| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5502 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hi, allóI missed you today! I hope you're finding your way to this new forum. It's been quite an ordeal; I want to thank those of you who were praying. We are praising God the forum is working. We are continually reminded in this work that we do not struggle with flesh and blood. God is faithful, and we praise Him! I wanted to get your feedback about your reactions to Easter after you left Adventism. I'm working on the Easter edition of Proclamation, and I want to ask how Easter has changed for youóif it has. Our first Easter out of Adventism, I was overwhelmed by emotion as I contemplated what Jesus had done. I cried through our first Good Friday service, and I was stunned by my excitement and joy at Easter. It felt sort-of like Christmas, only different. The joy seemed deeper and more pervasive, somehow. A couple of days ago I realized that now I begin looking forward to Easter weeks in advance, much as I do Christmas. I now understand why people have Easter dinners and celebrations on Resurrection Sunday. We've even developed an Easter traditionóafter dinner on Easter Sunday, we watch The Visual Bible's Matthew with friends. It never gets oldóand it ends Passion Week with the entire story of Jesus culminating with Matthew 28: His resurrection and His promise to be with us to the very end of the age. In many ways Resurrection Sunday is my favorite, most meaningful holidayóand I now appreciate the whole Passion Week leading up to it. Easter has gone from seeming faintly naughty and irreverent during my Adventist youth (you know, that pagan "venerable day of the sun") to being the most meaningful day of all. I'm amazed that I could have missed the meaning and power of Jesus' resurrection all those years! Colleen | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 856 Registered: 8-2004  |
O cool! I like this new forum! Thank you!! About Easter, YES! Easter has come to mean so much more after leaving Adventism. It is a yearly reminder of just how much Jesus did, and how free He has made us. In Adventism I tried to keep the magnitude and awesomeness of Jesus and His sacrifice in mind, but not having understood it and not having specific times set aside for it it was easy to forget. This way, not only do I remember at the 'special time' (Easter), but it also comes seemingly unbidden at other times! Also, Easter means so much more now that I know that Jesus HAS SAVED me, not just 'is trying to and hopefully with my cooperation will' save me! I also love taking the 40 days before Easter (not as a religious requirement, but as a discipline) to ponder why Jesus came and remember how far He's brought me. Blessings, Mary | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1009 Registered: 4-2000  |
In addition to the annual Easter celebration, we former Adventists can now appreciate the weekly Easter that comes with the specialness of every Lord's Day. In awe of His grace, Dennis Fischer | ||
| Loneviking Registered user Username: Loneviking Post Number: 552 Registered: 7-2000 |
As an Adventist, Easter was largely irrelevent. That really changed after leaving the SDA church. Easter is, along with Christmas, one of the most anticipated events of the year. Easter means the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Easter also means the end of the Old Covenant law and the bringing in of the New Covenant of grace. Easter gives new meaning to the Lords Supper. Easter Sunday points to every Sunday as truly the 'Lords' Day' as that is the day He rose from the dead and an empty tomb testifys to our faith. | ||
| Lucybugg Registered user Username: Lucybugg Post Number: 14 Registered: 2-2007 |
I was raised in a 1/2 & 1/2 home. Mother-Adventist, Father-Baptist. So as a child we celebrated Easter. After I had children of my own we celebrated in a toned down fashion and never spoke of it at church. I can remember the look of horror on the dear saints' faces when I said I'd love to attend a sunrise service. It's a wonder they didn't run me off then and there. This is my first Easter free of the chains of Adventism, and I intend to celebrate my Saviour's death and new life! | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2007 |
When I think back to Easter growing up as a kid I remember getting Easter chocolate bunnies and doing an Easter egg hunt but do not remember much spiritual emphasis. My mom always made a nice dinner but I can't remember what we ate. I remember not being dressed up and going over to visit a friend and seeing them all dressed up for Easter and them asking me why I wasn't. I remember being taught that we didn't celebrate Easter because it was tied into Sunday worship so we couldn't. Of course then we also didn't observe Good Friday. I will never forget celebrating my first Good Friday and Easter service. I had committed my life to Christ in December and this was the first time that I truly understood the significance of the cross and what it meant to me and for me. The songs came alive with new meaning and of course the message was so gripping. I also loved taking Communion on Good Friday. It was the perfect way to remember His death. Since that time I have attended a number of very powerful Good Friday services. Two that stand out in my mind are: After the message a song was played (can't remember who sang it) that had the words to Jim Elliott's quote "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose". We were given pieces of paper and asked to write down something that we wanted to give to the Lord. As the song was played the first time a number of people got up and placed things at the cross - a couple of examples are: one was a business man and he placed his briefcase at the cross symbolizing his business, another one was a lady who has never been able to have a child - she placed a doll at the foot of the cross. It was very emotional to watch this because I knew the people and knew how real it was for them to do what they were doing. Then as the song was played a second time we were invited to get up when we were ready and take our piece of paper and nail it to the cross. That was so powerful. The second service that stands out in my mind was one where we were given a large nail at the beginning of the service. At the end of the service we all filed by and placed our nails in a pail at the foot of the cross. The noise when each nail fell in was very gripping. I have goose bumps as I am writing this so you can tell that these services really did impact me. Easter Sunday was incredible as for the first time I was free to worship on a Sunday and celebrate His Resurrection. There are a number of Easter hymns that we sing that I do not remember singing in the Adventist church. I really don't remember when we did sing Easter hymns. A couple of years ago I attended a church on Easter Sunday that sings the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the service. They had an 8 piece brass band, pipe organ and large choir. I was't prepared for what happened to me. We had rehearsed the song and I was fine. Of course the entire service was awesome and my heart was bubbling over with worship to the Lord. The introduction to the Hallelujah Chorus started with this massive pipe organ and the trumpets and I knew I was in trouble. I started to sing and when we got to And He Shall Reign Forever and Ever, King of Kings and Lord of Lords I became very emotional and couldn't sing - tears were just streaming down my cheeks. It was a small taste of what heaven will be like when we will all be together and will worship Him. This is a long post but I am on a role!!! A number of years ago I was listening to Elisabeth Elliott on the radio and she talked about Lent. I had alway thought that Lent was what the "main-line" churches did and there was concern because some may believe that giving something up could be part of your salvation. I was surprised that she supported it but also remember thinking that it was something that I would like to do sometime in the future. This year my husband expressed a desire to observe Lent. So we are and it is very meaningful. We both have chosen to give something up for the 40 day period as a reminder of what Christ did for us. I am attending an early Sunday morning service in my area that observes Lent so I get the music and teaching and then I go to my church for the later service. I am so thankful that I am free to really experience Easter from Ash Wednesday through to Easter Sunday. The Lord is so Good. Blessed | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 243 Registered: 11-2005 |
Oh Easter has become so much more significant to me!! It went from being a somber-type-of-HOPEFUL holiday to one of joyous-it-is-finished-celebration. Before it was just something I sort of acknowledged (kind of like when you take a moment of silence to remember a death or tragic event), but now it is actually a holiday I really want to celebrate. Everything about Easter is more meaningful now. The services, the songs, the whole Good Friday-Sunday weekend, etc... Also, before if Easter was even really acknowledged (which it rarely was), it focused more on the death, with little to no talk about the resurrection. In fact, to acknowledge the resurrection was almost too pagan. Now, as a born again believer, I see the resurrection as everything! It's what it's all about! Hallelujah!! Grace | ||
| Jeremiah Registered user Username: Jeremiah Post Number: 202 Registered: 1-2004  |
Going from the Adventist perspective where Easter was really iffy and connected with paganism and then experiencing Holy Week and Easter/Pascha with the Eastern Orthodox Christians was basically an incredible contrast. I had been told that nobody does Easter like the Orthodox Christians and I have to believe it after last year's experience! Easter is literally the focus and high point of the entire year! Seriously, I really have to recommend attending all the services during Holy Week starting with the "Entrance into Jerusalem" (Palm Sunday) at an Orthodox Church. It is like being back in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. It's like we aren't dealing with "time" anymore but an eternal reality, similar to the concept of "today" in Hebrews 3 and 4. Jeremiah | ||
| Cselby Registered user Username: Cselby Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2007 |
Wow, this question has taken me totally by surprise. Up until this last year, Easter had no real meaning other than putting together Easter baskets, consisting mostly of chocolate and small gifts for the kids. However, in light of the readings of the new covenant, along with the new understanding of the new covenant, Easter really does take on a whole new meaning for me. I just don't know how that is going to manifest in what I do. My husband, an ex-Adventist, still does not subscribe to any Christian belief system. Just the other night we had a rather "lively" discussion about whether the Bible is the Word of God or not. You can guess which side of the discussion he came down on. In fact, he's scared to death that the changes that I'm making in my life is going to cause us to grow apart. I have true empathy for this fear as I know that much of that fear is based upon the "scare tactics doctrine" of EJW's writings. Even though he's long ago rejected those teachings, those fears are still in there. So I believe that my Easter celebration is going to have to be a private and intimate affair. My husband needs time to see that these important spiritual changes in me will only result in a marriage that is stronger. He has told me that thus far the changes that he has seen in me, as a result of my study of the scripture, are highly encouraging as I'm more patient, thoughtful, loving, and kind. I believe that they way to gently invite my husband into this process is by living a Christ centered and joyous life, free from the legalism and judgmental behavior often seen in the Adventist community. I realize that much of my posting had nothing directly to do with the Easter question, but this is where the asking of the question took me. I'm howing a whole new row, to borrow a gardening term, and I'm still figuring things out as I study and learn the scriptures. Cindy | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 440 Registered: 7-2005 |
Ohhhh, thinking about Easter reminds me how lonely I am in my journey!!! It's so hard to have nobody beside you with whom to share the joy of Easter. My wife is clinging tenciously to the Sabbath, the dark day when Jesus was in the tomb. Living with someone who keeps the sabbath, the shadow, is like a roller coaster, especially in the time of preparation for the Easter. Internally I'm rejoycing for the finished work of Jesus and his triumph over death manifested on the ressurection day, and at the same time, I'm feeling the uncertainty, the emptiness of the day in which He was in the tomb. It's very frustrating to see someone wanting to cling to the shadow, never coming to the substance. The resurrection is in a way the substance, even if Jesus work was finished when He died, His ressurection is the concrete proof that we are justified by His death, that our sins were fully expiated on the cross, and we will be resurrected and enjoy forever the eternal life! Our hope is sure because we have something substantial, Jesus's resurrection as concrete, factual proof of our redemption. It's not something mysterious happening in the heavens, when Jesus is supposed to blott out our sins, He already blotted them out by His sacrifice! He lives forever, never to die again, and so we will live forever. Praise the Lord! I recognize that I'm carried away when I remember the facts, sure facts of the gospel, Jesus life, death, and ressurection, but I have a heavvy heart because I cannot share my feelings with my wife. Clinging to sabbath, she's choosing to cling to a shadow, to remain in the shadow, and miss the substance. Recently I saw a movie, "Groundhog Day" when somebody lives the same day, again, and again, and again, and again, until he escapes. Something similar is happening with the keeping of the sabbath, is like living in the day before resurrection again, and again, and again, and never come to the resurrection. I have no words to say how depressing this is. The Sabbath was given as a shadow for something in the future, and it was a shadow of Christ, but since Christ and His rest is here, returning to sabbath keeping is like returning to an age with no hope. Before Jesus came, sabbath was the hope of something in the future, but now, since that future arrived, the sabbath is pointing to nothing in the future. As a shadow, is a shadow of nothing. As the serpent of Moses, that figure which prefigured Christ operated as a shadow and brought blessings to those in the time when Moses erected it, but after a time it became a curse, an idol, and that idol had to be destroyed in order to let people worship the true God. Something similar is true about the sabbath. Sorry for these mixing thoughts, Jackob | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1561 Registered: 7-2003 |
I'll talk about Easter 'post-adventism' for me. As a life long "Sundaykeeper", I always took Easter for granted. It was just an annual thing we did. I liked the Sunrise services and always knew the significance of Easter. But encountering the SDA in my life really brought new significance to something that was 'normal' to me, but was 'wrong' to someone else claiming to be a Christian. I could never comprehend how someone could get so up in arms about 'the sabbath', but turn around and imply Easter was insignificant, non-Biblical or sometimes "a personal observation". I found myself paying more attention to others at my church and their observance. I listened more intently to the words to see if the accusations by others were valid at all. The one thing that I noticed was that Easter did not get skewed by denominational lines. True Christian churches all observe and celebrate the resurrection. Some have pagents, some have special communion observances, some have weeks of fasting and prayer, others do things I don't know about. But genuine Christ-followers recognize the significance of Easter and the true reason we, as a 'religion', exist. Scripture is clear that without the resurrection, we are still dead in our sins. HOW can you try to minimize, negate or just ignore the ONE thing that makes us 'different' from other religions? I used to think some of the pagentry and banners was ridiculous at Easter, until I did this sort of observational look of Easter. Since then, my heart just swells with emotion when I see the banners through the church "lion of Judah" Savior, Messiah, Lily of the Valley, etc. Unlike B's pastor preached about one year (at least these were what he wrote down in his notes), Easter is not an excuse to eat Ham or Chocolate bunnies. That is what the secular world has done to Easter, not what genuine Christfollowers do. For 'us' it is simply about the incredible sacrifice that we are completely incapable of comprehending, let alone substituting. Participating with easter baskets and candy does not diminish the spiritual significance. But if that's all SDAs see, it's because that's all they want to see. Easter was never 'no big deal' in my previous years, but in my post years, it has a significance that I cannot describe. I'm glad I always observed it, but I stand in awe of that event more now than I did before. Maybe it's natural maturity, or maybe it's just being forced to defend something that I valued that was under attack. Now, it's just hard to put into words. | ||
| Nicole Registered user Username: Nicole Post Number: 42 Registered: 4-2006 |
i have never been adventist, but last year my husband who was raised adventist, said " what is the big deal with easter, all it is about is a dead guy". despite the fact that i knew he had no real relationship with Christ, i still thought the adventist church upheld easter as a big deal. his family is very devout, only read religious inspirational material, daily worship, etc. it has always been the biggest holiday in my home growing up. holy thursday through easter sunday was recognized, talked about, and celebrated. i absolutley love sunrise services (mass) on the beach. still, why would adventism not place a huge emphasis on Christ's death and resurrection? christmas is much more commercialized (although easter is gaining), but they have no trouble with that holiday. | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 245 Registered: 11-2005 |
I'm praying for you Jackob and Cindy--I know how hard it is to have a spouse who doesn't quite get the "joy of Easter". Great thoughts Melissa and Jackob. Melissa, I really liked your statement "HOW can you try to minimize, negate or just ignore the ONE thing that makes us 'different' from other religions?" That's so true. Never thought about it that way. Nicole, part of the reason Easter's not that big of a deal is because it's a celebration of Christ's finished work and fulfillment of the Law. Adventists don't believe that. They believe that Jesus' death gave us the opportunity for eternal life, but it's still up to us to "fulfill the law" ourselves. So although Jesus' death and resurrection was a necessary step, it wasn't the final step. The final (and ongoing) step was up to our perfect obedience to the Law, and it was our responsibility to stay within God's grace. So really, what does Easter mean to an Adventist? Nothing really. Significant, yeah, you can say that. But a life-saving event?...not really. So there's nothing really to celebrate. Then of course, there's the whole side issue of Easter being on Sunday, which is just one of those annoying things to an Adventist--you can't have a religious holiday on Sunday! Grace | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 25 Registered: 8-2006  |
Having been raised an sda, Easter was the "passed over" holiday. My memories of Easter as a child were fun....mother always bought me a new spring dress, bonnet, shoes, and a pair of white gloves. I really don't know why, but that's what she did for several years. Even as I grew older, I still usually got a new dress for Easter, but ditched the bonnet and gloves! Dyeing eggs and finding them the next morning was always a big deal. But Easter in the sda church was a big nothing. After all, Easter was on a Sunday, and that must have been the reason for the rest of the world, so to speak, to go to church on Sunday, (besides having been told that the Catholics changed the day). Possibly in church there was some mention of Jesus having died, and rose again; but the emphasis seemed to be on His "resting in the grave" on the seventh (sabbath) day. Later on, when I started playing for church in my teen years, I always played Easter hymns in the prelude. Never did anyone comment; they probably didn't know what I was playing! Reading everyone else's posts, tears were flowing. Easter is so beautiful, so indescribable now. The absolute joy of the New Covenant and the supreme sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is beyond expression for me. Easter far surpasses Christmas as a celebration time for me now, althought Christmas has also taken on new meaning for me since the veil has been removed. Ardyj | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5505 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jackob and Cindy and Grace, I'm also praying for your and your spouses. What great insights aboveóI am astonished at how being born again completely changes the resurrectionóall of a sudden! It doesn't take years to "figure it out"ówhen we finally know Jesus, the resurrection and His victory are overwhelming. Just today we got a letter that said, among other things, "My Savior, Jesus Christ, died and suffered on that cross for His ten commandment law and it just can't be done away with as the sacrificial law were." Today statements like that affect me viscerally. Jesus died for USóHe became the curse of the law; he nailed the entire law to the cross in His body to satisfy its demands. He rose from the dead, having experienced the unimaginable consequences of sin and having given up His own life. Jesus did not suffer and die for the law. He suffered and died for humansóas both the Just and the Justifier. Easter means life itself! The law is fulfilled in Jesus! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3447 Registered: 3-2004  |
It was not until I had been out of adventism 2 years that I saw what the resurrection day was and meant to me. Growing up SDA it was a day of easter eggs and bunny rabbits. I did the same for my son, though I did try to tell him about the resurrection. But it was not important. Last year, my 3rd out of adventism I got caught up in the personal meaning of resurrection sunday and what it meant. It was not just a day for phoney celebration. In my head and heart, I celebrated the resurrection and Jesus death on the cross. I cannot explain how I feel about it, as I still feel like I am new to Christianity, but Easter is a very special day. It reminds me of how awesome God is. Diana | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 562 Registered: 9-2006  |
As a ìNever been Adventistî and an evangelical from the get go, I suppose Iíve always taken Easter for granted, among many other things. It never ceases to amaze me at the things the formers enjoy and you truly are a breath of fresh air to me. It is an encouragement also and I deeply appreciate the things you take to heart. River | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 441 Registered: 7-2005 |
Thank for prayers, Grace and Colleen. Also, praying for you, Cindy. Jackob | ||
| Thomas1 Registered user Username: Thomas1 Post Number: 208 Registered: 4-2002  |
Jackob, Show your wife the sheer joy of Easter. Let her see the real saving delight of the day! Let it ALL hang out!. Remember the words of Jesus, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me." Adventists do not know of this joy, but it really is contagious! Lift HIM up! Thomas | ||
| Timmy Registered user Username: Timmy Post Number: 163 Registered: 8-2006  |
Reading this forum gives me a huge flashback. Our new church is a come as you are type, (I like to think that Christ had a come as you are approach when he was here.) On our first Easter, we went to church as usual but soon realized that everyone else was all dressed up, people were excited and very happy, the service was pumped up more than usual and we were in shock. We were so used to easter just being a normal weekend. Then we thought to ourselves, "Why not? Why not be excited? Why not celebrate the very thing that makes us who we are? Christians!" Then we tried to remember what was so bad about easter. My Bro-in-law thinks the SDA's just don't want to make an issue about it because the people might get a clue of what Jesus is all about... Who knows? I just hope someday my whole family can experience this celebration in Jesus and be totally free. ts |
