| Author | Message | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 612 Registered: 6-2005  |
Recently my pastor introduced me to a new member of our church. He casually mentioned that I had "been a mess" when I arrived at the church three years ago. I was surprised! I didnt know it was that obvious, but yes, I was a mess when I arrived --spiritually limping and broken and life as I had always known it as an adventist in ashes.... Im smiling at the memory now. When I first attended a "sunday" church, I had studied my bible for years, and learned the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and I left over 40 years of pure Adventist culture, but I was definitely a baby Christian. At year three out of Adventism, I am feeling stable. Finally. So be encouraged! It comes. I have a church family, I belong, I love and am loved. I feel like I have been there forever. My son is accepted and loved in his group. We have people to spend holidays with. We are no longer orphans! We are still shuned by some former SDA friends, our family still worries about us, I still miss adventist potluck! But I rarely think about being a "former" adventist, I just feel part of a HUGE body of Christ followers. I am "one in the Spirit" with so many. My life is full. Im busy, Im returning to normal. I love God more than ever. I am just beginning to REALLY see Him with new lenses. I say to anyone who is discouraged, or overwhelmed, of fearful of change and rejection...It is worth it! It is worth it! Because God is worthy of our praise and worship, and He is worth it all. (((Hugs))), Lori | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9852 Registered: 12-2003  |
Lori!! It's great to see you--and what a wonderful post! Thank you for encouraging us all. It's so good to hear you testify to God's faithfulness. Colleen | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 531 Registered: 11-2007 |
We still get together with adventist friends once a month for potluck. We do this on a Friday evening. All vegetarian, too. We even have an adventist pastor and his family there. So we have everything from formers to SDA pastors there and we all get along. We haven't had any big discussions yet but we know where each other stands. We are all old friends and like for our kids to see each other, too. Potlucks are great. Good friends are great. When you leave the adventist church, it is easy to see who was actually a good friend and who wasn't. Surfy | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4826 Registered: 9-2006  |
Lori, Its so good to see you,thank you for the encouragement. The news, I have finished my second book, see what you started? I am sure I sent you the first one with the final finish and red binding, but if not you can go here to look at the final binding. http://river-river-bend.blogspot.com/ I found a semi-professional editor and the second book will be ready to ship with-in a matter of weeks. I will send you one if you like. I think my writing is improving a little and I don't fight with it so much. I have been debating as to whether I will continue to write or not, I have no desire to see my name on bookshelves as some writers seem to hunger for. I continue to terrorize the general population on FaF and scare the newby's and of course give Richard fit's. You have a special place in my heart because God used you to open up a world of possibilities I did not know existed. As Surfy says, you soon know who your friends are when you stand for the gospel, I have even experienced that myself and I ain't even ever been one of 'those', but it has pulled me closer in heart to the 'former' which may have been what God intended by allowing me to go through it. Do we stand for the gospel perfectly in the right? Not by a long shot, but God knows our hearts and helps us to stand anyway. You will have much to share with the Evangelical churches you attend Lori, those who have suffered much have much to give and I encourage you to give of yourself freely, freely we have received and freely we should give. The former has so much to give the evangelical world with their passion for Jesus and the evangelical church so needs the freshness of discovering the gospel. I think God is sending revival and will continue to send it, but I think the currents of revival is running under the old crust and if the old crust does not open its eyes they will not see it. Revival is for the hungry and if you continue to hunger for God he will continue to take you to places you have never been. Being on the forum has contributed much to tear the old crust off so new growth can occur. My heart goes out to the evangelical churches with its old crust of theological stance and it needs the old crust of Calvinism and Amenianism torn off so new growth can occur, so personally Lori I think you have more to give them than they have to give to you. When Jesus came on the scene they were so crusted over with tradition they didn't recognize the long awaited and prophesied before hand, savior. It's not much different today accept that the Spirit of God has gone out and he is searching for the ones who look for his coming and the old crusts will not even recognize it. I am not talking about loss of salvation, I am talking about revival, an awakening of the church to the newness of life you are so privileged to experience. I am so glad things are returning to 'normal' for you Lori, yet I don't want to see you sink into the crust of tradition. We have to keep our lamps trimmed and burning and filled with oil, I encourage you to keep hold on the freshness of looking at the Word with new eyes. Bless you in Jesus name. River | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 613 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Colleen and Surfy, Its good to "see" you again River, keep writing. I loaned your first book to a guy who lives in a 1/2 way house for alcoholics. He has been sober six months. Im sure those guys are enjoying it, I havent gotten it back yet.  No danger or becoming crusty here yet! Normal for me means walking in power and glory of Jesus! Lori | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4833 Registered: 9-2006 |
I will send you two of each when I send them in a few weeks. I,m glad to know I can't keep you in books. I will pray for the guys in the halfway house. In fact I never thought about street missions for my books, I know of a street missions over there about Forty five mile away. I will drop a couple by there. There you go again putting ideas in my head, what am I to do with you girl? Your keeping me as busy as a Vegas one armed bandit. River | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 535 Registered: 11-2007 |
We had some great haystacks over at Richard and Colleen's house today. Plenty of salsa and guacamole. Good times. Those haystacks were so good that I kept thinking that Colleen would make a good adventist. And today was a very blessed time for me. Worship and the sevice was great. Lunch with friends was a good time and the new members class was real inspiring. They have boiled the gospel and the church beliefs down to the purest form possible. Just to get out from under all the rules and all the non-Biblical teachings and get back to the pure message of God's grace is overwhelming. I'm seconding Lori's synopsis...it's so worth it. Surfy | ||
| Psalm107v2 Registered user Username: Psalm107v2 Post Number: 243 Registered: 10-2008  |
mmmm haystacks-I really don't miss the SDA doctrines but oh boy I still love haystacks. If ya'll make some Vandermans, swiss-stake or fri-chick casserole I may have to jump on the first plane and join ya. Enoch | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 174 Registered: 3-2009 |
I love haystacks too. But I cheat. I put taco meat in them. And not the "wooden sticks meat" either. Hec | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 318 Registered: 1-2007 |
Please tell me what haystacks are and what is in them. I left 40 years ago and I don't think haystacks were in then. But vegelinks and vegeburger was!!! | ||
| Jdpascal Registered user Username: Jdpascal Post Number: 174 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Haystack is like an individualized taco salad. The way I like mine is one handful of cheddar cheese Dorito’s Taco chips – crushed on the plate. Add to taste – chopped lettuce, fresh tomato chunks, hamburger crumbles, bacon bits, canned beans, black olives, canned corn (creamed or kernel) salsa sauce, sour cream. Having the hamburger and beans hot to mix in with the rest of the cold ingredients creates an exceptional mix to go along with the flavors of all the ingredients. Toss to mix on your plate and enjoy….. now I’m hungry!!! | ||
| Joyfulheart Registered user Username: Joyfulheart Post Number: 605 Registered: 10-2006 |
Haystacks were my first Adventist meal - and I still love them! I think most of the Sabbaths I spent with friends included haystacks. Blessed, haystacks are kind of like individual taco salads. First you crush chips on your plate. Top those with baked beans, lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, shredded cheese (at least at my church), sour cream, olives and whatever else you want. YUM! By the way, did anyone else ever have the problem of intending to make a decent size haystack and realizing by the time you were done that it was enormous? | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 319 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks to both of you. Actually I now remember that the first time I went to Richard and Colleen's for lunch after church at Trinity they served Haystacks. That is probably the only time that I ever had one. | ||
| Jdpascal Registered user Username: Jdpascal Post Number: 175 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yup - I forgot the shredded cheese.... and the only way they can be too big is if you go back for thirds... guess that's why I look like thirds.... | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 614 Registered: 6-2005 |
Surfy, testify to God's goodness and faithfulness, and watch your heart for God grow. I wish I was closer to worship with you all. Wouldnt mind putting down some haystacks with you either! I also like Big Franks and Chickette still! | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 352 Registered: 2-2006 |
We always use corn chips. Ours always turn out too big, too! The first time I had one was in the 60's, visiting Denver. We lived in CA and had never heard of them before. I was 5 y/o and loved them ever since. My kids love them too. Easy, quick and filling meal. | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 282 Registered: 4-2005 |
We still do haystacks too, and there's a section on Facebook with haystack recipes, my daughter tells me. No reason to give them up!! and Lori it was good to hear from you--I'm not good on facebook but I think of you often!! Glad your pastor doesn't think you are a "mess" any more!! I just thank God you survived all the changes in your life at once! and I think I've said this before but I'll say it again--I honestly believe I loved the Lord, out of duty before I studied the New Covenant, and it was so wonderful to really love Him--I think that is the freedom and joy we all wish for our Adventist friends and loved ones but they don't get it! Just keep praying. Peggy | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6927 Registered: 3-2004  |
Peggy, I honestly believed I loved Jesus also as an SDA. When I followed God out of adventism it was such a joy and freedom to worship Him how He wants and not letting a day get in the way. Let us keep praying for our SDA family and friends. Diana L | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9859 Registered: 12-2003 |
Surfy, it was great eating haystacks with you on Sunday! (I often say, they're my favorite legacy from Adventism! Having been Adventist, though, has given me SUCH a deep appreciation for what I now know of the Lord Jesus. What an amazing reality!) Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4837 Registered: 9-2006 |
I loved the Lord when I was a drunk too, its just that I was a drunk. River | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4838 Registered: 9-2006 |
A possum was a possum before I met the Lord. After I met him, I found out they were still possums. |
