Living In A Non-SDA Home

[Shrewsbury]

How do you deal with issues such as Sabbath if you live in a home where you are not all members or attenders of the SDA church?

I ask because although I have started attending my local SDA church, my mother, who lives with me, does not go to church. She eats pork, watches secular tv on Sabbath and does all the things that I did before I found the SDA.

Now, I want to celebrate Sabbath properly, and so in my private time, in my own room, I will contemplate God, read my Bible and so on. But what about when I am with my mother and the rest of my family (who come and visit us every other Saturday and expect to spend time with me as well as my mother)?

Is it okay to spend time with my relatives, to watch tv with them etc?

I know this might seem like an odd question, but I am confused as I don't want to upset God, and at the same time I don't want to cause anger amongst my family for saying, "Sorry, can't spend time with you until Sabbath has finished."

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stryder06]

How do you deal with issues such as Sabbath if you live in a home where you are not all members or attenders of the SDA church?

I ask because although I have started attending my local SDA church, my mother, who lives with me, does not go to church. She eats pork, watches secular tv on Sabbath and does all the things that I did before I found the SDA.

Now, I want to celebrate Sabbath properly, and so in my private time, in my own room, I will contemplate God, read my Bible and so on. But what about when I am with my mother and the rest of my family (who come and visit us every other Saturday and expect to spend time with me as well as my mother)?

Is it okay to spend time with my relatives, to watch tv with them etc?

I know this might seem like an odd question, but I am confused as I don't want to upset God, and at the same time I don't want to cause anger amongst my family for saying, "Sorry, can't spend time with you until Sabbath has finished."

Thanks in advance.

This is a great question and a valid concern. The best answer I can give you is to go to God in prayer and ask Him to lead you on this. You can always take this time to witness to your family about your new found faith and desire to keep the sabbath. If you have a backyard or front porch you can (weather permitting of course) go out side and just enjoy the weather with your family.

It won't be easy, I know my mother, when she decided to be adventist had a hard time because of her parents, but she persevered and God blessed her. Just remember that we ought to please God and not man.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Amen Stryder!

Coming into Adventism is difficult, from a wordly relationship perspective, for most people. We need to remember what Christ said... that we must be willing to forsake all for following Him.

Live your life as a witness to others. Don't be reclusive but remain true to your faith. People will inevitably fall on one side or the other, they will either admire and respect your strong conviction and maybe even inquire about it for themselves, or they will avoid you and possibly reject and ridicule you.... but be of good cheer for our Saviour suffered these things as well.

As I've said before, the answer to the riddle of how to eat an elephant is, one bite at a time. The same applies to your walk with God... be patient, be obedient and He will bless you and reveal His will for you. I will include you in my prayers for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you.

 

[Rottiedog]

Hey, you're not alone, Shrew. At least there are two of us. I am very liberal so I'd never refuse to spend time with my family. From what I've heard, the Sabbath is encouraged to be a family day. But, I do think that how much secular stuff you choose to do with them is up to you and God. Of course, if they play strip poker and watch pornos then you'd probably not want to hang around them much, even on Sabbath. But, it doesn't sound like anything like that.

Perhaps it depends on what you mean by secular T.V. Since I'm liberal (sorry to sound redundant and repetitive) I don't have a problem with sitting on the couch with my parents and watching golf. It's so boring I think God probably sleeps through it anyway. Plus, as Stryder said, your family might be open to hanging out with the T.V off anyway.

As for your mom eating pork, well, I'll just tell you how that issue goes for me. Often, after I come home from church, my parents invite me to lunch. They sometimes do pork-n-beans or ham sandwiches but I just trot out to the porch and put veggie skewers on the BBQ or something. I even brought over some of my homemade vegan carrot and leek soup once and my mom thought it was yummy. We still eat together and everything, though, with no problems. Yeah, at first they thought I was off my rocker but now nobody even notices.

So, I guess just give yourself time to sort it all out. The worst reaction I've gotten from family about "going Adventist" is worry that I've joined a cult. The best reaction I've had is no reaction at all. So, for you, whatever happens, stick to what you think is right and it'll all work out. At least, it has for me.

God bless and I hope this has helped if not just a little bit.

 

[Shrewsbury]

Thanks for all the advice, it is appreciated.

The family came over yesterday (Sabbath), and we spent the afternoon together. The tv was on, but most of the time was spent chatting and I mentioned what had happened at church that morning and no one wanted to hang me from a lamp post, so I took that as being good.

Rottiedog: My mom asked the same thing when I said I was going to my local SDA church: "Is it a cult? It isn't like the Jehovah's Witnesses is it?" Once I had assured her it was nothing like them and no, it isn't a cult, she was fine. The Pastor came to visit to see how I had got on at my first meeting, and after he had left my mom said what a nice man he was.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Rottiedog: My mom asked the same thing when I said I was going to my local SDA church: "Is it a cult? It isn't like the Jehovah's Witnesses is it?" Once I had assured her it was nothing like them and no, it isn't a cult, she was fine. The Pastor came to visit to see how I had got on at my first meeting, and after he had left my mom said what a nice man he was.

Thats wonderful... maybe your mom will be lead to join you sometime....

The DVD's you're getting will be a great way for you to watch the tele on Sabbath and educate your family at the same time.

 

[Shrewsbury]

Thats wonderful... maybe your mom will be lead to join you sometime....

The DVD's you're getting will be a great way for you to watch the tele on Sabbath and educate your family at the same time.

Thank you I'm looking forward to watching them and thank you so much for your kindness.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

thank you so much for your kindness.

Thank our Heavenly Father for it is the Spirit of Jesus in me....

 

[Princessdi]

Shrews, you are getting some really good adivce here, mainly just pray and let God guide you. nYour instincts are correct that if you become reclusive, they will definitely see your new life as something cultish. However, living the life before them is a good. When they can see the Light of Christ shining through in your life, that willbe the best witness. Also, try not to get into too many or any biblical debates/arguments, does absolutely no good. Just be a good witness.

 

[Stryder06]

Thank you I'm looking forward to watching them and thank you so much for your kindness.

Not exactly sure what DVD's you're getting but A couple that I really enjoy were produced by Amazing Facts

Cosmic Conflict > Home - Cosmic II News & More

and

Final Events.com

These videos are actually available for free online, but I purchased them also because I wanted to support the ministry. Check em out

 

[Shrewsbury]

Thanks for the links!

 

[Shrewsbury]

I just visited the Amazing Facts site, and am very impressed.

 

[Stryder06]

Thanks for the links!

No problem

I just visited the Amazing Facts site, and am very impressed.

That site has a lot of useful information.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Yeah, Doug Batchelor does a great job of conveying a message... check out some of his video sermons... good stuff!

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