Posted on 08/12/2011 12:23:37 PM PDT by markomalley
Slightly off topic, but the weirdest occurance I’ve ever seen happened in early 2001 when I visited my friend’s church, of the Charismatic persuasion.
There was a guest minister who prayed over people, shouting “fill, fill” and the people would drop to the ground laughing uncontrollably, my friend included. I was a bit frightened and stayed just outside the room where this took place. Some people were on the floor either laughing or passed out for over an hour. I think it was related to the Toronto Blessing phenomenon.
Naw.
The Toronto Blessing thing was a very late entry into the phenomenon. Scripture has some hints of such.
The closest I ever got to experiencing such was when I was a teen during a service with a particularly heavy PRESENCE of God . . . at one point in worshiping, my legs below my knees just quit working. I was standing near a pew so I just sat/fell down in my seat.
Lots of very heavily anointed folks have prayed for me over the years—this past week a very heavily anointed Bro . . . people fall right, left, front and back of me routinely. I never have. And I HATE folks pushing at me toward falling over when they pray over me. I want the real thing or nothing.
It’s not per se passing out. There’s usually some awareness of one’s surroundings. It’s more like the focus is so intense on God and what God is saying or imparting or sending into one’s spirit, body, mind . . . that the surrounding environment just fades to nothing as unimportant, by comparison.
Most folks are aware that they could stop the experience and get up—given the beauty and blessedness of their communion with God in that state—to stop it and get up prematurely, would be absurdly stupid.
We have a fellow in our congregation who busts out robustly laughing fairly routinely when Holy Spirit touches him. WE have a very generous attitude toward people’s individual expressions as they are experiencing and touching God and as He’s touching them—as long as there’s some decency and order to it all.
So the laughing fellow is just enjoyed for who he is and his relationship with God is a joy to behold.
Besides . . . given our humanness—when God touches us—there’s plenty laughable about it, normally.
What was your last screen name?
What, a guy can't pay attention and lurk?
very dangerous. As St Teresa of Avila said when one of her nuns was hysterical (having a “conversion reaction”): She needs a physician, not an exoricist.
Some people are very suggestible and charismatic/pentecostal “healers” can make this type of person believe they are demon possessed. I’ve met a few good healers, but I’ve also seen some prideful types who bragged about their healings. (i.e. “Their” healings, not those who God healed).
Bob Larson is one of the braggarts, and he is persuasive, but I do not perceive any holiness in him. This makes me think he is a sociopath who is selling something or a person on a power trip.
If one of these girl’s cases commits suicide, they are going to be in trouble. Do you really think they can diagnose if the person’s “demonic” voices are from schizophrenia, psychotic depression, a brain tumor, drugs, or a demon?
And if they truly are demon possessed, I remind you the part when Christ said “this type takes prayer and fasting” when his apostles didn’t cast out one serious demon.
Youngsters lack the spiritual maturity it takes to do this type of work.
The comment was made to the other guy, ‘Avalon Hussar’
I included you because it was on a comment from him to you.
Thank you for your remarks.
Yes, or he can be banned and sign on with a different name.
True, but did I claim to be doing that?
No. I asked you if you did.
Glad you boys made nice...
Enjoy your weekend.
I saw that and have to admit that it takes quite a bit of courage to admit that you made a mistake. My estimation of you, which was already pretty good, just rose a few more points. Like I said earlier, I’ve lurked here for a while and have noticed a few names which, I feel, have earned a greater degree of respect than most because of their thoroughness and willingness to examine themselves critically if necessary.
Then you have your answer, don’t you?
Well gee whiz Wally. Do I?
Did ya answer my question there buddy?
Can ya figure out another way to make up another question that pretends to answer my question without actually answering my question?
Can you? Huh?
(this is where yer buddy usually throws in some silly picture, so why don't I...)
You sound exceedingly convinced.
. . . as though you had comprehensive knowledge 100% complete and 100% flawless from A to Z on the topic.
I actually have been around since the before the 2000 elections and chose to not post for quite sometime do to all the blood letting at that time. I let my old name go into the haze of history and re joined 4100 posts ago.
Much agree with your fine points.
Thx.
Nice to see you around these parts. LOL.
Folks also seem eager to jump to limited conclusions about such matters . . . not noticing that they haven’t considered all the possibilities. LOL.
What is it with the increase in ignorance on parade . . . is it the world in general or just the net in general or???
That’s actually a pretty cool picture, how are you getting a .gif to work on here? I can get images and links to work, but I don’t know the code for animations like that.
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