Why can't I laugh and dance like other charismatic christians?
371279
I really understand how you're feeling because I have been in similar situations.\nDon't ever let anyone push you into something. The Holy Spirit is not pushy and will not use pressure to get you to do something you're uncomfortable with.\nDo whatever feels right to you, not what people are expecting you to do.\nJust listen to your own heart and let the Holy Spirit guide you, not other people's behavior.\n\nIf you want God to give you the kind of joy, that you see others experiencing, you can ask Him for it. \nDoesn't mean your gonna be laughing or dancing. We're all different and act differently even in church. I'm not the jumping-around type myself and I never will be. I have experienced moments of indescribable joy though.\nGod's joy is available to you and if you want it, all you have to do is ask.
1084734
physically, there is a spectrum of expectation of human behavior, mentally, there are really 6 "types" if you go so far as to limit peoples mentalities that they tend to regiment: Leader, Innovator, Mysic, Psychic, Comedian, Specialist.... but the real truth, the timeless experience of God that is to be passed down is simply this: We are all one. teach this in any way you see fit to aligning yourself with your own best example. Hope that answers things.
390852
Too bad the Catholic casts doubt on that which has not happened to him/her.    When I was 12 I was confirmed in the Lutheran church.   It meant that I had to stand before the congregation and answer a whole bunch of questions.  I was sacred silly and devoid of answers.\n\nMy pastor took our class down into the basemant and prayed for us.   All of a sudden the fear completely left me and I felt powerful and taller than everybody else.   I had always been very shy and timid like my father.  \n\nThe feeling left after the ceremony but I wanted to find it again but didn't know how.   I searched for 29 years for that power and boldness till I walked into a small pentecostal church and found it again and was baptized in the Holy Spirit for good.\n\nMy speaking in tongues gift is now the ability to perform in music and to speak and testify about my love for Jesus boldly and without fear.   I thank God for a true born again experience.\n\nGod works in mysterious ways and be very careful putting down others for the way they act when filled with the spirit.   Running, screaming, laughing are all things that God has given to us to express ourselves.   Don't put the Holy Spirit in a box.. Seek Him and He will set you free.   Would you jump and shout like the cripple in the Book of Acts Chp. 3?    Why not???
121335
you should be a happy person yourself. But make sure that you know the limitations of having fun and being a good discipler. You can never be successfull and not a boring if you think that there is always a good and bad. there can only be limitations and not wrong and right.
731769
I think that we all struggle in our faith one way or another. Questioning God's existence doesn't really cross most of our minds. We may question why He allows things to happen or we may even question our own Christian walk and our relationship with God. My pastors -and I've had a few in my life -haven't been perfect. In fact there was one who was my Dad's boss that treated his underlings shabbily and used the church vehicle for personal business. I think he may've even taken some of the better donations given to the church for his own. I do know that he was eventually caught by his bosses with his hand in the cookie jar and in adultery. He was speedily fired. As for weird things in a worship service? I recall visiting a Charismatic service to see what it was like. I met one of those pastors who held rather rambunctious healing services. You know the type.; they call you forward for healing even though you haven't volunteered or asked for it. He claimed -a few times- to be given a word of knowledge about some type of secret sin in some person's life. I found this made me extremely uncomfortable because I do not believe that God would humiliate an individual in this manner. Nor do I think that Jesus would compel anyone to come for healing. God is a Gentleman, and He never forces Himself on anybody. Neither should His servants
763042
Probably laugh and keep going.  It is nothing.  It does not matter to me what others think of me.  Just what I think that I am.  And as long as I know who I am and whose I am, I am most blessed.  May God Bless
335540
Damn . . . I can say this . . . you are persistant.\n\nThose types are the tip of the Iceburg . . . you need to realize . . . that there are others . . . at are a lot more subtle about their actions . . . on how they condemn others . . . who believe their faith is true.
1058865
AMEN. i feel exactly the same way. i dont understand how ppl that profess to love god can be so horrid to those who choose to live differently than they do. especially since jesus taught us to love our enemies, to always turn the other cheek, and that judging others was for god to do, not for us to do to each other. i wish you and your wiccan girlfriend the best of luck. its a shame more ppl dont think like you an i do about this subject.
149936
I was an acolyte and was performing as deacon at the time.  During communion (the rail was pulled and pad down for people to kneel, and I was seated on the altar behind the rail). \n\nThe stupid torchbearers who were sitting in front of the rail behind the choir were making faces at me and I started to laugh.  I mean REALLY side splitting about to pee myself laugh.  I was absolutely mortified, and that just made me laugh even harder!\n\nI ended up bowing my head, moving the rail, hopping over the kneeling pad, and running to the sacristy.  Luckily everyone thought I was crying, and that I was sick. \n\nJust terrible.
451200
Because your heart is hard and your eyes are blind. Perhaps the very one you laugh at will grant you repentance, before it's too late for you. I certainly hope so.  James 4:9 "Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy."
941022
You can bring spirit into social interaction simply by the way you act. There is no need to shout at the rooftops about religion. Lead by example and let society see how it should be done, instead of how it has been portrayed by those who profess it the loudest and yet deviate the farthest from it.
1047989
I am a christian and I think it is fine.  Just because you are christian doesn't mean you can't have fun.  God loves you.  He isn't waiting up there with a big stick ready to hit you everytime you sin.  We are all sinners.  But go have fun.  You are doing nothing wrong.
1154469
I used to be very shy. Extremely introverted to a point of being a pain....\n\nThen, my cousin invited me to Church.  It was through there that I learned to have "fun". To be more outgoing. \n\nI grew to have an "extended family", and they cared a lot about me, and helped me in ways that my "regular family" couldnt understand.\n\nThe more you get into fellowshipping, the more you will get involved with the Church and want to "do" more, and volunteer more and get to know all those around you!  Who knows, you may meet your future "mate" there :)\n\nBut, I would invite you to go to Church and be "uplifted" in your Spirit, and find CHRIST!!\nBecause after that, the World will no longer be a place that will hold you...\n\nI wish you well..\n\nJesse
301728
I was raised to fear and respect the God I serve. Some people don't. I find it rather disrespectful, but not everyone serves the God I serve. So just like how we put our God in proper case, and their god in lower case, they do it to us. Us disregarding their beliefs is not different from them disregarding ours. You cannot push your beliefs on others (speaking generally of course). So, for me and you its like, "How can they stand to do that?" but for others, its like nothing. take care to look at it through their eyes also. Lastly, in spite of the way we refer to our God in writing does not make it any easier or us any more divine in our walk of Christianity, nor does our intolerance of others make us any better. It actually makes us a bit worse. Live how He wants you to live and show others your joy through the life you lead in Him. And don't get to Holy to laugh. I feel that will persuade others more than anything. much luv and stay safe.\n\nAngel
1063891
Charismatic preachers claim that 'god' speaks to them directly. \n\nPat Robertson would be an example, his followers would count as a subculture.
248714
There's no scripture to support this idea one way or another.  People are affected in different ways when in the spirit.  There was a man at my church who would run around the pews (admittedly it freaked me out a bit when he first did it) and a woman who would wail.  I think you'll find the most about the issue in Paul's stuff, but don't quote me on that.
801941
well maybe you just have to be yourself . just remember this: What would Jesus do in a situation like this? try to also be more partient kind humble and never boastful .don't be easiliy angered by any events and remember that God is in control of everything Just remember this. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU PLEASE GOD IN YOUR ACTIONS. YOU DON'T NEED TO CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOU. I am sure that God has a plan in your life and you don't need to really care if others are jealous of you because God will always be there for you. Just do what you think is right and be yourself and not what others want you to be. just remember that when you do what you think is right and when you be yourself this should be in accordance to God's plan. hope this helps! take care! God Bless!