Authentic Friendships

I've been having some issues with superficial people lately. I've met and known several Christians who are fake and superficial at church. They're a completely different person Sunday morning than they are the rest of the week. It has discouraged me from really trusting people and trusting their intentions. I was encouraged by this entry I received in my email a few days ago:

October 26, 2009
Healing Choices: Authentic Friendships
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).


In Biblical fellowship, we should experience authenticity.

Authentic friendships are more than superficial, surface-level chit-chat. They involve genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing.

These friendships develop when we get honest about who we are and what is happening in our lives. They develop when we share our hurts, reveal our feelings, confess our failures, disclose our doubts, admit our fears, acknowledge our weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.

Unfortunately, this level of authenticity and intimacy is the exact opposite of what we find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, we often become involved in pretending, role-playing, politicking, superficial politeness, and shallow conversation. We begin to wear masks, keep our guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in our 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 God's light, we can 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).

October Songs (Super late, I know!)

1. Lets Just Fall in Love Again- Jason Castro
2. Ain't No Reason- Brett Dennon
3. Everyone- Ingrid Michaelson
4. Let it Rain- Jordin Sparks
5. Sink or Swim- Tyrone Wells
6. River Flows in You- Yiruma
7. African Sunset- African Tribal Orchestra
8. I've Been Thinking- Kim McMechan
9. Carbon Ribs- John Mark McMillan
10. Daylight- Matt & Kim
11. Haven't Met You Yet- Michael Buble
12. Beautiful Ending- BarlowGirl
13. Breakable- Ingrid Michaelson
14. Put Your Records On- Corinne Bailey Rae
15. Chinese- Lily Allen
16. Whatever It Is- Ben Lee
17. Superwoman- Alicia Keys
18. The Sporting Life- The Decemberists
19. Take It From Me- The Weepies
20. Stars- Everly

Happy Halloween from the Rock Worship Band

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Geez, It Has Been A While......

Update, here we go!

1. I'm going to be studying abroad next semester at a university in Glasgow, Scotland. Coming up fast, I'm pretty darn excited!

2. I got a concussion the first day of class. Nothing better than spending your first day of class in the E.R., let me tell ya....

3. Chinese is quickly becoming my favorite food. Holy cow, authentic homemade Chinese food is hard to beat! Yum.

4. Ummmm I can't think of what else is new... or random... at the moment. Oh, ok I got one! I have this new obsession with scented candles. Seriously. Can't get enough of them lately.

Wow. Ok, well I guess the 2 were the only real updates. The last 2 were me desperately trying to think of more things to add to the list.

Ok bye! I'll try to start blogging more. I've been failing at blogging lately.