| Author | Message | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 267 Registered: 2-2006 |
Dear FAF, newest members and old, We have all had our sorrows just from life, this World, itself, and some (and many) from Adventism after we left because we chose Christ, alone. I forgot who said it, but I recall this--"With great [deep] love [for others], there will come great sorrow." There are those, here, whom sorrow for others, who are caught in blinding Darkness...and that Darkness--veil can even hurt those, whom love them or are trying to do the right thing. You have "The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort", friends. It is easy to forget that. Yet, it is as real as the desk you are at, reading that Scripture here. It is our most real reality--in Him, Jesus Christ. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This song--lyrics below-- by Fatih Hill, inspires me and reminds me of our "sure hope" in Christ, and the final end of trials, Evil, grief, confusion, pressures, chaos, suffering, tears, and Death--which our Lord conquered by his resurrection. (BTW, which on Sunday Christians, from the Apostles, celebrated for his ressurection) Becoming a 'Former Adventist' means, for many of us, that we do not have to stress over and about when Christ will come back nor how it all will play out. We know that Evil will end for good, and that is enough because He is enough, day by day. We know our Saviour, revealed as Jesus Christ (as Lori pointed out about Revelation so beautifully), and knowing Him is enough--our Good Shepherd. The music in this piece is intense enough (if you listen to it online) to pull your heart out, but it gives the Hope in our Lord. He cares, He is with us, He WILL hear, see and, someday, make a "better place, where our Father waits..." Also, America and even the entire world wonders "why" after Virginia Tec (and those of us, whom have college-age kids), and we all sorrow for it...It was another symptom of the sickness of Evil, prevailing in the world, now. (What is truly new in corrupted human nature, though? We are only more techy, isolated, and sophisticated with it.) The truest healing and only Hope is within Christ, not humanity and all of its 'sciences' and laws. Only Christ did and does conquer Evil as a whole and within individuals, through His Holy Spirit and Graces. The world cries out for HOPE! We must pray. We are called to do so as the Body of Christ. This is for you, whom might need it--especially newly Former Adventists and those, whom are questioning and facing opposition-- and for faith in our Abba, Father, who RUNS TO US because we are HIS BELOVED in Christ. Here are the lyrics-- "It's not easy trying to understand How the world can be so cold, stealing the souls of man... Cloudy skies rain down on all your dreams You wrestle with the fear and doubt Sometimes it's hard, but you gotta believe Chorus: There's a better place, where our Father waits And every tear He'll wipe away The darkness will be gone, the weak shall be strong Hold on to your faith There will come a day, there will come a day Wars are raging, lives are scattered Innocence is lost, and hopes are shattered The old are forgotten, the children are forsaken In this world we're living in Is there anything sacred? Chorus: There's a better place, where our Father waits And every tear He'll wipe away The darkness will be gone, the weak shall be strong Hold on to your faith There will come a day, there will come a day The song will ring out, down those golden streets The voices of earth with the angels will sing Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace In the glory of His amazing grace Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace In the glory of His amazing grace There will come a day, there will come a day Oooh there will come a day I know there's coming a day, coming a day..." Faith Hill 1st and 2nd Peter. Hebrews My prayers and heart are with you all, Cathy | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 268 Registered: 2-2006 |
....also, if anyone needs a powerful encouragement,through the gift of music, I recommend Michael Card's CD, 'A Violent Grace'. It is based on the scripture of Hebrews. "..We run by the power of His might...We are pilgrims to The City of God" Michael Card Just another pilgrim to The City of God, where we find our True Belonging, Cathy | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 698 Registered: 9-2006  |
Cathy, when I read your beautiful post of hope that you have in Christ, I was again reminded of the incident when my sister was so coldly cut down with two small children to care for. As I tried to deal with the questions of a three year old heart broken child and a baby crying constantly, who just wanted his mother, even when I myself grieved, i was reminded of the end of grief. I was reminded of the words my childhood friend (preacher) said as he preached the funeral of this sad affair "It is not Gods will that sis be cut off so young in life, but because of sin in the world". It was not Gods will that those students be mercilessly gunned down as they attended college looking for a bright future but "because of sin in the world" Even as these things come, if we are in Christ, we can look with hope for a better city, a better country as others Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. Hebrews 11:15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Thank you for your post, I continually need to be reminded that I seek a better country. The world looks on and says "Why" but we as Christians should know why. River | ||
| Anniemac Registered user Username: Anniemac Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hello -- I have to admit to being one of those "lurkers"--been doing so for about three years! I just wanted you all to know how much your presence on this site has meant to me. I won't go into it all now, but God graciously and gently led me out of Adventism (a several generation Adventist, daughter of a minister and 50+ years old). Each one who leaves Adventism has such a different story and experience. I was one of the fortunate ones who was raised in a loving and secure home. My parents were introduced and grasped the message of Rightesousness by Faith shared by Des Ford--so I don't have extremely negative experiences in that department. Very quickly, God led me to attend a church, one that I had been drving by for years. After joining in that first worship, I knew I had come home--the Bible-centered teaching overwhelmed me--I cannot get enough! The scriptures have come alive and I am blown away by the message of and the reality of living in the New Covenant. Just this last weekend our church hosted a creation seminar by the Institute for Creation Research. The culmination of that ended on Sunday morning with our pastor giving God's account of creation from Genesis 1--I had never heard it like that before! Our pastor is a true man of God. I would highly recommend this message which can be found at www.gbcmt.org under Ministries, and then Online Sermons--God's Creation Account, April 22. Cathy and River -- your exchange here just prompted me to respond. We have all seen and experienced gut wrenching grief and sorrow on this earth. The older I get and the more I see, I know we are not meant for this earth as it is--and I long for Christ's return. Those verses from Hebrews say it all, River. Because of time and space many of us in the Body of Christ are now separated, but one day, we will be in that "better country" and I do look forward to seeing each of you. Thank you, each one, for being such an inspiration and encouragement to me--knowing you are all there is a great comfort. I'll be here seeing what you're all talking about and once in awhile I may add my two cents--one day I might even share my story. Thank you Richard and Colleen for all you do--you are very much appreciated out here in FAFland! Love you all, God bless! Anne P.S. Thank you, Mr and Mrs. Golden Bear, for helping me to see the light! | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 699 Registered: 9-2006 |
Anniemac, Thank you for responding, in posting and letting us know you are out there encourages each and every one of us. If you ever decide to tell your story we will certainly give an ear. God bless you and yours. River | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 269 Registered: 2-2006 |
Anne, Welcome! May you continue to be blessed here. So glad you posted and thank you for that link. Cathy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5747 Registered: 12-2003  |
Anniemac, I'm so happy to see you have joined us! If you ever feel like telling your story, we would love to hear it. Praise God for leading you to Himself. Thank you, Cathy, River, and Annie, for your posts reminding us that we have hope in spite of suffering and struggling. He is faithful. Colleen | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 527 Registered: 6-2006  |
Welcome Anniemac! Looking forward to reading more from you. You've joined a great group of friends.  Leigh Anne | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3590 Registered: 3-2004  |
Anniemac, Thank you for coming out of the lurking mode. It is always good to hear from another sister/brother in Christ whom God has taken out of the SDA church. When you are comfortable doing so, let us know about your journey with Jesus Chriat. Thank you Cathy, River and Annie for reminding us that we have such an awesome hope inspite of what this world offers by way of suffering and even when we are not suffering. We have an awesome God. Diana | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 137 Registered: 1-2006  |
Anniemac, Welcome! Like you, I've been blessed by reading this forum. There is so much that's positive here and I'm thankful. It's an encouragement to know you've found a good church, too. Bob |
