10. Speaking in tongues is a gift available to us today; and I don’t have it.

9. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it makes good enough.

8. You can communicate even the most complicated ideas in the simplest of sentences.

7. It’s not about what you say, but about what the Spirit is saying.

6. You can always find a verse that explains a thought in a more simplified manner.

5. God works in spite of our weaknesses.

4. The glory goes to God, not to me. The purpose is to share the word of God, not to
receive the glory of this world.

3. It is always better to use what you know, however simple it may be, and be
understood, than to try and use what you don’t know and be incomprehensible.

2. You have to take the word of God seriously, but yourself very lightly.

1. Seeing a confused face can make you feel like a failure.

Comments (Page 1)
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on May 07, 2006
Very interesting article. I can empathize, having also preached the gospel in a foreign tongue - Spanish.

What's brought you to this point? Why Italian? What are you doing? Just curious.
on May 07, 2006
While I agree with alot of what you are saying, I do not believe speaking in tongues is for today nor is it biblical for today. You spoke nothing of an interpreter. Scripture is clear that if one speaks in a tongue than an interpreter will be provided also by the Holy Spirit.

Do you have one available when you are speaking in Italian? Also do you speak Italian or have you been taught Italian before this experience of speaking in tongues?

Preaching in another language is not the same thing as speaking in tongues not according to scripture anyway.
on May 07, 2006
@ you, KFC. You've met your match, I promise.
on May 07, 2006
@ you, KFC. You've met your match, I promise.


(I'm saying nothing...definitely putting this thread on my watchlist, though!)
on May 07, 2006
Gideon: Hehe.
on May 07, 2006
Hey you guys...are you trying to scare me? You should know me better than that.....why don't you get in the game?

No thoughts on the matter yourselves? Com'on I dare you!! This issue has been waging a war all around me here in my home town as well. One gal said she woke up in the middle of the night speaking in tongues so it must be true. I told her that I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I was late for my wedding (a nightmare) but it's not me getting married. It's my son!! We can't base this stuff on our experiences alone. We must check out what the word of God says and match up with it.

Boy, I could use some friends around here. Feel like I'm all alone when it comes to this issue on JU but I know what the word of God says and I will stand on it. God plus one is a majority after all.......
on May 08, 2006
Preaching in another language is not the same thing as speaking in tongues not according to scripture anyway.

??? Isn't that what Avanti said? Tenth thing learned from preaching in Italian: "Speaking in tongues is a gift available to us today; and I don't have it".
on May 08, 2006
San Chonino
What's brought you to this point? Why Italian? What are you doing? Just curious.

My wife and I are missionaries in Taranto, Italy. We are currently members of the Avanti Italia Link program and will finish our commitment in August. You can check out our website
Link to read more about us and what we are doing. How long have you been speaking Spanish?

KFC
I do not believe speaking in tongues is for today nor is it biblical for today. You spoke nothing of an interpreter. Scripture is clear that if one speaks in a tongue than an interpreter will be provided also by the Holy Spirit.

Be careful not to assume too much about people and their situations. We should all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. I don't believe an interpreter is needed if the audience speaks Italian. I am a missionary in Italy, so it makes sense that I would try to learn and speak Italian, as they say, when in Rome!
Do you have one available when you are speaking in Italian? Also do you speak Italian or have you been taught Italian before this experience of speaking in tongues?

No need to have one, yes I have studied Italian.
Preaching in another language is not the same thing as speaking in tongues not according to scripture anyway.

According to the scriptures, what is speaking in tongues?

Chakgogka
??? Isn't that what Avanti said? Tenth thing learned from preaching in Italian: "Speaking in tongues is a gift available to us today; and I don't have it".

Yeah, well in hindsight I guess I should have put up some background information. I think that it would have shed a lot more light on the situation. It is frustrating though, I know several people who have the gift of tongues, or we could also say languages, - and I hate those people! ; )
on May 08, 2006
#1 is why I respect good teachers!  And dont try to do their job.  You can get those in almost any teaching setting, and mine was simple math, not scriptures.
on May 08, 2006
KFC,

I have opinions on the fact, very strong actually, but I believe it is counterproductive to our mission as Christians. What kind of witness do we serve if we spend more time squabbling amongst ourselves than sharing the gospel? If you want to know my opinions, my email address is posted in my profile and on my blog site.

Do not assume too much, my friend
on May 08, 2006
Be careful not to assume too much about people and their situations. We should all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. I don't believe an interpreter is needed if the audience speaks Italian. I am a missionary in Italy, so it makes sense that I would try to learn and speak Italian, as they say, when in Rome!


Yes, I agree here. I think I did assume thinking you were putting all together speaking in tongues/preaching in a language you are familiar with. I'm sorry for that.

So with that, let me clarify. I agree with all you orignially wrote with the exception of #10!!

Thanks Gid, while I do agree this is a non essential I do have some serious reasons to believe this is not from God and could actually be harmful in some aspects. In some cases it's being taught as an essential which I'm sure you are aware of. But God is God and he sees and takes care of all his own and I don't get bent up about it only wishing to shed light on the situation.

Blessings to all......
on May 08, 2006
Be careful not to assume too much about people and their situations. We should all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. I don't believe an interpreter is needed if the audience speaks Italian. I am a missionary in Italy, so it makes sense that I would try to learn and speak Italian, as they say, when in Rome!


Yes, I agree here. I think I did assume thinking you were putting all together speaking in tongues/preaching in a language you are familiar with. I'm sorry for that.

So with that, let me clarify. I agree with all you orignially wrote with the exception of #10!!

Thanks Gid, while I do agree this is a non essential I do have some serious reasons to believe this is not from God and could actually be harmful in some aspects. In some cases it's being taught as an essential which I'm sure you are aware of. But God is God and he sees and takes care of all his own and I don't get bent up about it only wishing to shed light on the situation.

Blessings to all......
on May 09, 2006
KFC
Yes, I agree here. I think I did assume thinking you were putting all together speaking in tongues/preaching in a language you are familiar with. I'm sorry for that.

Quite alright, it happens to all of us!
I agree with all you originally wrote with the exception of #10!!

You've never known anyone who had a gift for speaking another language?

Gid
I believe it is counterproductive to our mission as Christians

I agree 100% and have so for some time, but it hasn't been until recently that I have made this a part of my life. It's one thing to say you believe this way and it's another thing to actually live it.
What kind of witness do we serve if we spend more time squabbling amongst ourselves than sharing the gospel?

Actually, this is one of our greatest battles. Jesus prayed for unity, and is still waiting for that answer. We others see how we are inside the church, how we fight and bicker amongst ourselves, it turns them away from the message of Christ. We are, like Paul says to the Galatians, devouring each other.

Dr.Guy
You can get those in almost any teaching setting, and mine was simple math, not scriptures.

I am confident though, in whatever you teach, you can be teaching the ways of Christ. It is a great responsibility, and even James says that teachers will be judged more strictly.


on May 09, 2006
You've never known anyone who had a gift for speaking another language?


yes, but that's not what you said in #10.

I actually know a girl that has a tremdous gift for languages. She's from Bulgaria and I helped her while she was in HS a few years ago. She spent many nights here at my home while going thru school. She graduated #1 in her class even with English as her second language. She beat all my boys in the SAT scores.

Even then she knew quite a few slavic languages. She received a full scholarship to college in Oregon and is studying languages. After studying Greek and Hebrew (one of my contacts) she know is in France studying Arabic for a year. All the classes are in French (of course) except for the Arabic classes.

She has a gift for languages. Speaking in tongues is different. It's a gift from God and God alone. It's speaking an unknown langauge foreign to your tongue but not the hearer's ear.
on May 10, 2006
KFC
She has a gift for languages.

This is what I am talking about. We all have "talents" or "gifts" that are God-given. Some people have the gift of tongues i.e. gift of languages.

Don't let the word "tongues" confuse you, it can mean "tongue" as in the thing in your mouth, a "tongue" as in a language, as well as the miraculous speaking in tongues such as what occurred on the day of Pentecost.

I think the disagreement stems from that fact that we are using different definitions of the word, neither actually wrong, just different.

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