Life & Death of a Club Adventist Member

[Gregory Matthews]

Some years ago, a woman joined Club Adventist. She had been born and raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.  But, her life was very hard and with the passage of time and circumstances, the time came when she was no longer associated with the denomination.  But, God was not finished with her.  Sitting on a stool in a bar on a Friday evening she had a life-changing experience.  On that evening she began her return to the Lord and to the SDA Church.  But, her spiritual journey was not an easy one.   While she achieved her goal to return to the Lord, she died prior to returning to the SDA Church. 

 

The first part, of the introduction to her spiritual journey has been posted on the Internet.  It may be accessed at:

 

http://atoday.org/welcome-home-maybe-part-one.html

 

This is the first part of an introduction to a series on her life that may last for as much as six months.  The introduction sums up the major issues that she faced in her life.  Some of the members of Club Adventist will recognize her  and may be generally aware of what is published in the introduction.  However, the following extended material on her life will likely contain much new material.

 

My goals in being involved in the posting of this material are to stimulate thought:

 

1)     As how former SDAs may be treated when they start a spiritual journey back to God and the SDA Church.

 

2)     As to the efforts of God to do whatever is needed to effect the salvation of every person.

 

Adventist Today is publishing this story because the editors believe that there is a message there.  The story is being published in the Internet edition, rather than the print edition as the Internet edition has a larger audience.

 

The story is being published in a restricted section of the Internet edition.  That section is open to people who are subscribers to the print edition and to others who have paid a fee of $10 to obtain access for a year.    While I do not have an exact figure for the time that it will take to publish the full story, I am expecting about six months.

 

I will later open this thread up for comments.  I that time I will strictly moderate it;  The following will not be allowed::

 

1)  The mention of actual names, to include the name of the member, her family members, and others.

2)   Negative comments directed against people.  Positive comments will be accepted.

3)   A focus on the problems and failures of the SDA Church and its  congregations.  All human organizations can be criticized, but that is neither the focus, nor my intent.

 

Personally, I believe that this story, while it has its sad parts, will be helpful as can be related to my two listed goals above.

 

Later I will open this thread up for comments and discussion.

 

NOTE:  It was the desire of the woman that her story be published and prior to her death she worked with me in assembling the material for publication.

[Gregory Matthews]

My intent is to open this thread once the main story of her life begins to be posted on the Internet.

 

However, as the 1st part of the Introduction has been posted, I will open it for a short period of time.

 

GM

[Gregory Matthews]

Part 2, of the Introduction is now online on the Adventist Today website.  you may access it at:

 

http://atoday.org/welcome-home-maybe-part-two.html

 

The actual story, which will probably run for about six months, I expect to follow.

 

October 8, 2020

The link posted above does  not work.

So for working links see my post on page 2 of this thread dated today.

That post contains links to everything.

GM

 

[Nan]

So good to see this...I have been here long enough to identify the person in this story, I had some personal communication with

her occasionally, and look forward to seeing her within the walls of the New Jerusalem.

[Gregory Matthews]

Many people here know about what I have posted in the 2-part introduction.  The main story, will contain much that will likely be new to most people here.

[Gail]

Brings back memories... I attended her funeral and met the daughter

[Gail]

You know, I am glad that she did find friendship online that she was unable to accomplish in real life. The rejection she experienced was a real shame. I do hope that those of us who knew her then will remember that even if a person is our enemy Jesus told us to love our enemies. The mistreatment of others is something that happens across the board in Chrisitanity. Some persons are challenging to understand but we need to remind ourselves that we are mandated to love, period.

[Aliensanctuary]

"Susan" was before my time here I think, but there are many more like her out there, searching for love, and meaning, like myself, sometimes lurking hopefully in the shadows. Only a connection with God can provide those things, but how much of the bad stuff must we endure until we find them. Unlike flawed, erring humans suffering with their own issues, only God can give us the love that we need so much and search for, sometimes all of our lives.

 

It is good that we can see the love of God in a friend on occasion, so we should never do or say anything to drive a fragile soul farther away from him by trying to enforce our list of religious rules and regulations on others. I have a tendency to focus on the negative, so, just smack me on the side of the head to straighten me out. I sincerely don't want to be responsible for someone rejecting the Kingdom of God.

[Gail]

I wouldn't smack you upside the head even though you just gave me permission!

There is much that we can learn from after the fact and in hindsight, but how do we effectively relate to even the most difficult members here? Not saying that was the case here; just that we don't know what circumstances have contributed to where a person is today.

And sometimes we DO know and still fail them

[aka]

Gregory, you certainly are a most valuable person for this Forum. Doing the write-up on the lady

"Jesus is Enough" child of God (as we in-the-know remember her signature) is your great service to us.

Your words in the full study will help many of us see what was going on in the background and have human compassion. Hopefully also the degree of accepting her as part of the body of Christ.

 

Many readers saw the conflicts over time of those who thought they were being defenders of the SDA faith by giving her contra to her stand of being right with God alone through the merits of Jesus. The santimonious doctrinal brew they were thrusting down her throat like force-feeding a goose for Christmas dinner, cause me to feel horrified at how the pride of opinions, and intolerant coersing in efforts to change the beliefs in others, is that which caused me to walk backwards from involment with SDAism. We both are members of the church but are hanging on by a thread without passion of vision.

[Gregory Matthews]

The story of her life, which will follow is not what I have written.  It is what she wrote and wanted published.  She gave it to me with the mission to get it published.  I have attempted this for years and it did not happen.  I once gave it to a published SDA author who agreed to take it on.  However, accidents, injury and illness occurred in the life of that author that prevented her from working on it.  Several years passed and I thought it had been lost as she had the only copy of the MSS that I had.  With her recent death, her husband found the MSS and returned it to me.  I began again my attempt to get it published.  Finally Adventist Today agreed to publish it in its Internet edition.  Hopefully, that will take place over the next several months without any further problems.  In any case, I have a copy of the MSS as I did not give AT my only copy.  I learned my lesson.

 

On a slightly different issue:  To those who are barely hanging on to the SDA Church, give The One Project a thought and pray for it.

[aka]

I'm encouraged when you write your conviction in support for the One Project.

Basicly I am positive toward the mission. They are emphasizing a spiritual commitment to God through Jesus His only begotten son, and when we experience that which they teach about Him, we have liberty in our spirit.

 

As far as I can see there are not fanatics or extremes leading the crowds. The people go away to home and tell of having uplift, encouragement, joy and a new sense of love to God then what they ever had before.

 

I am not in "the know" if much emphasis on SDAism is being pushed. If not then that must make the orthodox died-in-the-wool church members rattle their chains and cry 'faul'.

[Gregory Matthews]

Yentyl:  The One Project, is in a developmental stge.   The intent is to push Christ and to make Christ the center of our beliefs and  practices.

[Gregory Matthews]

Back to the focus of this thread--The Life & Death of a Club Adventist Member.

 

The Internet version of Adventist Today did not begin the story of her life this week, as she wrote it.  As I understand it,  the Editor decided it needed a bit more editorial work prior to publication.

[Naomi]

Yes, it does bring back memories.  Those who attended the services were sincerely appreciated by 'family'  Many late night discussions seem so long ago and yet, yesterday. 

 

Gregory, prayers have been answered and you managed to get her story published. 

[Gail]

Yes, the late night discussions... I remember those

[aka]

I'd like to ask a question or two because I am out of the loop on this.

Naomi, are you talking about the 'funeral' service? Or some period of time in Church services?

 

As to mentioning the discussions. Where did these late-night discussions take place? Was the discussion a one time happening or did they carry on into a number of meetings?

[Naomi]

Yentyl there were many unplanned late night on-line discussions --- usually private or semi private.  Yes, the memorial services.

[Gregory Matthews]

May 12, 2015

The Preface, which I wrote, and an introduction, written by an AT Editor will be posted this week.. Following that, a chapter will be posted each week.

 

I will keep you-all informed.

 

 

[phkrause]

Thanks GM

[LifeHiscost]

 

 

NOTE:  It was the desire of the woman that her story be published and prior to her death she worked with me in assembling the material for publication.

​

I find it incongruous that all individuals identities are hidden while the church is made to appear as if all Adventists willingly take part in sadly lacking Christian behavior.

God is Love!  Jesus saves! 

 

[LifeHiscost]

Part 2, of the Introduction is now online on the Adventist Today website.  you may access it at:

 

http://atoday.org/welcome-home-maybe-part-two.html

 

The actual story, which will probably run for about six months, I expect to follow.

​

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Even when I'm a little hasty in my response. But then I don't have the privilege of editing for second thoughts.

God is Love!  Jesus saves! 

[LifeHiscost]

So good to see this...I have been here long enough to identify the person in this story, I had some personal communication with

her occasionally, and look forward to seeing her within the walls of the New Jerusalem.

​

God is Love!  Jesus saves! 

[LifeHiscost]

Brings back memories... I attended her funeral and met the daughter

​

about   part 2  was a wonderful  testimony   and  shows how  GOD  LEADS

---

 

 

Gail

• Mom to lots of chickies
• 
•  

 

Brings back memories... I attended her funeral and met the daughter

 

•  

---

 

God is Love!  Jesus saves! 

 

[Gail]

Brings back memories... I attended her funeral and met the daughter

[LifeHiscost]

Yentyl:  The One Project, is in a developmental stge.   The intent is to push Christ and to make Christ the center of our beliefs and  practices.

​

God is Love!  Jesus saves!