Hey guys, I know that Paida usually does this (THANKS GIRL!!!) But I adored this devotional because it spoke volumes. I have been really broken in the past and, recently; so having true friendship and love (that I have found here) has really been healing. I was glad for this devotional, and for this series because this is applicable and real stuff, not just pretty words. Have a great week everyone :) PS what is the new tribe website? Miss T; " Let it Rock"
--- On Tue, 7/7/09, Purpose Driven Connection <[email protected]> wrote: From: Purpose Driven Connection <[email protected]> Subject: July 7, 2009 - Don't Fear Authentic Relationships - Daily Devotional To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 5:38 AM Having trouble viewing this email? View the online version. July 7, 2009 Don't Fear Authentic Relationships by Rick Warren "But if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:7-8 NCV). Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It's genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level sharing. It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer. Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, and superficial politeness, but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real friendship. It's only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic fellowship. The Bible says, "If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other . . . If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves" (1 John 1:7-8 NCV). The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. We tend to use darkness to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures, and flaws. But in the light, we bring them all out into the open and admit who we really are. Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again. Why would anyone take such a risk? Because it's the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. The Bible says, "Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed" (James 5:16 MSG). Today on PurposeDriven.com: We can teach our kids that prayer isn't a list of do's and don't's, but an invitation to a conversation with God. Author Cheryl Sacks offers six tips in "Teach Your Kids to Pray." Missed out on one of the Daily Devotionals? View the online archives. Did someone forward this Daily Devotional to you? Get your own free subscription to The Purpose Driven Connection Daily Devotional, your daily inspiration via email. You are subscribed as . You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Please do not reply to this email. If you have technical problems, email us. The Purpose Driven Connection Daily Devotional newsletter is produced by PurposeDriven.com. You can reach us by mail at Purpose Driven Connection, PO Box 8108, Red Oak, IA 51591-1108. © 2009. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Read our Privacy Policy. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "tribewithavibe" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tribewithavibe?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
