My wife had an aunt who in her charismatic church was one of those people who spoke in tongues regularly in the worship services. When there was a lull and no one else stood up she often would. Then she’d deliver a message in a language no one had heard before.

Later after church when she was preparing Sunday dinner at home, I’ve been told though, that if one of the kids messed up look out. She could go off in a tirade using language that people had heard before but few used at least in polite company shall we say.

I met her a few times, when Jennifer and I were first married, and I would have to say she was not what I’d call a peaceful person.

Photo Credit: Anguskirk

Another snapshot was when I was in seminary. Some of the students who most stringently followed all of the spiritual and seminary rules got the best grades but frankly were the least fun to hang around.

To be honest I didn’t exactly ever fit in. Actually, I still probably wouldn’t.

I can also say though that I’ve had times when I was caught up in trying to live an exemplary life so God would bless me. And I wasn’t much fun to be around either.

[Read more…]