"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.

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Links from today's show: 

• Find out more about Jon or listen to his sermons at SomaJC.org.
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• Memorize and meditate on God's Word with a Dwell Differently membership. 
• Dig even deeper into God's Word (and memorize it!) in Natalie and Vera's new Bible study, Dwell on These Things and book, Dwell Differently. 

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