Seeing Things Differently: An Eternity's Perspective

I remember joining a film contest back in 2012. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences I had during my 2nd year in college mainly for three things:

1. It was my first time to take part in making a film.
2. I had fun with my friends while making this film.
3. I learned a lot. 

Focusing on the third reason, I really learned a lot from my classmates. I learned how crucial it is to get the shot right and so one of the lessons that I will not forget is the importance of camera angles. I am not a film expert but this is what I usually observe whenever I watch movies or what I hear during our pre-production meetings. It is so important, it could sway the focus of your story by putting less emphasis on the object or it can tire the audience from overemphasising it or it can show a different aspect of a character (it can weaken or it can strengthen) - in other words, camera angles affect the way how your audience perceive your film or respond towards the film. 

The same is quite true when we face situations in life. One of the basic instincts of man is to act according to what is seen or what is present before him. How we see things affect how we act towards things. You may argue, Matt, how about the things that we see? Don't they affect how we act? My answer would be: Yes, they do. But sometimes, they don't. Most of the women I know are scared of the life-threatening presence of a cockroach. I am not bothered or scared seeing a cockroach BUT when this cockroach takes flight in mid-air then I suddenly realize that this insect might have a plan to land on my face - that's when things change. I don't get scared - I get bothered. The sight of a cockroach is nothing to me but the idea of this cockroach landing on my face bothers me.

The appearance of the problems that we face does not scare us or shake us - it is the idea of what these problems can do to us. We know that we will face trials along the way but what scares us the most is what these problems can do to the things that we value most. You may ask: How about those who can only see the darkness in everything? First, there may be darkness in everything but darkness is not everything. Second, he may have chosen to see that - he is contented to only see the dark side of things, leaving no room for hope to thrive.

That is why seeing things differently is very important in order to act differently or respond differently. This is where the Bible comes in - where Jesus comes in. If there is a person who has a "valid" view on everything, it is none other than Jesus. Why? He is the only person who came from Eternity. He is the only person who saw what Eternity looks like and when things are seen in the light of Eternity -  everything changes, including us. You may ask again: Why should I see things differently? Well, if you are contented with the things that are happening in your "life" - you are more than welcome to stop in this section of this entry but if you want to experience something different - I suggest, with all humility, to read and discover with me how the view of Eternity would change our view of life.

This serves as introduction to next entries that I would be writing about. The time when we saw lack but Jesus saw provision. When we saw disgrace, He saw honour. When we saw corruption, He saw redemption. When we saw denial, He saw affirmation. When we saw death, He saw life. When we saw the end - for Him it was only the beginning.

This is also an invitation for both of us, to see things differently.

No Neutral Ground

In this life, there is no place called "in between". It's either you "you die as a hero or you live long enough to become the villain." You cannot fight for both sides. You cannot have both sides of the coin. It's either you are in HIS story or you're history. I know you felt it. Maybe you're asking, "what's with the words matt?". To be honest, I'm in a war. Everyday.. and guess what.. SO ARE YOU. In a war, there is no surrender. We win or we die trying. Losing is just a stepping stone. In a war, you begin to die when you fail to prepare. fail to anticipate. fail to expect. Even Jesus said it Himself, 

Luke 11:23 
(New International Version)
"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters."

Which side are you? I'm asking this coz maybe you are telling God you are His but the flesh is fighting against your decision. Do not worry, for in times like this, we "stand still" because He said "I will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14). We stand firm, like the wise builder. We rely on God's Grace. He never fails to come through. We make efforts to be rooted on His Word and on His Word only. We submit to God not just because there are things that we can't do but because HE is Lord. We don't make God as an option or a plan B. There is no plan B! There is only God's plan and other plans would be nothing. Dead. In our daily lives, we face small decisions and most of the times we forget that these decisions will either result to bigger problems/opportunities/trials/breakthroughs etc. Like these decisions, we choose what decision will honor God and remove us from the picture. Yes. A decision that is not about us. Ironic? It is. You might think that there is "free will" and yes there is but we also pray that "Let YOUR WILL BE DONE". Choose. Your Will or God's Will? Choosing "your will" should not be an option. Trash it. If you claim and know that you live for God then..

Matthew 22:21
(New International Version)
"Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Give what is due to God. The difference between taxes and our worship offering to God is that we are not paying God. We can never pay God (that's why Jesus came!).If we are living for Him then might as well die for Him. Give Him the start and the end. God does NOT need what we will give Him (coz He is the one who allowed us to give). God is God without Man but Man without God is nothing. Be a Man of God or be nothing. 

Revelation 3:16 (New International Version)

16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Given that we are in a war. Might as well fight. If we choose to fight, then might as well fight for what is right. Fight for the One who is worth fighting for. Again, there is no neutral ground. Fight for God. Period.

Encounter with a Proofreader

It was a rainy day. Classes got suspended at around 12nn. I decided to go home with my friend, Kathleen Santos. Kat and I decided to stand during the LRT trip to Santolan so that it would be easier to talk. While we were talking, a man (probably he is 40 to 50 years old) started to call my attention because of my ID in CASA that says: "PRESS". The weird conversation went like this: 

Old Man: Press ka ba sa School niyo? Diba Press ka? (While looking at my CASA Chronicle ID)

Me: Uhhhh.. Opo. Bakit po?

Old Man: Kasi may mali dun sa advertisement na yun oh. Kita mo? (Referring to the Ad of the shoe company)

Me: ...

Old Man: Ayun o, yung nakalagay na "75th year Anniversary" dapat etc. etc. etc (He was talking about grammatization)

Me: (Still not noticing it and not knowing it was a wrong grammar) ahh oo nga po ano. 

Old Man: Isulat mo yan oh. Magandang topic yan. 

Me: hehe sige lang po. 

---- Conversation with Kathleen----

When we were Cubao Station, before he left, he pointed another correction: "Tignan mo yun oh dapat wala ng comma after ng word na yun..." and then he left. 

It was an awkward moment. It really was. Just imagine an old man, talking to you about grammar inside the train and asking you to "proofread" the advertisement with quite a number of people looking at you. It was not traumatic but it was awkward. The old man didn't embarass me, I understood why he did that. However, despite the awkward feeling, I tried to reflect on what happened. I believe that it was not an accident that he saw me wearing my Press ID. Everything happens for a purpose. 

Lessons Learned: 

1.) Choosing to have a relationship with Christ is like having a permanent ID. An ID that says: "Purchased and Saved". 

2.) Wearing this ID, people will identify you as a follower of Jesus, as a Disciple of Jesus and these same people will try to ask you questions about your relationship with Jesus. Some will ask because of curiosity. Some for mockery. Even some for criticism. Then I was reminded of this verse:

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

I would love to tell Him about Christ if he would have asked about the Gospel. 

As Christians, we should be ready to give the reason for the hope that we have, not to fight back but to preach what happened on the Cross 2000 years ago. 

If wearing a Press ID would attract people, I would gladly wear an ID that says: "I Love Jesus" in order to attract the lost but nevertheless, the best ID that we can show to the people around us is the ID of a Changed Life. 

War on Christmas Day

Have you seen a Nativity Scene? I saw one and I can say that it is very heart-warming. It gives me a view of Christmas as a night of peace, tranquillity, serenity and calmness. I would have sweated my eyes if the song “Silent Night” was playing during that time. This is a portrayal of Christmas or should I say our view of Christmas. Everything is calm. All is bright, serene – perfect. No wonder why people feel “good” during Christmas Season.

I was reading on the passages about the birth of Jesus Christ and I was just thinking. If Jesus is the Savior of all mankind and He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn.14:6) shouldn’t Satan be pissed if he finds out that he will  be sent to the world to die for our sins? I mean, Satan knows that Jesus would change the course of Mankind and His entrance to the world would mean Satan’s exit from the big picture, all hell would break loose. What would you prefer as a reaction after watching the triumph of a protagonist over his grand opponent: “Is that it?” or “GLAD THAT WAS OVER.” After re-reading the accounts Jesus’ birth in the four Gospels, my reaction was: “Is that it?” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that it would have been better if there were fireworks or gunshots or whatever (actually the appearance of an Angel was: WOAH!) but it’s just that I feel that something might have happened before the song “Silent Night” was appropriate for Christmas Day... then I remembered a Scripture found in Revelation 12.

Revelation 12

The Woman and the Dragon

 1 A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. 

 7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Does it sound familiar? I consulted a Theologian and he said that this is the story of Jesus’ Birth and I was surprised. I was like: There it is. One thing is clear after reading these verses: There was War during Christmas Day. So what if there was War during Christmas Day? In what way does this affect me? It affects you, us in every way. Is this war ongoing?

17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Ever wonder why such bad things happen during Christmas? Or especially Christmas? Of all the seasons of the year, why during Christmas season, why during the season of hope and goodwill? I heard a statement before, given by different people: “Paskong-paskong tapos nangyayari ‘to ...”  ;“Ang Pasko para sa mga mayayaman lang ... “ ; “Di ko nafi-feel yung Pasko dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon.”

Are you getting the picture? Not yet?

How about this:

Just a few a days ago, a tragedy happened in Sumulong Hi-way. A truck lost its brakes and came rushing down the houses along the highway. More than 5 innocent lives were taken. Houses along the highway were severely damaged. Children became fatherless. Families became homeless. Parents find themselves longing for their children’s embrace.

Typhoon Sendong ravaged the Philippines, particularly the VisMin area. A flashflood devoured almost everything along its path. The typhoon destroyed bridges, crops, livestocks, houses, villages and worst – lives. Almost more than a thousand people are missing. Same story but greater magnitude. Now the news is telling us about the epidemic that might spread in the evacuation areas. Lost bodies, lost lives, torn families. You get the picture.

Let me ask this question: DO YOU THINK EVERYTHING WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT?

I mean no human in the right thinking would hope that innocent lives would be taken away by neither a truck nor a storm destroying the lives of countless people. Yes, maybe we are paying the prices of what we did to nature. Maybe a mechanic forgot to check on the brakes. I hope you are getting my point. I hope I don’t appear as someone who is “overspiritualizing” things here. I don’t think that these things JUST happen;someone intended these things to happen.

Ephesians 6:12

 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

I hope we are getting the realization that there was a War on Christmas Day and it is still ongoing. Woah, okay,maybe you are exaggerating things. I don’t think so. Satan was enraged when Jesus’ birth became a success (how much more when Jesus resurrected from the dead). The enemy has three battle plans: Steal, Kill and Destroy (Jn. 10:10). Ugh, Matt, what is he stealing? He is stealing the joy of Christmas from us. He is killing our hope of celebrating a different Christmas. He is destroying our great plans of celebrating an intimate Christmas. Just think about those people who gave such statements, they all sounded natural but if you will think about it, the enemy is working, trying to snatch the true essence of Christmas, that’s why some people choose not to celebrate Christmas because they feel that it is not worth celebrating anymore. A person who looks forward to a family reconciliation becomes discouraged because the enemy is trying to kill that person’s hope of reconciliation. I also believe that the enemy is trying to corrupt the idea of Christmas by destroying the lives of innocent people during this season. If you are one of the victims of Sendong, what would the month of December remind you? Maybe instead of Jesus’ birth, you would remember the day when you lost everything – the month when you lost your loved ones. Christmas is supposed to be a season of unity and reconciliation but if you will look at social networks, you will see people who are mad at our officials. An author once said that if you ignore the presence of the enemy, he is already winning. Now we wonder why we don’t “feel” Christmas. The enemy is in the business of stealing, killing and destroying lives and often times we take it for granted.

Now what should we do about it?

Now that we know that the enemy is intentionally trying to steal, kill and destroy the Joy of Christmas (or life in general), we begin to see things in a different way. Is it possible to still enjoy this season? YES. What should we do? CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS. You mean to say just “celebrate Christmas? YES because Christmas was, is and is still for us but it was, is and will never be about us. We fail to appreciate Christmas if we think that it is about us. The idea of JUST CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS doesn’t sound mind blowing but I think it is the best thing to do. It is not easy when the budget is tight. It is not easy when there’s chaos in the family. It is not easy for the victims of the truck accident. Heck, it is not easy, in any way, for the victims of Sendong to simply “celebrate” Christmas. Was it easy for Joseph to accept that his soon-to-be wife is pregnant? Was it easy for Mary to bear a Saviour? Being a father and all, wouldn’t it be pressuring for Joseph to find a suitable place for a King to be born? If we think that Christianity is just a walk in a park, think again. Do you think that we can just celebrate Christmas and getaway with it? But we begin to exert greater effort (or should I say passion?). We begin to do act intentionally and deliberately. Jesus was not a happy-go-lucky person. He lived each day with a purpose and he was intentional about it. We begin to really be grateful of Jesus Christ’s arrival because if it didn’t happen, I can’t imagine what kind of life I may have now.

Yes, there is a War on Christmas day but it is a one-sided war because the outcome has already been decided. Jesus wins, Satan loses.

After reading the verses and realizing certain things, I am convinced that the song “Shout unto God” can be a Christmas song because Christmas is a season of hope and victory, no matter what.

Philippians 4:8

New International Version

 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Christmas is not just a day of hope, tranquillity, serenity and peace; it is a day of triumph – a victorious day for all.

Have a Victorious Christmas!

Because "I Love You" is too mainstream.

Facebook, Twitter and all other social networking sites are being flooded with this sentence: "I LOVE YOU." Or sometimes like these: "I love you, Beb:">", "I Love you, I miss you."; " I love Anime!"; "I Love chocolates!"; "I love Spongebob!". And you know the rest. We use it most of the times and most of those times (probably), we misuse it. Now I am not saying that we should not/never use it, I am just saying that we should use it wisely (not to mention sincerely.) 

Good thing Someone modeled it properly. 

I remember the romantic movies that I was able to watch (and was able to last) and the scene wherein the Guy replies with these words: "Because this is how I Love you.". And all the women would shrink and blood would suddenly rush to their heads, some would eat popcorn faster and others would have their eyes bulging like that of Puss 'n Boots. But there is this Guy whose line raised the standard of Love Stories. This Guy is the Author of Love and not to mention that He is Love. Jesus said the sweetest and the most powerful line when He was on the Cross. He said "I Love You" by saying: "It is Finished" (John 19:30) . These 3 words mean so much - specially to us, sinners. 

Where is the Love Story there? 

You see, when Jesus said these words, He was referring to the sacrifice that was done in exchange for our sins (Isaiah 53:5). Those Words are more powerful than all the words of Shakespeare combined. It is more passionate than the kiss of Jack and Rose. More dramatic than the Letters to Juliet. More memorable than the Last Song. More Timeless than the love of Edward and Bella. More heroic than William Wallace. Think of all the war/love stories that you can possibly think of - that is nothing compared to God's expression of Love towards us. Nothing on heaven above and on earth below can match the effort of Saving your Beloved from Eternal Separation. That's what Jesus did. He did not give roses, chocolates and letters because any human can give that, so He gave something which no human can offer - He gave up Himself in order for us to spend Eternity with Him. Salvation became possible along with a changed life. A Savior-King who is determined to go as far as dying on the Cross for us. That's how Jesus does things, instead of saying "I love You", He said it by saying "It is Finished". 

Jesus was like saying:

"Now, You are ETERNALLY mine."

"No more striving, Just Loving."

"Neither Life nor Death can ever separate you from me."

"You don't need to change to be loved by me - love me and my Love will change you."

When we ask Jesus: "Why did you do this for Me?"

I guess this is what he'll say: "Because this is how much I love you." 

Encounter with a Tricycle Driver in Legarda

I left our house in Antipolo at around 8am to meet my groupmates to make our production design for our TV production subject. I was already in LRT Legarda station, around 9:45am and I chose to ride a tricycle going to the overpass in Espana near UST. When we were about to leave, a driver suggested to our driver to add an extra passenger, their conversation went like this:

Driver 2: Brad, gawin mo ng pito yung sakay mo. (because the max. number of passengers in a tricyle is 6 but some choose to have an extra passenger.)

Driver 1 (driver sa tricycle namin): Wag na. 

Driver 2: Bakit? Di mo kaya? 

Driver 1: Hindi. Kaya ko ang pito - ayaw ko lang. 

When I heard his answer, I was curious to know his reason why he didn't choose to put 7 passengers in his tricycle even though he can. So when we arrived at the terminal near the CPAR building, I had the guts to ask him. 

ME: Kuya, bakit ayaw mong gawing pito yung pasahero mo? 

Driver: (smiles) Simple lang. Umiiwas lang tayo sa aksidente. 

I thought about his answer to my question and I realized this:

There are things in our lives that we choose to do and we choose not to. The reasons behind our decisions to act or not to act depend on what is important to us but sometimes our reasons don't make enough sense to other people. I remember being asked with these questions: Bakit di ka pa nanliligaw? or Bakit wala ka pang girflfriend?  Bakit ka pumipikit pag nakakakita ng kissing scene? Hindi ka ba tinatamad pumasok?  

With the driver's answer and action, it is obvious that he values safety and protection. He was not weak or afraid but he was wise enough to make such decision. The driver prioritized safety and protection over earning extra money. Maybe his friend saw his response to his suggestion as weird or not ordinary. Maybe he also saw something beyond having an extra income - that he would rather spend his earnings for food and clothing rather than hospitalization or repair for his tricycle because of careless driving. 

When I was being asked with these questions, my answers didn't make much sense to my friends or some of them even felt like I was "overspiritualizing" things (if there is such a term). Like the driver, I prioritize protection. 

Proverbs 4:23

(NIV)

 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

(ESV)

 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Bakit di pa ako nanliligaw? Bakit wala pa akong girlfriend? Bakit pag may kissing scene di ako tumitingin? Bakit pinipilit kong pumasok sa class kahit nakakatamad? It's because I choose to guard my heart - my life. I choose to guard the words that I will speak to a woman's heart. I choose to guard a woman's heart by guarding my actions towards her. I choose to guard my thoughts and keep it pure and free from malice. I choose to guard my dreams and one way to guard them is to "guard" my scores in school. I choose to guard my character and integrity as a man. There are walls that you need to put up now rather than being sorry later. Choosing to guard or prioritizing protection over experience and fleeting pleasure is not fear - it is being wise and courageous because not all people will agree to what you vowed to protect. Saying "No" doesn't always mean that you are weak and afraid - but sometimes saying "No" would require greater strength and courage than saying "Yes". 

Finally, I do these things not because I saw their importance on my own but because Someone allowed me to see these things and through Him, by Him and for Him - I do these things. It's because I am not on my own, I was "bought with a price". Thank God for Grace. 

Encounter with TV Production

It was during our second term in our second year when I heard about this subject called "TV Prod." I also heard a lot of rumors and some kind of a "myth" about it.

Rumors like:

"sa TV Prod mo makilala yung mga tunay mong kaibigan." ;

"Mag-aaway-away kayo sa TV Prod.";

"may mga magkakasiraan sa TV Prod." etc.

On the hand, there were comments like:

"mahirap ang TV Prod pero masaya." ;

"nakakapagod yung TV Prod pero sobrang na-enjoy ko." 

"madami kang matutunan sa TV Prod." 

I entitled this note: Encounter with TV Production Subject because obviously it is one of the highlights of my 1st term  of my 3rd year in CA. I am not saying that the other subjects are less important, it is just that I realized that majority of my time in school was spent on this subject but there were no regrets. Allow me to share the lessons that I learned. 

1.) Learning has a Price - if you want to learn new things, then you have to pay a new price. Metaphorically and literally. If you want the best from this subject then you have to give your best in return - in effort, ideas, decisions, etc. Most of the students today want to learn and yet neglect the need to pay the price. We want to acquire discipline in a certain area of our life and yet we don't want to pay the price. This subject taught me how to literally take risks. Go to places where there is uncertainty of weather, give tasks to people with uncertainty if they are able to finish it, ask requests with an uncertainty of approval, etc. but at the end of the day, learning it was all worth it. 

2.) Excellence is a heart issue - I remember receiving a group grade of 80% in one of our shows which was led by yours truly. A lot of things went into my head. A lot of questions. I started to doubt my ability to lead and worse is - I started to doubt my ability to be excellent. As my mind battles with the "what ifs", my heart was also wrestling with God. I began to question God: Lord, how am I suppose to lead these people to you if I wasn't able to lead them to excellence? How am I suppose to attract these people for you if my leadership repelled them? And God, not audibly of course, made me realize this: IS YOUR LACK MORE POWERFUL THAN MY PERFECTION? DO I NEED YOU TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF YOUR CLASSMATES? The answer is and will always be, "No". But how about excellence? I was reminded that excellence is not always a grade of 100% in terms of scores but is always a 100% in terms of the Integrity of the Heart. Excellence is not a hand issue but a Heart issue. 

3.) Never compare yourself to others - now this is a familiar lesson but only a few people really get a hang of it - especially in a discipline wherein creativity and originality is highly valued. But the value of not comparing yourself to others is both for the least and the great - for the least that they may remember that God is proud of them and that He didn't make a mistake in creating them and for the great that they may remember to humble themselves before God and that He opposes the proud. We are His creations and one of the worst things that we can do is to not appreciate it by comparing ourselves to others. 

4.) Bear with one another. Go the extra mile. - during our TV production subject, I would always hear random people say: "Di ko trabaho 'yan." Though I admit that they have a point and I am also guilty of this but later on I realized, this is not just your groupmate or classmate asking for your help - THIS IS YOUR FRIEND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD,MATT! I remember a friend of mine telling me: "ahh samin kasi saluhan kami eh, pag di kaya ng isa, tulungan."  Yes, it is difficult but it is worth it.

5.) The Person is more important than the things/skills that he can contribute to the group – this was tested during my time of being an EP (yeah,the one with a group grade of 80%).  Two of our segment vids won’t play 10 mins. before our airing time. We didn’t have time to re-render it and doing so would delay our airing. It was lunch time, everyone’s getting hungry and angry at the same time. I was given the decision whether to go on with the airing without the vids (thus wasting one of my editor’s effort) or delay the airing (thus welcoming a big chunk of deduction). I chose to delay our airing. Yes, I know it didn’t make sense during that time. You could say: Matt, it’s just one person – everyone’s grade will be pulled down if you delay this because of your editor. Yes, it’s just one person – but she is still a person. No one gets left behind. If one falls down then we all do, besides it’s not a matter of life and death and the goal was to learn. Most of the times, it won’t make sense but along the way, God will show you. After the show that I headed – the rest of the EP’s learned from my mistakes and everyone started to receive higher grades and I hope the lesson of valuing people.

6.) The best encouragements will come from your family. – I also learned this during that same show. This is not really a lesson but a reminder to us. I was chatting with my papa in FB. We were updating with one another. He was telling me about his projects and I was telling him about school. We learned that we were both being stressed by work and school and while I was typing all the things that I needed to accomplish, I was not able to finish because he sent me this message: Kaya mo yan. I know it sounded simple but its timing was perfect. The same thing happened with my mama, I was telling her all the things that I needed to do then she said: Kayang-kaya mo yan. I didn’t cry but the Lord knows my spirit was lifted up.

7.) Never Give Up – Never give up on anything. Never give up on anyone. No matter how stubborn they are. How selfish they are. How close-minded they are. How irritating they are. They said that we will know who our true friends are during TV Prod. They said that there will be relationships that will be broken. Yes, I have seen the true side of my friends and even of myself; yes, there were relationships that were broken but I am not giving up on them. Never give up on your friendship by not giving up your pride. Never give up on learning. Never give up on your dreams. Never give up on yourself. Never give up on God because He never gave up on you. When we begin to realize how God fought for us and how he accepted us – it will remove the “right of giving up”. We have no right to give up on people because God didn’t give up on them. When we were on the lowest point of our lives, He was always there. When we were struggling with sin – He was always ready to forgive. When we were being overpowered by our lack and insecurities – He never loved us less. When our success went to our heads – He never lost His patience.  He did not give up on loving us. It is a lot easier to give up that is why the value of never giving up is not for everyone – it is only for those who are strong enough to admit that they are weak apart from God. This is a lesson that I am still learning and I guess there’s a lot to it.  I’ll begin with this: God did not give up on loving me.