We’re not always at our strongest, but through our faith, it’s something we can fortify and improve. In today’s episode of Changing, Donald discusses the importance of faith and how we, as followers of God, should be willing to overcome obstacles through our faith. Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son.  In Genesis 22, Abraham leads his son, Isaac, up the mountain to sacrifice him. This experience is profoundly sad, but Abraham knew God would not lead him wrong. Not only did Abraham have to trust God, but Isaac had to trust Abraham. Everyone knew the other was doing the right thing.  While we aren’t asked to sacrifice children, we make sacrifices every day, from our money and time to our food and willpower. Frequently, we don’t act like Abraham. We all have times when we feel our sacrifice is too great.  Donald remembers questioning how he’d be able to afford his new rent payment when he moved to a new office building.  However, he realized if he stepped foot in the dark, the Lord would provide the opportunity he needed. Think about how many people the Lord has helped throughout the bible. If he did that for them, he would do those for you. If you don’t have sufficient faith to do something, pray. Pray to the Lord for strength to go up the mountain and do what you need. Whatever situation you’re in, the Lord will provide. He’ll provide what you need if you have faith in him. 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 [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

Temples are not new - they’re holy places to separate our faith from the cares and concerns of the everyday world. In today’s episode of Changing, Donald is joined by the owner of Flood Me Social (a Tik Tok influencer marketing firm), Michael Manzur, to discuss his trips, travels, and perspective behind the importance of temples. The beauty and nature of why we go to temples are essential. Temples are a representation of a holy place. Regardless of religion, there are places you can go to grow in your spiritual journey.  They’re a place for solitude and reflection, and they’re tremendously crucial to every religion. What happens inside temples? Because they are holy places, many obtain a temple recommend before entering. It’s a series of questions by a faith leader, where they ask questions pertaining to your faith.  As you enter the temple, you leave the world behind. You enter to learn and to serve.  Depending on your faith, there are baptisms and areas for reflection.  Temples aren’t always secret; they’re sacred. Many temples have open houses, inviting people outside the faith to enjoy the decor, atmosphere, and history that makes the temple special. CNN did a special feature showing the inside of an LDS Church; click here to watch it. At temples, you can take your burdens to God. You don’t have to be a faith member to get value and peace from these special places. For more content from Michael, find him on YouTube, Tik Tok, and Instagram. Temples are a symbol of our faith, and it’s important we recognize their importance for any religious community. 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 [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

Delegation is vital to help other people grow and improve (as well as help ourselves when we’re overloaded.) In today’s episode of Changing, Donald explains how to delegate church responsibilities better. For more context, check out our prior episode discussing the importance of humility. Here’s what many people skip when it comes to delegating: Exodus 18:20 - And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and thou shalt show them the way they must walk and the work they must do. If you’re delegating a task, you need to provide the vision, idea, and direction of what you want out of the task. You can’t give a task without providing clear instruction, just like you can’t pull a stranger off the street and expect them to know how to handle your job. You have people willing to help you out like Moses had people helping him. If someone is able and willing to help you, do not be afraid to teach them and show them what’s right to get the job done. There is nothing wrong with asking for help, including church activities.  Everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow alongside God. Be the catalyst that helps people take that next step. 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 [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

There are things about Moses we often overlook. And in today’s episode of Changing, our host Donald Kelly goes through his life. In this first part of a two-part discussion, Donald looks at what we can learn from Moses and how living a humble life kept him a devoted servant of the Lord. The Lord can use us despite our shortcomings. God already knows all our weaknesses and flaws. So if he calls on us to do something, it’s because he knows we can overcome the obstacles and fulfill his calling. Moses wasn’t as good a speaker as his brother, yet the Lord chose him to lead his people out of Egypt. That wasn’t by accident. Despite becoming the leader of millions, Moses remained humble. In Exodus 18:12, Jethro taught Moses the importance of delegation of responsibility. Moses had just brought millions of people across the Red Sea and now was being advised by an ordinary man. Rather than dismissing his ideas, Moses was humble enough to listen to Jethro. In doing so, he became a better student of the Lord. Jethro wasn’t sharing his ideas for his own ego; he did it to better help Moses to lead. In our lives, many people will give us guidance. While we don’t always have to obey the ideas they share, listening to their opinions and leaving our egos behind can help us improve. Take council as you would take something from a grocery store. You look at everything, consider everything, but only take what you want.   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 [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

Happy Easter from Changing! Easter is a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Christians around the world come together to celebrate. (For the history of the holiday, check out our previous episode!) Easter is a powerful holiday with a powerful message, and the meaning behind it shouldn’t be limited to one day. In today’s podcast, Donald discusses five ways to celebrate Easter all year long! Dedicate your life to Christ. A church leader told Donald, “the only thing we can give to Christ is our will.” Christ gave up everything for us to have eternal life.  When Donald prepared for his two-year mission, he changed the books, the music, and the people he surrounded himself with to better reflect Jesus.  Look at your day-to-day life. Are these things conducive to you being a better Christian? Take part in family history. Family history is an opportunity to learn both about yourself and your ancestors. When you can connect with the people before you, you get the chance to see the qualities of the people that ultimately shaped you. Christ’s resurrection gave us the chance to have a physical body again, meaning you’ll get the opportunity to see these folks again. Teach someone else about Jesus Christ. The idea of Easter is that the apostles spread the message of Christ’s resurrection. How many times do we share that message today? God encourages us to spread the gospel and his message, yet many of us fail to do this as frequently as we should. Watch a movie or listen to music that carries Easter’s message. Media focused on the story of God, Christ’s resurrection, or just God’s message are great sources to allow God to have a part in every aspect of your life. Attend church each week. We go to church so we can learn and become better.  If once each week sounds like too heavy of a commitment, start with once a month. Simply begin making an effort to improve your relationship with God, and the personal change will come with time.  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 [email protected].

Easter is one of the most important holidays of Christianity. But what happened that made it the holiday today, with the eggs and bunnies? In today’s episode of Changing, Donald dives into the holiday history, helping us realize why Easter is so important and why we celebrate it the way we do.  Easter is the Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Following his resurrection, Jesus presented himself in front of Mary Magdalene and other disciples. In Luke 24:39, Christ showed them that Jesus was real and that he took upon our sins so we could be cleansed from our mistakes. While Easter was celebrated after that point, it didn’t have the moniker we know today. Why doesn’t Easter have a set day each year? Easter Sunday (and related celebrations like Ash Wednesday) are not on a specific date. Typically, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. One theory states that this ties back to light, because the full moon's light symbolizes Jesus’s light of the world. Another theory considers the Council of Nicaea. At this point in history, different parts of the world used various calendars, with some using the Gregorian and some using the Julian calendar. This could have affected the dates of the celebration. Common Easter traditions: A series of Easter events begins with Lent, a 40-day fast. A holy week, including Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, (the celebration of the last supper), Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, occurs throughout the holiday. For Donald, Jamaica’s heavy British influence meant he celebrated eating Easter Bun, which is essentially a fruitcake. The earliest reported observance was in the 2nd century. We assume people did before that, but there’s little documentation. The name Easter ties to the Spring goddess Eostre. While Christians recognized Easter as a Christian celebration, they continued to use the name to designate the holiday as a Springtime celebration. Historians don’t know why the tradition of eggs and bunnies started, but it began with German immigrants in the 1700s.  Rabbits are enthusiastic procreators. So, baby bunnies became associated with birth and renewal. Eggs, in certain cultures, are associated with fertility and rebirth. There’s not anything explicitly stating why these associations made their way into Easter celebrations.  Episode Sources: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/easter?lang=eng https://www.rd.com/article/easter-on-different-sunday-every-year/https://www.rd.com/article/easter-on-different-sunday-every-year/ https://www.google.com/search?q=Easter+banners&oq=Easter+banners&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i131i433i512l4j69i60l3.2728j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter https://theconversation.com/why-easter-is-called-easter-and-other-little-known-facts-about-the-holiday-75025 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 [email protected].

In today’s episode of Changing, Donald is joined by his spiritual mentor and friend, Randy Wilburn. As a child of Christ, Randy has seen firsthand the power and freedom that comes when we open our hearts to God. And in today’s episode, he shares some of that he’s learned over time. God is with us through all our trials and tribulations. Even figures like Joseph had many obstacles to overcome. But, the Bible is quick to remind us that God is always with him. We don’t go through challenges alone; God is always there. And remaining focused on Him allows us to endure any conflict we encounter. If you focus on life from a long-term mindset, you’ll be able to deal with the trials you face. God prepares more for our lives than we can imagine if we’re prepared to listen. Allow God’s word to marinate in you to start being a change agent in the world. Many young people today want to go out and take on the world. But make sure you do so with the mindset and belief that God has your back. Randy gave his life to Christ three separate times.  Growing up in the church, he gave his life to Christ in his youth. However, it wasn’t until the third time (when he was 26) that he felt ready to stop running from God. Before, he wanted to live life uninhibited by the limits the word might seem to impose. But it took until he was 26 to be ready to submit to the Lord. Don’t put God in a box. God can make things happen overnight. He can completely change someone once they’re willing to open themselves to Him, and we can’t even fathom how it works. God can make changes in our lives, whether financial, health, or another issue. You’ll be challenged by wearing your love of God on your sleeve. You might not want other people to know.  But be yourself, because people would rather see a sermon than hear one every day of the week. When you focus on Christ, life just gets better. You can reach Randy on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. To talk more about a relationship with Christ, email him at [email protected]. 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 [email protected].

It is easy to lose sight of our goals when comparing ourselves to others. So why do we fall into that mindset? In today’s episode of Changing, Donald explains how we can avoid this mistake and refocus on what matters: our relationship with Christ. Comparison isn’t always bad. But the issue arises when we compare ourselves to others. Today more than ever, we are addicted to our phones. (Many teenagers spend seven hours a day on average on their phone!) Social media might be pictures, but it isn’t the full picture because people only post things they want others to see.  However, because people assume social media reflects real life, we believe others’ lives are perfect. In these moments, we feel jealousy and envy. Are we too distracted by the world around us to truly follow Christ? If you want to improve, remember that social media isn’t reality. Look into your own life rather than the lives of others. We all have challenges and difficulties, but people won’t post that online. Now, that doesn't mean you should post all your life obstacles. However, focus on helping others rather than creating a life on social media. We can give a portion of time to help others have meaningful lives, and it’s essential to ask for help when needed. Focus on the Savior. In Matthew 14, Peter lost focus on the Savior. He was too captivated by what was happening around him that caused him to sink. But when he asked for help from Jesus, he immediately came to his aid. Are you focusing on what the Lord whats you to do each day? There is liberation in focus on Christ. Proverbs 16:3 tells us what happens when we focus on Christ - there is power and miracles in it. The Doctrine of Covenants 6:36 tells us to be unafraid and follow without doubt. How can you look unto the Savior with all your thoughts?  When you focus on Christ, life just gets better. 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 [email protected].

When it comes to spiritual growth, there’s only one person who can improve and strengthen that growth - you! In today’s episode of Changing, Donald dives into five ways you can foster spirituality in yourself and help others do the same. Define your intentions As a child of God, our ultimate goal is to join Him in Heaven. But what can we do now to get there? You must be intentional. Set small, achievable goals instead of broad goals like being a better husband, wife or sibling.  Intentional goals (and plans to accomplish them) will put you on the path to success. Be curious There are countless examples of curiosity in the Bible leading to different answers and results. Curiosity isn’t a bad thing. It helps you grow, improve, and develop a better understanding of the world and the history of the world around you. Learn to listen to the spirit What atmosphere helps you listen to the spirit? Whether it's the peace and solitude in nature, the background noise of a coffee shop, or meditating in the comfort of your living room. Wherever puts you in the mood to listen to Christ and the spirit, do it more frequently? Be anxiously engaged in worthwhile causes. The organization justserve.org has tons of projects across the country that allow you to help people in your community.  Step away from your problems to focus on the issues of others and help other sons and daughters of Christ. Associate with the right people. When you associate with the right friends and people, you’ll be uplifted.  Evaluate the people around you. Are they helping you to become a better person? If not, seek out people who’ll help you grow in your relationship with Christ. As we continue through 2022, implement these five principles to grow your spirituality and develop a stronger relationship with Christ. To contact Donald to discuss growing in your relationship with God, contact him at [email protected].