Real.

I like real.

I think the one thing the world longs for is something real.

When I was a boy growing up in the Free Grace Wesleyan Church located alongside The Old Ferry Dock Road on Harkers Island, North Carolina, USA, life was real.

There was one old, saintly man who knew how to keep things real in our local church. His name was Brother Johnny. He was a commercial net fisherman by trade. It was obvious He knew the Lord personally. To say Brother Johnny was lively in our church services, would be the understatement of the century. He sang in the Amen Corner of our church choir. Singing was actually less what he did and hollering was in reality more what he did. But it was holy hollering. He sure kept the old folk awake and the children attentive.

One thing that made Brother Johnny real was his sense of humor. He let us all know that being a Jesus-believer didn't mean you could no longer laugh aloud. I can see him in my mind's eye, even now, hilariously mumbling to himself when others were speaking and then laughing at whatever he'd mumbled to himself. It was pure entertainment to me.

Another thing that made Brother Johnny real was his passionate testimony. In fact, his passionate testimony was almost always the same in theme because he always quoted the words from his favorite hymn titled "It's Real!"

Here are those lively lyrics:

O how well do I remember
How I doubted day by day,
For I did not know for certain
That my sins were washed away.
When the Spirit tried to tell me,
I would not the truth receive;
I endeavored to be happy
And to make myself believe.

Refrain

But it’s real, it’s real!
O I know it’s real
Praise God, the doubts are settled,
For I know, I know it’s real!

When the truth came close and searching,
All my joys would disappear,
For I did not have the witness
Of the Spirit bright and clear.
If at times the coming judgment
Would appear before my mind,
O it made me so uneasy,
For God’s smile I could not find.

Refrain

When the Lord sent faithful servants
Who would dare to preach the truth,
How my heart did so condemn me
As the Spirit gave reproof!
Satan said at once, “Twill ruin
You now to confess your state;
Keep on working and professing,
And you’ll enter Heaven’s gate.”

Refrain

But at last I tired of living
Such a life of fear and doubt,
For I wanted God to give me
Something I would know about,
So the truth would make me happy
And the light would clearly shine,
And the Spirit gave assurance
That I’m His and He is mine.

Refrain

So I prayed to God in earnest,
And not caring what folks said.
I was hungry for the blessing;
My pour soul—it must be fed.
Then at last by faith I touched Him
And, like sparks from smitten steel,
Just so quick salvation reached me.
O bless God, I know it’s real!

Refrain

Give away your life... In Real Relationship with Jesus.

Grateful