| Author | Message | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2006 |
I'm Andy and I just joined this forum! I was an adventist for about 23 years and am so glad to be free! I have been out of it for just about 2 years. | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1552 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hi Andy, Welcome to FAF! i look forward to hearing your story of your journey out of Adventism. Stan | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 669 Registered: 4-2000  |
Andy, A hearty FAF welcome! You have come to the right place. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 471 Registered: 8-2004  |
Welcome Andy! I'm Mary. I was raised Adventist (with lots of influence from self-supporting circles), and then joined the SDA Reform Movement, a separate organization that holds what it believes to be the more authentic 'early Adventist' positions on most things. I've been freed from the domination of Adventism for almost two years now, and am rejoicing to see the work God is doing in my life now that I've laid down my own works and trusted in Him fully and alone (not that I don't try butt into His work from time to time, but I'm learning!). There have been things in the past two years that were so hard I didn't know things could get that bad, but God has been with me thru them all. And has given me peace even though everything seemed to be falling around me. And one of the sources of the peace is knowing that God is actually trustworthy! That it is not something I do or don't do, it is what He has done for me and His promise that He will finish what He started! Well, enough about me. Share you're story when and as you're comfortable. Again, welcome to the forum! Blessings, Mary | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2006 |
I was raised in Alaska but am currently living in Washington state. I was an adventist for about 23 years and grew up in an extremely conservative environement. When Ellen White talked about fleeing to the mountains in the last days that is litterally what we did. We moved up to alaska and 65 miles from civilization, meaning no running water, electricity, or anything. I was raised soley on Ellen white and whatever she said about anything we did. I was not taught to think for myself and certainly did not have any sense of self worth or identity. Over the years I was diagnosed with severe depression and major anxiety dissorder. I was on medication for 6 years and never once considered that this could have anything to do with my religion. I was taught that the governement would at any time come to our door and point a gun to my head and ask me if I was going to worship on Saturday or Sunday. Ellen whites books where all over our cabin and I wasn't alowd to read any thing else, no fiction books only religious or non fiction books where allowed. One day when my body was so tired of all the stress about two years ago, I got on the internet and looked up brain washing and Adventistm and came across Mark Martins site and this is the day my eyes where opened and I began to see! | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2006 |
Thanks for the warm welcome. I can see that most of you have been a part of this group for a long time. That is so encouraging that we all can get together and share our stories! | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2006 |
After I left adventism I was able to get completely off of all medication. Alot of healing has taken place but trust in myself and trust in other people is still a slow process. My parents are still in the church and pretty much won't talk to me. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3780 Registered: 12-2003  |
Andy, again, welcome. Thanks for sharing a piece of your story. Even though our individual circumstances are all different, I know that many of us here can understand the kind of oppression and rigidity you experienced. Even though my early life looked quite "normal" from a typical American perspective, the underlying demands and fear of the future Ellen White taught permeated my every waking moment. Praise God for His sovereign grace in leading you to that moment of desperation that led you to Mark's site! You can know absolutely that God brought you to that moment of despair and to the subsequent revelation of reality that changed your life. He is completely faithfulóand He completes the work He begins in us! (Phil 1:6) Colleen | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2006 |
Collen, Even trust in God has been hard for me. I think because I really tried to be perfect before based on my salvation. | ||
| Toria Registered user Username: Toria Post Number: 19 Registered: 2-2006 |
Welcome Andy. I am also new to posting on this forum. Before I joined, I often came here just to read the postings. At the time I had made a decision to leave the adventist church, and while lurking here read a lot that made me realize I had made the right decision. I found/find the warmth and caring shared among the posters here to be very encouraging. As Dennis said, you have come to the right place. Again, welcome. Blessings toria | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2006 |
Toria, Thanks so much for those encouraging words. Life has been hard but things are gradually getting better. How long where you an adventist? Did you have a lot of fear in your life while in the Adventist church? I know I did. | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2006 |
I just got yahoo messenger and looking to add to my buddy list, please drop a line if you'd be interested in chatting, specifically about adventistm and challenges faced. Just trying to make some connections. Andy | ||
| Toria Registered user Username: Toria Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2006 |
Andy, I was only a member of the adventist church for six years. I got out when I started questioning things that did not seem, and indeed were not, Biblical. I did not have a lot of fear, as I did not grow up adventist and was not indoctrinated with the teachings of EGW. I joined the church shortly after moving into this area, so the only friends I had were church members. So the only real fear I had was leaving friends who were also my support group during a very difficult time in my life. However, since leaving adventism, I feel lighter, more free. I did not realize how much influence they had on me. I am happy, and I think very lucky to get out when I did. God is good. Whenever I do have a fear of something, I have a scripture that I read... Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) Blessings toria | ||
| Jeremiah Registered user Username: Jeremiah Post Number: 83 Registered: 1-2004  |
Hi Andy, welcome to FAF! If you're around the Spokane area we could probably meet sometime. Jeremiah http://jeremiahsviolins.com | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 667 Registered: 7-2004 |
From one Washington resident to another....Welcome Andy! What area of Washington state do you reside? I am in Walla Walla - SDA mecca of the great Pacific Northwest. I, too, understand the healing power of leaving bondage for the truth of Jesus Christ. I am thankful you have found FAF and I am looking forward to "seeing" you around! Also...hello and welcome to you, Toria! In the His freedom, Denise | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2006 |
Denise, I am living in the Vancouver Portland area. I went to walla Walla College for a year. My problem is that I grew up in Alaska way out in the woods and the isolation for those ten plus years and being an adventist at the time really traumatized me. Andy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3786 Registered: 12-2003 |
Andy, I don't have a concise suggestion for dealing with the apparently severe results of your long-term trauma. It sounds as if you experienced some pretty severe things that imprinted you deeply. I just want to offer something that you might already realizeóbut that is that there is great power in the truth of Scripture when you ask God to guide you and to teach you truth. The great truths of God's sovereign love and Jesus' finished work and the Holy Spirit's regeneration of your heart will slowly bathe your soul and help you to understand much of the pain you have experienced. The authority of the Holy Spirit in you will also begin to give you the courage to live in reality as God sees reality and to know the truth you need to know. I'd just like to suggest that you begin keeping a "Scripture journal". Just literally copy texts and chapters from the Bible, a little every day, asking God to guard your heart, to teach you what He wants you to know, and to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to put His Spirit in those places in your heart that have been so wounded, and ask Him to show you how to begin living as a victorious adopted son of God. I'd also like to recommend that you read "Classic Christianity" by Bob George. It is a wonderful, helpful book that explains so well how to begin living with the identity of "child of God" instead of as the broken person each of us is when we come to Him. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2459 Registered: 3-2004  |
Andy, I was born and raised in the SDA church 65 years ago and just 2 years ago, decided not to be re baptized after God directed my attention to the EGW site where it tells about her plagiarism and having others write for her. I bought a concordance and studied the SDA beliefs and discovered what the Bible really says. I will add you to my prayer list that God teach you and continue to guide you. He is truly Awesome. Diana | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2006 |
Colleen, Thanks, but all my life I have read scripture and quoted verses and claimed promises. Even though I just recently accepted Jesus for what I feel was the first time I still do not find much comfort in scripture. I know that sounds bad but my life has been a worl wind of trauma. I am doing some counseling with a women by the name of Rosanne Henry, she is a cult thereapist and it is helping. My mother was never very loving when I was a kid. I didn't know what a light switch was until I was around 9 or 10 years old. My step Dad who was the one who brought me into adventistm was extremely strict and blamed me for everything. I litteraly felt like EgW was my parent. Everything she said regarding health, what to wear, schooling, food, we did. My mother was very ill most of the time of my growing up and she was never there for me. To this day she doesn't realy talk with me. She is so caught up in this cult. They still live in Alaska totally isolated from everyone, no tv, computer or anything. Don't get me wrong, I love the Lord but I have been through alot and have to take it slow. At this point I can't even hold down a job because I have to much anxiety and fear. Like I say it has been two years since I left the church so things are getting much better. I think I am dealing with a lot of develop mental problems because of my mothers lack of love and concern. She herself was abused when she was a kid because her Dad was an alcholic and so she had alot of issues even before I came into the picture. It's amazing to me how much I used to trust everyone in the Adventist church because that is the way I was raised. | ||
| Artman29 Registered user Username: Artman29 Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2006 |
Diana, Thanks for your prayers. I especially need prayers in regards to more income. Thanks again, Andy |
