| Author | Message | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 128 Registered: 5-2007 |
I have remained silent for a week. Just listening and trying to get a sense about things. I often felt the inpulse to chime in and offer my point of view. But I withheld, in that I recall from sciprture : James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Sometimes , I think I rattle on to think outloud, for vanity or for whatever reason other than truly being here to learn and grow. Perhaps it is all under the scope of crawling before one call walk Spiritualy. So , I will not try to be clever or original. I will attempt to not ask stupid questions or to just toss out reckless statements. I will endeavor to avoid offending others by what may appear to be stubborness on my part. I am not sure I will find all that I need to know here. But it seems to me that at least here is the only place I have found that is asking the right questions. Others have no clue or commonality to the concepts presented here on this forum. For the record. I am seeking an understanding of the truth. I am no longer here to argue for SDA positions. (Perhaps that is a growth step right there.) I am attempting to keep my filters turned off so that I may avoid asumptions that derail learning new information. Though I hate to admitt it. I realize , I am unable to take it all in at once. The scope is too large to contain in a single study. But, a sense of safety and peace in Christ is what I long for. I have not fully embraced that as yet. If I could just get to that point, perhaps the urgency and doubts about all the rest would lose their grip on my turmoil. I mean well folks. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1008 Registered: 9-2006  |
Well hey, Hi Jim, I have been worried about you. Yes, I believe you are at the right place at the right time, there are some good people on here that are knowledgeable and can help you. Also, if you haven’t done so already you could read from this link. http://www.ellenwhite.org/faq.htm You know Jim, if people on here seem to answer sharply or misunderstand or whatever, the people on here are honest and forth right, I don’t know about you but I deeply respect honesty of heart, people on here does not seem to hide behind anything, but more than all that they have the ability to love other people. Just like any family they get into a “snit” every once in awhile, I know, I have gotten into my share of “snits” with them, but there is an under current of love and concern that I don’t think you will find many other places in this world. That said, I care and they care for you. I pray that you will find that peace and safety in Christ for it is real as it gets. There is a haven of rest in Jesus and no other thing can compare. River | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 44 Registered: 1-2007 |
Jim All of us are on a journey as we question what we were taught and try to make sense of why we had to experience what we did. It has been 37 years since I started to question and made some difficult decisions. When I think back I am so thankful for people who listened, often to a confused and angry person, but never put me down but accepted me for who I was and also the place that I was at. You are in a safe place and never put yourself down for what you feel or what you express. That peace in Christ will come - give yourself time and try not to be too hard on yourself. My husband reminded me this morning as we were having coffee that I was very legalistic when we first married even though I had left Adventism. I have so changed it's hard to believe that I am the same person. Hang in there and trust the Lord. He has done marvellous things for me and He will for you too. Blessed | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6239 Registered: 12-2003  |
Jim, your questeions are great. We are so glad you're among us, and I'm glad you're back! You don't have to reach a standard, Jim...we're all learning! Colleen | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 655 Registered: 6-2006  |
Jim, I was just about to post a thread called "I miss Jim". I'm glad you're still around. And you never ask stupid questions, so knock that off! Your questions always make me think. It's good to see you again.  Your friend in Jesus, Leigh Anne | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3944 Registered: 3-2004  |
Jim, I am glad you came back. You are going through what so many here have gone through. I know, I like my answers "immediately and right now". That is just my compulsive nature and God has had to slow me down. The only questions that are stupid are those that are not asked. So ask away. You are loved. Keep coming back and Please ask you questions. Diana | ||
| Godssonjp Registered user Username: Godssonjp Post Number: 41 Registered: 1-2007 |
Jim, As I have been on the forum, I have had many of the same questions that others have had. Many have had questions that I would never have thought to ask, and have helped me to start to see the 'bigger picture'. I have taken the time to look back through archived posts to get answers to questions that I never would have asked or known to ask. All that said... I'm glad you're still here. Take your time as God reveals to you what he wants you to know. Praying. Also, some of the same topics seem to come up again and again. Which tells me that SOMEONE is always asking a question that may have been covered before. And then, people here are always patient and happy to repeat or point us in a direction to recieve more insight. This has been beneficial to my understanding, believe me. I have had many "A Ha!" momenets from old posts that brought clearer understanding of a topic that I may never have questioned before. (Message edited by godssonjp on July 09, 2007) | ||
| Cease_striving Registered user Username: Cease_striving Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2007  |
Jim, I am happy you are here, and I admire your courage to ask tough questions. Keep studying God's Word no matter how difficult it seems. He will give you the wisdom to understand, as promised in His Word: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 NASB When you feel overwhelmed, take a break and sleep on it, as River did when he felt overwhelmed with a shipbuilding instruction manual in his post #986. http://64.226.233.122/discus/messages/11/5710.html?1183661880 Our Father wants us to know Him--the difficulty lies in our impatience when we ask "Are we there yet?" We need to have faith in His driving skills, rest in Jesus, and heed the Holy Spirit's instruction so that we do not become lost on the highway of life. Have faith in your journey with God. He will not let you down. Cease_Striving | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 664 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hi Cease_striving! Welcome~ Beautiful post. I like your cat. Leigh Anne | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3963 Registered: 3-2004 |
Cease_striving, Welcome to FAF. That was a lovely post your wrote. When you are ready tell us more about your Journey with Jesus. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6270 Registered: 12-2003 |
Cease Striving, welcome to the forum! We're looking forward to hearing more from you. Glad you're here. Nice cat! Colleen | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 320 Registered: 5-2007 |
Glad you're back, Jim. | ||
| Cease_striving Registered user Username: Cease_striving Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thank you, everyone for the warm welcome and compliments. I hope to post my story of leaving SDAism soon. My cat, Tiffany, is 12 years old. It was not easy to take the picture--she kept moving her head and turned her back on me a few times. Oh, well, at least I somehow succeeded at taking the picture of my baby. Cease_Striving | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 325 Registered: 5-2007 |
Welcome, Cease-Striving! | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2007 |
Cease_Striving, Welcome and what a great post. Your baby has beautiful eyes. May the Lord bless you on your journey. Gail |
