I just want to know your opinions on Holy laughter. Has anyone expierenced it? If so, what did you think?

hmm.....

what is holy laughter?

I don't know much about it. But I think it is when the Holy Spirit comes on a person or a group of people and they laugh for joy. I have not personally experienced this.

The whole thing kinda freaks me out. Some people use to do that at a church I worked at. I don't think God would do something that is that freaky. They were involved in that Vineyard church Toronto Blessing movment and no offence to anyone who belongs to a Vineyard church, but that place is really messed up. That whole Toronto Blessing is a joke. I have no doubt they were a blessed church at one time, but they have long turned that into a circus and I wont have any part of their false doings.

CJ

I have heard of pastors trying to do things to "make" their congregation experience this. I think that is wrong. I believe if the Holy Spirit has cause someone to laugh with joy, there is nothing wrong with that. But if you try to make it happen or believe that you can't have the Holy Spirit without it or something dumb like that then it becomes wrong. I really don't know much about it though, and I'm curious to hear what other have to say.

I've only heard about "Holy Laughter" in a Christian comedian's intro.

but that other holy laughter seems like a variation of speaking in tongues.

I haven't really heard the term "holy laughter" before. Whenever the Holy Spirit is in my midst I experience a great sense of joy- probably because my burdens are relieved, and if I had a sense of grief before, then it would be lifted as well, and I was left with joy. I couldn't help but smile or laugh a bit. But its not really something that everyone watches and takes note of. Nor is a huge scene made out of it. It's a personal thing. I dont know if this is what you're talking about or anything.

Well i think it is kinda like tongues. It is like the manifisation of the Holy Spirit and I think it is perfectly normal.Practically my whole church has experienced it and I did for only about 5 min though. God moves in mysterious ways and after you experience if I know you feel a whole lot closer to God.

I usually hit a laughing fit when God answers a question. The answer is normally soooo obvious I find it amazing I didn't see it so I burst into laughter and just can't seem to stop!

I've always wondered why people think that God would using something that would freighten the regular person from church

Speaking on the whole "tounges" thing. I really feel the church has used and abused this gift to the point of no return. Suddenly over the past decade, I have seen an outbreak of people just blurting out in tongues. Maybe they are talking to the congragation

"Father, we just ask in your name, FAFHIDUAFHFIHSUASF, yes father, we ask, WSFJIFHFKJSFHISFU, that you come in this place..."

or maybe durring prayer, people around you will start talking in tongues with no thought of how out of context the act is. The Bible talks strict about the gifts and not to abuse them and tounges is NOT to be used without interpertation in public settings. It's mainly Non-Denominational churches who do this but I've seen others.

CJ

"Father, we just ask in your name, FAFHIDUAFHFIHSUASF, yes father, we ask, WSFJIFHFKJSFHISFU, that you come in this place..."



Have u ever thought that the English bit IS the interpretation? You don't need a 2nd person to interpret

If people fear God GOOD, there's good reason to fear Him...

ok first of all i no some of the people abuse tongues but that doesn't mean we should stop doing it cause in 1 chorinthias(sp) 12 or 14 it says "do not forbide the speaking of tongues" and to agree w/ what yal said it also says that we should not just goup to the front and start praying in togues if there is no interitation.....l so away we always put God in a box and most of the times He works in new and mysterious ways. just look at Elijah and the prophets He asks us to do weird and unusal things like when God asked one of the prophets to lay on his side for about 2 years. how weird is that? and then when jerimiah to buy that field everyone thought he was insane. God does different things w/ different people we just have to list3n and obey and God will bless us even when other Chirstians make fun of us. which is really sad how we tear into each other like this(talked about it in has anyone else noticed this)... but away i totally belive in the gifts,tongues, and laughter and think it is totaolly right that we should activate them. here is my friend who is sitting next to me: I agree with her! back to me: also terrasin sometimes the power of God comes upon u so heavily that all u can do is speak in tongues

Speaking on the whole "tounges" thing. I really feel the church has used and abused this gift to the point of no return.


I dont know if it is to the point of no return yet ;) but i do agree that the gift of tongues is being abused in some circles.

Now back to the topic....
I havnt heard anyone bring up the term holy laughter for a long time...I have never experienced it but have heard it happen....once to my oldest sister.
The Holy Spirit was really moving on her and she just started laughing....not a kind of laughter that you would hear a funny movie or something but a joyful laugh....like she was so filled with joy that she couldnt stand it...its really hard to describe but I know my sister well enough to know that it was a move from God and not just something she would just do.
So I guess I agree with Tecki...it is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit

J3

In a nutshell. Holy Laughter occurs when the one leading uses the power of suggestion to work a congregation up to laughing hestericaly without control. I've seen no biblical support for this at all. It is a subject that would take several pages to properly post on this. My suggestion is go to equip.org (Christian Research Institute) and look it up in the article archives. Use "holy laughter" and "Rodney Howard Brown" as key words.

I've experienced a lot, but I don't say it's the alpha and omega, cause frankly I don't.

Sometimes when I pray in tongues, It is like the Spirit is praying or saying a joke/ something funny and I realize this and I laugh, not histericly, just like you laugh at something that is funny. I have no idea what it is I am laughing at, but I just sense it is funny and I laugh. My spirit understands and my mind not, but it's still funny.

Then sometimes when in a meeting something funny happens in front ppl start to laugh, and the spirit sweeps everyone and we laugh in joy of the Spirit.

Othertimes someone starts to laugh under the Spirit and it is just contageous and you start laughing. It's all about joy and to know that God is laughing with.

Othertimes it is because of the devil, that the spirit laughs. This usually comes when you pray in tongues and the Holy Spirit prays about the devil. It is hillarious! You can't stop laughing. Because God is so great and this puny enemy stands up against him.

I like laughing, and I think God does too. But laughter is for joy/jokes/funny stuff. God has a sense of humor. But it shouldn't be a tradition to laugh, we should laugh as often, but it should be because God is also laughing, not because we are under emotional 'stress' to laugh.

My verdict: Laughing together is good, as is praying in tongues. God just don't want you to fling it into someone's face who doesn't understand it. we shouldn't break one another, we should stay in the Spirit and maybe calm down if other ppl get confused. God does not like confusion or afterwards just explain what happened in an unknown setting.

But when you start laughing, you can alwayss stop, even if it is hard, you CAN stop laughing. God never takes away our authorities.

Laughings fun. God has all the funniest jokes!

You can't really say it's not right to laugh. In the presence of God is fullness of joy.

Wish the Spirit wud tell my spirit a joke... :P

Yeah, but God works with us all in different ways. That's why we need to follow after him, not for the experiences, but for him. And that is the deepest experiece, when we start seeking God for who he is.

True.

I think I've experienced this with before. There's just been times where I've just broken out in complete laughter for no reason at all and it's all good and I feel so...great that you just know it's from the Lord. It's cool. It's uncontrollable. It's the Spirit.

again I say...call me old fashioned, but I'm not sure why people think something is from God when it would scare away someone who had just happened to walk into the church

again I say...call me old fashioned, but I'm not sure why people think something is from God when it would scare away someone who had just happened to walk into the church


Yeah we're talking about the same God that annihilated the Egyptian army. The same God that slew Goliath, the same God that creamed EVERY SINGLE NATION that has came against Israel, the same God that killed two people on the spot in Acts for lying to the Holy Spirit!

Yeah... Why on earth would we believe that...

Some of those things are pretty terrifying but I don't hear you complaining about those, no u moan about ppl expressing their joy and God giving Joy.

i agree God has so many odd and different ways to speak kto us! just look at the different fish and plants those r really weird God is a very creative God so why can't He use weird things to speak to us?

Yeah we're talking about the same God that annihilated the Egyptian army. The same God that slew Goliath, the same God that creamed EVERY SINGLE NATION that has came against Israel, the same God that killed two people on the spot in Acts for lying to the Holy Spirit!

Yeah... Why on earth would we believe that...

Some of those things are pretty terrifying but I don't hear you complaining about those, no u moan about ppl expressing their joy and God giving Joy

way to completely miss my point...

on the laughter thing......i have experienced it before as well and there is no doubt in my mind that it was from God. everytime i pray in tongues, God speaks to me so clearly. i love praying! yay ;D

was it from God or were you made to believe it was from God?

I have exeprienced a lot of things that I thought was from God and/or I thought God wanted for me, but when you look back at it you realize that it wasn't God

again I say...call me old fashioned, but I'm not sure why people think something is from God when it would scare away someone who had just happened to walk into the church


Well, concerning speaking in tongues, God told the church to do things decently and in order. I don't believe that God would move on someone to speak in tongues/ laugh while there were visitors to the church. I think it's in 1 Corinthians 14.

i've seen that take place though...where someone who visits the church for the first time is made to feel low unless they spoke in tongues

it was a college christian group where i go to school and i gave the man a piece of my mind after he made some non-believers who had accepted christ feel low because they weren't speaking in tongues

i've seen that take place though...where someone who visits the church for the first time is made to feel low unless they spoke in tongues

it was a college christian group where i go to school and i gave the man a piece of my mind after he made some non-believers who had accepted christ feel low because they weren't speaking in tongues


Doing that's just totally wrong. Ppl doing that need a spiritual kick up the backside and told to wise up!

Some ppl get tongues, some prophecy, some wisdom.
Not everyone gets the same gift! Good for u setting that guy straight.

a friend of mine (at a youth retreat a few weeks ago) when he was filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, was so drunk in the Spirit he couldn't help but laugh. in fact, me and my youth pastor (who prayed with him to be filled) broke out in laughter too. he was speaking in tongues and laughing at the same time. another guy had to carry him to the other room where we had a meeting. basically, as far as my understanding goes, the Holy Spirit deals with people differently. He may come on someone and they fall out in His presence, they may dance, jump, scream & shout, even laugh. but it's also a call for discernment. there are some fakies in this world, and we need to be able to discern b/w what's real and what's not.

I get filled with the spirit everyday of my life and I haven't once spoken in tongues my entire life, nor have any of my friends.

this is my problem with this belief of holy laughter and speaking in tongues. the simple fact that my entire church (very large church) has never had one person get up and speak in tongues...ever...but I've seen the spirit move through that place like no other. I can feel the spirit moving...I don't need to speak in tongues or hear someonelse speakin in tongues to feel that feeling. Never in my entire life on this earth have I ever spoken in tongues. And I likely never will either.

God comes through the church like a breeze, not like a roaring thunder. I can't remember exactly where it speaks of this, but God makes an earthquake and he's not in that, he does all these huge, loud things, but he isn't in any of those. And then their is a light breeze...and then God says, that is where I am....in the quite breeze.

Dan, was there interpretation? 1 Cor. 14:27, 28-If anyone speaks in a tounge let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
vs. 30-For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

As for being so drunk in the spirit he (your friend) had to be carried into another room.vs.40-Let all things be done decently and in order.

And personally I've never cared for the term drunk in the spirit, after all it's so close to the term used in Acts. 2:13-Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." (This is speaking of the day of Pentecost)

I think we need to be careful that we don't fall into experientialism. I've seen on to many occasions tongues yet no interpretation. So that is why I ask if there was interpretation.

I get filled with the spirit everyday of my life and I haven't once spoken in tongues my entire life, nor have any of my friends.

this is my problem with this belief of holy laughter and speaking in tongues. the simple fact that my entire church (very large church) has never had one person get up and speak in tongues...ever...but I've seen the spirit move through that place like no other. I can feel the spirit moving...I don't need to speak in tongues or hear someonelse speakin in tongues to feel that feeling. Never in my entire life on this earth have I ever spoken in tongues. And I likely never will either.

God comes through the church like a breeze, not like a roaring thunder. I can't remember exactly where it speaks of this, but God makes an earthquake and he's not in that, he does all these huge, loud things, but he isn't in any of those. And then their is a light breeze...and then God says, that is where I am....in the quite breeze.


I had the Holy Spirit for a few months before I could speak in tongues. And I knew I had him, cause I could as you say feel him.

But I think we shouldn't settle for less when there is more of God. And he is waiting for us to accept and receive it. God can't give you his best when you settle for less.

It makes a difference when you speak in tongues. It gives you strength. It isn't always emotional. Sometimes i start to pray, cause I feel God's calling to pray. I can also pray for things I don't know about or things that are personal in others' lives that I should pray for, but God doesn't want to reveal.

Sometimes when you pray in tongues, God reveals stuff. Sometimes when I minister and I am praying in tongues, God reveals what I am praying for, and I can tell that person what the Spirit is praying for. Things that I cannot know, but what the Spirit has prayed for. It is all to the Glory of God. For he gives and takes as he wills in his great mercy.

The fact that nobody in your church speaks in tongues, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist and isn't from God. I've seen ppl healed under ministry and truths being revealed. That astounds you in its simplicity. I can tell you from my experience that God has called you to receive tongues, the simple fact that you have taken a sort of a stance against it, means that God is preparing your heart to receive it. But don't take my word for it, ask God self and hear from Him.

Just take your Bible, read Acts and 1 Cor 12,13 and 14.
Don't take anything out of proporsion. Some take 1Cor13 and say we don't need gifts, but look 13 is between 12 and 14 and only says that we should apply the gifts in love.

The gifts <> character, so someone who isn't much mature can flow in the gifts strongly, while someone who is much more mature just flows a little. But this isn't always so. (And mostly it is otherway round, cause mature ppl understand the gifts are for building the church and are usually more usefull for God)

**I've gotto start shortening my replies. Sorry. PM me if you need more info or wanna talk about it**

Xon I like ur long replies. U very often say some very good stuff.

I don't pray in tongues, I'd like to, but I don't. I know it exists though. I know miracles and healings exist despite that I've never seen them. Romans10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. "

Tongues and stuff are in the Word. Therefore I believe it. End of story. I don't care if it scares ppl or puts ppl off or they don't understand, its in the Word it says its from God so its from God.

Yes ppl abuse it. It gets abused sooo much, that I think should stop. Just the abuse tho, the gifts themselves shud be used as the Spirit leads.

hey Xon...what I'm trying to say is that I don't need to speak in tongues to feel what you are feeling. I don't need to speak in tongues for God to reveal things to me. The fact that I don't need this is the reason I don't believe it is necessary.

I'm not settling for less just because I don't speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit doesn't feel one person more than the other just because they are speaking in tongues. If you think that then I'm sorry, but you are 100% wrong.

ok, this bytes. WHen i was posting a reply, it froze on me. and it was a lot, so i'm going to narrow it down a bit. First off, there is some confusion about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, especially in the case of my friend getting filled. We need to understand the difference between the private prayer language and public prayer language, AKA, tongues.
But first, must learn how it started. (My knowledge of this comes from studying the first two chapters of Acts--still getting to the rest). The believers, not just the apostles, but believers too, Acts 2:1 specifies believers, were gathered in the Upper Room. Here's what happens: Acts 2:1-13 (MESSAGE, you can use your own bible as well, it means the same thing anyways): 1When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force--no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. 3Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, 4and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
5There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. 6When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. 7They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? 8How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, 11both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!

"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"
12Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"
13Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."

it goes on to say that Peter stood up and told them what was going on.

Now, read 1 Corinthains 14: 2-4, "2If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him. 3But when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you're letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.
4The one who prays using a private "prayer language" certainly gets a lot out of it, but proclaiming God's truth to the church in its common language brings the whole church into growth and strength."


there's no need for interpretation in private prayer language, it's only when believers are gathered together in worship. Read 1 Corithians 14:26-31,

"26So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. 27If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. 28Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. 29And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. 30Take your turn, no one person taking over. 31Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other."

The previous passage of Scripture is when you are gathered together in worship. To be more specific, it's when you are either addressing the congregation or leading them. If someone stands in front of the church and addresses the church in tongues, there must be interpretation, otherwise, it's not in order. But we can pray in tongues privately. That doesn't mean we can't utter them from our mouths in church, but we cannot address the whole body, unless there's interpretation. This is simply what the Bible says.

Dan, what translation of the bible are you using to quote 1 Cor. 14:27. I have the King James, New King James, New International, Living, and Revised Standard versions and they all say "if any one speaks in a tongue". None of them say "if any one prays in a tongue". I still have my main question; was there interpretation?

I also draw your attention to vs. 28-But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

I also just want to point out that the gift of tongues is a gift from God. Not everyone has it. We all have different gifts. Romans 12:5-8 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is givin to us, let us use them; if prophesy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith

skillitosis, first off, i'm not trying to argue, but just point out my case. There was no interpretation, because one was not required. if you read the 1 cor. 14:28 or whatever, that is referring to gathering during worship. whether one prays or speaks it. it is referring to speaking it to the congregation. the prayer language of tongues and the prophetic tongues are different. The prayer language is to, as the Word puts it, edify oneself. Prophetic tongues are to edify the other believers. Read 1 Cor. 14 (the whole chapter) again, also, read Acts.

Dan, I'm sorry if you take this as an argument here. Unfortunately when posting you can't hear my voice and the tone of it. And that I'm truly asking about this. I think it's important that the bible in vs. 27 uses the word "speak" not "pray". And that it also says "if there is no interpreter to keep silent in church and let him speak to himself and to God." There's no plurality of people in that, yet when 2 or 3 together (which applies also to the whole church) speaking not praying there is to be interpretation. The idea of "during worship it's ok" I don't see there at all.

Also in Acts 2 it's speaks of the day of Pentecost. vs. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (notice again "speak" not "pray")

Your profetic tounges statement is interesting. 1 Cor 14:22 Therefor tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
There's a clear distinction between the two in this verse.

skilitosis, i didn't really think it was an argument, i wanted to make sure it wasn't escalating into one. my point about the interpretation is that when my friend first spoke in tongues, we were not in a worship gathering. Verse 26 talks about "coming together", and this whole passage is about orderly worship. In acts 2, when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, there was no interpretation. The outsiders understood them, but the believers did not interpret what was being said. That was the time when the believers were first filled with the Holy Spirit.

I apologize for the confusion of translations; concerning pray and speak. The thing is, we were not gathered together, as in church, to worship God. As my understanding goes, in vv. 26-31 is about gathering with other believers to worship; more specifically, when one addresses the congration. For example, a dude named Bob stands up in front of the church and starts speaking to the congregation in tongues. If no one interprets what he's saying, then he, basically, needs to sit down and shut up. But, if you notice, it says that he must speak to himself and God. When you speak to God, you're praying. I can assume that's where the translation of pray came from. That passage is for worship gatherings, not personal settings. This scripture does not prohibit anyone from praying in tongues personally, but speaking in tongues publicly with no interpreter.

I thought that Acts 2 was the gift of LANGUAGES not of TONGUES. I always seen the two as different.

The reason Paul gave the guidelines, was simply because the ppl got everyone in confusion and they didn't use the gifts in love. Which he definately devotes a chapter to in 1 Cor 13.

Our goal should be building, and not confusion or pride.

There is different 'types' of tongues as you can put it.

When we give a message in tongues from God ie prophecy that is in tongues. There must be a explanation through revelation

When we are praying/singing in tongues, we should also sing and pray with understanding.


So you can always use tongues, sometimes There is a prophetic tongue, which when interpreted is equal to prophecy. And it should be interpreted or the goal is missed. Nevertheless, the message was prophesies and will be revealed.

Dan, lol looks like we both didn't want each other to think it was an argument. It's good discussion. I'll post more later. Got to make the kids lunch right now..

After doing conclusive studies, I have found about that the "Toronto blessing is nothing but a counterfeit movement of the devil. The Word of Faith movemenet teaches concepts which are contrary to what the bible teaches. 1 John 4:1-5 says very clearly that we are to test the spirits. In fact to prove it I will post two links that you guys need to read and you will be surprised in where the orgination of this movement comes from.

The Toronto Blessing- A movement that's full of heresy (http://http//www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/toronto.htm)
The Toronto Blessing?- Is it truly of God? (http://www.logosresourcepages.org/laugh.html)


I'm more for the old-time revivals that which we done under Finney, Wesley, Rees Howells, and so on. God used these revivals to bring souls t o Him. True revivals bring the church and sinners to repentance. God wants to do revivals, but not through movements that are full of heresy and are self focused. Christianity is supposed to be focused and Christ and others as demonstrated in Matthew 20, The Book of acts, the epistles and so on. Anythiong that's outside the bounds of the God's word is not biblical and therefore is counterfeit.

Christ gave us his example to follow as mentioned in 1 Peter 2:18-24(NkJV):
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of your conscience towrd God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But whne you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us and example that you should follow in His steps:

22"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth."

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him, who judges righteously; 24who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we , having died to sins, mightlive for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.

True Revival will come to our nation again if we willingly sacrifice oursleves for the cause of Christ and follow in His steps. Consider the Apostle Paul's ministry as an example. Look what he all went through for the cause of Christ. Paul went through social ostrarization, got dragged out of cities, got stoned, jailed, beaten, whipped, shipwrecked, imprsioned and so on. Paul also had a "thorn in the flesh" as mentioned in one of his epistles written. Paul asked for this to be taken away three times and the Lord told him, "NO, my grace is sufficent for thee.' If we claim to be Christians, then our lives need to reflect that everyday. This can't be done in our own strength, but in the Lord spirit and we need to be enpowered by God's holy spirit to do this. The Word of Faith movement is a "false Gospel" and therefore promotes the complacency of the "Church of Jesus Christ in America. " In Matthew 5:10-11 it says that we are to rejoice and be gald whn get persecuted for the sake of Christ. In the book of Acts in the opening chapters is a goood example. We need to do this all under the authority of Christ and the authorities that he puts under us. But we don't need to bey authorites that promote ungodliness, but we still need to acknowledge their authority, as God says in His word. Another examplw would be in the book of Daniel, "the fiery furnace," and also when Daniel got thrown into the lions den . He submitted to the authorities, but he didn't obey anything rules and decrees that were contrary to what God said.

I believe we are coming close to a time in America where will get persecuted for our faith in the years to come. In fact it's starting to become evident even now and will become worse as time goes on. How will respond under the pressure. Are we going to renounce our faith in Christ or stand up for the cause of Christ? This time should cause us to realize that we need to be getting the focus off ourselves and put it where it belongs, "serving others and Christ." In America, we don't know what it really means to suffer for the cause of Christ, we have made Christianity a "bless me club" in America.



America needs a revival soon or I believe this nation will suffer an even greater judgement than that of 9/11. I see a similar correlation between America and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Both nations back then had plenty of time to repent and so has America. I don't know how much longer God will extned his mercy to this nation, for His storm clouds of judgement are gathering around this nation as we know.

We need a "true" revival of righteousness in the America church and America once again before it's too late.

Do you want America to be spared God's wrath or do you want it to suffer God's wrath?

We need a wake call in the church of America again, we are to blame for this nation's downfall morally. Don't blame the liberals, the fault is on us. We have been "lazy and self-focused." Therefore the American church has departed from it's first love, Jesus Christ. Also I believe there has been alll forms of idol worhip and compromise that have crept into the church in the last 3 decades. The world is looking for Christians to be different from them(1 John 2:15-17). Compromise in the church taints the gospel of our Jesus Christ.

We need our garments to be purified from the things of this world, we have been soiled by the things of this world and have become consumed by them. We need to fall in love with Jesus again and repent of our wicked ways. Jesus needs to be No.1 in every area of our lives.

I wll leave with this thought from my Pastor:

" True revivals reach outward to the community, saving souls for the kingdom of heaven. The gospel of our Lord is supposed to be about loving jesus an loving others into the kingdom of heaven

I see what you are saying, and I don't like what the "holy laughter" described in that article. (and the comedian that I mentioned earlier was just joking when he said "holy Laughter", he would use christian jokes because that is the way he delivers his message, not getting people into a state of "holy laughter")

I would love to see a revival too. but here is something that you seem to be missing, revival doesn't start with other christians, it starts with YOU. Have a personal revival and that will start a chain reaction where other christians around you will become "infected" by your excitement for Christ and will also start revivals in there own lives and that will spread to more people... That is the nature of a revival, not just a preacher preaching "repent" but people asking "what makes these people so genuinely joyful? I want in on this joy." Because people will not seek revival unless they see a need for revival in there own lives (or the life style of those who have already been revived)

But I don't think that 9/11 was nessisarily a judgement on america, yet it doesn't reduce the evils that this country has commited, especially against God.

I agree with you there, It's starts with each of us admitting our need for Christ.