Why Where and How did all this Happen?

I got an interesting question on a blog I write comments on. Say Anything. It was after some discussion of a new film Jesus Camp that the issue of TONGUES came up. Always a tough one to explain to someone who hasn't been there. I had said this earlier in the post:
Seems like people that have never tried Mangos all have an opinion on what they do or don’t taste like and if we should or shouldn’t eat them.

Those who regularly eat and enjoy Mango’s can’t figure out what the fuss is all about. So it is with Tongues.

Then this honest question came forth:

Gene, Thanks for the insight! When, where and how did your first expirence with tongues take place? How does speaking tongues differ from normal prayer and why do think you speaking in tongues is necessary?

I tend to take a very reasoned and logical view of religion and I am having trouble understanding the reason and logic of this practice. I am not trying to talk you and the practice down but I wish to understand it better.
NodakJoe on September 26, 2006 at 03:14 pm

My Response:

I was in my mid 30's. I had heard a teaching on the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. I Thought, Wow, that would be something.

I was alone kneeling in prayer. I had weeks before prayed and asked God to fill me with His Spirit. I was hoping he would. I didn't know if he would but I was believing for it. I really wanted it.

Then soverignly without any promting it happened. Suddenly - like in the book of acts I opened my mouth and words I didn't make up or had ever learned came from me. It filled me with such joy. I felt like I was speaking directly to the heart of God in a way only he could understand. After a time I was overcome with the power of what had happened.

Now, as often as I can, whenever I'm alone, when I shower, when I drive and even in Church I find myself enjoying this marvelous gift. (lots of Spirit Filled Christians love to pray in the Spirit (tounges) in the shower)

It builds my faith. The very same faith that allows me to trust God for miracles in my life is the same faith I exercise while speaking in tounges. In that way I am edified, my faith is strenthed.

I'm baffled why everyone wouldn't want it. After more than a quarter century of walking in Pentecost I can't imagine what life would be like without it.

How does it differ from normal prayer? Well to me, tounges is normal. But, more to the point, sometimes I just run out of words to say, I am incapable of expressing what I have in my heart, I can't verbalize what I know I should or I don't completly grasp the whole situation I know I should or want to pray about. At that point I pray in tounges with the assurance that the Father hears me, understands and even guides my prayer.

Reason can be a tyrannical master and sometimes can be the enemy of faith. It was unreasonable for Peter to step out on the water when Jesus called. But he did. I want to abandon reason like Peter sometimes.

I take a reasoned view in many areas of my life but I try hard not to let my intellect get in the way of faith.

You might be interested in what this LUTHERAN pastor from our area preached on the Baptism of The Holy Spirit and Speaking in Tounges. They are a good read and should answer all your questions.

I am part of a Good Lutheran Church here although it's probably less like any Lutheran Church you have seen. We don't use hymnals, we're looking for a new drummer and the music is foot-tapable. God is doing a new thing. Get in on it.

And, Thanks for Asking.