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Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 665
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 8:35 pm: |     |
Thanks for the encouragement and prayers. This next part is the worst part, and I still feel the pain reading about something that happened three years ago. But God is so faithful. What was the worst part of the story is also a testament to the goodness of God. I cannot imagine making it through this time without Him. Many of you were here praying me through this time, and I am reminded of how much that carried me, so just wanted to thank you again.
Lori
PART 10 (a)
….I arrived home from telling my family of leaving Adventism and was exhausted, but ready for my new life in Christ. The next night my husband called from work and announced that he wanted to move out. I think I simply went into shock. A few days before, we had been discussing shopping for a 20 year anniversary ring. Suddenly my husband was saying he did not want to be married. I did not see this coming. I believed we had worked through so many hard issues and survived and moved on, and that we were both committed to our marriage.
However, this time, I heard something different in his voice, and knew he was serious. I couldn’t understand, and he couldn’t explain. I was devastated. I was reeling. I could not imagine telling my 13 year old son that his dad was moving out of the house.
I simply could not do it. Each day, when I would think of talking to my son, I would become incapacitated with grief. I was unable to do it. I would cry so hard I could not drive to pick him up from school. I called girlfriends most days to pick him up for me, and tried to hide from my son, so that he would not see my face. Finally it became apparent that there was no way around this situation, and we set a time to talk to our son a few days later.
I had registered to attend a weekend retreat sponsored by the church I had been attending, and decided to go ahead and go, to help prepare for the following sunday when my husband was to move out, and we were to talk to our son.
I had planned to be gone one night, but when the retreat ended, I was not ready to go home and face the inevitable. I opted to stay another night by myself in a cabin, to just pray and seek God. Of course, it had entered my mind that perhaps I had been deceived, and that somehow my husband’s leaving was a result of my decision to leave the Adventist Church. I didn’t really believe that, because God had been so incredibly real to me over the last year, but I had to know for sure. I begged God, as I had on many occasions, to reveal the truth to me. I surrendered my family to him and asked Him to confirm to me that I was following His will.
Earlier in the day I had heard a sermon based on Luke 11:9-13. I had been asking, seeking, and knocking, asking my Father to guide me, and I believed as His Word said, that He would give me good gifts, and not evil ones like destroying my family, because I was searching for truth.
Luke 11;9-13
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
I prayed that text, and asked God to remove anything that was not of Him and to fill me with His Holy Spirit. God responded in a very powerful way for me. I was flooded with the love and power of God. God filled me with His Holy Spirit. I had no doubt whatsoever that I was walking in His path. I cannot possible explain to someone who has never experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit what that is like, but it is unmistakably the presence of God. Even thought I knew I was filled with the Holy Spirit when I accepted Jesus, because the Sprit lived in me, this was a definite outpouring above and beyond anything I had ever known.
God knew what a terrible day the next day would be for all of us, when my husband moved out, and in His mercy he met me at my lowest point….
...to be continued |
Hec
Registered user
Username: Hec
Post Number: 418
Registered: 3-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 9:40 pm: | |
Thanks for sharing. I know it must be very hard to do it, but believe me, it's a blessing to those who read. I know it's a blessing for me. It gives me hope. I'm sorry you had to go through so much. As you say, God carried you through and I'm hoping he carries me through too.
Hec |
Skeeter
Registered user
Username: Skeeter
Post Number: 197
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 11:24 am: | |
Lori,
yes, please do continue.
I am copy + pasting your story into a "works document" so I can print it out as a whole and save it as well as share with others.
How many installments are there ?
I am anxiously waiting for each one.
This part... especially touched me.
"Luke 11;9-13
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
I felt like I now "get" what that verse is saying.... I used to think it meant that God would give us basically anything we wanted.. but it suddenly dawned on me (ok I am slow) that it is not saying that whatever we ask him for he will give to us.. but that what we are to ASK for is the HOLY SPIRIT and IT will be given to us.:-) The Holy Spirit IS the "gift" that we are to ask for and that He will give to us when we do ask. Why have I not seen that before ? When I read that in the context of your story, I literally got chills and began to cry (and again as I am typing this out) I have asked God many times for "things" for "circumstances" using that Bible Text... I was not asking for an egg or a fish.... why was God often (seemingly to me) ignoring my requests when this verse says He will give "it" to those who ask. I never before realized that the "IT" he wants us to ask for is the Holy Spirit. :-)
Or at least that is what it feels like to me... |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 667
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 4:25 pm: | |
Skeeter,
Yes! Isn't that awesome. And we were always so afraid of the Holy Spirit as adventists! And here God promises that he wont give us a snake, or something dangerous or scary, when He gives us His Holy Spirit. I pray you get what you ask for! Holy Spirit will comfort you, empower you, embolden you, guide you into all truth, overwhelm you with love, and teach you all things. You will not be mislead by Holy Spirit!
I think this story has 13 or 14 installments. I never really finished it. Maybe I will add to it this time, and get it up to date. We will see. Ok, back to the story:
Part 10b
….God continued to pour into me, and He carried me through the talk with my son, and the day of the move out, and through the next few months. God’s grace and presence was amazing, even as things went further downhill. What looked like what might be a brief separation quickly turned into a pending divorce. We never celebrated our 20 year anniversary. Only 4 ½ months after my husband left the house, our divorce was final.
I went through incredible pain during that time. I have never known pain like the pain of breaking my child’s heart and watching him hurt. Personally I had incredible grief, abandonment, betrayal, anger, hurt, fear, and heartbreak. I pleaded with God up until the day of my divorce to save my marriage. My divorce attorney and I prayed together to stop the process. My son and I prayed together for his dad to come home.
I had an onslaught of other issues to deal with at the same time my marriage was ending. My father was terminally ill and failing. I was a daddy’s girl, and had always known that if anything bad ever happened to me, that I would have my father. He had been with me through my marriage crisis seven years earlier, but this time I could not break his heart, and add the worry to his illness, so I never told him. In addition, I had always thought that I would have my husband beside me when something happened to my father. This was not the case. I lost them both at the same time.
One would be tempted to claim that I was receiving backlash from leaving the Adventist church. That was suggested to me. However, God reassured me of his hand in this situation. I was later to learn that instead of causing these things to happen because I left the Adventist church, God had actually HELD OFF and protected me from these things which had been in the making, UNTIL He had me completely in his hand--Until He could fill and empower me with the Comforter. Until I was completely surrendered to Him. I could see in hindsight how perfect His timing was, and how much He loved me.
I learned how to let “deep cry out to deep” Psalm 42, and be carried by the love of God.
During that time, I wrote the following, and posted it on the Former Adventist Fellowship Forum:
“Sometimes He calms the storm
and other times He calms His child...”
(I don’t know who wrote that song)
The "storms" have increased.
God has calmed me, and more, He has blessed me. I have no words to describe this. There truly is a peace that completely passes all understanding, and a love that is all encompassing. I praise God for his gifts and his mercy and love. Yes Diana, he is awesome and more. Thank you all for your prayers. I was covered in prayer, and I knew it. Please continue to pray…”
The circumstances of my life were in an uproar, even as I had the Peace of God. The journey wasn’t over. I still had to have my name removed from the Adventist church. I thought I would wait until my son finished 8th grade, but once again something happened to change my plans….
To be continued. CHECK OUT THE LINK BELOW, IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SONG I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE STORY BY GINNY OWENS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtNzOpKvPfw
From Isaiah 43
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. |
Martin
Registered user
Username: Martin
Post Number: 79
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 - 4:33 am: | |
Thanks.
Reading through your story is making me think a lot about my own experiences... Lately, there might have been some moments of doubt... But it made me think about some times where, I believe, I've received pretty direct assurances from God that He will always be there, even if the path looks scary... That I am in His hands. So I need to trust in Him.
In the end it all comes to that: to trust in Him. |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 671
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 10:26 am: | |
Martin,
Reviewing my story, and remembering His assurances has definitely helped me. Its part of why we are to share our testimony.
One thing that I have learned is to quit striving to "have more faith", but instead, to ask God to give me His gift of faith.
I know you will get through whatever your situation is at this point, He is faithful and He will bring you through.
Ok, back to the story, Im taking a bit of a detour for a minute, before I talk about walking off the cliff!~ I really wanted to re-work this part, I just havent gotten around to it. This was so pivotal to me. I hope you all will add any comments re the New Covenant stuff. I need a writer to help me with this part....
Part 11
So many of you have written encouraging and sympathetic responses to my story thus far, and I am so appreciative. I’m glad my story doesn’t end with the last chapter, or this one coming up, because they have been by far the hardest to write.
Some have suggested to me that I must have unforgiveness or “bitterness” in my heart over some of the experiences I have mentioned in my story. In reality, the opposite is true. While I may have held unforgiveness in my heart, it was not toward the SDA church, it was toward myself. I never questioned that my CHURCH was possibly wrong, so I blamed myself for never being able to measure up to the standards promoted by EGW and the SDA church. I thought it was my personal flaw. I was convinced that I could never stand before a Holy God without a mediator as the SDA church taught would be necessary in the end times. My personal shame of repeated failures left me unable to “own” my sinful behavior. I kept things secret and hidden that I was embarrassed about.
Most of the story was 10, 20, even 30 years ago! Even so, I couldn’t have written this “story” before I understood grace, the gospel, and the New Covenant. In living in the reality of resurrection life, I have been able to accept the fact that God took on the guilt of my sin, and washed me. I am able to bring things into the open, have God heal me of sinful things in my life, and accept forgiveness from God. Only now can I speak about the painful things in my past, because God has forgiven me, and in doing so allowed me to forgive others when necessary.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 1:1-2
Let me backtrack for a minute to a study that was profound for me in understanding the new covenant.
Clay Peck published the following on his website (He gave me permission to print this here!) I’m going to pick up from the middle of the study, but please reference his website listed below for the full Covenant Studies….
Peck states, …..This new covenant was not a new idea for God. It was not like his Plan A failed, so he scratched his head and said, "Lets try something different," and came up with the new
covenant - Plan B. The plan of salvation through the substitutionary atonement of Christ at the cross, offered
by grace alone to all who would believe, was established before the beginning of human
history. That's why Jesus is called "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the
world" (Revelation 13:8). All of the prophecies and acted parables - such as the sacrificial
services of the temple - pointed forward to Christ.
So the new covenant, the climax of God's everlasting covenant, was not new to God. It is
called "new" because it is different from and replaces the covenant made with Israel…..
Clay peck goes on to provide this eye opening chart straight from Scripture,
2 Corinthians 3.
It helps to get a visual image of the comparisons and contrasts between the old and new covenants:
Old Covenant New Covenant
on tablets of stone v. 3 on human hearts v. 3
of the letter v. 6 of the Spirit v. 6
the letter kills v. 6 the Spirit gives life v. 6
ministry that brought death v. 7 ministry of the Spirit v. 8
came with glory v. 7 much greater glory v. 11
ministry of condemnation v. 9 ministry of righteousness v. 9
fading glory v. 11 ever-increasing glory v.
18
veil remains unlifted v. 14 in Christ it is taken away v. 14
bondage (implied) freedom v. 17
unable to change the heart (implied) being transformed v. 18
I encourage you to study carefully this whole chapter in your own Bible. See what it says for yourself. We read through verse 11 earlier. Let's continue reading now with verse 12:
"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (2 Corinthians 3:12-16)
Before we read the last two verses of the chapter, think about what you just read. Notice first that reading Moses is equated with reading the old covenant. They are one and the same. Now notice that a veil remains over anyone's mind that tries to read the old covenant without the benefit of the New Testament interpretation.
There is a veil covering your heart and mind if you are living in the old covenant. It can only be removed through the Gospel!
Only through the Gospel, standing on this side of the cross, with the full radiance and illumination of the cross, can the Old Testament be understood properly. The veil is taken away through Christ.
Now my guess is that someone is reading this and thinking: "Don't tell people the Ten Commandments were a part of the old covenant. They'll go right out and steal, kill and commit adultery. You're just telling us that since we're under grace we can go out and sin!"
Am I saying that? Of course not! No sincere follower of Christ teaches or believes that. That's not the way the Spirit operates in our lives.
Read the last two verses of 2 Corinthians 3:
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
When we move out of the bondage and condemnation of being law-oriented, trying to receive or achieve merit with God through our actions, there is freedom, glorious freedom. It is freedom from guilt and slavery. It is not freedom to sin. In fact, the more we behold him, the more we are changed into his likeness. Look again at what that last verse says: "We...are being transformed into his likeness."
New Covenant Christians live God-honoring lives, not in order to be saved, but because they are saved. As they serve the Lord, they are working from victory, not toward victory -- motivated by the love of Christ! That's the kind of Christian I want to be. How about you? “
___See http://www.graceplace.org/index.cfm/page/Covenant_Studies for the study in full. Be sure to read all of the Covenant Studies. This is the study I mentioned earlier that was so life changing for me.
I have experienced that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about GOOD NEWS. It’s about a covenant relationship that gets better, In fact God says we are transformed into His likeness with “ever increasing glory” meaning the covenant relationship will continue to get better over time.
As I continued to study I realized something incredibly important. GOD KNEW IN ADVANCE that I would be unable to keep the law. He knew of my repeated failings in advance. He NEVER expected ME to be able to keep the law—with or without His “help”. He absolutely knew that He must die to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. Jesus himself said the following during the last supper….“This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”. 1 Cor. 11:25 NKJV.
Ok, back to the story in the next installment. Like I mentioned before, it will be about officially Leaving the Adventist Church-- and what that final step was like! Talk about walking off a cliff…..
.
.
. |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 672
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 7:41 pm: | |
Ok, back to the story….and the final part--finally!
Part 12
I left off after telling of God’s incredible presence with me during the time my husband was leaving and the subsequent divorce. I mentioned God filling me with His Holy Spirit, and how he so miraculously confirmed to me that I was on the right path.
I had planned to have my name taken off of the SDA church books after I talked to my family, but of course I didn’t know at the time that my husband would move out of the house at that point. Because of my obvious devastation, I decided to delay that move. Another consideration was the fact that my son was in the SDA church school, and I felt that he was going through enough with the separation. I didn’t want to cause him any further upheaval in his life.
My SDA friends were so incredible during this time of my separation and my dad’s illness. Many times I would start to drive to school, and begin crying so hard I had to pull over. My girlfriends were so supportive. They would change their plans to pick my son up from school, take him home, or even take him to their house to spend the night. They took him to pathfinders. They brought things to my house and left things in my mailbox. They walked with me and listened to me cry. They watched my house, my dogs, and my son when I would head to Florida to be with my dad during his horrible illness and many surgeries. A few knew that I was visiting other churches, although only a very few knew that I was processing out of Adventism. I was afraid to tell them I was leaving, I knew they would be upset, and I couldn’t stand the thought of more loss in my life if we ended up being estranged.
I think I would have waited till summer to officially have my name taken off the SDA books, had it not been for one of those “moments” when once again I knew that I had to obey God and move forward. This time the “moment” involved someone else, and I don’t feel comfortable telling someone else’s story, but I knew it was confirmation from God that I needed to remove my name from the Adventist church.
I wrote a brief letter to the board of my home church:
To the board of Marietta Adventist Church.
I am requesting that my membership be removed from the Marietta Church and the Seventh-day Adventist World church rosters.
I would appreciate if this could be processed as quickly as possible.
I have not made this decision lightly. My decision is firm. I pray you can rejoice with me in my decision to follow Christ alone, by Faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ, my Savior.
My heart and prayers remain with you all.
Prayerfully,
Lori Radford
A couple of days later someone from the church called to tell me that she was very sorry to learn of my decision, but that she would process my request. She explained that by policy, the Seventh-day Adventist church would not transfer anyone’s membership to any Christian church, only SDA churches. She explained that she had only three options of how she would list my membership status: Missing, Deceased, or In Apostasy.
Imagine! I was declaring faith in Jesus Christ alone, serving Him, and depending on Him for my salvation, and in doing so would be declared by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as “In Apostasy”. I was stunned by this fact, but it seemed to confirm my decision even more.
A few weeks later, I learned that the request to remove my name would come up before the board that evening. I prayed for some time, and had such mixed feelings. I KNEW God was calling me out of Adventism, I wasn’t “leaving”, I was being called out. To me, there was a tremendous difference. In some sense, I felt like I was kicking and screaming even as God called me out. I wanted a last ditch effort to change the church from within, and leave things the way they were.
I had already hurt my mother, my father was dying, I was separated from my husband with the outcome looking bleak, and I was about to sever a relationship with a church family that had been extremely important to me. I was afraid some of my friendships would not survive my leaving the Adventist church. My son was still in church school, and I was afraid of possible fallout for him. Still—God had let me know this was His timing.
Once again, God gave me a song to go along with the experience. The song was by tree63, and I had never heard it before that day. Here are part of the lyrics.
Tree 63 - I Stand For You
From the album Worship Volume One: I Stand For You
Jesus, I stand for you
No matter what you lead me through
They will chase me out and close me down
But, Jesus I will stand for you
Chorus:
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for you
In all this world
You’re all that’s true
I’ll always stand for you
Jesus, I’ve stood my ground
When unbelief was all around
And I have felt the sting rejection brings
Jesus I still stand for you
....I let the letter go to the board. The next morning, after the board meeting when my name was removed from the SDA membership roster,I was driving around, and feeling so close to God. At one point I stopped and had my own private time of communion. It is almost too personal to share, but I think it sums up my experience completely.
I took a cup, and a piece of bread (for communion) and sat them before me. I remember vividly reaching my hands up to God and saying the following.
God, I have nothing to offer You—nothing. .
….no SDA religion.
…no church membership
…no “day” of the week to point to
…no “prophet“ to depend on
…no family heritage in a church
…no righteousness of my own
….not a single thing in my life to point at to qualify me for Your kingdom.
I raised up empty hands to the One and Only true God!
…and I knew that It was enough….
I was overcome with peace. I had the sweetest sense of the Peace that passes all understanding flood through me.
I knew what I knew what I knew. I was so completely covered by the work of Jesus on the cross. I was a recipient of His righteousness and none of my own, and IT WAS ENOUGH. I knew He was pleased. I knew I was following the Holy Spirit. I knew peace. I knew love. I knew rest….
I have never had a moment as profound. I have never looked back. I was set free, and I knew it. I had “cut the cord” so to speak. It is one thing to say that you trust in Jesus alone--- I used to say that as an Adventist. It’s quite another thing to experience that rest, to jump off the cliff without a parachute or safety net of any kind, and KNOW that God is holding you. Now that is true “sabbath rest”. That is a sabbath rest that remains, that is a rest that is in effect “today” and every day, and I remain in that rest at this point.
(I had to get up after writing this part, I still get overcome with gratitude when I remember this day). If you have never experienced this, no matter what your background, I challenge you to meet this God that I have met. You don’t have to be an Adventist or former Adventist to be overcome by the grace of God, or to live in His kingdom in the present. You just have to believe. You just have to hold up an empty hand, realizing you have nothing to offer, claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, confess you sinfulness, and invite the King of Kings to be Lord over your life.
If you can’t do that yet, If you still think you have to have “something” in your hand to qualify you for salvation, then I pray that you will ask God to reveal the truth to you. It is very plain in the Bible. Ask for the Holy Spirit to teach you all things. Ask for the spirit of Adventism (or any other idol or religion) to be replaced with His Holy Spirit, and see what God does! You will not be the same.
Much love,
Lori |
Hec
Registered user
Username: Hec
Post Number: 427
Registered: 3-2009
| | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 11:23 am: | |
WOW!
What a story. I feel kind of sad that it's finished. I also feel happy on how it finished. It's a grand finale! Very inspiring. Actually, more interesting and worth waiting for than the Spanish soap-opera I mention before (LOL).
It gives me a longing for the day when I too, will be able to sever all ties with SDA.
May God bless you as you walk with him and inspire others to walk with him.
Hec |
Skeeter
Registered user
Username: Skeeter
Post Number: 214
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 4:36 pm: | |
Lori,
Thank you so much for sharing your story :-)
It meant more than you will ever know.
Francie |
Asurprise
Registered user
Username: Asurprise
Post Number: 971
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 7:19 pm: | |
Thank-you Lori! I really enjoyed reading your story too! It really blessed me.  |
Handmaiden
Registered user
Username: Handmaiden
Post Number: 101
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 5:38 pm: | |
i too was very moved by your story Lori
It is so good to see how the Lord works a little here and little there to gently lead us to Himself.
He does not rip and tear us from all we have ever known.
He is so loving and faithful and it is so true we have NOTHING to offer Him but our surrendered lives
and that is all He wants and then He makes such wonderful new creatures out of the lost souls we used to be.
We serve a truly amazing God.
i pray that He uses your story to set many free from the lies and bondage of sda.
i am so glad i am a part of the family of God.
i cannot wait to meet you all in heaven.
love to all
handamaiden |
Olga
Registered user
Username: Olga
Post Number: 177
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 9:02 pm: | |
Lori,
will your story be posted along with the other stories here? I'd like to have a copy of it. Thanks for sharing such a powerful testimony; you have such great faith!
Olga |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 673
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 6:44 am: | |
Olga, great to see your picture! If I ever get around to editing this, I may post it here. Its way too long... I am trying to put it together into one piece. I sent a note out on facebook to some friends asking for help. I'm trying to decide if I should leave out part 11. It was so important to me, but Im thinking it detracts from the "story" of God's pursuit. I welcome any comments, and any "editors".
Also, I have not sent out "part 12--the rest of the story" which I sent out last time to my email list and here. It drew several very angry responses from my adventist friends...
Lori |
Bb
Registered user
Username: Bb
Post Number: 508
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 2:54 pm: | |
Lori, how are you dealing with the angry responses? That would be a very difficult thing for me to deal with. I am praying for you and for those who are reading your story. |
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777
Post Number: 794
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 7:21 pm: | |
Lori, I hope you feel released to send out part 12. I've read it several times this past week (saved it from a year ago) and felt such a sense of peace even as tears have run down my face. We do serve an awesome God and we can offer Him nothing, for we have nothing of ourselves to offer. There are times when I'm lost in amazement when I contemplate His gift to me.
For many you are "Moses" pointing the way to the "freedom land". I have had a number of people who have stood as a "Moses" for me over the years. I thank God for each of them.
In Him,
Richard
rtruitt@mac.com
. |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 674
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 8:06 am: | |
There are two part 12's
"Part 12", and
"Part 12--the rest of the story". I think Ill post it here, and see what you all think. It was written about a year ago. I havent sent it out this time via email. I also havent sent out the covenant study (part 11) either. Im waiting on a vote on facebook lol.
Im going to start a new thread on angry responses, Bb, becuase I believe it is a good question, and I need help and so do others here.
Lori |
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777
Post Number: 795
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 7:19 pm: | |
Lori,
"Im going to start a new thread on angry responses, Bb, becuase I believe it is a good question, and I need help and so do others here.
Lori"
I also believe that is a very important subject for all of us,
I know I don't have a scholarly answer all the time when asked questions of what I believe in certain areas, at least not answers that will "WIN" an argument. I usually just answer that God has had me on a "journey" for a few years and is slowly revealing HIS character and will for me in my life. I can then quietly share in a simple way and shut up. I listen to their comments but since I've already stated how God is revealing Himself as He holds me in His hands I have no reason to argue.
In scripture I can think of no time when Christ argued with those he spoke to, He DECLARED IT and then went on about His fathers business.
It is realy tough when people you admire and love are hurt and argue. When God gives me the grace to quietly listen and not lash back in anger I feel the Holy Spirit can best do It's work on their heart and on mine. Stay CENTERED in Him.
In His Hands,
Richard
rtruitt@mac.com
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Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 7361
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 7:51 am: | |
Even on CARM when SDAs try to get met into an argument, I just tell them I will leave the rest between God and us, individually. I will not argue.
Diana L |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 678
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 1:07 pm: | |
Ok, here is part 12--the rest of the story, written a couple years later...
Im going to start a post above about angry responses and how to handle them...
PART 12__THE REST OF THE STORY
Yes, I know it has been awhile, I know I owe some of you responses. I’m going to give a shot at some follow up Q&A sort of thing. I’ve had questions, so here are some responses. The question I want to address in this installment is “why can’t you just walk away from Adventism?” “Why do you feel you have to make a point of shoving this fact into our faces?” Before I address that good question,
HERE IS WHERE WE LEFT OFF!—after taking my name off SDA books…
I took a cup, and a piece of bread (for communion) and sat them before me. I remember vividly reaching my hands up to God and saying the following.
God, I have nothing to offer You—nothing. .
….no SDA religion.
…no church membership
…no “day” of the week to point to
…no “prophet“ to depend on
…no family heritage in a church
…no righteousness of my own
….not a single thing in my life to point at to qualify me for Your kingdom.
I raised up empty hands to the One and Only true God!
…and I knew that It was enough….
I was overcome with peace. I had the sweetest sense of the Peace that passes all understanding flood through me.
I knew what I knew what I knew. I was so completely covered by the work of Jesus on the cross. I was a recipient of His righteousness and none of my own, and IT WAS ENOUGH. I knew He was pleased. I knew I was following the Holy Spirit. I knew peace. I knew love. I knew rest….
OK FAST FORWARD OVER TWO YEARS LATER FROM HAVING MY NAME REMOVED….and to begin to answer questions.
Today at church I heard a great sermon. My pastor made a point about the story of Moses, and it just resonated with me so very deeply.
His point was this (with some of my own thoughts added):
Moses was out in the desert wilderness when he was surprised by the presence of God. (Just like my situation). God came to him in the form of a burning bush. Moses was directly in the presence of God. God spoke to him from the glory of a burning bush that refused to burn up. The holiness of God was so strong Moses had to keep a certain distance, and even remove his shoes! God spoke to Moses directly. Moses was changed by the personal presence of God.
The question posed by the pastor was this. What is Moses had just stayed where He had encountered the presence of God? What if he had just basked in God’s presence for years? What if He gave glory to God the rest of his days for revealing Himself to him? What if he had never went back to Egypt to free the slaves!?
God revealed Himself to Moses; he opened the eyes of Moses and allowed him to SEE a part of God others he knew had never experienced. Moses could have gone forward, and just left those he loved behind. Of course we know the rest of the story. Moses was obedient to God, and as a result enjoyed the blessings of God, got out of the desert, and led many others toward the goodness of God.
I pray I am able to do the same, out of obedience to God, as a result of His mercy to me, to let others know there is much, much, more to the kingdom of God than we knew as Adventists. I want you to know the grace of God, and the changing power of the Holy Spirit in all His fullness. I want you to know the more of God that I know and experience daily.
It’s natural to get used to slavery to a religious system. But I can say this from experience. Being a slave (the ONLY option God describes in the bible other than freedom in Christ) even a high ranking slave with privileges and prestige, pales in comparison to the lowest form of freedom.
See, freedom is so superior. And that is why I believe God tells us to ‘get rid of the bond woman, the law”. He wants us to have the best. He wants us to enjoy the life He died to secure for us. Loving God out of a grateful heart for His finished work on the cross on our behalf is better.
Some of you may hear the word freedom expressed by a former Adventist, and make certain assumptions. As a Seventh-day Adventist, I would hear people use the term freedom in conjunction with religion, and think they were out “sinning” recklessly. I figured freedom meant subscribing to an abandonment of the law. And according to mans’ standard, that is probably true.
Next installment I want to challenge that assumption. I think some of you will be challenged in your thinking. I believe some of you will feel your hope grow.
Dear Father God,
Thank you for each person who is reading this. Thank you God that you love them so very much. Thank you that you enable me to love like You love. God I ask that you open the eyes of those reading. Help them to desire You more than anything. Help hope to spring forth. Help my friends and family and loved ones to desire truth, and to trust YOU alone to guide them into all truth. Break off anything, any spirit, that is not of you. Fill us with Your promised Holy Spirit to guide us into truth. Jesus, sow faith and love and hope into my loved ones. Bring them into assurance of Your salvation. And do it quickly God. I hate to see my friends with their toes struck in the water. I want to see them dive all the way into your grace and goodness. In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
I love you all!
Lori |
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