Changing

As fellow Christians, we are all in the process of "changing" to become more like Jesus Christ! On each episode, you will hear remarkable stories of everyday people like you and me who are overcoming the difficulties of the world on their personal journey back to Christ. Subscribe today and join us.

3 Things I Have Learned From The Changing Podcast | Donald Kelly - 106 05/21/2023

3 Ways to Make Sure You Have an Eternal Perspective | Donald Kelly - 105 05/14/2023

3 Ways to Make Sure You Have an Eternal Perspective | Donald Kelly - 105 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 . If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail , or find him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/26816766

9 Attributes to Help You Become More Christlike | Donald Kelly - 104 05/07/2023

9 Attributes to Help You Become More Christlike | Donald Kelly - 104 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 . If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail , or find him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/26692386

5 Ways To Deal With Loss | Donald Kelly - 103 04/30/2023

5 Ways To Deal With Loss | Donald Kelly - 103 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 . If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail , or find him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/26621730

Easter Sunday - Why The Resurrection Is So Important | Donald Kelly - 102 04/09/2023

I Can Do All Things Through Christ | Donald Kelly - 101 03/27/2023

The Same Besets Me | Donald Kelly - 100 03/19/2023

A Story of Service | Donald Kelly - 099 03/13/2023

Take Up Thy Bed and Walk | Donald Kelly - 098 03/05/2023

What Exactly Are Alms? | Donald Kelly - 097 02/27/2023

7 Phrases You Must Eliminate from Your Vocabulary | Donald Kelly - 096 02/19/2023

7 Phrases You Must Eliminate from Your Vocabulary | Donald Kelly - 096 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 . If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail , or find him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/25921935

3 Ways to Engage Children in Scripture Study | Donald Kelly - 095 02/12/2023

3 Ways to Engage Children in Scripture Study | Donald Kelly - 095 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 . If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail , or find him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/25900782

5 Ways To Overcome Temptation and Avoid Sin | Donald Kelly - 094 02/06/2023

5 Ways To Overcome Temptation and Avoid Sin | Donald Kelly - 094 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. 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 . If you need someone to talk to and you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail [email protected], or find him on or . “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 /episode/index/show/changing/id/25838829

Personal Revelation | Donald Kelly (Feat. Various Special Guests) - 093 01/29/2023

7 Ways To Help New Members Stay On The Path | Donald Kelly - 092 01/22/2023

7 Ways To Help New Members Stay On The Path | Donald Kelly - 092 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 . If you’d like to reach out to Donald, e-mail , or find him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/25692792

I Left the Church but Christ Brought Me Back | Cristina Cano - 091 01/15/2023

I Left the Church but Christ Brought Me Back | Cristina Cano - 091 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 . Share your testimony or contact Donald at , or contact him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/25593195

How Do I See Others as Jesus Would? | Jonathan Diaz - 090 01/08/2023

How Do I See Others as Jesus Would? | Jonathan Diaz - 090 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, [email protected]. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a . Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/25533507

A Spiritually Deflating Practice You Should Leave in 2022 | Donald Kelly - 089 01/01/2023

A Spiritually Deflating Practice You Should Leave in 2022 | Donald Kelly - 089 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 . Share your testimony or contact Donald at , or contact him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/25477047

How Christians Around The World Celebrate Christmas | Donald Kelly - 088 12/25/2022

Trusting In The Lord During Challenging Times | Kurt Francom - 087 12/18/2022

The Lord Took My Weakness And Turned It Into A Blessing | Ashley Winston - 086 12/12/2022

Why We Should Give Thanks All Year Round | Donald Kelly - 085 11/28/2022

Are The Commandments a Burden? | Donald Kelly - 084 11/21/2022

Why Do All The Apostles Have European Sounding Names? | Donald Kelly - 083 11/14/2022

Rebuilding My Relationship With God | Ericka Eller - 082 11/07/2022

Be Slow To Anger | Donald Kelly - 081 10/24/2022

I Need To Be A Better Friend | Noah Forero - 080 10/16/2022

Christ Can Calm The Storms In Our Family | Donald Kelly - 079 10/09/2022

My Music Was Drowning Out The Spirit | Will Perez - 078 10/03/2022

My Music Was Drowning Out The Spirit | Will Perez - 078 Have you ever had a defining moment in your life that has brought you closer to Christ? In today’s episode of Changing, Donald talks with Will Perez about a defining moment that changed his life. Will is a father of 5 and a religious educator who is currently a PhD student studying religious history. What is a defining moment? Will says a defining moment is when your back is against the wall and you have to make a choice that will impact the trajectory of your life. It’s an opportunity to grow and become the person you want to be. What was Will's defining moment? When he was a teenager he butted heads with his parents and he was acting out. His parents were not happy with the music he was listening to. Will later had an experience where he felt what he would describe as the Holy Ghost. He realized that the entertainment he was consuming was drowning out “the still small voice”. Will decided that he wanted the spirit in his life, so he threw away his CD’s and changed his actions. What in particular helped Will make the change? He made some friends at a church youth camp, and these people helped him see that he could still be happy without his music. Little by little he let go of his “baggage” and things started to change. How has Will’s life changed since then? That decision has made other positive decisions easier throughout his life. He feels that the Lord has been generous with him as he takes steps to draw closer to Him. Sometimes it's a big defining moment that gives you momentum to keep moving forward. Will’s advice for individuals who are struggling Ask yourself: What do I need to stop doing and what do I need to start doing? He knows that Jesus Christ heals and can repair anything that is broken. To connect with Will and get more information, find him on and . Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a . Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on or . /episode/index/show/changing/id/24574116

Three Ways To Fight Against Evilness As Your Are Changing | Donald Kelly - 077 09/26/2022

Changing

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