| Author |
Message |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2368
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |     |
Javagirl,
You are in my prayers.
God is with you and will put the words in your mouth. He loves you and your parents.
Diana |
Wooliee
Registered user
Username: Wooliee
Post Number: 65
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 2:18 pm: | |
Lori,
I'm continuing to keep you in my prayers, and your parents as well. I can relate to your situation with your mom. You are doing the right thing. You are putting God before all else, and having faith in Him and His timing.
"When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand." -Edward Mote
Hugs,
Julie |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 3514
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 6:09 pm: | |
Lori, I'm praying for you, your folks, and your husband. God will confirm your commitment to Him in deep ways.
"Knowing You, Jesusóthere is no greater thingÖ"
Colleen |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 174
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 8:08 pm: | |
Thanks for prayers all. I dont say that lightly. I know I am held up in prayer by many folks, and I know it makes a difference.
Cathy, my husband said almost the exact thing you did! About not getting pulled into an argument, just loving and affirming....Difficult when having buttons pushed, but not impossible with GOD!
I got to talk to my husband for over two hours about Jesus and my spiritual walk. He asked what I told my mother, so I gave him all the why's and biblical texts and Holy Spirit leading etc etc... and he listened! That was a first, for him to be supportive of my right and desire to follow Christ.
Also got to talk to my sister some, and was grateful for that.
Hugs and prayers all,
(Im still praying for you all and others when I feel overwhelmed. It takes the focus off of me, and it really works ;).
JavaGirl |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 137
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:37 pm: | |
Lori,
Thank-you for sharing your journey. I can fully understand how difficult your conversations have been. My mother felt much the same as yours does when I shared my decision 5 months ago. It will take time for it all to sink in.
Adventism has taught for so long that salvation is dependent on Sabbathkeeping, that to even consider that it might not be true strikes a serious blow to the whole concept of being a "chosen, remnant, unique, or special" people.
You will find that no amount of Scriptural support will help. For your mother to even consider that you might be right, or have a valid position, would in effect invalidate every thing she has been taught and believed. Most will not take up that study in fear that you might be right.
Continue to pray for your family, and remember that God has promised to take care of those who call on His name. Your sincerity and the authenticity of your witness for Jesus will not be lost on your mother. As you remember the anguish of the last several months of your journey, you will recognize that understanding and growth take time. Pray and be there to answer questions. Remember that most Adventists have a certain pride about "having" to be different. When you take that away from them, all that is left is a relationship with Jesus. I mean if it was that easy, anybody could be saved, and that just couldn't be right now, could it?
Let your daily walking do the talking. Let the Holy Spirit do His job in your life and the lives of your family.
Your family will come to appreciate your new found sense of Spiritual security and underlying confidence. It will take time, but you will earn their respect as they consider your love for Jesus.
Praying for peace,
Randy |
4truth
Registered user
Username: 4truth
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 6:45 am: | |
One of the things I really dislike about adventism is the way it divides families and creates "walls" between people. I haven't noticed near the stress in families when a person changes from say, a Lutheran church to a Methodist one. My mom has been on Prozac,etc for years, and I'm sure it has a lot to do with her sons no longer being in the "church". All you and I can do is try to live our lives through the Holy Spirit as a good Christian example and pray for them. Peace,Rick |
Pheeki
Registered user
Username: Pheeki
Post Number: 765
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 8:51 am: | |
Javagirl...Like someone else just posted, it goes back to the unspoken (well sometime even spoken) belief that the Sabbath is really our savior. And more than that, SDAism is the ark in which we are all going to have to be in to get off this planet alive. I was told that if I stepped out of the ark, I was lost.
To break it down...Sabbath and SDAism and Ellen White are what saves us, which is really saying we didn't need Jesus, or the cross, or His suffering to save us...we had the Sabbath all along and the Law is what really saves us. It's totally anti-Gospel but it is so cleverly packaged that many are decieved.
Most of us had no chance...we were born into it...weaned on it and baptized into is before the age of reason. One thing kept haunting me as an adult...this religion did not fit my personality. I am not rigid and rule oriented (I am quite sanguin/phlegmatic)...I would have never chosen this path as an adult...it doesn't fit me. But because I was brainwashed from an early age, I went through years of trying to live up to their man made rules that are destined to perish! What utter depression...it was kind of like a drug addict. They bottom out, they go to rehab, they are good for a while but it doesn't last and they are right back into the addiction. That was how it was with me...extreme perfectionism and then falling into all out debauchery...there was no middle ground, no moderation...just extremes.
I don't know if any of you can relate...but I know many who grew up with me that were much like me. All of us lived double lives, one for the SDA's and our true selves...we weren't saved...we secretly lived like the heathen basically. But our butts warmed that pew every Saturday because that was what were were told is what we must do to be saved!
Praise the Lord, He liberated me in 2002! It was a rough time, much like you are experiencing Javagirl. My SDA preacher brother did an intervention on me that lasted 4-hours...but I wasn't swayed and I finally told him he had to stop mentioning Ellen and could only use the bible and the "intervention" ended pretty quick after that.
I thought my husband was going to divorce me...though he live much like I did prior, a double life...no real conversion. One of my daughters told me she couldn't wait to get to heaven to meet...drumroll...not Jesus...but Ellen White! And she told me that she didn't want to hear anymore out of the bible that she was an SDA! (She was 13 at the time!) My inlaws formed prayer circles for me and shed tears...very traumatic. I know what you are going through...but it is worth is all to be free.
God bless you Javagirl. |
Rafael_r
Registered user
Username: Rafael_r
Post Number: 5
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 1:09 pm: | |
I AGREE WITH YUO PHEEKI |
Rafael_r
Registered user
Username: Rafael_r
Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 1:11 pm: | |
YOU |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 3521
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 2:15 pm: | |
4truth, I just saw your post aboveó#2óI haven't seen your #1 yet, but welcome! We're glad you're here!
Colleen |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 176
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 10:29 pm: | |
Thanks Randy.
Rick, my husband says when someone. quit going to Baptist church they grabbed a piece of chicken on the way out the door, and everyone yelled, see ya at Easter!
What a difference. 
Amen, Pheeki. Saying goodbye to the double life, double standard, is amazing. The painful and fruitless rededication cycles are common with so many in adventism. (if it were okay to even admit that publically). It is good to be free, yes, Im looking forward to being "publically" free. .
JavaGirl
|
91steps
Registered user
Username: 91steps
Post Number: 37
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 7:25 am: | |
I experienced more prejudice when I worked at the GC then I have in all my 40+ years on this earth. Not racial prejudice, but prejudice from 3rd,4th,5th etc SDA's against a baby Adventist like I was. Because I was not raised into the "truth" like they were. Then, horror of horrors, when people found out I was a Combantant and carried a weapon in defense of my Country, man oh man did it really get bad!!! I was so sick of the hypocrisy that I stopped going to church for over 2 years, never got call one from the so called "pastor".
Sadly my wife still attends the church that we were baptized into. She still works at the GC, and I am praying that she will A) get employemnt outside the GC and B) leave the church for good.
I miss that junk like I miss a migraine!!!!!!!!!!! |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2371
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 7:34 am: | |
Oh Pheeki,
I do understand about the double life. I would not go to movies, but waited for sundown Saturday to turn on the TV. I read all kinds of books, etc, etc. I was a pew warmer as an SDA. I was not sure of salvation and I cannot count the number of times I responded to the altar call to come to Jesus, then not getting any counseling about what it means and how to do it, then falling back into my old habits with 24 hours and feeling lousy.
Thank God for freedom in Jesus. He is all I need and my sinful self loves Him so much.
Thank You God for Jesus. Both of you are awesome.
Diana |
Lori
Registered user
Username: Lori
Post Number: 34
Registered: 11-1999
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 1:51 pm: | |
Javagirl,
My heart goes out to you. I remember well the first time I told my parents how I really felt about the Adventist denomination.
Our first discussion ended with my mother giving me an ultimatum..."if you reject the Adventist church then you reject us".
My response was: "Mother that sounds a lot like you are asking me to choose between you and Daddy or Christ, if that's the case then I can tell you right now....I will choose Christ."
I wish I could tell you everything smoothed over and they have accepted me and my new relationship with my Lord. What I can tell you is this: It's worth it!!! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat because what I have in Christ is over and above anything I ever had before.
Stand firm,
Lori D. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 3530
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 8:24 pm: | |
Lori D, I so relate to your conviction. Jesus is worth it!
Colleen |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 177
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 2:51 pm: | |
Thanks Lori D. and others.
All hell has broken loose in the last three days. I cannot begin to name it all, but it is serious. I really need prayers. ALso my husband and son, need serious prayer. Especially tonight if anyone reads this. If I was unsure about spiritual warfare, I am sure now.
JavaGirl |
Leigh
Registered user
Username: Leigh
Post Number: 71
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:36 pm: | |
JavaGirl,
Praying for you, your husband, and your son.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of *the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- Ephesians 6:10-18 |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 138
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:20 pm: | |
Java,
I am praying for you and your family. God will be with you, and those close to you who are struggling.
Randy |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2384
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:44 pm: | |
JG,
I said a prayer as soon as I read your request. God is holding you and your family is His arms at this moment. He is with you and will care for you.
He is always awesome.
Diana |
Helovesme2
Registered user
Username: Helovesme2
Post Number: 440
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 6:28 pm: | |
Javagirl,
I'm praying too.
Mary |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 644
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 6:51 pm: | |
Java,
I LOVE the Armor of God that Leigh shared with you. We are strong ONLY through His power! Verse 10 tells us His power is "so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."
Armor is NOT used to fight. It doesn't make you stronger. Just looking at someone in armor it is easy to see how encumbering armor really is. The person wearing armor is stiff and awkward.
The only purpose armor has for one in a fight is to protect! Therefore, we are to STAND in His power. Peace somes when we allow God to fight our battles.
I also like the secret offensive weapon that we have at our disposal - Verse 18 "With all prayer and petition PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT."
Romans 8:37 says it best -- "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
From across the nation to you, Lori, my prayers are being lifted up to our Almighty Warrior and Protector for your peace and the spiritual saftey of your loved ones.
Denise |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 645
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 6:55 pm: | |
4truth/Rick - I overlooked you - please forgive me...I am praying you are finding FAF to be a wonderful place to share and feel accepted.
Denise |
Javagirl
Registered user
Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 178
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:22 pm: | |
Leigh, I "opened" my bible straight to that passage earier, before I read your post.
Sometimes He calms the storm
and other times He calms His child...
(dont 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 tomorrow as well for my immediate family, and my extended family.
JavaGirl
|
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 3550
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:50 pm: | |
JavaGirl, Praying for you. Praise God that you can feel His love and support; I am convinced that praying for each other is the most powerful thing we do for each other. Praise God for allowing us to have a part in His care for us.
Colleen |
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