This spiritual gift is probably the most misunderstood and controversial gift of the Holy Spirit. Many people are raised thinking that speaking in tongues is just "crazy talk" gibberish that means nothing...other than getting attention (at best) or Satan talking through people (at worst). I am no expert on speaking in tongues but I can at least share my experience and what helped me....take it for what its worth.
Now any rational person can agree that speaking in tongues was a part of the Holy Spirit anointing on the day of Pentecost, right? So, that part is not in dispute because of what we read in Acts and I Corinthians 12 and 14. With me so far? For me, growing up in the Church of Christ, it is hard for me to picture Paul and the Apostles sitting around speaking in tongues...I thought they spoke King James English (heh, heh). Any way, all jesting aside, speaking in tongues was a regular part of a 1st century Christian's life.
And it can be a part of a present day Christian's life. Now, before you revoke my lifetime membership card to the Churches of Christ, there are many closet tongue speakers out there...they are just afraid of the rejection and torment of public rebuking so they keep it to themselves. I have talked to 6 such persons (2 in conservative fellowships) and they regularly speak in tongues in the privacy of their own homes (3 said their spouses don't even know).
So if you want to speak in tongues, here are some helpful hints:
1. All Spiritual gifts must be practiced and used to gain some sort of proficiency at them. Our flesh doesn't want us to speak in tongues...most of our training to be "Good Christians" didn't include tongue speaking class. It is not natural, especially if you have been told that it is wrong or crazy for 35 years. A person can learn to exhibit a spiritual gift.
2. Eagerly seek. Read I Cor. 14.1. Be eager in asking God for spiritual gifts...including speaking in tongues. Ask daily (or several times daily). Say, "God, if you want me to speak in tongues, then it is going to have to come from you. I ask for more of your Spirit, so your will can be done on earth. Lord, in the name of Jesus, loose my mouth to speak the words of the Spirit. Loose my tongues to speak your prayer language, place your language on tongue. Give me the courage and desire to exhibit your gifts."
3. Get your flesh used to speaking in tongues but saying nonsense words. This just helps you not to suppress the Spirit when it actually happens. In my first experience in speaking in tongues, I uttered about 5 words then totally shut down...it scared me half to death to not be in control of what I spoke and took me months to do it again.
4. Be patient. Allow the Spirit to move instead of forcing yourself to do it. Wait upon the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
5. Before you stand up in church and "let 'er rip," try doing it by yourself at first. Try these exercises in your car or when no one else is around. It is difficult enough without the scrutiny or pressure of someone else watching (or the horrified looks of small children and conservative brothers and sisters).
6. Get someone to pray over you, lay hands on you and pray for the Spirit to speak through you. I appreciate my "tongue speaking" brother's prayers on my behalf to speak in tongues. It helped me to hear them speak in tongues and gave me the courage to try for myself.
Well, there you have it. If you have questions about my experience, ask me. I will not claim to have any of the answers but I can at least share more of my experience with you. ENJOY!
Showing posts with label Spiritual Gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Gifts. Show all posts
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Gift of Knowledge - God is Watching and He Loves You
Have you ever met someone and known something about them, even though you had never met before? If so, you may have the gift of knowledge.
Have your children ever done something, denied it, but you knew the truth? If so, you may have the gift of knowledge.
Here is a story about the gift of knowledge. At a retreat in Searcy, Ark. a couple of years back I was doing a 1/2 day retreat for a congregation and was teaching the prayer of agreement. Basically, the prayer of agreement is when someone vocally agrees with the person praying....taken from the scripture "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done by my Father in heaven. For where two or more come together in my name, there I am with them."
I had divided up the group into groups of 7-10 and had them start praying the prayer of agreement, asking God what to pray for then agreeing with each other...simple enough, right? One group seemed to be having difficulty so I came over to the group to help them. They were laying hands on a brother and asking the Lord for a word for him, so then they could agree in prayer over him. So I laid my hand on my brother (who I had never met and did not know) and all of a sudden I knew things about him that God revealed to me. The men around him started praying as I spoke to him.
So I spoke his name (which freaked me and everyone else out) and spoke to him about specific things God revealed to me. He had three sons and I described each one in detail. I said that he had broken every vow he had made with his wife, and I named them specifically. (He and his wife were separated at the time). I talked about the affairs he had and the sexual immoral things he had done, specifically when and what. (At this time, he was wailing, loudly because God was revealing the secrets of his heart to him). I talked about his wife and their relationship and named the specific problems they were having. Again, I had never met the man or had ever spoken to him before.
After about three to four minutes of laying him wide open, God wanted him to know he was loved, and that God wanted him back. (He kept on wailing...loudly, and the men around him prayed louder and more fervently). And I spoke to him the words God laid on my heart for him. He was loved. He had a ministry that God wanted him to be in. He needed to repent, be open with his sin so he could be healed. God had plans for him in his marriage that were greater than he could even conceive. He needed accountability for his sexual sin, so he could grow beyond it.
After speaking to him, we took a break and he left the room. I found him in the next room, crying, talking to his wife. He said,"God just spoke to me and now I know I need to change. I am sorry for the way I have treated you and things are going to be much different." He called me few days later and said he was together with his wife and that God had worked a miracle in their marriage.
I still think it is so cool how God used me in this man's life. Do you have questions about it? Have you ever had an experience like this? If so, please share it so people can see that God still speaks to us in the modern day.
Have your children ever done something, denied it, but you knew the truth? If so, you may have the gift of knowledge.
Here is a story about the gift of knowledge. At a retreat in Searcy, Ark. a couple of years back I was doing a 1/2 day retreat for a congregation and was teaching the prayer of agreement. Basically, the prayer of agreement is when someone vocally agrees with the person praying....taken from the scripture "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done by my Father in heaven. For where two or more come together in my name, there I am with them."
I had divided up the group into groups of 7-10 and had them start praying the prayer of agreement, asking God what to pray for then agreeing with each other...simple enough, right? One group seemed to be having difficulty so I came over to the group to help them. They were laying hands on a brother and asking the Lord for a word for him, so then they could agree in prayer over him. So I laid my hand on my brother (who I had never met and did not know) and all of a sudden I knew things about him that God revealed to me. The men around him started praying as I spoke to him.
So I spoke his name (which freaked me and everyone else out) and spoke to him about specific things God revealed to me. He had three sons and I described each one in detail. I said that he had broken every vow he had made with his wife, and I named them specifically. (He and his wife were separated at the time). I talked about the affairs he had and the sexual immoral things he had done, specifically when and what. (At this time, he was wailing, loudly because God was revealing the secrets of his heart to him). I talked about his wife and their relationship and named the specific problems they were having. Again, I had never met the man or had ever spoken to him before.
After about three to four minutes of laying him wide open, God wanted him to know he was loved, and that God wanted him back. (He kept on wailing...loudly, and the men around him prayed louder and more fervently). And I spoke to him the words God laid on my heart for him. He was loved. He had a ministry that God wanted him to be in. He needed to repent, be open with his sin so he could be healed. God had plans for him in his marriage that were greater than he could even conceive. He needed accountability for his sexual sin, so he could grow beyond it.
After speaking to him, we took a break and he left the room. I found him in the next room, crying, talking to his wife. He said,"God just spoke to me and now I know I need to change. I am sorry for the way I have treated you and things are going to be much different." He called me few days later and said he was together with his wife and that God had worked a miracle in their marriage.
I still think it is so cool how God used me in this man's life. Do you have questions about it? Have you ever had an experience like this? If so, please share it so people can see that God still speaks to us in the modern day.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Changing How We Change
Change is a funny thing..not funny ha-ha but funny...ironic. So let me explain what I know about change. There are three different types of change that I will cover here:
First Order Change:
First-order change is doing more – or less – of something we are already doing. First-order change is always reversible. It is relatively shallow change. Here are the characteristics of this type of change:
Adjustments within the existing structure
Doing more or less of something
Reversible
Restoration of balance (homeostasis)
Non-transformational
New learning is not required
Old story can still be told
In church, first order change goes from chalk boards to dry erase boards, sings more contemporary songs, goes from formal to casual dress, from KJV to NIV, order of worship variations, offering members the option to pay by automatic draft or credit card, offering use of building to 12-step groups or community groups, updating building with new carpet and paint, visitor parking, being "seeker sensitive," adding mood lighting, adding new service or more options for Bible classes, allowing more members to participate in worship planning and execution, etc. First order change is mostly cosmetic but does little to make lasting change.
Second Order Change: Deciding – or being forced – to do something significantly or fundamentally different from what we have done before. The process is irreversible: once you begin, it is impossible to return to the way you were doing before.
New way of seeing things
Shifting gears
Irreversible
Often begins through the informal system
Transformation to something quite different
Requires new learning
New story is told
We fix how we are going to fix what's wrong.
In church second order change would look like: going from a capella to instrumental, having member testimonials of faith, electing progressive men to eldership, allowing women ministers and deacons, Doing praise and worship for entire length of service (no sermon), ministers disciple others for ministry and leadership, impliments change in problem areas even if solutions are being used by other denominations, having small group, supporting new ministries and missionaries, becoming missional, etc.
Third Order Change: Coming to realizations that changed your lives profoundly.
Changing their cosmology of how life works, what happens to them when they take actions and what it pays to do.
Reframes the problem as a solution in use.
Radical change in how we see the problems/solutions
Use of a new system or way of doing things outside the realm of possibilities of second order change.
Irreversible and universal (it changes those around as well)
The new stories from second order change have caused unplanned and unpredicted changes elsewhere in the system
Employing prophetic worship and prophetic ministries, allowing the presence of God to dictate order and length of worship, allowing all members (from children or seniors) to speak what God is moving them to speak or use spiritual gifts, allowing time for the gifts of healing to be utilized in worship time, having a fellowship meal for communion, equpping every member for ministry, every member is discipling and evangelizing, encouraging and supporting cell churches and house churches within the membership, etc.
It is rare that a church change. But I think change is possible if God is allowed to change the hearts and minds of the members and leadership...it is radical change.
What changes would you like to see in your church?
First Order Change:
First-order change is doing more – or less – of something we are already doing. First-order change is always reversible. It is relatively shallow change. Here are the characteristics of this type of change:
Adjustments within the existing structure
Doing more or less of something
Reversible
Restoration of balance (homeostasis)
Non-transformational
New learning is not required
Old story can still be told
In church, first order change goes from chalk boards to dry erase boards, sings more contemporary songs, goes from formal to casual dress, from KJV to NIV, order of worship variations, offering members the option to pay by automatic draft or credit card, offering use of building to 12-step groups or community groups, updating building with new carpet and paint, visitor parking, being "seeker sensitive," adding mood lighting, adding new service or more options for Bible classes, allowing more members to participate in worship planning and execution, etc. First order change is mostly cosmetic but does little to make lasting change.
Second Order Change: Deciding – or being forced – to do something significantly or fundamentally different from what we have done before. The process is irreversible: once you begin, it is impossible to return to the way you were doing before.
New way of seeing things
Shifting gears
Irreversible
Often begins through the informal system
Transformation to something quite different
Requires new learning
New story is told
We fix how we are going to fix what's wrong.
In church second order change would look like: going from a capella to instrumental, having member testimonials of faith, electing progressive men to eldership, allowing women ministers and deacons, Doing praise and worship for entire length of service (no sermon), ministers disciple others for ministry and leadership, impliments change in problem areas even if solutions are being used by other denominations, having small group, supporting new ministries and missionaries, becoming missional, etc.
Third Order Change: Coming to realizations that changed your lives profoundly.
Changing their cosmology of how life works, what happens to them when they take actions and what it pays to do.
Reframes the problem as a solution in use.
Radical change in how we see the problems/solutions
Use of a new system or way of doing things outside the realm of possibilities of second order change.
Irreversible and universal (it changes those around as well)
The new stories from second order change have caused unplanned and unpredicted changes elsewhere in the system
Employing prophetic worship and prophetic ministries, allowing the presence of God to dictate order and length of worship, allowing all members (from children or seniors) to speak what God is moving them to speak or use spiritual gifts, allowing time for the gifts of healing to be utilized in worship time, having a fellowship meal for communion, equpping every member for ministry, every member is discipling and evangelizing, encouraging and supporting cell churches and house churches within the membership, etc.
It is rare that a church change. But I think change is possible if God is allowed to change the hearts and minds of the members and leadership...it is radical change.
What changes would you like to see in your church?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
My middle son is getting good at playing cello and golf. When he first started orchestra in sixth grade, his playing sounded like a combination of cats fighting and/or a explosion in a rubber band factory. It was awful. He rarely practiced for the first year and it sounded like it.
I told him if he would practice, he could be All City and All Region. And, for whatever reason, he took my advice and started practicing... alot. He has since been All City two years and All Region one year. As a freshman, he has played second chair in the upperclassmen orchestra. In fact, he just got through playing Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and I could understand what he was playing. Awesome!
His daily practice of golf has also helped his game. He shot an 84 a couple of months back and has really taken to the game. Now that he knows he can play well, his practice has increased. He can now beat me everytime (no huge accomplishment).
I think our spiritual gifts require the same amount of practice. First off, our flesh tends to thwart our spiritual life by staying overly busy and demanding Spiritual Perfectionism right off the bat. But for most spiritually gifted individuals, it took years of deliberate practice, mentoring and mistakes to get to where they are now. In fact, most would say they are still developing their gifts even after 30 years of practice.
For example, if God says to lay my hands on someone and pray for their healing, I have to learn to obey. Then I have to learn to listen to what God wants me to pray. Then I have to speak that prayer. Each step requires months or years of building the ability to trust God and carry out what He wants me to do.
I am a blessed man. I have had several godly men mentor me, one for 7 years on the art of praise and worship and listening to God's voice. He was gentle (most of the time) yet insistent that I take the necessary steps of courage and action to obey God. His years of experience at practicing his gifts gave me the courage to go after mine.
So, if you think you might be a bit rusty at your spiritual gifts, start practicing. Get someone to mentor you and meet with that person weekly, going over your progress and process. You need someone who will push you and encourage you to go farther in your spiritual gifts and not let you stagnate along the way.
Who is your spiritual mentor? What areas do you need to grow spiritually?
I told him if he would practice, he could be All City and All Region. And, for whatever reason, he took my advice and started practicing... alot. He has since been All City two years and All Region one year. As a freshman, he has played second chair in the upperclassmen orchestra. In fact, he just got through playing Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and I could understand what he was playing. Awesome!
His daily practice of golf has also helped his game. He shot an 84 a couple of months back and has really taken to the game. Now that he knows he can play well, his practice has increased. He can now beat me everytime (no huge accomplishment).
I think our spiritual gifts require the same amount of practice. First off, our flesh tends to thwart our spiritual life by staying overly busy and demanding Spiritual Perfectionism right off the bat. But for most spiritually gifted individuals, it took years of deliberate practice, mentoring and mistakes to get to where they are now. In fact, most would say they are still developing their gifts even after 30 years of practice.
For example, if God says to lay my hands on someone and pray for their healing, I have to learn to obey. Then I have to learn to listen to what God wants me to pray. Then I have to speak that prayer. Each step requires months or years of building the ability to trust God and carry out what He wants me to do.
I am a blessed man. I have had several godly men mentor me, one for 7 years on the art of praise and worship and listening to God's voice. He was gentle (most of the time) yet insistent that I take the necessary steps of courage and action to obey God. His years of experience at practicing his gifts gave me the courage to go after mine.
So, if you think you might be a bit rusty at your spiritual gifts, start practicing. Get someone to mentor you and meet with that person weekly, going over your progress and process. You need someone who will push you and encourage you to go farther in your spiritual gifts and not let you stagnate along the way.
Who is your spiritual mentor? What areas do you need to grow spiritually?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Chicken Manure, Ice Cream and God
Let's say you grew up eating chicken manure with milk and sugar (CMWMAS) poured over it and everyone called it 'ice cream.' Even though it tasted nasty, it was the only thing you had to eat so you ate it. It was all you ever knew. Although putting chocolate or vanilla helped a little, you could barely choke it down.
But let's say when you turned twenty-five and you were in a far away land (say Texas), you were given a bowl of BLUE BELL ice cream. (For those of you who have never tasted BLUE BELL, it is 'roll-your-eyes-into-the-back-of-your-head' good. It is almost a spiritual experience to eat BLUE BELL Homemade Vanilla...but I digress.) your first bite of BLUE BELL ice cream is great and you realize that what you had been eating (CMWMAS) is NOT ice cream.
So what do you do once you have tasted BLUE BELL? Go back to to CMWMAS? Doubtful. Defend CMWMAS, saying it wasn't all that bad? BLUE BELL would open your eyes to a whole new meaning of what ice cream is. What if you never got to eat a bowl of BLUE BELL? You would never know that you were being cheated would you?
Would you go to other CMWMAS eating people and try to convince them there was something better out there? It would be like trying to convince people in the 1400's the world was not flat. They would dismiss you as a lunatic. Their lack of context would keep them from even trying BLUE BELL, out of fear of letting go of CMWMAS.
It is the same way with religion. You get used to doing it one way and are very uncomfortable doing it any other way. Even though there are problems with the theology or it may lack certain things (like the presence of the Holy Spirit) it is still better than nothing. You could redefine 'spiritual gifts' and pretend like you have what you are supposed to have but how long will God let you do that? Predictable religion is much more comfortable than believing in an unpredictable God.
If you never experienced the presence of God, would you miss it? If you thought the apostolic age was over and manifestations of the Holy Spirit were done, how would you treat the ones experiencing it? Would you dismiss them like a bunch of misguided children (at best) or attack them like heretics (at worse)?
I am saying there is such a thing as BLUE BELL. It is good...very good. And all we have to do is have the courage to ask for it. God says He will not give you a stone if you ask for bread. If you are persistent when you knock, He will answer. I Corinthians says you have to 'eagerly seek' spiritual gifts...and God will gladly give you what your heart desires.
Are you ready for some BLUE BELL?
But let's say when you turned twenty-five and you were in a far away land (say Texas), you were given a bowl of BLUE BELL ice cream. (For those of you who have never tasted BLUE BELL, it is 'roll-your-eyes-into-the-back-of-your-head' good. It is almost a spiritual experience to eat BLUE BELL Homemade Vanilla...but I digress.) your first bite of BLUE BELL ice cream is great and you realize that what you had been eating (CMWMAS) is NOT ice cream.
So what do you do once you have tasted BLUE BELL? Go back to to CMWMAS? Doubtful. Defend CMWMAS, saying it wasn't all that bad? BLUE BELL would open your eyes to a whole new meaning of what ice cream is. What if you never got to eat a bowl of BLUE BELL? You would never know that you were being cheated would you?
Would you go to other CMWMAS eating people and try to convince them there was something better out there? It would be like trying to convince people in the 1400's the world was not flat. They would dismiss you as a lunatic. Their lack of context would keep them from even trying BLUE BELL, out of fear of letting go of CMWMAS.
It is the same way with religion. You get used to doing it one way and are very uncomfortable doing it any other way. Even though there are problems with the theology or it may lack certain things (like the presence of the Holy Spirit) it is still better than nothing. You could redefine 'spiritual gifts' and pretend like you have what you are supposed to have but how long will God let you do that? Predictable religion is much more comfortable than believing in an unpredictable God.
If you never experienced the presence of God, would you miss it? If you thought the apostolic age was over and manifestations of the Holy Spirit were done, how would you treat the ones experiencing it? Would you dismiss them like a bunch of misguided children (at best) or attack them like heretics (at worse)?
I am saying there is such a thing as BLUE BELL. It is good...very good. And all we have to do is have the courage to ask for it. God says He will not give you a stone if you ask for bread. If you are persistent when you knock, He will answer. I Corinthians says you have to 'eagerly seek' spiritual gifts...and God will gladly give you what your heart desires.
Are you ready for some BLUE BELL?
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