Chocolate Cake Bytes

This week, Brendan joins again to discuss what "God's Plan" for us is. We discover that there is a big picture "God's plan" and a nitty-gritty detailed "God's Plan." We talk about the difference and how we can move forward understanding the distinction between the two Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@c...

We say we believe in personal revelation. But do we? What is personal revelation, actually? Annette joins again to discuss the difference between Personal Confirmation and Personal Revelation. How do we know what we are feeling? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes h...

We recently talked about expectations we can (should?) have of God. And, we also have talked about whether we have to like God's plan for us. And then Annette wanted to push back on what it means for God to have a plan for us. So, here we are. Annette and Brendan discuss their opinions on God's plan. What it means, and how it relates to expectations we can (should?) have of Him. Thougths...

Life is HARD. And then you die. (OR someone close to you does.) Brendan raises the question, do I have to love God's plan for me? We can assume His plan is perfect. We can assume His plan will take us where we need to go. We can assume His plan will teach us what we need to be and do. But do we have to like it? Do we have to enjoy the process? This is our take. The short answer is no. The lon...

Do we have expectations of God? If so, what are they? If not, why not? If we do have expectations of God, are they good expectations? This week, Annette and I spend a lot of time discussing expectations, perfectionism, and wrong choices, asking where personal agency falls in the process. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and...

And...we're back with a conversation! Elder (Kyler) Lopez returns to follow up on the conversation we started several months ago...How do you deepen your connection with God through different languages? There are a couple of ways we tackled this, and maybe one (or more) resonates with you? What topics should we tackle in the coming year? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hea...

Happy New Year! It's that time again when we talk about goals! No, not really. At this point, I'm more focused on Becoming than Achieving. What do you want to let go? How were you last year that you no longer want to be? And what will you be instead? I share an exercise I went through at the end of the year to mark my Becoming journey. I'll update you soon. In the meantime, there&ap...

It is fun being generous. This week, I talk about my experience at the North Indianapolis Giving Maching. You can check to see if there's one near you at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines Also, if there's not one close by, find a cause that resonates with you and give. It truly is a blessing to give. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Pl...

It's that time again, when we start thinking about <groan> goals. With my dad's recent passing, I've been reviewing some of the things I have learned from him--both good and bad. And I'm learning that the way I have been thinking about goals has been, well, incomplete. This week, we discuss a twist on the traditional approach to SMART goals that has made a big difference...

I believe that we find what we are looking for. Therefore, Tender Mercies are wherever you're looking for them. Or, you might find hate, violence, unkindness, and the like. This week, I share my own experience with a tender mercy.  Maybe that's what it was, or maybe not. What are you looking for? Whatever it is, you will find it. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear i...

In a truly spontaneous and raw episode, I share some insights that I am gaining as I navigate the conflicts that have interrupted my focus on my personal goals.  Have any thoughts on how to achieve goals or focus on changing priorities as urgent things interrupt the plan?  I'd live to hear them at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can...

This week, I'm sharing an interview I did with Latter Day Lights. Check them out here: https://www.latterdaylights.com/podcast/ I share the entire Chocolate Cake story--how I started sharing cake and why I continue. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://w...

My dad's favorite scripture is Alma 37:37, which starts, "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct the for good." What does that mean? How do we counsel with God? And what should we expect to happen? And what happens when we do in our actual lives? In what feels like a series of random thoughts, I share some things that have been on my mind... Please share this ep...

Seventeen years ago today, Marcene was in an accident that changed our lives. We learned what we were capable of. We learned to recognize God's hand in our difficulties. And we welcomed Baby Eddison into our lives. Today, I re-read the summary of events that I wrote the day after. What are you grateful for? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@c...

After the October, 2023 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I heard a lot of talk about President Nelson's talk, "Think Celestial." Some was from raving fans. Some was from people who didn't love it. Me? Somewhere in the middle. So I wanted to dig into it and explore what it means to me. And Annette was willing. Here we are, sharing our ideas...

What does it mean to Lay our Burdens at the feet of the Savior? What burdens should we be willing to place in His care? How do we do it? I've been thinking about this recently, as I'm  preparing for a Turtle House fireside to be given later this year.  Here are my thoughts. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and fol...

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be perfect. This podcast isn't perfect. I dropped my phone, so the audio isn't perfect. I say "So,..." too many times. So my script isn't perfect. I missed an episode last week, so my schedule isn't perfect. What's the goal? Share your thoughts. I shared mine... Please share this episode with someone who needs...

New co-host Alisha Coakley visits us from Texas. She is preparing some thoughts for a Turtle House fireside coming up: "I'm in Conflict. What would Jesus Do?" We had a fun discussion, but, as always, we probably asked more questions than we answered. What are your thougths? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com an...

To be fair, I have no idea.  And a 17 minute monologue will not come anywhere close to answering the question. But it does ask a few questisons I've been thinking about. Shouldn't we understand grace better? How can we learn? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCake...

What is a coincidence? Do coincidences even exist? Or are we just witnessing  divine guidance? Tell me your thoughts. ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/ Check out my new podcast: The Unstuck C...

Annette is back! This week, we discussed what it means to receive, and should we be better at receiving? We love to serve and to give. But sometimes we struggle with receiving. How can we receive better? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/...

Past guest Elder (Kyler) Lopez returns with a couple of questions.  We didn't take the time to tackle both, but we did consider: "How do we make our prayers more Christ-centered?" And, I think, the real question is "How do we make ourselves more Christ-centered?" We discuss, with a few tangents, some thougths and approaches we can take.  And as always, if  you have a quest...

As I prepare to lead the discussion in Elders Quorum this Sunday, I'm thinking about things that matter most. President Ballard spoke of this in last April's General Conference: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/52ballard?lang=eng He focuses a lot on relationships.  With God, with Christ, and with Family. How do  you nurture your relationships that matt...

The commandment is to "Love Everyone." At least according to the song, "Jesus said, 'love everyone'" But what if you just don't like them? Is it possible to love someone you don't like? And flashback to last week, we reference this article on Reverence: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/03/20_what-is-reverence-really?lang=eng Please shar...

I remember being told to "be reverent," which normally meant "Stop fidgeting. Close your mouth. Keep your hands to yourself." Is that reverence?   I don't think so. Return Co-host Sarah comes to discuss what it means to be reverent. Maybe we came up with more questions than answers. What do you think reverence is? Email me your thoughts at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please...