| Author | Message | ||
| Aliza Registered user Username: Aliza Post Number: 161 Registered: 8-2006 |
One of the things I've been doing is taking my little dog into nursing homes for visits. Today we went to one I hadn't been to before. I always check with a contact person about who especially needs a visit. Today one of those was Bessie. It took very little time chatting with Bessie to see that she has a sharp mind and is a dedicated Christian. But I saw the legalism coming through extremely quickly so I asked her about the church she used to attend. You guessed it--she's SDA. Bessie is now 95 and knows she's declining physically. It's so obvious she has a real fear. She said she often doubts that Jesus loves her. She questions whether she's good enough. For those of you have been in these situations, did you find any approach particularly useful? Or passages that really "clicked" for them? This is a Christian facility so I tipped them off about my concerns. But as with most people, I believe they probably feel she's fine because she has huge amounts of Scripture memorized and they see her reading her Bible constantly. I know this was a God connection. We hit it off extremely well and she looks forward to me continuing to visit her. Aliza | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3489 Registered: 3-2004  |
Aliza, Pray about it and God will let you know what to say to this lady. That is why you two were brought together. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5575 Registered: 12-2003  |
Aliza, I haven't actually had an experience like yours, but I would tell her that Jsus' death and resurrection paid for all her sin, and if she accepts Him, she is saved and completely secure. I'd use texts like John 5:24 and John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:4-9; 1 John 3:19-20, etc. With prayers for you and Bessie, Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3493 Registered: 3-2004 |
As I was doing my OT eval on a lady this past week, I got to talking to her and mentioned that I graduated from LLU. Her reply was we have something in common, I am SDA. I did not say anything else as the PT walked in. I do not do therapy with her every day. My assistant does that. I do want to reconnect with her, God willing. I thanked God for meeting up with her. God put her in my path for a reason, I want to fulfill that reason. Diana | ||
| Thomas1 Registered user Username: Thomas1 Post Number: 210 Registered: 4-2002  |
The only time I had the opportunity was with my Mom. It was a month before, than about 12 hours before her death. She sat wringing her hands and agonizing over whether she had remembered 'every sin' or whether she had forgotten even one that would send her to hell. I went through several texts of assurance of salvation for those who believe in Jesus. Even though she wanted to believe she just couldn't because I had left 'the truth'. The madning thing was that a month before her death, the church held an annointing service for her where there were three ordained ministers. None of them would give her assurance of salvation, despite seeing her anguish. As far as I know, she never found it. It can be heart breaking seeing the effects of the damage of legalism. Grace just isn't a concept that makes sense to one who believes they must earn their way into God's favor. We must trust God to know the hearts of those who we fail to understand. For my life, I am blessed to be IN HIS GRIP <>< Thomas | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2006  |
Aliza, I wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom; but as Thomas just stated, the damaging effects of legalism seem to be almost impossible to overcome. You talk Grace to them, and they say, "of course we are saved by Grace....BUT" There is always that "but" meaning they have to be sure all their sins are confessed; etc. You all know the routine. I think I mentioned before that my mother lay dying for some time in the nursing home. There came a point when she absolutely refused to talk about Jesus or salvation or any of the subjects I wanted to talk to her about. She just really felt there was no hope for her. After she slipped into a coma, I sat and talked to her for hours about the beauty of salvation by Grace. Who knows if she heard anything, I don't know; but I felt better! The legalism is so terribly ingrained, it just appears to be almost impossible to overcome. But then, never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. We may not see results of our conversation, but some seed may have been planted that The Holy Spirit germinates. Praise God! Ardyj | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 125 Registered: 1-2006  |
Aliza I often visit with older SDAs. When I was entering my field of work, I had a great friend who mentored me and who is now retired. This friend showed me several pages of encouraging texts (most of which I did not believe when I was an SDA) that she would share when she encountered people who were in deep despair spiritually. After listening to her experiences over the years, I realized that there is little that we can do for them at a human level. If you want to see what I mean, ask them to share with you their testimony about what the Lord Jesus means to them. You will quickly form your own conclusions---so I don't need to say more. Like you, I try to plant the seed of hope and trust in the Lord. I make bold statements, such as "I just praise the Lord for what He has done for us on the cross. We will be with Him forever." I sometimes get negative responses (not everyone feels that Jesus' atonement actually saved them--many SDAs belive they will be finally be saved at some other venue--another time, another place, another way) but I say it anyway. I agree, we may not see the results of our conversation, but I pray that God will be glorified by our own testimony. Bob | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 126 Registered: 1-2006 |
Aliza, I just want to add that I have witnessed a most awful death bed struggle of a dear Adventist friend who couldn't be sure that Jesus' blood was really sufficient, and who kept saying that "we have to do our part, too." May God help us. Bob | ||
| Bmorgan Registered user Username: Bmorgan Post Number: 135 Registered: 7-2000 |
Aliza, Together with the text Colleen suggested, I'd add one more; Romans 8:1a There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Sometimes, things seem hopeless, but with God all things are possible. Who know how things click even for a 95 year old. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 154 Registered: 2-2003 |
This is one of the texts that I sent to a dear friend of my parents, a retired SDA pastor, when he was dying of cancer. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13 | ||
| Aliza Registered user Username: Aliza Post Number: 164 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thank you all so much. Yes, I've seen much as what you've said. But I'm also aware that if God gives me a connection such as this, there is a reason for it. Last night at our church fellowship supper I was eating with a group of friends and it happened to come up that the husband of one friend just retired awhile back from being a part time chaplain at this nursing home. I asked him if he knew Bessie. Joe's eyes lit up and we had quite a long conversation. Like me, he had also had a real connection with her, which I guess is extremely rare. In fact, he told about the facility calling him at off hour times when she was being extremely uncooperative about something and he would go over there and she'd do it with no problem. He was pleased that I had made the same type of connection with her. As we talked, Joe fully understood her spiritual agony. He said at times she would seem to grasp the grace and come out of her depression. But a few days later, she'd be right back in it again. Unlike many, he seemed to have a good grasp of Adventism. In fact, it briefly came up at the table, "Well, I thought Seventh-day Adventists believed in Jesus?" Unfortunately there wasn't much time to do further educating as it was about time to disperse for classes. Aliza | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5614 Registered: 12-2003 |
Aliza, praise God for this contact. God will glorify Himself through your contact with her, I am certain. With prayers for you and Bessie, Colleen |
