In this episode, Cari Jenkins teaches us about our identity in Christ. She approaches this topic in a way that is both gentle and convicting, and she reminds us of how deeply loved we are and that He sees us and knows what we need. You'll learn from Cari's experience that when you listen to the Spirit and trust His lead, it might result in something completely different than what you planned or hoped for. She confides in us about her recent heart-wrenching decision to have a hysterectomy (as a single woman who has never had children) and the ways the Father revealed and revised her vision for motherhood.
IF YOU HAVE EVER NEEDED THE REMINDER THAT JESUS SEES YOU, THIS WAS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.
Through Cari’s experience we learn that sometimes our dreams die and that God has a plan for rebirth in the midst of loss. Maybe you are wrestling with letting go of something that you have zero control over. (I know the feeling; I’m in it right now too.) But Cari reminds us to open our hands and give it back to Him – our trustworthy Father who loves us unconditionally and see us in our time of need.
This message is a gift. I’m so grateful to Cari for coming back on the show (hear her in Ep. 51 here) and reminding us, again, who we are and whose we are.
A little more about Cari Jenkins:
She is the Executive director of Urban Skye, author of Listen & Live, speaker and a pastor to those who do not have one. With 20 years of local church experience, Cari now uses her gifts and experience to make the Kingdom of God tangible through relationship as a gatherer, teacher, encourager, pastor, mentor and friend. She has a deep desire to see individuals formed by Jesus for the transformation of the places they live work and play and to see others freed up to do the same. She loves to host, redecorate daily, play often and create beauty. She aims annually to host over 500 people for meals in various forms and to encourage true hospitality in others. You are always welcome at her table!
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CONNECT WITH CARI:
MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
Cari’s book: Listen & Live Through the Gospel of John
Get your Dream Letter from me at the end of the month
Training with Cari on Identity – more info to come, March 1st
SCRIPTURE:
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
~ John 6:66-69 (ESV)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!
~ 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
~ John 1:12 (ESV)
I myself do not accept human testimony, but I am saying these things so that you may be saved.
~ John 5:34 (ISV)
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
2:30 – introducing Cari Jenkins
3:48 – about her new book, Listen & Live, and where it originated
6:35 – Cari’s desire that people would know they can hear the voice of their Good Shepherd
7:32 – the book of John is so packed with love, kindness and reminders of our identity in Christ
8:51 – how to read Listen & Live
11:35 – she’s been a dreamer since she was little, so she started writing them down
13:39 – on deciding to have a hysterectomy at age 44
16:49 – the grief involved in letting go of her vision of motherhood; and what Jesus showed her instead
20:13 – how God puts people in our path; the story of Norman, a man she met on a plane
22:55 – what the voice of our Good Shepherd sounds like
25:20 – a new vision for motherhood; seeing His image in all people
29:53 – how we often envision a dream differently than God would
30:55 – the value of having others speak to us about how they see us living
32:07 – we can say thank you for how we get to use our gifts right now
33:25 – our dreams will not go to waste
33:55 – Cari’s prayer to be stripped of anything she placed value and identity in other than Jesus
38:07 – what happens when we find our identity in other things/ourselves
39:38 – the other places we try to find our value: Occupation, Ownership, and Others
41:16 – people pleasing is the most polite version of lying; we’re disowning ourselves
43:05 – when we fall prey to misplaced identity, the answer is to repent and turn away from it
44:13 – who we are: children of God (1 John 3:1)
44:39 – why we care about the royal baby (of Princes Kate and Prince William)
46:35 – you are made in the image of God and what that means
48:00 – Kate and William’s baby did nothing to earn his royalty other than to be born
48:30 – Jesus did not accept the testimony of man (John 5:34), why should we?
52:01 – about opportunities to learn how to teach on identity from Cari
54:17 – be reminded of your royalty: created in the image of a really good, loving King
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