Heaven and Elysium (The World Beyond)

It was around 2 PM in the afternoon in TRINOMA (Triangle North of Manila) Mall in QC, when my wife and I decided to have a movie date. No idea of what movie to watch, we decided to buy a ticket for this movie by Matt Damon called Elysium (Being a big Matt Damon fan).

The year is 2154 only two classes of people exists; the poor people lives in a  densely populated and devastated earth, while the wealthy people enjoy a luxurious life living in a space station called Elysium.
Elysian citizen lives in comfort while using this medical devices called Med-Bays. Those machines are the finest inventions of their time in which, all sickness can be cured by simply getting yourself check by the machine.

The story began with Max Da Costa (Matt Damon) a former thief, who lives in a ruins of Los Angeles and works at Armadyne Corp, the company that built Elysium. Max, during his early childhood met a girl named Frey, and became friends with her. Max, just like any other people of his time, dreams of living on Elysium someday. One day at work, an accident occur and max was exposed to radiation giving him only five more days to live.

I remember the day, when my Dad gave me a book entitled "Junior Color Encyclopedia of the Universe", it was one of the best books I've ever read. In the middle part of this book, there is one future invention that i always read, it is called "Cities in Space". That is the first time i saw a picture that looks exactly like Elysium. A rounded glass cities outside the earth's atmosphere. At young age, i used to hear Pastors and teachers in my church, talking about a place where there is No Poverty, No Harm and No Sickness, the place is called Heaven where the Creator resides.

My own perspective of Elysium.

As i observe this movie, i can't help but think of comparing the people nowadays, and those people in the movie fighting for survival. Yes indeed, people are sick, and needed a medication, that only Elysium can offer. Just like the Bible says that all of us are loss. Only Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who made a way for us to the Father, by Dying on the cross for our sins.

As the story goes, the main protagonist, Max finds a desperate attempt to go and fly to Elysium. Only to realize in the end, that most of the people needs the medication more than he does. Saying farewell to her bestfriend Frey, Max asks Spider to reboot the system he has stolen from John Carlyle, the CEO of Armadyne Corp. to his head (The system that controls the whole Elysium world), the system rebooted and took Max's life, but gave way to all people on the Earth to have an access to medication of Elysium, be part of it and finally to be citizen of the luxurious world.

All in all, I'd say it was a great movie, It reminds me of the Saviour of the world. Who gave up His life for the forgiveness of those people who will believe. The salvation is available to everyone. Our Elysium (Heaven) is Available. And we can now have access.

Through Him and His Name is Jesus Christ. The Name above all names.

RH Bill:Beyond What You Think

The RH Bill is set to be one of the most controversial Law to be pass by the Philippine Congress. I ask so many people about it, and there are three kinds of answer i always receive. 1. Somebody pretends to know it, 2. Somebody does not care about it. and 3. Somebody don't have any idea about it.
I am not a Law Student, but i have tried reading articles and ideas about it. See the below information i gathered for you to know and decide which side are you in this issue.

I hope it can help you.

Things you should know about the RH Bill.

1. IT WILL STANDARDIZE RH POLICIES

Because there is national legislation on RH in place, varying RH policies are implemented in the local government unit level (LGU). These policies and provisions  are often subject to the whims and personal religious beliefs of LGU officials.

In Manila for example, when staunch pro-life advocate Lito Atienza was mayor, he was able to pass the infamous Executive Order (E.O.) 003. This E.O. effectively declared the City of Manila as a provider only of pro-life methods. Thus, women were denied access to modern contraception methods (pills, condoms) and procedures (ligation) in government-run hospitals.

In contrast, Quezon City, often regarded as having one of the most progressive RH policies in the country, makes both modern and traditional family planning services available to its constituents for free.

2. THE RH BILL DOES NOT PROMOTE ABORTION.

Let us repeat that for further emphasis: the RH Bill does not promote abortion. It does, however, mandate that humane and non-discriminating treatment be extended to women who suffer from life threatening, post-abortion complications.

To put this into context and emphasize why it is important, we must know that while abortion is illegal in the Philippines, the government has done little to prevent self-induced and unsafe abortions. And medical practitioners who help women suffering from these complications stand to lose their licenses. Studies from the US-based reproductive health think tank Guttmacher Institute, show that there are an estimated 90,000 women hospitalized annually for abortion-related complications. The approval RH Bill ensures that these women will be given proper medical care and not be subject to even further pain or humiliation

According to Likhaan.org, if all those who want to space or stop childbearing would use modern family planning methods, abortions would fall by some 500,000.

3. IT WILL TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE RESPONSIBLE ABOUT THE CHOICES THEY MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO INTIMATE RELATIONS, FAMILY PLANNING, AND SEXUAL HEALTH.

Under Sec. 16 of the Consolidated RH Bill, age-appropriate reproductive health and sex education shall be taught by properly trained teachers in formal and non-formal educational systems starting from Grade 5 up to senior year in high school.

It should be noted that the teachers will receive training from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH)--all the government agencies who have been designated to formulate the Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education curriculum.

More importantly, the standardized curriculum will not cover just sex but also information on protection against sexual violence and abuse, discrimination, sexually transmitted infections, and responsible parenthood.

4. IT WILL GIVE ACCURATE INFORMATION ON POSITIVE SEXUALITY AND SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

According to a 2005 study conducted by the Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF), three out of ten youths think that jumping after sex will provide pregnancy. And two out of three youths think that drinking antibiotics before sex will prevent STI.

Until now, many young people--regardless of economic or social status--believe these myths to be true. The approval of the RH Bill will ensure that the proper information about sexual health will be given to the youth to give them the knowledge that they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

5. THE RH BILL DOES NOT ENDORSE PROMISCUITY

Saying that the passage of the RH Bill will promote promiscuity is like saying people are going to be more reckless behind the wheel just because a seat belt law was passed.

The passing of the RH Bill will not change people’s minds about what decisions they make about their sexual relations. What it aims to do is provide people with accurate information and allow them to make choices based on these data.


6. THE RH BILL RESPECTS EACH INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

In her article entitled, “If this Bill Could Talk”, Elizabeth Angsioco, chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) defines the RH Bill as being “pro-choice”.

“You all have the right to make informed decisions, to choose from among options that should be available to you. There is nothing in me that coerces anyone. All I will do is make RH information and services available to you should YOU DECIDE to use them.” writes Angsioco.

To support her point, Angsioco identifies sections 7 , 16, 24, and 28 of the RH Bill as specific items that give Filipinos the freedom to choose intelligently.

7. THE RH BILL WILL LESSEN THE INSTANCES OF MISTIMED OR UNWANTED PREGNANCIES.

In the Philippines, four babies are born every minute. This makes the Philippines the 12th most populous nation in the world and has the highest fertility rate in the region, at 3.03%. Unfortunately, the Philippines also has the highest unemployment rate in the Southeast Asian region at 8% compared to neighbors Indonesia at 7.9%, Vietnam at 4.6%, Malaysia at 3.7% and Thailand at 1.5%.

A large population is detrimental to a country’s economic resources. Congresswoman Kaka Bag-ao of Akbayan Citizen’s  Action Partylist says, “Population growth is a public welfare issue that affects the poorest of the poor. Other poverty containment efforts will never be sufficient until we can curb population growth.”

No one contests that babies are blessings. But it is precisely because of this that they should be planned for, cared for, and given the best possible future that parents provide. Every pregnancy should be planned and wanted.

8. THE RH BILL WILL SAVE LIVES.

According to the number of HIV infections tracked by the DOH AIDS Registry, HIV is on an unprecedented rise in the Philippines. Every day, 5 new cases of HIV are diagnosed. Women--even those in monogamous relationships--are equally at risk for being infected if their partners engage in risky sexual behavior.

Over 200 million people don’t have access to modern contraceptives. Giving these women access could reduce the number of maternal deaths due to unsafe abortions by 82 percent.

In the Philippines, experts say that expanding access to contraception could result in 800,000 fewer unplanned births, 500,000 fewer induced abortions, and 200,000 fewer miscarriages. What’s more, it could prevent as many as 2,100 maternal deaths each year—nearly half of all deaths from pregnancy-related causes.

The RH Bill ensures that access to both RH services and information is available and thus, empowering each person to protect his/herself from STI and HIV infection; mistimed pregnancy, thus, lowering maternal deaths and HIV infections.

9.  THE RH BILL WILL REDUCE THE INEQUITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR.

Likhaan cites that RH indicators show severe inequities between the rich and poor. For example, 94% of women in the richest quintile have a skilled attendant at birth, while only 26% of the poorest can do so. The wealthy hardly exceed their planned number of children, while the poorest get an extra two.

Apart from its benefits from a health standpoint, there is also a correlation between family size and poverty incidence. According to Ernesto Pernia, a professor at the University of the Philippines School of Economics said, “Having fewer children will allow the poor to invest more in education and health for their children to improve their lives when they grow up.”

10. IT WILL HELP SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT THE MYTHS THAT SURROUND MODERN CONTRACEPTION METHODS.

Section 10 of the consolidated RH Bill will mandate family planning supplies as essential medicines included in the inventory of local hospitals and other government health units.

But contraceptive pills do not induce abortions. According to a statement on the Philippine Obstetrical and Gyne Society (POGS), contraceptive pills:

a. Do not cause abortion; in fact they prevent unwanted pregnancies.
b. Do not cause death and disease when used appropriately.  The hormones in the pills are synthetic hormones that are comparable to those produced by women’s ovaries.  They are modified in doses and composition to make them better, safer and predictable in their medical effects.
c. Do not cause cancer; in fact they reduce cancer of the endometrium and ovaries. The reported slight increase in the risk for breast cancer is obviated by taking pills based on the national clinical guidelines.


Kudos to Female Network Website for some of the Information.

When Death Blow Meets the Mighty(A Tribute to Manny Pacquiao)

Manny: where am i?
God: you're in the dreamland.
Manny: Lord i have a fight! i am fighting Marquez in Las Vegas, what happened?
God: you have been knocked out.
Manny: is the fight over Lord? i need to wake up..
God: No son, you don't need to, don't worry, you will be fine, the punched did not do any damage to your head or your brain. You will be safe, trust Me
Manny: Okay Lord. Thank You for saving me.
God: .Your welcome My son.
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Manny: Lord why did i lost the fight? is my training not enough?
God: No you did your best in your training.
Manny: is my faith not enough?
God: No, you have a great faith.
Manny: Then why did i lost the fight Lord?
God: I have a better plans for you. I want you to make a difference.
Manny: But how Lord?
God: you will find out soon..
----Lights going out slowly-----
Manny: Lord wait! wait! tell me what should i do?
God: Stay humble My son... stay humble..
--------------------------Mexican crowd cheering---------
Manny Pacquiao slowly opening his eyes
Doctor: Manny! Manny! are you ok?
---Pacquiao nodded...

Doctor: Do you know where you are?
Manny: I am in Las Vegas.. Buboy where are you??
Buboy comes in...
Manny: Anung nangyari, tapos na ba ang laban?(what happened is the fight over?)
Buboy: Oo bro nasingitan tayo (Yes brod, he was able sneak in)
..........................
(It's December 8, 2012 in Las Vegas Nevada Marquez  KO Pacquiao in 6th Round)

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It was a humiliating defeat. Face first, motionless, knocked out cold. To see our Manny Pacquiao that way, breaks our hearts. Words can not express how i feel for him, our fighting pride is down for almost a minute. The agony spread all over the country, and the death blow meets the mighty.

It's all about Respect

In-spite of loss, Pacman remains the same. I've read alot of blogs and articles about him being mocked and being disrespected. You don't need to be Pacman Fan to give him some respect, he represented boxing with class and humility. I remember last June when Timothy Bradley was declared winner against Pacquiao, although everybody knew Manny won, he (Manny) never said anything disrespectful about his opponent.  When is the last time you hear Manny saying bad about his opponents? I am not saying he is perfect, all i am saying is, the man has done nothing wrong to anyone. And even in losing he show some humility.

No Shame in Losing

Even the mighty fall sometimes. There is no exemption to the rules. Manny met his death blow in Marquez's "Perfect Punch". Pacquiao accepted the defeat and thanked God for keeping him safe. If you're fighting one of the best counter punchers in the history of the sport and you over commit, there is no shame in what happened.

Pacquiao - Marquez 5

The score is 2-1-1 in Pacquiao's favor. I believe this fight should happen, it is not because we want Manny to get a knockout revenge, but i believe Manny deserves a rematch. Pacquiao gave Marquez 2 rematches prior to the 4th one. Now it is Marquez's turn to give it back. Win or Lose, Pacquiao will be a legend. And seriously, i don't want to see Manny Pacquiao Retire with this kind of ending on his career. I want him to retire with his head high.


2 important things to learn about Pacquiao - Marquez 4

I notice that Pacquiao's position when he was knocked out. He was face first.
- In Life, sometimes we get knocked out going forward.There is no shame in being knockout when you know in your heart that you have tried your best.

Determination, Patience and Focus to Achieve your goals
- Marquez waited 8 years for this to happen. Whenever Him and Pacquiao Fights, he always take 3 to 4 months training, compare to Manny's 2 months. Marquez's focuses only on one goal, "to beat Manny Pacquiao". And last Dec 8, 2012 his mission was accomplished. I hope we can learn from him.

Pacman Forever

This is our Manny Pacquiao, the fighting pride of the Philippines. Pacman lives forever. You know why? because According to Manny, he met the true source of life, and that is Jesus Christ. He never just met Christ, Manny experienced what it means to be at peace with Christ. We don't know what future will bring, but one thing is for sure, God has a plan, a better future for our Pambansang kamao. Jeremiah 29:11

8 Division Champion
4 Division Lineal World Champion
2000-09 Fighter of the Decade
the list can go on...

Thank you for making us proud Pacman!
God bless you!

Note: The Conversation between God and Manny Pacquiao, was just a mere imagination by the Author.

How to hug a Vampire? Part 2(Unity to fight the Enemy)

I have to confess, i am so nervous at the very start the Cullens and the Volturi went head to head. As i watch Alice approach Aro and offer to show him the future. Then fast forward all i remember is Aro ripped off Dr. Carlisle's head. To tell you the truth, i was shocked more than Esme did in the scene. I thought i heard someone from the crowd saying "Hindi ito nangyari sa book!!"(this was never happened in the book!!). The next thing i saw is Edward in shock and started running towards the Volturi (everybody follows him). The fight scene began. From this moment, everything became interesting. I was holding on to something and got really hooked watching Jasper's head being cut by one of Volturi's main member(ofcourse with the help of Jane). What really made me cry on the fight scene was the death of Seth and Leah, Seth was an innocent young wolf who volunteered to help the cullens against Volturi, Seth was attacked by Jane (Dakota Fanning) and killed by from the back by Volturi's member. And the other is Leah's sacrificial jump for Esme, who's almost pulled into the underground by Volturi's member. Leah reminds me of the bible teachings about loving your enemy, and to the extent by causing her life. Leah hates Esme so much but she still chooses to save her life.

Every christian is a vampire in his own way. The fight scene reminded me how each of us(vampires) are fighting against each other. Attacking each other, hating each other and even destroying each other. When in reality, all of us sucks. Whether we choose to be on Cullen's side, or Volturi's side. The fight scene is intense, and in reality nobody wins no matter what happen. Just like how Christians fight nowadays (not literally but by arguing about who will do it, and how will do it..). In the end nobody wins, and honestly division is the only way to solve it.

The Holy Spirit produces Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. I don't see any reason for Christians to fight if those things are the fruits. The real enemy is Satan, who seek to destroy the work of God. And by making Christians fight each other, he is the one who's enjoy watching the movie(we are the movie).

The last part of the fight scene blows my mind. After Aro saw himself being killed and burned by Bella, He then realized that they should not continue fighting the Cullen's. All was just a mere imagination. Nobody would have thought that it will make an epic ending to the story. What a wonderful realization by Aro, which i believe should be the thinking of all Christians before going into the battle with fellow believer. If all of us will only realize that individually we are all affected, i think all of the arguments will be prevented. In this movie, every vampires has a gift, Bella has a gift of AOE barrier(Area Of Effect), she can defend by surrounding herself and others a barrier. Edward can read minds, Alice can predict the future. Just like many Christian has a gifts, a gift to encourage, to teach to give, to preach, and sometimes a gift to evangelize. How about use it for good and not against each other? The real enemy is Satan. Let's unite to fight him.

The fight scene ended but nobody was wounded. I hope we Christians all does.


United to fight the enemy! All for God's glory!

Read Part 1 Here

How to hug a Vampire? (Not your favorite Movie)

The fight scene started when Dr. Carlisle Cullen's head was cut by Volturi's leader Aro, and yes i think the people who watched the movie knew exactly what i am talking about (spoiler alert!!). Vampires of old movies are scary, they exists only to kill someone and suck their blood.

Creepy isn't it?

But wait there's more!

Do you know that real life vampires exists?

Yes you read it right! "Vampires" exists in reality.

Not the one you see in the movie, but the people around you that suck the life out of you.. Here's few examples:

1. People who always demand their rights, but denied their responsibilities.
2. People who don't follow through their commitments.
3. People who talks so much, and listen so little.
4. People who excuse their own issues but always picks out the flaws of others.
5. People who freak out when faces the slightest inconvenience.
6. People who don't want to put in much effort, but want's awesome results.
7. People who keep bragging about their accomplishments but kinda slow to acknowledge their deficiencies, and slow to give credit to people who help them.
8. People who constantly complaints so much about their situation, while there's so much people who would love to trade places with them.

The list can go on if you'd like to..

I use to hate this kinds of people.. Period...
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It's Tuesday night, i am about to start my cell group with my two disciples. I am reading the book of Romans chapter 12 of the bible, when suddenly, it hits me hard, when God made me realized that what i just wrote above is not a blog introduction, but more of a self assessment. It turns out, that when i use the idea of vampires(life suckers), God made me think that the number one life sucking and blood sucking person in my life is none other than my self. I am my own brand of vampire, "me sucks", i am a life sucker.. and i realized that, "loving the people who sucks the life out of you, starts with realizing how much you suck too.." you may agree and you may be hurt, but either way it is true.. I often suck people's blood by giving them burden, complaining about what i have, and so on. But the worst part of it is, i keep sucking the precious blood of Him Who died for me.. Him Who's grace is sufficient. I am a vampire and i suck so much. I agree with what Paul says: What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25). Very true, God is OUR only way, and i will say it again ONLY way. Not just way to heaven, but the only way to make this life worth living. How to hug a vampire? it starts with realizing how much we suck, realizing how much ungrateful are we. We don't own this life, we are ransomed, and we are bought. 

A change of perspective. 

I pray unity for all church leaders, youth leaders and members. That we may not suck each others blood, but support each other in every step we make. I have a very close friend, who has doctrinal beliefs that i must say i don't usually agree with, but we never fought about it, and in fact we are both respecting each other, and tend to share secrets. 

Let's stop being Vampire, and let's move. All for God's glory.

Kudos to Pastor Steven Furtick!

Read the Part 2 here

Oh Holy Night...

As the "ber" comes, there is only one thing in people's mind nowadays, and yes it is Christmas :)
I am so amazed to see, how people gets so excited whenever this season comes. Some people are already thinking of doing their "to do" lists, "things to buy", and "things to wear". People are so worried about so many things, to the point that christmas became a traumatic season, especially for those people who doesn't have much money.

Christmas should be enjoyed not worried about. Let us remember the true meaning of it, and be excited about the reason of this season. For this night was really the Holy Night, because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born.

As the christmas season begins, i remember one of my favorite christmas song "Oh Holy Night". This song is not just a song, it is very historical. The Original lyrics of this song was written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was ask by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and write the beautiful song of the hymn. He then realized that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams (1803 - 1856).
He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore  composed by Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).

Here's the Original English translated by this song.

O Holy Night Lyrics

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Together i accompanied the lyrics with the unique video version of this song from lifechurch. Truly it is a HOLY NIGHT for all of us. goosebumps whenever i hear this song..

Merry Christmas to everyone! =')

Only by Grace....

It was 1:57 AM in the morning, i have just arrived in the office. I did the usual routine, open my laptop, fill my mug with cold water, Opened my browser, my emails, and other office related stuffs, nothing new. No new work assigned to me. I opened the facebook, and see what's new. So many statuses from different people i knew.. some posted their "usual" activities as if the world is watching every move they make, some posted indirect attacked from somebody(or in tagalog nagpaparinig or nag papatama) and some posted some religious "stuffs" as if they wanted to gain points from above..

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The Parable of the River (Kudos to Max Lucado)

Once there were five sons who lived in a mountain castle with their father. The eldest was an obedient son, but his four younger brothers were rebellious. Their father had warned them of the river, but they had not listened. He had begged them to stay clear of the bank lest they be swept downstream, but the river's lure was too strong.
Each day the four rebellious brothers ventured closer and closer until one son dared to reach in and feel the waters. "Hold my hand so I won't fall in," he said, and his brothers did. But when he touched the water, the current yanked him and the other three into rapids and rolled them down the river.
Over rocks they bounced, through the channels they roared, on the swells they rode. As the strong current of the river cast them down the stream, they all found themselves in strange place, far away from their home. They consider climbing back but the mountain is just too high for them to climb.
Finally, they built a fire and sat down. "We shouldnt have dis-obeyed our father," they admitted. "We are a long way from home."
With the passage of time the sons leaned to survive in the strange land. They found plants for foods and killed animals for clothes. They determined not to forget their homeland nor abandon hopes of returning. Everyday they always hope that someday they will see their father and their older brother again. All for sons longed to see them again.
Then one night, one brother failed to come to their built hut. The others found him the next morning in the valley with some people from that place. He was building his own hut of grass and mud. "I've grown tired of our talks", he told them. "What good does it do to remember?" Besides, this land isn't so bad. I will build a great house and settle here." "But it isn't home," they objected. "No, but it is if you don't think of the real one." "But what of Father?" "What of him? He isn't here. He isn't near. Am I to spend forever waiting his arrival? I'm making new friends; i'm leaning new ways. If he comes, he comes, but i'm not holding my breath." And so the other three left their hut-building brother and walked away.
Some days later a second brother failed to appear at the built house. The next morning his siblings found him on a hillside staring at the hut of his brother.
"How disgusting," he told them as they approached. "Our brother is a failure and an insult to our family name, he forgets our father he is a failure.."
What he's doing is wrong, agreed the youngest brother, "but what we did was wrong as well." We dis-obeyed. We touched the river. We ignored our father's warning.
"Well, we may have made a mistake or two, but compared to sleaze in the hut, we are saints father will dismiss our sin and punish him." "I will keep my eye for our brother., someone must keep a record of his wrongs to show father."
And so the two returned leaving one brother building and other judging.
The remaining two returned to their house encouraging each other and speaking of home. Then one morning the youngest son awoke to find he was alone. He searched for his brother and found him near the river, stacking rocks.
"It's no use," the rock-stacking brother explained as he worked. "Father won't come for me. I must go to him. I offended him. I insulted him. I failed him. There is only one option. I will build a path back up the river and walk into our father's presence." "Maybe if he see how hard i tried, he will have no choice but to let me in again." The youngest brother did not know what to say, as he returned back to their built hut alone.
One morning, the youngest brother heard a familiar voice behind him. "Father has sent me to bring you home." The youngest brother lifted his eyes to see the face of his oldest brother. "You have come for us!" he shouted.. For a long the two embraced. "Where's our brothers?" the eldest asked. "One has made a home here. Another is watching him. The third is building a path up the river." And the firstborn set out to find his siblings. He went first to the thatched hut in the valley.
"Go away stranger!" screamed the brother through the window. "you are not welcomed here!". "I have come to take you home." "You have not. You have come to take my mansion." "This is no mansion," firstborn countered. "This is a hut" "It is a mansion! The finest in the lowlands. Now go away! you can not have my mansion."

"Don't you remember the house of your father?"
"I have no father", "go away!!"

The firstborn went out and find the second brother who we're watching the hut builder. He didn't have to walk far, outside the hut, there is the fault finding son. When he saw the firstborn approaching, he shouted, "How good that you are here to behold the sin of our brother! Are you aware that he turned his back on the castle? Are you aware that he never speaks of home? I knew you would come. I have kept careful account of his deeds. Punish him! I will applaud your anger. He deserves it! Deal with the sins of our brother."
Firstborn spoke softly, "We need to deal with your sins first."
"My sins?"
"Yes, you disobeyed Father."
The son slapped at the air "my sins are nothing compare to him!" pointing his fingers to the hut.
"I'd rather you tell me about yourself". "Don't worry about me, let me show you who need's help" the fault finding son run to the hut.

The firstborn then walked to the river. There he found the last brother, knee-deep in the water, stacking rocks.
"Father has sent me to take you home." the brother never looked up. "I can't talk now. I must work." "Father knows you have fallen, But he will forgive you..." "he may.. but i must show him that i am worthy.. i will go up there and will ask for his mercy"
"He has already given his mercy. I will carry you up the river, I am stronger."
"I have sinned greatly! i need much work!"
"No brother, you don't need much work, you need much grace."
"No! look at me, i can walk against the river now, i can walk five steps now... i am strong enough to go back up there.."
"But you still have five millions steps to go.."
"Go away! i can do this! i can win our father's mercy! i will work harder to earn it!"

Firstborn shook his head "Favor won is no favor. Mercy earned is no mercy. I implore you, let me carry you up the river." The brother ignored the firstborn. So the firstborn turned and left.

The youngest brother was waiting near the built hut, when the firstborn returned.
"The others didn't come?"
"No, one chose to indulge, the other to judge, and the third to work. None of them chose our father."
"So they'll remain here?"
The eldest brother nodded slowly. "For now"
"And we will return to Father?" asked the youngest brother.
"Yes."
"Will he forgive me?"
"Would he have sent me if he wouldn't?"
And so the younger brother climbed on the back of the firstborn and began journey home.
---------

All four brothers heard the same invitation. each had an opportunity to be carried home by the elder brother.
Now the question is.. who among them are you?
The first said no, choosing grass hut over his father's house.
The second said no, preferring to analyze the mistakes of his brother than admit his own.
The third said no, thinking it wiser to make a good impression than an honest confession.
And the fourth said yes, choosing gratitude over guilt.

May i ask a vital question? as you read of the brothers, which describes your relationship to God? have you like the fourth son, recognized your helplessness to make the journey home alone? Do you take the extended hand of your Father? Are you caught in the grip of His grace? Or are you like one of the other three sons?

Are we those people in my FB page? who's status are only to show the world what he/she is doing, or maybe we are the people who were busy looking and judging others. And just like the third son, maybe we are the hardworking christians who always, go to work, forgetting the fact that God already did it for us. Our job is to trust Him, not to trust our capabilities. I saw some people in my FB working hard for God's kingdom, but if i look and give honest opinion about their lives, nothing really changed at all.  The Gospel should be lived by, not talked by. It is very nice to share the Word ofcourse! and i also believe that to be our goal. But don't you think we may share the gospel by living and practicing it? and it will be much powerful for us to share it, and show it rather than just mere talking about it? Why not practice what we preach?

When i first read about this parable, i thought what the third son did was good. He kept working to earn his Father's mercy. But as the story goes, i realized that it's no use at all, and besides, the work made the third brother proud of his works.. Just like us, if we work for God's kingdom, the tendency we became proud. We look at other people's works too.. We say "well, i do the devotion everyday, he doesn't, i do this and that, he doesn't" and the list will go on...

We must realize that only by His Grace we are saved... No other things needed. Jesus the firstborn is enough to carry us back home to our Father. The bible said He is the only way to God, there is NO OTHER WAY to father except through Jesus(John 14:6). So i urge you to once and for all, respond to His invitation to accept Him as your Savior and Lord, and you will have peace in your heart forever.