you have that kind of relationship? Do you think he thought I was just being weird? He just gave the impression that he didn't consider that God would have anything to do with his business. My husband was as surprised as I was by his Dad's reactions. Maybe he's just worried about letting his business go... | ||
| Madelia Registered user Username: Madelia Post Number: 160 Registered: 2-2003 |
Funny, you'd think if he was paying his tithe, everything would be just wonderful and his business would be blessed. At least that's how the stories always go on 3ABN. Sorry, couldn't resist the sarcasm! | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 423 Registered: 6-2006 |
Yeah, but I think since it's a bakery and there's all kinds of stuff that's bad for you - well it probably goes against the health message! | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 813 Registered: 8-2004  |
Grace_alone, From my experience, SDAs like God involved in their every day lives when they think about it (unless of course they're doing something they don't want people to know about), but somehow business is business. Not too different from a lot of other people in that. Mary | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5354 Registered: 12-2003  |
Leigh Anne, I agree with Mary. I did pray frequently as an Adventist, but truly not in the same ways or circumstances as now. Adventists generally, I believe, think they're supposed to have God involved in everything, but on a practical level, they feel responsible to make everything "happen" in business just as they do in their own holiness and behavior. It's all about their will power, really. And if your FIL has non-health-message "stuff" going on in his bakery, he really may feel conflicted about praying for it. Can you say "cognitive dissonance"? Amazing how Jesus makes everything so clear. Colleen | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 424 Registered: 6-2006 |
Thanks Mary and Colleen, You make a good point. With my MIL it seems like she's constantly praying, so I was surprised when FIL just kept shaking his head when I asked about God being involved. If he thinks it's his responsibility, then that reaction totally makes sense. The next morning at church the theme of the sermon was "Worry for nothing, pray for everything". Also, regarding the bakery, of course since my FIL is vegetarian all the shortening is vegetable. However he (and most of the family) is VERY overweight and suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure. I've often wondered why they don't put two and two together! Are there any "writings" that describe the evils of cream puffs and brownies? Thanks again,  Leigh Anne | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1701 Registered: 10-2004  |
Leigh Anne, yes EGW's writings condemn desserts, both individually and categorically, and also condemn sugar, white flour, yeast bread (unless it's old and dried out--don't ask!), baking soda, and baking powder. Jeremy | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1702 Registered: 10-2004 |
Oh, and I also forgot to add that cinnamon (sinnamon?) is also condemned as sin by EGW! Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on January 31, 2007) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5355 Registered: 12-2003 |
You're right, Jeremyóbut I also remember hanging onto the comment Ellen made in one of her boooksóI can't remember which one but I thought it was in Counsels on Diet and Foodsóthat she occasionally partook of and saw nothing wrong with the occasional piece of lemon pie. That comment justified a lot of things that would otherwise have created great angst in me. Sigh. And it's amazing how deeply and firmly those early aversions shape our current likes and dislikes which we cannot consciously explain. Praise God for Peter's sheet of creatures! Colleen | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1703 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hehe, yes, my grandma actually said that the "sour" in the lemon canceled out the "sweet"--so that lemon desserts were ok!! Jeremy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5359 Registered: 12-2003 |
Ohmygoodness...I actually have a vague memory of hearing the idea that lemon desserts were OK if one were to have a dessert. I had totally forgotten that, but your comment, Jeremy, rang a deeply buried bell in my brain! I don't remember ever hearing the "sweet/sour" idea, but somehow that lemon pie allowance made lemon desserts preferable. Too funny! Colleen (Message edited by Colleentinker on January 31, 2007) | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3402 Registered: 3-2004  |
Gee, I remember reading something about an apple pie. IMO, as an SDA when God did not answer my prayers I thought he just did not care, especially when he did not answer them in MY TIME and MY WAY. After all I was the one experienceing what ever and I knew best for me. It is so good to know that God does things in His time and His way, even when I would like for Him to hurry it up, 'cause I want it NOW!!! He is awesome always. Diana | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 425 Registered: 6-2006 |
Oh my goodness, the specialty of the bakery is a Lemon cake. In fact, it's on all their stationary! WOW. Well, it IS a most delicious cake. I've never seen it made at any other bakery...anywhere. | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 357 Registered: 6-2005 |
ROFLOL OHHH Well I did work my way through an SDA college, working at an SDA owned Bakery, Little Debbie. Very little lemon there, but lots of chocolate and sugar! Oh the stories I could tell.... Lori PS Leigh Anne, did you ever read my follow up post on the Tres Dias thread?? | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 428 Registered: 6-2006 |
No, but I'll check right now! | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 429 Registered: 6-2006 |
Oh Lori, that is TOO FUNNY!! I'm glad you had a good time at Tres Dias. Sounds like something I might like. Did you eat any bacon while you were there? You know what's even funnier? There's a car commercial on TV where the dealers sing "So Long, Farewell" and my kids love it. So I searched through all my CD's and found my Sound of Music. So now we have it in the car and I've been rockin out to the "Lonely Goatheard". HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Lori, thank you for the blessings over the weekend, hehe! You're blessing me right now. Leigh Anne | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 364 Registered: 12-2004 |
Okay Leigh Anne, High on a hill was a lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo.... Rock on | ||
| Stevendi Registered user Username: Stevendi Post Number: 75 Registered: 10-2006 |
Grace-alone, "Does the adventist look to God in everyday life?" As a rule, No. Adventists I've known run everything and everybody including God through their religious meat-grinder. Actually, they are scared stiff of the Holy Spirit. Whether fear of deception, or maybe, just maybe the Spirit might shake up their theological basket of comfort. The Holy Spirit guides through circumstances and people and experiences in order to bring us closer to God. Tradition and having "the truth" already cannot and will not let the Spirit lead in His "reckless" Way. Following the Holy Spirit's nudging and swaying is considered almost demonic by the average adventist brain. But praise God, He will find a way to get their attention and trust one way or another! Just my observation, Steve | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 430 Registered: 6-2006 |
Steve you wrote, "Following the Holy Spirit's nudging and swaying is considered almost demonic by the average adventist brain." You've articulated the question I had that I couldn't quite relay. I remember years ago an SDA pastor making the comment "Well, God doesn't know what we're doing down here. We're all a bunch of ants running around as far as he's concerned. That's why prayer is so important." I was shocked, and asked my husband "Does the SDA church teach that God knows all and sees all?" And he replied that he didn't know why the pastor said it and just blew it off. Along with what Colleen said earlier, my FIL probably feels that this is all in his hands and what does God have to do with it? It's like God is not personal, but distant, and maybe a little indifferent in his eyes? (At least when it comes to business) When I think of how diligent he is in his church life, and how sincere and consistant he is, I just WISH that he knew the freedom and joy that you all have found. He'd be a real crusader I think. Leigh Anne | ||
| Rejoyce719 Registered user Username: Rejoyce719 Post Number: 16 Registered: 1-2007 |
Yes, Steve, being lead by the Holy Spirt is considered risking because SDAs are worried about getting off track. They must be lead by EGW writings to guard against being mislead. I know because I am describing myself as an SDA. It is so wonderful to trust the leading of the Holy Spirit now in my life. I can remember reading EGWs words, "sugar is worse than meat". I quoted this because I was and still am vegetarian. Although, like many SDAs, I was a vegetarian "junk food junkie"! So a bakery definately does go against EGWs words about sugar. Also, she says that "your prayers will not reach heaven if you eat eggs". So your FIL might as well not pray about his business anyway because I am sure he uses eggs in his baking. I had to add my sarcasm Madelia and Grace. By the way, has anyone seen the movie, "The Road to Wellville" about the SDA Health Clinics in EGWS day? Absolutely a must see for FAFs. You will laugh until you cry. |
