| Author |
Message |
Chris
Registered user
Username: Chris
Post Number: 817
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 7:11 am: |     |
Hrob, for what it's worth: Your MIL may not consciously be trying to indoctrinate your child. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, you have to understand that these children's books from the ABC are all they have. We all grew up with them. Many of us didn't know there were any other alternatives and we certainly didn't realize that some of the books contained heavy SDA/EGW slants in them not found in other books.
It's likely that your MIL is attempting to share fond memories from her childhood with your child and means no harm by it. She probably just thinks she is reading good "Christian" stories to your child. I know my in-laws couldn't understand for the life of them why we didn't want them to send "The Little Friend" and "Primary Treasure" to our kids. They couldn't understand why we wouldn't want the kids to have good Christian materials like that.
Chris |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 483
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 9:04 am: | |
Papa HRob!
Congradulations to you and the little hardworking Mama! You have been such a dear voice on this forum that I feel like I have a new neice! God is working in all this, Dad! Dokota may just be the link He has planned in bringing about unity in this whole SDA mess in your family!
As a daughter of SDA "power players" (my dad was a well known conference and union administrator until he retired over 12 years ago), I have to say that I can picture your in-laws with their noses in the air. I don't know if they are SDA "workers" (FIL is a pastor? if I remember right), but "workers" are considered "royalty" in the SDA world. Just as they put EGW on a higher level, "workers" are at a higher level than "lay" people in the church. There are different levels of standing. It is all complicated and it breeds arrogance.
I tell you this for you to have a clearer understanding of where your in-laws are. Most likely they do not even realize this in themselves. I have come to understand this by seeing the drastic difference in the way my parents talk to the SDA's in my life than they do to my non-SDA Christian friends. I really believe it has something to do with the "royalty" mindset as opposed to those who do not realize that they are from a "dynasty".
I don't know if this makes sense or if anyone else has noticed this with their parents who have worked for the SDA organization.
Again, HRob...CONGRADULATIONS!!! |
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob
Post Number: 296
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 9:34 am: | |
I noticed the "royalty" attitude of many SDA ministers when I still worked for the denomination years ago, in the business office of an SDA academy. Not all, but many ministers and their wives expected and often demanded discounts and financial considerations for which they were not qualified. We in the business office dreaded seeing them coming to our office!
When one believes he or she is an "official" in the only "true church," it does breed arrogance.
Bob |
Chris
Registered user
Username: Chris
Post Number: 819
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 9:48 am: | |
Even as a lay person, I must confess I had a good deal of arrogance and often felt superior to non-Adventists. After all, I had the "Truth" and was part of the "Remanant". Paradoxically, I was distinctly intimidated by and uncomfortable around committed Christians. I felt sorry for them that they didn't have the whole truth, but at the same time was intimidated by their confidence and peace and a certain something else that was intangible at the time. It's difficult to explain, but I suspect others on this board might know what I'm talking about.
Chris |
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob
Post Number: 297
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 9:54 am: | |
Chris, my experience was the same as yours. I realize now that a lot of the discomfort I felt around non-SDA Christians was the conviction of the Holy Spirit. But of course I could not admit to that. I had such a meager understanding of the Holy Spirit and His work back then!
Bob |
Belvalew
Registered user
Username: Belvalew
Post Number: 496
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 10:32 am: | |
That little something is the "peace that passes understanding" that comes to the believer along with the Holy Spirit. It surrounds us, buffers us, and gives us the true confidence that is part of knowing Jesus has saved us.
No church dynasty can fake that, no matter how high they hold their noses in the air.
(Message edited by belvalew on June 06, 2005) |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 2086
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 11:14 am: | |
I also experienced what Dd and Bob and Chris describe. The "royalty" attitude is real, and most SDAs, whether lay people or "official", have a sense of being superior to all non-SDAs.
I'm sure your in-laws, Hrob, are feeling pretty threatened by the fact that their grandaughter is in the control of "apostates". They aren't willing to humble themsleves in order to have access because humbling themsleves would, to them, mean somehow admitting that your position deserves to be respected--even if it's different from theirs. To an Adventist, any theological position which threatens their own is automatically condemned.
It's all convoluted, as Dd said, and really hard for an "outsider" to figure out. It's also really powerful, and you're not likely to change it. Probably the best thing is for you not to take it completely personally--although it sure feels personal! It's their brainwashing in action--Adventism overrides common sense or courtesy because Adventism is "Right"!
Pray, and pray some more!
Colleen |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1596
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 6:06 pm: | |
It looks like you are setting limits on your MIL already and that is good. If she wants to read to Dakota, you might have Christian books that you have bought and let her know she can read from them. There are lovely Bibles for children that I bought for my grandson.
I continue to keep you, your wife and daughter in my prayers, as well as your inlaws.
God is so good and so awesome and as Colleen said above, Pray, and pray some more.
Diana |
Hrobinsonw
Registered user
Username: Hrobinsonw
Post Number: 181
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 8:52 pm: | |
I don't want to get crazy with it, but spiritual warfare is serious. I need to protect Dakota and she is one of the people that I need to protect her from. |
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777
Post Number: 153
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 10:16 pm: | |
I agree that spiritual warfare is very serious. I don't see a demon behind every rock but there are areas of demonic oppression in parts of the world where there is great darkness.
Having said this, we serve a Savior who is victorious and has paid the price and we are Saved and Redeemed by His blood. We have nothing to fear when we are in His hands.
richard |
Sabra
Registered user
Username: Sabra
Post Number: 365
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:39 pm: | |
Congrats Hrob!!
I wouldn't worry too much about the MIL. I think little children seem so much more easily influenced by their immediate parents. I know my mom is SDA and my kids think that is nuts and her religion is wrong even though I haven't really sat them down and explained all of that to them.
Train them up and they will be fine!
|
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 484
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 6:30 pm: | |
Hrob,
I believe Sabra is right on. I pray for and with my kids everyday. God says let the little children come unto me...when kids see Light and compare it to the darkness of what SDAs offer, God's way is the obvious choice!
"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will KNOW the truth and THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE" (John 8:31,32)!!!!
Dokota's grandma's religion doesn't hold a candle to her father's Savior!
|
Hrobinsonw
Registered user
Username: Hrobinsonw
Post Number: 183
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 5:16 pm: | |
Thanks guys. |
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2
Post Number: 1851
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 1:36 pm: | |
I just logged on after a week on not having access to the internet. Congratulations! I will snail mail Colleen my home address. Then I wany you to send me or telephone me with an address that I can send you a gift. Again, Oh, Happy Day! |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1678
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 9:11 am: | |
Hrob,
How is the darling baby now that she is a month old? How is your wife? Keep us posted on that darling baby.
Diana |
