"I haven't always been an Adventist, I used to have fun"

[Stan]

This was a comment I overheard recently, "I haven't always been an Adventist, I used to have fun"

I thought she missed the whole benefit of Christianity.

[Gerr]

Yeah, I thought I was missing all that fun when I became an Adventist. So I joined the Navy to see the world. It didn't take me long to see how hollow and stupid all that "fun" was.

Hangovers, debt, wasted lives, you name it.

[onlyhumanme]

I think sometimes people mistake christianity for being religious.

One of the best quotes from my mother is if your not happy why would you do it and if you have to punish yourself to possibly be one of the 144000 stuff it just live.

In other words she just wanted her children to be happy not homeschooled or lonely.

[phkrause]

I didn't always enjoy being an SDA when younger. I loved playing baseball and basketball. In junior high and high school the baseball games were all played on Sabbath. That always bothered me, because I was good at it, actually I was great. Could play most of the positions and hit from either side. Could also throw with either hand but basically just threw righthanded. But as I grew older I was glad that I never decided to go against what I knew was the right thing to do. I do believe if I had persued a career in BB I think I might have never come back to the church. But I can't say that for sure, because God would probably, or should I say never, given up on me.

[Dr. Shane]

Reminds me of a story told about an AA group. A young man was ordered to attend AA meetings. He stayed after a meeting and kept talking about how he couldn't stop drinking because he would miss out on all the fun. After several minutes of listening to him talk with some other members, an old man who was sitting in a corner lifted the brow of his hat up off his eyes and in a deep, sincere voice, asked the young man, "Just how much *fun* do you want to have?"

It is said a smart man learns from his own mistakes but a wise man will learn from the mistakes of others. Some people just don't seem wise enough to look at the experience of others and see that the world really doesn't have any fun to offer. They have to learn in the school of hard knocks. If they are lucky, they return to the Lord. Many will wake up in the resurrection of the lost.

That said, there are some over-bearing church members that play right into Satan's hands by making some people feel that the Christian life is burdensome. The yoke of the Lord is easy and the burden is light (when compared to what the world offers). We should work hard to make the Christian experience a joyful one. The Sabbath is a holi-day. Some people celebrate 7 holidays a year. We celebrate a holi-day once every 7 days. It should be a happy and joyous day that all look forward to.

[onlyhumanme]

I think God understands how it can be a lonely experience at times for people especially if they were not brought up in the church system.I think its great that someone can be honest about how they feel and maybe theyll get an answer if they ask it and not hold any hidden resentment.

When your worldly friends dislike the new religion you have it can feel not that fun, i dont think jesus thought being disliked and seen as different was fun either.

I guess these days occationally people join a church and settle down into a round of cerimonials and their walk with christ slows down and that can give them the somethings missing feeling.

[ClubV12]

Early in my christian experience I was considering whether or not it was OK for me to continuing racing my car. While most races are on Sunday, Saturday is a huge prepartion day, track time for testing, car prep and all that. Miss Saturday and you haven't got a chance on Sunday. Not to mention the people your hanging with have little or no appreciation for the Sabbath, "good" people though they be.

One Sabbath our associate paster had the sermon. She was talking about competition with horses (show or jumping or something) and was doing well. She was a "mostly" Adventist at the time. She too faced the Sabbath issue in regards to her sport. Then came the big event, held on Saturday, and she was in the running for a win.

She decided she couldn't do it. All that time and money invested in her sport, "poof", gone. She cried her eyes out, it was the hardest thing she had even done.

After the sermon I decided I had to give up racing. It wasn't easy, I cried my eyes out (which is tough for a manly man with a race car). I determined to not only give it up but to not be like Lot's wife, looking back and longing for it.

I'm finding a new group of folks I like to hang with and I'm having fun with it. It's important to make the christian life "fun". It's OK to laugh, to have a good time, enjoy the company. I'm not looking back, I fall (a lot), but I dust myself off and continue toward the goal.

The relationships I'm developing now are so much more meaningful, closer, like family, than I've experienced in my life. Praise God, I'm having a good time!

[Dr. Rich]

ClubV12, what makes you think that racing your car on the Sabbath is a sin? Where and how did you you get this opinion?

Question: Is racing your car your daily work for a living?

[Dr. Rich]

Hey PK, sounds like my life--only I did have a chance to play for the SL Cards at one time. My mom never gave me the letter from them inviting me to participate in their pitching training camp. She did not want me to play on Sabbath either IF it would be my work for a living. I got drafted into the Army right after that anyway and played ball for them.

All my life we kids grew up a little different than other SDA's in that we took the 4th commandment seriously. We read it from the bible instead of listening to what OTHERS thought and said. It is one thing to play ball, or do other sports or activities on the Sabbath and another completely different one to do your life's work on the Sabbath--unless it is necessary as many occupations are.

I have found that much of my contact with others in regards to spreading the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, has been while playing or doing sports or other like activities on the Sabbath.

My advice would be for you to read the exact words of the 4th commandment in order to understand it the right way. Don't allow the influence of your pastor or fellow SDA memebers to run your life. Use the words of Jesus ONLY as your guide.

[Gail]

The relationships I'm developing now are so much more meaningful, closer, like family, than I've experienced in my life. Praise God, I'm having a good time!

In the light of eternity, some things just seem to fade into shallowness, don't they?

Christianity puts us courageously into the face of abundant life (as Jesus termed it). The noble themes such as altruism, the care of the poor and widows and fatherless and dying, standing for a cause- these are the deep experiences that we gain strength to face. These are what Jesus tackled when He came as our Example.

Nothing in the "world" can compare with that!

[Gail]

Abundant life= meaningful life

[Woody]

Abundant life= meaningful life

[CoAspen]

I believe you are right stan. Doing what is 'right' for society, ourselves, etc., should always be 'fun'. It's all in ones perspective. I am having just as much fun as the none SDA person!!

[ClubV12]

Dr. Rich, I never raced for a living, which is very very rare for any racer!

As to racing on Saturday, I don't think it's just racing, the concept would and does apply to any give sport(s) or event(s) that is not in keeping with the Lords direction to set that day aside as a day of "rest". "Rest" meaning, to me, a day dedicated to His service, His worship, a renewal of your vows (like date night for a married couple?). A day to contemplate the wonders of Him and His creation. Being at a race track and toiling away on a car, associated with those with little or no understanding of the Sabbath, draws the mind away from spiritual things.

Even now I find I have to careful when attending a car show or other car related event, nothing wrong with that consideration being given to time and place. But at this point I have not grown enough in my spiritual state to withstand the various temptations such a venue may offer. I found myself quickly being drawn into displeasing speech patterns, words I no longer wish to use, talk of the next race event, the buying and selling of expensive "toys". It's just a life style that for now, at least, I best avoid.

Some, a few, have found a way to walk with their car hobby and walk with the Lord, use it to evangelize or be a witness to that group. Perhaps in time I can do that, certainly not now. For now, I need to "come out of her my people" and realign myself with the Holy Spirit.

Rather than attending "the BIG one" this summer (and ALL my friends will be there), I'm going to a Adventist camp meeting instead. Now THAT was not an easy decision to make! Perhaps in time, I can be a witness to my race buddies, but not now, not yet...

[phkrause]

I believe you are right stan. Doing what is 'right' for society, ourselves, etc., should always be 'fun'. It's all in ones perspective. I am having just as much fun as the none SDA person!!

[phkrause]

Hey PK, sounds like my life--only I did have a chance to play for the SL Cards at one time. My mom never gave me the letter from them inviting me to participate in their pitching training camp. She did not want me to play on Sabbath either IF it would be my work for a living. I got drafted into the Army right after that anyway and played ball for them.

All my life we kids grew up a little different than other SDA's in that we took the 4th commandment seriously. We read it from the bible instead of listening to what OTHERS thought and said. It is one thing to play ball, or do other sports or activities on the Sabbath and another completely different one to do your life's work on the Sabbath--unless it is necessary as many occupations are.

I have found that much of my contact with others in regards to spreading the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, has been while playing or doing sports or other like activities on the Sabbath.

My advice would be for you to read the exact words of the 4th commandment in order to understand it the right way. Don't allow the influence of your pastor or fellow SDA memebers to run your life. Use the words of Jesus ONLY as your guide.

So what makes you think that the rest of us don't take the Sabbath as serious as you do??

[Woody]

Praise God we don't have to be robots or Jews and have a list of rules for Sabbath keeping. It's left up to you and your God.

[phkrause]

Praise God we don't have to be robots or Jews and have a list of rules for Sabbath keeping. It's left up to you and your God.

You'll have to update me on the Jews than, I know many Jews and they don't have a problem obeying the rules, etc. Not sure why we think just because my brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith obey rules beyond the 10 Commandments makes them robots. Have you worshiped with them lately? I do agree that they have lots of little rules, but there is a reason for that. Not going to go into that right now. Its unfortunate, but we do have a few ourselves in the SDA church. :)

[shelly]

It is difficult when your desires for life are at odds with God or the church. I try my best to remove myself from activities and social events that are at odds with God. However, I do engage in activities that are at odds with the church but I have not been convicted are truly against God. I will be attending my grad school graduation next year. It will be held on Friday night. However, I feel that celebraiting the grace God has given me to get through this difficult time in my life is not wrong. I will not go to any celebrations after the ceremony but I will walk as a testimate of what I accomplished through God's help. The church may not agree, but I can't find any biblical grounds not to do so.

[ClubV12]

"....a list of rules for Sabbath keeping."

Theres a list somewhere?

That sounds like a fine balance to me Shelly, but, did you check with Woodys list yet?

Ha Ha Ha

[Kountzer]

There is nothing more relevant or compelling as attending church. If it was all that and fun too I wouldn't go.

[LifeHiscost]

Use the words of Jesus ONLY as your guide.

"When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."Mark 8:34 NKJV

God blesses!

[Stan]

I have always found 'the list of Sabbath keeping' activities interesting

Imagine this, a new Adventist wanting some help, by more experienced Christians in this matter, being told, just got to Jesus. Can not elders, deaconess help out with guidelines for a new believer? Or should he or she be left out in the cold?

What about going to a healthier diet and asking for help? just go to Jesus? Can not they go to more experience Christians for such?

Or this

Or that

Or the other thing

Is it not the responsibility to help and encourage one another?

To a new believer it is saying this "leave me alone, you are bothering me with your trivial questions'

[ClubV12]

When I first started going to church I was smoking cigars. It didn't take long (about 5 nano seconds) to figure out that was frowned on!

The counsel I got was, "Throw them away, let God have them", "If your serious, hand them over to me, right now", and similiar "encouragement".

Sounds good, didn't happen. What I did instead: Researched the various methods giving PRACTICAL advice on how to stop smoking. Things like avoid that favorite chair where you used to sit and smoke. Go for a walk. Eat right. Take plenty of showers. Drink fluids. That "list" is long and actually helpful. While "praying for me" was certainly needed and appreciated, what I really needed was some practical advice and help.

I barely even new HOW to pray, it took a little while to even find that "mustard seed" so it could start growing.

[Igakusei]

Yeah, I thought I was missing all that fun when I became an Adventist. So I joined the Navy to see the world. It didn't take me long to see how hollow and stupid all that "fun" was.

Hangovers, debt, wasted lives, you name it.

Why do you have to be an Adventist (or Christian, or religious, or even spiritual) to understand that repeatedly getting drunk, wasting money, and sleeping around are unfulfilling in long term? I don't do any of those things!