Glenn,

A few years back I had a severely impacted wisdom tooth and good sized cyst, taken out under a general anesthetic. I have to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised postop. My other wisdom teeth were left, as they have never given any trouble although are as impacted as the first. My Oral Surgeon said I would no longer like him if he tried to get those rascals out. I thanked him very much for his thoughtfulness, and hoped he could make his boat payment off the guy in the next surgical suite.

I would keep the teeth, and see if the tooth fairy has kept up with inflation. It’s worth a try.

I will be praying for you.

Randy

Glenn, I will also pray for you.

My father-in-law is a dentist and several years ago he filled one of my wisdom teeth that, in retrospect, probably should have been pulled.  To keep me as wise as possible, he performed a “heroic” filling and saved the tooth.  Afterward, I had the worst dental pain imaginable.  I ended up spending the better part of a day curled up in a corner of my in-laws’ house and finally had to get a prescription narcotic to make it go away.

Since then, I’ve had nothing but incredulous reactions from other dentists who have been blown away by my “impossible” filling.

One thing I’ve learned, though, you never want to be “interesting” to your dentist or your doctor!

My prayers are with you,

Greg

Dear Friends on 4TG,

This evening I had a long and interesting conversation with one of my Adventist friends who is questioning.

This past fall he was asked to teach the lessons on the 1844 Sanctuary Doctrine at his local church. He declined as he stated that he had some challenges with the historic understanding, and in good conscience could not teach it.

Complaints and accusations were made about his ability to hold church office given this revelation, and this past week he was grilled as to his beliefs by the Church board Chairman, Pastor, and Conference President, for 2 and a half hours. He was quite taken aback that his relationship with Christ was not taken into consideration, or that he lives an honorable Christian life. This treatment has him seriously questioning whether he can maintain ties with an organization that has this type of inquisition on such a dubious understanding of Scripture.

Please pray that the Lord will continue to lead Him as he grapples with a church that puts questionable doctrines ahead of the sincerity of a person’s Christian walk.

On another note, I received a call from the church that I submitted my resignation letter to 17 months ago. They have finally completed the paper work, and the Chairman and Pastor have asked for a meeting to, I guess to give me the official disfellowship apostacy document.

I said I would be happy to meet with them as I have never met the Pastor, and look forward to a time of sharing.

I am asking for your prayers that my witness will be Spirit led, and that some understanding might come of this meeting.

I am not clear as to what their expectations are, so I have prepared a small package of material that I found helpful in my study and solidified my position to leave Adventism.

It includes,

1) a supportive letter from one of the Adventist Review Editors, regarding my challenging several Adventist doctrines.
2)An excellent commentary on Romans 14 by Dr. Mike Andrus.
3)A compilation of commentaries on Colossians 2:16-23 from the website preceptaustin.org, along with comments by Bruce Goettsche and John MacArthur.
4)John Reisinger’s The Believer’s Sabbath
5) An interesting 27 page article called “The Christian and the Ten Commandments”
6)Greg Taylor’s book on the New Covenant
7) Raymond Cottrell’s “Sanctuary Doctrine--Asset or Liability”

I ask for your prayers as these gentleman will be challenged to even consider reading this material. I noted in my letter of introduction to the material that I am not the first to leave Adventism over theological differences, and I will no doubt not be the last.

I am presenting this material to them in hopes that they will gain a better understanding as to why people leave.

I am also going to emphasize that I am not looking for debate. If they choose to read the material or not is between themselves and God. I will entrust it’s influence to the Holy Spirit, and they can determine in their own minds where they stand regarding these doctrines.

I appreciate your prayers regarding this meeting,

Randy

For those on this board that are still Adventist, and especially those employed by the denomination, I think this serves as a warning that maintaining your anonymity is a very wise decision. I find that necessity repugnant, and disturbing in this day and age, and in countries that pride themselve on free speech and freedom of religion.

Discussion on this comment has been moved here.

well, I’m back already. It only took an hour. These people are really good.

Thanks for your prayers. Obviously I’m still doped up and feeling numb. But I’m grateful it’s over. But I’m grateful for your prayers and I was noticeably less anxious last night and this morning as I would normally be when facing unpleasant events.

Randy, sorry to hear of the “inquisition” apparently being conducted on your case. Several years ago one of our best sabbath school teachers bowed out from teaching a similar quarterly study and made his concerns know at least to a few. My sense was the membership was pretty understanding and I don’t think he was given any hassle, but he ended up leaving the denomiation shortly thereafter.

As for my surgeon, I’m a big advocate of education so I have made my intentions known that I desire that the small fortune he will make from my mouth will go to provide for the education of his kids.

More later as I recover.

Thanks again. 

This comment has been moved here.

Praying for you RandyG.

Glenn,
Happy that you got thru the dental procedure

Marti is doing better, but at this point she is practically blind. Only time will tell if she will recover any significant eyesight. She is in good spirits, and is determined to make the best of this situation.

I think we need a separate thread to discuss the issues Randy is facing.

The remainder of this comment has been moved here.

Glenn, thanks for updating us on your dental procedure–our prayers were answered.

Stan, we will continue to pray for Marti.

Bob, you are still in my prayers.

Greg

Glenn, Thank-you for the update,I hope they topped you up with some long acting local anesthetic as well.

And as I tell my patients on the way home after a procedure.....tonight, you are in charge of the remote!!!

God Bless

Randy, Stan, Greg, I’m grateful to know we have not just one but three doctors in the house.

Seriously I’m gratified to know I was lifted up in prayer, even when the issue was not as serious as some of situations others are facing. I really believed it’s helped. 

Well, the day after and I’ve opted to stay home to continue to recuperate. The pain is minimal although I can feel the swelling. But I didn’t sleep well, couldn’t really get comfortable. There’s been a minimal amount of bleeding and I’m grateful a friend of mine stopped by to see if I needed anything and was able to make a run to the store for some extra gauze for me.

Stan, how is the Mrs. doing? Have they moved her to the new facility?

Bob, any news on the job front? 

My spirit reaches out to you all who have requested prayer.
I have kept in touch with Stan and keep praying. 

Glad the oral surgery went well.  My wife had oral surgery this past week.  Losing all that “wisdom” does tend to help one along the path of humility. Remember that salt water rinse daily.  I walked out to the kitchen the other night to take a pill.  My wife frequently leaves water in her glass.  Seeing it I grabbed it and swallowed my pill WITH HER SALT WATER MIX! 

Bob I will continue to pray for you to find suitable employment and that your faith will remain steel strong during this trial.  May God’s providence blossom much joy in your life soon.

Randy, you KNOW I am praying for you.  Now with the issue over your church membership, I shall be praying earnestly for Christ to be glorified through this entire situation.

Prayers also for “bluegrass Bob.” May God’s Spirit reach his heart with the light of His truth and the healing blessing of His love and grace.

Praying for you all.
Jess

Jess,

Just rinsed with the salt water a few minutes ago. But, ugh, sorry to hear you went for some of your wife’s salt water and downed it expecting something cool and refreshing. 

Glennspring,

I had Sodium Pentathal (sp?) when my “wisdom” was removed.
I remember waking up feeling like a drunk man.

But WOW!  did my wife’s salt-water solution WAKE ME UP!
But my facial expressions kept her laughing for many minutes!

Glad your ordeal is overwith.  Wish my prostate post op
experience was as easy as having my “wisdom” pulled! lol

I have an encouraging news update on my wife.

The Rehab physician is very optimistic about her progress in rehab. It looked like she would need an in house caregiver while I am gone so much, but right now they are saying she will be fine. They expect much of her vision to return over the next 9-12 months, but no guarantees. We are optimistic, and I am confident that God is in sovereign control over this trial. God is sustaining me also in a special way.

Continuing to praise God for His many blessings.

Stan

Stan, praise the Lord!  Thanks for the update and for starting my weekend with good news!  We will keep praying.

Greg