Every Day Conversion

​The Apostle Paul, at times, seems to be a larger than life character.  His boldness, his conversion, his intellect, his unwavering commitment to the Gospel.  What is it about Paul that makes him so captivating?  Maybe it's just that we know so much more about him than the other apostles...we have a more extensive biography of his travels and teachings. We have more of his writings.  Whatever it is, he really is, in many ways, larger than life.  In this episode we'll talk about Paul in a more general sense... and I've got a few questions about Paul for you to ask yourself and discuss with your family and friends.  Questions:  1. What is your favorite event in Paul's life? Why?  2. What attribute do you admire most about Paul? How can you develop that attribute within yourself?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/098 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: h

The phrase "the ends justify the means" is quite well known...and probably because it has been so frequently employed by groups whose only concern was furthering their cause - no matter the collateral damage that may be caused.  Religious and secular groups alike have fallen into this belief. But the Savior warned that contention is NEVER acceptable...and He didn't leave that point open for debate.  In today's episode we'll look at how Paul applied this teaching in his life...and how doing so allowed him to be MORE effective as an apostle and missionary.  Question:  1. How important is it for us, as followers of Jesus Christ, to not get angry and contentious with those who attack us? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/097 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Often we, as members of the Church, think that faith and logic are opposed. We think that we just have to have faith...and that we'll just have to "make our stand" on what we believe to be true...with no evidence or logic to back us up. But Paul, in Acts 17 shows us that logic and reason are very much a part of the Gospel. We CAN explain and defend our faith in logical terms. In today's episode I talk about that exact thing - the way that logic and reason can support and enhance our faith and testimony of the Gospel. Questions:  1. In what ways are we declaring an "unknown God" to people when we share the Gospel?  2. Does logic or reason play a part in your testimony of the Gospel? If so, in what way? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/096 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Throughout his ministry, Paul had his fair share of adversities.  It was not uncommon for him to be accosted, beaten, imprisoned and more.  In Acts 16, he and Silas are beaten and imprisoned, and perhaps ONLY because they are imprisoned, they have the opportunity to share the Gospel with the jailor and his entire family.  Paul and Silas shared the Gospel through adversity...and in this episode, we learn how the jailor was prepared to HEAR the Gospel because of adversity.  It's amazing the way the Lord can turn a bad situation into a wonderful opportunity to invite His children to come unto Christ.  Questions:  1. How can God use adversity to prepare people to hear the Gospel? 2. How can we, like Paul, identify the gifts and blessings that make us uniquely qualified to share the Gospel? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/095 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Often when the Gospel being extended to the Gentiles is discussed, Peter's vision of the sheet full of unclean animals is discussed...and rightfully so.  However, Cornelius' being visited by an angel of the Lord is sometimes NOT told. But these two visions are connected, and when reviewed and studied together, give us unique insights about following promptings from the Spirit and receiving revelation.  Questions:  1. Why is it important to know that "God is no respecter of persons?" 2. Why can we learn about receiving revelation from this story of Cornelius and Peter? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/094 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Changing his name from Saul to Paul was perhaps the SMALLEST change that Paul made when he was converted and baptized.  It's hard to overstate the extent to which Saul had persecuted the saints and the Church as a whole prior to his conversion.  He participated and "consented unto [Stephen's] death" and actively sought to imprison and persecute both men AND women who professed faith in Jesus Christ.  And yet, he became one of, if not the most, recognized and successful missionaries and apostles to have ever lived.  In today's episode we'll look at a few lessons we can learn from the miraculous conversion experiences by Saul of Tarsus.  Questions:  1. How would you describe Paul's conversion in just a few words?  2. What can you learn from Paul's conversion that will help you strengthen your own conversion?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/093 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Sometimes I think that Simon gets pigeonholed into being "Simon the Sorcerer"...when, as I read Acts 8, he seems like a man who, yes, had performed sorcery in the past, but had an honest conversion and was striving to live the Gospel as best he could.  There is much that we can learn about helping and having understanding toward new members of the church by studying the events surrounding Simon in Acts 8.  All too often what, at first glance, seems like a new member being irreverent or disrespectful really is just them doing their best and simply not understanding some aspect of the Gospel.  We discuss this in depth in this episode, using Simon as a good case study.  Question:  1. When we're called out and invited to repent by our priesthood leaders, parents or others, how do we respond?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/092 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Philip, one of the seven called to assist the Quorum of the Twelve was a man of action.  A man who could be counted on to fulfill any responsibility given to him...and to do so immediately.  In today's episode we learn through Philip's example the importance of giving heed to the spiritual promptings we receive.  Question:  1. Do we, like Philip, run to follow the promptings of the Spirit that we receive?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/091 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Stephen is well known as the "first martyr" of the Church following Christ's resurrection.  But he wasn't just a man who was willing to die for his testimony of Chirst.  He was a man who lived for it as well.  He was a man of faith.  A man full of the Holy Ghost.  A man well versed in the scriptures and a burning testimony.  There's a lot we can learn from Stephen as it pertains to living a Christlike life and especially in responding to criticism and persecution of all kinds.  Questions:  1. How do you respond to being persecuted or mocked because of your beliefs?  2. What can you learn from Stephen's example in this story? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/090 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Do you ever have a day when you're just not feeling it?  Me too.  Today is one of those days.  It's what Pres. Boyd K. Packer referred to as a "...good, miserable day..." and he said that they are normal.  In today's episode I share 4 things I try to do when I'm just not feeling it.  Question:  1. What do you do when you're struggling, stressed or "just not feeling it"? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/089 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

In today's episode, we are concluding the series by taking a look at the culminating event to happen at the Feast of Pentecost, "...that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." That is a great day by any missionaries standard! So how was Peter able to have such a profound impact on so many? I believe it was by facilitating spiritual experiences...and that's what we're going to talk about in this episode. Questions:  1. What can we learn about being successful member missionaries from Peter's example? 2. What do we learn about lasting conversion from the experience of those baptized on Pentecost?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/088 This is Part 3 of a 3-part series. Follow these links to listen to Part 1 and Part 2.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

We all know that we are suppose to teach the Gospel by the Spirit.  In John, Christ said that the Holy Ghost would teach and testify of all things, and in D&C 50 it says that if you do not teach by the Spirit, your teaching is not of God.  That is why it is so important for us as member missionaries, Primary, Sunday School and youth teachers, parents and ministering brothers and sisters to learn to teach by the Spirit.  And there is no better example in scripture than the apostle Peter.  In this episode we'll look at the traits of Peter's teaching and how he invited the Spirit into his teaching.  Question:  1. What can be learned about teaching by the Spirit from Peter's example in Acts 2?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/087 **This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Click Here to listen to Part 1.** --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

One of the most transcendent experiences of the post-ascension New Testament is that of the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts chapter 2.  The outpouring the Spirit is readily remembered and revered by Christians all over the world.  In Part 1 of a brand-new 3-part podcast series on the Pentecost, we will discuss the Holy Ghost and the Gift of Tongues.  The gift of tongues as witnessed on this occasion was not some parlor or magic trick...not some marketing gimmick to get more people paying attention to the apostles as they taught.  It had a very specific reason and application, and that's what we're going to talk about today.  Questions:  1. What is the purpose of the Gift of Tongues, and really ALL the gifts of the Spirit?  2. How would you have felt if you had been there when the Holy Ghost descended on the meeting? Have you ever been in a meeting where you have felt the Spirit come in a powerful manner?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.

The meeting of the Apostles and other disciples of Christ following the Savior's ascension into heaven to fill the vacancy in the Twelve is instructive for us as members of the church today.  There is much that we can learn from this account in Acts 1 regarding the process of one being called to positions in the church, as well as what such a call means (and doesn't mean).  In today's episode we'll dig into those topics, with a little help from a couple apostles from the current dispensation.  Questions:  1. What can we learn about how leaders are called in Christ's church from Matthias' calling to the Twelve?  2. What can we learn about the nature of callings from Barsabas NOT being called to the Twelve?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/085 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Can you "earn" blessings? D&C 130 says that we receive blessings by obedience to laws...so does that equate to "earning" them? That's one of the subjects Elder Renlund addressed in his April 2019 General Conference talk, which we review in today's episode. Through some really great analogies and stories, Elder Renlund does a great job of helping us understand exactly how to receive blessings from our Father in Heaven!  Questions:  1. If someone asked you what role action plays in receiving blessings - or if you can "earn" blessings, what would you tell them?  2. What can you do to increase your faith and put in the work necessary to active the blessings that you desire in your life?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/084 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

The two disciples traveling to Emmaus were perhaps the first people to interact with the resurrected Savior for a long period of time.  They walked and talked with Him for HOURS...and yet they had no clue who He was until they sat down to eat with Him at the end of the day.  How could they not know him?  Not recognize him? Or his manner of speech? Or how he taught?  It seems crazy to imagine NOT knowing Him after all the time they had spent being taught be Him.  So what can we learn from this experience?  That's what today's episode is all about - how our assumptions can hinder our ability to be taught by the Spirit.  Questions:  1. How can your assumptions hinder your ability to be taught by the Spirit?  2. How do you feel the Holy Ghost testifying to you personally?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/083 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

It is always our faith and belief that falters, never the Savior's promises.  He ALWAYS fulfills His promises, we only need to wait for them to be fulfilled.  We have to WAIT on the Lord.  But this isn't a passive, sitting around, twiddling our thumbs type of waiting (does anyone beside me say "twiddling my thumbs" anymore??).  It's a kid-waiting-for-Santa-to-come type of waiting.  And that's what today's lesson is about...waiting. Actively waiting.  Expectantly waiting.  Faithfully waiting.  Questions:  1. How can you increase your faith in the Savior's promises to you?  2. What does it mean to you to "wait on the Lord?" Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/082 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

This past week I have been out of town with my daughter at the Oregon Morgan Classic Horse Show.  We found ourselves driving home on Sunday...so we decided to record a podcast episode to talk about how we live the Gospel when we have to travel and can't attend our home ward.  We hope you enjoy this episode!  Questions:  1. What can you do while traveling to maintain the Spirit and live the Gospel?  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Today we are reviewing Elder Uchtdorf’s talk from the April 2019 General Conference titled “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart.” I also have a special guest on today's episode sharing her insights on the topic.  Questions:  1. What can you do today to share the Gospel? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/080 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Judas Iscariot is, perhaps, the greatest villain in all human history, and it's easy to paint him as a purely evil man who was motivated by a little money to betray the Savior of the world. However, if we paint him in this light - as purely evil - we may miss many important lessons (and warnings) that can be derived from his actions. Judas had shortcomings, and those shortcomings culminated in someone's death. And that someone happened to be the most important figure in all of human history. So this episode is NOT trying to explain away bad choices on Judas' part...rather it's looking at how he got to the point that he could, quite literally, sell his soul to the devil. Questions:  1. What lessons stick out to you from Judas' actions?  2. How does Satan try to influence and deceive you, personally? What can you do to guard yourself? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/079 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support