I was listening to a "famous" christian preacher talk about "feeling God's love" today. She mentioned that we receive all things from God by faith. She mentioned that with maturity we know Gods love and presence as a deep truth, not necessarily something that makes the hair on our arms stand up and waves of sensational insensibility rush by. I agree. We do live by faith not sight, and we do know Gods love and presence as a deep truth that remains as a foundation in our spirits. I guess it struck me that maybe some of Gods children have never experienced a great, (physical) wave of sensation around knowing God's love and presence in their lives.
I suppose there are some that will say that it is pure emotionalism, which in my opinion the church is in no danger of, and that spiritual experiences like tangible manifestations of the holy spirit are not necessary components of a healthy relationship with God. I do not argue that it is not necessary to have tangible experiences with the holy spirit to be saved, or even that a believer could go many years with a deep faith that did not involve physical manifestations of the holy spirit.



I guess what I am saying is that, why would you want to?



Let me say that on a regular basis that I can feel God with me. There are times when I have to rely on my faith muscles to know that God is with me, or his word which tells me so and is perfect in truth. But I also must say that I can feel him physically with me, that at certain times I can feel the world around me shut off, the things of this earth fade and a greater presence, a tangible one surrounds me, speaks to me, comforts me, confronts me. It is God, he shows up. I do not intend on becoming someone who just jumps from spiritual experience to experience defeated in between strung out for the next rush. I know that faith is much deeper than that. I also love the word and how it, He speaks to me and shows up in my life. I love relationship with others that brings God nearer to me, but I also find a fullness in knowing his tangible presence.
I think of Moses that relied on the tangible presence of God to find direction and strength, he also experienced great trails on his journey but still had access even through that to Gods tangible glory. I love the Psalms that show mans reliance on Gods presence. Think of David who when in repentance calls out "take not your Holy Spirit from me, do not cast me away from your presence."



I know that I need his presence, yes by faith, but also by his tangible glory. He is my friend and I experience the fullness of joy through his touch.



Psalm 16:11You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.