What in the world is Holy Laughter?!!!

[Guest LCPGUY]

I laugh all the time and there is nothing Holy about it... I'm just loud and silly. 

Cool!!! The only way to fly

In His Love,

Bro John

[nebula]

Hippo

From what I understand, it is healing for some. Others they just bask in the presence of God, and after they laugh (which can go on for a few hours) they are so tired, exhausted, and then they have peace or something.

Botz

People often like to label things and the term 'Holy Laughter' is no exception. I dare say there are excesses and fleshly manifestations but from personal experience and the testimonies of friends and others it is just a release of absolute joy in the presence of the Living G-d...we laugh and find joy in many things...but the Bible says..Psalm 16:11 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." It should come as no surprise that in these exciting days when G-d is moving powerfully throughout the nations that many people experience a closeness of His presence that fills them with great joy.

That about describes it!

Laughter is healing.

Laughing for no reason whatsoever feels wonderful - I can appreciate this as one who's struggled with chronic depression. I couldn't force myself to laugh for no reason for any "emotionalism" experience.

There is just something special about having the kind of joy that makes you so alive inside that you just have to laugh! Or you just feel giddy about everything for no reason.

Like Botz says, it's a label, called such because it comes from the Holy Ghost, not human generated.

I think, though, if one more person calls the Holy Ghost "emotionalism" one more time, I am going to !

[Guest hippo 2 puter froze again]

I think, though, if one more person calls the Holy Ghost "emotionalism" one more time, I am going to  !

ME too Neb!

[Guest LCPGUY]

I think, though, if one more person calls the Holy Ghost "emotionalism" one more time, I am going to !

I can

[BigJer]

I think it is a learned phenomenon like so many others. If everyone else raises both hands, you will have this tendency. If everyone around you raises only one hand....

I am not saying that it is or isn't of God. I think it is the motive that determines this. The Fruit of the Spirit is what is vital in the body of Christ. Not some outword expression.

Edit: I find that when God is present, I tend to cry. But that is just the way it is with me. It keeps this 6'5" guy humble.

Edited July 6, 2004 by BigJer

[Leonard]

Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

I have observed holy laughter since 1971 (before it got 'popularized'). When people are touched by God, they respond in different ways. Certainly the Scripture tells us to 'rejoice in the Lord,' and laughter is an affect of rejoicing. The Bible tells us "God loves a hilarious giver...." (Check the Greek; that's what it says.

It is NOT the same as these screwball types howling like monkeys, barking like dogs, &c., for laughter and joy are quite scriptural.

With a blessing,

Leonard, a sinner

[Botz]

'Holy laughter',or 'Holy Ghost Laughter' is just a means of expressing the personal experience of the presence of G-d that releases torrents of laughter from deep within. Call it what you like it is initiated by the presence of G-d and is very liberating for many people. If this means I belong to the "feel good

[Botz]

Big Jer

The Fruit of the Spirit is what is vital in the body of Christ. Not some outword expression.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When I get joyful I often express it outwardly...otherwise "kerbooom"

[Anonymous]

Some folks in my church have exhibited "Holy Laughter" .... I don't know what to make of it myself.

Does a group of people bursting into "Holy Laughter" in the middle of serious sermon seem appropriate? And for it to continue for many minutes? The actions from this group kinda bothered me, especially, because of the timing when this was happening. It almost seemed un-holy.

[Guest aka_mary]

I have only only experienced that type of laughter a couple of times. Mostly I get a burden and spend lots of time weeping. I've asked the Lord to fill me with joy overflowing.

I worship intensely. I raise my hands, I fall prostrate, I jump, and I sing loud, (prolly shouldn't cause I can't carry a note). I worship with reckless abandonment, and I am not ashamed!!

I remember a time when I was anything but demonstrative. I stood there like a pillar, afraid of what people would think. All the while feeling like I would explode. God has dealt with me, and I have been released to worship with all my heart, and all my soul.

As a side note...I do not feel nor has anyone ever indicated that I am out of line, out of control, disruptive, or distractive. I am very passionate.

Blessings,

Karen

Why is it that our behaviour at sporting events it acceptable, but demonstrating the same kind of enthusiasm toward God is not???