Every Day Conversion

At first glance, James' comments about faith being dead without works seems to be contrary to the idea of being saved by grace.  But is it really?  In this episode we'll dig into James' words and compare them to Paul's and see if we make sense of the possible contradictions.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/118 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

On Sunday, November 17, 2019, the Church held a Face to Face broadcast presided over by Elder Gerrit W. Gong.  During this event more information and details were shared about the new Children and Youth Program. In today's episode I share my thoughts on these new details and program and how we, as parents, can best support our children in it.  However, even if you don't have children, you should still learn about the program, because it will impact the entire church, and the principles can be applied by ALL members to enhance their spiritual growth!  Get all the resources mentioned in this video at https://www.everydayconversion.com/117 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

In Hebrews 9-11, Paul is explaining that Christ has ALWAYS been the way to a remission of sins - even in Old Testament times of sacrifices, burnt offerings and other ordinances.  Paul is trying to remind the Jews of his day that they are not saved by sacrifices...and they never have been.  And this is important for us to remember even today.  In this episode, we'll talk about how the ordinance of the sacrament helps us to remain focused on the true source of forgiveness of our sins, Jesus Christ.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode (including the scripture reference I couldn't find when I was recording...) here: https://www.everydayconversion.com/116 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Reading Hebrews chapter 6 led to some massive insights for me.  It changed the way I viewed the ordinances and covenants that I have made with Heavenly Father.  It changed the way that I viewed my worth in the eyes of my Heavenly Father.  Take a moment to listen to this episode and see if it changes the way YOU view your relationship with your Heavenly Father.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/115 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Today's episode is really a continuation of Episode 112: Find Out the Character of God.  After I finished recording that episode last week, I went back to my study journal and wrote down the impressions I had WHILE I was recording that episode.  And it led to a question that I now try to ask myself every single time I interact with the Gospel in any way - whether it's scripture study, fulfilling my calling, attending the temple, serving, doing family history work, or anything else.  Listen to this episode to learn what it is. Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at: https://www.everydayconversion.com/114 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

For the past several days, I've been out of town at a conference for work...and it has been AMAZING! However, it also made it very difficult to get my full scripture study in each day as well as kept me from being able to attend church. ...not to mention I wasn't able to record any podcast episodes!  But there are some things I learned about how to study and feel the Spirit when you are busy and unable to get in your regular study that I wanted to share with you today.  We ALL have days when we aren't able to study as we would like to...so what do you do in those situations?  That is what today's episode is all about.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/113 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

This episode took a very different turn than I expected it too.  And it demonstrates the power of the Come, Follow Me Curriculum!  I started off studying and pondering one of the prompts for this week's readings, and by the end of recording this episode, I had ended in a very different place, and had learned some really neat things!  That's what happens when the Spirit is present in your study!  Today we discuss the nature, character and attributes of God...and WHY we should spend more time talking about and teaching them to our children.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/112 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Paul, in talking about the Jews in Old Testament times, indicates that they were taught the Gospel just like he and the people of his time were (and as we are today).  He also says that those in ancient times were not able to benefit from the Gospel because it wasn't "mixed with faith."  That is a phrase that I really loved as I was studying this week, and in today's episode we dig into what it means to mix the Gospel with faith.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Several times in this week's readings, Paul has mentioned questions, and counseled Timothy and Titus to avoid them.  So what IS the role of questions in the Gospel?  Should we have questions?  If so, what type of questions should we have?  We'll talk about that in today's episode.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/110 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

1 Tim 6:10 is one of the most commonly quoted...or shall I say, misquoted scriptures ever.  We often hear that money is the root of all evil...but if we actually read the scripture, it says that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.  The issue isn't the thing (money), the issue is the LOVE of the thing.  In today's episode we'll dig into the scriptures before and after that scripture to get a little more context about what Paul is teaching and what his opinion on money and those that have it is.  Get all the resources mentioned in this video at https://www.everydayconversion.com/109 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

If you're like me, when you read 1 Timothy 4 when Paul talks about the latter-day apostasy, you point to it and say,  "See!! It's happening now! It's terrible! Our society is horrible! Our culture is horrible! We're all going to hell in a hand basket!" But is that REALLY what we should be focusing on from that chapter?  I don't think it is...and in today's episode, I'll share what I think we SHOULD be focusing on.  Listen now. Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/108 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul lays out the qualifications for a bishop and a deacon...and I REALLY dug deep into those qualifications in my study.  As you may, or may not, know, I have served as a bishop...which means that I still hold the office of bishop, even though I'm not actively serving as one anymore.  So these qualifications hit close to home for me...because these are the qualifications that Heavenly Father expects of me.  But then I realized, there isn't a single one of those attributes that Heavenly Father doesn't ask ALL priesthood holders and ALL members of the Church to have and develop as well.  So, these are not just qualifications for me and other bishops...these are qualifications for EVERYONE - from the newest member of the Church to the prophet himself!  Take a listen as we dig into each of these qualifications and what each of them mean...as well as how you can support and help YOUR bishop to live up to these requirements.  Get all the resources mentioned in this epi

It's been quite awhile since we've had a new episode...but today we're BACK!  Thank you for being patient... life has been busy and I've been trying to figure out the BEST way to keep sharing insights with you to assist in your personal and family scripture study!  ...and I THINK I've figured it out!  In today's episode I share what the new format will be, as well as some encourage from ancient and modern apostles to pray for our leaders.  Listen now!  Get the links to everything mentioned in this episode here: https://www.everydayconversion.com/106 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

There is a lot of evil in the world, and a lot of practices that I definitely don't want my children seeing or taking part in.  But the thing that scares me more than any of those things is them having to deal with being called "intolerant", "prejudice", etc. because of their religious convictions.  I don't know how a teen or pre-teen child can be expected to have the maturity to handle those kind of attacks from their peers and adults around them.  In today's episode we'll talk about that, as well as the Savior's counsel that is completely missing from the conversations and dialogue we see all around us in society, on social media and in the news.  Questions:  1. What does it mean to you to "love your enemies?" 2. How do you teach your children to be Christlike in today's culture?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/105 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

It seems like whenever a theological discuss breaks out, the question of whether we are saved by grace or by works always comes up.  And the discussions can become quite militant and heated!  But the comment of noted Christian writer C.S. Lewis on the matter is very insightful.  He said, "It [seems] to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary."  The fact of the matter is that both are necessary components, but each for very different reasons.  In today's episode we discuss some of the reasons, as well as sharing some insights I gathered while teaching the Gospel Doctrine class in my ward this past Sunday.  Questions:  1. How do you view the relationship between grace and works?  2. What can you do to recognize God's grace more in your life?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/104 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

One of the major undertakings of the prophet Joseph Smith was his translation of the Bible.  As a matter of fact, he regarded it as "a branch of his calling" as a prophet.  And as you try to read and understand Romans 7, I'll bet you'll be glad he did!  In this episode we'll dig more into what the Joseph Smith Translation is, why it's important as well as looking at how it clarifies and corrects Paul's teachings in Romans 7.  Questions:  1. Why do you think the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to do a translation of the Bible?  2. How important do you think living prophets and apostles are to help us understand and interpret scripture?   Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/103 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Romans chapter 5 is the pivotal chapter in the book of Romans.  Chapters 1-4 build up to chapter 5, and chapters 6-16 build upon the foundation laid by chapter 5.  Viewing the book of Romans in this way completely changes the way you read every chapter.  Listen to this episode to learn more about looking at Romans in this way.  Questions:  1. How does comparing Adam and Christ help you understand the purpose of the Savior better?  2. Have you looked at the Book of Romans as centering on Romans chapter 5? How does this viewpoint affect how you read the book of Romans?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/102 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Paul says that he had a thorn in his side. And while he doesn’t state explicitly what that thorn was, I had a thought awhile back while talking to a friend that really resonated with me on this topic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

I had a really cool opportunity to have a conversation with a new friend of mine last night who is a Muslim. And it was an AMAZING experience and today I share some of my takeaways. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Earlier today I recorded a live study session on the Every Day Conversion Podcast Facebook page.  I was joined by my kids, Brooklynn and Cash...as well as a few cameo appearances from my youngest, Carsten.  Listen in as we discuss this week's Come, Follow Me lesson.  This really is live and unscripted...there are all sorts of distractions, just like there probably is when your family studies the scriptures!  That's part of life!  You can watch the video of the lesson by clicking here.  Questions:  1. Why did Heavenly Father save Paul from the poisonous snake?  2. What role did Paul's faith play in his being protected? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/099 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support