I grew up Baptist. The Baptists officially believe that the gifts of the Spirit aren’t for use today. My church never mentioned the controversy, if controversy it is – I can only remember one sermon on tongues, the pastor witnessed a sermon that he had given to a large group having been translated in the ears of some of the hearers, and he said that that was the proper interpretation of the gift of tongues.
Baptists, in other words, don’t go there.
Calvary Chapel does. Charismatic with a seatbelt is what they call us – in other words, we don’t do standing up during Sunday service and just going for it. In fact, our “afterglow” services are few and far between. But if you want healing, you call the church secretary and she’ll set you up for a meeting with the elders, and they’ll pray over you. Sometimes God heals. Sometimes not. But it’s not “I had a sore back” kind of healings – it’s big stuff. Like, I talked to a lady who’d been healed of liver cancer. To God be the glory. We have an exorcism team. Again, you go through channels…. too many weird folks in this world, want a sensation, want a miracle only for the entertainment value.
And of course ours is not a faith based upon experiences. Experiences are awesome, but they’re not *why* we believe. I believe in Jesus, not in feelings.
So that makes me shy of this subject a bit, but … I read y’all’s blogs and I wonder… am I the only one in this circle who has felt the power of the Holy Spirit at work? Who finds prayer occasionally euphoric? Who gets words stuck in her mouth (or removed)?
Am I the only one who belongs to a church who matter-of-factly prays for God’s will and waits on His command, expecting Him to answer clearly? Who considers this all just part and parcel of the Christian walk?
It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing to know that if I ask, God will answer. That I’m not going to be let flounder around like a fish on the sidewalk. It’s a blessing when God speaks through me (not tongues, I don’t have tongues). Prayer when I can feel the Holy Spirit pouring through me is *amazing*. Corporate prayer is phenomenal. I’ve been known to be high for days after getting together for prayer. It’s like there’s so much joy inside of me that there’s not enough room.
Sometimes I just get so full of joy or love … I just about can’t stand it. I want to be able to share it, to share that feeling.
There’s stuff I’ve been given peace about, things I’ve prayed about for years. And they still haven’t happened, but I’m at peace, like… it’s already completely sorted, it just hasn’t happened yet. Talk about the peace that passes all understanding – ’cause I don’t understand it. Sometimes I try to worry after those things, even though I’m not worried, just because I’m letting my flesh try to take control. It’s not prophecy, I don’t know how it’s playing out – just that God’s got it.
I guess I’m writing this because I want to share, to compare notes, to witness to God’s glory and His awesomeness. This should be a normal part of the Christian walk, IMO – there’s no reason to treat something that’s written about so often as abnormal. Maybe y’all are even shyer than I am?
Discuss. 🙂