The Presence of God is perceived and operated by and through human emotions. There's no getting around that. It doesn't mean we are to be taken over to uncontrollable hypnosis, but we are certainly able to perceive the Spirit through emotions and spiritual senses. This is where the mind cannot go.
The Presence of God, is God's active presence, often referred to when God is specifically operating in our midst: by comfort, by inspiration, through the gifts of the Spirit, etc...
Interesting point: AOG, Church of Christ and other non-denom pseudo-Pentecostal denoms all admit to wanting more of the operation of the Spirit in their churches. Despite the abuse, Apostolic churches have consituents correcting doctrinal problems but experiencing less of God's presence among them. Without theological dissecting here, it's a true reality. Those of you who don't see Spirit Baptism with tongues as essential, is the experience still common in your congregations? It was common in the churches in Acts. Is it at least common in ours? Or would it be seen as out of place? Curious.
Very interesting point, Jeffrey. Got me to thinking...
I've been at my present church now for five years, I've seen a lot of folks speaking in other tongues, I've seen three filled with the Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues. Three in five years. We're not a big church, averaging about 130 or so. It would seem to be common to see the saints all speaking in the Holy Ghost, but only three receiving the Holy Ghost in five years kind of points to it not being so common anymore. Very interesting point...
Where is Timmy? I'd like to hear a response from him. Timmy, when you were going to church did you ever "personally" feel or sense the Presence of God?
Oh, hi there! Was just browsing, and happened on this post. Wasn't going to "barge in", otherwise.
Yes. At the time, anyway, I would have described it as that.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Very interesting point, Jeffrey. Got me to thinking...
I've been at my present church now for five years, I've seen a lot of folks speaking in other tongues, I've seen three filled with the Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues. Three in five years. We're not a big church, averaging about 130 or so. It would seem to be common to see the saints all speaking in the Holy Ghost, but only three receiving the Holy Ghost in five years kind of points to it not being so common anymore. Very interesting point...
Paul, at least it doesn't sound like it's foreign or out of place.
Is there preaching about Spirit baptism? Do things get deep in worship?
Just very curious. Not in a debate mode right now at all
Oh, hi there! Was just browsing, and happened on this post. Wasn't going to "barge in", otherwise.
Yes. At the time, anyway, I would have described it as that.
Thanks Timmy.
I'm very interested in your answer. It almost sounded to me like, "yes, maybe, I don't know?"
But really, thinking back, don't you really know that there was something that was very special to you in your walk with God at that time. God hasn't changed. I have, you have and all the others on this board have. But God hasn't. Can you think back to a very special moment, I time that you knew, that you knew......and what was that that you really knew??? Thanks for sharing with us.
Been Thinkin"
__________________
"From the time you're born, 'til you ride in the hearse, there ain't nothing bad that couldn't be worse!"
LIFE: Some days you're the dog and some days you're the hydrant!
I have ... Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia! The fear of long words.
"Prediction is very hard, especially about the future." - Yogi Berra
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave in reflection." - Thomas Paine
Thanks Timmy.
I'm very interested in your answer. It almost sounded to me like, "yes, maybe, I don't know?"
Exactly.
Quote:
But really, thinking back, don't you really know that there was something that was very special to you in your walk with God at that time. God hasn't changed. I have, you have and all the others on this board have. But God hasn't. Can you think back to a very special moment, I time that you knew, that you knew......and what was that that you really knew??? Thanks for sharing with us.
Been Thinkin"
Actually, for me, such times were not very frequent. Most of my time at altars and such was spent in quiet contemplation and prayer. But yes, there were some times of emotional reaction to what I thought of as "God's presence".
At times like this, I think our expectations are the biggest factor in determining what happens to us, our senses, our emotions and feelings, and perceptions. Whether God is actually present and doing things to make us feel His presence may or may not be relevant. Even if it does sometimes happen, we can always cook it up ourselves, and nobody would be the wiser.
Even so, folks seem to enjoy it, and it even seems to have a role in changing people for the better, sometimes, so who am I to criticize?
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Actually, for me, such times were not very frequent. Most of my time at altars and such was spent in quiet contemplation and prayer. But yes, there were some times of emotional reaction to what I thought of as "God's presence".
At times like this, I think our expectations are the biggest factor in determining what happens to us, our senses, our emotions and feelings, and perceptions. Whether God is actually present and doing things to make us feel His presence may or may not be relevant. Even if it does sometimes happen, we can always cook it up ourselves, and nobody would be the wiser.
Even so, folks seem to enjoy it, and it even seems to have a role in changing people for the better, sometimes, so who am I to criticize?
And you are so right! There have been many times that those moments have been cooked up by the individual. But, I do believe there are those times when God truly visited each of us in a very special way. Those are the moments when in doubt, when our beliefs are in question, when we really don't know what to believe, that we lean back on that very personal, "real moment," and let it be the link that helps us to hold onto God!
Timmy, I left the "Union" (organization) when leaving the organization wasn't cool. I didn't know anyone else, did not have anyone else that I could council with. If I talked to those whom I was leaving, you know what they would have said. If I talked to the other side, (the trinitarians) you know what they would say. So! I decided that I would simply open the Book and let it say whatever it said. No arguing for organization, not to back up a religion or a denomination.
I don't think that God inspired His Word and made it so difficult that it would take a great theological degree to understand it. (not against education now! although I was taught against it when I was young because the Lord was coming soon.) But, anyway, there were those moments when I wondered, "is there really a God, have I been sold a bill of goods, is this like Santa Claus, you know. But separate and apart from the shout, the emotion, the show...,there is a God who made this world, the rose, the baby, and all the other beauty. I love Him and thank Him for all the "special moments" when no one else was around and knew..... Enough said! Thanks for hearing me out and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
BeenThinkin' ...... about Timmy!
__________________
"From the time you're born, 'til you ride in the hearse, there ain't nothing bad that couldn't be worse!"
LIFE: Some days you're the dog and some days you're the hydrant!
I have ... Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia! The fear of long words.
"Prediction is very hard, especially about the future." - Yogi Berra
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave in reflection." - Thomas Paine
The Presence of God, is God's active presence, often referred to when God is specifically operating in our midst: by comfort, by inspiration, through the gifts of the Spirit, etc...
Interesting point: AOG, Church of Christ and other non-denom pseudo-Pentecostal denoms all admit to wanting more of the operation of the Spirit in their churches. Despite the abuse, Apostolic churches have consituents correcting doctrinal problems but experiencing less of God's presence among them. Without theological dissecting here, it's a true reality. Those of you who don't see Spirit Baptism with tongues as essential, is the experience still common in your congregations? It was common in the churches in Acts. Is it at least common in ours? Or would it be seen as out of place? Curious.
Where I go, I do not believe it is taught to be essential to salvation. However, most everyone speaks in tongues and other gifts are very common. Worship can be lively at times, but always spirit filled worship. Awesome worship services....but not like upc that I came from...hard to explain. No wild jumping or out there shouting...although sometimes there is dancing.
And you are so right! There have been many times that those moments have been cooked up by the individual. But, I do believe there are those times when God truly visited each of us in a very special way. Those are the moments when in doubt, when our beliefs are in question, when we really don't know what to believe, that we lean back on that very personal, "real moment," and let it be the link that helps us to hold onto God!
Timmy, I left the "Union" (organization) when leaving the organization wasn't cool. I didn't know anyone else, did not have anyone else that I could council with. If I talked to those whom I was leaving, you know what they would have said. If I talked to the other side, (the trinitarians) you know what they would say. So! I decided that I would simply open the Book and let it say whatever it said. No arguing for organization, not to back up a religion or a denomination.
I don't think that God inspired His Word and made it so difficult that it would take a great theological degree to understand it. (not against education now! although I was taught against it when I was young because the Lord was coming soon.) But, anyway, there were those moments when I wondered, "is there really a God, have I been sold a bill of goods, is this like Santa Claus, you know. But separate and apart from the shout, the emotion, the show...,there is a God who made this world, the rose, the baby, and all the other beauty. I love Him and thank Him for all the "special moments" when no one else was around and knew..... Enough said! Thanks for hearing me out and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
BeenThinkin' ...... about Timmy!
Think it's possible to honor and even worship the Creator, even if you don't believe He wrote (inspired) an instruction Book for us?
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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