Changing the purpose of this forum

[sentipente]

I dont intend that as or mean it in a personal way senti, but I grew up among and associated with many Adventist pastors, and had many Adventist friends that went on to be or were ministerial students at Adventist colleges, and Adventist teachers/professors of theology and never came across any that have the outlook on Christianity that you have.

I think differently from most people.

 

[moicherie]

I think differently from most people.

And that is neither a crime or a sin so continue to do so. We like to put people in our personal little boxes cos we fear people who are different from our norms.

 

[reddogs]

I think differently from most people.

Yes, but to present yourself as a Adventist, much less a Adventist preacher with the veiwpoint of Christianity you seem to have, is a bit of a stretch to accept...and you never seem to clarify yourself on that point.

 

[sentipente]

Yes, but to present yourself as a Adventist, much less a Adventist preacher with the veiwpoint of Christianity you seem to have, is a bit of a stretch to accept...and you never seem to clarify yourself on that point.

To your satisfaction. I can deal with that. Expectations can do horrible things to our ability to understand.

 

[reddogs]

To your satisfaction. I can deal with that. Expectations can do horrible things to our ability to understand.

Then why not present yourself as you truly are....?

 

[sentipente]

Then why not present yourself as you truly are....?

On what authority do you suggest that I have been doing otherwise?

 

[reddogs]

On what authority do you suggest that I have been doing otherwise?

That is were the diversities of gifts come in....

 

[AzA]

Wow, fellas.

Identity is a complex thing, and I've learned people don't respond well when accused of identity fraud. When we allow each other to define ourselves (rather than impose definitions on each other) it often makes for a more pleasant environment.

 

[sentipente]

That is were the diversities of gifts come in....

I guess you are one of those who insists that because it was recognized that God gave the fledgling first century church certain gifts to aid in its development and growth that the same gifts must be pursued by modern man, even though there is absolutely no evidence in the NT that this was intended. I guess Tradition has a much stronger hold than we wish to admit.

 

[StormyOne]

I guess you are one of those who insists that because it was recognized that God gave the fledgling first century church certain gifts to aid in its development and growth that the same gifts must be pursued by modern man, even though there is absolutely no evidence in the NT that this was intended. I guess Tradition has a much stronger hold than we wish to admit.

yep... I am thankful that not all are bound by traditional thought otherwise much of technology would never have been invented.... seems like its only in the area of theology that we cling to tradition never asking if what was thought at that time was correct or was it their understanding at that time...

 

[Avonia]

Yes, but to present yourself as a Adventist, much less a Adventist preacher with the veiwpoint of Christianity you seem to have, is a bit of a stretch to accept...and you never seem to clarify yourself on that point.

It's always a bit of a stretch to grasp things slightly out of your reach.

Demanding that someone "come out" on your terms has little to do with clarification.

 

[trinket]

I hope you are not serious about dropping the name "Former Adventist," because I would have never found you otherwise.I am a former Adventist and feel a need to tell my story and see if there are others out there like me.

I have vague memories of going to the Forest Lake Church as a very small child. My parents (both at least third or fourth generation adventists) backslid, you might say. They both met at the Laurel Brook School. Both came from broken families, my dad's father was abusive before and after becoming SDA and beat his children for not properly keeping the Sabbath. My parent stopped attending church in their twenties. I grew up knowing nothing about Jesus, state of the dead, Sabbath, etc. The only real education into spiritual things was a Baptist church I attended with a friend of mine and the book we had around our house called The Desire of Ages. As a teenager, my parents divorced, my mom went wild, working and attending bars to the point we never saw her. My dad went back to Adventism. My aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. were adventists but didn't live nearby. When I visited my dad who lived in a different state, I got a lot of criticism for what I wore, music I listened to, smoking, etc. I didn't feel that I had any acceptance at all.

At about 18, I had already been seperated from my husband and raising a son on my own and had gotten robbed and abused at a shoe store I worked at. I made a promise to God that if he would let me live through the ordeal I would serve Him. My journey began and through prayer and bible searching and trips to the public library (I also bought a book called The Great Controversy for 25 cents at a yard sale ) I found truth in the SDA message. I was married to my second husband and baptised at 23 into the church. I began losing my friends, family and my husband. I told God that I was not willing to leave everything. (I imagine Jesus saying "forgive her, for she knows not what she does). After that the devil beat me to a pulp till I was about 30 years old. Sick, downtrodden, undignified, I found I had no friends or family, only critical tongues. I found a friend in Jesus. I had hope again. I found love for others growing in my heart again. I was excited about learning about and getting closer to Jesus, my friend who LOVED me. I was rebaptized and put my daughter in an adventist school.

We were always poor, and my daughter and I always felt kind of like we didn't belong due to our lack of Sabbath clothing and money to do things other kids were able to do. It tokk everything I had to pay the bills and keep her in the school. My son saw a transformation in my life and came to church but they happened to be preaching about jewelry and he became uncomfortable about his earring and never went back.

I don't know why I quit going again exactly. I know it was something in me. I had tried to give up tobacco and failed and failed and failed. I heard that "you can't smoke in heaven" and all the lectures on health, etc. I needed an unconditional love and prayer, but I feel I was criticized. I think the church doesn't really know how to deal with people that are from the "real" world because they have been somewhat sheltered in the adventist community without having to make radical changes in dress, health, music, etc. Also my sister came back to church and was wanting support with how to handle her crack using husband and once other members knew they avoided her like a plague. Also I noticed at our evangelistic meetings some of the newly baptized were attending less and less. I felt a calling to visit some of them because I felt like I could relate to them. I went to an elder and said I wanted some addresses of the people that were fresh in adventism and he told me that was the pastors job, who was never there.

I have been feeling the drawing of the holy spirit pulling me back again. I want to be part of God's fold. I believe it is THE fold, THE truth, and I am dying without fellowship and service for Jesus. Oh yes, my 10 year old seems to dislike church, my 27 year old son has not been to church since that incident when he was 15, and my 21 year old daughter who went to the schools from 2nd-9th grade does not want to go either. I know I have been critical of this final church that is poor, blind, and wretched.

 

[Avonia]

Welcome to Christian Forums trinket!

Here are a few thoughts:

1. The harshness toward you from church members is unfortunate and stems from the injury and fear others have in their own lives. Sometimes we treat family poorly. Wanting to belong and feeling like you didn't fit in must have been painful.

2. Struggling with money makes everything more difficult. And unfortunately we sometimes treat those with little money quite poorly.

3. How wonderful you are feeling a "drawing of the Holy Spirit." Hold a lot of space for this and just listen. And understand that at times you may not know what to do next, but you are still being drawn.

4. You are a child of God in God's country - surround by family. Some family members behave better than others.

5. None of your habits or clothing choices affect your status as God's child - in any way. If you feel called to shift something - shift it. If you don't, don't. If you want to, and can't, ask for help.

Blessings!

 

[AzA]

I am a former Adventist and feel a need to tell my story and see if there are others out there like me.<snip> I have been feeling the drawing of the holy spirit pulling me back again. I want to be part of God's fold. I believe it is THE fold, THE truth, and I am dying without fellowship and service for Jesus.

Hey Trinket, I also appreciate your presence. Thanks for speaking up.

You are God's and He is with you. As He shows you what the next station on your journey might be, keep your eyes open for the folks around you who aren't looking for much more than a reminder that someone somewhere perceives their value and cares what happens to them. I know we all need that reminder sometimes.

Bless you and do stick around,
-- AzA

 

[Adventtruth]

I hope you are not serious about dropping the name "Former Adventist," because I would have never found you otherwise.I am a former Adventist and feel a need to tell my story and see if there are others out there like me.

I have vague memories of going to the Forest Lake Church as a very small child. My parents (both at least third or fourth generation adventists) backslid, you might say. They both met at the Laurel Brook School. Both came from broken families, my dad's father was abusive before and after becoming SDA and beat his children for not properly keeping the Sabbath. My parent stopped attending church in their twenties. I grew up knowing nothing about Jesus, state of the dead, Sabbath, etc. The only real education into spiritual things was a Baptist church I attended with a friend of mine and the book we had around our house called The Desire of Ages. As a teenager, my parents divorced, my mom went wild, working and attending bars to the point we never saw her. My dad went back to Adventism. My aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. were adventists but didn't live nearby. When I visited my dad who lived in a different state, I got a lot of criticism for what I wore, music I listened to, smoking, etc. I didn't feel that I had any acceptance at all.

At about 18, I had already been seperated from my husband and raising a son on my own and had gotten robbed and abused at a shoe store I worked at. I made a promise to God that if he would let me live through the ordeal I would serve Him. My journey began and through prayer and bible searching and trips to the public library (I also bought a book called The Great Controversy for 25 cents at a yard sale ) I found truth in the SDA message. I was married to my second husband and baptised at 23 into the church. I began losing my friends, family and my husband. I told God that I was not willing to leave everything. (I imagine Jesus saying "forgive her, for she knows not what she does). After that the devil beat me to a pulp till I was about 30 years old. Sick, downtrodden, undignified, I found I had no friends or family, only critical tongues. I found a friend in Jesus. I had hope again. I found love for others growing in my heart again. I was excited about learning about and getting closer to Jesus, my friend who LOVED me. I was rebaptized and put my daughter in an adventist school.

We were always poor, and my daughter and I always felt kind of like we didn't belong due to our lack of Sabbath clothing and money to do things other kids were able to do. It tokk everything I had to pay the bills and keep her in the school. My son saw a transformation in my life and came to church but they happened to be preaching about jewelry and he became uncomfortable about his earring and never went back.

I don't know why I quit going again exactly. I know it was something in me. I had tried to give up tobacco and failed and failed and failed. I heard that "you can't smoke in heaven" and all the lectures on health, etc. I needed an unconditional love and prayer, but I feel I was criticized. I think the church doesn't really know how to deal with people that are from the "real" world because they have been somewhat sheltered in the adventist community without having to make radical changes in dress, health, music, etc. Also my sister came back to church and was wanting support with how to handle her crack using husband and once other members knew they avoided her like a plague. Also I noticed at our evangelistic meetings some of the newly baptized were attending less and less. I felt a calling to visit some of them because I felt like I could relate to them. I went to an elder and said I wanted some addresses of the people that were fresh in adventism and he told me that was the pastors job, who was never there.

I have been feeling the drawing of the holy spirit pulling me back again. I want to be part of God's fold. I believe it is THE fold, THE truth, and I am dying without fellowship and service for Jesus. Oh yes, my 10 year old seems to dislike church, my 27 year old son has not been to church since that incident when he was 15, and my 21 year old daughter who went to the schools from 2nd-9th grade does not want to go either. I know I have been critical of this final church that is poor, blind, and wretched.

Hi Trinket.

That is some story. I am sorry that your life has been full of so much hurt, pain and sorrow. But it seems you have come through it with flying colors. You are still standing with faith in Christ alone. Your whole ordeal shows you that the only person you can trust the most is Christ. He has your best intrest at heart and will not let you down to bring you to see Him when this present world is done and gone. Some times we seem to pick up the notion that its about what we do and wear, but thats not the answer at all. Many in the churches put much importance on following the rules and getting them right or we are not saved. Many children don't like church because of some of the rules. Its not about when or where we worship or earrings or eating. Its not about what we can do on a certain day. Its not about if we can watch TV or not. Or going to the store or not. Or what school we go to. Or even what Chirstian church we belong to. Its about being in a living relationship with Christ.

Because Christ loves you unconditionally...He decided to die for you so you could be with Him forever. And that forever begins the moment you believed He died for you. So when people tell you that you have to follow a certain set of rules, know that your trust is in Christ and what He did for you that you are His child. He will give you the Holy Spirit to live in you and be with you forever. The Spirit will lead you to live a righteous life as Gods child. He will help you to understand His ways and to decern what is righteous and what is not. He loves you and desires your fellowship. That is why you feel compelled to fellowship with Christ. But all that does not mean you wont face hardship any more, or that you will always do thing the right way. It means that you are His and that you are saved from eternal hell.

At this point in your life, I would incourage you to find your self a good bible church home to attend with a new church family that teaches the bible only. It is a good thing to sit under a good pastor/teacher and be taught the teachings of the bible that you can grow in the Lord. This will also help you becasue you will be getting with those who also want Christ and love Christ as much as you do. It can be a safe place away from the distractions you find in the worldly life of those outside of Christ.

You may also find help and good advice right here on CF. We are not always perfect in what we say or do...no christian is, but you will find some good answers from those who have been thinking about righteousness for a while.

Hope to see you around these boards often.

Blessings.

AT

 

[gcfrankie]

Welcome Trinket,
I also hope this forum will be helpful to you. I agree with AT about finding a good bible teaching church but also I would advise to also find a non-denominational bible only study. I was SDA for 30 some years and never really truely believed I belonged because I did not have generations of adventists in my background.
Since I have left and been going to a non-denominational church I have been welcomed with open arms as God's child, not by being judged by what I wear or how much money I may have or not have or by how much you can afford to give (money). There are many ways to give to the church besides money.
May God bless and enrich your life as you study His word.
Gail

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Welcome Trinket! I look forward to getting to know you better.

Blessings,
BFA

 

[moicherie]

Welcome Trinket, your experience demonstrates the legendary button 'God save me.............from your followers' . I hope you find fellowship and peace here.

 

[Restin]

I hope you are not serious about dropping the name "Former Adventist," because I would have never found you otherwise.I am a former Adventist and feel a need to tell my story and see if there are others out there like me.

I have vague memories of going to the Forest Lake Church as a very small child.

Welcome trinket....I too went to 'Forest Lake Chruch'. Through the 50s it was home to me. I remember my mom (now deceased) saying she would not go to lunch with the 'rich folk of the church' because she did not want to be depressed because we were among the 'poor'. As Forest Lake seemed to be getting more and more worldly we moved when I was 14.

Though I am a 'former Adventist', I still hold two fundamental principals of my childhood-and thankful for that much!
....The Bible is where God talks to us, more directly than nature talks to us.
....Prayer is my/our conntection to God, where we communicate with God! Praise God for Prayer!

Like you, I was initially attracted to this forum because of the word 'Former Adventist'. Presently, I would not turn away from the forum if the word 'Former' is dropped or changed. Though I did join because the word 'Former' got my attention. The moderators are doing well to keep things together as well as they have been. I appreciate them and my prayers are with them, as well as well as those who participate.

trinket, God led you here, He has a purpose for you.
God loves those children too!

With prayers, and blessings,
In God we trust,
Restin

 

[dragNdrop]

Let the forum stay as it is. I'd classify myself as a Fundamentalist Sabbatharian Ex- Adventist. I joined this forum in order to share and find fellowship from many Ex-Adventists who are at the various stage out of the Traditional Adventism. We are at different stages but we all agree that some things we were taught in the SDA are false.

Staying together on such forums will produce good.