I am a Proud Pentecostal. I am a Positive Pentecostal too. Pentecostals are known for being charismatic and excitable people. We show emotion in our worship and some may think that we are weird. When I was a little girl, I was thought of as weird for sure. We were the people in the church where people were “dancing in the Spirit” and No, we were not snake handlers!
Many people meet me and don’t believe that I would buy-in to this type of religious group. You know, they think I am too intellectual, too smart, too informed and educated, to be a part of such a group. I am!
I love being Pentecostal.I love the excitement and the emotion expressed in our worship. I would not want to be identified with any other group. I am devoted to my faith.
My faith influences every part of my life! My faith has not only informed my life, it has been the key element in me believing in myself and in the creation on my ideal life. I believe in prayer, Bible reading and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Because I am a follower of Jesus and believe strongly in the tenets of my faith, I don’t think that I am supposed to live a life of negativity, pessimism nor poverty. The Bible says, “All things are possible” and I truly believe that all things are. I believe in hope; my faith tells me that I have a blessed hope. My faith also helps me overcome my fears, helps me to believe in myself and has enabled me to take risks that I may not have ever taken had I not believed in what my Bible tells me about me.
You may ask, how does religion help you to live your ideal life? For me, it certainly gave me self-confidence, which of course affected my self-esteem. I don’t see myself as less than anyone. I don’t feel inferior, I don’t feel inadequate. That’s how my faith has helped me move forward and why I have achieved so much. I am not afraid to try. I hope you won’t be afraid either, ever.
Great word LaSharnda!
Being Charismatic doesn’t make you less intellectual. It makes you less susceptible to failure I think. Someone who believes in the power of the Holy Spirit at work today understands that with that power comes victory. (That is, of course, assuming you also follow the leading of the Holy Spirit). If there is a choice to try and succeed on our own or with the help and direction of God, the obvious choice is with God. All things being possible was not only said, it was proven.
Your consistent positivity is an example. Thanks for being you!
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Josh…thank you for posting. For some reason, I am just seeing this. Your feedback is very insightful and I know it helps those who have read your comments. You are one of the most positive people I know and I am happy to call you friend and Pastor.
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