Hello! My intro

[Jordan_cg]

Hello! I'm not really new to Christian Forums, but I haven't really been active. I only came on this website one time to ask a question about last year, and that question is still prevalent in my life. But I'm really trying my hardest to but Jesus at the center of my life, so why not join

I'm 18 and a freshman in college, trying to get closer to Jesus every single day. I really struggle a lot, but one struggle I have is that I'm trying to make my relationship with Christ personal and intimate, and know Him for MYSELF. Not based off of what people tell me.

See, I was born and raised SDA (3rd generation) (I'm not bashing Adventists, and if I do, I sincerely apologize, it's not intentional. God bless!) but I've grown up for 18 years hearing the same things over and over again, ya know, growing up was pretty exclusive considering that practically everyone in my life is Adventist, being at college is completely different, I joined a christian group (such loving people!) and my eyes have opened to a lot more, and honestly, I have to say. If I had not came to the school I'm at, I don't know where I would be in my walk with Christ. I never heard about the fulfillment of the law until I came to this school!! All I ever heard was the 10 commandments lol. I have definitely grown within the past 3 months. I have been reading the Bible for myself and developing my relationship.

I have a dilemma though. I was supposed to run track in college, and my parents didn't want me to do it (because it would go against the traditional sabbath, as in Saturday practice or Saturday meets) but when I ran in high school - note - I was one of the fastest people in my area for the 400m dash, I felt as if I brought people closer to Christ, and I felt as if running was a gift or talent, even calling God has given to me. I brought it up to my mom and she totally disregarded the thought and I broke down hysterically. I was taught sports ministry is not a real thing

https://www.christianforums.com/thr...to-get-a-scholarship-for-sports-help.8014480/ -> I have definitely grown from that time. But my beliefs are different now. Back then, I just used to listen to what people told me, but now I study and read scripture everyday for myself.

I'm an obedient child, I hardly disrespect or disobey my parents, but something is different this time. I'm reading the Bible for myself and I never have, and I'm reading more and more about the love of Jesus Christ and his grace, and I enjoy going to church on Sunday (which I'm not allowed to at home).

But I'm now realizing that salvation is not based off of works in which I thought my entire existence. Being at home is so hard, because my beliefs have shifted from the adventists (not saying that adventists are wrong!) but my faith wants more of Jesus. I just want to be a BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN and I don't want to belong to a denomination. My sister had to move out of the house 2 years ago because she was not following the adventist rules of the house (no pork, no movies on Friday night, no going to out eat on Friday night, no walks on the beach on a nice Saturday) her faith in Jesus is now diminished because of all the rules. But the thing is, I'm kind of doing the same things, I'm going to church on Sunday, and I hang out with friends on Friday night, doing like a nice bible study or something in which I usually wouldn't be allowed to if I was home. It's just that if I leave the Adventist faith, I'd get scorned by my entire family and I'd be called lost, but at the same time, I'm getting closer to Jesus, it's hard. I'm just praying

I'd love to write more, but that is what has been going on! As I'm still confused, I'm sure God will make a way, but thank you for your time and thank you for listening! All I can ask for is prayers and for my faith in Jesus to be abundant

 

[Lazarus Short]

Speaking as an ex-Adventist, I say your walk with Jesus the Christ is worth more than your SDA upbringing - my humble opinion.

 

[Jordan_cg]

Speaking as an ex-Adventist, I say your walk with Jesus the Christ is worth more than your SDA upbringing - my humble opinion.

Thank you so much for your reply! It is really reassuring, but it will be so hard to convey that over to my parents ya know. God bless!

 

[Call me Nic]

It's just that if I leave the Adventist faith, I'd get scorned by my entire family and I'd be called lost, but at the same time, I'm getting closer to Jesus, it's hard. I'm just praying

It sounds like you answered your own question, friend. If staying in the Adventist religion causes you to not become as close to Christ, then you must by all means seek Christ first.

Welcome, and I'm glad you're here. There are many brilliant people on this website that will be able to answer a myriad of questions. God bless!

 

[Jordan_cg]

This was in 2017 while I was on the site. June 24, 2017 on ask a Chaplin. I'm really new to forums so I apologize if I do something wrong.

My parents don't want me to get a scholarship for sports. Help

Goodmorning, my I'm 16 about to turn 17 in a month and it's coming up to my senior year in high school. I've been struggling a lot with my grades and my scores in the SAT and ACT are extremely low and my parents expect so much higher. I am a seventh day Adventist and my family is very strict in the sabbath day. The concern I have is about track and field. I'm an outstanding athlete for cross country and track and I've been receiving many college letters for running. And half the things I get, my parents throw them out without me knowing. It kind of makes me sad. To cut short to the point.. my parents don't want me to get a running scholarship because in college, most of the meets are one sabbath (the seventh day). I don't know how I feel. God has really changed my life using running and I believe he gave it to me as a talent when I was at my lowest.. there's a long story of why I run to this day. I've changed the lives of my coaches people around me. I've given many people hope through running. I believe that God used me in running to help people in need. Every Saturday practice and meet, I go to church and I don't even go to practice because I observe the sabbath.. even from Friday night, I leave practice early. And my coaches have always respected that.. (isn't there this saying that "if you make time for God, he'll make time for you?" i just don't know how I feel. I don't hate my parents and I know they care for me, but they want me to stay connected to God and I can assure you that I'll never stray away. I understand why they throw out my college letters for running, is it a sin to run for God? If he gave me this talent, I really don't want to waste it.. any encouragement would be nice.. I've been going through a lot, thanks. If I get a running scholarship it'll definitely help the cost for college. And I don't even want to go to college to party. I want to major in physical therapy and have a family and provide for my parents when they get old..



And here is what Dr. Steve replied with the day after
I know how important the Sabbath is to your SDA parents and I can also understand your frustration. Here are a few things to consider:

[1] I would parent you differently than your parents have; but still, honoring your father and mother is honoring to God. When you come to the point where you leave home and are self sustaining then you can decide how you will parent differently.

[2] Grades are important for collegians who are athletes and can determine eligibility, so learning to make study a priority now will benefit you later.

[3] "if you make time for God, he'll make time for you?" This is not a Biblical statement, not sure of the source. We are to honor God, but that does not allow us to dictate how He must bless us.

You strike me as a caring person and I believe the Lord will direct your steps as He deems best. You have my prayers for guidance as you move forward.

Grace and Peace
Chaplain Steve

PS> As I read your post I was reminded of the movie Chariots of Fire. Have you seen that movie?



And now the recent reply to that, after a while. Which was today

Hello! If you made it here, this is almost 2 years later
I'm now in college, happily growing in my relationship with Christ.
It is still hard for me to chow down this sabbath thing. I respect my parents, and I love them dearly.

As I was saying, when I ran, I did not do it to make it an idol, or idolize myself. I glorified God. Recently, my parents have found out about how my faith has been changing and they are doing everything they can to keep me Adventist (I still respect adventism), giving me super long lectures about the Saturday sabbath, books that just call Sunday worship incorrect and bash it, and going as far as telling me I'd have to leave college after 2 years because of the cost, which makes sense to me, but we got a academic scholarship. My older brother is local to home and he's in college, but they really do not bother him about it. But I'm far, and my faith is taking a shift. I feel as if it is more than just the cost.

I feel like they do not want me to leave Adventism.

But! That's where track and field comes in! Since I was supposed to be doing it, I'm super confident now that it is a gift God has given to me to minister to others, but along with that, it can help the cost of college!

And for you Dr. Steve I've come back to answer the questions LOL

1. I still love, respect, and obey my parents, but it is so much more different now. Being without them at college, my relationship with Christ is growing more than it ever has, because I am not relying on someone to tell me to pick up my bible and read it every single day, but I do it because I want to become intimate with Jesus. I still feel as if I'm in a bubble, being 18 and away at college. Of course family values matter, but I can't make my own decisions still. Even when it comes to a haircut.

2. I realize in the past that I've made schoolwork an idol, and things weren't easy because of that, but now that I put Jesus at the center of it all, I hardly stress out about college work! Lol. I know completely that God has my back at all times.

3. I don't know why I said that. I'm aware now that it is not a biblical statement, because God will always be there for us, at any given time, it is just how we offer that time for Him.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

Welcome friend.
I love your excitement for the Lord , especially being so young.
It gives me hope in todays youth.
I pray that the Lord blesses you and guides you.

Peace in our Saviours name.

 

[sunshine100]

Hello and welcome

 

[WESTOZZIE]

Apostle said that the law is a tutor to bring us to Christ...it seems like your SDA upbringing fits right into Paul's writings.

Gal 3:23 But before faith(personal relationship with Jesus) came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Choose grace through faith in Jesus...and then stand strong in it.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Hi and welcome here.

 

[3rdday]

Hello! I'm not really new to Christian Forums, but I haven't really been active. I only came on this website one time to ask a question about last year, and that question is still prevalent in my life. But I'm really trying my hardest to but Jesus at the center of my life, so why not join

I'm 18 and a freshman in college, trying to get closer to Jesus every single day. I really struggle a lot, but one struggle I have is that I'm trying to make my relationship with Christ personal and intimate, and know Him for MYSELF. Not based off of what people tell me.

See, I was born and raised SDA (3rd generation) (I'm not bashing Adventists, and if I do, I sincerely apologize, it's not intentional. God bless!) but I've grown up for 18 years hearing the same things over and over again, ya know, growing up was pretty exclusive considering that practically everyone in my life is Adventist, being at college is completely different, I joined a christian group (such loving people!) and my eyes have opened to a lot more, and honestly, I have to say. If I had not came to the school I'm at, I don't know where I would be in my walk with Christ. I never heard about the fulfillment of the law until I came to this school!! All I ever heard was the 10 commandments lol. I have definitely grown within the past 3 months. I have been reading the Bible for myself and developing my relationship.

I have a dilemma though. I was supposed to run track in college, and my parents didn't want me to do it (because it would go against the traditional sabbath, as in Saturday practice or Saturday meets) but when I ran in high school - note - I was one of the fastest people in my area for the 400m dash, I felt as if I brought people closer to Christ, and I felt as if running was a gift or talent, even calling God has given to me. I brought it up to my mom and she totally disregarded the thought and I broke down hysterically. I was taught sports ministry is not a real thing

https://www.christianforums.com/thr...to-get-a-scholarship-for-sports-help.8014480/ -> I have definitely grown from that time. But my beliefs are different now. Back then, I just used to listen to what people told me, but now I study and read scripture everyday for myself.

I'm an obedient child, I hardly disrespect or disobey my parents, but something is different this time. I'm reading the Bible for myself and I never have, and I'm reading more and more about the love of Jesus Christ and his grace, and I enjoy going to church on Sunday (which I'm not allowed to at home).

But I'm now realizing that salvation is not based off of works in which I thought my entire existence. Being at home is so hard, because my beliefs have shifted from the adventists (not saying that adventists are wrong!) but my faith wants more of Jesus. I just want to be a BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN and I don't want to belong to a denomination. My sister had to move out of the house 2 years ago because she was not following the adventist rules of the house (no pork, no movies on Friday night, no going to out eat on Friday night, no walks on the beach on a nice Saturday) her faith in Jesus is now diminished because of all the rules. But the thing is, I'm kind of doing the same things, I'm going to church on Sunday, and I hang out with friends on Friday night, doing like a nice bible study or something in which I usually wouldn't be allowed to if I was home. It's just that if I leave the Adventist faith, I'd get scorned by my entire family and I'd be called lost, but at the same time, I'm getting closer to Jesus, it's hard. I'm just praying

I'd love to write more, but that is what has been going on! As I'm still confused, I'm sure God will make a way, but thank you for your time and thank you for listening! All I can ask for is prayers and for my faith in Jesus to be abundant

 

[3rdday]

You sweet girl. Thanks so much for reaching out. I am so glad you are learning to know Jesus personally and not through your family. I really encourage you to continue studying the bible. If it's possible find a bible teaching church and learn as much as you can. Knowing Jesus isn't about following rules taught by any denomination. It it knowing Jesus and His word which is in the bible. God bless you as you grow!

 

[Heavenhome]

Hello and welcome to CF.

 

[Jordan_cg]

You sweet girl. Thanks so much for reaching out. I am so glad you are learning to know Jesus personally and not through your family. I really encourage you to continue studying the bible. If it's possible find a bible teaching church and learn as much as you can. Knowing Jesus isn't about following rules taught by any denomination. It it knowing Jesus and His word which is in the bible. God bless you as you grow!

I am a male! But thank you for your kind words hahaha!! Blessings