Dear Real Life Family,

Over the last year we have been experiencing what discipleship is like with the most important element of it being hearing and responding to God.  What I've found is that Jesus often uses situations and experiences, like speed bumps or ah-ha’s, what we’ve learned about as a Kairos, to get our attention.  God’s purpose in speaking to us often times is to address the deeper things in our life so that we can be made "more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image" (2 Cor. 3:18).  God was getting my attention in a profound way, revealing areas of my life that need deep healing, issues going all the way back to my childhood that I've not dealt with in 43 years.  After beginning the process of getting help to address those issues, I've come to the realization that in order to truly heal, I need to step out of ministry and take time to heal and focus on my family.  What I'm learning is that truly "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalm 34:18).  God is very good and is the leader and healer of my life.  November 27, 2011 was my last Sunday as Lead Pastor.  If you missed last week, you can stop by our Resource Center to order a copy of the service DVD.  While this decision is very difficult as Real Life has been our home, I know it’s the right one for my family as well as for Real Life.  Over the last year I’ve seen both the staff and board grow in tremendous ways, hearing and responding to God.  They are precious people and full of the Holy Spirit.  I know that they will hear God and respond to him through this process. 

Thank you for your friendship and prayers.  My family and I will continue to pray for you, that God's Spirit will continue to be poured out in a powerful way in each one of your lives as we all grow in our ability to hear and respond to our loving Heavenly Father.

Below I leave you with this letter that has meant a lot to me recently, a letter that wasn’t written just for me, but is also written to you from our Heavenly Father, because you are truly priceless.

Your friend,

Vince Nelson

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In Me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 19:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

I brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love even as I love My Son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, My love for you revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of My being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my Son, Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest part heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God!