Special thanks to Amy for tagging me to share about why I love being a Seventh-day Adventist.  Since Israel is currently at GC in San Antonio, I’m glad to have spent needed time reflecting on God’s leading in my life.  When I think back on my experience, there were four pivotal milestones in my Christian walk:

1. Discovering the Steps to Christ when I was a student at the University of Michigan.

2.  Learning what true Education really is when I decided to become a teacher.

3.  Striving to establish an Adventist Home for the past 15 years Israel and I have been together.

4.  Praying for Child Guidance as our 3 precious boys were gifted to us to raise in His stead.

Yes, I went there.  One of the reasons why I love being an Adventist is because of the blessings that come from reading the inspired counsel and writings of Ellen G. White.  Adventists tend to shy away from mentioning her name because there is often an element of shame, insecurity, and/or fear in bringing up the fact that we believe our church has been given the gift of prophecy.  Our prophetess is not the first thing I bring up when I talk about the church I love.  But if I want to be honest and fair, it would be quite rude of me not to give props where they are (over) due.  Her writings have made me weep with conviction, pray with utter humility, and study the Bible as never before.  In all areas of my life, she reminds me that “He must increase, and I must decrease”.  In a very real way, she has helped Jesus shine brighter in my life.

The Spirit of Prophecy is just one, among many reasons why I love being a Seventh-day Adventist Christian.  I’ve come to appreciate and embrace it.  Have you?

PS:  Those 4 books are my favorites.  If you haven’t read them, you should!

-JR