| Author | Message | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hello: This is the first time I'm writing other than to say I'd join in prayer a while back. My husband and I have been studying our way out of the SDA church for the past 3 years. It has only been in the last 6 months that the final pieces (Dale's book Sabbath in Christ and some other helpful materials) came together and we felt free to leave "Sabbath-keeping". Right now we are enduring the barrage of condemnations and questions that I'm sure you have all experienced. I don't even know if I have a specific question right now...we're just hurting. We've been told that our salvation is lost until we "come back to the truth" and that our sin is greater than any other sin because we've left the "truth". We feel isolated from our families which is further compounded by my need to help with my brother who has a traumatic brain injury. Anyway, I doubt this makes a terribly lot of sense, but it feels good to write. Thanks for listening! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 1929 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hi, Patria! You are so welcome here--I'm glad you've joined us. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother--how long ago did he sustain his injury? It is such a lonely thing to leave--and frightening. I remember feeling as if I were losing myself. Praise God, though, that you and your husband are leaving together! When those doubts and fears assault you, go the the Bible and PRAY. God is faithful, and He will confirm your decision. Talking with all of us here will also help you feel centered and not so crazy. I was talking with one of our associate pastors at church today, and he made an interesting observation when I explained what fear and loss were involved with deciding not to "keep" Sabbath. He was thoughtful--he'd never really understood what we go through in regard to this before. After a quiet moment he said, "It's kind of like many Muslims feel about baptism. Baptism is such a Christian symbol that for a believing Muslim to be baptized is a traumatic event. It means throwing out everything they were and everything they had in order to embrace their new faith." I told him I believed that to be a very appropriate example. At any rate, Patriar, you are not alone. God will carry you through this transitional time as you enter a completely new life. It is worth it! God is good! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1473 Registered: 3-2004  |
Patriar, I opened my Bible to find a text to write to you and it opened to John 6:40 "For this is my Father's will, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I shall raise him up at the last day." John 10:27-29 " My sheep listen to My call; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who gave them to Me, is mightier than all and no one can wrest them out of My Father's hand." You have followed Jesus so keep focused on Him and His word, the Bible. As it says in the texts quoted, no one can take you out of the Father's hands. You are His. So take courage and keep praying. Father in Heaven, Come close to Patriar at this time. You know how people have been condemning her and her husband. But they are in Your awesome hands right no and You will not let go of them. Protect them from the enemy. He is defeated anyway. He was vanquished at the cross. Comfort them and let them know that you love them. Send the Holy Spirit to them to comfort and teach them. Show them that we are a large family who cares about and loves each other, even though we do not personally know each person. God I praise you for bringing this family out of Adventism and into your Rest. You are awesome God. AMEN I have put you and your husband on my prayer list. Keep close to God and pray and pray and read your Bible. Diana | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thank you again Colleen: I've said that to you more than once tonight! It feels so good to be welcomed. It feels good to "feel". Our brains have been so busy and we've had to ignore what "feels" right for so long that it's nice to rest comfortably for a moment knowing that you understand. My brother was in a car accident 8 years ago. Praise God he is still recovering and makes continual, slow progress forward. But he still requires 24/7 care and so my parents feel that we're 'abandoning' them in that area as well for some reason. (At least I think that's how they feel. They won't actually talk to us about it.) | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thank you Diana. Your words have brought me to tears. The book of John was the beginning of the end of Adentism for me and remains my favorite book of the Bible. Almost every word is bolded, highlighted and/or underlined! Last night my husband and I were discussing how the only time we feel peace is when we're in the Word. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1474 Registered: 3-2004 |
I call the book of John the Book of Love, because it teaches us so much about the Father's love for us. It is one of my favorites also. Like you, when I am reading/studying the Bible, I feel so centered and at peace. I am sorry about your brother and will add him to my prayer list. Tell me something about him, like his injuries, if you do not mind. Our God is an awesome God. Diana | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 381 Registered: 4-2000  |
A very warm welcome, Patriar. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2005 |
Yes Diana! Our God is awesome. I am always happy to talk about my brother Michael. He was in a head-on collision (the head of the other car hit his door and therefore him). He suffered two types of traumatic brain injury on June 6, 1997. He suffered a blunt injury that caused damage to his left temporal and frontal lobes and also a "sheering" injury to his brain fron the circular spinning of the car at high speed (this was overall brain injury). Sidenote: We found out years later that a coach from a local high school sat in the car and just talked to him even though he was bleeding all over and comatose, until help arrived on the scene. (How amazing God is!) He was in a deep coma for about 12 weeks and "woke up" very slowly...over about the next 2 years. He didn't speak for 1 year and 3 weeks and his first words were "I love you" to me! How blessed I was to hear that! He is in a wheelchair though by God's grace he began walking about 3 years ago much to his neurologist's amazement. Now he is officially on a program to get rid of the wheelchair altogether. Praise God!!! At the time of his accident, he was home for summer break from Union College where he had been accepted into their very first Physician's Assistant program. In light of that, he has lost so much cognitively. Yet he can still do algebra and can remember the abbreviations for the elements on the periodic table!? Brain injury is a quirky thing! THANK YOU for your prayers on his and my family's behalf. It is prayer and God's grace that sustains us and Michael. I like your name for the book of John. How appropriate! Dennis: Thank you! I look forward to 'getting to know' you all better. Patria | ||
| Bmorgan Registered user Username: Bmorgan Post Number: 41 Registered: 7-2000 |
Patriar, Welcome! I KNOW the feeling of condemnation, alienation, and the barrage of questions you mentioned. Praise God, but it will subside. The joy and peace the Lord gives in the midst of the isolation is worth every bit of what is poured on you. It gets sweeter and sweeter being with Jesus everyday. Jesus saves and keeps us. Bmorgan | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 642 Registered: 10-2004  |
Hello Patria, and welcome to the forum! We are so glad you have joined us. Yes, the book of John is a very wonderful book, with wonderful promises of security for the believer. Colleen wrote: "I remember feeling as if I were losing myself." That sounds like what Jesus said, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:35 NASB.) Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on May 10, 2005) | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2005 |
THANK YOU! Bmorgan. We have just begun experiencing those feelings of joy and peace. The words here have been such an encouragement and a reminder that we are safe in God's hands, that though the pain is difficult, the joys that await are worth it and that God is faithful! What more can I ask for? What more could I want? I'm going to sleep better tonight. I've been suffering insomnia lately from all my worry and when I do sleep, I've been having dreams about my friends all abandoning me. How childish I know...but nevertheless that's where I've been. I needed the reminder to remain in God's Word and in prayer...that that is where peace is to be found. How quickly I forget! | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2005 |
Jeremy: What a beautiful promise! Thank you so so much! Patria | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 276 Registered: 3-2005 |
Patriar, Welcome to FAF. Remember the words of the Praise song, "Joy comes in the morning" but it can be a long night sometimes. Welcome again, and God bless you, Stan | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thank you Stan! | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2004 |
Welcome Patriar,may you find solace and comfort here.We are all at different stages in our journey and can gain strength from each other. You are very lucky you are making this decision as a couple. It is difficult when you go alone. Blessing to you,Randy | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 225 Registered: 5-2004 |
Welcome Patriar! I'm so glad that you are here. Taking that stand to leave Adventism can be very scary and very painful...especially at first. I LOVE the book of John too! It was so clear for me once the truth began to dawn. Everything Jesus says there is so ...well, clear. My husband, knowing how much I love John, brought home the John movie last weekend. We watched it late into the evening and we both cried all the way through. They did it almost word for word...but it was SO POWERFUL seeing the characters in front of our eyes. I wish I could watch it every day for the rest of my life! I would highly recommend seeing it  My prayers are with you...and know that God is always near you and He will continue to lead you nearer and still nearer to Him. | ||
| Thomas1 Registered user Username: Thomas1 Post Number: 179 Registered: 4-2002  |
Let me add my welcome! I always find it amusing (now from a distance) when I hear the threats of doom when you "leave the truth". Jesus made the only true claim to truth when He said 'I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE comes to the Father except through ME." Walk in peace, Sister. walk in joy and confidence, but continue to walk WITH HIM, and only Him. Place your eyes on the cross and never never NEVER look back. You are His now. No denomination or law or commandmet or legalistic rule can EVER take you from His hand! Welcome and remember Jesus truly loves YOU. So do we. you are In HIS grip! <>< Thomas | ||
| Pw Registered user Username: Pw Post Number: 426 Registered: 6-2004 |
Patriar....welcome. I can relate to how you feel regarding leaving the SDA and their condemnation about your decision. Been there, done that, so to speak. When I left in 1986, the pastor made a special trip to my home to tell me I was heading back into the "Babylon" world. No love, encouragement or concern about my decision to join a "Sunday keeping" church, just a warning that I turned my back on the special truth and will pay for it with losing my salvation as well. Even now, it's so obvious that SDA's stranglehold on their people is guilt and fear. Is it any wonder people feel threatened when they decide to leave, and looked down upon. However once they discover the true relationship with Jesus is through prayer and fellowship rather than keeping a bunch of rules, there is no going back! | ||
| Haroldo Registered user Username: Haroldo Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2005 |
Hi Patriar, The gospel is the most powerful magnet. The Good News draws you to Jesus in a way that it inevitably pulls you away from the strongest webs, but the pulling hurts, however there is healing in the grace of Jesus, and in a new fellowship. One of the greatest signs of the sectarian nature of SDAism is indeed the threat of divine condemnation that is falsely hung over one's head if you leave. For me, as a former pastor and administrator was the EGW quote of the "brightest lights" leaving the church. But there is a backhanded truth in the statement. When one begins to shine brightly with the light of the gospel, is indeed when one can leave, and does leave. Blessings to you and your family as you are welcomed into the great fellowship of the truly world wide family of grace. In His love, Haroldo | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 191 Registered: 8-2004 |
Welcome Patria! I can identify with the feelings of loss and the barrage of condemnations and questions! I add my voice to the others that God has you in his hands and loves you. It does get sweeter as you walk with Jesus! I'm Mary, and have been out of SDAism (Actually the SDA Reform Movement) just over a year. It's been a wild ride but thankfully I know I can trust the pilot! This group has been an encouragement to me and I pray you will find it the same. Mary |
