SAVED OR DECEIVED?

We're all familiar with the teaching that if anyone believes in Him, he or she shall be saved. I'm not going to disagree with that but I believe that we, as Christians fail to see that there's something more to it. We think that as long as we believe, we're good to go! And I'm sorry to burst your bubble but the truth is, that's just not how it works.

We'd be surprised that the time the day of judgement comes, many "believers" won't be seeing their names written on the book of life. Many believers of  this  generation ARE in bondage and they don't even know it. They are deceived.

The apostle Paul warns us of this deception in the New Testament saying "In the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian." ( 2 Timothy 3:1, TLB )

We are living in the last days and Paul foresaw that our time would be the most difficult to become a Christian.
Yet how could it be that this man, who received 39 stripes on his back from whippings on five different occasions, beaten with rods 3 separate times, stoned and imprisoned, persecuted everywhere, still be able to say that our days are more difficult?

2 Timothy 3: 2-4 says:

"For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God." 

You might be thinking "Weren't the people of his time like this too? What differentiates them from us?" Well, Paul says "For (although) they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]" - 2 Tim. 3:5, AMP

So you can see why being Christian is more difficult in our generation. Unlike Paul's where when you say you don't believe, you mean it and vice versa, Some Christians these days say that He is their Savior, but do not give the Lord full control in their lives. They think of what He can do for them rather than who He is. They're "Christian" only because of the benefits - salvation and success in life.

"Others base their lives off of the "norm" in the Christian culture, and this "norm" is out of sync with heaven, thus making it hard to be a true believer." - John Bevere


During the days of Paul, if you were a believer, your life would be in jeopardy every hour! Giving your allegiance to Jesus meant putting your life on the line. You'd go to bed at night and not know whether you've lived your last.

"But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. ¹¹ You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. ¹² Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived."  

- 2 Timothy 3:10-13, NLT

Paul tells Timothy that it was not only what he did that proved his faith but it was how he lived and what his purpose in life was. It was his lifestyle which was and still is to be the determining factor. Futhermore, He states that "evil people and impostors will flourish" 

Now, hold up. I think we all know how to distinguish what is or whether a person is "evil". It's easy! However, the difficulty is in knowing who the "impostors" are -the ones who say with their mouth that Jesus is Lord but do not live in evidence of their faith. In addition, not only are they deceived but they deceive others as well! Some may assure you of their position and "godly works" or their "godliness" yet still give in to such compromise. Regardless of their position. If they do something wrong and are deceived into thinking it is right, we, if we're not wise enough, could fall into thinking that it too, is okay or right and then imitate what they do.

"For some godless people have slipped in unnoticed among us (impostors), persons who distort the message about the grace of our God in order to excuse their immoral ways, and who reject Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Long ago the Scriptures predicted the condemnation they have received." - Jude 4, TEV 

I am reminded of the slogan  i've seen from a number of Christian concerts that says  "NO TO COMPROMISE." I see this everywhere and wonder what above all other important truths or sayings is it that they chose this?
And it is only now that I really understood why. Often we make light of the word "compromise". The thing is, when God says "NO" He means "NO" and nothing else.
Having boyfriends without parent's approval, downloading illegal music, being touchy, hanging out, taking home, talking about very personal topics or just being alone with our opposite gender friends, wearing immodest clothes, ( things that lead to temptation ), saying bad words and homosexuality, are just some of examples that come to mind when I think about those deceived who deceive. They think it's okay.

Note that Jude mentions these to be "unnoticed". Jude wasn't talking about those who reject or deny Jesus because they've already admitted to that. Here, it is clear that Jude talks about those ( deceived ) who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and are unnoticed. "Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good." ( Titus 1:16, NLT )

It doesn't get any clearer than that. That is why I call them the "deceived who deceive". In other words, they THINK they're really Christians but their lifestyle says otherwise and they don't even realize.


 "How we live communicates much louder than what we speak" - John Bevere


Another deception is when some say "I know I'm not living the way I should, but thank God for His grace."
Friends, Grace isn't a big bandage. It is God's empowering presence within to do what truth demands of us. ( - John Bevere )

Though we are taught that Grace is simply God's unmerited favor, which is true  but it should also compel us to obey. And  the evidence that we've truly received it is by living a godly life.

I mean, if all it took to be saved was believing that Jesus really lives and is the son of God, then doesn't it mean that demons too should be saved because they, in all their existence know this. Yet why then are they still dwelling in the fires of hell?

"So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.^[a] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."

- James 2: 17-19

I've seen people lose their faith or get turned-off with going to church because of people especially in the ministries who do even what appears to be the most "innocent" of compromises, live ungodly lives or don't walk their talk.

I know that is why Paul says that In our days, being a Christian is absolutely difficult.

There is a battle going on in our generation and we are to fight for the faith. 

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HOLY LAND TOUR - EGYPT

EGYPT

Unlike my other Holy Land posts, I've decided that my take on Egypt would be a little more focused on something more instead of just the sites we've visited.

At St. Catherine's

It was a 4 hour ride from Israel to the Taba border. ( The border between Israel and Egypt ) Then another long trip to St. Catherine's where we checked in for our first night. The water was dirty, the place smelled bad, the showers weren’t working, the place had low maintenance yet this was the BEST the Asian section of Egypt had to offer. I couldn’t complain though. It was just such a lovely feeling to be back and I only had an hour of sleep because at 11:30 pm, I’d have to wake up to climb Mt. Sinai.

Climbing Mt. Sinai consisted of a 10 minute walk to part A, the Camel station then a 1 hour and 30 minute camel ride to part B, where you will be brought down to take a good 750 steps to the mountain’s peak. This is where the Bible states Moses had received the 10 commandments. I did not try to reach it though, because the last time I did, I almost killed myself due to loss of oxygen and negative blah degree temperature.

Me and my camel, Affa at Mt. Sinai

We were supposed to be waiting for the sunrise as which all other tourists usually do. But It was so cold- Eventually, too cold for us to handle. We had 3 hours of waiting inside a Bedouin camp for the sun to shine. Rather, it felt as if we were waiting to freeze to death. An hour before it was time, we had forced our guide, Mahmud to take us down because we couldn’t handle it any longer. 

To our surprise, it happened to be the best part. -Arm in arm, we went down. (We were sharing each other’s body heat.) Telling our stories about love, relationships, friends and other things about our everyday life. We sang songs and laughed to even after our very last step. In every way, Mt. Sinai brought us together. Us kids, I mean.- Five 20+ year olds and 3 teens. Regardless of our age gaps, we shared the same struggles, the same joy and the same hearts. We realized, we weren’t any different from one another. Shall we call it “part D”? 

I realized, we’ve all gone through these kinds of trips were the view or attractions take your breathe away but we fail to acknowledge the presence of the people we’re with. The only time we actually do is when the trip is over and they’re gone.  

Two of the wonderful friends I've met - Renz and Tin at Mt. Sinai

Tired and sleepless after the climb, we were headed for Cairo. The place I call home. I’ve never lived there but there’s a saying-“Home is where the heart is.” I strongly agree because I’ve left my heart there since the first time I came way back in 2008.

To get to Cairo was a 12 hour drive because the easiest, fastest routes were closed due to protesters. This had driven everyone insane. Almost everyone complained about how they couldn’t take it any longer but I sat there and enjoyed every minute of the ride. All I could ever do was smile. The whole trip was just good vibes to me. In fact, I wish it had lasted longer.

I finally got to catch up with Max and Marco, our tour guides from the last time. I’m much closer to Max so I was much more open to him and had already grown attached. He’s such a wonderful person. He’s funny and caring. He stands as my father figure in the middle east. In fact, the night before we left for Cairo, he promised my grandmother he would take good care of me and because I reminded him of his daughter, he’d treat me like one as well.

He really is such a blessing. He and Marco are such beautiful souls. They are so fun to be with. It was a wonderful journey. We got to share stories, look at our old pictures and laugh and tease each other. When we came across my picture in the Nile back at `08, they both examined the picture and my face carefully. Max told Marco “She was very young then. Now she’s beautiful.” 

Marco, on the other hand, you could say is the Egyptian Ryan Gosling. I’d have to say. He’s hard working-Probably the most hard working person I’ve ever met.He’d get down in the middle of the road and run to the nearest convenience store if you needed batteries. He’d buy you gum even if you just asked him if by any chance, he had a piece. He’d spend sleepless nights for his job. He’s passionate and creative. Above all, he respected me as a woman. He respected everyone, actually! 

And by the way, He’s got the most beautiful eyes.

A sleeping brother Jun and tita Ludy during the 12 hour ride. How cute are they!

We had pitstops every two hours. What’s funny is that sometimes, the women’s bathroom would be so full so some of us would go ahead and use the men’s even if there are men inside. It was the silliest thing I’ve ever done and experienced in the Holy Land.

We took lunch at a seafood restaurant in a place called Sharm El’ Shiek. (Yum!)  Afterwhich, Peter and I went to buy some treats from a small grocery store in a strip of shops right across the street wherein a guy tried getting us into taking a look at his music store. He asked “Do you like hop-hop?” ( He meant hiphop ) and started dancing in the street. For the first few seconds, we held our laughter in but I gave up and bursted out laughing my head off. A few minutes later after, we thought we had lost him but  as we were heading back, we came across his store. It caught my attention that he was playing his music awfully loud and he was sitting there dancing like a freak. 

With Kayla by the Sphinx

We visited the Pyramids, the Sphinx, cotton, oil and the Papyrus store. I do not have a good solo picture with the Sphinx. Why? Because I spent the whole time avoiding this street vendor who kept  following me around. First he kept telling me I was beautiful. If you think that’s bad, he started blowing kisses. But the worst part is when he asks me   bugs me into marrying him. And finally, after declining his proposal, begs me to go home with him. This is the silliest thing ever done to me in Holy Land.

Throughout the stay, people often talked about the bad condition of Egypt. They say it’s really dirty and hard to live in but the truth is, until they explained it to me, I never actually saw that. The worst thing I can say about Egypt is that the traffic is really bad in a really funny way because the drivers are much more reckless there and  all cars have dents because umping into one another happened as if it was an everyday thing. And anyone could stand in the street and enforce traffic because they don’t have any enforcers there. 

But amidst all this, I would love to live there. My heart pours out to my fellow Egyptians. I hope and pray that the Lord will raise up a good and wise leader to bring peace to their land.

The people of Egypt are very nice. I love being with them and am honored that my guide now introduces me to other Egyptians as his “friend”. The ladies are kind and friendly-they’re always bubbly and up for anything and men, though some are insane flirty maniacs, are still very appreciative and happy.

One time we were parked somewhere and I was waiting in the bus. Marco and I were sitting beside each other. He had just became friends with me on facebook and said I had “beautiful pictures.” ( Wowowee, Egyptian Ryan gosling is encouraging ) and we started talking about ourselves. Whenever I’d say something about me, he’d cut me off and say “I know. I saw your facebook/pictures.” I checked my notifs and found that he had been on my page last 2 am! I laughed and told him he was scary but appreciated that he actually cared. Our conversation came to the point where we even talked about tattoos we would get if we had the chance. Oh, and, before I could say, he already knew what I wanted. 
It made me realize that Egyptians and Filipinos don't really differ in culture. They have facebook, they make friends too, they make jokes, they care and in fact, they've even treated me better than some Filipinos I know.

Brother Jun had been listening to our conversation and decided to join in. It was all laughs and he told him that I had been planning to move to Egypt in a few years. Marco said he wanted to come to the Philippines because of Egypt’s current condition. Brother Jun joked him about how he could move in with me and said that he would bring him into showbusiness.

I said, “You let me know when you’re coming, okay?” He replied and nodded, “Of course.“ 

Hey, I actually look forward to the day he arrives. I’m counting on it. I’m soooooooo excited. 

That night, we took a dinner cruise. There was dancing and laughter. I could stay lost in that moment forever and It saddened me being there knowing time was limited. ( I can't go detailed on the events or things that happened because my grandma would kill me! haha! )

That night I asked for a picture with Marco. Let's just say, things started heating up a little.
My grandmother had grounded me that night because brother Jun told her about him and I and started getting overprotective and paranoid. Hahah! 

Now this made gramma mad!

The next day was just really depressing knowing I had a flight to catch in the afternoon. We visited some churches in the morning. One lady approached me as I was walking with Max curious about who I was. He told her about me and that I was his friend from the Philippines. She seemed to be very pleased. She called me “Habibi” ( “My Darling ) and placed an Egyptian headress on me as a gift. I asked Max why she had to and he told me it was because I was his friend. It was a token of friendship.

Kayla, the woman who gave me my headress , Mabi and I

Again, I have to say. I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT. Their hospitality, their kindness, their love and support are overwhelming.

All the while I was there, I realized, suddenly, I didn’t feel so insecure. The company the Lord surrounded me with saw all the good in me. They believed in me. They thought I had potential to do all sorts of things. For once, I felt like beautiful.

Our last attraction was the Pharoanic village wherein you sail through the Nile river while being showcased with a presentation of how ancient Egypt must have been. I did not chose to go. Instead, I decided to stay in the coffee shop and hang. Max was supposed to take me out with them to get hot drinks across the street but Marco didn’t want to because he was afraid that the maniacs who roam around would do something bad to me. ( Let me explain-Filipinas are very appealing to the Arabians. ) This disappointed me but all he said was “I just care for you.” I acted like it didn’t matter but he stood and stared with piercing eyes and I couldn’t look at him longer. I felt so weird inside when he said it so passionately. Then I thought, "Wow. Egyptians are such big hearted people."

The last thing we did together was eat lunch. I had been wearing the headress because I figured, it was my last day anyway. It wouldn’t be weird. ( Though people I pass by would pretend to worship me. ) Everyone kept going on an referred to me as “Cleopatra” ( thus why I take that name seriously now ) so I decided to take a look. After seeing myself, I felt a little insecure. I told Max and he replied, “Why? You are very beautiful.” - This he needed to say only once for me to feel better because his words were so heartfelt. He immediately lightened up my mood. Oh how I really wish he was my dad too. ( Aside from the one I have now )

After lunch, I bought myself an Egyptian flag. I was waving it around in the streets talking about how much I love Egypt and that I wish I could stay longer. Max approached me from a distance. He stopped and said that this was goodbye. I dropped my flag and said ‘No’.

He just gave me that sad and pitiful look as I went on about how I didn’t want to leave yet. He tried to comfort me but I didn’t listen to everything he said because I had already started tearing up. 

When I had silenced myself, he gave me a hug. I didn’t want to let go. I looked around trying to capture every moment I had left. - Every second, every minute my eyes were lain on the Egyptian environment, every breathe I took and every feeling I felt.

We walked back to the bus together because he was going to say his goodbye to the rest of the group. After he did, I sat in the back and just cried. 

Me with Max

Maybe I appear to be really shallow but honestly, it’s been a while since I felt this happy. All the Philippines had left for me were heartaches. I wasn’t looking forward to going back to pain again. It felt as if I was saying goodbye to happiness.

We were running really late for our flight because of traffic. I kept praying we would miss our flight. So when we arrived at the airport, we were all so busy and rushing. Marco and I talked but I never said “goodbye” because I couldn’t handle another one. I kept telling myself I’d do it later. I tried all sorts of stuff to delay us. I’d even throw my lip balm to far places quite a few times just so I could get us to go slower. None of my antics worked.

When all hope was gone, I had no choice. I took that plane ride home with a broken heart. 

Often, I am asked what the reason is that I love Egypt so much when all there is to see are Pyramids and sand. 

I guess the answer is that I have grown fond of the people, the culture and the feeling of just being there. I don’t come back for the sites but for the memories I get to relive so realistically. Everything comes alive. The ones you can never get back, you get to feel once more. And If that is a glimpse of heaven, what more when I’m really there? and that encourages me in a way to bring people to God. 

Camels inside a truck

Bus 2's tour guide - Michael

Brother Joe

The best ever - "Pepeter"

Renz and Jaja

My Egyptian mirror

Before going on this pilgrimage, I felt so discouraged. I was in a state of loneliness from the day I arrived to Manila from Hong Kong till I arrived to Jordan then Israel. I couldn't feel God in my life because I lost faith in His plans for me. 

I just couldn't understand what He was doing in my life so I hesitated to listen. Before all this, God took a lot of things away from me. I wanted to back out of this trip so badly but there was no way I could. But I praise God because if I had backed out, I would have never experienced His presence in my life this way. 

I've learned to trust Him. I can't keep myself in a shell and think that that was how life was for me. I needed to align my mind with God. Seeing Egypt made me see the bigger picture and gave me purpose.

Maybe there are days we feel so small, alone and worthless but the world is so much bigger and so are His plans. I know that my God has something great in store for me.

Now that I am home again I can only wait for the day of my return. I am on fire and excited to be able to come again and reach out.

God-willing.

I will forever be thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to experience such beautiful trips like these not just once but twice. God is good.

Cleopatra

Then and Now

HOLY LAND TOUR - ISRAEL

ISRAEL

I am having trouble recalling which of the places we went to first. Some, I don't even have any pictures of. ( I was too lazy to bring my camera to some of the sites ) So, for now I guess I'll just have to do with what I have.

The view of Jerusalem

To get to Israel was a 4 or 6 hour bus ride, I can't remember but everything we had planned was delayed because getting there took longer than expected. One of our fellow pilgrims had been put on hold by the Israeli border so we had to wait a  couple of hours (not including the waiting time for our bus's turn to be taken in). The whole day was just tiring.

By God's grace, they eventually let him go and we head on to our hotel.

The Fransiscan Church of Cana

On our first day, we had lunch at Jericho then went to Nazareth to visit the Village of Cana where you find the church where Jesus performed His first public miracle. 

"The next day^[a] there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. ³ The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

⁴ “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

⁵ But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

⁶ Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.^[b] 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”When the jars had been filled, ⁸ he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

⁹ When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.¹⁰ “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” - John 2: 1-10

Church of Transfiguration

The next day, we passed by Mt. Tabor to visit the church of Transfiguration.

 "Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. ² As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.³ Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials^[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵ But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” - Matthew 17:1-5

The Church of Beatitudes

This is where Jesus delivered the sermon on the Mount.

 "One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, ² and he began to teach them."

The Beatitudes

³ 

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,^[a]

    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

⁴ 

God blesses those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

⁵ 

God blesses those who are humble,

    for they will inherit the whole earth.

⁶ 

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,^[b]

    for they will be satisfied.

⁷ 

God blesses those who are merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ 

God blesses those whose hearts are pure,

    for they will see God.

⁹ 

God blesses those who work for peace,

    for they will be called the children of God.

¹⁰ 

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,

    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

¹¹ “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you^[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ¹² Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." - Matthew 5:1-12

The rock where Jesus performed the miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish

We visited the Church of the First Feeding of the Multitude in Tabgha.

^"19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. ²⁰ They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.²¹ About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!" - Matthew 14:19-25

The town of Jesus

This is the Capernaum. I must say that it is one of the most interesting places to visit in Israel. After Jesus' baptism and John's arrest, He chose to live there and make it his headquarters of ministry. In fact, Mark and Matthew refer to this place as Jesus' hometown. 

He did so much here - befriended tax collectors, healed the sick and preached to multitudes. This is where the Synagogue and Peter's house, where Jesus slept, is founded. Since we were caught by heavy rain, we had only the house to visit but it wasn't a big deal to me since I've already seen it before. 

Doing my Quiet Time in the Sea of Galilee

We sailed the sea of Galilee.

There's so much about this sea. By its waters, Jesus chose the first disciples, healed the sick and preached the gospel of the Kingdom. Here, He walked on water. In another occasion, He spoke to a storm and calmed the wind and waves. That is probably why this sea is blessed. Aside from being the main source of fresh water for Israel, it serves as a center for tourism with Resort facilities, the Jordan river, picnick areas, water sports and other activities are found or taken place in.

My favorite Bible story about the sea of Galilee would probably have to be Matthew 14 which says:

^"22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. ²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone."

The Church of Annunciation

Nazareth is the place where Jesus "increased in wisdom and in years" ( luke 2:52 )Here, Jesus learned the trade of a carpenter, and later after a couple of years, returned to read from the prophet Isaiah in his famous synagogue sermon from Luke 4:18-19 saying :
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
     and that the time

of the Lord’s favor has come.^[a]”

We visited the church of the Annunciation where Angel Gabriel revealed to the virgin Mary the imminent birth of Jesus and John the baptist. It is one of the largest and most magnificent churches in the Holy Land.

The amphitheater in Cesarea

Cesarea, a town built by Herod the Great was given its name in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus.  Archaeologists believe that this must have been the headquarters of the Procurator of Judea in AD 26-36, Pontius Pilate.

In the Jordan river

In Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born

Lunch at Tel Aviv before crossing the border to Egypt

A Turkish clock tower in Tel Aviv

The Palestinian border

The Western Wall

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the surface of the earth. It lies 400 meters below sea level. It is also called
"The Salt Sea" for its high mineral content. Because of this, almost no vegetation or animal life occurs.

Mud from the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is known as the richest source of minerals in the world and contains 21 life-essential minerals. Studies show that these minerals are in the right balance for our skin, helping it retain moisture, balance oil, reduce wrinkles, minimize pores and many more.

Floating on the Dead Sea

Also, because of its high salt content, almost anything would float independently.

Mount of Temptation

Kids outside the Holy Sepulcher Church

Best drink evaaa!

BEST ICE CREAM EVER.

The procession of the Via Delorosa

It's a very humbling feeling, being there so realistically imagining  what Jesus went through till the time He was born to the time He died. This is where we walked the Stations of the cross from where He was stripped off and teased, to where He was crucified and where He was lain after He had died.

It's amazing what He went through for us, a bunch of sinners who did no good. He doesn't need us, we are but more of no need to Him than ants yet He still chose to die for us out of love. We killed Him, friends. He loved us nonetheless.

While we were here,  after finishing the procession, we were brought the news that one of our fellow Pilgrims had died in his hotel room that morning. Though his loss is tragic, I am thankful that he died a happy death in the land he wanted to die in, the way he wanted to. So...Hallelujah still.

I'd like to dedicate this post to Him,

I may have not known Him, not even stopped by to say a quick "Hello." I probably never even noticed him there, but after a few days, have grown close to his family members along the trip. They are such wonderful people and for that, I bet he was pretty extraordinary.

Rest in peace,  Reynaldo Barzaga Carungcong

( © Renz Ramos for this photo )