The Drink and Chat Room
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Various Testimonies about the renewal. (Mine... 
)Revival Humour! Hear some jokes..maybe even tell some.What is this New Wine Renewal thing anyway ?Any of the following questions...
Is it Biblical ?How did it all start off ?What's the purpose of it all ?How can I enter into this New Wine renewal ?
Mail me (Tim Gibson) with any others chat questions.Who's testimony do you want to listen to ?
A former elder brother joins the party!Check out the new wine testimony section.Good question isn't it ? Please wait for an answer..it's coming your way!!!! It's not just a new fad. It's not so you can wear a badge saying "I've had the laughter!". It's not just a happy clappy, bless me, bless me time. This IS THAT the prophet Joel spoke of - God pouring His Spirit on all flesh, not just an infilling and an overflowing, but an EMPOWERING. It's an empowerment to do what the Church has always meant to be doing - WORLD MISSION. Glorifying God with lives full of love. Loving others into the Kingdom the world over. A bride totally captivated by the great Bridegroom Himself - JESUS!
Well, this question could infer that one is looking for a 'proof-text'. Many scholars have scoffed at this renewal because most of the Biblical references to laughing are negative (talking about scornful laughter or laughter of those caught in hedonism).
But Christians all over the world practice various activities that are not mentioned in the Bible - the modern form of communion is very different from that described in Scripture and our morning 'quiet-times' are only inferred in Scripture.
What I am saying is ,that the Bible taken as a whole DOES show us that in Christ we should have abundant living which includes abundant Joy. This is the Joy of the Lord that is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). This is what Peter calls 'joy unspeakable and full of glory' (1 Pet 1:8). Jesus said that His spoken word to us brings fullness of joy that will remain (John 15:11). It is God's will that, even in the darkest situation that we be full of His joy. How is joy expressed but through laughing.
Infact there is one verse in Scripture , Psalm 126:2, which says,"Then was out mouth filled with laughter...". It is talking of the captives returning from Babylon to rebuild their nation, their temple and Jerusalem. It also speaks of those God is bringing out of captivity (to mystery Babylon) in this day and age. He wants to FILL YOUR MOUTH WITH LAUGHTER. Not for the sake of it, but to impart his abundant life so we can do His will and see His kingdom come.
All the other manifestations can also be seen as complying with the Spirit of Scripture. Bill Jackson in 'What in the World is Happening ?' does a comprehensive study from scripture about this.
Please go and read this HISTORY OF THE REVIVAL.
Just like the purpose of the Joy God gave those rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, that's the purpose of filling His people with His joy and MUCH more. The purpose in Nehemiah's day was for His Joy to be their STRENGTH (Neh 8:10) - strength to do His will which was to build His city.
God is strengthening His people to do His will. To see many living stones being carried to the building site and placed correctly in His temple, the Church. He is bringing His people back into convenant, intimate relationship with Him so that our motivation to do His will is not carnal but that of Love.
During this renewal i've seen people fall (sometimes literally) more in love with Jesus than ever before and the basics of Christian life (praying, worshipping, reading His word, Evangalism etc) have been increased, sometimes dramatically.
The purpose of it is NOT just so we can put on another 'spiritual badge' that says 'I got the laughter'! Indeed, laughter is only a small element of what God is doing in this erroneously called 'Laughter Revival'. From my personal experience , through Him knocking me on the floor to laugh for hours and shake etc.. I have been wooed by His loving presence to follow Him more fully and cherish Him more dearly than ever before.
Thirsty ? Hungry ? Then your ready! The key is DESPERATION!
How did the woman with an issue of blood receive her dramatic healing (falling to the ground trembling) ? THrough her desperation! She had spent all of her livelihood to no avail and was left in a desperate state. She pushed through the crowds, breaking even cultural barriers and religious ordinances just to touch Jesus. And the men on the road to Emmaus. How were they changed from saddened figures leaving all behind, travelling away from it all, to jumping, laughing, excited messengers of hope to the disciples back in Jerusalem ? Because they implored Jesus (they didn't know it was Him but felt a fire within)to stay overnight with them even though He would have gone on. Then in the breaking of bread they saw the risen Saviour and were transformed.
I could go on, but basically, the key is to be desperate for Him and nothing else. Are you desperate enough ?
