| Author |
Message |
Capross
Registered user
Username: Capross
Post Number: 122
Registered: 7-2012
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 9:09 am: |     |
Gold City Boy
I live in Gettysburg Pa. I would like to talk to you sometime soon. I understand what you are talking about. |
Goldcityboy7
Registered user
Username: Goldcityboy7
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 9:34 am: | |
I ask all of you to pray really hard for me in the coming days and weeks. I've decided tomorrow I'm going to the church and leave my keys and send in my letter. Knowing what to do is simple. Actually doing it and potentially losing friends that are more like family is very hard. Pray for strength. I don't want their visits and phone calls for a while and I know I will be pressured. I'm kind of timid and easy to push around but not when it comes to the truth about God. You people on here are the only ones I know that have experienced what I'm about to go through. |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 10251
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 10:44 am: | |
Godcityboy, I used to live in Manassas, and Alexandria, VA. I now live in Henderson, NV where I attend a Calvary Chapel.
I am praying for you as you leave the sda church. I understand about feeling alone. I did not know anyone who left here where I live. I had met a pastor, who was the pastor at the Alexandria sda church, who left adventism while I was living there. |
River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 8180
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 12:37 pm: | |
Adventism is a study in molding minds to think along some line. It stifles creativity, and makes its subjects fearful of being different. It quickly steps in to kill any spark of creativity or passion.
I was listening to a twelve year old boy who has Autism, yet carries a 170 I.Q. He said they put him in a special education class, and then he stopped learning. That is when he began thinking in his own unique way.
We’ve all heard the old saying, ‘Great minds think alike.’ But that is a lie, because no mind is meant to think the same way, but if a kid is perceiving as threatened by God to think in a certain way, most are going to at least try.
I was watching two Adventist students playing a song on the horn, and the notes were played perfectly. The only thing it lacked was life, as the notes were played without a single inflection of the students own creativity. It was like watching two robots, and after the song was played they accepted the applause of the elders without a single reflection of life in their faces.
Perhaps the fact that a life where creativity and uniqueness has been stifled ill prepares many who find themselves in an evangelical world where there are so many varied differences. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 15041
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 3:13 pm: | |
Interesting observation, River. And I know what you mean about those two Adventist students and their robotic performance.
Phil, I'm also happy to hear about your church. It's just good to have you back online, btw!
We are in the Loma Linda area, of course!
Colleen |
Goldcityboy7
Registered user
Username: Goldcityboy7
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 6:10 pm: | |
Flying lady,
I've heard a lot about Alexandria. The pastor of the church is from Alexandria. He went to Richmond academy. He went to Meadowbridge I believe. He's well known in the conference. So are his parents. I won't say his name. I live in the southern part of Virginia right on the North Carolina border. There are as many baptist churches as there are homes in this area. The closes calvary chapel is in Greensboro North Carolina. Which is an hour away. It's a little hard to be involved with a church family that far away. |
Goldcityboy7
Registered user
Username: Goldcityboy7
Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 6:32 pm: | |
Capross,
I would like to talk also. Let me know how I can contact you. I'm not sure if giving out phone numbers on here is recommend but I'm willing to do it. |
Capross
Registered user
Username: Capross
Post Number: 123
Registered: 7-2012
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - 9:20 am: | |
Gold City boy
I am going to put my email and home phone in my profile. You can view it from the members only discussions. |
Capross
Registered user
Username: Capross
Post Number: 124
Registered: 7-2012
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - 9:28 am: | |
Gold City boy
Just realized you migh have to look through a lot of posts to find me. My email is
rosstech@embarqmail.com |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 10254
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - 11:49 am: | |
Goldcityboy, it has been 12 years since I lived in Manassas, so I probably do not know the pastor. |
Goldcityboy7
Registered user
Username: Goldcityboy7
Post Number: 13
Registered: 1-2015
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 11:04 am: | |
Yay. I think I found a church. It's a southern baptist church and they welcome people like they are. They are active in giving to people in need in the community. For example, today they had a free stew to anyone who wanted it. They even packed some up in containers and took it poorer places where people don't even have transportation to come to the church and get it. Most importantly, I talked to the pastor and others in the church about my biblical beliefs and my past and they are commuted to preaching and living the Word of God. They seem to be very biblical and believe right theology. Of course I'm still a visitor but I'm highly encouraged. |
Mjcmcook
Registered user
Username: Mjcmcook
Post Number: 1664
Registered: 2-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 11:19 am: | |
Goldcityboy7~
I will continue to pray the Holy Spirit will give you discernment regarding the
pastor of the church you have found, that he will be teaching the 'pure'
Word of GOD, and not his ideas!
Also, it is encouraging that the people are filling a 'need' in their community.
However, IMO, the Greatest Need, is the teaching of the 'Good News'~ The 'Gospel' !
For the Salvation of souls!
~mj~ |
Rocky
Registered user
Username: Rocky
Post Number: 190
Registered: 3-2012
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 12:47 pm: | |
Goldcityboy7- I agree with mj, and join her prayer for discernment regarding your pastor- I needed and still need the healing that can only come from the pure word of the Gospel that is alive and life giving-- I pray you have a true shepherd.
rocky |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 15050
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 2:32 pm: | |
Godcityboy7, I, too, will continue to pray for you and for your "landing" in a church where you will be truly fed the Word.
God is faithful. I know that I pray that He will guard me from deception and give me discernment. Having been deceived, I know that I am vulnerable to deception. That doesn't mean living in paranoia; it just means trusting God and staying immersed in His word!
Praise God for what He is doing in your life!
Colleen |
Leifl
Registered user
Username: Leifl
Post Number: 92
Registered: 3-2014
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 5:52 pm: | |
My family and I were welcomed into a small baptist church a few years ago. It was quite a journey for us.
Fortunately, our ministers understand biblical grace, otherwise, I think we would have perished. I never heard grace preached in my life before then.
We also have good teaching about living out that grace in our families and community. We have received a lot of healing there, and have been "set upright on our feet" spiritually, so to speak.
I pray that the Lord leads you. |
Goldcityboy7
Registered user
Username: Goldcityboy7
Post Number: 14
Registered: 1-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2015 - 6:06 pm: | |
Everyone found out I left the SDA church last week. Everyone sounded like they supported me as long as I was "happy". Well today the pastor suggested a meeting in a restaurant later this week to discuss me leaving before he brings it to the board on Monday. Although I think a lot of him I don't want to meet and discuss it. He will want to debate. Which will lead people to say "how can you be sure of what you believe if you're not even willing to discuss it." I'm not going to discuss it. I need strength. |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 10256
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2015 - 6:57 pm: | |
You do not have to meet with him and do not have to give him a reason why not. What I told some one, who I did not want to talk to, was "It is not in my best interests to talk to you." |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 15057
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2015 - 10:14 pm: | |
I agree with Diana, Goldcityboy. That "how can you be sure..." argument is manipulative. It's intended to guilt you and to make you feel obligated to be "fair". In fact, "fairness" is one of Adventism's biggest ploys. God has to be "fair"; we have to be "fair"...and they define the "fairness".
You do not have to meet him, and you owe him no apology. You already know how he will receive you, and you do not need to go there. In fact, this pressure they put on you to meet them is a way to entangle you in their abusive (yes, I said abusive!) relationship with you.
Deception is very clever and beguiling. The attempt to make the one leaving to feel obligated to meet works well with people who have sensitive consciences and compassionate hearts. It's important to recognize that this is a ploy to entangle you in arguments, and I can predict that if you go and become embroiled, you will experience some level of confusion because that's what they do. He will not be content to let you go; he will try to set up another meeting.
You owe him no explanation. You only have to say No. I rather like Diana's reason: "It is not in my best interest to talk to you."
Praying for you,
Colleen |
Mjcmcook
Registered user
Username: Mjcmcook
Post Number: 1672
Registered: 2-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2015 - 10:28 pm: | |
Colleen~~Goldcityboy7~
Referencing your post #15057~(Colleen)
This is what "cults" do ~
Adventism is a cult~
*******************************************
G.C.B.7~
My advise is do NOT meet with this pastor~
For all the reasons that
have been stated here, plus many more I could numerate!
Praying for you~
~mj~ |
Goldcityboy7
Registered user
Username: Goldcityboy7
Post Number: 15
Registered: 1-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2015 - 11:57 pm: | |
Thank you all. I just have one concern. First of all, I will not meet with him. Secondly, I would love to be able to defend my position. I feel the need to defend the bible and the bible alone. I know he knows more than me but knowing more doesn't necessarily means he interprets the bible correctly. It bothers me that I can't defend every belief I have. I do have a defense of my beliefs but in sure he has a clever answer for it. One person said there are numerous reasons not to meet the pastor. What kind of abusive things do they do? |
Philharris
Registered user
Username: Philharris
Post Number: 3118
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 5:38 am: | |
My own experience, as I was transitioning out of Adventism and into a bible only gospel of Jesus faith, was that all depended on whether or not Ellen White was a true prophet or not. Once I realized she was a false prophet I knew I had to leave Adventism even though I still had many areas of theology that had not been resolved. It would have been dangerous for me to engage with an Adventist pastor at that time.
One person, an aunt I was very close to, did ask why I wasn't worshiping as an Adventist any longer. When I said it was because I believed Ellen White was a false prophet she got mad at me but never ask again. Some things imbedded in me as an Adventist took a long time to resolve such as 'soul sleep' or the meaning 'eternal suffering in hell'.
Therefore, it was good not to meet with an Adventist pastor and I am thankful I didn't.
Fearless Phil |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 10258
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 9:28 am: | |
I have to tell you something funny about me. My name was taken off the church books, due to apostasy, I am sure. I went dancing every Friday night and did not keep it a secret. After my name was taken off I still went to church, sporadically. One Saturday I met a woman I had been friends with. We talked and exchanged email addresses. When I emailed her I said, "do not invite me or send me an invite to any seminars or any such thing at the church." Never heard from her again.
Hmmmm.....wonder why?
Diana |
Resjudicata
Registered user
Username: Resjudicata
Post Number: 413
Registered: 4-2014
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 10:58 am: | |
Flyinglady,
I'm probably going to get slapped, but here goes...
Your hilarious anecdote about dancing of course reminds everyone of the joke about Adventism: Q: "Why don't Adventists have sex standing up?" A: "Because it might lead to dancing."
I just can't stop laughing about your name getting taken off the books for "Apostasy," for dancing, of all things. I wonder if mine got taken off for bowling?
Good grief. |
1john2v27nlt
Registered user
Username: 1john2v27nlt
Post Number: 545
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 1:43 pm: | |
Goldcityboy7,
I learned that I do not have to give anyone a reason for anything I do, or do not do. Giving a reason simply gives them ammunition to fuel more argument.
I learned that I could simply say "I choose not to." I learned that I could repeat it as a mantra to everything they said, "I hear you; & I choose not to." with no other explanation or reason. It's called the broken record response.
Holding your ground is challenging at first. It's gets easier with practice. Others will not like it. That matters not at all. You will become more peaceful as you do so.
Yes, it is good to have & know the reason for what we believe, do, or do not do. Not everyone sincerely wants to know, or to know truth. We do not have to engage with everyone who asks us to do so.
Trust yourself, & trust God. |
Mjcmcook
Registered user
Username: Mjcmcook
Post Number: 1673
Registered: 2-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 2:05 pm: | |
1John2v27nit~
I Whole-Heartedly Agree with what you said in your post #545 !!
I practice the "broken record response" whenever need be, and it Works!
It works for a variety of situations, whether with adults or children!
Answering children who, 'want their way, and they want it right now!'
There several responses, use what is appropriate at the time; you just repeat
the statement over and over, for however long it takes and they finally give up!
You do not raise your voice, just stand firm!
Then you can move forward~
~mj~ |
Islander
Registered user
Username: Islander
Post Number: 102
Registered: 4-2014
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 3:51 pm: | |
Dear Goldboy, I think it's best to be a no show with the SDA minister. I had two different SDA ministers tell me to deny SDA'ism is to deny God the joy of giving me the free gift of eternal life. Their eternal life does not sound like a gree gift in any way to me. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 15060
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 - 10:44 pm: | |
1John2v27...I totally agree with you. That's the best way to do it!
Colleen |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 10259
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2015 - 2:15 pm: | |
Resjudicata, I am glad you are laughing. I laugh at it now. |
Taluur
Registered user
Username: Taluur
Post Number: 51
Registered: 8-2012
| | Posted on Friday, February 06, 2015 - 5:46 pm: | |
Goldcityboy, it is certainly good advice to decline meeting the pastor. Don't let him "guilt" you into it. A simple "No" should be enough for him.
My situation was a little different in that my pastor and I had some discussions and correspondence. He had difficulty refuting fact that under the new covenant Sabbath day observance was not mandatory. He never really dealt with my objections to the IJ and Ellen White's writings. I think he thought he could get me back into the church on the Sabbath issue.
After not going to the SDA church for several weeks (I was attending a very good Presbyterian church nearby at the time), he stopped by my home while I was gone one Saturday and left a tape of his sermon he delivered earlier that day.
In his sermon it sounded like he was preaching against me and some supposed influence being spread in the congregation, even though he did not use my name. One of the passages I shared with him in our discussion was Hebrews 4:1-11 with a particular focus on verse 7 ("He again fixes a certain day, 'Today,' ..."). In addition to trying to argue against some of the Biblical passages I shared with him, he quoted this one in the sermon. The difference, though, is that he tried to skip verse 7. But listening to the tape, he accidentally read verse 7. Realizing his "mistake", he hurriedly moved on to another passage he thought would bolster his promotion of mandatory Sabbath observance. But the congregation still at least heard verse 7.
The inflection in his voice the way he accidentally read Hebrews 4:1-11 indicated to me that he knew the truth mentioned in that passage was not consistent with the message of his sermon.
Sorry for rambling on like this. The point is if you do not want to go through a dialogue with the pastor, you are under no obligation to do so. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into what you should do at this time in your life in Christ. Grow in His grace. |
