| Author | Message | ||
| Jonah Registered user Username: Jonah Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2006 |
Hello family I had to share this. Last night I met with an Adventist friend of mine that I've been sharing the Gospel with at Barnes and Noble in Redlands. We had a good conversation that lasted until the store closed. As we walked to our cars in the parking lot, we came a cross an abandoned copy of "National Sunday Law" in the lot. My friend said, "here is some truth you need to read." Of course I challenged him on what truth could be found in a publication that he himself didn't fully agree with. We agreed that someone had probably received it from an Adventist but didn't want to waste their time on such garbage. With that in mind I said that I need to put it exactly where it belonged... the garbage can. At that point (even though he doesn't agree with the book) he proceeded to stop from picking up the book because maybe someone else would benefit from reading it. I made several attempts at trying to get the book but he was pretty adamant that it didn't belong in the trash and that it could actually help someone. To make a long story short, we ended up talking for another hour and half in the empty parking lot where I tried to explain subtitutionary atonement as oppose to exemplary atonement and the center of the Gospel. He understood the terms but I wonder if the heart of the Gospel connected with his heart. pray. Eventually we left but before we departed, I made sure to kick that nasty book as hard as I could to the other side of the parking lot. hopefully that strip mall has people who pick up trash. Later folks. One of these days I will post my story. with love, jonah www.faithwalkweb.com | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5555 Registered: 12-2003  |
Jonah, wow. That story is such a commentary on HOW IT IS. There is such cognitive dissonance; the fear of abaonding The Truth, even if one doesn't agree with all of it, drives their lives. The crippling reality of Adventist theology is well-hidden from almost everyone "outside". I wish so much that I could "make" people believe me that Adventism is not what it says it is, that when they say, "I'm saved by grace alone" they actually mean they're saved in order to keep that law. I know the progessive Adventists wouldn't even admit this fact, but in reality, when they hang onto the foundation of Adventism, they hang onto a spiritual power that blinds them to the actual biblical truth. I realize more and more that prayer is the only hope for exposing the truth of Adventism. We look forward to your story, Jonah! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 606 Registered: 9-2006  |
Jonah, I don't want to sound too radical but just maybe the Lord had you, had him, and that book there at the same time for a reason. So you might have gotten further than you know. I believe God does have divine appointments for us at times and we are not privy to the results. At any rate you shared your faith. Thanks for the story. River | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2407 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dear Jonah, The only truth I can come up with about the book you are referring to is that Pastor Marchussian has made oodles on money from it. He charges 39 cents per copy if a person buys at least 100 copies in one order. If less copies are purchased per order the price per copy is more. I put here the least price available. He says in his doomsday newsletters about how many millions and millions of copies he has sold. It's definately been that pastors cash cow. And, there is a lady who lives several blocks from me whose only income is disability. She eats at the community linchline so she has more money to but that book so she can leave copies scattered about the town. It seems to me a good share of them end up in the trasd. It's very sad. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3481 Registered: 3-2004  |
Susan, Welcome back. Do you have your own computer now?? Jonah, I have not had conversations with SDAs since I left. I have never lived close to any of them. So I have never experienced what you have. I will put you and this SDA friend on my prayer list. Keep looking up and never forget we have an awesome God. Diana |
