[matthewspeed]

By no means do I believe that tongues is something psycological. It is a supernatural gift. First, the bible talks about speaking in other tongues. (I will not go into all the sriptures at point, perhaps this is something that many of you out there can research) Secondly, you also have to take someones experience and compare it to what the scriptures tell us. When you read something in scripture, and it correlates with someone on a personal level, then thats when the word of God really comes alive and proves itself! I experienced the gift of tongues when I was about 21. I was shown the scriptures about speaking in tongues. I was extremely excited, being a new Christian. I wanted all that God had for me. I had no idea of what to expect. I had only seen others speaking in tongues, never thought much about it. I was curious.

Then these 2 ladies from church took me in some empty classroom within the church. They sat me down and explained the scriptures relating to tongues. They showed me the scriptures. Then they laid their hands on me and told me to just praise God and ask for the gift. I started to just praise God with my words of praise and thanksgiving like I had done many times before, just wanting to know more of God and receive more of Him. Then as I was praising God with all my might, all of a sudden, I felt this burning heat from my head to my toes. I started to sweat. It was like tornado of heat swirling through my body. I can't explain it. Then I uncontrollably started to laugh. I laughed so hard, my stomach muscles started to ache. Then I started to sob uncontrollably, then laugh again, then........ all of a sudden my English words became another language!! I just kept spewing these words, louder and louder. They came so naturally. I knew in my mind and my soul, that it was another language. I was not trying to babble or make something up, it just came out!! I was rolling my tongue with words that sounded hebrew, or arabic. I was in that room for about an hour, all the time, laughing, crying, sweating, shouting out words I have never spoken before!

I know in my mind and my spirit, that was a gift from God. I received the gift of tongues. I can speak in tongues to this day at the drop of a hat. I don't practice speaking in tongues today, due to the fact that I am too ignorant of what it all means. For years I spoke freely in tongues in prayer groups. Now, I do not. I am scared. I know it is from God and I have a fear of abusing something that God has trusted me with. There is no manual to tell me when and where to speak this language. The bible tells us that it is to be interpreted by someone with the gift of interpretation, and I know no one at this place and time who can properly interpret my tongues. So, I do not practice it.

Well, thats my story. I know it is from God. It doesn't mean I understand it, but His ways are not my ways!! -Matthew