| Author | Message | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 98 Registered: 3-2005 |
I have been avoiding spending any of 'Sabbath' with my still-SDA family and friends. Sometimes the pregnant silences are exhausting. However, this weekend, I was forced into spending time with them due to family birthdays. I am just plain at a loss. I feel as if they're ignoring the 'elephant' in the room...us "Sunday-keepers", but won't ask questions...and I don't know where to start or even if I should. I am soooooooooooo frustrated and desperate for them to know God's love and the Truth about Jesus and what was finished at the Cross. I was horrified at the conversation. It was so ungodly and much of it was even lude. There was back stabbing and anger and on and on. As I was driving home, I began to pray and asked God to give me patience. He reminded me that this is NOT about me, first and foremost. This is about His Glory. Second, I have to not let 'myself' get in the way of His Glory by also acting poorly. I prayed that He would so eclipse 'me' that He would ooze from me and make them want Him. But, oh I don't know. I guess I just want to know how you all have handled these situations. Being around people still in the church is unavoidable. I am so EXCITED about Jesus and what He has done in my heart, my marriage, my mothering, and yet I just don't know how to share it. Is it just a matter of waiting on the Lord...am I getting ahead of His timing? Patria | ||
| Patrickfoy Registered user Username: Patrickfoy Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2004 |
Patria, It can be heart breaking to try and share your new found faith with hard core SDA family and friends. I have tried sharing the good news with several friends of the SDA chruch and have had them gang up on me with there bibles in one hand and EGW books in the other and nothing good seems to come from it, and then I get a call from someone at the chruch to explain something that was shared that day or just wanting to get together to talk again. Through prayer and the Spirit we can reach people for Christ. But as you said, it's in His time and not ours. Just be patient and pray and let the Lord work. If it is mean't to be it will be. I will be praying for you daily. God Bless- Patrick | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1688 Registered: 3-2004  |
Patria, I have to give a hearty AMEN to Patrick's comments above. Just pray, pray, and pray some more that The Holy Spirit will work on the hearts of your SDA family and friends. In His time God will let you know when and where to say anything. Like my sister who wants to go to the FAF Bible study when I am in California in August. She has not wanted anything to do with God or Christianity for many, many years. She said she is a former SDA and wants to go to the meeting with me. When I talk to any of my family, who, BTW, have not practiced Adventism(Adventism has a hold on them even though they are not practicing it) for years, I pray and ask God to let His love shine through me to them and for Him to direct my conversations. I will put you on my prayer list. God, You are the I AM, the Alpha and Omega, and are our Father. Please be with Patria as she prays about her family who are in the clutches of Adventism. Send the Holy Spirit to unplug their ears, open their eyes and take the veil off their minds that they will see EGW for what she is, a false prophet, and know that all they need is Jesus. Be with Patria as she associates with her family and give her the strength, love, and what ever else she needs when she is with them. Thank you for doing this Father. Thank you for Jesus. You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2240 Registered: 12-2003  |
Patria, I understand. I really don't know any way to handle these situations except to pray and to be willing to say nothing of "significance" unless God brings it about. In fact, I'm anticipating just such an even this afternoon when the family comes over for 4th of July barbeque. That elephant in the room never goes away--in fact, it seems even to grow, and it's been a good seven or eight years. This awkwardness isn't becaue you're doing something wrong. It comes from the juxtaposition of people who have "the veil" over their hearts with those who don't. We can only pray--that they'll be willing to know the truth, and that we'll be able to love them for God. Praise God that He is sovereign. Colleen | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 21 Registered: 6-2005 |
Rats, I wrote a long response and lost it! As an adventist, I have some thoughts on this subject. My interest in studying for myself came from my interactions with other "non-adventist Christians" The biggest thing that got my attention was Love. These people took a genuine interest in me. I could tell they had NO AGENDA other than love. They gave me full attention, even with the most trivial subjects. They followed thru with immediate simple prayers, and notes. They were happy and joyful and sincere, warm, thoughful etc. I have NEVER been impressed by someones doctrine. I know families are difficult. And my heart aches for those strained relationships mentioned. And I have not yet left the SDA church, so I really am only sharing my experience up to this point. Maybe it would be helpful to just look for ways that you can love them, admire them, and LEARN FROM THEM . The few formers I know have worked hard to convince me of the superiority of their new ways of thinking, and I bristle. Its like I am somehow looked at as less than, and it is assumed than I am spiriually ignorant, and have nothing to offer spiritually. It's that reverse prejudice that has been mentioned before I think. Anyway, my prayers are with you all, and I have completed Galations on my own, and WOW, everything is soooo crystal clear. Im still kinda in shock, because I have read it before several times, how did I miss all this law/covenant/grace stuff? Im gonna call my girlfriend (SDA) and suggest that she read Galatians, and see what her response is. | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 22 Registered: 6-2005 |
Rats, I wrote a long response and lost it! As an adventist, I have some thoughts on this subject. My interest in studying for myself came from my interactions with other "non-adventist Christians" The biggest thing that got my attention was Love. These people took a genuine interest in me. I could tell they had NO AGENDA other than love. They gave me full attention, even with the most trivial subjects. They followed thru with immediate simple prayers, and notes. They were happy and joyful and sincere, warm, thoughful etc. I have NEVER been impressed by someones doctrine. I know families are difficult. And my heart aches for those strained relationships mentioned. And I have not yet left the SDA church, so I really am only sharing my experience up to this point. Maybe it would be helpful to just look for ways that you can love them, admire them, and LEARN FROM THEM . The few formers I know have worked hard to convince me of the superiority of their new ways of thinking, and I bristle. Its like I am somehow looked at as less than, and it is assumed than I am spiriually ignorant, and have nothing to offer spiritually. It's that reverse prejudice that has been mentioned before I think. Anyway, my prayers are with you all, and I have completed Galations on my own, and WOW, everything is soooo crystal clear. Im still kinda in shock, because I have read it before several times, how did I miss all this law/covenant/grace stuff? Im gonna call my girlfriend (SDA) and suggest that she read Galatians, and see what her response is. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2247 Registered: 12-2003 |
Javagirl, I had that same experience with Galatians. I had read it before, but I just didn't "see" it until--well, until the "fullness of time had come," so to speak. The reason we didn't see before is that veil that covers the heart whenever we read Moses (or hang onto Moses--see 2 Corinthians 3) was blinding us. Praise God for making it clear! Colleen | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 99 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thank you all for your posts. Yes, just wait and pray pray pray. I have found this to be especially challenging. I want God to change hearts in MY time. Happily, His is the perfect way and I am learning to be grateful! Colleen: I prayed for you this afternoon. I hope the 'elephant' wasn't so big that you couldn't enjoy our nation's Independece. Javagirl: Thanks for the reminder to stick to loving them as Christ does. I pray that I don't offend. I second Colleen's post! Isn't it so AMAZING when the veil is lifted? What an experience! Patria | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2250 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks, Patria! The afternoon was tolerable (we're getting used to things as they are!) with no overt incidents (which do sometimes occur!). Thanks for your prayers. God does keep us calm and also in reality, and He did both yesterday. Colleen | ||
| Tdf Registered user Username: Tdf Post Number: 85 Registered: 11-2004 |
Patria, Oh how I can relate to your zeal to share what you've learned. I've been there too. Like Patrick, my experience has taught me that, at least in my circle of friends and family, debate is not currently profitable to anyone. Two days ago, the pastor and head elder of the church that I attended since birth called to ask if they could come over to our home. I thanked them for their interest and, as politely as possible, asked if they could share with me what their motivation was for visiting us. They admitted that they wanted to see if they could convince us to turn from our wicked ways and to return to fellowship with the SDA church. I again thanked them for their concern, and shared with them that I felt that such a conversation would not be beneficial at this point. I was very tempted to debate theology with them, but I realized that such a debate would not have resulted in anything good. It's very hard to hold back when you are longing to tell people that there is more to the Christian walk than law-keeping, that we can actually KNOW God TODAY and have assurance and hope TODAY of salvation. Like so many have said, timing is everything. The Holy Spirit is not finished working. We are all living testimonies of this fact. This is where faith comes in . . . . | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1869 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dear Patria, Let me say to you that you are not alone. We on this forum all seem to have the same relatives. Stay strong and stay prayful. | ||
| Brian2 Registered user Username: Brian2 Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2005 |
Patria It has been 3+ years. It seems to have taken that long for family to realize that they want to keep the relationship going. At times they open the door for conversation about the "journey" we are on then other times they want to fight. It seems that family members that are my age seem to ask more questions. The parents want to either fight about us leaving the truth, or ignore it. As others have said on this site in others threads GODS TIMING IS PERFECT. Patience! Enjoy that you have YOUR family on your side. (ie Husband and kids) Let your other family members go their own way. They will come back and ask sincere questions someday. Live your life for the LORD and they will see. It's a God thing! Lift the burden onto His shoulders He is strong enough!!!!! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2252 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hi, Brian2--I don't think I said "Welcome" to you yet! I'm glad you're here. You've come to a place where others can help share your burden. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1693 Registered: 3-2004 |
Welcome to FAF Brian2, You are so right about God's timing being perfect. On another thread I wrote about a sister who would have nothing to do with God, religion, etc. When I told her, on the phone, about going to Riverside, CA for a family reunion and that Friday evening I wanted to attend the FAF Bible study in Redlands, she pops up and says, I am a former SDA also and I would like to go. She lives in Riverside. Now I have been praying for all my family for the last year and 1/2. And now this sister will be going to meet Colleen and Richard and everyone at the Bible study. That was so unexpected as I have asked God to make me careful not to preach at her. So, God does answer prayers and I am waiting for the rest of my sisters and 1 brother to get to know Jesus. It is always in God's time and not mine. He is so good and awesome. Diana |
