Hi Family and Friends of Expression58!

Wow, it is the new year! I think about what God showed me in a meeting in November "I am going to show you how to go on a journey together as a people." I knew this applied to both our corporate experiences and meetings, all of our new departments, but really it has to do with the family/relationships that we are all forming.

You are an amazing people and I am so proud of you. Last month I was able to remind you of all the things you accomplished together! This month I want to look at where we are at together hopefully to build a big picture so that we have the grace and courage to go forward.

THE TOLL ROADS:

I was with Sharnell Wolverton and she shared at a meeting about how God showed her we don't pay in the natural to go down roads that are already established but to go on new roads we have to pay a toll. In other words if you are called to pioneer there is a price.

I know there are so many people now pioneering to see a kingdom impact in Hollywood and social justice issues but even with all of the ministries and groups it is still so limited. That means that all of these groups are participating as pioneers. (Thank God for each group!) Let alone those who are trying to bring revival culture into cities!

If you feel called to Expression58 you are basically saying that you are willing to lay down your life to pay for a new road to be built. I keep hearing Isaiah 40 : Prepare the way of the Lord lift up/lay down etc.

THE ROAD THAT IS COMING

So many people don't even understand this calling that seems normal to you. As a matter of fact probably half of the church has no idea why anyone would want to minister into the entertainment industry and most of the church is out of touch with social justice issues in the world. Most of the church believes for revival but they are praying for healing not performing healing miracles through the nature of Jesus. You are a unique crowd, Expression58, that God is not wanting to be unique in the elitist sense- you have the responsiblity of being road builders or forerunners and help reproduce Kingdom here on Earth!

HELEN KELLER

I felt like the Lord told me to look back over my old journals, and 10 years ago I wrote about a revelation that God had downloaded to me. I had seen a vision of a movie called "The Miracle Worker" and felt to go to Blockbuster to find out if there was a movie with that name. Sure enough there is was, and amazingly it had just come to that Blockbuster on video even though it was a very old TV movie with Melissa Gilbert and Patty Duke.

As I watched the movie I saw this beautiful little girl, Helen Keller who was treated with love but with no understanding by the world around her. No one knew there was anything deep inside of her because she was deaf, blind, and mute. Then her mother hired a teacher( played by Patty Duke) who worked with handicapped children. This teacher beleieved she could find and draw out the gift of communication in Helen Keller.

The story unfolded as Anne (Patty Duke) would put objects that were familiar in Helens hands and then make a sign in her hand about what they were. It seemed like Helen was not changing and to the world around her she had no real value. However, Anne believed for more from her. She kept teaching and kept teaching her, but finally was on the verge of giving up. It was at this point when Helen finally had her breakthrough- right as Anne was having her breakdown.

Helen Keller finally asked for something, WATER! She made the connection of the sign language Anne was teaching her in her hand and asked for water. Then the most amazing thing happened, and the months of teaching all made sense in Hellen's mind! She was finally able to communicate.

It took an "Anne" to believe that this blind, deaf and mute girl had a depth of understanding going on inside of her that one else saw or could have hope of unlocking it!

THE GREAT UNLOCKING OF UNDERSTANDING

What I saw from this experience is that many people are deeply spiritual, but their spirit has no voice, no hearing, no sight, and they feel so locked up and stuck! God is going to bring the key understanding that unlocks those who are deaf, mute, and blind spiritually this year! Much direction is going to be found by so many in this next season.

At the same time God is raising up the Anne's. The coaches, teachers, leaders who see the value even when others do not, and they will understand how to unlock the hidden depth in people.

This is going to be a dramatic year of shifting into understanding. In Ephesians 1:17 Paul prays for the Ephesians to have the Spirit of Revelation and Understanding (wisdom) so they can fully know Jesus. This is the type of understanding that God wants to unlock and break open this year!

I pray that as we go on this journey together, that God releases life understanding to you! May He grant you the SPIRIT of UNDERSTANDING (Isaiah 11: 1-4) upon your life in 2009 to know the life that is truly life!



In Jesus and with great love,

Shawn Bolz

Senior Pastor

Expression58