Dwell Differently

"I kept thinking, 'Okay. What does God want me to do for others? What am I offering others? What am I giving to others?' And again and again, the things I felt called to do or make or create or tend would literally refresh me." — Christie Purifoy Today's Episode: This episode is an absolute joy! We're so grateful to Christie Purifoy for sharing her wise insights into generous living and openhanded receiving. Christie is an author, teacher, and gardener. On today's episode she tells stories and shares biblical truths about God's abundance and our calling to cultivate spacious places not only to share them with others but to actually receive them as a blessing for ourselves. This month's memory verse: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” — Proverbs 11:25 Today's guest: Christie Purifoy is a writer and gardener who loves to grow flowers and community. She is the author of six books, including two spiritual memoirs and a recently completed trilogy of gift books with essays and photographs celebrating the gardening life. Her latest book, A House to Call Home: Creating Places That Will Comfort and Care For Us, will launch in February 2026. Christie earned a PhD in English Literature from the University of Chicago but eventually traded the classroom for an old Pennsylvania farmhouse called Maplehurst where she lives with her husband and four children. You can find Christie on Instagram (@christiepurifoy) and on Substack where she writes a regular newsletter on home, garden, and the ancient church called A Spacious Place. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: ChristyPurifoy.comOn Magic and MiraclesEveryday Gospel Anxious No More NecklaceBible Study membership Support the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Jesus, in his generosity, has set us free from stinginess, from calculating returns, from worrying whether there'll be enough. We are free to be generous on every occasion with what he has given us freely, knowing that our generosity results in thanksgiving and praise to God." — Natalie Abbott Today's episode: Join Dwell Differently co-founder, Natalie Abbott, as she helps us understand biblical generosity and refreshment. She unpacks the strange math of generosity—where giving our stuff away results in more blessing. She also explains the counter-intuitive math of greed, where more is never enough. She speaks with hope about loving people who don't love us back. And she flips the script at the end, encouraging those of us who don't have anything in our tanks to let God and his people refresh us. This month's memory verse: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” — Proverbs 11:25 Want to go even deeper? Study along with Natalie in the monthly Dwell Differently Bible Study Membership. If you love this show...support it by leaving us a review. Links from today's show: On Magic and MiraclesEveryday Gospel Anxious No More NecklaceDwell on These ThingsSupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"When we pray, 'your kingdom come, your will be done,' that's the craziest part...that's where we have to come to grips with God's plan." — Paul Hastings Today's Episode: We're so excited to introduce Paul Hastings, whose life's work is telling stories about God's kingdom on the Compelled Podcast. Today, he shares a snippet of a story about what it looks like to seek and follow God's will in our suffering. Listen in to the story of Kathleen and George Lansing, a mom and a dad whose baby son is on death's doorstep. You won't want to miss what God does both in the life of their son and in their own hearts. This month's memory verse: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." —Matthew 6:10 Today's guest: Paul Hastings lives with his wife and four children near Austin, Texas, and attends Redemption Hill Church. He is the host of the Compelled Podcast. His work has been featured by Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk, Christianity Today, World Magazine, American Family Association, and The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of the brand new book, Compelled, a collection of real-life stories about sin, surrender, and the Savior who changes everything. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: I Gave God My 2-Year-Old Son - Kathleen LansingCompelled PodcastAbortion Clinic Owner Transformed - Carol EverettCompelledPenelope JuddPsalm 23 kitmembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"When I think about praying 'your kingdom come,' for me, it's an entire perspective shift. It's like setting yourself up on an entirely different path, because everything (as a human) is about our desires, our prerogative, our checklist, our plans, our strategies—our little kingdom. But when I pray 'your kingdom come,' I'm setting aside those things, I'm submitting it all to God's kingdom. I'm saying, 'No, your kingdom come, today.'" — Vera Schmitz Today's Episode: What does it look like to really live for God's kingdom and in step with his will? Today, Dwell Differently co-founders and sisters Natalie and Vera are talking about just that. They discuss both the desire and the difficulty of walking in God's will. Listen in as they talk through how to submit our wills and our ways to follow God's will and his way. This month's memory verse: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly membership! Support our show: It's really just as simple as leaving us a review! Links from today's show: Penelope JuddPsalm 23 kitDwell on These ThingsDwell on These Things Dwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"We need to be very careful that we're thinking about the will of God biblically...If you think God's will never includes sacrifice or difficult things or hardships, you should really wonder whether or not maybe it's your will that's winning out each time and not God's will for you." — Jason Abbott Today's Episode: Listen, learn, and laugh along with Natalie and her husband, Jason Abbott. They're talking frankly, deeply, and lightheartedly about the beauty and the glory and the blessings of God's kingdom and his will. Jason makes these deep theological truths accessible with simple explanations and personal examples. You won't want to miss out on this one! This month's memory verse: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." —Matthew 6:10 Today's guest: Dr. Jason Abbott is married to Natalie Abbott, co-founder of Dwell Differently. They have a big family of seven and spend a lot of time running around mid-Missouri together. Jason has been in pastoral ministry for 20+ years in the Evangelical Free Church of America. He’s currently the Senior Pastor at Central Church of Jefferson City, Missouri. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: Central Churchsermon on Matthew 6:10This Is Central PodcastFREE Digital Bible StudylinkmembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"We're going to zoom out and get this big-picture view of this massive, God-sized prayer. And I hope that it would ignite a passion in you—that your vision would be wider, that you desires would be deeper, that your commitment would be more firm, and that you would pray with a renewed passion God's big kingdom prayers." — Natalie Abbott Today's episode: What is God's kingdom like? Listen in today as Dwell co-founder Natalie Abbott walks us through the story of God's kingdom as it's laid out in his book—from creation, to the fall, to redemption, to it's final restoration. She also helps us see our part in that story and how we can live like kingdom people and be kingdom bringers in our everyday lives. This month's memory verse: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 Memorize with us: The Dwell Differently monthly membership is the easy button for Scripture memory. Join us today! Support Our Show: We love hearing what you think and it helps other people find our show. Links from today's show: Penelope JuddPsalm 23 kitDwell on These ThingsDwell on These Things Dwell Differently Support the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"This is the God who gave his life for me. This is the God who has bigger dreams for me and better things for me than I would plan for myself. Will I willingly rejoice in his hand over the comings and goings of my life and be at peace with that?" — Kelly Needham Today's Episode: We're all tempted to be the boss of our own lives, to be the one watching over ourselves and everybody else. On today's episode, Natalie chats with Bible teacher Kelly Needham about the fear, exhaustion, and folly of trying to control our own lives and the safety, freedom, and goodness that comes from entrusting our lives to God instead. This month's memory verse: "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." — Psalm 121:8 Today's guest: Kelly Needham hopes to convince as many people as possible that nothing compares to knowing Jesus. She is the author of Friendish and Purposefooled and cohost of the Cleary podcast, along with her husband, Jimmy. Kelly and Jimmy have five children and live in the Dallas, Texas area. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: KellyNeedham.comFREE Digital Bible StudylinkThe Pour OvermembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"It's the coming and the going, it's the right now and the forever, it's this all-encompassing idea of God's watchful, beautiful care of the entirety of our lives...And what if I really, really did believe that instead of hiding from those things or maybe relying on my own control over those things?" — Natalie Abbott Today's Episode: Today Natalie and Vera are tackling two simple questions that are really hard to live out: "Do you really live like God is watching over you?" and "Do you really live like God is watching over your people?" The hope is that you would hear where they are succeeding and where they aren't and consider your own life and how you can entrust yourself and your people more to the Lord. This month's memory verse: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” — Psalm 121:8 Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly membership! Support our show: It's really just as simple as leaving us a review! Links from today's show: membershipGet your first month FREE with the code: PODCAST.hereteen versionSign up for our emailsSupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"If we can look back on our lives and see how [God] has protected, provided, and cared for us in past, then we can trust that he's going to do that in future...forevermore!'" — Whitney Newby Today's Episode: Today we're diving into Psalm 121 with Author, Whitney Newby, who wrote a beautiful devotional book based just on that Psalm. Whitney shares stories of how God always keeps us, sustains us, and provides for us through all of life's ups and downs. She encourages us to rely on the promises of God found in Psalm 121 through every season of life, even (and especially) during the most difficult times. This month's memory verse: "The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." — Psalm 121:8 Today's guest: Whitney Newby is a writer, artist, and the founder of Brighter Day Press, a ministry that creates literature-rich, gospel-centered resources for family discipleship. She has a Bible degree from Moody Bible Institute and is a registered nurse. Whitney makes her home in South Carolina, with her husband and four children. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: BrighterDayPress.commembershipGet your first month FREE with the code: PODCAST.Dwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Our God is never caught off guard. He's never surprised. He's always watching over you." — Natalie Abbott Today's episode: How might your life look different if you really believed that God himself watches over you? Today Natalie Abbott encourages us that he does, showing us in Psalm 121 how he helps us, protects us and keeps us close forever. This month's memory verse: "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." — Psalm 121:8 Memorize with us: The Dwell Differently monthly membership is the easy button for Scripture memory. Join us today! Support Our Show: We love hearing what you think and it helps other people find our show. Links from today's show: Dwell on These ThingsDwell on These Things Dwell Differently Support the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"I'm excited about this because I used to feel guilty that my 'quiet time' didn't look like other people's...and also when I became a new mom, I also felt guilty that [it] didn't look like it used to look." — Vera Schmitz Today's Episode: What's a quiet time? And how exactly do I go about having one? Today, Vera and Natalie share their own habits and practices of spending time with God. They share 10 different ways, here's the list: Here's the best part, they are giving away a Digital Bible Study that utilizes all 10 of these methods. GET YOURS FREE by signing up for our free weekly newsletter. Already subscribe, Go to this link for your free study! LEAVE US A REVIEW: Want to support our ministry and help others find our podcast, it's as simple as leaving a review in your podcast player. THANKS! Links from today's show: GET A FREE BIBLE STUDY: FREE Digital Bible StudylinkDwell on These Thingshereteen versionSign up for our emailsSupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Something that I think a lot of us miss is this: In our lives, our love has become transactional. Our love has become very much 'if you do for me, then I'll do for you.' But that's not sacrificial love. That's not the love of Christ." — Jon Nelson Today's Episode: Natalie is talking with Pastor Jon Nelson about loving people outright—not because they've done something to earn it, or because they're easy to love, but because we have been undeservedly loved by Jesus. They discuss the challenges of laying down our prerogatives and our schedules and our stuff to love other people. You'll hear Jon share the profound words of a dying friend, talk about the concept of selflessness and deference, and you'll find out what it means to love someone even when they're "tore up from floor up." Be ready to learn, to be challenged, and to laugh. This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16 Today's guest: Pastor Jon C. Nelson is a native of Kansas City. He is the founder and Lead pastor of Soma Community Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church in Jefferson City, MO. He is a graduate from Midwestern Baptist Theological College, where he holds a degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Leadership. He is a bold leader and passionate communicator deeply dedicated to the Great Commission of Christ, the equipping of disciples, and the spread of the Gospel across the nation and around the world. Jon has been married to his wife, Heather, since 2004. His greatest joy outside of Jesus is being married to his wife and being a father to their four children. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: SomaJC.orgFREE Digital Bible StudylinkThe Pour OvermembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Sometimes it just comes down to 'being inconvenienced' and just being there for people." — Vera Schmitz Today's Episode: Natalie and Vera are talking about the barriers that keep us from loving people well. Maybe it's time or money or busyness or distance... Whatever it is for you right now, this episode will challenge you to take the next small step to remove the barrier the keeps you from being there for someone. Maybe it's a simple as buying stamps so you you can send them a note. This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16 Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly kit! Support our show: It's really just as simple as leaving us a review! Links from today's show: FREE Digital Bible Studylinkhereteen versionSign up for our emailsSupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"God gets into the specifics of what's going on in our hearts and says, 'this is what's keeping you from fully walking in my love.'" — Jada Edwards Today's Episode: What's hindering your relationship with God? In today's episode, Jada Edwards encourages us to ask God to tell us. She challenges us to ask God to reveal those barriers and to heal whatever shame, pain, sin, or trauma we're holding onto. The hope is that we would grow closer to God, experience more of his love, and in turn love others more deeply and freely. Jada helps us see from her own life and example how this is possible when we ask God to show us our hearts. This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16 Today's guest: Jada Edwards is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and mentor. Studying and teaching the Bible to women is one of her greatest passions, along with discipleship and living on mission. While she is a lively and sought-after speaker, the local church is her home. She and her husband, Conway, planted One Community Church in Plano, TX, where she leads a regular women’s Bible study and serves on the teaching team and as the Creative Services Director. Jada enjoys spending time with Conway and their two children, Joah and Chloe, particularly around the dinner table. Her new book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, will be available nationwide on April 22, 2025. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: JadaEdwards.orgFREE digital Bible studymembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"You don’t have to wait anymore. Your home is here, and he’s welcoming you in. Always. If you’ve never been, or if you've been wandering a while, the door is open. The door is always open. His arms are always open. Always." — Natalie Abbott Today's episode: Are you walking in the love of Jesus? Like really, really? Are you grounded in the full and beautiful, biblical definition of that love? And are you loving others in the same way? These are the questions Natalie Abbott is discussing on today's episode about the love of God for us in Jesus. You won't want to miss it. And you may just want to share it with a friend who needs to hear it too! This month's memory verse: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16 Memorize with us: The Dwell Differently monthly membership is the easy button for Scripture memory. Join us today! Support Our Show: We love hearing what you think and it helps other people find our show. Links from today's show: digital Bible studyDwell on These Things Dwell DifferentlyhereGalatians 5Support the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Christ abiding in us and us abiding in Christ is simultaneously something incredibly mysterious and something incredibly ordinary." — Courtney Doctor Today's episode: Listen in as Courtney Doctor elaborates on the profound mystery of Christ dwelling in us...right alongside the ordinary reality of us spending regular time in his Word. She helps us understand the practical application of this verse, the difference between abiding and striving, and what it looks like to have fruitful lives. This month's memory verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 Today's guest: Courtney Doctor received an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. She is a Bible teacher and author of , From Garden to Glory as well as several Bible studies including Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace, In View of God’s Mercies, and Behold and Believe. Courtney and her husband Craig have four children, five beautiful grandchildren, and a goofy dog named Walter. Support our show: Leave us a comment and a rating! Links from today's show: EASTER SALECourtneymembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Yet there is someone, Jesus, who is offering abundant life and everything you could ever need. Come and drink and be satisfied. He is offering himself as life and power and peace. All you need to do is rest and abide in him." — Vera Schmitz Today's Episode: What does it look like to live a fruitful life? How do we go from feeling all used up and empty to finding joy and peace and energy? That's what sisters, Vera and Natalie are talking about on today's episode. They talk about the pitfalls of trying to do things on our own, the beauty of abundance in Jesus, and even the pain of being pruned by hard situations. We hope you're encouraged by this practical and helpful conversation. This month's memory verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 Memorize Scripture with us: Find out more about the easy button for Scripture memory, Dwell Differently’s monthly kit! Support our show: It's really just as simple as leaving us a review! Links from today's show: EASTER SALEhereteen versionDwell Differently book.Sign up for our emailsSupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"What a miracle that he loves me the way he does, and that I get to love him back. It's just incredible." — Jeannie Cunnion Today's Episode: What happens when you ask God for more...of himself? He gives it! And it is good and vulnerable and beautiful. Want to hear more about it? Listen in to today's conversation with Jeannie Cunnion about her right-now, daily experience of Jesus. You'll be inspired and encouraged to ask God for more of himself too! This month's memory verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 Today's guest: Jeannie Cunnion is a bestselling author and speaker whose most recent books and Bible studies include Closer to God, Mom Set Free, Don't Miss Out, and Never Alone. Her work has been featured on outlets such as the TODAY show, Fox News, CBN, and a host of popular podcasts. Jeannie holds a master's degree in social work, and she is the co-founder of The 509 Foundation. She and her husband, Mike, live in Greenwich, Connecticut, with their five boys. Connect with Jeannie at JeannieCunnion.com. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: JeannieCunnion.comThe Pour OvermembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Even though the Holy Spirit is in us...we can grieve him. We can ignore him. We can go our own way. We can be in sin. We can not listen to the one who is guiding us. We can not choose to follow him." — Natalie Abbott Today's episode: Today Natalie Abbott is talking very practically about what it means to remain in Jesus and for him to remain in us. She answers how it is that Jesus is in us—whether his presence in us is experiential, emotional, symbolic or something more. She also unpacks the two specific ways that believers are to remain in Jesus. Finally, she encourages believers to share the abundant life we receive from Jesus with our friends. This month's memory verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 Memorize with us: The Dwell Differently monthly membership is the easy button for Scripture memory. Join us today! Support Our Show: We love hearing what you think and it helps other people find our show. Links from today's show: Dwell on These ThingsDwell on These Things Dwell DifferentlyhereGalatians 5Support the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

"Shame is an identity statement. It's saying not that I did something bad, but I am bad...And for the believer, that identity claim of shame does not stick. It's not true. By believing Jesus was who he said he was and did what he said he did, that means your identity is a child of God. Full stop." — Daniel Wendt Today's Episode: Natalie is chatting about compassion with her good friend and christian counselor, Daniel Wendt. Daniel shares his own story of grappling with God's goodness and compassion through a life-altering season in his early adulthood. He helps us see how the compassion and forgiveness of God are available to all of us even (and especially) when we mess up and get caught in a cycle of shame. Finally, he unpacks the difference between offering compassion and forgiveness to those who hurt us and fully reconciling with them. It's a super helpful episode, one you won't want to miss! This month's memory verse: "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23 Today's guest: Daniel Wendt is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, helping individuals, couples, and families through his private practice. Additionally, he provides Faith-Integrated Life Coaching virtually for those residing outside of the state. Please reach out to danielwendtinfo@gmail.com if you would like to connect with him. Daniel and his wife Samantha have two children and enjoy camping, hiking, and stressing out together while watching the Philadelphia Eagles play. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review. Links from today's show: danielwendtmft.comdanielwendtcoaching.comThe Pour OvermembershipDwell on These ThingsDwell DifferentlySupport the show Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.