Real

A deeply perceptive account of how to live real life—in the only way that matters. | This book is really helpful in showing us why we will only be able to grow in our relationships with each other as we are honest about the heart issues beneath our surface sins and then come to God in repentance and faith. Catherine helps us to see that the wonder of God's grace and forgiveness and the knowledge that we are secure in Christ is what enables us to begin to be more open with each other about our sins and struggles and so to experience the surprising but immense joy that comes with being honest and vulnerable. I realised as I read how much I am missing out by holding back in relationships that are a precious gift from the Lord and a huge opportunity for us to help each other grow more like Jesus. All Catherine says is rooted in God's word, she writes with great warmth and honesty, and her joy and delight at wanting to share this wonderful secret she has discovered is very evident. | We’re all looking for relationships that go beyond the surface and delve into the heart—we want to be known and know others. However, often we hide who we truly are, in fear and shame, concerned that our lives aren’t as picture perfect as our friend’s social media story. In Real, Catherine Parks writes with warmth and insight, inviting us out of the shadows of our sin and into the mercy of Jesus. | I'll tell anyone anything, as long as I'm not face to face with them. Being real is easy when I don't have to look a person in the eyes while I confess my sin or address their sin, confess my fears or speak lovingly to their fears, and I fear I'm not alone in this. Catherine Parks gets real with her readers about her own reticence to being real, helping us to see our real problem is with God. | In a world filled with social media highlight reels, image-conscious personal "brands," and surface-level friendships, we need fresh invitations to consider something more honest and life-giving. As it stands, most of us have multiple "selves" that we put on display—almost like actors on a stage—depending upon the setting in which we find ourselves. We have a work self, a family self, a social gathering self, a church self, and so many other selves, all designed to control what other people think about us. Meanwhile, the gospel is right there, gently reminding us that we are already approved of in Jesus, and quietly beckoning us to stop our posing and instead offer others the gift of knowing us more truly and fully. In Real, Catherine has done a wonderful job leading us in this direction, and in so doing toward a more genuine experience of God and community. I highly recommend this book. | In this wonderfully practical book, Catherine shows us what a difference it makes to our relationships when we drop the pretence, humbly admit our sins, and through temptation and failure keep pointing one another to our faithful saviour, Jesus Christ. | In this superb and timely book Catherine Parks encourages us to pursue friendships that go beyond nod-along pity parties. In our day there is much talk of authenticity and being ‘real’. Catherine points us toward true mutual vulnerability, not as an end in itself, but rather as a means of journeying together back to the cross of Christ. This book has transformed the way I view what friendship is, and what it is ultimately for. | This book moved me, changed me, showed me my need of the cross and inspired me to share this with others. A rare find, I couldn't put it down, was sad when it finished and will be coming back to it regularly to reveal afresh my sin and my need of a saviour. Catherine is ruthless in stripping back the layers to get to the root of our lack of real repentance, and immensely practical about what true repentance entails. I found myself genuinely confessing the heart of my sin, and therefore seeing real behaviour change. She then brilliantly inspires us to do this in real relationships with others. | God has woven into our being the desire for deep relationships where we are known, seen, understood, and loved. In an age of timelines that function as highlight reels and perfectly edited selfies, the very thing we were created for often feels far off. Catherine masterfully teaches that repentance before God and acceptance of his forgiveness, precedes intimate spiritual fellowship with others. Real is a timely read for those desiring to know God more deeply and longing to be more fully known by others. | Catherine Parks is an author and Bible teacher who loves to help women build friendships around Scripture and prayer. She's a co-author of A Christ-Centered Wedding: Rejoicing in the Gospel on Your Big Day, and she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two children, and a cute mutt named Ollie.