Hello

I have always been intrigued by pentecostal/charismatic church services even more so since I now from time to time speak in tongues.  I have never been bought up in the pentecostal faith and to be honest I have found the whole idea of speaking in tongues a little silly until now.  How I got to where I am that I now speak in tongues from time to time is a mystery to me apart from intrigue on my part - all I can put it down to is it is a  "calling from God".   I have been told that it is special gift from God and not everyone is given this gift.  How do other members feel about this?  - at first I felt a bit guilty about it because it is so often ridiculed by outsiders, now I am not bothered privately and I feel very good about it now but still I don't publicize it to the world.

Hi Hope...

I was brought up in the Charismatic movement, and always thought the same as yourself to be honest - that tongues was at first a little strange, as well as a special gift given to certain people.  However, in the last six years I've become a member of a powerful charismatic community who believe fundamentally that the gift of tongues, as a foundational gift of the Spirit is given to every Jesus believing, Spirit filled Christian.  It is simply our choice to use it.  It is the Spirit growning in us, and once I got over my self pride, I discovered the power and simplicity of a gift given by Jesus to His Body.  If you are speaking/singing in tongues from time to time I would encourage that you sue it more and more - it is a language who, from my own experience, grows in fluency with use.  My morning prayer is blessed and filled with a powerful emotion when I sing and use tongues.

Be blessed in known that you are loved by a God whose Spirit dwells in you, and unites your Spirit with your Creator God in the salvation won for you in the cross of Jesus, and His empty tomb!!!!