This is the Gospel!

Lenses We value the reading of scripture.

• Reading the Bible is important.

The value for tradition.

• We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.
• Everything new was once old.
• We understand that we have the freedom in Christ to come as we are.
• There are too many people who know how to pick up and put down, but don't know how to put down their judgment and gossip.

Faith does not deny reality it defies reality.

• Even though everything is falling down around me I have divine vision.

In our tradition we believe there is value for scripture.

• We believe it is necessary that everybody's faith journey is a unique and personal experience.
• You need to know the Lord for yourself.

As they are walking on the road to Emmaus.

• They have to deal with the fact that the messiah would be the chosen one, then watch him die.
• They had to watch as darkness covered the earth.
• They had to face reason.

Now they had to have an encounter.

• Having a faith experience is an intentional and daily decision.
• It is way too easy to step in and out of faith.
• You lost yourself in the plot trying to be the save one that you would walk for Jesus and not convenience.
• Whatever you have should have you.
• Jesus asked them what things they are discussing.
• He wasn't asking to mine for information but sometimes God will let you tell the story as you understand it. To show you that your understanding is incomplete.
• You NEED a relationship with the word of God.
• Before you start to think you have to come up with a new theology, instead you just need to begin your relationship with the word.
• Turn to the text to find heavenly advice.
• Someone else's experience is a better tutor.
• You don't need to jump in a hole to know it's there.
• You don't need to recreate just understand what and why.
• You need to go through the prism to understand your faith.

Your faith in Christ is not built on your ability to be a good person.