Holy Laughter!?

[jbenjesus]

I'm sure many of you have heard of "this". I'm sure some of you may have been in the presence of "this". And maybe some of you have actually engaged in "this".

I want to know thoughts from apostolic brethren on "holy laughter".

I guess it is best described as the Spirit coming on someone so intently with joy that they proceed to laugh and laugh and laugh some more...

I believe it became very popular starting in Toronto (airport church), but it may have been around longer than that.

What do you guys sense?

Of God?

Not of God?

If you think of God, then I ask you what purpose does it serve?

If you think not, why not?

If you have experienced this for yourself, will you share what took place?

I hope it's not like trying to explain receiving the Holy Spirit for the first time, where most people answer, "You've got to experience to understand it."

Please, be open to share.

I'm not here to bash anyone who believes in it or experienced it for oneself.

[BroDane]

I believe that The Joy of the Lord is my strength!

Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

and If I laugh it is not to draw attention it is because I have the Lords Joy..and I laugh ALOT!!!!! :laugh:

[dllong]

The experience is not in the Bible.

[accurate]

. gone gone gone

[servant]

Jb,
Years before the "Toronto Blessing" broke out, I was in a prayer meeting with some other young men. I was pretty new to the Lord at that time. I didn't even have the Holy Ghost yet. In fact, I didn't even know about Oneness or Jesus' Name baptism. Anyway, one of the young men just broke out into uncontrollable laughter. I kept thinking to myself "what's so funny?" I couldn't help but laugh with him (it is contageous, ya know).
I really didn't think much of it after that until I heard about the "Blessing." It made me wonder if what I had witnessed in that prayer meeting was the same thing that was going on in Toronto.


Serv :)

[nightwatchman]

Holy laughter,drunk in the Spirit and slain in the Spirit, I believe are the manifestations of praise and worship.

[tufluv]

I don't like it, seems to me like the EvilOne, laughing at us!:laugh:
Just my take. I've never, ever seen that happen in one of our AAFCJ churches, and I've been to many, counting the yearly convention, where not a one did/does this...but I have seen it on a tv show from a local church here called the "church of acts" which I've mentioned once before, long ago, where they do not baptize in the NAME OF JESUS!! Go figure! :shrug: Stra-a-ange!!

I find nothing funny about lost souls, on their way to an everlasting lake of fire, maybe the EvilOne does! Laughing at people believing in false doctrine, perhaps? :laugh: :laugh:
The HOLYGHOST in me compels me that there is something not right about it, so I must concur with the HG!
HAVE A NICE DAY!or EVENING!:) :angel:

[accurate]

how do any of you like my new avatar, i just made it and wanted to know what yall think :)

[Truthseeker]

I believe is Holy Laughter and IT"S BIBLE!!!!!!


13. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.


8. But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.psalm 59

26. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; proverbs 1


sachaq, Hebrew 7832, Strong?s
sachaq, saw-khak'; a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication to play :- deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock (-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.


So HOLY LAUGHTER IS REAL!!Can God laugh and it be not holy??:) :)

[nightwatchman]

Bro. Jason, all you need now is a banana!!!!!!!heheheh

[tufluv]

Can God laugh and it be not holy??

ONLY He can! We are not GOD.
HIS laugh is a special laugh. HIS ways are not our ways. Our ways are not HIS ways. Laughter is good. :laugh: I LUV to laugh, my husband keeps me in stitches. :laugh:
Laughter is the best medicine, so many have said, and it does help. Joy is quite another thing, I smile :) or grin :D to show joy, even "jump" for joy, but that "holy" laughter, I need not. If others do it or like it, more power to ya! IMHO.
Sincerely, and submitted with love for all, Sis Delia :bow:

[truemessianic]

I believe in cases where a person is so overcome with the joy of the Lord that the person begins to laugh, and it be a hearty laugh. I have experienced this many a time. It is good for the soul. However, scripture says in 1Corinthians 14:32, "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." I do not believe in it being uncontrollable, but is in all the manifestations a spirit of God, which is in order. Joy making one laugh, that is Bible. This thing that is going on in some churches, I need to pray more about.

[O2blikehim]

Holy Laughter, slain in the Spirit, drunk in the Spirit (at least as it is usually defined today) are not found in scripture and while Christians may experience these phenomenon they most certainly are not exclusively Christian experiences.

Futhermore, I am highly skeptical of those who claim special revealation or deeper relationship with Christ while in an altered state of consciousness.

Our pattern as Apostolic Pentecostals is shown in Acts the second chapter. They all were filled with the Holy ghost and spoke with tongues as they were sitting together in one place to recieve the promise of the father. This is by no means an open license to "flip out for Jesus".

And for those who think that I am unfairly targeting a select few who simply do not match my own "worship style", please know that after consideration I have repented of some of my own demonstrative indulgences.

In Christ, Stephen

[accurate]

. please delete account

[Sandy]

falling is biblical. It just was never called what many call it today. For instance:

Ez. 1:
28. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. this was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
And when I saw it, I FELL UPON MY FACE, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.

This does not say one can be drunk in the Spirit, but does suggest there could be a similarity involved because of submitting onesself totally to the Spirit at times, thus a feeling of lightheadedness taking place.

Eph. 5:
18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

Also, Truth brought up some scriptures that talk about the Lord laughing. So therefore, if God resides within you, and you are submitted to Him, why would it not be possible for you to also laugh as He moves you to as well. Something to consider anyway.

While I am sure there is abuse, just as there has been abuse in most every church around in some way or another, someone doing something that was not entirely of God at all such as supposedly dancing in the spirit and etc., I am also sure these things are also of God at times too.

Well, have to go, as we will be out of town for a couple of days.

[Goodshepherd]

I have never heard of Holy laughter.............. I can say that when I feel really awesome in the Lord, I cannot help myself but there is a big smile on my face when I am worshipping him. The joy and fire that the Holy Ghost brings make you sometime skip, jump, dance, shout, laugh, and even roll for joy.

[bishop1]

Years before we ever heard of the Toronto blessing I was conducting a revival for a very serious well known ACI Minister who 'did not believe in laughter'. I had no prior knowelge of his personal 'no laughter of any type' beliefs.

After 4 days, while we were going out to lunch, I found out from him the seriousness of his beliefs. People that know me well know that I am prone to laughter, jokes, etc. and they were concerned of just how my ministry would be accepted in that church.

On the 5th night, as the Elder was presenting me to the congregation to deliver the sermon, he stated that it was hard for him to even be around me. He stated that I acted funny, ate funny, talked funny, looked funny, and even walked funny and that most of the time he had to walk away from me just to keep from others seing him laughing.

That night my topic was "The Joy Of The Lord" and 7 received the Gift Of The HOLY GHOST during the message. I publicly asked the lord to give that Pastor a Holy Laughter and GOD Instantly Granted that request and He had that Holy Laughter all thru the remainder of that revival.

[foreverblessed]

I have personally been "slain in the spirit" or "drunk" or whatever you want to call it. When I become filled to overflowing in a worship service to the point that I am dancing in the spirit for any long length of time, I become inebriated on the Spirit. Guess I am one that just can't hold my "liquor" :D

I don't believe that there should be any outrageous displays of worship unless the spirit moves upon you in this way. I have seen things that were just displays of show. You know when things are real, the Spirit of the Lord is the witness.
It has been my experience that when our local Congregation "explodes" and has a Holy Ghost ho down, there usually are not visitors present, and it is a rejuvenation of the saints. Or if there are visitors there, they are drawn by the worship, and God fills them with the HG, and they were meant to be drawn by this type of worship.

David worshipped with all his might, and danced before the Lord.

They were drunk enough on the HG on the day of Pentecost that they caused a stir big enough to cause people to gather around and find out what was going on. I don't believe they were quietly sitting speaking in tongues.
I doubt very much that Azusa street church was quiet or reserved in their worship, or worrying what people thought.

I have laughed in the spirit, but I was drunker than all get out! Don't anyone ever tell me it isn't real, I have experienced it.
I have went over 12 hours unable to speak a lickin' bit of English too. I know what it is to have my husband at that time pick me up and carry me home because I was drunk and unable to walk on my own. I have been an actual holy roller, and later just couldn't believe I had rolled, and my dress never go above my knees.

I am a very reserved person. I am quiet. I talk alot on here, but it is because I can type and take my time thinking and writing. I am a person who has a lot of pride and don't like undue attention being brought to me. BUT, when I am in a downpour of his Spirit, I am one that yeilds because I absolutely love the JOY that worshipping and being in his spirit brings.


Last time I can say that I was honestly drunk on the HG, was this past New Years service, I was in Muncie Indiana, and they were having a what I call Pentecostal Ho downs. (The pastor laid in the floor for at least an hour) I wasn't to the point that I couldn't walk, but I did turn the car keys over to my sister, I wasn't about to drive. I giggled at everything, everything was funny. I loved God, everybody, loved my kids, and the joy was unspeakable joy. You couldn't have done anything to make me mad. It also ends up making me very relaxed, like I have just taken a huge Valium. I have been drunk at different levels, I guess it is kinda like drinking alcohol in the natural. I haven't ever experienced alcohol, so I can't really tell you.

Try it sometime, just tell the Lord your not letting go until you have received a supernatural touch and blessing from him.

I wouldn't take anything for the times that I have been drunk in the spirit. It has been in some of the roughest times of my life and God has been the Joy that I needed.

Besides the Muncie church that my parents came out of, my church just must be a worshipping church, because these types of outpourings of the spirit are not unusual, complete with the drunks. My Dads favorite saying was
"I was born in the Fire, and I am not satified with the smoke" We had and still have Firery services often.

[Adoniyah]

Brother Holland:

I believe you. I also have experience "a holy laughter."

Once the Lord gave me a dream. I got up the next morning to tell my family the dream that the Lord gave to me. As I related the dream, sudden a spirit of praise came up on me, with that came a great joy.

Suddenly, I began laughing, a little a first because by then, I had called others to prayer and I did not want to get carried away. But, I could not pray. I only wanted to laugh so I bit my tongue. Still I could not pray because of the ever increasing urge to laugh.

Presently, I could hear others now beginning to pray. Still the laugh was becoming overcoming. I finally burst out laughing. Great joy flooded my soul.

I laughted harder and harder. The laughter became hysterical. I laughed so hard that I rolled over on my back on the carpet. I laughed so hard until I could hardly catch my breath.

Others around me began laughing...at me, I suppose. I laughed so much until my body actually hurt, but it felt so good. But, this was no foolishness, it was accompanied with a great sense of praise and glory.

This has happened to me on two or three occassions. It has never happened to me in church. I have never witnessed it happening in church at all. Yet, I would not be surprised if would happen in church and I would give God glory.

However, I do not believe that which they call the "Toronto Blessing" is real.

[nightwatchman]

foreverblessed
GNC Ultra Poster

Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 106
I have personally been "slain in the spirit" or "drunk" or whatever you want to call it. When I become filled to overflowing in a worship service to the point that I am dancing in the spirit for any long length of time, I become inebriated on the Spirit. Guess I am one that just can't hold my "liquor"


Amen sister,I can't hold my HOLY GHOST liquor either:spin: :spin: :spin:

[Sandy]

I have been what we now call slain in the Spirit many times, danced in the Spirit, in fact not to long ago at home while my husband and I was sharing Word with another couple, been drunk in the Spirit, and also experienced what we now call Holy laughter too. In fact, just today, I was telling Al about something that I had experienced some years ago while in a meeting during praise and worship singing, but had never shared with anyone before because it is hard to explain somewhat. But will try anyway. I was in this meeting, but suddenly it seemed my entire body was not there at all, but was rather floating around, or so it seemed anyway, even though my body was there in that building. In fact, I really could not see anyone or anything then either. I could only hear what was going on during that time, but even that appeared to be in the distance somewhat, and remember becoming completely quiet, no longer singing along with the rest during this time. I did not get any great revelation or message during that time either, but had this wonderful feeling of indescribable peace and love at the time.

After I told Al about this, he told me, "boy are you ever wierd". Of course, he was kidding me. Well, at least I think he was anyway. So I guess you all can think the same or whatever if you want. But it was wonderful anyway, and a blessing I will never forget. Maybe I just had a little taste of the peace and love we will experience all of the time when we leave these tabernacles we reside in here one day.

What is wrong with our receiving Gods blessings such as these anyway, which they indeed are? What is wrong with laughing?
Did not God give us the ability to laugh to begin with? Just as He gave us the ability to cry.

I was curious some years ago about the Holy laughter idea, so went to a meeting where it was supposedly going on, when it first was being heard of. And what took place there was nothing but the one giving the message from the pulpit saying some funny things during the message and some laughter taking place at the time. But it never got out of hand even close to some of the stories I have heard since then. Not that they are not true either. I don't know. I can only say what I saw back then. But then I also have learned in my old age, not to believe any gossip I hear, and only half of said gossip I see anymore too, if ya know what I mean. :D

Hey bishop, where will you be preaching next anyway? Cuz I love to laugh. :D

[tufluv]

This is the only holy laughter I've done to date:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

No offense,really ( I couldn't resist :D) but in my whole life, it has always been considered rude to laugh in church.
It seems to me if this was okay, I would've done it by now, although I have experienced a lot more "liberty" as time goes, such as recently "running in the spirit" which is quite a feat as I'm overweight, but LOVE lifted me! HALLELUYAH!
(plus, maybe GOD is/was trying to give me a "holy" hint?:D)
Okay, Okay, GOT it! I'm already back to power walking more; its a start, right?
Mind ya'll, I LOVE to laugh, this is true, back in my early years going to catholic church, my brothers often had me so-o very near to this "laughter", [during Mass] that I thought I'd bust a gut!!:laugh:
Or get "busted over the head" by my parents! I could tell how very near THEY were to doing it! :eek:
Maybe THIS traumatized me for life!
Praise GOD for his mercy on me!
Humbly submitted IMHO!

[Blest]

When I first heard about Pentecost, and the Holy Ghost being poured out, and how the multitude 'thought they were drunk' it left a mental picture in my head as to what was going on.

I know what it's like to be drunk on alchohol, and how it is with a bunch of drunk people. There was always a lot of laughter! As well as dancing and staggering and falling down, and hooting and hollering.

So, I've always imagined that it must've been quite a scene to the multitude that came upon the first Holy Ghost filled people in that upper room - they thought they were drunk! There had to be a lot of joy in that room, and with joy comes laughter.

Drunk people are not quiet and somber faced. Most of the people I know drink to put themselves into a happier frame of mind.

I have experienced and seen others experience such joy in the Holy Ghost that turns to laughter. It's very sweet, and refreshing.

Blest

[tufluv]

SANDY:
IN reference to your post #122:

That sounds like what I've heard referred to as "out of body experience", and not necessarily the type that some go through at actual death, where they also come back from the dead!:eek:

I once had some experience like that, but I was a teen at home, and my mom was yelling at me for like the umpteenth time, I was backed once again, into a corner of my room, and its like I retreated to another place, or ? for I remember being above myself like floating looking down at myself, as if watching a video or movie or something!! but then it was over, my mom had called my aunt over to come "help" her with me :D and I was just quiet after that. I've never forgotten that.

I guess I was a very rebellious, disrespectful teen there for a while, but in response to injustice and abuse by them, so maybe that was an "escape" for me! GOD KNOWS. It never happened again., as I then found other "escapes" (alcohol, drugs) which are a worse type escape that leads to bondage., who knew?

Praise God for his mercies to me, for he has avenged so much bad in my life, [and continues to] given me a new name, and blessings galore!:bow:

[Thelordisone]

truemessianic,

Amen!!

[Paz De Cristo]

I was in a service once where the Spirit of joy and laughter started descending upon the entire congregation like a gentle rain. I was in the back of the church, and I could see and feel the waves of joy and laugher coming towards me. I thought, how silly. I thought, no way am I going to be caught up in this. I thought, this is totally crazy and scary. I thought .. wait, I was no longer thinking.. I was immersed in the most beautifully joyous laughter I have ever felt in my life. I could not control the desire to laugh, however, I was not hysterically frenzied either, nor was I embarrassed. Afterwards, I don’t know how long, time seemed irrelevant or immaterial, I cried like a little baby, cried and cried tears of joy. I felt a renewed freshness in my soul and body. And guess what? This happened in a very large district revival service in an AAFCJ church!! I am not going to question the reason behind it, it happened, I know it happened and I am glad for the experience. God is truly awesome in every aspect!! Paz De Cristo, Gloria a Dios and AMEN!!:D

[Sandy]

Tufluv,

It was nothing like what you are describing. I have heard of what you are talking about though. But I was not trying to escape anything, nor was I looking down on myself or anything else either. So I don't believe it was an out of body experience like you are describing anyway.

From what I understand, out of body experiences like you are talking about are apparently controlled somehow, at least partially, by the person involved. At least that is what I have been told by others that have had similar experiences anyway. And I never felt like it was not something that was not of the Lord entirely when it happened.

[tufluv]

Well, okay Sandy, and thanks for replying, a lot don't!:D
You're so kind. As far as the "out of body" experiences, they are individually unique experiences and true, not necessarily similar to others.
So-o, I don't remember being able to control it., either., or that it was indeed, an OOB experiece., But it seems to me IF the soul is just sorta like floating around, then it is not currently resting IN the body, [temporarily]-yet, whatever it was, it left a lasting peaceful impression on me. I don't know that whether it was or was not of the LORD, since at that time, I knew not THE TRUTH.
Sorry to make any wrong assumptions, if I did. :cry:
GOD BLESS YOU!

[Sandy]

Tufluv,

I suppose it could have been then. But if so, I wasn't at all aware of it, except for the feeling you describe there.

I have heard and read about people supposedly leaving their bodies though, and looking down seeing it as you described. Especially those that supposedly have died, and come back. But knew someone that also left for a short time, looking down and seeing their body, but then returned immediately, once they felt it was wrong. I have also read of people doing this supposedly purposely that have been involved in occult activity, which is the case with the person I knew personally that did. Whether this is true or not I don't know. It is even hard to say whether one actually does literally leave their body too. Even though they see it if you consider that it could even be a vision of doing so just as much as literally doing so as well.

In other words, does a persons spirit and soul actually leave their body even when the heart stops, and they supposedly go to heaven seeing things, or even to hell? Am not sure, even though it appears to be they have. I think Paul had the same question too, when he mentioned in the scriptures "whether in or out of the body". Some believe this was an experience he had himself, even though it appears he is talking about another man there. Who knows though, since it doesn't say.

And therefore, I don't believe we know which either, even if we see something that appears we are actually out there, even as you did, until our time that we do actually leave it behind for good, mainly believing that because of what the scriptures says in 2nd Cor. 12:1-4.

[Hnovilla]

His Name is Jesus!

What about 'Holy' running in the aisles...or 'Holy' dancing...or 'Holy' jumping in the Spirit...or 'Holy' shaking...?
Maybe its only the ones who have NOT experienced these that are 'not Holy'; like the ones who have never spoken in 'tongues', and are adament about its authenticity.

Brother Villa

[foreverblessed]

Amen!

[bill]

As with anything, there is the real deal and there is the fake. Laughing in the Holy Ghost ain't nothing new, they been doing that for years and yes the Holy Ghost manifests Himself that sometimes. BUT...this "toronto blessing" thing is a BIG FRAUD. It's fake. I've been in their meetings and I've seen it and it is NOT OF GOD. They believe that their "holy laughter" is the actual manifestation of God's indwelling presence. The Bible does not support this. I was in a meeting once and people were actually on their hands and knees barking like dogs and acting like all sorts of animals. I've seen people do some crazy stuff, but anyone that has the Holy Ghost can discern that this is NOT OF GOD. It's fake folks, don't fall for the devils counterfeit when there is the real thing. These men who are supporting this movement are false prophets and they are working under the influence of another spirit that is not of God. Some of you may not agree with me, but all I can say is go to their meetings and see for yourself.

Be blessed

[Adoniyah]

Amen, brother Bill.

I do not need to go to Toronto to judge for myself. I can smell that spirit two thousand miles away. It stinks to the high heavens. It seems that the devil has a counterfiet for everything that God has...almost.

[tufluv]

I was in a meeting once and people were actually on their hands and knees barking like dogs and acting like all sorts of animals.
:eek:
Sounds like that would've been a good place for "holy laughter" to start rolling, upon seeing all that :D
Geez, NOW , I've heard everything! :grumble: :grumble:

[stmatthew]

I personally do not believe the devil has any original ideas. He is an imitator of God. There is a laughter from the Holy Ghost. I have carried my wife out of services too many times to believe otherwise :). Yet there is a false laughter as well. I believe the real will always draw attention to God, and the false will always draw attention to the action and self.

JMHO

[tufluv]

AMEN!

[bill]

When I was at Gateway they had one of their conferences at a hotel I worked at. I had the chance of standing in one of their meetings. Half way through the preacher's message people just started standing up and "laughing". This was NOT a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, it wasn't God moving. It didn't even resemble anything like the real thing. The Bible says that when it's really the Spirit, all things will be done in order and decently. The preacher kept right on preaching, and by the end of the night people were out in the hallway and some were doing some pretty strange things (acting like animals) and evidently some had no control over their bodies. This is not the Holy Ghost. I'm sure we've all seen the real thing and anyone with discernment can tell when it really is God. But this is not. I feel sorry for these poor people. They have such a great hunger they are willing to settle for a cheap devils counterfeit.

[Thelordisone]

Amen Hnovilla!!

[Paz De Cristo]

Brother Villa wrote:

His Name is Jesus!

What about 'Holy' running in the aisles...or 'Holy' dancing...or 'Holy' jumping in the Spirit...or 'Holy' shaking...?
Maybe it’s only the ones who have NOT experienced these that are 'not Holy'; like the ones who have never spoken in 'tongues', and are adamant about its authenticity.

Brother Villa

Paz De Cristo says:

Amen Brother Villa! Others are too quick to judge and don't examine their own displays of what they consider "Holy" or "Appropriate", like running or 'dancing' a "Holy Jig"!!

[tufluv]

Amen, HNOVILLA:

As long as its authentic, no problemo!
False-then yes, and one with the HOLYGHOST will be able to discern. I was once in the "audience" watching these displays, and was almost convinced to just leave and never come back, but the LORD convinced me to keep going.
So now I wonder if any folks are run off due to this same display we are compelled by the LORD through the HOLYGHOST to do.
Like I said, I've never been in a congregation where this "laughter, the real thing" has occured, yet.
Maybe some day!:D

[ddc101]

Its happened to me and I am one serious person with alot of things on my mind daily.I wanted to share that there is healing n laughter.The scriputure means it when it says laughter is like a medicine.One of my dear friends went up to the altar for annointing one evening.Our pastor annointed her and laid hands.
She fell out on the floor and began to laugh out loud and had to be carried out of the church.The thing that was so amazing is that she is a serious type,school teacher and had ashma so bad taht she could not laugh or would have an attack.About an hour later when she composed herself she approached the altar and set all of her inhalers on the altar.She declared that she knew she was healed because no way could she ever laugh and feel so good ever before.We cannot discount the ways of God.So many tnings we need to be sure of so we don't allow flesh to get ahold of the service but we need to be careful as to not speak against the workings of the Holy Ghost.lv sis.c

[tufluv]

Wow, that does sound plausible, I bet she really did get a good healing feeling from that!
I sure don't wanna discount anything. :angel:

[Sandy]

I agree totally with what you wrote Matthew. The fact that the devil did not come up with anything original, but has copied the Lord is among one of the first things the Lord taught me. If you check out what is written in Deut. 18:10-12, then compare the meanings of these things that are abominable before God to many of the gifts of the Spirit, recognizing the similarities, you can see this to be true. the difference is the ones that are abominable before God are those that are orchestrated by the devil himself, whereas the gifts of the Spirit are orchestrated by the Lord. So I believe the devil does indeed have a counterfeit for everything that the Lord blesses His people with as well.

[RickWright1976]

It is joy unspeakable (so sometimes words cant express my JOY, I laugh..it's unspeakable JOY) and full of glory.

[Rulkiewicz]

I've done it a few times. It's more of a rejoicful laugh, as in "Hah hah!"

Not so much as an uncontrollable laughing fit. :goof:

[NanaRenan]

I've seen it many times and even experienced it a couple of times. One, I remember, I was sitting on the floor by the altar and had been praying a long time when I began to rejoice and was overtaken by laughter. One lady in the church was evidently suspicious or disturbed by it...she came over and started shaking me, trying to get me to stop. It was funny to me and only made me laugh harder.

In hindsight, I would never do that to anyone and possible quench what the Spirit was doing in their life at that moment.

Another time, several ladies from our church were at Ladies Conference and formed a prayer circle for our lost loved ones -- each one taking a turn in the center in the place of the backsliders. We prayed and cried for close to an hour in this manner. Then the Spirit moved on us with joy -- I believe as a promise that our prayer had been heard and He would be faithful to answer them. We broke out dancing in the Spirit, almost everyone was speaking in tongues. I worshipped until I was completely out of breath and couldn't take another step. When I collapsed on the pew, I was still so overjoyed that I continued to worship in tongues. Soon, I began to laugh -- as did another lady in the group, a missionary. She and I would try to calm down, but every time we looked at each other, we were overcome with laughter again.

By the time they were turning out the lights in the tabernacle and we were trying to make our way out of the building, I was so drunk I couldn't walk without assistance. Someone got my keys out of my purse and went for my car. We ended up at an IHOP. I sat there with my hand over my eyes, praying in my head...because if I looked at anyone I would LOL or if I tried to speak it came out in tongues.

Finally, I started praying fervently for the Lord to at least let me speak in English. By the time the waitress got to me to ask for my drink order -- the table of 20+ women held their breath to see what would happen -- I hadn't spoken in English in about two hours!! -- I looked up at her and whispered

"Sprite".

The whole table burst into applause and laughter....we were so loud the honky-tonk crowd on the other side of the room sent the manager to ask us to calm down. LOL

I've never been slain in the Spirit and hope to experience that some day.

[Apostolicdad]

from my own personal experiences, i have been worshiping God, and his Spirit began to move and when HIS joy it me and overflowed wells of laughter and life began to spring forth uncontrolably, and this was in a time i had gone through a very very major depression, it is the joy of the Lord spoken of in the bible as joy unspeakable b.c that night it was joy unspeakable, i spoke in tongues for hours afterwards and the refreshing i had was soo incredible