Nat....thanks for the blogs. Will pray for Annie. Had a few thoughts on "experiencing" God...

I actually do think that we should strive to be conscious and aware of the holy spirit. We don't "experience" the holy spirit because of our weakness and blindness, our limits as humans, but God is gracious even as we fumble along. God continues to work in our lives, even when we are unaware. But I think the fruit of maturing in Christ is that we do experience His presence more and more. We learn to identify His subtle and simple presence.(Just a closer walk with Thee...)

I think part of the problem is more the expectation that the experience has to be intense and vivid. When we live with the deeper truths that have been revealed to us, and believe to be true, we are not dependant on emotionally intense experiences. We can always "experience" the hope that comes from the knowledge of who we are in Christ and who we are becoming through his good work. HOPE is an experience, one perhaps not as well understood in a "get it now" culture. Sometimes the experience of God is a quiet peace that comes from remembering His promises.

I can relate to often not "experiencing" God, and I try not to beat myself up when I feel disconnected, (bad christian...bad christian) but I take that thirst as a cue to take a drink, and I pray for a fellowship that is real and satisfying. When I do reconnect it is often in a very simple way, sometimes as simple as being more patient or open to others.

A fellowship that is not experienced is too abstract for me. Aren't alot of the psalms about guys who were crying out to God and asking that He make His presence known?

Good questions.

Andrew