Raised on Pacific Press

[rdclmn7]

San Francisco, the mid 60's.

One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

We were immigrants from one of several ethic homelands that are part of the US.

Our parents made sure that we only learned english, and that we were no different from anyone else.

My mother joined a pentecostal church and in the process ordered the bible story and uncle arthur's bedtime stories.

My father became a hippie and some time later we left the church.

We were too young to be aware of the summer of love, yet we saw plenty of hippies at all the be-ins that were common in 1968.

Believe me, 5 year-olds among thousands crowding the intersection of Haight and Asbury, you have to give them some credit...we drove them crazy by asking them why are we there and what was everyone silently looking for.

Dozens, if not hundreds of readings later, the bible itself didn't faze me when I finally got one at 13.

I read it at least twice before returning to the local church at 18.

RadicalMan, I earned that name as an ultra-conservative.

Now, its embarrassing and I have kept it as an example of how even bad wine can mellow out.

Time has taught me that visions have no expiration, callings and gifts are not trademarked, and that the local church is the only true church.

So, I never became an adventist, yet, I have more in common with you than with those around me.

We have been together the entire time, I can finally say hi.

[darlene]

Hi rdclmn7. It's good to have you here on the forum. Your background is an interesting one. It's interesting to see how God leads us from our childhood to the present. And yes, God has definitely led in your life and continues to do so. No, you may not be an Adventists but, that's okay, God can still use you and me whatever our beliefs as long as we let Him have complete control in our lives. He isn't finished with any of us.

[LynnDel]

I first visited San Francisco in 1971, on my way to college at PUC. Most of the 60s excitement was over, but I still felt an aura when we walked through Haight-Ashbury.

Glad you stopped by, rdclmn7. What is God doing with your life these days? It looks like you have the skills to write a book.

I'm interested in your comment that "the local church is the only true church." What do you mean, and how did you come by that? I'm not challenging you (yet) - just curious!

[Nan]

Welcome on board rdclmn7, I will look forward to reading more of your experiences and comments.

[ChildofChrist]

RadicalMan, I earned that name as an ultra-conservative. Now, its embarrassing and I have kept it as an example of how even bad wine can mellow out.

Time has taught me that visions have no expiration, callings and gifts are not trademarked, and that the local church is the only true church.

So, I never became an adventist, yet, I have more in common with you than with those around me. We have been together the entire time, I can finally say hi.

Welcome, Rad. I liked what you had to say. In many ways our stories is the same. Being convicted of the Holy Spirit that we need to change our rebellious ways not because we have been strong-armed but because of His love and it is the right thing to do.

[Neil D]

Interesting....an ultra-conservative who has mellowed....

That's rare, as most ultra conservatives that I know are either spoiled or renounce thier ultra conservative ways and became liberal.

Me? I am a liberal who has conservative tendancys,...but I don't let that get in the way of my liberalism.... and anyone who calls me "conservative" gets soiled...Convoluted, masochistic in nature, optomistic in outlook, weird by any means....that's me...

[Woody]

I can vouch for what Neil has said. It is all true. You can count on him.

Whatever your leanings are now ... I just hope they are "radical" in some way or another ... RadicalMan.

Anyway ... WELCOME. Stop by often.

[aldona]

Welcome, rdclmn7,and looking forward to more of your posts!

Quote:

Time has taught me that visions have no expiration, callings and gifts are not trademarked, and that the local church is the only true church.

I'm with you on that one...and I'll give you a quote from one of my favourite authors:

Quote:

The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one Religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, tho’ the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers. -William Penn (1644-1718), Fruits of Solitude

Someone else (can't remember who) once wrote that no two human beings on the planet have exactly the same religion. Finding a church or denomination that you can belong to is always a matter of compromise, as you are never going to agree 100% with everybody on everything.

You are very welcome here and we look forward to learning from your input.

aldona

[Neil D]

Whatever your leanings are now ... I just hope they are "radical" in some way or another ... RadicalMan.

I hope they are radical in a nice way...I like nice....even if it is ultra conservative...

[Jeannieb43]

Bump

[This is interesting.... Hope rdclmn7 returns.]

[rdclmn7]

Suprised and dumbfounded by the response, thank you for your input.

About the true church, having been exposed to many different denominatios has shown me that apart from the doctrines that separate us, there are too many things that are shared by all christian bodies.

We all experience the same pain, happiness, bitterness and, once in a while, inspiration.

We all have the same hope that has carried the church through the ages.

I can only conclude that the collective body is one.

Once again, thank you.

[Woody]

Suprised and dumbfounded by the response, thank you for your input.

About the true church, having been exposed to many different denominatios has shown me that apart from the doctrines that separate us, there are too many things that are shared by all christian bodies.

We all experience the same pain, happiness, bitterness and, once in a while, inspiration.

We all have the same hope that has carried the church through the ages.

I can only conclude that the collective body is one.

Once again, thank you.

Amen.

This is good stuff. And we need to see more of it. Hope you are planning to post much more ....