What got me here, Part 3

[hillsbororiver]

Meeting the Adventists

Ramona pulled up to my house right on time as I nervously climbed in the passenger seat, I was really having second thoughts about this and was teetering on bowing out, but I must admit Ramona looked so pretty and offered a sweet smile that dampened any thoughts of disappointing her.

We stumbled through some small talk on our way over to Oxford Park, a beautiful older neighborhood full of converted mansions and stately houses that were for the most part built when Eastman Kodak was exploding on the horizon and many made fortunes as Kodak's stock went through the roof in the early part of the last century, as a matter of fact George Eastman's mansion (now a museum) was only a couple blocks from our destination.

We pulled up to a converted duplex which still made for a huge place, we walked in the door of Patty's apartment and there were about 6 others milling about, making small talk and introductions were made informally around the room. There was an air of lightness or maybe serenity as I felt comfortable immediately. Ramona introduced me to Richard who would be giving the study, Richard was an interesting and unique individual with an incredible background, some might call him a Renaissance man. He held a Doctorate, Masters & Bachelors Degrees in varied disciplines; he was a former back up vocalist and guitar player with Peter, Paul & Mary and a founding member of America's Children (a folk group similar to the New Christy Minstrels) who had a robust, energetic personality that lit up a room. Richard also happened to be black so his folk music interest really amazed me at the time, he laughed when I mentioned that and told me that he was not alone and started to rattle off some names of other black musicians who were involved in folk music, Richie Havens, Nina Simone, and a couple others, I liked Richard immediately.

Richard worked at the University of Rochester's Psychiatric Department, Patty also worked there, Rick and Gary were the other "hosts" of this weekly study. Rick had lived on my street before his parents bought a house in the suburbs, he was about 8 or 10 years older than me so we did not really know each other very well but we did immediately recognize each other, I was surprised that a former Catholic alter boy was involved in this knowing how the Catholics regarded anything outside their realm of influence. I remembered Rick as the "All American Boy" every parent might like their own son to be. Gary was a former guitarist/vocalist with "Orange" a popular local rock band, he was now at age 25 a manager at a manufacturing plant, had a wife and son and surprisingly was the most conservative of the (bible study) group.

So here I was a 17 year old misfit among this group of professionals, feeling right at home.

Richard's study focused on Daniel/Revelation and the prophecies contained within them especially Nebuchadnezzar's dream, this stuff blew me away; I was fascinated and did not want it to end. I was asking questions like crazy, I was full of enthusiasm and knew I wanted to be a part of this (had my prayer been answered?).

The next Wednesday Ramona came by to get me and on the way she told me that this bible stuff wasn't really where she wanted to be right now that she wanted to go out and have fun and all this religion was weighing her down (or words to that effect). I wish I could of seen the perplexed look on my face when I asked her "are you kidding or what? One week you are all fired up and the next week this is weighing you down? What's up with that?"
She said she had visited the church they belong to the past couple Saturdays and it became clear to her she was not ready to commit to anything. Well I was, this bible study gave me a hope I hadn't had in years.

My Mentor

Ramona spoke with Richard privately for a while presumably to inform him of her decision to bow out after this week, soon afterward Richard approached me and asked if I would need a ride to the bible study next week. I told him I did not want to put anybody out that I could take a bus if need be, he insisted on picking me up so we could shoot the breeze on the way there. Cool, fine with me.

I was soaking up Adventist doctrine like a sponge, the Sabbath, the Cleansing of the Tabernacle, Diet & Nutrition (they advocate vegetarianism) and I was introduced to the writings of their "Prophet" Ellen G. White. It was incredible, nothing like the stale Catholicism I had known as a child. This was like an epic adventure, in retrospect it was the personalities of Richard (especially), Rick, Patty & Gary that I found very compelling, they were a good natured group with keen senses of humor and really seemed to look out for each other, I had found a home.

The ride to and from the bible studies became something I really looked forward to Richard had such a fascinating history, his days in New York City as a folk music "beatnik" (as he put it), he had met Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and a host of other musicians he had even partied with Ringo Starr (Beatles) as Ringo checked out the cafe's and bars in "The Village." He had traveled Europe, Asia and Alaska as a student and a musician and had done all this before the tender age of 36, I had asked him how did you find the time to do all this stuff and get all your degrees and everything? He smiled and said "I don't sleep much." I found out that was the truth, he would be up until 2 A.M. working on some paper or project and be up before 6 to start a new day, his wife Sharon and the folks in our study group all had amusing stories of Richard's legendary energy level.

Richard had told me he was born into the Adventist church but had left it at about twenty to play in the world, just recently returning about a year ago, his wife did not share the same beliefs and was not 100% happy about his return to Adventism, she still enjoyed steak and seafood dinners, wine and socializing with the University people she worked with, Richard's return to the church hampered all that profoundly. 

On one of our rides to a study Richard told me the group had a dream of opening a vegetarian restaurant and they were currently looking for a location, if I saw anything to let him know. That is when I decided to also become a vegetarian; I had stopped the drinking and drugs (for the most part) and thought this was the next logical step in my progression; I was amazed at all the changes in my life the past few weeks, and was looking forward to more.

I found out that the church had a vegetarian store a huge bookstore and that there were pot luck dinners every Sabbath right after services; I was told the sermons were all from the "inerrant" King James as well as Ellen G. White and this is the one true church. All of this appealed to me so when they asked me to join them next Saturday I jumped at the invitation. I did experience a bit of a letdown when I went, the membership was considerably less dynamic than my new friends and Richard was not there, I rode in with Rick and Gary, when I asked where Richard was they nonchalantly said he was at the "other" church. The black church. WHAT?! 

The House of Better Living

Believe it or not that was the name of the new restaurant; they found a place downtown right across the street from the Eastman School of Music and the Eastman Theatre, it was the old Town & Country Bar and Restaurant, a huge place whose glory days were long past, I got involved in helping to clean it up, paint and generally get it ready for business. I really felt I was a part of something huge, I had purpose and I was thinking clearer than I had in years, my parents were shocked, pleasantly pleased at the change but a little wary of my new friends, they were thinking that "cult" might very well describe this group. It did temper their fears some when they were reminded that Rick (All American Boy) was involved and that these were married folks with kids and good jobs, not some bunch of wild eyed Manson followers.

Initially the restaurant had some success; it was in the right neighborhood for a trendy eatery but I was surprised that not many from the church had visited, or shown much support, there was one family that jumped in with help and encouragement, they were 3rd generation Adventists who struck me as throwbacks to a more innocent and simple time. I started out as a prep cook, breakfast cook and dishwasher, soon the "Chef" some high strung egomaniac from the church left in a huff over some minor slight he perceived, it was a general good riddance feeling that permeated his departure and here I was a week or so before my 18th birthday. Joe Chef.

Overall I was very happy with my new friends, my new church and my new position, my life had seemed to gain traction in the right direction but I was feeling the pull to go back to school get my diploma and perhaps even go to college. I knew public school was out of the question, too much temptation, too many distractions. I had discussed this with Richard and he thought I would be better off getting a GED and then going off to college, he thought an Adventist Academy would not be a real good fit with someone like me, too independent, way more life experience than the kids there. Others in the group and church thought differently and said that the discipline, studies and dorm life would be good preparation for college.
I had a lot to think about.

The Academy (Part 4)         

[Kat]

Hi Joe,

This is an fascinating autobiography.
You really have a very interesting way of writing,
because I'm compelled to see what happens next.
It is a testimony to help us see, we all must go through this 'evil experience' called life.

I'm seating on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installments.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat

[iris]

Hi Joe,

Writing this is probably pretty rough on you sometimes.
I would think , as you write these things, the old
memories come flooding back into your head.
And this can be depressing.
I'll pray for you and ask that God keep you strong
and be with you during this time.


Iris

[hillsbororiver]

Thanks for the kind words Kat.

Iris you are very perceptive, this has been therapy for me, reviewing these events, I will answer some of the other comments/questions once this is completed.

Thank you both,

Joe

[PKnowler]

I remember when I first started learning about some of the prophecies as interpreted by SDA's. I was totally fascinated like you. I was learning the great mystery's of the world. We use to have a man from the church who would come over and talk to me and my sister when we were teenagers and we would bombard him with questions. When we found out that he knew who the anti- christ was we couldn't hardly wait for him to tell us!
Then he spelled out Vicarius Filii Dei, and we know who bears that title, then he showed us what that added up to.


I felt wise to know such mysteries and it puffed me up. LOL

Your sharing has bought up some of my own memories in the SDA church.
I am interested to read part 4. Thanks for sharing with us Joe!

Bless ya!
~Paula

[rrammfcitktturjsp]

Paula,

  I have seen that Barney spells or equals 666.  He's the purple dinosaur that my son will not be making his acquaintance as things get thrown at the TV becuase Barney annoys me and my husband.

  Sincerely,




  Anne C. McGuire

[PKnowler]

Hey Anne,

   I forgot to put a LOL at the end of my great knowledge lest someone take me serious. 
Yeah I've since heard of a lot of people throughout time adding up to 666. I haven't heard that
about Barney though. That evil dinosaur! Thanks for the heads up. LOL
Barney's forbidden in our house too.

Bless ya! 
~Paula

[gmik]

Joe, How did Roberta die?

[hillsbororiver]

I remember when I first started learning about some of the prophecies as interpreted by SDA's. I was totally fascinated like you. I was learning the great mystery's of the world. We use to have a man from the church who would come over and talk to me and my sister when we were teenagers and we would bombard him with questions. When we found out that he knew who the anti- christ was we couldn't hardly wait for him to tell us!
Then he spelled out Vicarius Filii Dei, and we know who bears that title, then he showed us what that added up to.


I felt wise to know such mysteries and it puffed me up. LOL

Your sharing has bought up some of my own memories in the SDA church.
I am interested to read part 4. Thanks for sharing with us Joe!

Bless ya!
~Paula

Hello again Paula,

Yes! I remember vividly when the "Vicar of the Son of God" = 666 was presented to me, that proved to me that the Adventists had the answers and were the "one true church."

The Pope's head dress bearing this inscription, in a way it is true though, but the real deal is all of us have worn that hat (with all of its implications) at one time in our journey.

I know what you mean about feeling wise and puffed up with this great revelation, I remember when I showed this to a friend of mine and he immediately told his Mother (who was a devout Catholic) and asked her "well, what do you think of your Pope now?" Her answer was, "did you get this from Joe?" I was a bad influence even when I was trying to be good! 

Peace Sister,

Joe 

[hillsbororiver]

Hi Joe,

Hello Kat,

This is an fascinating autobiography.
You really have a very interesting way of writing,
because I'm compelled to see what happens next.

Thank you kindly.

It is a testimony to help us see, we all must go through this 'evil experience' called life.

You know how much more difficult it can be when we do not know why, it doesn't make it a whole lot easier (in my opinion) when we finally understand the purpose but we have more strength to endure.

I'm seating on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installments.

Hopefully they were worth the wait.


mercy, peace, and love
Kat

Thank you Sister for the kind, encouraging words and for all you do here at the Forum.

Your Brother in Christ,

Joe

[hillsbororiver]

Hi Joe,

Hello Iris,

Writing this is probably pretty rough on you sometimes.

You are right, every time we approach Jan 29th I think about what happened on this date, I still have dreams that keeps it fresh in my mind.

I would think , as you write these things, the old
memories come flooding back into your head.

The glorious part is that now I know (through the Spirit leading me to Bible Truths) that everything has a purpose and a happy ending.

And this can be depressing.

It reminds me of how weak and powerless I am without the Lord.

I'll pray for you and ask that God keep you strong
and be with you during this time.

I appreciate your prayers and thank God for your fellowship dear Sister.

Iris

Your Brother in Him,

Joe