[mark12_30]

lmp-- yeah, but usually it takes me by surprise. I'd use the word "numinous" and attribute it to activity from the Kingdom of heaven; experiences with the kingdom of darkness are far less pleasant but more difficult to shake.

Continuing on in this pleasant vein of discussion, I do think it's easier to sense the presence of evil troops (eg, wraiths and barrow-wights) than the presence of God's troops.

With regard to the Lutheran issue of believing in the unseen-- it sounds to me like you might be referring to the nicene Creed, which is worded slightly differently? The opening to the Nicene Creed (also used by Tolkien's catholic church and numerous christian denominations) goes like this:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible...

...meaning that God created all things, those that are visible, and those that are invisible. Hence, there are things that are invisible. But according to the creed the focus of the faith is in the creator, not in the Things invisible.

From a scriptural standpoint, my great-great-grandfather pointed out that when when the disciples mistakenly thought Jesus was a ghost, Jesus did NOT say, don't be silly, there's no such thing. He said, Touch me, and see that I am flesh and bone like you.

.....And yeah, I've always felt that elves bordered on the angelic.