Stumblingblocks

[TrustAndObey]

Romans 14:13 - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I have a lot of questions about the Bible (specifically about Revelation), and I started writing them down so I could ask them here. It hit me like a rock tonight, however, that maybe this isn't the time or the place.

I have to say that with all the recent "newbie" remarks coming my way, I find it very difficult to ask questions now.

I no longer feel like some people (claiming to be my brothers and sisters) will consider my questions. In fact, now I feel like my questions will be met with "whoa, you are new, you don't even know THAT?" It's unfortunate too because I really value people's opinions in here.

I've prayed a lot for this forum and for my own temperance in handling conflict. I've asked God to please guide us all and let us work together to spread the Word.

Now tonight a very dear friend is telling me she is considering moving on because she feels persecuted in here. I gotta say, this makes me angry.

I would like to ask that everyone (including myself) please consider the words they type before they hit "submit". People are trying to come closer to Christ, trying to learn/study the Word, and trying to form bonds with like believers. Along the way obviously we are not always going to agree, but is the person that disagrees with you any less educated or sincere than yourself? If not, is there a need to make them feel like they are?

If the answer to that last question is yes, and I'm asking that we all search our hearts for the honest answer, can we agree that it isn't God's will to cut someone down?

I read a excerpt from Prophets and Kings today and I think it's really fitting.

"In their work, Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins and the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered. That which made their work most difficult was not the open hostility of the heathen, but the secret opposition of the pretended friends, who, by lending their influence to the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden of God's servants...."

I'm not saying anyone in here is evil, not at all. I'm just saying that pretended friends are stumblingblocks of the worst kind.

I've been going over to General Theology lately and you know what? People HATE us. Some other Christians (I use the term lightly) HATE us. I have felt true hatred come out of my computer monitor and I'm not kidding. One thread asked a question about Israel and all I posted was a Bible verse. Nothing more, nothing less. The next post was a person quoting me and asking me why I worship Ellen White and that I had no business posting on a Christian website. I have met some great people there too, it isn't all bad, but some people turn the debate into a denominational war if they can't argue with the scripture you give.

I would like to be able to come here, in the Traditional subforum and in the main threads, without feeling persecuted here as well. I would like to think that even though I'm new to the Adventist faith that people can still respect that I'm intelligent, that I really do care about others, and that I have at least a little something to put on the table of learning.

If anyone here feels like I am a stumblingblock to their faith I would really appreciate it if you would send me a PM and let me know. I can't imagine all this passive hostility coming at me for no reason, so obviously I've done something wrong and I'd like the chance to apologize.

I also ask that people consider that new Adventists are not necessarily uneducated Adventists! We're here for the exact same reason you are...to learn and fellowship.

God bless,
~Lainie

 

[woobadooba]

Romans 14:13 - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I have a lot of questions about the Bible (specifically about Revelation), and I started writing them down so I could ask them here. It hit me like a rock tonight, however, that maybe this isn't the time or the place.

I have to say that with all the recent "newbie" remarks coming my way, I find it very difficult to ask questions now.

I no longer feel like some people (claiming to be my brothers and sisters) will consider my questions. In fact, now I feel like my questions will be met with "whoa, you are new, you don't even know THAT?" It's unfortunate too because I really value people's opinions in here.

I've prayed a lot for this forum and for my own temperance in handling conflict. I've asked God to please guide us all and let us work together to spread the Word.

Now tonight a very dear friend is telling me she is considering moving on because she feels persecuted in here. I gotta say, this makes me angry.

I would like to ask that everyone (including myself) please consider the words they type before they hit "submit". People are trying to come closer to Christ, trying to learn/study the Word, and trying to form bonds with like believers. Along the way obviously we are not always going to agree, but is the person that disagrees with you any less educated or sincere than yourself? If not, is there a need to make them feel like they are?

If the answer to that last question is yes, and I'm asking that we all search our hearts for the honest answer, can we agree that it isn't God's will to cut someone down?

I read a excerpt from Prophets and Kings today and I think it's really fitting.

"In their work, Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins and the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered. That which made their work most difficult was not the open hostility of the heathen, but the secret opposition of the pretended friends, who, by lending their influence to the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden of God's servants...."

I'm not saying anyone in here is evil, not at all. I'm just saying that pretended friends are stumblingblocks of the worst kind.

I've been going over to General Theology lately and you know what? People HATE us. Some other Christians (I use the term lightly) HATE us. I have felt true hatred come out of my computer monitor and I'm not kidding. One thread asked a question about Israel and all I posted was a Bible verse. Nothing more, nothing less. The next post was a person quoting me and asking me why I worship Ellen White and that I had no business posting on a Christian website. I have met some great people there too, it isn't all bad, but some people turn the debate into a denominational war if they can't argue with the scripture you give.

I would like to be able to come here, in the Traditional subforum and in the main threads, without feeling persecuted here as well. I would like to think that even though I'm new to the Adventist faith that people can still respect that I'm intelligent, that I really do care about others, and that I have at least a little something to put on the table of learning.

If anyone here feels like I am a stumblingblock to their faith I would really appreciate it if you would send me a PM and let me know. I can't imagine all this passive hostility coming at me for no reason, so obviously I've done something wrong and I'd like the chance to apologize.

I also ask that people consider that new Adventists are not necessarily uneducated Adventists! We're here for the exact same reason you are...to learn and fellowship.

God bless,
~Lainie

Lainie,


I just want to let you know that I value you as a sister in Christ, and that you are very intelligent.


Don't let others knock you down because you are a newbie. Those people that do this are only disclosing how immature they are, and how desperately they need to humble themselves before the Lord.


Wasn't it Jesus who esteemed the little children with such high regard--"Unless you become like these little ones you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"?

For, out of the mouths of babes comes forth perfect praise for God!


And if anyone insults you in any way in a post, be sure to report it.


With love,
Chris

 

[TrustAndObey]

Thanks brother Chris! I value you very much as well and I appreciate you getting my back a few times in General Theology!

Wasn't it Jesus who esteemed the little children with such high regard--"Unless you become like these little ones you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"?

I keep pulling out the "millstone around the neck" threads but people aren't listening. LOL

 

[Sophia7]

I have backed off from posting much in GT because of the argumentative nature of most of the threads. Most of them do become denominational wars, often between Catholics and Protestants. I have especially made an effort to avoid those recently. Also, on any topic that sets Adventists apart from other Christians, there is noticeable hostility from some people. I enjoy learning about and discussing other people's ideas in a rational manner but not when all they want to do is tell us that we worship Ellen White or that we are not really Christians if we keep the Sabbath. I would like to present a defense of our position on certain subjects, but it is difficult knowing that people really don't want to understand our beliefs. All I can say is that I hope that something that we say there might make someone think a little bit and perhaps go back and study it further.

This also makes me think about how people in real life that we meet think of us, especially considering my husband's work. When I meet people for the first time, one of the first questions that comes up is "What does your husband do?" When I tell them that he is a pastor, the next obvious question is "What church?" I often sense that my answers to these questions put up a wall between me and other people, first because people view pastors and their families as different from "normal" people anyway and second because the Seventh-day Adventist Church is either not well-known to people or is viewed as, if not a cult, at least a church with very strange religious beliefs. It's not like telling someone that you're a Baptist or a Methodist or non-denominational or whatever. It's weird to other people.

 

[Cliff2]

Romans 14:13 - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I have a lot of questions about the Bible (specifically about Revelation), and I started writing them down so I could ask them here. It hit me like a rock tonight, however, that maybe this isn't the time or the place.

I have to say that with all the recent "newbie" remarks coming my way, I find it very difficult to ask questions now.

I no longer feel like some people (claiming to be my brothers and sisters) will consider my questions. In fact, now I feel like my questions will be met with "whoa, you are new, you don't even know THAT?" It's unfortunate too because I really value people's opinions in here.

I've prayed a lot for this forum and for my own temperance in handling conflict. I've asked God to please guide us all and let us work together to spread the Word.

Now tonight a very dear friend is telling me she is considering moving on because she feels persecuted in here. I gotta say, this makes me angry.

I would like to ask that everyone (including myself) please consider the words they type before they hit "submit". People are trying to come closer to Christ, trying to learn/study the Word, and trying to form bonds with like believers. Along the way obviously we are not always going to agree, but is the person that disagrees with you any less educated or sincere than yourself? If not, is there a need to make them feel like they are?

If the answer to that last question is yes, and I'm asking that we all search our hearts for the honest answer, can we agree that it isn't God's will to cut someone down?

I read a excerpt from Prophets and Kings today and I think it's really fitting.

"In their work, Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins and the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered. That which made their work most difficult was not the open hostility of the heathen, but the secret opposition of the pretended friends, who, by lending their influence to the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden of God's servants...."

I'm not saying anyone in here is evil, not at all. I'm just saying that pretended friends are stumblingblocks of the worst kind.

I've been going over to General Theology lately and you know what? People HATE us. Some other Christians (I use the term lightly) HATE us. I have felt true hatred come out of my computer monitor and I'm not kidding. One thread asked a question about Israel and all I posted was a Bible verse. Nothing more, nothing less. The next post was a person quoting me and asking me why I worship Ellen White and that I had no business posting on a Christian website. I have met some great people there too, it isn't all bad, but some people turn the debate into a denominational war if they can't argue with the scripture you give.

I would like to be able to come here, in the Traditional subforum and in the main threads, without feeling persecuted here as well. I would like to think that even though I'm new to the Adventist faith that people can still respect that I'm intelligent, that I really do care about others, and that I have at least a little something to put on the table of learning.

If anyone here feels like I am a stumblingblock to their faith I would really appreciate it if you would send me a PM and let me know. I can't imagine all this passive hostility coming at me for no reason, so obviously I've done something wrong and I'd like the chance to apologize.

I also ask that people consider that new Adventists are not necessarily uneducated Adventists! We're here for the exact same reason you are...to learn and fellowship.

God bless,
~Lainie

You go ahead and ask them because this is the place to find out.

There are people here who will only be too willing to help.

Some very tough questions have been asked of late and I do not think yours can be any harder.

blessings

 

[Cliff2]

I have backed off from posting much in GT because of the argumentative nature of most of the threads. Most of them do become denominational wars, often between Catholics and Protestants. I have especially made an effort to avoid those recently. Also, on any topic that sets Adventists apart from other Christians, there is noticeable hostility from some people. I enjoy learning about and discussing other people's ideas in a rational manner but not when all they want to do is tell us that we worship Ellen White or that we are not really Christians if we keep the Sabbath. I would like to present a defense of our position on certain subjects, but it is difficult knowing that people really don't want to understand our beliefs. All I can say is that I hope that something that we say there might make someone think a little bit and perhaps go back and study it further.

This also makes me think about how people in real life that we meet think of us, especially considering my husband's work. When I meet people for the first time, one of the first questions that comes up is "What does your husband do?" When I tell them that he is a pastor, the next obvious question is "What church?" I often sense that my answers to these questions put up a wall between me and other people, first because people view pastors and their families as different from "normal" people anyway and second because the Seventh-day Adventist Church is either not well-known to people or is viewed as, if not a cult, at least a church with very strange religious beliefs. It's not like telling someone that you're a Baptist or a Methodist or non-denominational or whatever. It's weird to other people.

Long time since I have been to GT as well.

Tired of saying the same thing over and over and getting no where.

 

[Cliff2]

Romans 14:13 - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I have a lot of questions about the Bible (specifically about Revelation), and I started writing them down so I could ask them here. It hit me like a rock tonight, however, that maybe this isn't the time or the place.

I have to say that with all the recent "newbie" remarks coming my way, I find it very difficult to ask questions now.

I no longer feel like some people (claiming to be my brothers and sisters) will consider my questions. In fact, now I feel like my questions will be met with "whoa, you are new, you don't even know THAT?" It's unfortunate too because I really value people's opinions in here.

I've prayed a lot for this forum and for my own temperance in handling conflict. I've asked God to please guide us all and let us work together to spread the Word.

Now tonight a very dear friend is telling me she is considering moving on because she feels persecuted in here. I gotta say, this makes me angry.

I would like to ask that everyone (including myself) please consider the words they type before they hit "submit". People are trying to come closer to Christ, trying to learn/study the Word, and trying to form bonds with like believers. Along the way obviously we are not always going to agree, but is the person that disagrees with you any less educated or sincere than yourself? If not, is there a need to make them feel like they are?

If the answer to that last question is yes, and I'm asking that we all search our hearts for the honest answer, can we agree that it isn't God's will to cut someone down?

I read a excerpt from Prophets and Kings today and I think it's really fitting.

"In their work, Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins and the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered. That which made their work most difficult was not the open hostility of the heathen, but the secret opposition of the pretended friends, who, by lending their influence to the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden of God's servants...."

I'm not saying anyone in here is evil, not at all. I'm just saying that pretended friends are stumblingblocks of the worst kind.

I've been going over to General Theology lately and you know what? People HATE us. Some other Christians (I use the term lightly) HATE us. I have felt true hatred come out of my computer monitor and I'm not kidding. One thread asked a question about Israel and all I posted was a Bible verse. Nothing more, nothing less. The next post was a person quoting me and asking me why I worship Ellen White and that I had no business posting on a Christian website. I have met some great people there too, it isn't all bad, but some people turn the debate into a denominational war if they can't argue with the scripture you give.

I would like to be able to come here, in the Traditional subforum and in the main threads, without feeling persecuted here as well. I would like to think that even though I'm new to the Adventist faith that people can still respect that I'm intelligent, that I really do care about others, and that I have at least a little something to put on the table of learning.

If anyone here feels like I am a stumblingblock to their faith I would really appreciate it if you would send me a PM and let me know. I can't imagine all this passive hostility coming at me for no reason, so obviously I've done something wrong and I'd like the chance to apologize.

I also ask that people consider that new Adventists are not necessarily uneducated Adventists! We're here for the exact same reason you are...to learn and fellowship.

God bless,
~Lainie

If anyone has a question about Revelation and want a good traditional answer this is the site to go and visit.

Ulrike is a very deep thinker, she really has her feet on the ground. I have no doubt in suggesting her site at all.

 

[SassySDA]

" All I can say is that I hope that something that we say there might make someone think a little bit and perhaps go back and study it further."

In General Theology, I came across a thread regarding the rosary. Someone had posted that there was nothing wrong with asking others to pray FOR you.

I posted back with a simple, "You're right, but the people I ask to pray for me are ALIVE".

I knew this would start an uproar in regards to the state of the dead, heaven, hell, etc. I knew it when I posted it. I did that on purpose. I admit it.

Instead of getting into a "denominational argument", which some still tried to turn it into, I copied and pasted a WONDERFUL study on The State of the Dead by a good friend of mine. Sure, I got nasty comments about SDA doctrine, the whole nine yards.

The Holy Spirit led me to do that. He was urging me so badly, that I couldn't copy and paste FAST enough. I let the study do the talking. I figured if only ONE person saw this study, if it piqued their interest, if they took out their bible and began to follow along with the study, actually go to the scriptures and study it out fully, and they began to QUESTION why this was so easy to understand, and even more importantly, WHY it was completely contrary to what they'd been taught...a very FERTILE seed would be planted indeed.

That's all we can hope to do. It is our job to scatter the seed, to throw it out there. It's the Holy Spirit's job to fertilize it, water it, and help it grow. There is lots of dry, stony ground in GT, but there are plenty of fertile patches that the Holy Spirit will use to God's advantage.

Keep sowing the seeds...they're free.

 

[awesumtenor]

" All I can say is that I hope that something that we say there might make someone think a little bit and perhaps go back and study it further."

In General Theology, I came across a thread regarding the rosary. Someone had posted that there was nothing wrong with asking others to pray FOR you.

I posted back with a simple, "You're right, but the people I ask to pray for me are ALIVE".

I knew this would start an uproar in regards to the state of the dead, heaven, hell, etc. I knew it when I posted it. I did that on purpose. I admit it.

Instead of getting into a "denominational argument", which some still tried to turn it into, I copied and pasted a WONDERFUL study on The State of the Dead by a good friend of mine. Sure, I got nasty comments about SDA doctrine, the whole nine yards.

The Holy Spirit led me to do that. He was urging me so badly, that I couldn't copy and paste FAST enough. I let the study do the talking. I figured if only ONE person saw this study, if it piqued their interest, if they took out their bible and began to follow along with the study, actually go to the scriptures and study it out fully, and they began to QUESTION why this was so easy to understand, and even more importantly, WHY it was completely contrary to what they'd been taught...a very FERTILE seed would be planted indeed.

That's all we can hope to do. It is our job to scatter the seed, to throw it out there. It's the Holy Spirit's job to fertilize it, water it, and help it grow. There is lots of dry, stony ground in GT, but there are plenty of fertile patches that the Holy Spirit will use to God's advantage.

Keep sowing the seeds...they're free.

What convinced you that the Holy Spirit was leading you to do this?

In His service,
Mr. J

 

[Sophia7]

What convinced you that the Holy Spirit was leading you to do this?

In His service,
Mr. J

Can you prove that the Holy Spirit was not leading her to do that? Must we always question the validity of people's experiences when they believe that God wants them to do something?

 

[Seraph1m]

Can you prove that the Holy Spirit was not leading her to do that? Must we always question the validity of people's experiences when they believe that God wants them to do something?

We do not have to immediately become defensive when some is asked a question. Such causes more strife then not and it does not in any way benefit anyone.

Let us try giving the sister an opportunity to answer the question posed to her.

Danke

 

[SassySDA]

We do not have to immediately become defensive when some is asked a question. Such causes more strife then not and it does not in any way benefit anyone.

Let us try giving the sister an opportunity to answer the question posed to her.

Danke

Thank you for wanting to give me that opportunity, but I don't care to answer him.

 

[awesumtenor]

You said this:

I knew this would start an uproar in regards to the state of the dead, heaven, hell, etc. I knew it when I posted it. I did that on purpose. I admit it.

and then you said this:

The Holy Spirit led me to do that. He was urging me so badly, that I couldn't copy and paste FAST enough.

but, in the bible, the Holy Spirit moved Paul to say this:

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

and this:

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Can the Holy Spirit lead one to do something He clearly condemns?

In His service,
Mr. J

 

[tall73]

Can the Holy Spirit lead one to do something He clearly condemns?

In His service,
Mr. J

What she did is in no way condemned. Do you mean to tell me that Paul never caused an uproar? That Jesus, when healing on the Sabbath, and having the man stand up in front of people was not PICKING a fight on a matter of importance? Didn't the people He was talking to already know God? Was He not trying to show them something new?

Look at that first text again. We are fighting with spiritual weapons, NOT with swords and clubs. If she had stabbed someone that would apply. But posting something at the Spirit's prompting is in no way an act of the flesh.

As to the second text, where did she at all say she was filled with hatred? She wanted them to have the same opportunity she did to discover the truth.


As I said before, it is necessary to get to know people in GT, post on a variety of threads etc. And we have to be tactful. But there may be times the Spirit prompts us to be direct. To say something, rather than say nothing. If she is fully convinced this is the case, then she should post it.

I don't see why anyone would say one word to discourage her from sharing if she feels the Spirit prompted her.

And if your question is a sincere one, you might wish to avoid the use of this icon:

The impression I got from that icon was that you were frustrated because you didn't feel that she was supposed to post that. The texts you quoted seemed to back that up. If that was not your intention, than I am sorry to have misjudged. But I can only go by what you put.

 

[HoneyDew]

What happens when the shoe is on the other foot? I bring this up, not to get any one irate, but just to make a point. As some of us remember events of a few months ago, there was a poster here who no doubt must have felt as the OP did. The introduction of that member's personal information, picture, etc, and the protests that he was not Adventist, must have made this member feel unduly persecuted. This is a lesson to us all. At least, it should be. What "John" perceived I did to him yesterday, might be alarmingly similar to what I perceive "Sally" is doing to me today.

 

[tall73]

What happens when the shoe is on the other foot? I bring this up, not to get any one irate, but just to make a point. As some of us remember events of a few months ago, there was a poster here who no doubt must have felt as the OP did. The introduction of that member's personal information, picture, etc, and the protests that he was not Adventist, must have made this member feel unduly persecuted. This is a lesson to us all. At least, it should be. What "John" perceived I did to him yesterday, might be alarmingly similar to what I perceive "Sally" is doing to me today.

I for one have been quite consistent on this point. They have a right to their view. It is a discussion board. And I for one certainly don't want just orthodoxy discussed. I think many discussions are valuable.

But there is a bit of a difference in questioning whether one was not inspired by the Spirit, and saying that one is disagreeing with objective teachings in the 28 fundamental beliefs.

One is readily observable, the other is not.

 

[HoneyDew]

I for one have been quite consistent on this point. They have a right to their view. It is a discussion board. And I for one certainly don't want just orthodoxy discussed. I think many discussions are valuable.

But there is a bit of a difference in questioning whether one was not inspired by the Spirit, and saying that one is disagreeing with objective teachings in the 28 fundamental beliefs.

One is readily observable, the other is not.

True. No quarrels there.
I was more focused, at this point, on the spirit in which things are sometimes said, and how far we are willing to go to make our point.

 

[awesumtenor]

What she did is in no way condemned. Do you mean to tell me that Paul never caused an uproar? That Jesus, when healing on the Sabbath, and having the man stand up in front of people was not PICKING a fight on a matter of importance? Didn't the people He was talking to already know God? Was He not trying to show them something new?

Look at that first text again. We are fighting with spiritual weapons, NOT with swords and clubs. If she had stabbed someone that would apply. But posting something at the Spirit's prompting is in no way an act of the flesh.

As to the second text, where did she at all say she was filled with hatred? She wanted them to have the same opportunity she did to discover the truth.


As I said before, it is necessary to get to know people in GT, post on a variety of threads etc. And we have to be tactful. But there may be times the Spirit prompts us to be direct. To say something, rather than say nothing. If she is fully convinced this is the case, then she should post it.

I don't see why anyone would say one word to discourage her from sharing if she feels the Spirit prompted her.

And if your question is a sincere one, you might wish to avoid the use of this icon:

The impression I got from that icon was that you were frustrated because you didn't feel that she was supposed to post that. The texts you quoted seemed to back that up. If that was not your intention, than I am sorry to have misjudged. But I can only go by what you put.

I used the icon because I expected this to go the way it is going. I asked the question because I have difficulty reconciling the fact that when some posters choose to be willfully antagonistic toward others their actions are prompted by the spirit... always... yet if something is said to them that they presume was meant to be antagonistic it's straight from the pit of hell. If the person to whom the antagonistic comment was made in GT were to come here and read the admission of Sassy's intent, how would that person feel? Would the overall perception of Adventists in that forum be helped or hindered by it? Would knowledge of her admitted intent make people more or less wary of what any of the rest of us might say?

These are not questions to anyone and I am not seeking a response from any. I am just letting you know the things which occurred to me which led me to ask the question I did and I asked the question because in spite of my personal misgivings, I could still be wrong... but the refusal to respond tells me I was not far off.

But that's just me; your and other's mileage may vary.

Moving on...

In His service,
Mr. J

 

[moicherie]

IOW Do unto others etc. We all remember that one don't we?

 

[SassySDA]

What she did is in no way condemned. Do you mean to tell me that Paul never caused an uproar? That Jesus, when healing on the Sabbath, and having the man stand up in front of people was not PICKING a fight on a matter of importance? Didn't the people He was talking to already know God? Was He not trying to show them something new?

Look at that first text again. We are fighting with spiritual weapons, NOT with swords and clubs. If she had stabbed someone that would apply. But posting something at the Spirit's prompting is in no way an act of the flesh.

As to the second text, where did she at all say she was filled with hatred? She wanted them to have the same opportunity she did to discover the truth.


As I said before, it is necessary to get to know people in GT, post on a variety of threads etc. And we have to be tactful. But there may be times the Spirit prompts us to be direct. To say something, rather than say nothing. If she is fully convinced this is the case, then she should post it.

I don't see why anyone would say one word to discourage her from sharing if she feels the Spirit prompted her.

And if your question is a sincere one, you might wish to avoid the use of this icon:

The impression I got from that icon was that you were frustrated because you didn't feel that she was supposed to post that. The texts you quoted seemed to back that up. If that was not your intention, than I am sorry to have misjudged. But I can only go by what you put.

Ok, first of all, it would appear that ONCE AGAIN, awesumtenor has chosen to either misunderstand my statement, or dig around until he can find something to tear apart about it.

I did NOT make an antagonistic statement. I stated the truth. I DO ask others to pray for me, the difference is that those others are ALIVE. When I said, "Of course that was met with negative comments..." that is ALSO the truth. It happens all of the time, therefore the use of the words "of course".

Instead of staying in there battling back and forth regarding denominational issues and doctrine, I chose to post a study that is FILLED with the scripture one needs to go to study the State of The Dead as it is scripturally related to all those who pick up their bibles and STUDY THEM. I'm not saying here that that study is all inclusive, and I didn't state it there. I simply gave the TOOLS needed to begin a study on this subject, hoping beyond hope that someone would use it as it was intended, and be afforded the same opportunity that was FINALLY (after 40 years in another church) given to me.

My desire, my hope, my prayer was that it would be received well. That people would see the scriptures and be curious enough to open their bibles and study it out. Experience told me that there would be many who would have something negative to say, and that they would more than likely direct it at Seventh-day Adventists for our believing our view on the the State of the Dead to be correct. The spirit urged me on, that no matter how I saw it being received on an immediate basis, to post it. Put it out there so that those who might see it and take off with it in study, could. The Spirit urged me to do this irregardless of what that immediate output may be. He did not urge me to continue in that thread, to argue or debate with people, trying to prove myself right, because it isn't about MY being right...it's about biblical truth and putting the seed of it out there for those who are hungry for the knowledge, who hunger for the word of God to partake of.

If I had purposefully been spiteful, if I had EGGED on a fight...then posted the study and stayed there to watch the fall out and CONTINUE to fuss, argue, and debate...then awesumtenor may have had a point. However, I did not do that. I left once I posted it, with only one post afterwards to someone who commented something about SDA doctrine. I assured them that it was biblically correct, to study it for themselves...that it had nothing to do with my being SDA.

After that post, I left, because I knew there would be things said that satan might use to tempt me to start trying to prove that I was right, and that they should listen to ME because I was right. I felt it was better to leave, to let the folks do with the study what they would.

When I said that "I admit I did it", I merely meant that despite of the uproar I figured it would cause, posting it where I did, I admit that I put it there anyway...a place where the spirit urged me to put it, because it was a place where it was needed.

I know there will be another post in response to this one, to continue to indicate to me how wrong I was to do that, and probably only did something like that because I'm too young to be witnessing and testifying under the SDA icon, or something remotely close to that. That's fine. I don't intend to respond to this matter anymore. I did what I was urged to do. If you don't know what it feels like when the Holy Spirit is acting upon your heart, then I don't know what to tell you. That's something each person has to experience themselves to know. It may feel differently to another person than to ourselves. You asked me how I knew it was the Holy Spirit, I just did. No, I didn't ask for I.D. He wasn't urging me to do anything I shouldn't have...if He'd asked me to do something wrong, I would have felt that in my heart, and would not have acted on it.