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Hearing or Doing?

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." --James 1:22-25

“Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” --Deut. 4:6

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.” --Prov. 22:17

“If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.” --Mal. 2:2

Hearing and doing seem to go hand in hand when listening to truth or God’s law. We can hear the truth, but unless we put into practice what we hear, the truth can’t change us. It is like looking at ourselves in a mirror and recognizing a problem, but then not doing anything about it. Deuteronomy says that hearing and keeping the law (in this case) makes for a wise and understanding people.  We go to church, study the Bible, pray, and memorize Scripture, but do we do the things that we learn? It’s when we do that Christ’s character can be perfected in ours.

The mirror we are to look into is that of the "perfect law of liberty." The Law of God is the standard by which God will judge our characters. The Law is Christ's character. Therefore, it must also be the standard where we recognize our defects and also be able to accept Christ's righteousness in place of our own. But we don't just look at our defects, although we recognize them, but it is beholding Christ and allowing ourselves to be transformed into His image. This is not something we do just once or twice--this is a daily work we need to do. 

However, we must still act upon what we see in the mirror. If we look into the Law of God, and we recognize something that we are doing that needs to be given up, and we don't, we are only hearers. 

"For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." --Romans 2:13

And as it is said, "by the law is the knowledge of sin." --Rom 3:20

What do we do when we are convicted? Do we only hear, and not do? If you think about it, hearing can only bring conviction, but in order to follow that conviction, we must do. 

“There have been men in every generation who have claimed to be the sons of God, who paid tithes of mint and anise and cummin, and yet who led a godless life, for they neglected the weightier matters of the law—mercy, justice, and the love of God. There are today many who are in a similar deception; for while bearing an appearance of great sanctity, they are not doers of the Word of God. What can be done to open the eyes of these self-deluded souls except to set before them an example of true piety and be ourselves not hearers only but doers of the commandments of the Lord, thus reflecting the light of purity of character upon their pathway? The sons of God will not be like the worldling; for the truth received in the heart will be the means of purifying the soul and of transforming the character and of making its receiver like-minded with God. Unless a man becomes like-minded with God, he is still in his natural depravity. If Christ is in the heart, He will appear in the home, in the workshop, in the marketplace, in the church. The power of the truth will be felt in elevating, ennobling the mind and softening and subduing the heart, bringing the whole man into harmony with God. He who is transformed by the truth will shed a light upon the world. He that hath the hope of Christ in him will purify himself even as He is pure. The hope of Christ’s appearing is a large hope, a far-reaching hope. It is the hope of seeing the King in His beauty and of being made like Him.” – FW 116

Let us not just be hearers, but doers, so that we may be transformed into the image of Christ and show others the pathway to Heaven.

Semester Highlights

How this school year has just flown by! I can't believe that we are already halfway through the semester! It's been a good semester so far, challenging definitely, but one that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I have been doing some online classes this semester, which I have found to be fun yet challenging. Doing online classes, I have to be so much more disciplined with my time. I have learned more this semester about planning out my schedule in order to stay on top of things. However, I found that I also prefer being in a classroom as well. So it's been good figuring out what type of learning skills work the best for me.

The Lord has also been teaching me lessons of patience and trust. A friend and I have been training for a fitness challenge in December. One day, we went running on the beach barefoot--and that was probably the worst thing I could have done! We ran three miles, and by the end, my foot was hurting so bad that for the next couple of days, I was limping around. I thought originally that I had just pulled a muscle or tendon; however, two weeks later it still hurt. The most recent conclusion I've come to is that it is probably tendonitis.

It's been so disappointing for me, because I haven't been able to go running. I can still do strength training, but I love running! Yet, I realize that there is some lesson that God is wanting to teach me through this. It's learning to trust God that He knows what is best for me, and be patient! Maybe it will be a long while before I can run again--I don't know. And there is always the possibility I won't be able to participate in the running part of the fitness challenge.  But I'm willing to wait if that is what God wants for me. My plans may not be His plans, but definitely His plans are better than my plans!

"Surrender all your plans to God, to be carried out or given up, as his providence shall indicate. In this manner you may, day by day, be giving your life with its plans and purposes into the hands of God, accepting his plans instead of your own, no matter how much they may interfere with your arrangements nor how many pleasant projects may have to be abandoned. Thus the life will be moulded more and more after the divine Model..." (ST August 7, 1884).

One highlight of mine this semester was R&R weekend. We were able to go to Monterey Bay Academy for the weekend. Even for October, it turned out to be beautiful weather.

Ready for some rest & relaxation

Each morning and evening we had worships. They were a blessing.

The ocean--probably my most favorite part of the trip.
A place where you see so many object lessons, and spend time with friends.

We had some time on one of the days to play some group games. One of those included tug-a-war.

"He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us;
 he will subdue our  iniquities;
and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)

The evenings and the mornings I think were the best time of the day to go to  the beach.
I loved sitting out on the sand  in the mornings and watching the sunrise,
and reading my Bible....the evenings were beautiful because each night,
the sunset was completely different.

Friday night was the most beautiful sunset I think I have ever seen. 

Two of my friends and I were running down to the beach a little before in order to see the sun set.

 All we could do was just stand there and watch. It was most glorious, and reminded me that 

the sunset was "a picture painted by the great Master-Artist upon the 

shifting canvass of the heavens" (ML 337.2).  It was the best way to welcome the Sabbath! 

Just like the sunset reflected back on the water, let us each let Christ reflect His character  in us!

There was definitely some time for fun too! :) 

I think it was the best R&R so far. Not only were we refreshed physically and mentally
from the daily routines of life, but we were also refreshed spiritually by being able
to spend more time in God's Word and learn lessons from nature.

Not only was R&R a refreshing experience, however, but even the earth itself has been refreshed!. We have been having some pretty good rain showers, and to top it off, the fall leaves have been turning beautiful colors!

Until next time! :) 

My Summer Briefing

I have thoroughly enjoyed my busy yet fun summer--work during the week, and fun during the weekends. Below I have just posted several pictures of what I have done this summer. :) 

Hiking at Donner's Pass with friends

Beautiful view of Donner's Lake from Donner's Pass.

Going to the river with friends....a great way to cool off during the hot summer days.

Visiting family was a highlight for me....here are all of us cousins except one.

We were able to take a trip to Fountainview Academy to see my cousin Shiana graduate :) 

Just this last weekend I went on a backpacking trip--absolutely one of my favorite things to do! We ended up going to Grouse Ridge--so beautiful there!

Getting ready to hit the trail

View from the parking lot.

Let's do this! :) 

Our campsite...

Most of us hammocked....much more comfortable sleeping suspended than on the ground :) 

The lake we camped by....it was so clear and so beautiful...fish jumping out of the water, and in the morning the sun would sparkle on the ripples.

Despite being so dry here in CA, where we were there were so many beautiful flowers.

Sabbath we climbed up the mountain on the other side of the lake

The views at the top were amazing

We brought our hammocks up there and had church

View of Glacier Lake

Alpine flowers

A pot full of ramen! Paige was able to fit 5 packages in that small pot. :) 

Trying to roast mini marshmallows....

We went cross country most of the way back. I love going cross-country because you can see so much more. We came upon this hillside full of beautiful flowers and lots of butterflies.

Making our way to a lake (cross-country)

And we made it. We ate lunch and then headed home.

This last trip was especially my favorite. I was continually awed by how beautiful it was up there at Grouse Ridge. The clear blue lake, the beautiful flowers, the majestic mountains--continually reminded me how God has placed everything there for our enjoyment. I will never tire of spending time out in the wilderness away from the rush of life!