| Author | Message | ||
| Carol_2 Registered user Username: Carol_2 Post Number: 375 Registered: 2-2002  |
Wow! Church was incredible today. I've never experienced anything like it. The first experience that touched me was a video we watched of a village in New Guinea that heard the gospel and accepted Jesus. Different members of the village were standing up and testifying to their belief and acceptance of Jesus, and they all were happily agreeing (in their language) that "it is true!" They were so excited that they eventually were all dancing and hugging, dozens and dozens of people, and then actually started lifting individuals up and carrying them through the crowd like a "mosh pit" (I think it's what you call it.) It was just so fascinating to see how happy these people were to discover Jesus had died for their sins. Then after the sermon we had some baptisms. Although I left the SDA church four years ago, I've always attended the early service at my new church, since I taught four-year-olds at the second service. The early service is forced to stop on time for preparation of the next service. This is the first year I've taught at 9:00 so I attend the 11:00 service, which can end whenever. Today there were about 8-10 baptisms scheduled. One of my four year olds from a few years ago was being baptized, so I went up to be a part of the celebration. We don't have a baptismal tank, so they either use a lake or pool in the summer, or pour water over the person in a plastic kiddie pool at other times. While my little Maureen was being baptized all of her family and friends were up there laying on hands during the process, and I couldn't believe the cheering and excitement! It was just so awesome feeling the presence of God's Spirit with us. After all the baptisms were done, we were singing and praising the Lord, and the pastor invited any others that wanted to commit to Jesus to come for baptism. Well, they started coming and I thought would never stop. The excitement and cheering and joy that was expressed during all those baptisms was something I have never seen in my life. By the time all the baptisms we thought were finished, and a final song was being sung, more started coming, so we started again. By then people were singing and dancing in the aisles all over the church. My church has an extremely contemporary worship style, but I've never seen anything like this, and it was so evident that it was Spirit-filled. It just blew me away! I don't know how many people ended up being baptized, but the experience of watching the Spirit fill that place, and the celebration of new life was just overwhelming to me. I thought of how I had never come close to experiencing anything like that while an SDA. HOW CAN WE EVER QUESTION that God has lead us out of the Adventist church? To quote dear Diana, God is awesome! | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 745 Registered: 7-2004 |
I almost envy your experience of such an amazing event. As you stated, that could only have been the result of the Holy Spirit's leading, and I applaud your congregation for its willingness to flow with the Spirit, and thank you for sharing that experience with all of us. Belva | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2001 Registered: 3-2004  |
Carol 2, that was awesome!!! I, too, never experienced anything like that in the SDA church. When people are baptized in my church, every one applauds for them and one can feel the Holy Spirit in our midst. Thanks for sharing you experience with us. And, Yes, God is truly awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2910 Registered: 12-2003  |
Carol, what a wonderful experience! Experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit is amazing. I loved your question, "How can we ever question that God has led us out of the Adventist church?" I am so in awe of the fact that God literally took hold of me and brought me to Himself! Colleen | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 700 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yesterday, our church had it's first service in a church. We had been meeting in a grade school gymnasium. Anyway, this church had gradually lost most of it's members over the years and is in a once nice neighborhood that has gone down hill. So they voted to turn the assets of the church over to our church. Anyway...the place was packed yesterday...SRO. And our pastor asked all the Hill Baptist people to stand because we wanted to thank them...so all these little old men and women stand up and they are crying and I start crying because I realize what a true miracle this is. In the SDA hierarchy...the older people have the money and a lot of the control and they hold onto it until the bitter end...and resist change and go out kicking and screaming and bitter...know what I mean? My in-laws church has had about 30 members for as long as I can remember...and instead of realizing they are "finished", they plug along, enjoying their separateness (higher SDA standards). These little old Baptist people were truly led by the Holy Spirit, and it had to be hard to witness the end of an era for them, yet they were there worshipping (rockin' out) with all the 30-40 somthings in their former church. It was awesome. | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 104 Registered: 3-2005 |
Something we've experienced outside of Adventism has been AWANA. As a kid, I was part of Pathfinders... really a vegi-scouts... no complaintsÖ AWANA, however, is no comparison. Our kids are learning literally huge chunks of the BIBLE, are saying it with boldness, and are enamored with the concepts during the week. Our kids started just this year and because our son will be too old to participate next year, and our daughter has only 2 more years, they are FLYING through the verses. The teachers have mentioned to me how my kids just seem to be totally soaking up the Scripture and seem to understand it. I just want to say that our denomination change was hard on the kids. We lost people that were like aunties and uncles to them, not because of unkindness but because of logistics... we don't see the same people weekly anymore. But what our kids have gained has been a hunger and thirst for the word of God, for His righteousness, for His power in their lives as seen in the lives of us, their parents, and granted as a gift from God... We have had eye surgery and can now understand the Bible because we arenít trying to make it fit the teachings of the church, and because of this, the Bible has come alive. Now we are thanking God for AWANA!!! | ||
| Bb Registered user Username: Bb Post Number: 109 Registered: 7-2004 |
Lisa, I love AWANA too! I'm the Cubbies Director. It is a wonderful program and the kids love it! Bb | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 1052 Registered: 7-2003  |
My two girls were also very blessed by AWANA. Great program! I kind of thought it would be similar to Pathfinders. Wrong. After helping our kids work through some of the AWANA lessons I said to my wife, "Why didn't we spend this kind of time and effort learning the Bible in Pathfinders? I needed to know the Gospel as a kidnot how to find edible berries in the wild!" To which my wife replied, "Yes, but then you wouldn't have been prepared to flee to the wilderness when the Sunday-keepers came for you". Suddenly the whole idea behind Pathfinders came into focus for the very first time ......... I'm so naive...... Chris |
