As the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines continues to be at low risk (note: low numbers of new COVID-19 cases reported daily), the nation is not only recovering gradually but also growing with regards to the national economy and tourism. More on tourism, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed recently that the Philippines is opening its borders to travelers from Israel without a visa, the Manila Bulletin reported.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippines is now opening its doors to Israelis without a visa, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday, April 25.
“We are delighted to once again welcome our Israeli friends to our country, just in time for the summer!” Philippine Ambassador to Israel Macairog S. Alberto said.
“Aside from the breathtaking natural beauty, colorful culture, and endless adventures that await Israelis in the Philippines, it is the warm hospitality and genuine friendship of Filipinos that truly make the travel meaningful and unforgettable,” Alberto added.
Since April 1, the country started opening its doors for Israelis without a visa. They only need to be fully vaccinated, undergo RT-PCR test within 48 hours or a laboratory-based antigen test within 24 hours pre-flight, and have a travel insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000 which covers Covid-19 treatment.
The DFA assured visitors that they will feel safe while in the country as almost 100 percent of Philippine tourism workers are fully vaccinated and tourism establishments are complying with local health guidelines.
Aside from islands such as Boracay, El Nido, and Cebu, which are constantly listed as the world’s top beach destinations, the Philippines also boast of destinations that appeal to the adventure-loving Israeli traveler. These include swimming with whale sharks in Oslob and Donsol, snorkeling with sea turtles in Apo Island, scuba diving in Anilao, surfing in Siargao, volcano trekking in Bicol, diving shipwrecks in Coron, and exploring Puerto Princesa’s Underground River.
The above article ended stating that travelers from Israel may check the official website of the Department of Tourism (DOT) (click https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/) and they can get in touch with the Tourism Promotion Section of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, or send an e-mail to telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph.
If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful (not religious), you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel, love the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.
Welcome back, my readers and fellow Christians! In this newest edition of my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) series, we will focus on Now I’m Alive, another original worship song from New Life Music. For the newcomers reading this, the previous New Life Music worship song I examined and analyzed was Touch From Heaven.
If you want to discover more about New Life Music, I encourage you to click here (Facebook page) and here (YouTube). New Life Music is part of New Life Philippines whose main church is located inside Alabang Hills Village in Muntinlupa City, Philippines. To know more about New Life Philippines, visit https://newlife.ph/
To get started with Now I’m Alive, watch this official lyric video from New Life Music.
Before getting into the analysis of the Biblical relevance of Now I’m Alive, posted below for your reference are the lyrics composed by Faith Tugano, Kate Naranjo and Solomon Pagapong.
VERSE 1
Oh what love You have shown me
At the cross You have bled for me
My sins You erased
I am saved by Your grace
VERSE 2
I was lost but You found me
Broken – You delivered me
Forgiven I stand
Forever held in Your hands
CHORUS
Jesus, You have brought me back to life
Made righteous, pure and now redeemed in Christ
Jesus, You have brought me back to life
Now I’m alive
Now I’m alive
VERSE 3
No more fear No more shame
No longer bound No longer a slave
Jesus, You have won it all for me
CHORUS 2
Jesus, You have brought me back to life
Made righteous, pure and now redeemed in Christ
Jesus, You have brought me back to life
Now I’m alive
Now I’m alive
Jesus, You have brought me back to life
Made righteous, pure and now redeemed in Christ
Forgiven, set free, I’m alive in Christ
Now I’m alive
Now I’m alive
BRIDGE 1
Your love knows no end
Your love knows no bounds
Nothing can separate me from Your love
BRIDGE 2
No sin, No fear
No power can separate me
From Your love
From Your love
To begin with, let’s take a close look at the lyrics of Verse 1 of the song: Oh what love You have shown me, At the cross You have bled for me, My sins You erased, I am saved by Your grace.
The Verse 1 lyrics are truthful as they clearly reference the sacrifice of Jesus whom God sent to save us from sin. Jesus is our Redeemer, our Lord and Savior. For anyone who is still lost and unsaved, the way to establish a relationship with the Lord and get redeemed/saved is by getting born again. Learn from the following holy scriptures below…
For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.
John 3:16 (TPT)
Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (NASB)
For sin’s meager wages is death, but God’s lavish gift is life eternal, found in your union with our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.
Romans 6:23 (TPT)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NASB)
And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well.
Acts 16:31 (AMPC)
Moving forward, take a close look at the following lines from the Chorus of the song: Jesus, You have brought me back to life, Made righteous, pure and now redeemed in Christ, Jesus, You have brought me back to life, Now I’m alive, Now I’m alive.
In my analysis, the Chorus lyrics emphasize the redemption and sacrifice Lord Jesus made to save us. Before the redemption happened, people were trapped by sin, idols, unbelief, rebellion, hopelessness and death. Jesus truly freed people from the darkness that clouded them. Remember that the Lord is always working on all things for our good and we only need to be faithful to Him, follow Him and believe in Heavenly things that are coming. Learn from the bible scriptures below…
Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by his blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of his grace.
Ephesians 1:7 (TPT)
Little children, you can be certain that you belong to God and have conquered them, for the One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to this world and they articulate the spirit of this world, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and whoever truly knows God listens to us. Those who refuse to listen to us do not belong to God. That is how we can know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
1 John 4:4-6 (TPT)
But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
Romans 5:8 (AMPC)
Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too.
John 14:6 (TPT)
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:5 (NASB)
Yahweh, you’re the bedrock beneath my feet, my faith-fortress, my wonderful deliverer, my God, my rock of rescue where none can reach me. You’re the shield around me, the mighty power that saves me, and my high place.
Psalms 18:2 (TPT)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Psalm 34:18 (NLT)
Moving forward, take a close look at the following lines from Bridge 1 of the song: Your love knows no end, Your love knows no bounds, Nothing can separate me from Your love.
The Bridge 1 lyrics are about the love of the Lord which is very great and eternal for the faithful. To understand the meaning of the said lyrics and what His love is about, read the following scriptures below…
Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (TPT)
Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love, even though it is written:
All day long we face death threats for your sake, God.
We are considered to be nothing more
than sheep to be slaughtered!
Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!
Romans 8:35-39 (TPT)
Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love.
John 15:9 (NASB)
In this last analysis of the lyrics, I want you all to focus on the title – Now I’m Alive. As Christians, we are living under the watch, guidance and love of the Lord. We are alive – even spiritually – because Lord Jesus saved us and His spirit – the Holy Spirit – is in our hearts! We are the living faithful children of God dedicated to follow Him through His Word and the Truth! We are no longer trapped by darkness and sin because we chose to be saved by Jesus and accepted Him as our Lord and Savior! Learn from the following scriptures below…
Guard and keep [with the greatest care] the precious and excellently adapted [Truth] which has been entrusted [to you], by the [help of the] Holy Spirit Who makes His home in us.
2 Timothy 1:14 (AMPC)
But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father’s] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].
Hebrews 3:6 (AMPC)
For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Ephesians 3:14-20 (NASB)
And it’s true: “Everyone who calls on the Lord’s name will experience new life.”
Romans 10:13 (TPT)
Indeed, the lyrics and title of Now I’m Alive are holy and anointed! While I am clearly not involved with the composition of the song, it is evident that New Life Music wrote it to be true to the Word of God. Musically speaking, Now I’m Alive is beautiful and solemn to listen to. Very obviously, it is a great song for Sunday worship as well as special church events. Now I’m Alive is also an ideal worship song to help the faithful strengthen their faith in the Lord.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved and the lost souls out there.
If you are looking for good news and details that can help deepen your faith in the Lord, check out the recent CBN News story about a North Carolina-based church that paid to fill the fuel tanks of hundreds of customers who lined up at the gas stations. Considering how expensive gas is right now, the anointed move by Kingdom City Church is a blessing to those who badly need gas at a time when they are struggling financially. To be clear, Kingdom City Church has been doing this special thing for years.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the CBN News report. Some parts in boldface…
With painfully high gas prices still hurting American families nationwide, churches across the country have partnered with gas stations to help alleviate the burden with either discounted or free fuel.
Kingdom City Church in Charlotte, North Carolina recently took part in helping to fill the tanks of those in need.
“At the end of the day, it’s a blessing to be a blessing to God’s people,” Pastor Brian Carn told CBN News’ The PrayerLink.
He explained that his church has been doing a gas outreach for several years, but with the rising cost of goods, this year’s event was more significant.
“I believe that the life of a Christian should be a life that is overflowing with compassion,” he shared. “We were just faithfully doing it over the last couple of years and it actually came in handy this year in a powerful way.”
More than 300 people received free gas, along with grocery vouchers and gift cards.
“People were actually running out of gas, coming to the gas station,” Carn said of the event that took place in late March. “We were having to push their cars to the gas station, but to be able to use that as a tool to get people saved, pray for people, get people healed and delivered.”
Members of Kingdom City Church pumped gas for drivers so they could sit in their cars and receive ministry and prayer.
“I drove about 25 minutes to get over here to get a tank of gas,” said one driver. “Everyone was pleasant and I really appreciate everything you guys have done for me and everyone out here today.”
“Once we got here you feel the Holy Spirit around us…you can feel His Spirit just move you,” another driver told the church. “Speaking to people prior to getting the gas, praying with people…it’s earth-shaking.”
Pastor Carn personally financed the entire event, giving away $10,000 worth of fuel. He said he wanted to pour back into the community and sow a seed.
“I wanted to make it my business to sow into those who come. You know a lot of times as the church we do a lot of receiving, but not much pouring back into the people,” he explained, “so I wanted to make it my business to sow a seed into the lives of people all over the city of Charlotte so that God could use me as a conduit to let them know that God cares about your tank as much as he cares about your pocket and your heart.”
The above article ended quoting Pastor Carn: “You know Jesus fed them first and then ministered to them. So that was our fish and the loaves.”
Now, check out the related CBN News video below. Watch how caring Kingdom City Church is to the people who need gas…
What this news story should remind you is that when you are blessed by the Lord, do not forget to be a blessing to others. Never forget that God blesses the faithful abundantly! Learn from the following holy scriptures below…
“Your lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 (TPT)
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:10-12 (NKJV)
Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything —every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do. Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in him: Because he has sown extravagantly and given to the poor, his kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten. This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First he supplies every need, plus more. Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow. You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (TPT)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
For those who are wondering what Kingdom City Church is, check out the excerpt of their history from their website posted below…
Kingdom City Church (KCC) is a national ministry founded in September 2016 by Senior Pastor, Brian Carn, along with the ministry assistance of our former Associate Senior Pastors. KCC is currently located in Charlotte, North Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; Houston, Texas; and soon to be all over the world! With only a word from the Lord, “Move to Charlotte!” Prophet Carn spoke to the people of God concerning this great assignment the Lord had given him. It was the beginning of a ministry who was hungry for a move of God like never before! As we launched our first service in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, September 4, 2016, we knew God was beginning something that would change the lives of many for years to come. With an extremely packed sanctuary every week, the power of God flowed through the place from beginning to end, compelling men and women to be saved and have a deeper encounter with God.
Praise and thank the Lord for Kingdom City Church blessing so many people with their latest gas outreach! Through them, God’s love, care and blessing were passed on to others!
This past Saturday, Hillsong Church posted on its official Facebook page the latest update about their Ukraine Appeal. They have already raised hundreds of thousands of Dollars and their churches in Europe are also involved in the assistance for the people of Ukraine. To those who already donated to Hillsong’s Ukraine Appeal, I urge you to read the details closely.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Hillsong Church FB post. Some parts in boldface…
Since Hillsong launched its Ukraine appeal 4 weeks ago across our churches globally, we have raised and distributed over $630,000 in supporting humanitarian aid within the region.
• We have secured several large warehouses in Ukraine and Poland with a steady flow of Humanitarian Aid, which is in the process of being established to ensure they are filled and distributed to those in need.
• As a first step, three tons of food supplies will be shipped to the Ukraine Warehouses this week.
• We have sent two thousand mattresses to Ukraine, helping people in bunkers and metropolitan stations.
• Our Hillsong Kyiv Staff and team have assisted those in our church, mostly women and children, who have fled to Warsaw in acquiring accommodation, food, supplies and military protection vests.
• Together with Hillsong Kyiv we set up close communication to our other European locations to connect more people fleeing to find a place where they can ‘call home’ and be taken care of through our Church and Churches that we are in relationship with. Due to the overcrowding of cities like Warsaw, this has been crucial and now the Hillsong team in Warsaw can host Women, Children & Seniors nights for fellowship and connection.
• Another praise report was the opportunity to host twenty of the women now in Warsaw for the opening night of Hillsong Colour Conference and spend precious moments worshipping and hearing God’s word together.
• In Hillsong Berlin, after three weeks of hosting families with people from our Church Community, an opportunity emerged through a Church member to utilise a Guest House which is no longer in use. This facility will accommodate forty spaces for the coming months with eight families living there now.
• The Hillsong Berlin community has supported these families with the registration process, basic supplies, process of applying for schooling and funding.
• Hillsong Sweden is assisting with a full project on the ground to house and serve refugees.
Thank you to our global Hillsong church for your generosity and giving in supporting these efforts through our Ukraine Appeal.
It is indeed delightful to read the above details. Hillsong Church did not just collect the donations but also coordinated with its churches in Europe to make the varied forms of assistance for the affected Ukrainians really progress and make positive impact.
If you intend to donate to Hillsong’s Ukraine Appeal and become part of the collective effort to help those in need, take a close look at the bible scriptures below…
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13 (NLT)
Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home.
Romans 12:13 (TPT)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA. Some parts in boldface…
Israel and the Philippines are working to fast-track the deployment of some 500 Filipino hotel workers as Israel reopens its tourism industry, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.
The agency said Philippine Ambassador to Israel Macairog Alberto met the officials of the Israel Hotel Association (IHA) last March 14 in hopes to expedite the OFWs’ deployment by April 2022.
“As Israel reopens its tourism industry, allows the entry of both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, and eases its travel and health restrictions, its hotel sector will require a full workforce to cater to the expected influx of tourists to the Holy Land,” the DFA said.
“The Philippines and Israel are thus working together to fast-track the arrival of the initial batch of 500 Filipino hotel workers in the first week of April, ahead of Passover and Holy Week, both peak holidays and tourist-draws for the country,” it added.
The project is under the 2018 Philippines-Israel labor agreement for a government-to-government arrangement for Filipino hotel workers in Israel.
During the March 14 meeting, IHA said its members may require up to 10,000 laborers and expressed readiness to hire 800 Filipino hotel workers, which will then be increased to 2,000 at the earliest opportunity.
IHA also praised the Filipino workers’ professionalism, English proficiency, and work.
Alberto, meanwhile, assured the association that the Embassy is working closely with the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, as well as with Israeli labor and immigration authorities for the deployment.
It is indeed a blessing from the Lord that the essential ties and established agreements between Israel and the Philippines created many job opportunities for Filipino hotel workers as they are already needed to fill the labor needs of Israel’s tourism industry as lots of foreign travelers are already arriving there. Do not forget that here in the Philippines, a lot of Christians are eager to visit Israel to tour the Holy Land as pilgrims and already Behold Israel has scheduled Bible Experience Tours for June, September, November and December this year! Truly God is good, He is always watching us and we should be thankful to Him as both the Philippines and Israel are recovering from COVID-19 crisis.
If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful (not religious), you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel, love the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.
While I was able to visit the United States several times in my life, I never got to visit the state of Iowa. Very recently, Iowa made waves in the news as their governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a significant piece of state legislation that prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in sports events of females – specifically from kindergarten through college –, according to a CBN News report.
In the presence of many young ladies and little girls, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds formally signed into law House File 2416 which prohibits biological males from competing in females’ sports. (photo source – @IAGovernor)
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the CBN News report. Some parts in boldface…
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill Thursday that prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in female sports from kindergarten through college.
During the signing of House File 2416, Reynolds was surrounded by a group of cheerful young female athletes. The measure received approval from the state’s House and Senate, passing with a vote of 31 to 17.
“This is a victory for girls’ sports in Iowa,” Reynolds said in a statement. “No amount of talent, training or effort can make up for the natural physical advantages males have over females. It’s simply a reality of human biology. Forcing females to compete against males is the opposite of inclusivity and it’s absolutely unfair.”
Under the new law, schools at all levels must designate sporting events as male, female, or co-ed. Students wanting to compete in sports must play with others that match the gender listed on their birth certificate.
Numerous groups shared their support of HF 2416 and applauded Gov. Reynolds for defending female sports in Iowa.
“Protecting girls’ sports isn’t political; it’s biological reality,” said The Family Leader, a conservative group based in Iowa. “Allowing genetically male athletes to compete in women’s sports puts our girls at an undeniable physical disadvantage and threatens their athletic opportunities. Our high school girls and college women deserve to compete on a level playing field, and today, that playing field is protected.”
“Trans girls are boys, not girls. Trans women are men, not women,” remarked State Senator Jeff Taylor (R-District 2) during a hearing about safeguarding women’s sports.
Christiana Holcomb, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), praised Iowa for passing the legislation.
“When the law ignores biological reality, female athletes lose medals, podium spots, public recognition, and opportunities to compete,” Holcomb said. “Comparably fit and trained males will always have physical advantages over females – that’s the reason we have girls’ sports.
However, Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ youth advocacy group, called the measure “a solution in search of a problem” to score “petty political points at the expense of Iowa’s children,” the organization tweeted.
Iowa became the 11th state to ban transgender athletes from competing in female sports. Others include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
While I am clearly not a resident of Iowa and it has been many long years since my time of sports officiating has ended, I must say that the new law of Iowa makes perfect sense and it should help the collective American efforts to push back against the wrongful allowing of biological males competing right along with their female counterparts in sports events that are meant for female competition.
I personally saw lots of local sports events which had competitive categories specific to age-groups (apart from the normal men’s open and women’s open categories) which are further split by gender. Take for example, in a foot race that attracts several hundred participants, the athletes belonging to the 20-24 age-group who emerged as the top 3 finishers of their gender result the awarding of medals and prizes to the top 3 males and top 3 females under the 20-24 age category. Winners of different genders under the same age-group are not to be awarded in a mixed-gender approach.
The trend of transgendered females – who are biological males identifying as females – competing with true females (biological females) in female sports events is very wrong and clearly unfair. As such, I strongly agree with Iowa’s new law and I can say that the other states that implemented the ban on transgender athletes from competing in female sports did the right thing. Transgender athletes’ participation will ruin not only female-focused sports events but sports events in general as we know it.
Let us be clear here. God created human beings only in the form of male and female. There is simply no in-between and no alternatives to the male and female. Read the holy scriptures below. Key parts related to gender in boldface for you readers…
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV)
So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
Genesis 2:20-23 (NKJV)
The holy story of God’s creation of humans with male and female as the genders is definitive and clearly truthful. “Transgender” refers to an individual whose gender identity differs in some way from his/her birth or biological sex. To put it clearly, transgenderism is an abnormality and like homosexuality, it is also an abomination. Transgenderism is clearly unnatural. In addition, there is a Satanic Left effort in this world that exists to not only cause gender confusion but also distort humanity as well. For added insight, watch the video below…
For added insight about the unfair inclusion of biological males in females’ sports events, watch the videos below…
Going back to the CBN News report, I strongly agree with Governor Kim Reynolds that the law she signed is a victory for girls’ sports in their state and that having biological females forced to compete against biological males is both unfair and the opposite of inclusivity. I also strongly agree with The Family Leader group that the protection of girls’ sports is a biological reality and not political. Iowa state senator Jeff Taylor pointed out the obvious – Trans girls are boys. Trans women are men.
We should praise and thank the Lord for this Iowa breakthrough. We should pray to Him that more states around the United States as well as nations around the world will follow Iowa’s example and set the record straight – females’ sports are strictly for biological females.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about Iowa’s approved law banning transgender girls and women from participating in sports events of females? Do you agree that biological females should always be protected from the biological males trying to compete against them in sports events that are meant for females? Do you think that the transgendered people are being discriminated? If you are a parent and you know that your athlete daughter will be competing with a disadvantage in a sports event that includes biological males as her competitors, how would you feel?
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The generosity of Israel for the Philippines will soon be realized specifically in the dairy sector of the nation as a partnership between the two nations was formally signed, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. This is
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from report of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…
In a signing ceremony on March 2, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar and Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss signed a joint declaration that would jumpstart technical and economic partnerships between Filipino stakeholders and Israeli agri-food industry players.
“We aim to introduce smart and precision agriculture while using Israeli technology adjusted to local conditions to address the local challenges. Signing the joint declaration is a strong signal that MASHAV, Israel’s agency for development cooperation, will be happy to support the Philippines through technical assistance and capacity-building programs, especially in the dairy industry,” Fluss said.
In the proposed 2020-2025 Dairy Road Map, the government seeks to increase the country’s dairy input to provide milk for Filipino children and address malnutrition and poverty.
“Israel is a model to us. The Philippine government is eager to learn from Israel’s best dairy practices, we want to know more about the technologies. We have also watched with great interest the progress of the joint-dairy projects between Israel and Vietnam, and we wish to learn as much in the Philippines,” Dar said.
“I trust the joint declaration is only the first step to continuing mutual relationship and assistance,” he added.
The signing was followed by a virtual event, which featured best practices from Israel’s dairy industry and leading technologies to increase farm productivity.
At the webinar, Dairy Fresh Asia’s chief dairy expert and co-founder Gonen Harel said his company plans to build a demo farm that can help change the dairy industry and its scale in the Philippines by training the local workforce and blending it with Israeli technologies that have proven its success in Vietnam.
Dr. William Medrano, DA Undersecretary for Livestock, for his part, acknowledged the need to attract more Israeli companies and utilize their technologies for the Philippine milk industry.
Ariane Blancia, commercial officer and sector lead for Agrotechnologies, said that about 1.5 billion liters of cow milk were produced in Israel last 2020 alone.
“There are many reasons why Israeli Holstein cow is a world leader in milk yields, but the real answer lies actually in the combination of the unique method of production and quotas, heat stress management, breeding among others that are used in Israel to manage and improve the dairy herd,” Blancia said.
The Philippines will soon have its dairy industry boosted thanks to this strategic and beneficial partnership with Israel. The State of Israel is very well known for its advancements in agriculture and dairy. Truly this latest development about the blossoming ties between Israel and the Philippines is something we all must be thankful to the Lord for.
If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful (not religious), you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel, love the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.
In ending this I Love Israel piece, posted below are Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and enlightenment.
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
War is tragedy. No matter what caused the war and no matter what political ideologies clashed, there will always be victims left and right. Over there in Europe, there is a war between Ukraine and Russia (the invader) going on and already many Ukrainians saw their lives disrupted and filled with uncertainties. The war is already affecting the global economy which is very unfortunate because much of the world is still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Over in Australia, Hillsong Church officially launched the Ukraine Appeal online. The Ukraine Appeal is an act of emergency to help the Ukrainians. It is also notable that Hillsong Church has its own church there in Ukraine – Hillsong Kiev.
To put things in perspective, posted below is Hillsong Church’s message emphasizing the Ukraine Appeal…
After weeks of escalating tensions, on February 24, Russia orchestrated a military invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes to neighbouring countries, the capital of Kyiv is under siege and thousands are sheltering in any place of safety they can find.
Globally, our hearts and prayers go out to our Hillsong church family in Kyiv. As such, Hillsong Global has launch an emergency appeal so our church family world-wide can support @hillsongkiev as they continue to assess the needs of their community in very rapidly changing and difficult circumstances. Giving is non-tax deductible for non-USA residents.
Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia and @hillsongkiev as they endeavour to respond to the needs; for these hostilities to cease, and for a lasting peace to ensue.
Thank you for your generosity to the people of Ukraine.
If you have decided to help the Ukrainians through Hillsong Church’s Ukraine Appeal, then head on to https://hillsong.com/appeal/
Do not forget to also pray for the people of Ukraine who are struggling a lot in this new crisis. In case you missed the news videos and details recently published by CBN News covering the situation over there, there are lots Ukrainian Christians who are strongly worshipping and trusting in God. They are not giving up in their faith in Him even though there is danger around them. These details alone should convince you to pray for Ukraine and help them by donating through Hillsong Church’s Ukraine Appeal. Also pray for the Russians and for Russia’s leaders to look up to God, realize their destructive method is very wrong and stop the invasion.
Let me end this post with the bible scriptures below. Certain lines in boldface…
This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!
Jeremiah 22:3 (NLT)
Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles.
Galatians 6:2 (TPT)
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.
Psalm 31:15 (NKJV)
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Note: Hillsong logo is a property of Hillsong Church.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
It is indeed terrible that the nation of Ukraine continues to get ravaged by Russia which continues to be magnified a lot by the mainstream news media. To really set aside all of the media noise and politics related to the tragedy in Ukraine, focus on the Lord and praying to Him is a must. Pray to Him for the protection of Ukraine and for the stoppage of the rampage being done by Russia. Only God can lift up the persecuted and restore them fully and His Son Jesus will always be the light that people trapped by darkness can always come to. Let me also add the vengeance is the Lord’s (read Romans 12:19 in the Holy Bible).
Thanks to the Lord, there is really good news that recently happened as over a hundred children’s lives were saved as a result of the joint efforts of the Israeli embassy, Chabad and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, according to The Jerusalem Post’s news article. The said children are being taken cared of right now and at the same time the State of Israel is actively welcoming the affected Ukrainian Jews who have decided to migrate.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from report of The Jerusalem Post. Some parts in boldface…
More than 100 children made it out of Ukraine on Wednesday, thanks to a military-style operation that beat all the odds.
Many of the children live in Chabad’s orphanage in Odessa and the rest were sent by their parents, who stayed behind – in some cases to help younger children or elderly parents, and in some cases to fight.
The children – the youngest of whom is only 37 days old – left Odessa at 7 a.m. on four buses and arrived in Chisinau by 5 p.m. – a trip that normally takes three hours. But the roads are packed with cars full of refugees fleeing Ukraine and 40 of the kids, including the newborn, were not carrying documents.
For now, they will go to Berlin, where Chabad Rabbi Yehuda Tiechtel will look after them, hoping the war in Ukraine will end soon and that the children can return.
Daniel Svechnikov, 16, from Odessa, left behind his mother, who is taking care of his five-year-old brother, who has special needs.
“She is worried about me but she told me it was right to leave,” Svechnikov said. “I was scared, because I heard bombs. The Russians destroyed military targets near my home. At the border, I saw so many cars and people walking. Police helped us through traffic, and thank God we’re here.
Svechnikov said he wants to live in Israel, do his matriculation examinations and serve in the IDF. He said he hopes his family will follow him there.
Shoshana Khusid, 18, said her parents stayed behind to take care of her grandmother. She took her little brother and sister with her.
“It is very hard,” she said. “I was afraid because there were a lot of noisy sirens. From the first day of the war, I knew in my head that I had to go.”
The mission was helped by the Israeli embassy and Chabad and was funded by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which has allocated more than $4 million, donated by friends of Israel in the United States and Canada.
The grant is being transferred to Jewish organizations in the field and is assisting the Jewish community with food, medicine, emergency hotlines, evacuation, fuel and generators. The money will be used, among other things, for the activities of the Jewish Agency, Chabad, the Joint Distribution Committee, Tikva and other organizations that are active in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Operation “Israeli Guarantee” to rescue Ukrainian Jews will launch with Three special flights with about 300 immigrants will land at Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday, March 6, in a joint operation by the Aliyah and Absorption Ministry, the Jewish Agency and the Fellowship, with the assistance of donations from the Jewish Federations in North America and Keren Hayesod.
Aliyah and Absorption Minister Pnina Tamano Sheta, Jewish Agency acting chairman Yaakov Hagoel and Fellowship president Yael Eckstein will welcome the immigrants at Ben-Gurion Airport.
Ukrainian Jews will arrive on three different flights. Two immigrant flights will depart from Warsaw, Poland and from Chisinau, Moldova. Another flight of about 100 orphans arranged by Chabad will depart from Iasi in Romania.
The new immigrants are refugees who escaped the fighting in Ukraine and were absorbed into the immigration centers opened by the Jewish Agency and IFCJ in the countries bordering Ukraine.
Immediately after landing at Ben-Gurion Airport, the immigrants will be absorbed by the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption.
The above article ended stating that absorption consultants who are tasked to take care of each immigrant and provide them with a broad initial absorption envelope for optimal adaptation and also a special rights exercise procedure. Also prepared for the immigrants are temporary housing solutions in hotels. These are parts of the emergency plan for the absorption of Ukrainian Jews.
Considering all the very depressing news reports about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine being published every day, this recent news about the saved Ukrainian children and the continued acceptance of Ukrainian Jews into Israel is truly delightful. This also proves that the Lord is working to help the sufferers and those who have decided to be faithful to Him! God will never abandon the unfortunate and those who are lost and unsaved only need to come to Jesus and look up to Him as their Lord and Savior.
In ending this I Love Israel piece, posted below are Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and enlightenment.
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
Thanks to the Lord who listens to the prayers of the faithful and will never abandon them, Alert Level 1 is now in effect all over Metro Manila which will last until March 15, 2022. Along the way, the national authorities amended the guidelines for Alert Level, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). There will still be specific rules that need to be followed and things like face masks and vaccination cards are still required. As such, pay close attention to the details about the amended guidelines.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Sunday approved the amendments to the guidelines on the nationwide implementation of the Alert Level System for Covid-19 response.
This, after the IATF also approved on Sunday placing the National Capital Region and 38 other areas under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15.
Under Alert Level 1, the IATF said there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and even comorbidities.
All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards.
Meanwhile, face-to-face classes for primary education shall be subject to prior approval of the Office of the President.
Below are some of the protocols to be observed under Alert Level 1:
*Well-fitted face masks shall be worn properly at all times, whether outdoors or in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, except when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and practicing outdoor sports/exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained;
*All private offices and workplaces, including public and private construction sites, may operate at full 100 percent capacity, consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for on-site work. However, they may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk.
*Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall likewise adhere to 100 percent on-site workforce. Off-site work shall be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.
*On the other hand, public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1 shall be at full seating capacity. For intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity shall be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination. For aviation, maritime and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Levels 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100 percent. The use of acrylic and/or plastic dividers in public transportation shall not be required. The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system shall likewise not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1.
*On contact tracing, the use of health declaration forms/paper-based contact tracing shall not be required for all the agencies and establishments under Alert Level 1. On the other hand, the use of digital contact tracing such as the StaySafe.PH application is optional for all the agencies and establishments.
*On testing prioritization, testing protocols shall be implemented, consistent with national guidelines, for individuals who are unvaccinated or have higher exposure risk pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 148-B and No. 149, s. 2021. In addition, testing using RT-PCR shall be recommended and prioritized for: Priority Groups A2 (persons above 60 years old) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and Priority Group A1 or healthcare workers. Testing shall be optional for other groups not stated above. It shall not be recommended for asymptomatic close contacts unless symptoms will develop, and should immediately isolate regardless of test results. Instead, symptom monitoring is recommended. Should testing still be used, testing should be done at least 5 days from the day of last exposure. Testing shall also not be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals. Meanwhile, testing using antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available, consistent with previously issued guidelines.
*The Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committees (HIPCC) may implement testing protocols in health facilities for health workers and patients based on their assessment of risk and benefit.
*On isolation and quarantine, updated quarantine protocols for incoming international travelers shall be consistent with IATF Resolution No. 160 A/B, and updated isolation and quarantine protocols for general public and healthcare workers and authorized sectors shall be consistent with DOH Dept Memo No. 2022-0013.
*Under Alert Level 1, establishments are no longer required to set-up isolation facilities within the workplace.
*On treatment, close contacts, asymptomatic confirmed cases and mild to moderate confirmed cases shall be managed at the primary care level, such as health centers, private clinics thru face to face or teleconsultation, while confirmed cases with severe and critical symptoms shall be managed in the appropriate health care facility.
*In the case of reintegration, isolation can be discontinued upon completion of the recommended isolation period, provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and symptoms.
*For the purpose of claiming sick leave, health benefits or other relevant processes wherein the proofs of Covid-19 management are necessary, a medical certification may suffice provided it should include the following minimum information: name of patient, severity of symptoms, diagnosis as probable or confirmed COVID-19, and date of end of quarantine and/or isolation period.
Meanwhile, individuals 18 years old and above will be required to present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments, such as but not limited to:
*In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covi-19 and for the cremains of the Covid-19 deceased;
*All indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries. For outdoor or al fresco dining and take out channels, no proof of full vaccination is required;
*All indoor personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology and other similar procedures including home service options;
*Fitness studios, gyms and venues for exercise and sports;
*All indoor cinemas or movie houses operating at full capacity;
*Meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibition events and permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
*Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters;
*Indoor ancillary establishments in hotels and other accommodation establishments; and
*Venues for election-related events.
Proof of full vaccination shall be required before entry in the list of establishments identified under the principles of 3C’s strategy against Covid-19.
Children ages 17 and below shall not be required to present proof of vaccination status.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? If you are a Metro Manila resident, do you feel very relieved about Alert Level 1 in effect for the next two weeks?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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Author Carlo Carrasco 