"So these became for me my rule of life: I'm going to do Scripture before phone. I'm going to do at least one communal meal a day. I'm going to turn my phone off for at least one hour each evening. And these were counter-liturgies to the habits I already had."

Today's Episode: Listen in as Natalie talks all things "habits" with author and expert, Justin Whitlmel Earley. He tells us that we don't stop bad habits, but replace them with better habits. He calls our attention to all of the bells and dings we respond to throughout our days and asks us to create our own intentional "counter-habits" of bells and dings. He speaks with practicality and compassion about our calling as believers to live out the faith we say we believe by creating habits that will keep us on the right path. It's a compelling, super-helpful conversation—one that will have you putting Justin's books on your reading list this year.

This month's memory verse: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Phil 3:14

Today's guest: Justin Whitmel Earley is a lawyer, author and speaker from Richmond, VA. Most of all, he is a husband to Lauren and a father to his four sons – Whit, Asher, Coulter and Shep. But he also graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English Literature before spending four years in Shanghai, China, teaching and writing. Justin got his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and he now runs his own business law practice under the Earley Business Legal (www.earleybusinesslegal.com). His books include, The Common Rule – Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction, Habits of the Household – Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms, and Made for People – Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship.

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Links from today's show:

• Learn more about Justin at www.justinwhitmelearley.com.
• Memorize and meditate on God's Word in 2025 with a Dwell Differently membership. Sign up by the end of January and still get January's verse kit sent to you.
• 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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Follow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.