Tag: Holy Spirit

My time at the Dead Sea beach (Ein Bokek area)

My time at the Dead Sea beach (Ein Bokek area)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from my personal experiences and observations during the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined. Additional information from the official websites of a mentioned businesses is also used. This is not a sponsored article. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, readers and fellow followers of the Lord! This is the 7th chapter of my ongoing series of articles about the holy nation of Israel with recollections about the experiences and discoveries I had during the pilgrimage tour I joined with my local church (hosted by its strategic partner Behold Israel). To see my previous Israel tour articles, click here, here, here, here, here and here.

In this latest edition of my Israel 2023 series, I share with you my observations and captured images about my time at the Dead Sea area of Ein Bokek which has a huge beach and several stores, and hotels/resorts that cater to tourists. Our tour group arrived at a hotel near Ein Bokek Beach on an afternoon and we had a little over twelve hours staying time in the area.

To be very clear, there were no opportunities for me to try floating on the Dead Sea beach nearby due to the time of our arrival at the hotel and the schedule of our pilgrimage tour. After getting settled in my nice hotel bedroom, I managed to spend time at Ein Bokek Beach where I took pictures, observed the place and, for the first time ever, I touched the Dead Sea water and washed my hands before going to the nearby stores. Early the next morning, as I wanted to maximize my opportunities of discovery and learning, I revisited Ein Bokek Beach. For your reference, posted below is my YouTube video that I recorded on the morning and it should give you a glimpse of the area.

Knowing the Dead Sea

To understand the Dead Sea, it is massive body (note: a very large lake) of very salty water currently shared between Israel and Jordan. It is one of the four saltiest water bodies in the world and also the world’s lowest elevation on land estimated at around 430 meters below sea level. The Dead Sea has its very own distinct eco-system and vast sources of minerals which made it a major attraction of visitors for centuries. Apart from being a major travel destination, the Dead Sea is surrounded by places where major biblical events happened and places that have tremendous historical backgrounds.

Some interesting facts about the Dead Sea: The Dead Sea’s salinity level is over 34% and it does not pour out which is one factor why its salinity is high. The arid desert climate causes evaporation which raises the salinity. With the high salinity, no fish could exist in the Dead Sea and certainly no life could evolve in it although certain forms of bacteria and fungus could survive.

Apart from the high salinity, the water of the Dead Sea contains 26 beneficial minerals. The mineral content of both the air and the water of the area is very notable for therapeutic qualities. Even during the time of King Herod (37 to 4 BC) the Dead Sea area became a health resort.  As such, the Dead Sea within Israel has many beaches where visitors can spend time not only for enjoyment but also to take advantage of the medicinal and therapeutic benefits by carefully touching the Dead Sea water and rubbing their bodies with black mud sources from the banks. With the high salinity, it is best to avoid having Dead Sea water touch your eyes, touch open wounds and touch newly shaved skin as they will cause pain and irritation. Swallowing Dead Sea water is strongly prohibited as it will negatively affect your body’s internal systems. That being said, anyone who plans to spend time at any Dead Sea beach and touch the water by means of floating – not swimming nor diving – should practice caution.

This is what Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea look like early in the morning as the sun rises.

During ancient times, there were cities located close to the Dead Sea – Zoar, Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim. Over the ages, the Dead Sea water receded and continues to do so gradually. While the Dead Sea today is physically connected with the Jordan River which itself is connected with the Sea of Galilee (AKA Lake Tiberias), its major sources of water since the 1960s are the sulfur springs and waste water along with rare drizzles and flash floods.

As little amounts of water flow in and evaporation under the harsh desert sun continue to happen, there is concern that the Dead Sea could dry up decades from now. With the decline of the Dead Sea’s water level, sinkholes have appeared in some locations which destroyed roads and even resorts.

As to how it got referred to as the Dead Sea, the very salty water makes it impossible for fish and plants to exist in it.

My time at Ein Bokek

Our pilgrimage tour group was booked at the Daniel Dead Sea Hotel in Ein Bokek and conveniently enough, it was located just a short walking distance away from the beach. The hotel room I stayed at was pretty neat and nicely equipped, its bathroom had liquid soap and shampoo with Dead Sea minerals mixed in, and I had a great view of the local area and the Dead Sea. I should state that Daniel Dead Sea Hotel also has a really nice dining area and you can see more of their facilities at https://deadsea.com/explore/where-to-stay/hotels/daniel-dead-sea-hotel/

The view from my Daniel Dead Sea Hotel window showing Ein Bokek beach, roads and other establishments during the day.
This is what the Ein Bokek area looks like at night.

Going back to what I mentioned earlier, the first thing I did after checking in was visiting the Ein Bokek beach and observing around knowing our time with the Dead Sea was limited. Walking further into the beach, I noticed crystal particles of salt on the sand. After doing a last minute check on my hands, I placed my left hand into the Dead Sea water first which you can see in the picture below.

My first time ever to touch the Dead Sea water.

After taking the photo with my smartphone, I put the device down and proceeded to wash both my hands with the very salty beach water and also used some sand and salt crystals on them. Immediately there was this rough and tingling feeling on my two hands but it was not really a problem at all. As soon as I woke up the next morning, I noticed my hands felt smoother. Most likely, the minerals of the Dead Sea water rejuvenated my hands.

Going back to the afternoon I washed my hands with Dead Sea water, I proceeded to the nearest store – the Hordus Shopping Center. Clearly established to cater to visitors as well as consumers looking Dead Sea-related products, I saw a wide section filled with soap bars and cosmetic products that had Dead Sea minerals mixed in which delighted me as our time in the area was limited and I was already looking for unique products to buy and take home.  After a careful look at the products offered, I proceeded to buy some bars of Dead Sea Spa-branded soap for personal use and as gifts to my dearest friends. Within Hordus Shopping Center was a spot where customers can buy pizza, sandwiches, coffee and other food or beverages. Since dinner time was arriving and I knew that a buffet for dinner at the hotel was inevitable, it made no sense for me to order food or drinks.

This is what Ein Bokek beach and the Dead Sea looked like as the sun was setting.
This is the Ein Bokek beach parking area. On the background are hotels and other business joints.
This is the Hordus Shopping Center at the Ein Bokek beach area. Lots of nice products, food and drinks inside await visitors.
Another look at the beach on the day we arrived.

Further exploring, I proceeded to another store some meters away from our hotel which offered items similar to what I found at Hordus Shopping Center.

Later that evening at the hotel, I proceeded to the lower level where the huge dining hall and buffet were located at. Upon arriving, I was astounded to see many people around, mostly Jewish people. As it was a Friday evening, it was the night before Shabbat (Shabbat refers to the seventh day of the week for the Jews which is Saturday) and I noticed there were Jewish families and groups of Jewish people celebrating and spending quality time together. There was this atmosphere of happiness and positivity around. This was the first time I ever witnessed the Jewish celebration of the night before Shabbat and I also witnessed how Jewish family members interacted with each other passionately and their dedication to the Heavenly Father. It was a great learning experience for me personally and I thank God for it. In fact, this reminds me of what the Lord God declared long ago in the following holy scriptures below…

GOD told Abram: “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you. I’ll make you a great nation and bless you. I’ll make you famous; you’ll be a blessing. I’ll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I’ll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 12:1-3 (MSG)

And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.”

Genesis 35:10-12 (NKJV)

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Exodus 19:5-6 (NKJV)

Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’

Exodus 6:6-8 (NKJV)

After getting my meal from the buffet, I finally joined our tour group at a long table that was reserved for us. Right behind me was another long table filled with Jewish guests. As I enjoyed my dinner, I also enjoyed festive atmosphere around us. This was truly a great way to have an evening in the Dead Sea area.

The dinner buffet at Daniel Dead Sea Hotel.

The next morning, I woke up early to read the Holy Bible, prayed to the Lord and revisited the beach nearby before brealfast. It was a cold morning (note: this was February 2023) that was also peaceful. I also witnessed the rise of the sun in the distance which you can see among the images posted below…

The sun rising in the far distance with the light slowly growing over the Dead Sea. I took this on Saturday early morning.
There were a lot of salt crystals at the Dead Sea beach at Ein Bokek.
A shot I took at the beach with people, the Dead Sea water, facilities and the hotels captured together.
Another morning shot I took while walking on the Ein Bokek path.

After spending some time with my tour group companions at the beach, I returned to the hotel for breakfast and proceeded to get myself ready for checking out. Upon checking out at the hotel lobby, I greeted the Jewish man behind the counter “Shabbat Shalom.” By bus, our pilgrimage tour group proceeded to the Qumran site as well as Masada and Ein Gedi. The time at Ein Bokek was not very long but I still am thankful to the Lord for the enjoyment and enlightenment I had there.

The biblical significance of the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea itself has presence in the Holy Bible. Depending on the type of bible translations, the Dead Sea is also referred to as the Salt Sea or the Sea of Salt, the eastern sea and at times by ancient names. Posted below are biblical references for your enlightenment…

All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).

Genesis 14:3 (NKJV)

And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern [Dead] Sea and half of them to the western [Mediterranean] Sea; in summer and in winter shall it be.

Zechariah 14:8 (AMPC)

Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

Then he said to me, These waters pour out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah (the Jordan Valley) and on into the Dead Sea. And when they shall enter into the sea [the sea of putrid waters], the waters shall be healed and made fresh.

And wherever the double river shall go, every living creature which swarms shall live. And there shall be a very great number of fish, because these waters go there that [the waters of the sea] may be healed and made fresh; and everything shall live wherever the river goes.

The fishermen shall stand on [the banks of the Dead Sea]; from En-gedi even to En-eglaim shall be a place to spread nets; their fish shall be of very many kinds, as the fish of the Great or Mediterranean Sea.

Ezekiel 47:7-10 (AMPC)

As mentioned earlier, there were ancient cities located within the Dead Sea area. Among them are the two most notable for the big events that happened – Soddom and Gommorah. That being said, the destruction of the two mentioned cities happened in close proximity to the Dead Sea and this further makes the area a significant place for today’s pilgrims and explorers to visit and organize trips to discover the places where the destruction happened. To read about the destruction of Soddom and Gommorah, read Genesis 19:1-38 in the Holy Bible.

Conclusion

This is me at Ein Bokek beach with the Dead Sea right behind me in the morning.

I thank the Lord for our stay at Ein Bokek where our tour group got to visit the Dead Sea itself. In my experience, I realized the biblical significance of the famous body of salty and mineral-rich water. As mentioned earlier, having dinner during the night before Shabbat was not just a major learning experience, it was also God’s way of helping me realize the Jewish ways of honoring Him and being families under His watch, love and care. I truly believe in standing united with Israel, loving and blessing the Jewish people and praying for the peace of Jerusalem. 

Finally, I encourage you who are about to visit the Holy Land to verify with your tour group leader the inclusion of the Dead Sea in the itinerary of your group tour. Be aware that within the Dead Sea area are Qumran and Masada. Qumran is the very location where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found decades ago while Masada is where the ancient fortress is located at. Also within the area is Ein Gedi, the oasis in Israel where King David himself as a young man stayed at while keeping his distance away from Saul the King. 

Israel is a great and holy place to visit! Visit Israel with the Holy Bible! Pray to the Lord wholeheartedly and reveal to Him your heart’s desire to visit Israel to deepen your faith in Him. Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Follow the light of Lord Jesus always!

Watch out for more Israel 2023 travel articles here. There is more to come!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

I Love Israel: Major agreements made between Israel and the Philippines; direct flights included

I Love Israel: Major agreements made between Israel and the Philippines; direct flights included

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This week has been very significant for Israel-Philippines relations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrived here on an official visit and he had a high-level meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang Palace which resulted in very tremendous agreements that include direct flights between Israel and the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., with Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. (photo source: Israel in the Philippines Facebook page)

The Philippines and Israel are pushing for the direct flights between the two countries and elevating their partnership in agriculture and water sectors, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

The plan to enhance cooperation between Manila and Tel Aviv was discussed when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

Cohen told Marcos that establishing direct flights between the Philippines and Israel would boost the two nations’ tourism and economic ties.

“There’s another thing that we, both of us, took for an action item. [It] is to have a direct flight… your external sea between Israel and the Philippines,” Cohen, as quoted by the PCO, said during the meeting, referring to his earlier meeting with Filipino officials.

“And I think that we agree that both ministries will work together to have the direct flight. And this is also to bring more business people to come to invest and reach the place between us. So this is also another important action item that we will do.”

The Philippine Airlines was supposed to launch its direct flights to Tel Aviv in 2022, but the plan has been stalled because of geopolitical concerns.

The Philippines has become one of the top tourist destinations for the Israelis in the last few years, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said in November 2022.

Cohen also told Marcos about Israel’s planned closer cooperation with the Philippines to ensure food security, suggesting that the two nations may open an agricultural hub.

“I think that we can work together on the segment of agriculture. I just let you know that our land, 60 percent of our land is desert. But although 60 percent of our land is desert, we were able to provide all our water needs,” Cohen said.

“And I think that we can work together and let’s say that less import, more export for the Philippines. And I think that we can work together,” he added.

Marcos said he was glad that Cohen raised Israel’s plan, as he expressed admiration for its advancement in agriculture.

He added that agricultural development is “very important” for the Philippines,

“Because when we look at the economy as hard to just test, we said how do we fix the economy. It always comes down to agriculture first, how to fix every policy, then everything else would be great. So that’s the position that we find ourselves in,” he said. “So, the offers that you make for assistance and partnership in those two areas are very, very welcome.”

Cohen said the Philippines and Israel can also collaborate on water management, noting Tel Aviv’s vast experience in this sector.

He said Israeli experts may visit the Philippines to provide advice, noting that Israel has been reusing a large portion of its water resources because of water scarcity and it can share its experience in water management with the Philippines.

Marcos said the Philippines is looking at Israel and Singapore for best practices that the country can imitate.

Indeed, these recent developments prove the Israel-Philippines ties are blossoming and truly essential. For the newcomers reading this, the 65th anniversary of friendship between Israel and the Philippines was commemorated. It was also this year when the 75th year of independence of the State of Israel was celebrated.  

The establishment of direct Israel-Philippines flights will enable more Filipinos to visit the Holy Land while potential more Israelis will visit more conveniently and boost not only Philippine tourism but also engage in business and investments. For those of you who want to visit Israel to deepen your faith in the Lord, read my Israel 2023 feature articles by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed by all. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. 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.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

New Life Conference 2023 set for August 22-25 in two Alabang venues

New Life Conference 2023 set for August 22-25 in two Alabang venues

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Those who seek to strengthen their faith in the Lord and immerse themselves deeper with His Word are welcome to attend the New Life Conference 2023 which will be held simultaneously in two venues in Alabang, Muntinlupa City from August 22 to 25 (Tuesday to Friday). Pastors, leaders and members of other churches or ministries are welcome to join in by registering online.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the New Life Conference 2023 page. Some parts in boldface…

This year, for the first time ever, Pastors Conference, Worship and Creative Conference and Disrupt (formerly Life Conference) will be happening simultaneously as one big event..

The main theme of the conference will focus on mobilizing the church to take its place, be a beacon of hope and shine its light during the dark and confusing times. New Life Conference 2023: The Church for this Hour, aims to encourage, equip and empower the believer to answer the call of God through 3 streams:

And because we understand that ministry is not one-size-fits-all, attendees can pick and choose their daily sessions from each of the streams—making the conference a unique experience for everyone, tailored to fit their needs.

The place of worship inside New Life Main (Alabang Hills Village).
The Filinvest Tent in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa. There are several restaurants, food/beverage joints, stores and bank ATMs within walking distance from this venue.

The three streams specifically are Pastors & Leaders, Worship & Creative and Disrupt. Each day from August 22 to 25 (Tuesday to Friday) there will be varied church activities that will be held simultaneously at New Life Philippines’ main church inside Alabang Hills Village and at the Filinvest Tent located within Filinvest City in the Alabang area.

The New Life Conference 2023 will officially kick-off with an opening rally at the Filinvest Tent at 10AM of August 22. At 2PM of the afternoon of that same day, the Disrupt Streams will take place inside Filinvest Tent while the Pastors & Leaders Streams will be inside New Life Main. At 6PM, the Disrupt Night Rally will start inside Filinvest Tent while the NL CON Night Rally will happen inside New Life Main. To see even more activities with their respective time slots and venues per day, click https://newlife.ph/nlcon/

For each day from August 22 to 25, there will be lunch breaks and dinner breaks that last 2 hours each so that conference participants can rest and feed themselves. For those who will be attending activities at Filinvest Tent, be aware that there are lots of stores, food/beverage vendors and restaurants that are within walking distance. Commercenter Mall is a short walk away from the Filinvest Tent and inside are restaurants such as Akrotiri, Sigekiya Ramen and The Black Pig to name a few. Even closer to the Filinvest Tent are branches of McDonald’s and Jollibee, as well as the area of South Supermarket which has some restaurants on the ground floor. For those who will be inside New Life Main, there is a cafeteria within.

Whether you are a pastor/leader/member of New Life Philippines or of a different church or ministry, be encouraged to deepen your faith in the Lord and immerse yourselves deeper with the Word of God by attending the New Life Conference 2023 this coming August. People of faith who submitted themselves to Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father are always meant to be together and this conference is a golden opportunity for worship and solidifying faith in the Lord even more. Learn from the holy scriptures below…

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:19-20 (NKJV)

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMPC)

“The Son of Man has come to give life to all who are lost. Think of it this way: If a man owns a hundred sheep and one lamb wanders away and is lost, won’t he leave the ninety-nine grazing the hillside and thoroughly search for the one lost lamb? And if he finds his lost lamb, he rejoices over it, more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. Now you should understand that it is never the desire of your heavenly Father that a single one of these little ones should be lost.”

Matthew 18:11-14 (TPT)

Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood.

Acts 20:28 (AMPC)

For more information about New Life Conference 2023, click https://newlife.ph/nlcon/

If you have fully decided to get registered for New Life Conference 2023, click https://newlife.ph/nlcon/register-demo/ (note: have your credit cards prepared to ensure completion of registration). You can also register by scanning the QR code below…

Get registered by scanning the QR code on the above social media post of New Life Philippines.

Seek Lord Jesus, follow His guiding light and always be the fearless and aggressive church of His.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Better than Streaming: Jesus Revolution Blu-ray now available!

Better than Streaming: Jesus Revolution Blu-ray now available!

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Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you are into films about faith and Lord Jesus told through an American perspective, then you should check out Jesus Revolution on Blu-ray disc format which has been available in the market since April 25, 2023. It also emerged as a top-selling Blu-ray disc release and you can order it online right now!

Jesus Revolution Blu-ray cover.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the description of Jesus Revolution as well as its official trailer…

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a JESUS REVOLUTION.

Posted below are the technical details about Jesus Revolution Blu-ray disc as sourced from the Blu-ray.com page of the movie…

Video

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby Atmos

English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

French: Dolby Digital 5.1

Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles – English SDH, French, Spanish

Discs – Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-50, 1 DVD), DVD copy

Digital, Digital HD, Digital copy included

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 2K Blu-ray: Region A

While I have not seen Jesus Revolution in the local cinemas, I myself am interested in buying the Blu-ray disc soon. I am a person with unbreakable faith in Jesus who is truly the Lord and Savior! More on the what the movie has to offer, its release is timely as America has been so divided as many people moved away from the Lord to embrace evil elements such as critical race theory, homosexuality, LGBTQ culture, transgender concepts, abortion, anti-police movements, anti-Semitism, terrorism, illegal immigration, witchcraft, Communist/socialist/Marxist ideologies, negative elements affecting churches, vandalism of places of worship, Satanic values inserted through entertainment media, and a whole lot more. Watch the related CBN News videos below…

By today’s standards, the social unrest America had during the Vietnam War era looks smaller compared to what has been going on over the past few years. People are getting divided over race, gender, social class and a whole lot more. As such, Jesus Revolution has something that viewers can reflect about.

More importantly, all these matters should remind you all that you must seek Lord Jesus first, behold His light shining through the darkness, and come to Him wholeheartedly to repent and submit to Him to accept Him as your Lord and Savior. With unbreakable faith in the Lord, you can become a part of His fearless and aggressive church.

When it comes to restoring people and societies from the damage caused by evil forces, only the Lord can provide restoration and healing. That being said, you must praise the Lord and have unwavering faith in Him no matter what happens. Being a worldly person means living with unholy elements. A lot of people may not realize it but it is clear they need Jesus in their lives and in their societies! Learn from the holy scriptures below…

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NASB)

Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”

John 8:12 (MSG)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3 (NKJV)

Jesus Revolution movie poster.
The other movie poster.

You can order Jesus Revolution Blu-ray right now by clicking https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Revolution-Blu-ray/dp/B0BV7CQF16?tag=bluray-021-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Triathlon gold-silver-bronze for the Philippines at the 32nd SEA Games

Triathlon gold-silver-bronze for the Philippines at the 32nd SEA Games

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Welcome back my readers and sports fans! The much-awaited triathlon events for men and women at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023) have happened and the result for the Philippines was mixed.

Firstly, Fer Casares successfully won the gold medal again for the Philippines in the Men’s Individual Triathlon which establishes him as still the reigning king of triathlon in Southeast Asia. The official results showed that Casares completed the 750 Meter swim – 20 Kilometer bike – 5 Km run contest in 58 minutes and 32 seconds (58:32) and he was just 13 seconds ahead of silver medalist Rashif Amilya Yaqin of Indonesia. Technically Casares swam in 10:38, had 23 seconds in Transition 1, biked for 29:48, had 24 seconds in Transition 2 and ran for 17:19. Comparing his performance with the silver medalist, Casares came from behind to win the gold.

From the social media post of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Cebu-based Andrew Kim Remolino won the Men’s Triathlon bronze in addition to the silver he won for the nation in the Men’s Aquathlon.

Meanwhile, Casares’ Cebu-based teammate Andrew Kim Remolino (the aquathlon silver medalist) secured the bronze medal for the nation timing 59:53.

In the Women’s Individual Triathlon, Kim Mangrobang finished with the silver medal as Cambodia’s naturalized French-born Margot Garabedian took the gold (note: she also won gold in the Women’s Aquathlon). Mangrobang finished the race in 1:07:21 (11:28 in the swim, 34 seconds in Transition 1, 34:47 in the bike, 28 seconds in Transition 2 and 20:04 in the run) while Garabedian 1:05:31. The bronze medal went to Singapore’s Louisa Marie Middleditch who was just seconds behind Mangrobang at 1:07:28. while Cebu-based Raven Faith Alcoseba finished at 4th place with 1:08:46. Very noticeable was Garabedian’s teammate Toch Raksa finishing only at 10th place with 1:30:54.   

Kim Mangrobang won the Women’s Triathlon silver medal and the gold medal in the Women’s Duathlon.

The issue about the naturalization of foreign athletes as Cambodians is already attracting a lot of attention. Take note that there were other naturalized Cambodians who took part in the SEA Games (read about them here and here). It should be noted that the host nation bent the rules of the naturalization process. Following the end of the SEA Games this year, citizenship could become a hot topic of debate on sports competitions at least in Southeast Asia.

While Mangrobang was denied of the gold this time around, her achievement of winning back-to-back SEA Games women’s triathlon (2017, 2019 and 2021) remains historic and has yet to be surpassed. She is also still Southeast Asia’s reigning duathlon queen and Cambodia itself did not do well in the SEA Games women’s duathlon event as well as in the men’s aquathlon event as the official race results showed. It took a female competitor who was born in France to help Cambodia win the gold in triathlon and aquathlon just as they hosted the SEA Games for the first time ever. Remember that, my readers.

If there is anything else significant about the 32nd SEA Games, it is the fact that medal events of aquathlon, duathlon and triathlon got organized for the first time in Southeast Asia’s multisport history. The Philippines is part of it and its medal victories cannot be ignored.

For the record, the Philippines won the gold medals in Men’s Triathlon, Women’s Duathlon and the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay. Also secured were the silver medals in the Men’s Aquathlon and Women’s Triathlon, and the bronze in Men’s Triathlon. These are achievements that Filipinos can be thankful to the Lord for. Indeed, Southeast Asian sports competition has gotten tougher but the Philippines remains a multisport powerhouse in the region and for sure adjustments and further refinements will follow for future overseas competitions. The next SEA Games will be hosted by Thailand.

Let me end this post with the bible verse below…

I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.

Philippians 4:12-13 (TPT)

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Mangrobang wins 2023 SEA Games Women’s Duathlon gold medal for the Philippines!

Mangrobang wins 2023 SEA Games Women’s Duathlon gold medal for the Philippines!

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Welcome back my readers and sports fans! This morning at Kep in Cambodia, Kim Mangrobang proved once again that she is still Southeast Asia’s reigning queen of duathlon (run-bike-run) as she won the gold medal in the Women’s Individual Duathlon event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). The gold she won was the 10th gold for the Philippines in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.

The reigning Southeast Asian Queen of Duathlon Kim Mangrobang with teammate Kira Ellis and the Philippine flag at Kep, Cambodia. (photo credit: Ramon Marchan)

To put things in perspective, the official results showed that Mangrobang finished the 5 Kilometer run – 20 Km bike – 2.5 Km run event in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 23 seconds (1:04:23). She timed 20:13 in the 5Km run leg, had 23 seconds in Transition 1, completed the 20 Km bike leg in 33:20, had 23 seconds in Transition 2 and completed the 2.5 Km run in 10:04 (note: the fastest run time).

Thi Phuong Trinh Nguyen of Vietnam captured the silver medal in 1:05:12 while Indonesia’s Maharani Azhri Wahyuningtyas ended with the bronze clocking in 1:06:14. Mangrobang’s teammate Kira Ellis – who was part of the gold medal-winning aquathlon relay team – finished at 5th place with 1:07:11.

The image from the Facebook post of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Meanwhile on the Men’s Individual Duathlon, the Philippine duo of Fer Casares (the gold medalist of last year’s SEA Games triathlon along with Mangrobang) and John Chicano (the 2019 SEA Games gold medalist in men’s triathlon) fell short at 5th and 6th places. Casares timed 55:18 while Chicano clocked 55:39. Vietnam won the gold followed by Cambodia the silver and Indonesia the bronze.

Going back to Mangrobang, it is clear that her achievement today is a big boost for the Philippines considering the tough competition and the heat in Cambodia. For insight about the previous Women’s Duathlon gold medal she won in the previous SEA Games in Vietnam, click my related blog post at https://carlocarrasco.com/2022/05/15/mangrobang-wins-another-gold-medal-for-the-philippines-at-the-31st-sea-games/

For the newcomers reading this, if you want to get to know Mangrobang even more, read my feature article of her by clicking https://carlocarrasco.com/2020/02/01/meet-southeast-asias-reigning-triathlon-queen-kim-mangrobang/

Mangrobang’s duty is not over yet as she will be racing in the Women’s Individual Triathlon tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM. We will find out if she can win another SEA Games triathlon gold medal for the Philippines. The Men’s Individual Triathlon will follow at 8:30 AM.

For the Philippine readers, the multisport enthusiasts and the faithful people reading this, be thankful to the Lord for today’s gold medal victory, honor Him and know that with Him, nothing is impossible. Learn from the holy scriptures below…

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.

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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Philippines wins gold in the 32nd SEA Games Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event

Philippines wins gold in the 32nd SEA Games Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event

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Today at Kep in Cambodia, the multisport squad composed of Erika Burgos, Iñaki Emil Lorbes, Kira Ellis and Matthew Justine Hermosa won the gold for the Philippines during the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). This big victory happened hours after the silver medal victory of Andrew Kim Remolino in the men’s individual aquathlon and it added to the growing number of gold medal victories for the Philippines. Specifically, the mixed aquathlon team relay victory is the 7th gold for the nation in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.

The pose of victory at the SEA Games in Cambodia. (note: photo sourced from Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page).

To put things in perspective, the official results showed that the Philippines finished first with an overall time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 56 seconds (1:09:56). In terms of breakdowns, the Filipino multisport squad scored 16:20 in Leg 1, 19:21 in Leg 2, 16:16 in Leg 3 and 17:59 in Leg 4 of the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event. The way the results were presented online, it was not made clear which team member participated per leg.

Meanwhile, Indonesia captured the silver medal in 1:11:27 while the bronze went to Vietnam which finished in 1:13:29. Host nation Cambodia finished at 7th place with 1:26:41.

Considering what the Philippines achieved today in the inaugural SEA Games aquathlon events, it is essential to thank and honor the Lord for the silver and gold medals won.

I will praise the name of God with a song,

And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)

Keep on giving your thanks to God, for he is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever!

Psalms 118:1 (TPT)

As mentioned before, the competition in this edition of the SEA Games is tough and there is still a long road ahead for the Philippines to win as many gold medals as possible. To overcome the challenges and obstacles, faith in the Lord is essential.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

From this point on, the Philippines will proceed with its quest for gold in the Men’s Individual Duathlon which will start tomorrow at 6:30 AM and also in the Women’s Individual Duathlon which is set to take place at 8:30 AM.

On May 8, the Women’s Individual Triathlon will go first at 6:30 AM followed by the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM.

Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.

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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

I Love Israel: Israel’s 75th year of independence

I Love Israel: Israel’s 75th year of independence

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Welcome back my readers and fellow people of faith! By now, you should be aware of my love for Israel and the Jewish people. I was there in Israel this past February because I seek God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33) in the Holy Land, and I blogged many times about it (to read my Israel 2023 articles, click here, here, here, here, here and here) and I’ll be posting more about the pilgrimage tour I joined. Check out the video clips of my time in Israel below…

For this post, I want to highlight the 75th year of independence of Israel. Seventy-five years ago, the State of Israel was established which marked the fulfilment of God’s promise to the Jewish people (Abraham’s descendants through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob).

For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’

Jeremiah 30:3 (NKJV)

The land of Israel was designated by God for the Jewish people and no other (read Genesis 35:10-12 in the Holy Bible). The Lord Himself declared that He bless those who bless His people, and He will curse those who curse His people (read Genesis 12:1-3). God protected Israel and the Jewish people when the Arab nations attacked them shortly after the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel, during the Six Day war in 1967 and the war in 1973. 

Israel survived and their people are growing and thriving no matter what attacks the terrorists and Leftists do against them. Let it be clear that evil forces of the world such as Iran, the Palestinian terrorists, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, socialists, Communists, Marxists, liberals, the demonic Democrats of America and all the other terrorists and anti-Semitic forces have no stake in Israel and its future while the eternal God is watching! Israel and the Jewish people are here to stay and they still have time to come to Lord Jesus willingly! I encourage you to stand united with Israel as part of your Christian living. When you think about your faith in Lord Jesus, be mindful of the time He spent in Israel and the impact of His holiness on the people.

Going back on the topic of independence, posted below is an excerpt from CBN News’ article focused on the 75th year of independence of Israel. Some parts in boldface…

Seventy-five years ago, a declaration signed in a Tel Aviv art gallery changed the world forever.

Against overwhelming odds, the fledgling State of Israel not only survived, but has grown beyond expectation, launching it for the next three quarters of a century on the path to becoming a world power.

David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s leading founder and first prime minister, declared the birth of modern Israel in Tel Aviv’s Independence Hall on May 14, 1948, and for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people had a nation.

“Ben-Gurion chose the words, ‘we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel to be known as the State of Israel,’” Independence Hall tour guide Isaac Dror recalled. “This was the birth of a Jewish state as for all Jews.  Ben Gurion was standing here as the voice of 11 million Jews around the world who had no voice, who had no address and nowhere to go to.”

Dror leads the education effort at the site. “This was promised to us by God,” he explained. “We are the only people in the history of the world that live on the same land, speak in the same language and believe in the same God more than 3,000 years.”

From a Biblical perspective, many see Israel fulfilling the prophecy in the book of Ezekiel, where the “dry bones” of the Jewish people come to life after two thousand years of exile.

Organizations such as the Jewish Agency helped lay the groundwork for the two thousand years in the making of the Jewish state.

Danielle Mor of the Jewish Agency told CBN News, “The Jewish Agency was the lead organization in establishing and giving birth to the modern state of Israel. The whole purpose of establishing the Jewish Agency was, on the one hand, unite the global Jewish people, and to bring the global Jewish people in front of the British mandate to be the organization that would lead and establish a national home for the Jewish people in the land of Israel.”

Dani Dayan, Chairman of Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, recounted the genocide that preceded Israel’s independence. “To fully comprehend the miracle of the country’s birth,” he said,” consider that it happened in the shadow of the Holocaust – or “Shoah” in Hebrew – when the world learned how Nazi Germany murdered six million Jews.”

He continued, “When you understand that only three years after the end of the Shoah, the lowest point the Jewish people reached in its exile, we started our redemption process and we … regained our independence after 2000 years of terrible events. Well, if that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what a miracle is,” he said.

Even so, Dayan dispels one myth about the connection between Israel’s beginning and the Holocaust.

“Israel was not established because of the Holocaust. Israel was established in spite of the Holocaust,” he insisted. “Israel would have been a much (more) robust, greater, secure, successful country if there were additional 6 million Jews and their descendants in the world.  But Israel is the guarantee that they will be no more – no other Shoah for the Jewish people.”

Now, after 75 years, Israel maintains its safety and security with one of the most powerful militaries in the world.

Former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus described how the military was transformed.

“Then, it was small units of very (patriotic) people, some of them Holocaust survivors, who just came off the boat from Europe and put on IDF uniforms and joined battle and defended Israel in 1948 against six Arab armies. Today, we are a highly organized, developed, and well-funded military, perhaps the strongest in the region, that enjoys a significant technological advantage over all of our enemies.”

Israel is also an economic miracle. This tiny country of less than 10 million people has the highest concentration of new businesses per capita in the world, earning it the nickname of “Startup Nation.”

Jon Medved, founder of Our Crowd, a venture capital investment company, showcases these accomplishments in his annual investor summit.

“This is what Israel is supposed to be doing,” he explained. “If Israel wasn’t the startup nation, what are we going to be? Okay, I’m sorry, this is our destiny.  Our destiny is to create. Our destiny is to you know, fix the world.”

Medved added, “And we’re just a little people. We make a lot of noise, but I think most Israelis – if they wear a yarmulke or they don’t wear a yarmulke – view this as a spiritual undertaking, that we are doing this not just to make money, but to do good.”

Yet throughout its history, Israel has faced nearly insurmountable odds. Just hours after Ben-Gurion declared the state, 6 Arab nations drive to drive it into the sea.

While it survived, Israel would be challenged again in the 1967 Six-Day War the 1973 Yom Kippur war. After thousands of years in exile and 75 years as a country, Israel stands, despite enemies within, along each border, and beyond. 

For Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., the phenomenon has one explanation. “It’s a modern miracle, the rebirth of the Jewish state against all odds,” he told CBN News.

Be thankful to God that the State of Israel continues to thrive no matter what their internal problems and external challenges are. Be thankful to Him as many millions of people around the world who believe and follow Lord Jesus now have more opportunities to visit the Holy Land to deepen their faith in Him even more.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. 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.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel, the land that God designated to the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12)!

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

New Planetshakers worship event here in the Philippines set for July 22, 2023 at SM MOA Arena

New Planetshakers worship event here in the Philippines set for July 22, 2023 at SM MOA Arena

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Great news! The Lord is blessing the Philippines once again as Planetshakers announced it will be having another worship event in the country on the evening of July 22, 2023 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The selling of tickets for the worship event will commence online at SM Tickets on May 11, 2023. This newest event is part of the Show Me Your Glory Planetshakers Tour 2023.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Planeshakers official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Planetshakers is so excited to visit Manila once again in July 2023!

It has always been our desire and pursuit to run after God with the intent of seeing His glory. Just as Moses would not go anywhere unless God’s presence accompanied Him, we have that same heart’s cry, and this year, people from all over Asia will be coming together with that same common passion.

Show me Your glory.

We cannot wait to encounter Him and sit back in wonder at all the incredible things that will take place. It’s going to be awe-inspiring!

To those who intend to attend the worship event, the ticket prices have been confirmed as follows: VIP for P1,600, Patron for P1,600, LB Premium for P1,600, Lower Box for P1,200, Upper Box for P1,200, and General Admission for P600.

In preparation for booking tickets online on May 11, 2023, I encourage you to prepare your credit cards and be early to log-in at SMTickets.com because in my experience, there was long virtual line of over 2,600 ahead of me before I got my turn to purchase my tickets and choose my seat.

If you believe in Lord Jesus, I encourage you to attend the upcoming Planetshakers worship event as I myself attend their event this past September. Yes indeed, I was blessed by the Lord and so were many others around me. Read my feature article about the September 2022 Planetshakers event I attended at https://carlocarrasco.com/2022/09/16/the-lord-blessed-the-philippines-with-planetshakers/ and check out the short clips I recorded from the said event posted below…

Whenever a very anointed church like Planershakers holds an event here in the Philippines, it is God’s blessing for the country! Apart from the excellent worship music, Planetshakers has very anointed worship leaders like Pastor and church co-founder Sam Evans and Joth Hunt. If you attend the worship event and pray to the Lord with Pastor Sam Evans leading the prayer, it is a blessing from the Lord because whenever she leads prayers, it is always powerful, truly wholehearted, engaging and compelling! I got blessed like that during the Planetshakers event I attended! The event is, indeed, fellowship with the almighty God, His Son Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit! The same can be said about this July’s Planetshakers event!

If you are thinking about this July’s Planetshakers worship event, I encourage you to seek the Lord’s Kingdom and praising Him with all your heart and passion. Learn from the holy scriptures below…

“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

Matthew 6:33 (TPT)

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150:1-6 (NKJV)

The view from my spot during the Planetshakers worship event I attended on September 2022.

If you want to discover and learn more about Planetshakers, I encourage you to click here (Facebook page), here (Instagram), here (Twitter) and here (YouTube). To know more about Planetshakers itself, visit https://www.planetshakers.com/

In closing this, posted below are some Planetshakers worship music videos (including a few from their September 2022 Philippines events) for your faith in the Lord and viewing pleasure. Jesus is our Lord and Savior! Move forward with unbreakable and uncompromising faith in Him! Be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

I Love Israel: Philippine President Marcos cites Israel as a model for achieving water security

I Love Israel: Philippine President Marcos cites Israel as a model for achieving water security

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Recently Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., emphasized the need to use new technologies so that the country will be able to improve the management of its water resources and ensure a stable supply for the people, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Along the way, Marcos mentioned Israel as a role model that the Philippines can learn from to achieve water security.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday emphasized the need to use new and emerging technologies to improve the management of the country’s water resources and provide safe and affordable water to all.

Marcos made the statement during the opening of the 6th Edition of the Water Philippines Conference and Exposition at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“I happened to have been given the opportunity to walk around a little bit and see some of the exhibitors. And it is very gratifying to note that in fact, the technologies that are being used, that are being employed in terms of water treatment, in terms of water management are well-known technologies,” he said. “And so, I am very optimistic that the solutions that we need to formulate are out there, the technologies are out there. What has continued to change in the light of climate change is the management, the stratagems on how we manage our water.”

Marcos particularly pointed out that flood control projects have evolved through the years, along with the changing times, noting that these are no longer just exclusively used for that.

“We take the water and we use it for irrigation, we use it for drinking water if we have a treatment plant,” he said, adding that water can be used to produce power with small hydroelectric plants.

He also cited Israel’s experience showing how it promotes the sustainable use of clean water for various purposes despite having a limited water supply.

“I’d spent some time in Israel and I saw how they treat the water because water is very scarce. They live in the desert. Nevertheless, they are able to collect the water during the rainy season, whatever is available, they put fish in it to grow fish. When the summer comes, they take it out, take out the water, harvest the fish, and then that goes to irrigation and so forth,” Marcos said.

He said the Philippines could learn from Israel and apply this approach to achieve water security.

“These are the kinds of thinking that we have to apply to the Philippines because of the crisis that we are facing and how debilitating it will be to the entire economy, to the entire society if our water supply problem continues to get greater, continues to become more dependent on what we have been doing in the past,” he said.

It is very notable that President Marcos mentioned Israel while talking about the state of water in the Philippines. I myself had been to Israel recently on pilgrimage tour and there were times when our tour bus traveled great distances on desert areas, I did not just see sand and rocks. I saw lots of plantations along the road and the sight of lively vegetation in the desert of Israel was astounding. Israel is very well known not only for their highly advanced treatment and management of water, they are also highly proficient on agriculture and creating abundant supplies of food. Very recently, the 65th anniversary of friendship between Israel and the Philippines was commemorated. We need to pray to the Lord that President Marcos and an official delegation of the Philippines will someday visit Israel and have official meetings with their Israeli counterparts, meet with the Filipino community there and come up with new agreements for greater cooperation between the two nations.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed by all. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. 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.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

In ending this I Love Israel piece, posted below are Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and enlightenment.

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