| Author | Message | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 906 Registered: 10-2004  |
Brian3, What an encouraging testimony of God's grace and mercy and love. Only He can remove the veil from our hearts (2 Cor. 3). He is truly Sovereign and good. Praise Him for setting you free in the truth of JESUS! Jeremy | ||
| Abundantrest Registered user Username: Abundantrest Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2005 |
I guess this thread is as good a place as any to start. I'm new here also, and just wanted to let you know that I've been reading the board for some time. I want to share a bit of my personal testimony thus far. I was baptized at the age of 12 into the Baptist church, and raised in mostly non-denominational churches (full-gospel). I wandered from God after blaming Him for some negative circumstances in my life, and did not step foot in a church for seven years. Then, I met my wife, who led me to the Adventist church. After reaching what I felt was my personal "bottom", I really felt like this was an answer to my prayers: a Godly woman. My wife hase been in the SDA church since she was 12. I studied for just over 3 years before deciding to join the church, stiffling some inner doubts regarding some of the doctrines of the church, and primarily issues with EGW. Well, after much active participation and leadership roles within the church over the last 6 years since joining, I am finding myself really struggling. I know there are doctrinal issues with the church, as well as EGW. My problem is that I don't have any clue as to where to go from here ... or how to approach my wife. She is still a "grounded" adventist, and the last time I brought up anything about doubting the church or possibly leaving it, she broke down. It was a very bad scene indeed. So, that's where I'm at today. Please pray for me and my family as I search for guidance. I have determined that I need to go through Paul's writings from start to finish in a systematic verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter method so I can find the REAL TRUTH. Thanks for having me here. | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 524 Registered: 7-2004 |
Abundantrest (love that name, BTW!), Welcome. My heart is heavy for what issues lie on your heart. All I can say is "been there, done that" (only I have a husband not a wife!  ) You are so right on in starting a systematic verse by verse study. (My personal recommendation is the book of John and seeing Jesus as the Redeemer and Friend He so wants to be!) John 14:26 promises that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. We don't need a prophet or a commentary or a pastor! "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we3 may know the things freely given to us by God...not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words...For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Cor. 2:12,13,16. I will be praying for you as the Holy Spirit gives you personal guidance. He will calm your anxieties as you learn His truths. He will change your life and your wife will not be able to miss all the positive changes His unfailing love will bring to her own life. | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 15 Registered: 7-2005 |
Abundantrest, I can relate to your experience, because in the past I don't knew what to say to my wife. She is still and adventist, but not so sure about what she believes. For me was a struggle, because she has some negative remarks about other former adventists, simultanously giving thanks to God that we have not rejected Ellen White. But unexpectedly, in a day I share with her one of the most blatant contradiction which exists between Ellen White and the Bible. In Romans 8 Paul put a rethorical question Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth The obvious response is "Nobody" But Ellen White describes Satan accusing the saints in the Investigative Judgment process, even if the Revelation 12:10 says that the accuser of our brethren was cast down. This was a break for my wife, who changed her mind. Not entirely, but was a small break. What I want to say is that God knows the timing and the approach which is appropiate. I have never dreamed about the approach and the timing, but something inside me make myself speak out, with courage, in spite of the fear of the consequences. Trust in God, and He will choose the best moemnt for you. You will have the courage and will know what to do, don't worry about this. Jackob | ||
| Wooliee Registered user Username: Wooliee Post Number: 32 Registered: 6-2005 |
Abundantrest, Welcome! I like that name also. I will be praying for you and your wife. I love what 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 says: May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say. (NLT) Julie | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 990 Registered: 7-2003  |
Welcome Abundantrest, I am praying for you and your wife. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you great wisdom. I pray that the Spirit will guard you witness that it might not be diminished. I pray that the Holy Spirit will make you and your wife as one. I pray that the Spirit will guide and direct both of you, teaching you truth and protecting you from evil. In Christ, Chris Lee Lincoln, NE | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1789 Registered: 3-2004  |
Abundantrest, I like that name. Welcome to FAF. I have added you and your wife's name to my prayer list. Just hand on to Jesus, read His Word, pray and God will lead you to do what is right at the right time. The Holy Spirit will teach you. God has promised and He keeps his promise. Our God is awesome in all He does. Diana | ||
| Abundantrest Registered user Username: Abundantrest Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thank you all for such a warm welcome! And thank you especially for your prayers. I know that God is going to see me and my family through. I'll be posting a couple of thoughts in the next day or so as a new topic for discussion. These are areas where I realize there is error, but may not have a full grasp on the truth as of yet. I find that so many of my current beliefs have been tainted not only by the SDA doctrines, but from my upbringing as well. I want to get back to the basics, and study for myself the real doctrines behind the good news that Jesus came to give us! I look forward to participating here and getting your feedback and prayers as I begin my journey out of Adventism. God Bless. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2419 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome, Abundant Rest. We're so glad you're here, and we will be happy to "talk" with you and to pray for you and your wife. Your decision to study the Bible is perfect. Along with John, you might start with Galatians. Read it every day for a month, asking God to reveal what He wants you to know. I'm praying for you and your wife. Colleen | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 295 Registered: 7-2004  |
Welcome, Abundant Rest. I am another of the "been there, done that" crowd. I married into SDAism ("Raven" is my wife) and even started down that path of a theology degree. As I openly questioned more and more SDA beliefs it started becoming a very sore point in our marriage. So after 3 or 4 years of these questions I learned to keep my mouth shut. It was more than 10 years later that my wife started looking at some of these questions for herself (and she didn't even tell me when she had started looking). It was another 4 or 5 years before I knew that she was even looking at these questions. And it still took another year or two before she was convinced. It took a long time (at least by our thinking), but the Spiritual unity has come into our marriage has been a mighty blessing. Your family will be in our prayers. | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 285 Registered: 7-2004  |
Welcome, Abundant Rest. Ric_b said Amen! For years I knew there was something very wrong with EGW and the Investigative Judgment doctrine, but never imagined I would ever consider leaving the church I was born and raised in. I think the reason I took so long to consider leaving the SDA church is because I had no clue about the New Covenant and what to do about the Sabbath. I was looking at it backwards, and figured since most of the doctrines were "rock solid", then EGW and the IJ must be right even if I couldn't see it. At the time, even Ric_b who was very liberal about the Sabbath, figured since it's in the 10 Commandments there must be some relevance to it. I think I'm the one who "got it" about the New Covenant and reality of the Sabbath before Ric_b did! In addition to a lot of prayer, my advice is to get grounded in the reality of what the Bible does teach. Start with the premise that since EGW was a false prophet, then every single SDA doctrine is probably tainted in some way by her teaching and needs to be thoroughly re-evaluated. Then you will be prepared for if and when your wife does see problems with SDAism, to show her the beauty of the New Covenant and how Jesus entirely fulfilled the Old Covenant. My prayer is that you won't have to wait years and years as we did, for Spiritual unity in your marriage! | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 763 Registered: 7-2000 |
I'd also like to WELCOME all the new people here; so many even in the last month or so! Does it occur to others here that there are a remarkable number of people leaving the "truth" of Adventism for the real TRUTH!? Just in the past 5-7 years it seems like a swelling exodus...perhaps it is more noticeable because we have this forum available? (Thanks to the dedication of Colleen and Richard!) Whatever the visible effects are, I know the Holy Spirit is always present; continuing to lift that "veil" that still covers ones' eyes whenever the Old Covenant is read! grace always, cindy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2422 Registered: 12-2003 |
Cindy, I've also had the impression (although I can't give numbers) that more and more people are seeing and leaving. I just want to comment that Ric_b and Raven and another couple are kicking off a Bible study in the Dayton area this weekend with Greg and Paula Taylor as guests. The announcement of their studies is on the homepage of this website. We're praying for all of you! Colleen | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 297 Registered: 7-2004 |
Thanks. Keep the prayers coming. God blessed abundantly, beyond what we could imagine or even put into words, this evening. There are two more nights with the Taylors as guests to help us launch a regular Bible study group in the area | ||
| Abundantrest Registered user Username: Abundantrest Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2005 |
Wow! Ric_b and Raven ... you relate more than I ever imagined! The similarities are SO striking, that I don't even know where to begin ... I also began taking classes (back in 2003) through SWAU's Adult Degree Program ... with the objective of getting my theology degree. I've was a deacon and then an elder, and have preached in all three churches in our district. This is the first year I have declined all nominations to leadership positions within the church. I've been through several periods of doubts and questions regarding the doctrines of the church, and EGW - and pow - the aftershock in my marriage was huge. I too learned to keep my mouth shut to keep the peace at home. My wife wasn't born into Adventism, but she was baptized into it at an early age (12). She has since attended an Adventist church exclusively for the past 15 years. She also attended SWAU, but did not finish her degree. I know that God can work miracles, but I find it hard to believe that she will ever leave the church. Not only is the church the only "gospel" she's ever known, it is also her entire social support system. She is a stay-at-home mom, and so all of her social contacts come through church at this point. Thank you all for the warm welcome, and continued prayers for me and my family. God Bless. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2433 Registered: 12-2003 |
We're really glad you're here, Abundandrest. Andy the prayers do continue. Colleen | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 679 Registered: 3-2005 |
Welcome Abundantrest to FAF! Thanks for sharing your story. I will pray for you and your wife, and pray that God will open her eyes to the truth of God's glorious grace that you have found. Stan | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 617 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jackob...Ellen White herself was an accuser of the bretheren...she goes against Romans 8 also!!! | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 618 Registered: 1-2003 |
Abundant rest...I graduated from the adult degree program at SWAU in 2002 with my bachelor in nursing. Small world. | ||
| Schasc Registered user Username: Schasc Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2004 |
Something Cindy said(about the large numbers leaving SDA) reminded me of something that I read on a conservative SDA site. Someone on that site said that this is just what Ellen predicted would happen. Does anyone know if this is true? At the end of his post he said that he was glad that they were leaving since they were taking their music with them! That is sad! |
