EARTHQUAKES and CALDERAS

 Psalm 104:31-32

King James Version

31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: 

the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: 

he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

We've been having a spate of earthquakes in the Philippines recently.

Just the other day, my city was hit by an Intensity 5 earthquake at 10:30 a.m.

It may have been brief, but it was enough to make people scramble out of buildings.

And City Hall let out a long, low siren.

After which, long lines formed, mostly teenage students, all bound for home.

Classes on all levels had been suspended.

One government hospital created an outdoor emergency area, to take in at least 46 patients who suffered panic and anxiety attacks.

Older residents surely remembered the terrible 16 July 1990 earthquake that nearly demolished our city.

Was there to be another one of those?

Today, the HOLY SPIRIT led me to something relevant, and interesting.

I learned that close to our country, up north where I live, is the LARGEST caldera in the world.

It's called the Apolaki Caldera:

"The Apolaki Caldera is a volcanic caldera with a diameter of 150 kilometers (93 mi), making it the world's largest caldera. It is located within the Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) and was discovered in 2019 by Jenny Anne Barretto, a Filipino marine geophysicist and her team."

-- Wikipedia

We also learned, from the same source, that it was named after a "god":

"The name "Apolaki" means "giant lord" in Filipino, and is also the name of the god of sun and war in some pantheons in Philippine mythology and the indigenous Philippine folk religions. The volcano has been inactive for millions of years."

Being born again, this watchman doesn't care for "gods".

We're not into idolatry.

We only serve the ONE, TRUE GOD.

As for the "millions of years", then again, we question that.

Answers in Genesis says we have a "young earth", like 6,000 years only.

Before GOD made me born again, I was actually already skeptical about claims of fossils being millions of years.

Somehow, I wondered how scientists were able to determine that far.

My initial instincts were correct.

Going back to our caldera subject, we learn that Apolaki Caldera can be found within the Benham Rise:

"The Benham Rise, formally designated as Philippine Rise (Filipino: Talampas ng Pilipinas)[3][4] by the Philippine government, is an extinct volcanic ridge located in the Philippine Sea approximately 250 kilometers (160 mi) east of the northern coastline of Dinapigue, Isabela."

-- Wikipedia

To make matters more interesting, the Philippines is part of the "Pacific Ring of Fire":

"The Ring of Fire (also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Rim of Fire, the Girdle of Fire or the Circum-Pacific belt)[note 1] is a tectonic belt of volcanoes and earthquakes.

It is about 40,000 km (25,000 mi) long[1] and up to about 500 km (310 mi) wide,[2] and surrounds most of the Pacific Ocean.

The Ring of Fire contains between 750 and 915 active or dormant volcanoes, around two-thirds of the world total.[3][4] The exact number of volcanoes within the Ring of Fire depends on which regions are included.

About 90% of the world's earthquakes,[5] including most of its largest,[6][7] occur within the belt."

-- Wikipedia

Should we be worried?

I only look to the imminence of the Rapture.

Wherein JESUS can return, any moment GOD decides, and believers will meet Him up in the clouds.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself 

shall descend from heaven with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain 

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, 

to meet the Lord in the air: 

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

That's the next timeline in Bible prophecy.

Sure, earthquakes will come, and go.

Volcanoes will erupt, and destroy.

We may all perish.

But are our hearts ready for the LORD?

It's all PREPARATION now.

If we do not heed the LORD's WORD, and commands, we will want the rocks to fall on us, in fear.

Revelation 6:16-17

King James Version

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, 

Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him 

that sitteth on the throne, 

and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; 

and who shall be able to stand?

Don't wait for earthquakes to happen.

No one can predict that.

WAIT for the LORD instead.

Luke 21:28

King James Version

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, 

then look up, and lift up your heads; 

for your redemption draweth nigh.

But in the meantime, do repent, and believe.

JESUS commanded that:

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

People from my country may also want to know about other calderas we have:

Corregidor Caldera (Manila Bay)

Mount Pinatubo (Luzon)

Taal Volcano (Luzon)

Laguna Caldera (Luzon)

Irosin Caldera (Luzon)

I don't know which country you're in.

But you may want to know what volcanic calderas may be in your area.

Related material:

GOD is in CONTROL of the CLIMATE

VERSES honoring GOD

WEIRD weather etc

YOUNG earth

GEOLOGY

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Image: National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)

CARINA the cruel

Mark 4:37

King James Version

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, 

and the waves beat into the ship, 

so that it was now full.

She ain't sweet.

She ain't gentle.

She's mean.

She's abrasive.

She lambasts you.

She lashes at you.

And she's covering as much ground as she can.

First, the Philippines.

Now, Taiwan, and southern China.

Feeling the wrath of her winds, and whims.

Other storms "whammed" at you.

Carina STABBED.

I almost literally felt her "stabs" at my windows.

Threatening to break the few panes left.

I felt her growing threat, and power.

Ambushing me, as I wrote.

As if she wanted to stop me.

She's gonna stop a worker of GOD?

As Bart would say, "Eat my shorts!"

Ain't gonna happen.

Yesterday at 4am, I heard a loud explosion.

A transformer blew up.

A usual occurrence here.

Probably an overloaded circuit.

Maybe the wildly swaying tall bamboo trees hit the lines.

Power went out soon after.

And we tended to more leaks in our 50-year-old house.

Which, I'm grateful to GOD, has been holding up.

Yesterday, at dusk, I actually saw a lineman at work.

Saw him, from below our house, just at that EXACT moment.

He used a long pole, and "fished" a broken trunk from the lines.

If I had not seen it, I wouldn't have believed it.

That trunk hooked itself upside down upon the electric lines .

Leaves, branches, and all.

First time I'd seen that.

But the lineman did an astounding job.

With ease, expertise, and conviction.

Oh, the things GOD makes me witness!

Perhaps, that was the cause of the day's brownout.

We did have electricity in about an hour's time.

I just LOVE how GOD "plants" me in "strategic spots".

Where I can observe most things.

First hand.

He knew I'd tell you concrete examples.

To support all my articles.

Because man is usually skeptical.

But I've got proof.

I always want to make sure I've got proof.

No tall tales for me.

We've heard of "Ivan the Terrible".

"Bloody Mary".

"William the Bad".

"Charles the Mad".

"Louis the Do-Nothing".

All terrible monarchs.

So we shall call this storm, "Carina the Cruel".

International code name, "Gaemi".

Perhaps, we shall also call her "Gaemi the Gargoyle".

We learn this about "gargoyles":

"In architecture, and specifically Gothic architecture, a gargoyle (/ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/) is a carved or formed grotesque[1]: 6–8  with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing it from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between."

-- Wikipedia

Except in Carina's case, this "gargoyle" spouted water INTO buildings, not away from it.

Carina/Gaemi did NOT prevent water from "running down masonry walls".

She ERODED the "mortar between".

Have a look at what she's done (nine hours ago as I write this):

Of course, as Carina leaves our PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility), another LPA (Low Pressure Area) hovers south, in Mindanao.

When that happens, we in the north feel it, too.

Because we're high up, we feel weather changes.

Or at least, I do.

My dreams tell me "stuff".

Carina's probably the strongest storm we've had in years.

I've noticed the past couple of years our summer's short.

The rains would come soon enough.

This year, summer was longer.

But Carina dampened all those sunny days.

As we experience weird weather here, surely you do, too.

We've heard of flooding where it doesn't flood.

Tons of tornado outbreaks in the U.S.

Even had dreams about it.

And found ties of it with "elections".

Strange connection, that one.

As I write this, I hear the sky rumbling.

I also hear rains coming -- soon.

We were warned there'd be more rains, even up to the weekend.

Well, it's Friday in the Philippines now.

My country men are resilient people.

We shall get through this, once more.

Nothing can dampen our spirits.

Except if we turn away from GOD.

That would be it for us.

My city alone, being up in the mountains, gets battered a lot.

Whether typhoons, or earthquakes.

I thank GOD our house has held up.

From all that decades of battering.

Even as our walls, windows, and roof bear the scars.

Well, the rain's a battering ram again.

I have to tend to the leaks.

But first, this article has to get to you.

As architecture grad, I must also tell you another thing:

Have NO obstruction on your roofs.

Chimneys for one.

Fireplaces can be pretty.

But once your house is old, the leaks come.

Many other things I can tell you.

It will have to be for another article.

Soon as I've accomplished that, I'll include the link here.

So, come back here, every so often, thanks!

Lastly, as born again, this I must also tell you.

No matter the troubles we may all face, or be in.

Weather-wise, or other-wise.

Only through JESUS can we be saved.

In ALL ways you can think of.

Mark 4:37-41

King James Version

37 And there arose a great storm of wind,

 and the waves beat into the ship, 

so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, 

asleep on a pillow: 

and they awake him, 

and say unto him, 

Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, 

and rebuked the wind, 

and said unto the sea, 

Peace, be still. 

And the wind ceased, 

and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, 

Why are ye so fearful? 

how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, 

and said one to another, 

What manner of man is this, 

that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Related material:

POWER of JESUS

PEACE through JESUS

GOD's POWER over nations

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Our THREE countries

 Isaiah 31:1

King James Version

31 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; 

and stay on horses, 

and trust in chariots, 

because they are many; 

and in horsemen, because they are very strong; 

but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, 

neither seek the Lord!

My stand remains the same.

For whatever country in the world is involved.

We cannot rely on our own wisdom.

We cannot rely on our own strength.

We cannot rely on our own unity.

We need GOD.

We need His Son, JESUS.

We need to be taught by the HOLY SPIRIT.

We need to be born again, that we may have SPIRIT.

There can be no peace, until we believe in JESUS, the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6-7

King James Version

6 For unto us a child is born, 

unto us a son is given: 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder: 

and his name shall be called Wonderful, 

Counsellor, 

The mighty God, 

The everlasting Father, 

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace 

there shall be no end, 

upon the throne of David, 

and upon his kingdom,

 to order it, 

and to establish it with judgment 

and with justice 

from henceforth even for ever. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

All our attempts at peace are futile, unless we all believe in the same GOD.

Exodus 3:6

King James Version

6 Moreover he said, 

I am the God of thy father, 

the God of Abraham, 

the God of Isaac, 

and the God of Jacob. 

And Moses hid his face; 

for he was afraid to look upon God.

Matthew 22:32

King James Version

32 I am the God of Abraham, 

and the God of Isaac, 

and the God of Jacob? 

God is not the God of the dead, 

but of the living.

Acts 3:13-15

King James Version

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, 

the God of our fathers, 

hath glorified his Son Jesus; 

whom ye delivered up, 

and denied him in the presence of Pilate, 

when he was determined to let him go.

14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, 

and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, 

whom God hath raised from the dead; 

whereof we are witnesses.

As it is, the Philippines is primarily Roman Catholic.

The U.S. took out GOD from their government.

Japan believes in many other gods.

But we all worship the same god.

The god of money.

Which JESUS warned us about:

Matthew 6:24

King James Version

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Today, the U.S., Japan, and Philippines are united against provocations from China.

The Philippines' navy and fishermen are constantly harassed by China.

We do not have the capability to defend ourselves.

We are an archipelago, surrounded by oceans.

We need superb air, sea, and land defense systems.

Which our presidents haven't really looked into, surprisingly.

We are like "sitting ducks" in an ocean of plenty.

Everyone knows the resources we have.

And the strategic importance we have.

Of course we are grateful for any help from other countries.

Granted that there's no hidden agenda.

It's election season in the U.S.

Also, our three countries had a dark past.

The Americans occupied us before.

The Japanese did the same.

The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

The Americans bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

And today, we're all friends.

Such is human nature.

Fragile.

Flimsy.

Fearful.

That's why the Bible warns us:

Psalm 118:8-9

King James Version

8 It is better to trust in the Lord 

than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord 

than to put confidence in princes.

I trust the LORD alone.

In GOD is LOVE.

Jeremiah 31:3

King James Version

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, 

saying, 

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: 

therefore with lovingkindness 

have I drawn thee.

In JESUS is GRACE and TRUTH.

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

In SPIRIT is LIBERTY.

2 Corinthians 3:17

King James Version

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is liberty.

If we are a true born again, we will rely on GOD alone.

We will not have hidden agendas.

We will not plot against each other.

We will not plot against any other country.

We live by GOD's laws.

Realizing that, without JESUS, we can do nothing.

John 15:5-7

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, 

he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; 

and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, 

and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, 

and my words abide in you, 

ye shall ask what ye will, 

and it shall be done unto you.

And if we're not born again?

We're toast.

Matthew 13:41-43

King James Version

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, 

and they shall gather out of his kingdom 

all things that offend, 

and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: 

there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth 

as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

P.S. 

China's response to the trilateral agreement among the THREE countries can be heard here.

Related material:

GOD and Spratlys

LEADERS for GOD

EVERYTHING belongs to GOD

It's all PREPARATION now

For the HEALING of nations

GOD's power over nations

SOUL-saving WORD

born again observations on war

GOD's WORD forever

On GOVERNMENTS

Scripture on HUMAN rights

FORTIFY your FORTRESS

BORN AGAIN articles