106 - 3 Things I Have Learned From The Changing Podcast
This podcast, first and foremost, is about becoming who we are truly meant to be. No matter what life we are born into, we all have the power to draw closer to God. In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares three key things he has learned from hosting this podcast – they have helped him on his journey and we hope they will help you, too.
This podcast, first and foremost, is about becoming who we are truly meant to be. No matter what life we are born into, we all have the power to draw closer to God. In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares three key things he has learned from hosting this podcast – they have helped him on his journey and we hope they will help you, too.
Everyone Can Change
Some transformations can be dramatic – we hear stories of receiving revelations or miracles as a catalyst for change.
Not all change is that visible, but that doesn’t make it any less important. God frequently comes as the “still, small voice.”
The Power of the Atonement
The atonement is for everyone, whether their sins are large or small. Because of this, everyone will be resurrected.
When you don’t repent or believe in Christ, you damn yourself to be outside the presence of God in the afterlife.
Studying the Word of God Brings Peace
Studying and learning the scriptures brings a certain level of peace to life that we can not reach on our own.
When we take the time to immerse ourselves in the word of God by studying, reading, and discussing, it enriches our lives and improves our relationship with God.
Thank you for listening to the Changing podcast. If you know anyone who could connect with this or any other episode, consider sending it to them. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and would like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
105 - 3 Ways to Make Sure You Have an Eternal Perspective
Getting sucked into material, earthly things happens to us all. You’re not alone if you’ve ever pushed back your church-related activities to take care of work or family. So how do you balance all of the important things in life? In this episode of Changing, your host Donald Kelly gives you three ways to find your eternal perspective so that you can prioritize what truly matters.
Getting sucked into material, earthly things happens to us all. You’re not alone if you’ve ever pushed back your church-related activities to take care of work or family. So how do you balance all of the important things in life? In this episode of Changing, your host Donald Kelly gives you three ways to find your eternal perspective so that you can prioritize what truly matters.
Ask yourself, “Why do I do what I do?”
As you go about your life, do you pray, read scriptures, and attend church because you feel like you have to, or out of a love of God and desire to feel closer to Him?
Remind yourself that God is the one who created everything and He is more important than riches and possessions.
Ask yourself, “How can this help me draw closer to God?”
Use the skills and talents you were given by God and improve on them. You can use your skills to serve God, your family, and others in need.
Find a balance between helping the church, tithing, etc. and spending time with your loved ones and taking care of them.
Habits Matter
Have good habits that bring you closer to Christ, but not everything has to be consumed by church. It’s okay to have fun, as long as the things you do can help you be a stronger disciple of Christ in the long run.
It’s important to be mindful of how we spend our time and what mindset we have. Earthly pursuits fade, but the kingdom of God is eternal.
“We need to be conscious of the things that we’re doing, of the perspectives we have. If we are so consumed only on riches, as [the man in the scripture was], if we are consumed only on basketball, or consumed only on getting buff, or consumed only on videogames or doing crime, we are going to find, in the end, that those things are going to wither away. The body’s going to wither away. Those crimes are going to be gone, and all those riches you gained are going to be gone. But – what’s your relationship like with God? What treasures have you built up, what have you saved in Heaven?” – Donald Kelly
If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
104 - 9 Attributes to Help You Become More Christlike
Following the path of Jesus Christ means many different things to different people, so how do we know what to do when we’re told to “be more Christlike”? In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares nine attributes of Christ with you so that you can incorporate them into your life.
Following the path of Jesus Christ means many different things to different people, so how do we know what to do when we’re told to “be more Christlike”? In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares nine attributes of Christ with you so that you can incorporate them into your life.
Faith in Christ
When you trust and have faith in Christ, you become closer to the spirit, and that gives you the strength to do great things.
Donald shares a story of when his faith and prayer helped him through a challenging housing situation.
Hope
Optimism and perseverance will help you work through all of the difficulties you face.
Hope helps us overcome discouragement and have a positive view of the future.
Love
Just like how Christ helped many people, even those society often would not help, we should develop the kind of love that helps us to serve others.
This kind of love has no strings attached and is not self-centered.
Virtue
A virtuous person will push away thoughts that are not Christlike, even when no one is watching.
Virtuous people obey God’s commandments, follow the advice of Church leaders, pray for help to overcome sinful thoughts, and quickly repent when they do make mistakes.
Knowledge
Study scriptures every day so that you can better understand the word of God.
When you become familiar with the scriptures, you can help teach others about your faith.
Patience
Patience is the ability to do God’s will and accept his timing.
Easier said than done! When you’re feeling the strain of not being happy with the way things are, take a breath, and remember that God’s timing is better than ours.
Humility
Humility is acceptance and acknowledgment of God’s power and love. Being humble is not a sign of weakness – it is a sign of spiritual strength.
Pride is the opposite of humility and is condemned in the scriptures.
Diligence
Steadfast, constant, and earnest effort in doing the Lord’s work.
When you face tough moments, stay strong and keep taking positive action.
Obedience
This means following the calling of God, even if you don’t always understand His reasons.
Through obedience, you achieve freedom in another sense – you gain the capability to do much more.
“This is not a one-and-done thing, it’s an ongoing thing. Be more Christlike. Seek to perfect these attributes in your day-to-day life and, I promise you, you’ll have peace, you’ll have joy, you’ll have happiness.” – Donald Kelly
If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
103 - 5 Ways To Deal With Loss
As we move past the resurrection Sunday, we are reminded of the pain of loss that comes with death. In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares five ways we can cope with the pain of grief and mourning.
As we move past the resurrection Sunday, we are reminded of the pain of loss that comes with death. In this episode, your host Donald Kelly shares five ways we can cope with the pain of grief and mourning.
5 Ways to Deal With Loss
Remember that it’s not the end. We know from John 11:25 that death is a stage of our existence. We live, then we die, but if we have faith in Christ and follow Him, we will join Him in the afterlife.
Read the scriptures. They can help to reassure you when things are difficult, as they have for Donald and members of his family.
Time heals all things. We will always grieve for those who leave us because we love them, but we are separated from them. Over time, you will still feel the pain, but you will find a way to appreciate the happy memories as well.
Be with family and support. If you have friends and family who can share in your grief or support you, reach out to them and support them as well. It is okay to spend some time alone, but do not isolate completely – if you don’t have close family or friends, reach out to members of your church.
Serve others. When we serve, we are doing what Jesus Christ would do. Take time to mourn, but when the time is right, go out and help other people.
“Death is a necessary component of our eternal existence. No one knows when it will come, but it is essential to God’s great plan of happiness. Thanks to the Atonement of the Lord, eventual resurrection is a reality and eternal life is a possibility for all humankind… For sorrowing loved ones left behind… the sting of death is soothed by a steadfast faith in Christ, a perfect brightness of hope, a love of God and of all men, and a deep desire to serve them. That faith, that hope, that love will qualify us to come into God’s holy presence and, with our eternal companions and families, dwell with him forever.” – Russell M. Nelson
Resources
If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
102 - Easter Sunday - Why The Resurrection Is So Important
Happy Easter, listeners! Each year, Easter is an awesome time to celebrate, spend time with friends and loved ones, and enjoy the beginning of longer, warmer days. But we all know there’s so much more to this holiday than chocolate bunnies and hunting for eggs – so what’s it all about? In this episode of Changing, Donald talks with us about the resurrection and its significance on this special day.
Happy Easter, listeners! Each year, Easter is an awesome time to celebrate, spend time with friends and loved ones, and enjoy the beginning of longer, warmer days. But we all know there’s so much more to this holiday than chocolate bunnies and hunting for eggs – so what’s it all about? In this episode of Changing, Donald talks with us about the resurrection and its significance on this special day.
Why Was the Resurrection Necessary?
After Adam and Eve fell from grace, they became spiritually disconnected from God (spiritual death) and became mortal (opportunity for physical death)
Our salvation relies on a sacrifice of atonement, and this was done by Jesus Christ, as he lived without sin
Jesus took on our sins and pled for our forgiveness before being crucified
The Power of the Resurrection
Christ made the promise that he would rise from the tomb, and on Easter Sunday, he was resurrected
At this moment, he showed that when we atone, we can overcome our spiritual death and reconnect with God
We can also overcome sin through our connection with God and face all of our challenges with this to give us strength
Resources
Changing Episode 054 - What Exactly is Easter All About?
Alma 34 (contains a verse read by Donald)
John Chapter 10 (contains a verse read by Donald)
How are you spending your Easter? If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
101 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ
If you or someone you know are going through a difficult time right now, you’re not alone. Whether you’re facing financial struggles, marital issues, workplace challenges, or something completely different, the Lord is always with you. There’s no shame in asking for help, especially from God, who will strengthen you every step of the way.
If you or someone you know are going through a difficult time right now, you’re not alone. Whether you’re facing financial struggles, marital issues, workplace challenges, or something completely different, the Lord is always with you. There’s no shame in asking for help, especially from God, who will strengthen you every step of the way.
How Can the Lord Strengthen Us?
When you face temptation towards sin, know that you won’t ever be given temptation you can not overcome (check out Episode 100 for more on temptation!)
Think of the challenges you face as opportunities to grow.
Miracles will happen if you keep your faith and ask the Lord for guidance.
Remember you’re not alone – facing any challenge by yourself can feel daunting or overwhelming. But in every challenge you face, you have Christ with you.
Donald’s Example of Facing Challenging Circumstances
In the early pandemic, Donald underwent some workplace difficulties
Donald also had a young son, and his wife was not working so she could care for their child
Miracles happened during this time that showed Donald and his family that, through prayer and faith, they would survive and even thrive through their difficult times
“We have the capability or capacity to go through challenging times and be able to rely on the Lord’s help, who can strengthen us through those times.” – Donald Kelly
If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
100 - The Same Besets Me
When you’re faced with temptation over and over, it can make you feel like those temptations have some strength and power over you. While being faced with temptation will push you to choose your faith time and time again, each time you overcome, you grow. In this episode, Donald Kelly talks about facing repetitions of the same temptation, and offers some tips for how you can find strength in those difficult moments.
When you’re faced with temptation over and over, it can make you feel like those temptations have some strength and power over you. While being faced with temptation will push you to choose your faith time and time again, each time you overcome, you grow. In this episode, Donald Kelly talks about facing repetitions of the same temptation, and offers some tips for how you can find strength in those difficult moments.
Why Are We Tempted Repeatedly?
Life is a test. Even if you commit to righteousness, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever be tempted.
Temptation will be targeted toward the weaknesses you have, and this is an opportunity for growth and strength.
Satan wants to bring you down – he has nothing to lose and wants to see you fail.
How Can You Defeat Temptation?
Choose to be in situations where you won’t be tempted.
The longer you entertain the temptation, the harder it is to resist. The less you think about it, the easier it will be to say ‘no’.
You will only be faced with temptations you can withstand. You can handle it – call upon God with prayer or hymn if you’re struggling.
What acts of service have you been a part of lately? If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
099 - A Story of Service
Acts of service help bring us closer to God. Through selfless acts of kindness and care, we become more Christ-like in our ways and help those around us feel the power of God. Not only that, but when we serve God’s children, we serve God as well. In this episode, Donald shares a story about a time when he participated in an act of service with his congregation.
Acts of service help bring us closer to God. Through selfless acts of kindness and care, we become more Christ-like in our ways and help those around us feel the power of God. Not only that, but when we serve God’s children, we serve God as well. In this episode, Donald shares a story about a time when he participated in an act of service with his congregation.
Serving Dixie Brown and the Florida Keys
In 2017, Hurricane Irma hit the Keys in South Florida, destroying the homes of many communities
His team received a work order to help a community member named Dixie Brown, and he selflessly sent the crew to support his neighbor, who had a tree fall on her house
Years later, Donald’s son found a video of Dixie Brown on Donald’s phone, which inspired Donald to check in on Dixie Brown
Through this act of service, a deeper human connection was built and can continue to provide support through the years
“If we are helping God’s children… we are going to have the Spirit be with us. It’s not for self-aggrandizement or self-accolade, we’re doing it because we really care and we want to help other people, and the Spirit of the Lord is able to be present.” - Donald Kelly
What acts of service have you been a part of lately? If you know someone who could connect with this message, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
098 - Take Up Thy Bed and Walk
In this episode, Donald takes us through the miracle when Jesus healed a man suffering from palsy (Mark 2:1). You’ll hear how Jesus cured this man of his affliction, and how it was the faith of the man and his community that helped get him there. Just like the man whose illness was cured, face your challenges with strength and faith, and surround yourself with folks who will support you.
In this episode, Donald takes us through the miracle when Jesus healed a man suffering from palsy (Mark 2:1). You’ll hear how Jesus cured this man of his affliction, and how it was the faith of the man and his community that helped get him there. Just like the man whose illness was cured, face your challenges with strength and faith, and surround yourself with folks who will support you.
How Can We Apply This to Our Lives?
When faced with challenges in life, instead of wallowing in how you feel about them, embrace them as faith-building situations
Surround yourself with family, friends, or a community who can support you through difficult times
Unwavering faith in Jesus Christ will help get through tough situations, and could also help you see miracles happen in your life as well
“Take this moment you’ve had, don’t be disgruntled, don’t be upset about it. Take those as learning experiences, and experience this miracle. Go forward with faith.” -Donald Kelly
Do you know someone who is experiencing a faith-building situation? Send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe – it may be just what they need. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
097 - What Exactly Are Alms?
One of the most powerful things we can do as humans on this earth is to show love and compassion to the people around us through our actions. When we have blessings in our lives, nothing can bring us closer to God than to share those blessings with those who are experiencing times of need. In this episode, Donald gets into how to properly give alms without being self-interested and offers some ideas on how you can show love in your community.
One of the most powerful things we can do as humans on this earth is to show love and compassion to the people around us through our actions. When we have blessings in our lives, nothing can bring us closer to God than to share those blessings with those who are experiencing times of need. In this episode, Donald gets into how to properly give alms without being self-interested and offers some ideas on how you can show love in your community.
What does it mean to “give alms”?
Historically, this has meant giving money or food to poor people.
Now, we use it to mean charitable giving and any other way we offer assistance to anyone in need
This is NOT the same as doing things out of obligation, or for attention!
Tithing and giving alms are not exactly the same, but both are ways people give through their Church
This is an opportunity to share the blessings you have received in life with people who have less, and focus on the care and love you can offer rather than what you’ll get out of it
Ideas for alms-giving
Donate to an organization that offers housing or food to people experiencing poverty
Work with local aid groups to get donations of the kinds of goods people in your area need - this can vary based on the season, so reach out to folks in the know
Offer your time as a volunteer at a nonprofit
Talk to a friend, coworker or family member who is going through a hard time and just needs someone to listen
We hope you got some ideas on how you can practice some alms-giving today! If you and someone you know are working on giving alms together, send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
096 - 7 Phrases You Must Eliminate from Your Vocabulary
There are times in life when we stumble, and mistakes are sometimes made. How you respond to your wrongdoings is part of what defines your character - if your response to committing a sin is on this list, you’re not going to take steps to improve yourself. In this episode, Donald lays out seven phrases that won’t help your spiritual growth, and why you should leave them behind.
There are times in life when we stumble, and mistakes are sometimes made. How you respond to your wrongdoings is part of what defines your character - if your response to committing a sin is on this list, you’re not going to take steps to improve yourself. In this episode, Donald lays out seven phrases that won’t help your spiritual growth, and why you should leave them behind.
“The Devil made me do it.” The Devil can not force you to do something, or not do something. He may try to manipulate you, but only you are responsible for your actions. This statement gives your power away and hands it to the Devil.
“It’s just a small sin.” People will use language like this to justify doing the same wrong thing over and over again until they become desensitized to the wrongdoing. No matter how ‘small’ one action may be, it’s still a sin, and when repeated, can have a big impact.
“God knows my heart.” Even though this is true, humans may not! Your actions are what other people know about you, and if you aren’t trying to live as a student of God, that does not reflect well upon you and it can cause harm to others. Ask yourself, “Am I demonstrating that I love God by my action?”
“At least I’m not doing _____.” This phrase, in effect, is justifying your behavior by saying it’s not as bad as something else you could be doing. In this phrase, you’re admitting that you know you’re doing something wrong. If you are aware of this, you have a responsibility not to do it.
“I’ll repent later.” The idea that someone can just sin whenever and as much as they want because they plan to repent is disrespectful of the concept of atonement. If you have sinned before you knew better, repent, and don’t do it in the future.
“_____ was a good person, and they do (sin).” You don’t have any control over the actions other people take, and only you will answer for the things you do.
“I’m only human, and I make mistakes.” As humans, we have to take ownership of our agency and our actions. We should try, every day, to become closer to God, and phrases like this make it seem as though, no matter what you do, you will never improve. This takes away your motivation to work towards your spiritual growth.
“Change the way that you think. Think about yourself as a son, or a daughter, of God, and that you are capable of doing amazing things.” - Donald Kelly
Have you ever said any of the statements on this list? We get it - when you know better, you do better. Maybe you know someone who is trying to “do better” as well - send them this episode and encourage them to subscribe. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
095 - 3 Ways to Engage Children in Scripture Study
Helping our children connect with the gospel is one of our most important jobs as parents. So what holds us back? Maybe the idea sounds good to you, but you haven’t been able to put it into practice yet. Maybe you’re waiting for that perfect evening when everything aligns to give you the opportunity, and that never seems to come. Maybe you’re not sure how to help your children understand how important the scripture is to you. Whatever the reason, let this episode be what helps you get Family Bible Study started in your home.
Helping our children connect with the gospel is one of our most important jobs as parents. So what holds us back? Maybe the idea sounds good to you, but you haven’t been able to put it into practice yet. Maybe you’re waiting for that perfect evening when everything aligns to give you the opportunity, and that never seems to come. Maybe you’re not sure how to help your children understand how important the scripture is to you. Whatever the reason, let this episode be what helps you get Family Bible Study started in your home.
Donald’s 3 Tips for an Engaging Family Scripture Study
Be consistent. Find a day and time of the week that works for all members of your household, and stick to it. While you may have to make some sacrifices, remember that this is an opportunity to connect with each other and the Lord. If you approach it with gratitude and joy, your family will learn from this (and, as Donald says, “If you treat it like a chore, they’re going to think it’s a chore”).
Get everyone involved. Offer your children the opportunity to participate in the lessons. Older kids may have topics they want to cover as they navigate new challenges in their lives. Giving them a chance to be involved in deciding on the content may also give you some insight into the things they are going through, so you know how to show up and support them. Even the little ones can be given responsibilities - Donald gives a few examples from his family.
Use pictures for the younger kids. In this section, Donald brings in a “young expert” who uses paper cutouts with pictures on them to act out the stories in the Bible. You can hear how engaged he is, and how he remembers the story, as young as he is! The important thing here is to help your child be an active part of the process so that he or she engages, rather than just sitting and listening passively.
“The fact that they’re engaged, that they’re involved, helps them to build a relationship with God. And also helps them to be able to consistently participate in this activity, which then leads to them building long-lasting habits way after they leave the house. - Donald Kelly
We hope this episode inspires you to start a new routine for your family that will set them up with great habits they can continue as they get older. You might know a parent who would benefit from this message, too - consider sending them this episode and subscribing to this podcast. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
094 - 5 Ways To Overcome Temptation and Avoid Sin
Even the most devoutly spiritual people among us face temptation. But temptation is not just something to be feared - it can be an opportunity to become stronger if we know how to handle it. In this episode, Donald gives you five tips for overcoming temptation so that you can feel prepared and empowered when you find yourself in a compromising situation, and avoid sin.
Even the most devoutly spiritual people among us face temptation. But temptation is not just something to be feared - it can be an opportunity to become stronger if we know how to handle it. In this episode, Donald gives you five tips for overcoming temptation so that you can feel prepared and empowered when you find yourself in a compromising situation, and avoid sin.
Pray. When you feel that temptation coming on, ask for guidance and strength to be able to withstand it. You may feel like you aren’t able to handle the temptations you face alone, so call on God first and foremost.
Make the decision before a situation occurs. If you know you might enter a situation where temptation will be present, know how you will handle it before that situation begins. If you make that decision in advance, it’s much easier to stick to it than if you just try to face it in the moment.
Sing a hymn. If you’re starting to feel tempted to sin, one way to gain back your spiritual strength is to sing. Choose a favorite hymn, whether it’s one from childhood or something you still sing today.
Manage your thoughts. Adjust your thought patterns before they lead to actions. Notice where your thoughts go when they wander, or when you are put into unpleasant situations. When you catch yourself having those thoughts, make a decision to remove them. Stop sinful thoughts in their tracks.
Call someone, or go do something. If you have a strong desire to do something that goes against your beliefs, reach out to someone supportive. You don’t necessarily need to tell them exactly what is going on, but just reaching out to an ally can put you back into a better, safer headspace.
“No matter who you are, no matter what background you come from, no matter how spiritual or how righteous you feel you are, everyone receives temptation.” - Donald Kelly
If you know someone else who struggles with temptation (and we all do), consider sending them this episode and subscribing to this podcast. If you liked what you heard, leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
093 - Personal Revelation
In this episode, Donald dives into the topic of personal revelation. We are reminded that revelation is not only for prophets and apostles but for everyone. It is the inspiration we individually receive from God to help us on our way. It may come in different forms, and as Donald’s guests this week show us, sometimes all we must do is ask. It is then up to us to heed the word of God and let this guide us in our lives.
In this episode, Donald dives into the topic of personal revelation. We are reminded that revelation is not only for prophets and apostles but for everyone. It is the inspiration we individually receive from God to help us on our way. It may come in different forms, and as Donald’s guests this week show us, sometimes all we must do is ask. It is then up to us to heed the word of God and let this guide us in our lives.
Sister Sims: She received a revelation that helped her through difficult times to discover a better life for herself and her children.
Elder Bell: Through prayer and fasting, he received a message about someone with whom he could share the gospel.
Sister Pratt: After being baptized, the Lord spoke to her, and she heeded the message to help someone in need.
Elder Dorsey: Thanks to guidance from his bishop and his trust in God, he received a revelation to help him choose his path in life.
You’ll hear from all four of these guests in this episode. The Lord spoke to all of them individually, and He will speak to you as well.
“The Lord can guide you, and will guide you. But are you willing to heed and to follow Him?” - Donald Kelly
If you feel a connection to the topic of personal revelation, consider subscribing to this podcast and sharing it with someone who also may connect with it. Leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
092 - 7 Ways To Help New Member Stay On The Path
In this episode, Donald gives us guidance on how we can support new members who are in transition on the path to God. Whether they are just switching churches or leaving behind a harmful lifestyle, all new members need to feel welcome. You’ll hear 7 methods you can use to help shepherd new members along their journey.
In this episode, Donald gives us guidance on how we can support new members who are in transition on the path to God. Whether they are just switching churches or leaving behind a harmful lifestyle, all new members need to feel welcome. You’ll hear 7 methods you can use to help shepherd new members along their journey.
Be present - make yourself available to new folks. This transition will be challenging for them! Even those who aren’t in a position of leadership have a responsibility to welcome them in.
Help them understand the language - try not to assume they know all the terms. They may be brand new to church in general, or even if they’ve been to another church before, you might use some terms slightly differently.
Show them around - it’s a way to connect and make them feel more at home. If they know the lay of the land, they’ll feel more comfortable.
Know they’re scared too - It’s normal not to know how to approach someone if they look or act a little different than you’re used to. Remember, they’re trying to change for the better, and you were new once, too.
Give them responsibility - let them contribute to the community. Get to know their talents and skills. They may be able to support the church and begin to feel like a part of something bigger.
Nourish them with the Good Word of God - They may have never read the Bible or only certain parts. It can be overwhelming at first. Study with them at their pace.
Be a friend - don’t judge them before you have a chance to get to know them better. Extend your hand - invite them to dinner, introduce them to others, and help them understand that you care and are there to support them and walk the path with them.
“The Lord may be able to call on you to help some of these new members in your church to stay active.” - Donald Kelly
If this episode of Changing inspires you to reach out to the new members of your congregation, let us know how it goes. Leave us a rating or review on iTunes. If you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter or Instagram.
091 - I Left the Church but Christ Brought Me Back
God is our shepherd; Even when we lose our way, He can herd us back. In today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly meets with Cristina Cano to talk about how she lost her way, but returned to Christ.
God is our shepherd; Even when we lose our way, He can herd us back. In today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly meets with Cristina Cano to talk about how she lost her way, but returned to Christ.
Cristina’s Story
Cano grew up in a Christian family and went to church with her parents regularly. However, when she was almost 16, she began to doubt God’s existence.
What officially made her break away from the church, however, was a particular lesson she was taught one day. Specifically, Cano’s pastor told her that women are to be submissive to men, per traditional teachings.
After leaving that service, Cano told her parents that she wasn’t going back to church. Her parents, having raised her to question EVERYTHING, simply stepped back and didn’t force her to go to church or be a Christian.
For about two years, until the time she was nearly 19, Cano left the church and never returned. During that time, her family respected her decision and left it as is.
During The Break
During that two year gap, Cano didn’t do anything AGAINST the gospel.
Cano also didn’t feel free during the break. She found the church to be a source of pain that she freed herself FROM, but it didn’t translate to her feeling any more free.
Returning to Christ
Cano’s return to the gospel began when she was lying on her bed one day. As she laid there, she heard a voice say “I love you”, that she instantly recognized as the Lord’s voice.
After hearing that voice, Cano decided to visit the church one more time. One of the elders who was preaching had given up playing football at a college level to become an elder in the church. Cano began to wonder why someone would give up that life, and as a result, decided to read the Book of Mormon.
As she read through the book, she read with purpose and sought to answer some questions she had, and all of her questions were answered as she read. After she read about halfway through the book, Cano stopped and prayed.
As she was praying, asking God if the book was true, she felt incredible WARMTH and LOVE. Arms wrapped around her and she heard “Welcome home.”
From this return to Christ, Cano began to work as a missionary for the church and spread the loving word of God.
If you want to learn more about Cristina Cano, or her work as a missionary, you can connect with her on Facebook. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.
090 - How Do I See Others as Jesus Would?
We’ve all received that mandate from Jesus Christ that we need to see others as He would. However, many of us struggle to see others as He would. In today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly meets with Jon Diaz to discuss how we can see others as Christ would.
We’ve all received that mandate from Jesus Christ that we need to see others as He would. However, many of us struggle to see others as He would. In today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly meets with Jon Diaz to discuss how we can see others as Christ would.
Jon’s Background
Jon and Donald both grew up together in southern Florida, and would go to church together when they were younger.
They both went to the same college in Idaho, and drove together from Florida to Idaho. After arriving in the state, they ended up being roommates in Donald’s apartment.
Jon worked at a few different universities as an educator, but currently works at a high school in Utah as a psychology teacher.
Seeing Others as Christ Would
Too often, we view life as very black and white. We think of OURSELVES as protagonists and as heroes. Everyone else, meanwhile, is just a side character or even antagonist. Obviously, Jesus wouldn’t view others this way.
There’s a term in psychology called situational attribution. What it means is viewing a person’s attributes through the lens of their SITUATION. One example Jon gives is a student turning in papers late. Instead of thinking the student is lazy, think about the circumstances. This leads us to view people more empathically, as Christ would want.
You have to understand WHERE people are coming from and think of whatever situation they’re in. Empathy stems from this and allows us to view others as Christ would.
Jesus knows ALL of us completely. He knows all of our individual circumstances and situations. We, however, don’t know everyone else’s circumstances. So try and understand! One student Jon had to deal with would constantly disrupt class. One day, Jon took him outside and asked if he was okay, and learned that the student’s home life wasn’t great. After telling the student that he DID care, that student stopped acting out.
The Key Takeaways
Focus on the basics of your relationship with God and Jesus. Jon notices that when he does his prayers and scripture studies, he’s FAR better at seeing others as Christ would. When you feel better, you treat others better.
Try and see things from the perspective of others.
You can connect with Jon through his email, jondiazsj@gmail.com. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.
089 - A Spiritually Deflating Practice You Should Leave in 2022
Our spirituality is something we should all strive to protect and grow. In today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly goes over a spiritually harmful practice you should leave in the past year.
Our spirituality is something we should all strive to protect and grow. In today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly goes over a spiritually harmful practice you should leave in the past year.
The Deflating Practice
In the Book of Malachi, after Moses had left to receive the Ten Commandments, the children of Israel ran into an issue. They became too casual with their covenants.
Essentially, the children of Israel became FAR too lax with their promises to God. They began worshiping false idols and living a life that He didn’t want them to live.
In the modern day, the issue with this is just how SLIPPERY that slope is. You begin to justify ungodly actions and immoral behavior. Sure, you might not be committing some of the deadly sins, but you STILL commit sin and justify it.
All this does is distance you from God and deflate your spirituality, and connection with Him.
Avoiding Deflation
Donald is doing a few things to avoid this pitfall. Specifically, just as pure lambs were offered to the Lord, Donald is offering Him some high quality things.
The first thing that Donald is offering God is time. In the morning, instead of looking at his phone, Donald instead gives THANKS to God for everything the Lord has offered. He’ll also perform his scripture studies in the morning.
The second thing that Donald offers is worship. When you’re at church, give God ALL of your attention and praise. Don’t let yourself be distracted on your phone or let your mind wander to unimportant things. Again, give Him high quality and pure offerings.
The final thing that Donald is offering is tithes. When he offers his tithes to God, he focuses on not doing so grudgingly or reluctantly, but doing so as a pure offering to the Lord.
If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at donaldckelly09@gmail.com, or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.
088 - How Christians Around The World Celebrate Christmas
Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are a lot of different traditions across the globe. Traditions and customs may vary but they all center on Jesus Christ. In this episode we're going to highlight some of those traditions.
Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are a lot of different traditions across the globe. Traditions and customs may vary but they all center on Jesus Christ. In this episode we're going to highlight some of those traditions.
Around the globe traditions
History of the advent calendar. It started in Germany.
Columbians honor Mary in early December by sharing light. Light in their house, lanterns, etc.
Jamaicans love to light fireworks to celebrate.
In Ethiopia they celebrate in January by dressing up as Wise Men.
Rome launched the Midnight Mass with a dawn gathering in Israel.
At sunset on December 7th, Guatemalans cleanse by burning the bad.
United States, caroling on Christmas Eve is popular.
Many countries throughout the world read the Christmas Story in Luke.
“I’m thankful for the life and mission of Jesus Christ.” – Donald Kelly
Check out: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/christmas-traditions-from-around-the-world
Share your traditions and connect with Donald at DonaldCKelly09@gmail.com;
087 - Trusting In The Lord During Challenging Times
Donald’s guest today is Kurt Francom, host of the podcast Leading Saints. A show where he speaks with other leaders about leadership concepts in the context of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Donald’s guest today is Kurt Francom, host of the podcast Leading Saints. A show where he speaks with other leaders about leadership concepts in the context of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In today’s episode, Kurt talks about how his son’s disease changed his perspective on how he gives it all to the Lord, wholeheartedly, and trusted the Lord with his son’s healing.
How to change our perspective of “I can fix it” to handing it over to the Lord:
Giving it all to the Lord, every single day of the week and not just on some days
Trust in the Lord’s plan for your specifically because his plan is far better than we could ever imagine
Naturally, once you give it all to God you will be like him, love like him, and accept others like him
After his son’s continual trial Kurt has learned that it’s okay to hand it all over to Jesus Christ. That's what he wants us to do, and that is why he is inserting himself into our lives. He wants to take the heaviness of it all and be there with you through every step.
“You don't understand how sweet something could be without tasting how bitter things can be.” - Kurt
Episode resources:
Visit Kurt’s website www.leadingsaints.org.
Listen to his podcast Leading Saints.
If this podcast speaks to you or helps you on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at donaldckelly09@gmail.com.