Dear Family and Friends,
Well the weather gets hotter. I didn't think it was possible, but mother nature proved otherwise! We have been enjoying a local treat called Halo-halo to cool down during the week! Unfortunately we think it might have been the reason my companion was sick this week. Its official, it was amoebas! The heat got so bad one day that while we were doing our weekly planning, my white shirt was soaked through with sweat (and this is with a fan on). We even had to turn the fans off because, as my companion said, even with a fan on high "there is no relief!".
This week I was watching the Bible Videos released by the church (highly recommended) . There is a lot of dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees. What made them bad people? Its obvious that they were self righteous to the point they crucified our Savior, but where did it start? I believe one reason is because they knew the "letter of the law" but forgot the "spirit of the law". Now how does that apply to us? They were obedient, but without a righteous reason, leaving their obedience hollow, from this many false traditions arose and corrupted the law. Sometimes we may focus too much on the letter of the law, and forget the reasons we do things. Do we pay tithing because we love the Lord? Or because we don't want to be embarrassed at tithing settlement? Do we go to church to partake the sacrament and be spiritually refreshed? Or go "just because"? Another blessing of the restoration is a restoration of the commandments, but a restoration of the reasons why. The commandments point us to our Heavenly Father when we follow them with pure intent. The happiest people I know are those who understand the gospel as a way to be united with their family, not just a plan for a structured life. They see the gospel as steps to blessings and peace, not just a list of "do's or don't's". This life is more than just a matter of "following the rules", but changing ourselves to be as God.
Kinda short this week! But I hope you know that I love you all!
Mahal ko kayo!
Elder Trevor Kent Johnson (TWMYK)
Well the weather gets hotter. I didn't think it was possible, but mother nature proved otherwise! We have been enjoying a local treat called Halo-halo to cool down during the week! Unfortunately we think it might have been the reason my companion was sick this week. Its official, it was amoebas! The heat got so bad one day that while we were doing our weekly planning, my white shirt was soaked through with sweat (and this is with a fan on). We even had to turn the fans off because, as my companion said, even with a fan on high "there is no relief!".
This week I was watching the Bible Videos released by the church (highly recommended) . There is a lot of dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees. What made them bad people? Its obvious that they were self righteous to the point they crucified our Savior, but where did it start? I believe one reason is because they knew the "letter of the law" but forgot the "spirit of the law". Now how does that apply to us? They were obedient, but without a righteous reason, leaving their obedience hollow, from this many false traditions arose and corrupted the law. Sometimes we may focus too much on the letter of the law, and forget the reasons we do things. Do we pay tithing because we love the Lord? Or because we don't want to be embarrassed at tithing settlement? Do we go to church to partake the sacrament and be spiritually refreshed? Or go "just because"? Another blessing of the restoration is a restoration of the commandments, but a restoration of the reasons why. The commandments point us to our Heavenly Father when we follow them with pure intent. The happiest people I know are those who understand the gospel as a way to be united with their family, not just a plan for a structured life. They see the gospel as steps to blessings and peace, not just a list of "do's or don't's". This life is more than just a matter of "following the rules", but changing ourselves to be as God.
Kinda short this week! But I hope you know that I love you all!
Mahal ko kayo!
Elder Trevor Kent Johnson (TWMYK)