| Author |
Message |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2885
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 6:42 am: |     |
Winslow,
I did not attend WWC school of nursing. I attended LLU School of occupational therapy. You may be the granddaddy of the group, but I, so far as I know, hold the honor of being Grandma. I graduated from LLU in 1963.
It is so good to see God take us older folks into His arms and bring us to Him.
God, indeed, does lift the veil off our eyes, ears, mind when we accept Jesus.
There are some Christian churches that have a bus that picks up people for church and they have members that will bring a person to church. I do not know where God wants you but God knows. So I will put you on my prayer list. Is your wife with you in all this??
God will keep you in his awesome arms.
Diana |
Winslow
Registered user
Username: Winslow
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 11:07 am: | |
Hi Diana,
I'd not thought of churches providing transportation. What a concept! I've heard of them providing transport for kids, but not for adults. That will be a question I ad to my list.
I apologize for getting you mixed up in my reply with someone else who said they hyad atended WWC school of nursing.
blessings,
winslow |
Honestwitness
Registered user
Username: Honestwitness
Post Number: 154
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 2:49 pm: | |
Winslow, thank you so much for sharing your details, especially the details of your struggle with porn. This is a topic I especially care about, because, according to my daughter-in-law, my son is heavily involved. Both she and I are watchfully vigilant for their young son that he will never be exposed to daddy's computer. Not to mention what it's doing to my daughter-in-law's self image. Any advice you can offer on how to help him desire to be free would be most welcome.
Honestwitness |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 4748
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 7:03 pm: | |
Winslow, I taught at Gem State Academy in Idaho and at Pleasnt Hill Jr Academy in California. All my other teaching was in non-SDA schools. I remember the name Ida Parker, but I do not know her.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. God is faithful.
Colleen |
Stardoc57
Registered user
Username: Stardoc57
Post Number: 17
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 10:34 pm: | |
Hello Winslow,
Welcome! I understand your discomfort in not knowing where to attend/fellowship. We began attending a "Sunday" church long before we discovered the truth about the Sabbath. We were drawn by the authentic worship and sincere enthusiasm about Christ.
We live in Salem, OR and would love to have you visit our church if you are able to come down. There are services on Saturday PM and Sunday AM. It is a large church with five services. The pastoral staff preaches from the scripture and makes practical applications every week. Make sure whatever church you attend has opportunities for small group study and fellowship. (Richard/Coleen can you give Winslow my gmail.com email address? thanks)
One of the things that still attracts us (and I suspect that others find helpful) is the many opportunities for service. We have a recovery ministry for all types of addiction, integrity groups (for those with sexual addictions), prison ministies, school mentoring ministries, foster parenting ministries (lots of meth families in our community). We even have "storage" ministries for donated household furniture which we give to those in need, and a wood-cutting ministry which removes trees and gives firewood to help people heat their houses. My wife helps in a "baby botique" which is a ministry to single pregnant teens and mothers. In addition to the material needs, the women hear the gospel. Many dozen girls/women have made decisions for Christ through this program.
Praise God for helping you find Him through the maze of difficulties that you came through.
Jim
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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 4755
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 11:28 pm: | |
Stardoc, would you email us at proclamation@gmail.com, please? We'll put you in touch with Winslow...
Colleen |
91steps
Registered user
Username: 91steps
Post Number: 115
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 1:25 pm: | |
One of the primary reasons I fought so hard to get my name removed from the books is to deny the GBSDA church a statistic. When I was on the Board, I did an inventory of members listed on the books. They were carrying people who had been dead for 3-4 years!!!!!!!!!! Tell me that isn't fraud???? When I confronted the pastor he told me a long excuse, which I didn't buy. But they are very reluctant to remove ANYONE's name from the books, not because they maintain a glimmer of hope they will return to the flock, but because they don't want to lose a number. |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 288
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 2:19 pm: | |
This is an interesting topic as I have noted before, the success of Adventism in their eyes is all based on numbers.
Baptisms
Countries entered
Languages translated into
Church plants
Crusades held
Literature passed out
Bible studies given
Ingathering totals and how many participated
Who Liberty magazine was sent too.
How far our satelites and radio transmissions will reach.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN MAKE ADVENTIST !!!
When was the last time you ever heard the Pure unadulterated Message of the Gospel presented with that being the sole goal and purpose. NEVER
Adventism has been big over the last several years on mission trips to the third world. My family has participated in some of these and I think it is great that the young people can go and experience circumstances more dire than their own and I know it has been a blessing all round.
What I find frustrating is the numbers game. The sponsoring ministry to often is looking not to just help those in need, but rather I have seen to often photo ops, and concerns about baptism numbers over sharing the blessed Hope of salvation through Christ alone.
Two weeks ago I made contact with some long lost high school classmates. Their father was an Adventist pastor. The whole family 3 generations have found the Blessed Assurance, and have left Adventism over the last ten years after growing weary of the deception . Their names are still on the books as they just left and didn't look back.
I have to wonder how many people fall into this catagory. I bet the number is staggering.
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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 4780
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 8:41 pm: | |
Randy, I believe a great number of SDA members, at least in N America, are in that category of having walked out the door without looking back. I know there are thousands in that category.
Colleen |
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777
Post Number: 601
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 10:06 am: | |
FlyingLady, don't give away the title of Granddaddy of the group to quickly. My guess is I still have a share of the "title". I went to PUC and should have graduated in 66 or 67
Winslow said: "It sounds like I'm the granddaddy of the group--graduated from PUC in '70 and should've graduated in '68"
<smile>
richard 
rtruitt@mac.com
|
Nicole
Registered user
Username: Nicole
Post Number: 29
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 11:22 am: | |
my husband's cousin and his wife are missionaries in west africa. they told a story of ministering to a man who came into their hospital who was into "the cults" or something. anyway, to make a long story short, they felt great, because they shared some stories in the bible with the man and he left the hospital with a copy of "Steps to Christ". i don't know exactly what that is, but it is not the new testament. why not share that with him and Christ's love and sacrifice for us and encourage him in that, i thought? why some peripheral book? |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 289
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 11:30 am: | |
Richard, so good to see you here again.
I believe you might have grounds for further investigation. Maybe Diana in her zeal, was a little premature in designating Winslow, the forum Grandpappy.
I detected no malicious intent, so I hope you are not considering an appeal to the moderators(although I suspect it would liven their day), and I don't think this potential wrong, warrants civil action.
I sincerely hope that this potential injustice can be cleared up short of fisticuffs and gun play.
That being said, a dual at 50 paces I suspect would keep you both safe.
My earnest hope is that this situation can reach some sort of an amicable resolution as I believe there is room for 2 Granddads on FAF.(Particularly at the rate it continues to grow!)
Blessed are the peacemakers!
Randy |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 748
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 12:52 pm: | |
Nicole,
How sad to rely on EGW to share Christ than to share the love and grace you have experienced through Jesus. I have a friend who proudly tells how her husband, an ER physician, keeps "Steps to Christ" in the pocket of his lab coat to "witness" to patients and their families during their crisis.
I must admit that I remember my own "witnessing", as a SDA, never included a personal testimony of what Jesus meant to me. I had plenty of EGW quotes written out to help me share my beliefs. It was so much safer because I didn't really know what else to say.
Proclaiming Jesus,
Denise |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 749
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 12:53 pm: | |
Randy,
If you're selling tickets to the Richard/Winslow match, please send me one!
Denise |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 291
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 1:29 pm: | |
Denise,
Like yourself, I never felt I had a "witness" as an SDA. I had no great conversion story.
I did not have anything that I felt worthy of sharing in my experience. I never really felt I had Good News to share.
As you well know, that has now changed.
...regarding the tickets for the dual, they are going fast, and out of concern for the safety of the spectators there will be no end zone seating!
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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 4786
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 1:56 pm: | |
I agree, Denise and Randy. I had no personal testimony as an AdventistóI could never explain how I knew Jesus or when I had committed my life to Him. I now understand what it means to have a personal story of knowing Him!
Colleen |
Leigh
Registered user
Username: Leigh
Post Number: 119
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 2:19 pm: | |
A while back when we applied to a homeschool tutorial (non SDA) we had to write our testimony. We were on the verge of leaving adventism and I did have a testimony to write. I mentioned to an SDA friend of ours about the testimony part of the application and this friend said,
"Don't you hate it when you have to make one up." |
Mwh
Registered user
Username: Mwh
Post Number: 194
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 2:51 pm: | |
Leigh, that statement is just so sad  I so love to talk about how Jesus saved me, how he revealed himself to me, how he showed me his love, so pretty so awesome, so real. |
Bigal
Registered user
Username: Bigal
Post Number: 17
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 5:34 pm: | |
I gave my story to some Adventist friends yesterday. I fretted over how I would start. My reasoning was that if I said "This is how I was saved," they would be put off. I finally overcame this dilema and used that term. It truly was the only accurate way for me to start.
Mwh,
I too can not stop talking about this. I must tell everyone I know!
Alan |
Ric_b
Registered user
Username: Ric_b
Post Number: 592
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 6:16 pm: | |
Adventist "witnessing" is pretty much limited to telling people that they need to keep the Sabbath. There is rarely a personal story to go with it (except for the personal story of discovering the Sabbath).
I came to understand what grace really was while I was still an SDA. But by that point I would never have wanted to lead someone into SDAism for fear of how turned around and confused they might end up. |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 4789
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 11:32 pm: | |
I understand, Rick. I have a friend who was born again after being far from God for a long time. Subsequently she returned to Adventism for a few years during which time she actually learned Adventist doctrine clearly and was finally able to leave the church for the right reasons instead of for rebellion. She has told me several times that as an Adventist, she knew she could not invite her then-unbelieving husband to her church.
She says now she has a church to which she can invite people.
Colleen |
U2bsda
Registered user
Username: U2bsda
Post Number: 228
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 6:51 am: | |
Witnessing as an SDA was a bit confusing. I went door to door, told people about my beliefs, talked about the Sabbath, etc but something was missing. I had no results! The Gospel, the good news, was missing. I had to come to the understanding that witnessing had nothing to do with the Sabbath or SDA doctrines and everything to do with the good news of Jesus. Sadly, I only came to that understanding as I was exiting Adventism.
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Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 294
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 9:31 am: | |
This past weekend all the SDA churches in the valley have been presenting Doug Bachelor's 4-5 session Revelation seminar.
This is the SDA witness in my area. Some how it seems more aimed at retaining the faithful than inviting people into the freedom of Christ. As I have been working late, as I drive by the church parking lots, I see 4-12 cars, most of which I recognize. This method of witness reminds me of the JW standing on the street corner with there pamplets.
In my ever so humble opinion, to me witnessing involves sharing what Jesus has done for me. How he has taken me, sinful and broken down, and given me hope, a blessed hope that he loves me, and has saved me, despite my humanness and frailties.
This witness is not something that occurs in a Revelation seminar, this occurs everyday with the people I meet, the patients I see, and friends old and new that I talk to online.
I shouldn't have to have degrees in mathematics and theology to understand God's wonderful and simple gift to me.
My faith it not determined or validated by the correct understanding of every prophecy in Daniel and Revelation.
Last night I read through the book of Galatians and was overwhelmed by the blessing found there.
Gal 2:21 "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"(NIV)
Our witness is to be God's Grace, not God's law.
Ramblings from the early morning, post 1st, pre 2nd cup of coffee
Randy
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Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 4793
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 4:48 pm: | |
Randy, Richard says exactly the same thing about those Revelation Seminars. He said he's convinced they are more about retaining members than attracting new onesóat least now. Just a few weeks ago, the Doug Batchelor "net" crusade ended. Last week (week before?) a five-day satellite seminar with Shawn Boonstra (It Is Written) was held. Another one withóoh, my goodness, I can't remember which one it isóbegins in a few weeks.
As Richard said, if these were for the public, they would have only one per year. You won't get a lot more community converts from holding three within four or five months than if you hold one per year. These are for shoring up the members.
Colleen |
