Charlene, Y'know I have never really found it to be true that charismatics pride themselves in their gifts. Certainly not more than many pride themselves of their doctrine! However the dangers that I see in the charismatic approach is more a case of missing the point in ministry. There seems to be a perception that it is the exercise of the gifts that leads to blessing and results in ministry rather than the effect coming from the work of the spirit in close association with the proclamation of the word. This I have found unfortunately leads many to think that we can manipulate the spirit of God by promoting in all manner of ways the exercise of gifts. God bless, Jeff >-----Original Message----- >From: Roundrocke@... [mailto:Roundrocke@...] >Sent: Saturday, 10 April 2004 9:28 AM >To: soundofgrace@... >Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Re:charismatic? hmmmmmmmmmmm...............? > >good questions, Jeff! Not familiar at this point with the website you >mentioned, but pretty familiar with 'charismatics'. >TRUE charismatics - in my opinion, based on my understanding of God's Word >- >rely solely on the Word of God, and 'move' accordingly. God moves in >distributing gifts "severally as HE will" - and uses any spiritual gift >necessary, >and any believer He chooses at any time He chooses. >You are correct in that too many think they are more spiritual than another >because "I have the Holy Spirit and the gifts". baloney. The Holy >Spirit >came to live in the believer at the time of regeneration/salvation.....HE >is the >'controller'. >Christ has me....now it is Christ in me. If HE chooses to exercise some >spiritual gift through me, then, my place is obedience to Him. >Some/most 'charismatics' do place too much emphasis on exercising gifts - I >believe things just follow or happen as we operate in this life as God's >sheep. > >Just today, a lady told me that when she had asked for prayer for a tooth >problem a couple of weeks ago - the toothache went away immediately and has >not >returned. This lady has visited our fellowship several times over the >last >couple of months - her employer comes to nearly every service (he had his >83rd >birthday today) and she comes along now. Mona simply believed that God >could >give her pain relief.....and He did. Nothing "major" - like jumping out >of >a wheelchair - but, it happened, and she gives God praise for it. > >Gifts are almost a "by-product" of salvation. We must not major on gifts, >but on the Giver of those gifts. >blessings >Charlene > >-- >Read the Sound of Grace pages at >http://www.soundofgrace.com > >To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: soundofgrace-unsubscribe@... > >To view our online archive go to our web page at >http://www.associate.com/groups/soundofgrace