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There are churches out there like that. I feel like I attend one. People feel safe to talk about anything - including their shortcomings. Everyone in our church is flawed; and admits it. We share problems with ourselves, our spouses, our kids, our besetting sins, etc. It's called being "broken together"; and results in openness and willingness to call out for help when needed. Sometimes praying for ourselves and others takes longer than the sermon. Some people who visit are uncomfortable with such openness - especially in an SDA church - and they don't come back. Others are drawn to it and stick around. one of our members is even on the board of directors of a non-denominational church that caters strictly to those with "sexual deviancy" issues (i.e LGBQT's, etc) who want to correct or reconcile their social deviancy with their Christianity. I use the term "deviancy" not as a judgement, but as a term used by many conservative denominations as a reason to exclude these people from fellowship. It's the same for those who have chronic alcohol, drug, or tobacco problems. I think some people confuse leaving "church" with leaving God. Lots of people find Christian fellowship outside of the confines of a brick and mortar church. I find spiriual solace with my brothers and sisters here at Adventistan. I probably spend as much time here as I do in my brick and mortar church.

For another view of Easter in Adventism see: https://spectrummagazine.org/article/2018/03/30/yes-he-risen-but…

My personal position: I am reluctant to baptize someone who states that they do not intend to become part of a congregation. I consider the Bible to be clear that there is great benefit from becoming a part of a congregation and I tell people to find a congregation to which they feel led to join, and ask the pastor of that congregation to baptize them. However, there are some situations in which the issue is that there is no congregation to which that person could join. In such a case I might consider doing such. NOTE: I know of one SDA congregation that is in the process of developing an outreach to people who do not intend to join a congregation. This effort is in the developmental stage, But, that is part of that congregations goal. If anyone reading this would like to participate in such an experiment, contact me and I will give you more specific information. This also includes any SDA congregation that would like to be part of an outreach of this nature.

Wonderful story! [referring to the story of the washed-out culvert] [And also a beautiful home!] God really saved your husband's life that day.

That may have been ok for some topics, but this was consistent. A big thing was that he had (which I have seen in other journals such as "Our Firm Foundation" and other writings from the so called "Historic Adventists." It was one of the "You either believe one way or the other way" lists giving two choices. I pointed out how most of the things on the list were half truths being used against the rest of the truth, one where both of the two sides he listed were both simply wrong, and gave different Adventist understandings and quoting different Adventist theologians that would show more balanced answers, or alternative views that is being taught by Seventh-day Adventists. He would continue to write posts accusing the readers that they either believe one or the other of these two views constantly ignoring the fact that there more views than the two that he kept insisting were the only two views that existed and that we all held fully to either one or the other of these two views.

Yes! There was this cassette tape passed around our church members in the 80's(?)/90's that warned the lil flock to beware of Celebration Churches and it mentioned that if the Worship Service had the lil children run (or walk fast?) up to the pulpit or altar and yell "Safe!" ..that was a bad sign and go elsewhere. uhhhh... .................................. I grew up in a very ultra uber super conservative SDA rural church and that seems like forever my jumping off point when I approach things for many years. But My non SDA bio family were not religious and in fact ..super duper humdinger hedonistic anything goes liberals. Welcome to my world. Always both in my head. Love wins! As I explore God's Love for us and His infinite Beauty. A love that sends His Son and a Love that brings us Home..I see how things can be handled on such matters as these. Regarding Conservative/Traditional and Liberal/Progressive camps and everything in between and out on the fringes in the same congregation .It is interesting that Paul in many places tell us to love each other and be kind to each other. over and over again. and to greet even each other with a Holy Kiss (i'm still waiting) We have the privileged of JESUS CHRIST living in us and as Paul shares in Phil 4:8 ..To look upon each other with the best thoughts. Whatsoever is lovely and good and pure- think on these things about each other. Let That Sink In. To look upon each other with the best thoughts. Whatsoever is lovely and good and pure- think on these things about each other . We will never agree on everything and the conscience cannot be forced. And we are also not convicted on the same things exactly. Hyveth Williams is convicted to wear a hat to church. Most saintly Ladies I know have no such convictions (even when shown scriptures!) Whatever the issue is regarding how we live we all see things differently. All Putting forth scriptures or explaining it away. All to be respected. Love as exemplified in the Holy Decalogue is written on stone is the most important.. Everything else regarding life choices or music or whatever (fashion) is done in faith. I am sure there are some here who used to think something was a sin then found out it's not or used to think something wasn't a sin then found out it is. oh Mercy! Wherever they are at in their growth and understanding we ascribe worth and dignity to each other.We are not called to lord over each other but simply to love and to love on. uhhh.. Not a sissy mambie pambie love (though i do love sissies). But a supernatural love. A love that doesn't try to force their way unto others and keeps no record of ills done to them.(1 Cor 13 for a full list of how God is with us) But always forgiving. The very way we are treated and loved by Christ is the only way to treat others in church. This love that we manifest toward one another thru Holy Spirit... softens and heals all the hearts toward righteousness. To lesson the grip on some issues and/or become more mindful of others delicate sensibilities. I myself grew up in a very traditional quiet reverent soft calm carefully scheduled worship experience and not sure what i might do if found in a celebration church. I might have to put in earplugs and look quite stiff or would I be swaying back and forth banging on my green tambourine! uhh ..If i had a green tambourine and keeping my sturdy earplugs in. Ultimately it is God who works on our All our hearts. We trust God to be our God and God be their God.

All calendars are arbitrary. In the Jewish calendar, months were added to keep the months approx in the same part of the solar cycle, given that there are 365 days a year and 360 in the Jewish calendar. As far as being way off from the Jewish calendar, what difference does it really make? It is funny watching people invent all of these different calendars and the heavenly bodies just do their thing regardless of what we do. It helps to have studied astronomy to understand this.