Be Real

Because Fake Is Exhausting

by: Rick Bezet

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781441245779

  Pub. Date

  Apr 2014

  SRP

  $16.00

  Buy

About

We live in a world of fakers. Rather than being real with each other, we present a carefully crafted persona that hides our faults and magnifies our good qualities. But inside we long to be loved, warts and all.

We long to stop hiding from each other--and especially from God.

Pastor Rick Bezet clearly calls us to lives built on authenticity, showing that the way to true freedom lies through reclaiming our hearts, reviving our souls, and renewing our minds in light of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Through biblical stories and often-humorous personal examples, Bezet encourages us to live with passion, integrity, and perseverance. He releases us from the spiritual death that comes with pretending and leads us into a new life characterized by transparency rather than fear.

"Get ready for some gut-wrenching self-examination. Rick will help you discover the powerful truth: You can't please everyone--but you can please God!"--from the foreword by Craig Groeschel

"I highly recommend Be Real to you and to anyone feeling lonely or overwhelmed, caught in a trap, or sidelined by life's unfortunate events."--John Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author; founder of EQUIP

"With candor, clarity, biblical truth, and a bit of Cajun humor, this book will put life back into your soul and take you on a journey to a closer walk with God."--Chris Hodges, pastor of Church of the Highlands; author of Fresh Air

"With humor and transparency, Pastor Rick challenges you to throw off every hindrance and embrace change so you may step into all that God has purposed for you."--Christine Caine, founder of The A21 Campaign; bestselling author of Undaunted

"Why do people wear masks? Why is authenticity such a challenge for Christians? These are important concepts that my friend Rick Bezet addresses in Be Real. I'm convinced that if pulpits and pews were filled with honest people, the church would be healthier. We must learn to be real--with God, ourselves, and others."--James Robison, founder and president of LIFE Outreach International

"I recommend this book to believers new and old who are looking to shed their masks and live a life of unshakable confidence and unending potential."--Matthew Barnett, cofounder of the Los Angeles Dream Center

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Endorsements

"Get ready for some gut-wrenching self-examination. Rick will help you discover the powerful truth: You can't please everyone--but--you can please God!"

from the foreword by Craig Groeschel

"There are few things in life more freeing than living a life of authenticity and sincerity--and I can't think of anyone better than Rick Bezet to show you how. With candor, clarity, biblical truth, and a bit of Cajun humor, this book will put life back into your soul and take you on a journey to a closer walk with God."

Chris Hodges, pastor of Church of the Highlands; author of Fresh Air

"Our generation is blessed to have a great man of God like Rick Bezet. His humility and vulnerability make him an easy leader to look up to. And through his experiences we can learn how to Be Real and discover the grace of God that can only come through an honest and transparent life."

Steven Furtick, lead pastor of Elevation Church; New York Times bestselling author

"As humans, we can waste a lot of time and energy pursuing our own plans in life, only to wind up frustrated and disappointed. With humor and transparency, Pastor Rick challenges you to throw off every hindrance and embrace change so you may step into all that God has purposed for you."

Christine Caine, founder of The A21 Campaign; bestselling author of Undaunted

"Why do people wear masks? Why is authenticity such a challenge for Christians? These are important concepts that my friend Rick Bezet addresses in Be Real. I'm convinced that if pulpits and pews were filled with honest people, the church would be healthier. We must learn to be real--with God, ourselves, and others. Only then will we walk in true freedom."

James Robison, founder and president of LIFE Outreach International

"Pastor Rick Bezet delivers a bold and thought-provoking message to be real and to overcome the fears and social pressures that prevent us from achieving greatness. In his new book Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting, Pastor Rick encourages the reader to stand proud and unashamed of their imperfections so that they can walk into the destiny for which God has called them. There is so much pressure on the body of Christ to appear perfect and without fault, but the only true strength comes from acknowledging one's weaknesses and calling upon the Lord for guidance and grace. We as believers should welcome an open and honest dialogue of the daily challenges that try to bring us down, so that we may lift each other up and grow as a whole. I recommend this book to believers new and old who are looking to shed their masks and live a life of unshakable confidence and unending potential."

Matthew Barnett, cofounder of the Los Angeles Dream Center

"People like Rick Bezet who find a need and fill it and who find a hurt and heal it are always going to be special to me. While working tirelessly to turn his world around for the kingdom of God, Rick has remained humble, not taking himself too seriously, yet taking God's vision for him to reach the unchurched, the forgotten, and the hurting very seriously. I recommend Be Real to anybody who is unsatisfied with where life is going and is ready for a change. I recommend Be Real if you are tired of living your life without purpose or direction or if you feel stuck in a dead-end job or trapped in superficial relationships. And I recommend Be Real if you've fallen into the danger zone of focusing on your own needs or on finding someone to love you, when the best thing you could do for yourself is to notice other people, love others, and take the attention off yourself for a while. Be Real hits hard, and it hits home. But true to form for Rick Bezet, he shows a way out, and it's do-able--but you have to be willing to take the first step."

Tommy Barnett, senior pastor of Phoenix First Assembly; founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center

"How much time do you spend trying to manage how others perceive you? Most of us like to think that we're able to keep up appearances, but the truth is that we probably aren't fooling anybody. Even if we do fool some people, we can't keep it up forever. Have you ever wished that you could just be you? My friend Rick has written this book as a powerful reminder that knowing God means having the freedom to be real. Check out Be Real, and stop faking it for good."

Greg Surratt, senior pastor of Seacoast Church; author of Ir-Rev-Rend

"Be Real is an honest, challenging, and inspiring look at what it means to live an authentic life. In a world that measures value and success largely by performance and appearance, Rick shares a refreshing reminder of God's unconditional love and grace in a lighthearted and life-giving way. Be Real dares readers to stop hiding behind the facades and fears that hold them back and to start walking in the freedom God intends for us."

John Siebeling, lead pastor of The Life Church of Memphis; author of Momentum

"Rick has an easy-to-read style that is humor-infused yet straight to the point! Like watching a compelling movie from your easy chair, Rick's stories and words will pull you in, in a comfortable and easy-to-absorb way. This is a book you'll want to buy three copies of and give to your closest friends!"

Matt Keller, lead pastor of Next Level Church, Ft. Myers, FL; author of God of the Underdogs

"Rick Bezet has pulled back a curtain on the secret and highly destructive ways of too many professing Christian families. Is it any wonder that the majority of young people leave the church when they leave home? Be Real is not so much an exposé as it is a helpful guide on how we can be ourselves without succumbing to the pressures of false fronts and illusory images. As a minister to young people for much of my forty-year career, I can tell you that phoniness in the church is the number one reason congregations fail. Be Real is exactly the kind of message we need to become the people we were meant to be--ourselves!"

Willie George, senior pastor of Church on the Move

"'Real' is what describes Rick Bezet. I have known him, observed him, pastored him, and now admired him for almost thirty years. He and Michelle simply live the life they expound. Their children are blessed, their marriage is blessed, and the great New Life Church is blessed by their example. I don't know what other people call 'real,' but that what I call it! Out of that 'real' comes 'rest.' Rick knows who he is and communicates that with authenticity every time he ministers. Grab on to 'real' and hang on--it may shake you, but it will shape you. You can start being real today, and your life and ministry will be totally redirected!"

Larry Stockstill, pastor emeritus of Bethany World Prayer Center; director of the Surge Project

"Be Real is an inspiring book! I can't think of many things worse than going through life faking it. Faking it is so draining. Pastor Rick's book refreshes and encourages! In a world that says fake it, fake it, fake it, Pastor Rick counters popular culture and shares life-changing insight on why we must Be Real."

Herbert Cooper, lead pastor of People's Church

"Rick Bezet has been 'real' as long as I have known him. This collection of his experiences and insights will challenge you to be real with yourself and real with God. You will not be able to put it down or read it only once. As you read, you will think of people in your life who fit Rick's experiences and want to buy them a copy. Get ready for God to show you the side of himself that loves you unconditionally, his one-of-a-kind purpose for you, and a great example of what it's like to live for him."

Joe Champion, senior pastor of Celebration Church

"Rick Bezet is one of those guys you always want to hang out with. He is funny, easygoing, and genuine. He is true to who God has called him to be. Be Real will inspire you to live the same. This book will free you up!"

Stovall Weems, lead pastor of Celebration Church

"When we were first introduced to Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting, we were intrigued by the concept. Our interest quickly turned to excitement as we explored the content on these pages. We can assure you that this book is not full of worn-out clichés about being 'real.' Sharing from Scripture and personal experience--examining what he did wrong as often as what he did right--Rick presents a compelling and empowering case for authenticity. Get this book today."

John and Lisa Bevere, authors and ministers, Messenger International

"If we are going to fulfill our God-given potential, we will have to be the 'real' us. If we are going to have friendships that last, we have to be 'real.' In an era where authenticity is rare and pretense is the norm, Rick Bezet has written a book that will give all of us hope as well as practical steps for living an authentic life. You will laugh and be encouraged as you read through the pages of this great book! It will take courage to be the real you, and this book will help you as you walk it out. This is a great book for small groups to use to encourage genuine community!"

Holly Wagner, author of GodChicks; founder of GodChicks women's ministry

"There is nothing exhausting about reading this book. Rick has the unique ability to share the truth in a way that challenges you and makes you laugh at the same time. This book will help every reader recognize that it's okay to be real with others and that when we choose to be real, life becomes more enjoyable and relationships become more meaningful. Buy a copy for yourself and then one for every friend you have!"

Randy Bezet, lead pastor of Bayside Community Church

"In a culture where the perceptions formed by first impressions are everything and posture and pretension are paramount, Be Real is the real thing the church needs right now."

Mike Kai, senior pastor of Inspire Church

"Rick's book Be Real has given us the shortcut to an uncomplicated life. Be Real has taken the pressure off so you can just be yourself. You are the best you God has ever created. This book was written by 'the real deal,' Rick Bezet. Thanks for the simple truth that can transform your life."

Pastor Scott Hornsby, senior pastor of Fellowship Church Zachary

"Every time I'm around Rick Bezet, I get inspired. He is the kind of encourager who makes me feel like I'm the best pastor in the world. In his book Be Real, Rick inspires each of us to take action. Whether you need to grow in your faith, begin to dream again, or learn the irreplaceable quality of encouraging others, this book is for you! Don't ask yourself, 'Should I buy this book or not?' Go ahead and buy six or seven copies and give them to those you love. You will be investing greatly in their lives."

Philip Wagner, lead pastor of Oasis Church, Los Angeles; author of The Marriage Makeover

"Rick Bezet is the real deal, and he's the perfect person to write a book on how to be real and not fake it. Ever since I've known Rick, he's been a great friend who shares the truth with you and is the same wherever he goes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is worn out from life and religion or just simply want to live the life God has for you!"

Matt Fry, lead pastor of C3 Church, NC

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