I'm here. Sorry for my long silence. Please forgive me for not replying until now. I have been through some challenges relating to family, faith, work, health and so forth. It has been too difficult to post while I was in a confused state. I am grateful that God is blessing me with faith. After three long years of a very bumpy journey, I recommited my life to God during the Lord's supper service last month. I know the path ahead will not be smooth but I know God will never leave me.

At the moment I am preparing for some challenges and I would appreciate some advice on how to deal with them. My parents have never been stable regarding religion. They have been part of a break-away group from the SDA church, members of another Protestant denomination, members of the SDA church, followers of Dr Des Ford and so forth. The problem is I haven't seen my family for a year and now I am preparing to spend time with them over the year end. This is causing a lot of anxiety for me.

It is very challenging to spend time with my family because of the constant discourse against Ellen White and conservative Adventism from one parent and an in-law. The hate, anger and bitterness against the SDA church is deep rooted and only a miracle will take it away. My parents attend a SDA church but their allegiance is divided. One parent attends 12 step meetings and the other has recently started attending a Sunday church. I see this behaviour as a symptom of double-mindedness. I have been able to cope with my own issues of instability over the past year due to my limited contact with my family and a strengthening relationship with God.

However, all of this is about to be tested when I see my family again.

Upcoming tests regarding those I love dearly:

1. Relating to my family from my current position which is conservative Seventh-day Adventist when they have witnessed me identifying with the liberal end of the spectrum and even placing myself outside the church.
2. Remaining positive when negativity is regularly voiced e.g. against Ellen White and conservative Adventists.
3. Maintaining my spiritual discipline when those around me follow no routine of worship.
4. Observing Sabbath when those around me are breaking Sabbath.
5. Being hopeful about the salvation of family members when I can see them on a path that is taking them further away from the SDA church and foundational theological concepts.
6. Coping with the realization of how far my family have fallen away since I saw them last time.

Question:

1. Should I attend the Sunday church with one of my parents, an in-law and their children? I can see a time coming when they will no longer attend any church. If I choose not to attend it will be a protest against double-mindedness. If I choose to attend it will be to support at least some religious activity, especially for my neices and nephews as they are in their formative years.

I look forward to hearing your perspective.

Yours in Christ

Thank you for your kind words and advise. Greatly appreciated.

I read some quotes from Mrs White's writings today. I found them encouraging.

http://www.ellenwhitedefend.com/articles-Comp/Assurance.htm

Regarding my decision about worshiping with family on Sunday:

"Anything we may do that lifts up the spurious to take the place of the true and genuine Sabbath, is disloyal to God, and we must move very carefully, lest we exalt the decisions of the man of sin. We are not to be found in a neutral position on this matter of so great consequence. . . . "

Regarding facing criticism of my conservative standards:

"Those who have been self-indulgent and ready to yield to pride and fashion and display, will sneer at the conscientious, truth-loving, God-fearing people, and will in this work sneer at the God of heaven Himself. . . . "

Regarding facing tests:

"There may be large mountains of difficulties in regard to how to meet the claims of God and not stand in defiance of the laws of the land. He [the believer] must not be making ample provisions for himself to shield himself from trial, for he is only God's instrument and he is to go forward in singleness of purpose with his mind and soul garrisoned day by day, that he will not sacrifice one principle of his integrity, but he will make no boasts, issue no threats, or tell what he will or will not do. For he does not know what he will do until tested. . . . "

I am facing tests over the next few months. I don't know what I will do when tested and this causes me anxiety. However, I know God is faithful and it is my opportunity to demonstrate my loyalty to Him and my willingness to endure hardship for His sake.

Thank you for your prayers.

Sister

Wow!

Sister in Christ is still alive

Great to hear from you again.  It sounds like you have been thru quite a bit.  Personally, one of my own siblings left the church with his pastor and several others after reading Des Ford's book in the early 80s.  He sneers at me now when i show him the 1858 Great Controversy book i love so much.  So altho i meet him sometimes, we don't discuss religious things at all.  He knows the truth, and currently chooses to reject it.  Of course i pray for him.  One other sibling is much more difficult, as she professes strong faith in the SDA message and belief in the prophetic gift of Ellen White, but watch out if your opinion is in any way different from hers!!!!!  Again, staying quiet and avoiding religious things is the easiest way to avoid problems, but there are times when we must stand up for what we believe too, even if that starts a virtual armageddon

Regarding going to church on Sunday - i would definitely stay away from that.  While i don't have direct inspired counsel on this, it seems to me that there is a big difference between going to a Sunday church with a friend or someone who has never known/decided about the truth of the 7th day sabbath before in order to witness to them for Jesus, and going on Sunday with someone who has believed in the 7th day sabbath, but rejected it.  It seems that the action of going with them would give a supporting message to their disbelief.  Again, i have no direct inspired quotes for this advice tho........

God be with you as you look to Jesus, putting your hand in his.

Thank you newbie and EarlySDA for your support and encouragement. I will take your advice to be a "silent preacher". I will also avoid Sunday worship with those who know better.

At http://21807.activeboard.com/f29828/time-of-trouble/?page=1&sort=lastModified and http://great-controversy-movie.com/blog/ I am 'Shireen'. I would like to be the same here. Thank you.

Yours in Christ

In re-reading this thread today i was again encouraged by this post:

"After three long years of a very bumpy journey, I recommited my life to God during the Lord's supper service last month. I know the path ahead will not be smooth but I know God will never leave me."

When we don't turn away from God, he certainly will never leave us.  That is a VERY comforting thing to support my soul when i start to fell like no one cares about what i do.

Isa 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

In committing our ALL our hearts and souls to Him He makes such promises to and we can know He faileth not at keeping them.  You see I am 81+ and that one is special!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1. Relating to my family from my current position which is conservative Seventh-day Adventist when they have witnessed me identifying with the liberal end of the spectrum and even placing myself outside the church.
2. Remaining positive when negativity is regularly voiced e.g. against Ellen White and conservative Adventists.
3. Maintaining my spiritual discipline when those around me follow no routine of worship.
4. Observing Sabbath when those around me are breaking Sabbath.
5. Being hopeful about the salvation of family members when I can see them on a path that is taking them further away from the SDA church and foundational theological concepts.
6. Coping with the realization of how far my family have fallen away since I saw them last time.

I have spent some time with family now. I am anticipating increased contact over the next few months. So far I have experienced the following:

1. People generally have short memories regarding the journey of others. While my rebellious phases are noted they are viewed in the context of the general theme of my life which is conscientious. For example, people remember that I withdrew my church membership and shaved my hair off, but they do not focus on that when they view me today. Their overall assessment of me is 'conservative.'

2. I do have my moments of agitation and saddness. However, I am learning to say "I do not want to argue about this."

3. This is always a challenge. Family worship time is not consistent nor my personal devotions. Something to work on.

4. I have not honoured the Sabbath in various ways. I pray that God will give me courage to resist the influence of those who are breaking the Sabbath.

 5. I love my family dearly and we get along well most of the time. However, I am not duped by their wayward theology and philosophy. I keep John 14:6 in mind and focus on my own spiritual experience. It is not for me to judge my family. I pray for their salvation and place my hope in Christ and His power to draw people to Him.

6. While some family members claim a renewed spiritual experience I remind myself that despite the apparent improvements in behaviour they are still on the wrong path. Coping with the knowledge that they may not be in heaven is possible through remembering that God's Word tells me that if they are not in heaven it is by their own choice. There is nothing more that God could have done to save them.

God has provided the means for me to be like Jesus, to live in the company of angels and to be connected to the Father and Son (Steps to Christ, p. 13). I only need fear the influence of my family if I take my eyes of Jesus and stop reading His Word. Amen.

 I am glad to be a part of the family of God. Thank you for your prayers. Yours in Christ

Shireen,

Many of us are in practically the same boat you speak of, mine may even be worse.  I am a home church person and I find in Acts they were doing home church.  Church is with Christ and He in the midst and He must be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth.  It can be you or I in a lonely prison cell and we can keep Sabbath and have Church.  He is now come to us in Spirit and to dwell in us so we can walk and talk with Him continually and really this is a must in these last days if we are not going to fall away.

Yes the church has become lukewarm and don't know it and do not want to be awakened either.  We, many of us here have tried valiantly  but to no avail.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

All who will gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their defections, and loyalty from their treason, will triumph with the third angel's message.  {RH, June 8, 1897 par. 17}  

if experience          feel this in Jesus

coldness                warmth

defections              courage

treason                  loyalty

God Bless you in your path to be a 'silent' witness to others and maybe soon they will ask where your strength comes from and you will be able to tell them more  

Great to hear from you again, Shireen

Trying to fit in with those we love or those who we associate with is a big temptation.  One of the biggest problems with it, is that often it is done unknowingly, with words used, mannerisms, dress etc., until we have assimilated in the group.  That's one reason it is necessary at times (if possible) to get away and alone, or at least with others who are travelling the narrow pathway.

Here in Japan there is lots of pressure to fit in with those around you, as this whole culture is based on harmony within the group.  Sadly, most Christians have compromised with the world around them, so there is little difference seen in living patterns and thinking between those professing to be seeking a heavenly home, and those who are living just for this world.

May your mind be stayed on God especially during the month you are alone, and may your witness for Jesus be not only when you are in the spotlight, but even when you are the only one who can see what you are doing (talking to myself here too!)