REAL

These past few days have been filled with much activity in our house. Yesterday morning our daughter Emily (from CA) and I had a workout together. Something we would do sometimes when she lived at home. She motivated me! Daughter Nicole and her son Zechariah were here also, along with emily's husband, Jon. What a pleasure to have them all here and to stay up late laughing about raising four totally different girls and the things they use to do to each other. Super great that Denise called from Vietnam and she was able to hang out with all of us on Skype. I love my family.

I must say that God is really great. Life is moving along, we hit a few bumps in the road, then last night we have a young man at our house sharing life, his journey with Christ. As I observed the conversation between this young man and my husband I could see the excitement in both of their faces. In this young man, the excitement about asking questions and his love for Jesus - and in my husband, the excitement of responding to questions and talking about what he loves, Jesus! We were even blessed to listen to his guitar music for a while. God is good! This younger generation is so amazing to me. They want an authentic church, authentic relationships and an authentic relationship with Jesus. None of us have it all together, we all face struggles and the more we can be "real" with each other, without judging each other, but loving each other forward, the more authentic we become.

Authenticity begins by first getting real with God. 1 John says "If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I love that word, PURIFY! Doesn't it just sound amazing that this is what God does with us? He purifies us. That is so beautiful to me.

Allow this truth to wash over you today. Seek His face - confess to Him, completely, holding nothing back - just be real with your struggles and with your joys. He loves that and he loves you.

This video shows someone being completely real with God and with others. Worship as you listen and watch.