I copied this from your explaination of Who is Expressions:

“Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:13-20) The answers to which we give are not so much in the words we share or the spoken statements we make but rather shown in the lives we live and the community which we journey with.

I find it quite a coincidence that these are the words you have chosen Erik for explaining Expressions. I am in agreement.

It has been revealed to me as my contemplation on the New Covenant, that Christians and everyone else who tries to explain who He is, other than the authors of the Bible, are very likely to be tarnishing the Truth when we speak. Myself included! My spoken statements are very likely inadequate and probably damaging to myself and others. Jesus said, “I am”. There is an enormity to that which is beyond our capacity to fully grasp let alone explain. I am not saying that we can’t talk about Him, but we have to be very mindful of our inadequacy.

Who was it that said, “I think, therefore I am”. I say, “No, you are not. Until we have Jesus we are nothing.”

I look forward to coffee anytime – and I have quite a lot of time at the moment.

Myles

Evangelism is really a perspective towards discipleship in the truest sense. In those regards Expressions follows a practice we call (i)Living (please see: Who is Expressions?).

In short we consider (i)nvitational Living a first beginnings. That is to been open and inviting to all people we find our selves connect too as it relates to our life activities; particularly Expressions activities. Who or what they believe in is not a factor in the (i)nvitation.

Secondly, Expressions seeks those who would covenant with us as members of our community to embody our values as followers of Jesus through (i)ncarnational Living. This is the practice of Confessing Jesus as our Lord, Baptism, and living out our values holistically. This is really where our conversation is at. How do we communicate our values here in Expressions “evangelistically”?

As an answer I would like to pose four characteristics which I learned from Alan Hirsch. He painted a picture of (i)ncarnational Living looking like Presence, Proximity, Powerlessness, and Proclamation. I’d really like to detail it more and illustrate how we do that here in Expressions but that would be a whole book’s worth of postings!

Lastly, Expressions focuses on (i)nspirational Living. That is the way in which we approach and develop leadership. Tim you will have experienced this already through how I was trying to encourage you on a mission’s statement development.

All that to say I’d like to talk more about this with everyone in Expressions and with the two of you. If it works best maybe we can set up a time to meet over coffee and we can discuss it more then. What do you think?

I’m glad you enjoyed and benefited from what I shared on Saturday. I agree with your comment about people dancing with Jesus in heaven and am glad that is one of the many benefits of being in relationship with him.

If you ask me, it would be great if Jesus healed all paralytics telling them to take their mats and walk. However, for people like Erik and me, the reality is we are not healed (at least we are not PHYSICALLY healed).

Although there is a lesson learned in the story of Jesus healing the paralytic, I take greater comfort and solace in examples from Paul (2 cor 12) where God tells him that Paul’s weakness can be used for God’s glory because when we are weak he is strong; giving our witness to others more of a lasting impact, then if we were not healed.

I can only speak for myself here, but I believe if Erik and I were alive in Jesus day, his words to us would be more along the lines of “take up your cross and follow me” rather then “take up your mat and walk.”

Actually my thoughts were not just regarding what you said, but what others said as well regarding how they witness. The observation I make is that there are always going to be different approaches, because we are all different personalities.

I like the point you make about not being politically correct. It is often a compromise of what we hold in our heart. Being politically correct might appear at the moment to be the easier path, but:

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” Gal 5:25

My thoughts and prayers are that you will soon hear from you friends Ricot and Mandy.