Dwell Differently

“I went on this quest where I was like, if there is a God, I guess I should give him a fair shake (or her or them). So I started praying every night...'God if you're there, show me who you are.'" — Natalie AbbottIf you've been praying for someone who is far off from God, let this episode be an encouragement to you. Natalie Abbott (Dwell Differently Co-founder) shares her own story of how God transformed her life—bringing light into darkness and life where there was death. She helps us see how beautiful the love and forgiveness of Jesus sounded to her when she was lost and lonely, trying desperately to fill herself up with empty things. May her story remind you of God's loving pursuit of all people and your calling to be a part of that pursuit.This month’s memory verse: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell Differently’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos or stickers, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.Want to help others find our show? The best way to support our show is to help other people find it by leaving a rating or, even better, a review!Links from today's show:Read Natalie's devotional prayer based on Psalm 103:12: Pray This When You Mess Up...Again.Natalie and Vera wrote a book! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today!Check out these great  companion resources that help you memorize the verses in Dwell Differently.Sign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"If we believed that Jesus only died for a few of our sins, we'd still be living as captive people. But when I first understood that God remembers no more and when he sees me he sees Jesus—that changed everything about how I live, what I believe about the power of the Gospel, and what I share with people."— Rachelle StarrThe blood of Jesus is enough to cover every sin—no sin is too big or too insignificant for him to forgive. He paid the full price for everyone who trusts in his saving work on the cross. It's the best news! And it's what we're discussing today with Rachelle Star, founder of Scarlet Hope. Her ministry helps women caught in the sex industry experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus. You will be so encouraged to hear her testimony of hope for all sinners, including herself. This month's memory verse: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12 Today's guest: Rachelle Starr is first and foremost a lover of Jesus. In 2007, Rachelle founded the nonprofit, Scarlet Hope, when God called her to share His hope and love with exploited and trafficked women. Scarlet Hope has since expanded across ten cities in the United States and has trained thousands to launch similar nonprofits worldwide under Rachelle’s leadership. Rachelle is an entrepreneur at heart and enjoys developing innovative ways to reach and disciple women, wherever they are. As a speaker, coach, and author of Outrageous Obedience, Rachelle has shared her story on numerous platforms to inspire women to live an outrageous life for Jesus. When Rachelle’s not sharing the gospel in a strip club, you will find her spending time with her husband, Josh, and two boys, baking tasty treats, or playing card games.Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly kit!Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.PLEASE leave us a review: We’d love to hear from you! And it helps others find our show. Links from today's show: Find out more about the ministry of Scarlet Hope.Check out Rachelle's book, Outrageous Obedience. Natalie and Vera wrote a book! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today!Sign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"The narrative that Satan tells us is that we're unforgiven, we're unforgivable, we're steeped in this, there's no way out. And when you feel that way, that's condemnation. And my encouragement is when you hear those voices that you would respond with what is true—you would respond with some of the verses that we've memorized like...'As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.'" —Natalie AbbottToday's episode: Are you making too much of your sin or too little? Or to put it another way, have you confessed your sin to God, but you cannot forgive yourself? Or do you tend to minimize or dismiss your sin as no big deal? How can you tell the difference between self-condemnation and healthy conviction? These are some of questions Vera and Natalie are answering today. You won’t want to miss this conversation! This month's memory verse: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly kit!Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.PLEASE leave us a review: We’d love to hear from you! And it helps others find our show. Links from today's show: Natalie and Vera wrote a book! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today!Sign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

“No matter what you've done or where you've come from there is a God in heaven that loves you. And he wants to have a relationship with you."— Jake BodineThis month we're focusing on the radical, endless love and forgiveness God offers sinners. Today we're seeing that love and forgiveness through the lens of prison inmates. Jake Bodine, founder of God Behind Bars, shares about the revival happening behind prison walls—inmates all over the country are experiencing the profound forgiveness and freedom found only in Christ. His stories and wise words will give us new insights into our self-justification, our sin ranking, and the radical mercies of God. You'll be encouraged to embrace the grace of Jesus for the worst of sinners (namely the person in the mirror)!This month's memory verse: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12 Today's guest: Jake Bodine is the founder & CEO of God Behind Bars. He is a passionate entrepreneur with a huge heart to see those who are lost find Jesus and success in knowing Him. Jake is passionate about using his gifts and talents to change the world for the forgotten society behind prison walls. He has served as the CEO of God Behind Bars for 15 years and was recently named of the Top 40 Leaders in the city of Las Vegas. Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly kit!Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.PLEASE leave us a review: We’d love to hear from you! And it helps others find our show. Links from today's show: Find out more about the ministry of God Behind BarsWatch videos from God Behind BarsNatalie and Vera wrote a book! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today!Sign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

“If you are walking around right now carrying a heavy burden of shame and guilt, and you feel like there is no way God could forgive you, you are wrong…that sin has already been paid for by the blood of Christ.” — Natalie AbbottOur verse this month is a message we all need to hear again and again. Join Natalie Abbott, co-founder of Dwell Differently, as she unpacks the truth of what God has done for his people and the total forgiveness available because of Christ. As Natalie walks through the broader context of Psalm 103, she helps us focus in on the character of God, the benefits he offers to his children, and what to do when we don’t feel forgiven. We pray that as you listen today, you would remember afresh the love God has for you, receive the full forgiveness of Jesus, and join the psalmist David in praising our merciful God for who he is.This month’s memory verse: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell Differently’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos or stickers, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.Want to help others find our show? The best way to support our show is to help other people find it by leaving a rating or, even better, a review!Links from today's show:Read Natalie's Psalm 103 context devotional: "What Are You Saying to Yourself?"Natalie and Vera wrote a book! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today!Check out these great  companion resources that help you memorize the verses in Dwell Differently.Sign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

Today we're resharing one of our most inspiring episodes about how God uses ordinary people to make an extraordinary impact. You won't want to miss hearing Jonathan Almonte’s story. He was born into poverty in the Dominican Republic with no education and no prospects. But God changed the trajectory of his life entirely when a 20-something from Michigan decided to sponsor a Compassion child (Jonathan) instead of buying a new car. So the question we're asking today is this: How can you use what God has given you to bless others and point them to Jesus? We’d love to challenge you to consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International as a way to practically love others. Sign up here and receive a bonus Dwell Differently kit!This month’s memory verse: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." — James 1:27 The original episode's memory verse: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10Today's Dwell guest: Jonathan Almonte, manager of Supporter Engagement of Compassion Dominican Republic, is passionate about empowering the next generation, bringing hope to the hopeless, and mobilizing the Church into action. He is also the founder of Doulos Liderazgo, Servicio, y Amor, a ministry which provides leadership training to local churches and cares for people’s spiritual and emotional needs through mentorship programs and camps. Jonathan lives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with his wife, Kary, and son, JD.Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.Did you love today’s episode?: We’d love to hear about it! Would you leave a rating or review in your podcast player to help others find the show?Links from today's show:Would you be willing to sponsor a child through Compassion International? Use this link  to sign up, and receive a bonus Dwell Differently kit!Why sponsor a child?Get a copy of Natalie & Vera's book: Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God's Truth Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

“Are the actions plugged into faith, or are they unplugged? What are we operating out of? Are we operating out of a duty to do these things because that's the right thing to do? Or are we plugged into faith and motivated by the love God has for us to do the things we're called to do?" — Vera SchmitzWhat's the difference between false religiosity and true religion? That's the question that Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz, sisters and co-founders of Dwell Differently, are answering on today's episode. Find out how religion can be something that pleases God himself, something that reflects his character and the beauty of the gospel. They also talk about what threatens to pollute their faith, their own struggles against those temptations, and how loving the least of these keeps our hearts pure.  This month’s memory verse: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." — James 1:27Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell Differently’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos or stickers, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.Did you love today’s episode?: We’d love to hear about it! Would you leave a rating or review in your podcast player to help others find the show?Links from today's show:Natalie and Vera wrote a book! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today!Free Devotional ResourcesSign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

“I would just encourage people to step out and love those people in front of you...you're just trying to impact one by one. And that's all that any of us can do.” — Jenny McGeeJoin Natalie Abbott as she talks with Jenny McGee, founder of Starfish Project. They talk about Jenny's specific calling to help exploited and trafficked women and girls find freedom, independence, and meaningful work. They discuss the importance of helping just one person at a time and the calling we all have to love the people God puts in our paths. It's both an inspiring conversation about the dramatic work of God, and one that calls us to practice our faith in our everyday lives.  This month's memory verse: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." — James 1:27 Today's guest: Jenny McGee is the founder of Starfish Project, an organization that helps formerly trafficked women and girls experience freedom and develop careers in the jewelry business. Starfish Project creates all of the jewelry for Dwell Differently and 100% of their proceeds go to helping the women they employ.Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell Differently’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos or stickers, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.Did you love today's episode?: We’d love to hear about it! Would you leave a rating or review in your podcast player to help others find the show? Links from today's show: See the Dwell Differently + Starfish Project jewelry collection.Listen to Jenny's previous episodes on the Dwell Differently podcast.Find out more about how Jenny started Starfish Project. See the full Starfish Project jewelry collection.Check out our new book: Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

“God has done so much for us in Christ Jesus, and it is beautiful and it is wonderful, and it should change the way we live out our faith—both externally and internally."— Natalie AbbottToday, Natalie Abbott talks about how the book of James is like an ice plunge—a wake-up call for us to live out our faith. And James 1:27 (our memory verse) is where the rubber meets the road, calling us to consider both the external and internal expression of our beliefs. She discusses who modern-day orphans and widows are and how caring for them is a reflection of  the heart of God.  She also challenges how we think about the world and its priorities and practices, calling us not to be lured into those things. In all of this, she confesses her own failures and calls us to consider our own. It's a great episode, the very ice plunge we need!This month’s memory verse: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." — James 1:27Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell Differently’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos or stickers, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Get our weekly devotional email: Dive deeper into this month’s verse.Want to help others find our show? The best way to support our show is to help other people find it by leaving a rating or, even better, a review!Links from today's show:Free resources to memorize James 1:22 Free Devotional ResourcesSign up for our email list!Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"These are not just good words, these are powerful, true, universe-creating words that you are speaking into your soul...these words have the power to completely transform your life. We believe that. We've experienced that." — Vera SchmitzOn today's episode, Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz are talking about their new book Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God's Truth.  They discuss how sometimes we get stuck in thought paths that are so consistent and repetitive it's like those paths have become superhighways—and we need an off-ramp. God's Word is that off-ramp! In today's discussion, they talk about the significance of memorizing God's truth, the verses that speak most to them from the book, and the fact that God himself is the one who works to transform us through the power of his Word.Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about Dwell Differently’s monthly kit with temporary tattoos or stickers, a display card, a key tag, and more to help you know and dwell on God’s Word.Did you love today’s episode?: Help other people find our podcast by leaving a rating or even better, a review. Links from today's show:We'd love to teach you more verses! Order your copy of Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth today! It comes with lock screens, downloadable coloring sheets, and each chapter has its own podcast episode. Check out Overcome: The Dwell Differently Book PodcastFree devotional resourcesSign up for our email listSupport the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.