When I was in Brazil the first time, I went to a Full Gospel church... one where they believed in the gifts of the spirit (1 Cor 12). I traveled with a team (see top video): one with a healing gift, another a preacher with a doctorate in theology, and another a real evangelist. While the worship music played, I prayed in the spirit—mainly because I did not understand the lyrics. This particular night my team decided that one of us would preach, and I would do a time of ministry and the laying on of hands. Something was a little odd about all that was going on there. From the outside, it looked like a standard Pentecostal worship service. However, as people came forward during the altar call ministry time, there was an excessive amount of speaking in tongues and individuals flopping around on the floor. Honestly, this behavior doesn't usually bother me, but something felt off that night. As I laid hands on people, they began to jump around like pogo sticks, praying in tongues - but ...
Life over the past six or so years has been difficult. The doctor says I am disabled due to a chronic migraine-like headache. It presents something like a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Reading, writing, mental focus, and screen-time are virtually impossible for more than a few chunks of an hour each day. I am waiting for my healing! I have taken to listening to the audio bible, voice-to-text for writing, and AI. Somewhere in the last year, I served at a church which provides meals for the poor and homeless. It's a small event and lasts about 45 minutes. In order to get a meal, participants listen to a short worship set and a five to ten minute message -- a sermonette. Then we end by praying for anyone who desires it. I enjoy praying for others but was asked to deliver a short message. As I noted earlier, it's a challenge to study, compose, and even speak without an occasional stutter. I felt the Lord speak the word river . I recalled a time where I preached at a churc...