With The Perrys

When we’re “born again” as Christ followers, we’re babies, and “growing up” is a choice. But emotions, pride, and an endless buffet of online voices can keep new believers spiritually stuck.

In this episode, Jackie and Preston discuss how spiritual maturity isn’t automatic, nor is it a checklist. We become mature by pursuing humility, having discernment about false doctrine, and establishing deep roots in a local church community. Ultimately, we have to know our Bible more than anything and come to terms with our complete dependence on God. 

Tim Keller’s sermon, “Principles of Christian Growth”

Scripture References

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The second half of the Perrys’ conversation with Matt Chandler is a deeper discussion of the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.

For example, the Bible says, “Blessed are those who mourn,” but what are we to mourn, and how do we mourn well? Matt explains that we mourn our own sin, and we grieve the broken world around us. Comfort is found in the hard work of mourning, and the consequence of not mourning is distance from Jesus.

Beyond mourning, Matt and the Perrys also explore meekness, a thirst for righteousness, mercy, peacemaking, and persecution.

Scripture References

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After more than two decades leading a church – and through his own faith journey, too – Pastor Matt Chandler says confidently that, “Come what may, God is at work.” 

In this conversation on sanctification, Matt, Jackie and Preston explore the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, not as a checklist of spiritual goals but a portrait of a person Jesus is creating as we mature in Christ. The Christian life isn’t about wins and losses; it’s about staying tethered to Jesus through the highs and lows. Keep saying yes to Him, and He’ll use it all to form you.

This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation.

Check out Matt Chandler’s new book, “Becoming Like Jesus: The Everyday Journey to Living a Life of Holiness” (releasing this week, April 28): https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Like-Jesus-Everyday-Holiness/dp/1400344301 

Tim Keller sermon Jackie mentions: http://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/principles-of-christian-growth-part-1/

Scripture References

Matthew 5:3-12

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Trip Lee is an author, teacher, and hip-hop artist who recently released new worship music titled “For Your Glory.” He joins Jackie and Preston for a conversation about worship music, rap music, and the importance of music in our lives as followers of Jesus. 

Music plays a major role in spiritual formation – singing truth helps us remember and believe what is true about God. Worship is not just the fluff before a sermon; it’s a response to who God is. Ultimately, worship is about making much of Jesus, and it’s something we’re called to participate in together.

Connect with Trip Lee:

Listen to For Your Glory, the new worship project from BRAG WORSHIP & Trip Lee:

Scripture References

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Sex is a living metaphor. It’s how we experience oneness with the person we’ve committed to be in a covenant relationship with, similar to the relationship between Christ and the church. Dr. Juli Slattery joins the Perrys to discuss the importance of seeing sex as an ongoing journey of intimacy, not just a physical act, requiring emotional vulnerability and communication. 

The Perrys’ conversation with Dr. Slattery covers sexual trauma, pornography, entitlement, libido, and purity culture. Everything God created, He designed to be a reflection of himself, and that includes sex. Single, dating, married, widowed, divorced – this episode about sexuality is a helpful and necessary conversation for everyone to learn from.

Connect with Dr. Juli Slattery: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/authenticintimacy

https://www.authenticintimacy.com/podcast/ 

https://www.authenticintimacy.com/books/ 

Scripture References

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Dr. Crawford Loritts joins the Perrys for a conversation about leadership and the qualities that make someone worth following.

True leadership is stewardship and sacrifice. Someone’s ability to lead is in direct proportion to their ability to serve. A good leader has conviction, not just knowledge, with wisdom that's the product of experience, not simply exposure to information. And Dr. Loritts talks about anointing being on the person, not their platform or performance, and how gifts are most developed when you focus on character and godliness.

Check out Dr. Loritts’ book, Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Identity-Traits-Lasting-Influence/dp/080242987

Jackie’s Blameless hat: https://boldapparel.shop/products/blameless-hat

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TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide is briefly discussed in this episode.

Here’s part two of Jackie and Preston’s conversation with Lymari and Tony Navarro. Last week you heard about Tony’s betrayal, and in this episode they discuss the restoration of their marriage. 

Things are incredibly fragile after a spouse’s affair, and the Navarros are honest about that. Lymari says couples need a season of “incubation” if they want to restore their relationship – a time of intentionally surrounding yourself with wise counsel and cutting out people persuading you to leave the marriage (again, if both husband and wife are committed to reconciliation). Tony’s affair was 25 years ago, and five years went by before the Navarros were in a place to support other couples with stories like theirs. Be encouraged – restoration takes time. 

Connect with the Navarros:

⁠https://www.lymarinavarro.com/⁠

⁠https://www.tonyandlymarinavarro.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/tonyandlymarinavarro⁠

Check out their book, "From Ruin to Renewal" – ⁠https://shop.familylife.com/product/from-ruin-to-renewal/⁠

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“Our story is a warning to some and a hope to others.”

Three years into their marriage, Lymari Navarro got an anonymous phone call from a woman who said, “Your husband is having an affair.” When confronted, Tony told Lymari he had fallen out of love with her, but she chose grace over the Biblical “right” she had to a divorce.

The enemy attacks marriages because it is the most accurate relationship to that of Jesus and the church. Marriage shows off the gospel in a way that nothing else can, and the transformational impact of that undeserved grace is on display in the story you’ll begin to hear in this week’s episode.

Come back next week for part two of the Perrys’ conversation with Lymari and Tony.

The Navarros have benefitted from and speak at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember events. Find a location near you: ⁠https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/

Scripture references:

Connect with the Navarros:

https://www.lymarinavarro.com/

https://www.tonyandlymarinavarro.com/⁠⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/tonyandlymarinavarro

Check out their book, "From Ruin to Renewal" – https://shop.familylife.com/product/from-ruin-to-renewal/

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Peter may be one of the most relatable disciples. He’s bold, passionate, sometimes impulsive, and a natural leader, which we read about in Scripture. His story shows how our greatest strengths can become massive stumbling blocks.

From boldly declaring Jesus as the Messiah to denying Him three times, Peter’s life reminds us how quickly we can fall, yet his restoration shows us the heart of God. After your failure, do you run to Jesus? Like we see in Peter’s story, Jesus is patient with us and committed to making us more like Him.

Scripture references:

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There are three core lies we all believe: “I’m worthless, I’m unlovable, and I’m helpless.” These beliefs can grow into strongholds that influence our thoughts and actions over time.

Jennie Allen joins the Perrys to talk about how the enemy often makes lies like these feel rational and normal, and then we agree with the lies without realizing it. We need God’s Word and the truth of the Gospel to help us fight them. Jennie’s encouragement is that you are not especially broken because you believe lies. She says, “The reason the enemy comes for you is because you’re loved. Because you love God and He loves you, that makes you a target. Don’t let shame enter your story more than it already has.”

Check out Jennie’s new book, “The Lie You Don't Know You Believe”  https://www.amazon.com/Lie-You-Dont-Know-Believe/dp/1400249821

Follow @JennieAllen: https://www.instagram.com/jennieallen/

Scripture references:

1 John 1:5-7

Matthew 4:4-6

John 14:30

John 16:33

Ephesians 6:10-13

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