| Author | Message | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4279 Registered: 3-2004  |
Because I talk of adventism a lot, my Celebrate Recovery sponsor asked me if I was still angy/hurt/disturbed with the SDAs in any way. I denied it, but the the next day, Friday, God impressed on me to write a letter to the GC. I am copying it here for all to read. Dear Adventist GC: I am writing to you because I left the SDA church fully in Jan 2004. I left after finding out aobut EGW-plagiarism and having others write for her, than saying God inspired her. I was raised SDA, went to SDA schools 1st grade through LLU graduation, so I was well indoctrinated in the SDA doctrine. When I found out about EGW, I was angry and I eventually turned it over to God. What I did not realize was, I was still angry about was the time I took my retirement out and paid back tithe because EGW said we had to do that. That one I prayed about and eventually the anger went away. But I am writing to see if there is still some anger/disappointment left in my head and heart. The founding fathers of the SDA church kew all about EGW from the time she started. When anyone tried to correct her she wrote them a scathing letter saying God showed her they were wrong. So this wrong has ben perpetuated all the years the SDA church has existed and the leaders have done nothing. That is so wrong. They had the opportunity in 1915 to correct this (it was agreed to put these finding away for 50 years and not disturb the status quo) and again in Glacier Falls(I think that was Desmond Ford, but I am not sure) and again before Walter Rae's book came out. He was told by the GC that they could correct everything and they did nothing and perpetuated this lie. I hate that! That is so deceptive to let unsuspecting people believe a lie and pay their money to a church to perpetuate a lie. I could scream ... because of that. I am still angry over this perpetuation of a lie/deception of unsuspecting people. And you are still doing this. You will have to answer to God for this and I pity the soul who does have to answer to Him... I cannot do anything about you folks in charge or what happened in the past, but I can spread the word of your deception to unsuspecting souls so they will not be hurt by you. This was brought to a head yesterday when I found out my friend was studying the Bible with a retired SDA minister who was using the clear word book. I was so hurt and so,so, very angry. I still am crying about it. My sponsor asked if I was angry about Adventism and I said no, I had resolved all that. Today You told me to write about it and I am and I find that the hurt and anger I felt stemmed from all my years as a deceived SDA. That is being corrected and I thank you so much for loving me so much and pulling me and my son out of Adventism's grip. Like I wrote above, I will do all I can to tell others of what adventism really believes. I do not want anyone hurt by these deceptive, aberrant beliefs........ I will tell whomever God puts into my path about the beliefs of SDAs. Diana I wrote this letter as part of my recovery in the Celebrate Recovery program. I wanted to share this with all of you to let you know you can recover from adventism's hurt. Write about it, share it with some one you trust and God will heal you. He is so awesome. Diana (Message edited by Flyinglady on September 08, 2007) | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 740 Registered: 11-2005 |
Diana, that is a great letter! Thank you for sharing it with us. I think righteous indignation is fully justified. God's Word is very clear about that. In the Old Testament, God wiped out entire towns for that very reason. He is a jealous God. He has told us that He does not want any other "gods" in our lives. Even more than that, we have a "duty" to be watchman -- to expose falsehood and deceit. There is an excellent article called "Exposing Error: Is It Worthwhile?" by Harry Ironside. http://articles.christiansunite.com/article10286.shtml Your feelings are absolutely justified. Gilbert Jorgensen It has been 162 Years, 10 Months, and 17 Days since October 22, 1844 | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 170 Registered: 8-2005  |
Dianna, as a former GC employee I applaud what you did. How did you address the envelope? Because if you addressed it to the president, Jan Paulsen, his secretary reads ALL the mail that comes to him before he gets a chance to read it, so unless there is a foul up she will pitch it in the trash. You would be amazed at the amount of mail they get from real whacko's, and if there was the slightest hint of a threat in the body of the letter the secretary went NUTS!!!! Man I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I left work there and the church! THANK YOU GOD for showing me the light!!! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4282 Registered: 3-2004 |
91steps, I did not write this to send to Paulsen. I wrote it to see if I held any resentment, hurt, anger in me. I found out I do and I found out why. This is for my recovery from any hurts, hang ups and habits I have. And this is a hurt I sustained while an adventist. This is for my Celebrate Recovery program. It would take to long to tell you what Celebrate Recovery is, so google it and go to their main web site. It is a fantastic, Christ centered program that works like a 12 step program. It is patterened after the 12 step program of AA. No, I probably will not send this letter. It is only for my recovery, even though else where I said I might. I am glad you are out also. How is your wife doing?? Diana | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 171 Registered: 8-2005 |
Diana, go ahead and send it, maybe to Don Schneider, Pres of the NAD. Funny that I read this thread today, I sent a letter to my last supervisor I had in the Military that really did me wrong before I got out, 19 years ago. Basically what I did was tell him that despite his best efforts I overcame what they did to me and not only did I get my high level security clearance but I am now making a ton of money. I told him I hold no ill feelings towards him and asked him to write to me, if he felt like it, and tell me what I did to him to make him turn against me like he did. I feel so much better now that I got this off my chest, even if I may never get a reply from him. Myself, I have a lot of resentment towards the GC over what I dealt with while an employee there. But it dawned on me today that I took the job there, it wasn't forced upon me. My wife told me a lady at her church, my former church, asked if I was going to ever come back to the SDA church. She told her lady friend that I was hurt too badly by people at the church and the GC and will more then likely NEVER return back there. I have stopped going to the GC to visit former co-workers, partly due to where I work now, I have to be extremely careful with contact with foreigners, but also every time I go back there it dredges up bad memories. Diana, I am glad that you are taking these steps to the road to recovery. My wife is still attending the SDA church, not sure if she will ever leave, alls I can do is keep praying. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4285 Registered: 3-2004 |
91steps, If you want to know if you have any resentments toward the GC, even if it was your choice to work there. Write a letter to God about your experience there. Any feelings you have about it will surface. That I can guarantee. But you have to make sure you are truthful with God and yourself. Diana | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 172 Registered: 8-2005 |
Diana, despite what I endured while working at the GC, I do not regret working there. I draw upon my experiences there and use them every day at my present job. God had His reasons for sending me to work at the GC, I do not know why, but I accepted that fact awhile ago and thank Him for sending me there. | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 161 Registered: 5-2007 |
It was the 1919 Bible Conference, not 1915, in case you decide to send it. Desmond Ford: Glacier View debate and the Investigative Judgment, the validity of the Sabbath and the authority of Scripture versus Ellen G. White. (in case you decide to send it) There was Canright and Ballenger before Ford, at the very minimum. They were very credible. Snook and Brinkerhoff were spot on as well. You go girl! | ||
| Busymom Registered user Username: Busymom Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hi Diana, I have been thinking about your letter and statement re: being angry at the SDA church. How can any of us ever stop being angry at the SDA church? They promote unbiblical teachings that steal people's assurance and rob them of any joy in God. I am embarrassed to admit that it has been three years since I left and I still struggle with things hard enough that I do not sleep very well. Yes, I have prayed that God would replace the Spirit of Adventism with his Spirit. I have forgiven the pastor who preached against me. The latest struggle occurred when my brother asked me how I could be sure that my next church would not cause as much pain as the SDA church. One word characterized our childhood (isolation). I went to the adult Sunday School last night, and the question was asked if you could go to heaven and your family and friends would be there, there would be no war etc. lots of food, but no Christ, would you be happy? In other words the church I have been attending it is not about being a Baptist, it is about knowing Christ and having joy in him. I am not sure what I just said would not be empty words to my brother, because I think it is something you have to experience. Anyways, do you really think it is realistic to stop being angry? | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 113 Registered: 6-2007 |
Busymom I understand. One single memory can bring back feelings and I can be furious in an instant. Then I will be sad thinking about my life as a SDA and everying I missed out on. If I don't watch out, it can consume my thoughts. I just refuse to let it consume me or my thoughts. Yes, I still get angry all the time. I just let it go instantly and move on. I do hope that someday it truly goes away. So far it has not. I pray for peace and trust God. Laurie | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4336 Registered: 3-2004 |
Busymom, Write a letter to God about how you feel about being deceived by the SDA church. Then find a trusted person to whom you can read it. If you want to read it to me, ask Colleen for my phone number. I can call you and it does not cost me any long distance fee. But Write that letter to God. That does get rid of all the hurt feelings. It has for me. Diana | ||
| Busymom Registered user Username: Busymom Post Number: 79 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hi Diana, thank you for your offer. It will probably take me a couple of days to write the letter. Thanks. |
