Quote:
"There's a false security in the doing. Our being right with God is what cultivates doing right."

Summary:
In this deeply moving episode, Malaine sits down with Bible teacher and mother of three, Jen Brooks, to unpack the difference between performing Christianity and truly walking in intimacy with Jesus. Jen shares her powerful testimony of coming from abuse, abandonment, insecurity, and self-destruction to discovering her identity in Christ at age 20. But even after salvation, she didn’t know what intimacy with God actually meant until a season of bed rest during pregnancy forced her into stillness before Him.

What Jen shares will convict, comfort, and challenge you. Together, Jen and Malaine explore false security in religious activity, the dangers of compartmentalizing God, the gentle yet piercing conviction of the Holy Spirit, and why intimacy is the foundation for authority, identity, and true spiritual strength. This conversation is a healing balm for anyone going through the motions but longing for depth.

Key Takeaways:
• The difference between being “Christian” and cultivating actual intimacy with Jesus
• How trauma, insecurity, and abandonment shaped Jen’s early identity
• The pivotal moment God used to awaken her spiritual life
• Why doing the Christian checklist without intimacy leaves you spiritually vulnerable
• How Holy Spirit lovingly convicts and invites us deeper
• The danger of treating God like a bellboy rather than Father
• Why intimacy produces authority, dominion, and freedom
• How surrender becomes the doorway to transformation
• Why God cares more about heart posture than performance

Bible Verse:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
James 4:8

Call to Action:
If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with someone who needs to move from religion into relationship.
Screenshot and tag Malaine on Instagram with your biggest revelation.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find Kingdom Talk.

Connect with Malaine:
 Instagram: @malaine_lea_butler and @xoedenhouse
Website: www.theedenhouse.co

Connect with Jen Brooks:
 Blog: https://anchoredandassured.com/category/blog/
Website: https://anchoredandassured.com/