Dream Whisperer

In my personal studies of the scripture, it is clear that God does convey His message to us in many ways. But one unique way is through our dreams. Unique meaning that only a faitful few can interpret them. In the case of Joseph were Pharaoh couldn't interpret his own dream. Again with King Nebachanezzer. Joseph
himself said the business of interpreting dreams is God work.

Last night I had a dream. And here is what I saw. In the dream I joined a very old style of martial arts. I want to say it's Kung Fu for it was very heavy on the traditions and that the Grandmaster's word is law. Well there was a technique or move that I developed but the move has requirements in order for it to work. I was carrying an old muskett, you know the kind that was used during the American Revolution. And affixed on it was a bayonet. The move requires someone from behind me to grab me. And the move has me killing the enemy behind me by cutting his throat and down to his heart.

When I showed that to my old grandmaster he said that the move is not how they do things. And he ordered me to never so that move again. Perplexed why would he say that, and when I asked him why not? He yelled at me, and then as I was about to react, I woke up.

What do you think that means? My friends have said that my Jedi power is dream interetations. I always thought that God blessed me with this gift and now I need to use it. I think I have interpret it already but I shall pray more to see it more clearly.


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Western Regional

This past November was the WEKAF USA Western Regional and after seeing the Cebu tournament I sure was glad there were less people. It was hosted by Master Steve Del Castillo and this year's venue was surely unique. For at the same j
E the tournament was happening there was an ANIME expo going on. And thatsure made things interesting. All these Anime Fans were dressed up in their favorite character and the weird thing was our group was the weird one.

As far as Visayan Legacy all our fighters placed second or higher and of course we took home the coveted team trophy. All around a great tournament. And was capped off with dinner with the whole stick fam. It's always great hanging out with my stickfighting family.

Asking God for the ability not just to forgive but to forget!!!

These past few days has been an emotional roller coaster for both me and my family. It has always been this family standing policy is to never ever turn our back to our own. And for the most part it has been a well contested policy. Time and time after again we continue to help our family and yet it does nothing but get us burned.

What is going on? Well when my niece is being called all sorts of names. When she is being pushed out of her own home. When she isn't even allowed to see her own daughter, well it makes you run to her rescue. But the problem isn't can we help her, but should we? She has a tendency to burn the people that is trying to help her and go about doing it like coward. And now we are here suffering from her wicked ways.

So I know I can forgive for I have forgiven her already. So now I ask God to let me forget, for that is why you sent your son Jesus Christ o. The very first Christmas. So that through Him all our sins are forgotten. So God please give me the chance to forgive not for my sake but for the baby.

Blessings

When Man Plans God laughs. A week ago I made the sad decission not to go to a very close friends wedding. I was sad for two reasons, one that I am not going but more dissapointing was that I was giving up on God.

But God has shown me otherwise. He has shown me that when I plan God Laughs. I don't know about most people but I like to plan things. My mom is a very impulsive person, which is one of the few things we don't ever see eye to eye on. So I plan trips, my day and so on. It gives me a sense of order.

But I do have room for God for He constanly keep me on my toes. I want to share the blessings.

Before I left for the Philippines I've been praying the Lord gives me a digital camera. Well for my going away shindig I was blessed with enough money to purchase my new camera. The following Monday my friend Jack showed me an ad for a camera for a fraction of the cost. So I contacted the store and even though they clearly posted on the ad no reservation or holds I was able to convince the manager to hold it for me. I promised to be there by Wednesday but I missed my appointment. My mom then told me she was going in that area on thursday. I called the shop and sure enough the manager decided to still hold I for me. By the time I got there the manager not only sold me the camera bu gave me a flyer and extra battery, and sold me a memory card and bag at a discount. But wait there's more. Two days later I noticed a pixel was out. I bring it back to the shop and they promised to replace with another refurbished camera. But they didn't have another reurbished camera so they had no choice but to give me a brand new one.

Now during the Philippines I had a series of ups and downs and during one of the lowest points. I wanted to go to Cebu for the upcoming world tournament. But I couldn't afford the rooms so my teachers and his family offered to pay for my room.

Then when I got back from Cebu my niece was getting married so now I can go back to the US which is what j needed.

And now I wanted to go to Hawaii for a friends wedding and I couldn't afford it. But I knew better now. For I know God was going to come through. But just at the moment when I gave up the Lord said I have not. So a friend was going tonpay for my ticket and lodging.

So my brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord provides all and wishes you to be happy. Just surrender it to God. And always remember by putting Him first He will Never put you second.

CHRISTIAN ACTORS AUDITION

Drama Team
Our talents are God's gift to us, what we do with that gifts is our gift to God.

I see so many of my brothers and sisters and Christ with the gift of music having a venue to show off God's handywork. Churches and coffee houses all across th country open their doors and let Christian musicians perform.

But what about people who have been given the gifts of Acting?

So now I'm starting an acting crew whose sole purpose is to worship God through the gift of drama and comedy. Is there money in it? Probably not, but we don't store treasure here on Earth but up in heaven.

If interested please call me at (951)310-2090 or email me at fbserr@gmail.com

Agent of Hate!!!

I know that many a times this blog has been used as a forum of anger and hate. But truly I tell you my brothers and sisters is that I am not an agent of hate but a loyal servant of God. And God is all about love, and in I Corinthians 13 love is defined as not being able to "delight in evil but rejoices in TRUTH." (13:6). But equally important is that "Love always hopes"(13:7) Hope is a charatristic of a better tomorrow.

My brothers and sisters in Christ I ask for your forgiveness for the anger I held in my heart. Being in anger has placed me in sorrow and denied me of rejoicing in truth. But more importantly I ask our God to grant us the serenity that can only come from His everlasting love.

As I wait and hope that whatever that is in your heart against me may be forgiven and forgotten and rejoice together in Jesus Christ.

People who read this

I am not one of these people that writes these online blogs and gets surprised that people read my ONLINE journal.

So for those people who read these blogs and see it as it truly is a venting of my feelings, thank you. But for those who think that I put these things online but think it's because I don't have the "cajones" to say it to their face. Well most of you know that if I won't say it to your face I won't say it online. So for those who try to use my blog as a tool against me. Well your dumber than I thought for how I feel about any issues or any individual or group is not only my constitutional right but know that I do not cower from my oppinion.

If your offended than you could be one of those idiots.

You to Brutus???

In Dante's Inferno there are levels of hell. The deeper the level the more brutal and excruciating the punishment. And remember this is eternity. On the deepest level there is thus three headed dragon. It's mouth is the worse that hell has to offer reserved those who has commited the worse of sins. Two of the two heads are empty one for the Anti-Christ and one for the Devil himself. But one mouth is occupied already and it's Judas Iscariot. Betrayal is the worse kind of sin.

I know there are times that i would have a different point of view than others and you know what that's okay. As long as we handle ourselves in a respectable manner.

But what some people have done to My teacher is beyond me as well as to the point of loosing respect towards these people. And not even give him the most basic rights of being able to defend one self. So for those who are brutus you only have one opportunity to hurt us but we have an eternity of justice. Hope it was worth it.

The Journey WAS ending.

So now I'm back home. It's 2:58 am on a Friday and I now can't sleep. Why is it when I'm driving down the highway I seem to be sleepy but when I'm at home I can't. Oh well it's just as well I need to relax before hitting the pillow anyway.

But let me share the adventure home

Since I missed my appointment with Eric my newest customer (that was referred to me by another customer) last Tuesday due to severe traffic I knew that to maximize having the car I should take care of this install right away. So instaed of taking the 101 S to the 42 highway we decided to stay on the 101 and go straight to my customer. With a quick detour to Oxnard to buy some fresh vegetables. Now one of the things I love about my iPhone is the google maps. Yeah not as great as actual GPS but I don't want to pay $10 a month extra. While waiting the route it wanted to take me on was traffic so I decided to take the back routes instead. And it was gorgeous as well as no one in sight so I was cruising at 60 mph then finally stopped at Eric's work.

Now the install couldn't have been easier I just plugged the PAP2 box and we had in and out calls. At the same time they had another referral to me about 5 minutes away. And sold a 2nd box.

Just when I thought this weekend was a waste, I was ready to write this up as a planting the seed week but instead got two installs in a 30 minute span. But it's because I planted the seed and followed up with my customer.

God is truly amazing and yes this week's install still doesn't cover the expenses but the experience was worth it. I also found another way of marketing this product. But first I need to slee...

My First Long Distance Sales Call

I know my Mom really believes in me. But this week she took it to a whole new level. Ive always known that out of her kids including grandkids that I was the one that thinks a lot like her. And what amazes me is that even though I do think a lot like her there is still alot I don't know.

This week my mother and I went to Salinas California which is about according to google maps is about 6 hours north of Perris. Well with all the traffic it really became an 8 hours drive.

Then we stayed overnight at Tita Charito's house and the next day we were on the road again to San Francisco which was about another 2 hours north to meet Christine Zhao. Only to rush back to Salinas and meet some of the Tumauinians. And all with only one strong possible sale of a product but none of the business package. About a $35 + risidual of $0.03 a month. The gas alone doesn't cover our expenses.

So I thought my Mom would be dissapointed. My sales info was spot on as well as my data. But somehow I have trouble closing. Something is preventing me to close. But my Mom said, "We're just planting seeds. It will take time and so be patient.".

And of course only time will tell if she's right or not. But I do thank God that my Mom is willing to invest not only in my business but more importantly in me.

Salinas-Captains Log

I'm here in Salinas California and i must admit I'm not really sure what I am doing here. I have some idea but nothing concrete. My mom has some business contacts out here and she wanted me to showcase the ACIONTALK to her friends. Last night we were invited to a fire safety presentation by Master Guard. I didn't realize how i'll equiped a home really was in a fire. Like smoke detectors actually suck because they cannot tell the difference between a couch on fire and dried fish burning. I truly enjoyed the presentation it was a different approach for at the end of it nothing was encourage to buy anything.

But today as we start our day I find myself less than thrilled for I do not know what to expect. I know we are suppose to present this to Tita Charito but don't know when and where. But hopefully I do well.

Lord please give me the knowledge and wisdom to know what is the right thing to do.

Business And Manners

Business and Manners can these two co-exist? In this day and age everyone is striving for the paper. When the economy is in a recession people get a little bit more desperate. But where do you draw the line.

I went on a sales call yesterday in Palmdale, no easy task but nevertheless went there anyway. Well my Aunt decided to tagg along. Now being part of my downline I do not mine that they are here with me on this sales call. For a couple of reasons. One I want to show them again how to present the product and two the person or home we were visiting was that of a relative. Now this might sound petty but I was there first and yet they come in and not only did they NOT sell our product they decided to push a different one instead.

Now here is where i'm at. I've set up my demonstration kit ready to go and they come in pop a DVD and let them watch it. I didn't want to be the guy that tries to push so many things to the same home all at once. Totally loosing my credibility and stole the wind from my sails.

Now I feel like not helping them at all anymore, but if I do that I loose money. So I'm stuck with them.

But the Lord does teach us to turn the other cheek and add some understanding So Lord grant me that.

Being Wanted

So eversince I moved back to the United States I wasn't sure if I should stay with my family. I love them very much and I missed them but at the same time I don't. I guess I need to figure things out.

Man Down

ROGER BARNES

It is with great sadness that I pass on this message that a brother in FMA has died. Roger Barnes WEKAF World Champion and WEKAF GB director died on March 8 doing what he loved which is coaching his fellow teammates. His contribution to the art as well as to mankind will always be remembered.

WHEN DEATH COMES

By: Mary Oliver

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn;

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;

when death comes

like the measle-pox

when death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,

and I look upon time as no more than an idea,

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,

tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder

if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,

or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

Stressing OUT

Life is full of stress, with all this technologies that suppose to save us some time and make our lives more convenient. I can remember that when life was conducted without cell phones. I don't even know how business was done with out those little suckers. But somehow they were able to do it. In the Philippines almost every other FIlipino had a cell phone texting away like there lives dependent on it. And I admit I love gadgets, ask anyone who has known me for a while now. I always want the latest technology again trying to save time and be more efficient. But where does all that time go?

Now this blog is not about bashing technology for I believe that technology that brings GLORY to GOD is an awesome thing. I mean typing this out on an online blog were potentially millions of people can read is something that only JESUS was able to accomplish.

But yet stress is still a part of our lives. Again where is all that time we saved by having a cell phones, or a car or an iPod? I see people are stressing out more and more yet isn't the purpose of technology was to make our lives easier?

"One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind."

-Ecclesiastes 4:6

God has given us the answer to our stress, take all that time you saved by having those things to get some rest. Do things for yourself even if it's just a little.

May the Peace of GOD come over your heart....

In HIS Service,

Francis Thomas B. Serrano

Living in the Moment

Living in the Moment

by: Francis Serrano

The Times have been fleeting

Trying to cling to sand

no matter how hard i hang on

the more it slips away

But I cannot see the wind

I can just feel it

As I know now that you are in the wind

I light a candle to see your presence

As the sun sets over the horizon 

I freeze this moment in time

Hoping, praying living in the moment

Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation

February 18, 2009

This is not a review of the movie and I'm sorry for those reading this if you thought it was.  But I am so frustrated that I needed to let it out somehow.

While running today's errands I saw this one store that offers accupunture and massages.  Which peaked my interest.  I haven't had a good massage since I left the Philippines and I've been "jonesing" for one.  So I called this "parlor" and oh my goodness I found the only NON ENGLISH speaking receptionist in Perris, CA.  Now why do that?  Why have a business and have the person answering the phone not know how to speak english?  I mean last time I check this is still AMERICA.  I was asking her what type of massages or style of massages do they offer and she kept repeating the price over and over again.  Now I am an immigrant and english is my 2nd language but I made an strong effort to acclimate to the current lingo.  Then finally she turned over the phone to someone who somewhat speaks english and she doesn't know what style they offer.  I asked if it is more swedish, or shiatsu style and she kept saying it's traditional.  What's traditional?  Who knows, in might be just TONKA TRUCKS...  Oh my I hung up the phone in frustration that these people are just robbing people blind.  

I miss the Philippines...

Sta Thomas

Santo Thomas

January 17, 2009

My Roland Isla invited me to go in this little excursion out of the city today.  If anyone who understands the difficulties of living in the city it would be my friend Roland.  Coming from Canada as well as growing up there he knows the hardship with the Filipino mentality and their ugali.  And last year around Christmas time when I was ready to throw in the towel he understood.  He knew that Manila was a contaminated city that would eventually suck you dry.  The people in Manila are rude as well as the pollution  and congestion in the city can dry anyone mad.  Including Roland, but he did say that don't judge the Philippines by Manila.  

Well today I went with him to look at two possible sites for their next home.  He is desperately ready to leave the city but with his wife's practice it' difficult to just uproot and move.  So he is trying to find something close enough where they can go back and forth while still be far enough from Manila to have some peace and quiet.

The first place we looked at was called TREVIA an AYALALAND company project and it was nice.  The actually neighborhood is a few miles down the main highway but the land is flat.  The design theme is contemporary edge generation y kind of a thing.  Beautiful area.  But no matter how great that place is, no matter how much I love the more urban lifestyle, no matter how cool that lake is.  It does not hold a candle to Westgrove Heights.  Put together by the same developers your up on this hill where it's 400 Hectares of land and 50% is dedicated to foliage or trees.  And the lots are like 1000 square meter.  But the best part is the view from the place where Roland was looking into.  I could not but help and hope for myself to live there one day.  The land is absolutely gorgeous.  And the air is clean and the area is secure.  Holy, I found a place better than hawaii.

But all is this is to say that Manila isn't the place to look at when you want to live in the Philippines.  So Lord I'm praying...

Don't Count Me out Just yet

Don’t count me out Just yet…

January 10, 2009

To be or not to be, that is the question. Or is it more to be or not be. These past few weeks I have been struggling with my purpose in life. Ever since I moved to the Philippines I knew that GOD wanted me to live here and start my ministry. Being a minister is different from many career choices out there. You don’t choose to be a minister, your BOSS chooses you. It’s a calling and it’s not meant for everybody. I was joking the other day when I said that people wouldn’t kidnap me; one being a big guy it’s really hard to carry me to the car. I mean you could try and carry me but it’s going to take more than one guy. And once they do kidnap me they will just be disappointed since I am a seminary student. Being a minister, well let’s just say that we store our treasures in heaven.

But I digress…

So I thought I have accepted that this life is about struggles, and hardships. God did say the road to salvation is narrow and dangerous. Well the road that I am on has definitely been difficult. One disappointment after another and I won’t get into it right now since I already typed it in my journal twice now. But that has been the difficulties that I have been going through. But we are also promised to give Him our heavy burdens and there we will find rest.

Now I know GOD told me to go home, and I am set to go. But I cannot help but feel like a quitter. Which I am not, and what I am doing is far more important than my struggles. And my comfort, but I have been really spoiled most if not all my life. So as I deal with the day-to-day mess that I found myself in I am getting beaten. I know I use a lot of fighting metaphors but I’m a stickfighter that’s how I think. So I prayed to GOD for that comfort that I am looking for. And before I can even say AMEN, GOD said GO HOME. So as I prepare to go home, I still cannot shake that the GOD is also telling me to stay.

So does that mean that GOD is giving me contradictory instructions? Or that maybe I was so desperate to go home that I made that up? NO I know my Lord’s voice and I KNOW that he was telling me to go home and telling me to stay. His wisdom is beyond mine, and thus I turn to HIM for some guidance.

Guidance comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a song, or a child’s laugh. But all in all you know that it’s from God when it glorifies Him. Guidance in this case came in a form of an old friend Pastor Neal Platon. His life is similar to what I was going through. He was called to move to the United States and leave all the people he knows and love. Of course he talks about that when he was speaking at GOOD SEMIRITAN UMC where he invited me to listen. He talked about his struggles and pains and how he wanted to give up. But he stuck to the Lord and saw it through. Well when he and I had coffee I thought I knew what he was going to say. Well the Lord in His awesome wonders shocked me again. When Pastor Neal said I should go home when I am clearly need of a rest. But he did ask, can I still finish my schoolwork while I am in the United States? And I said you know why not? I mean I am in a program where I can go at my own pace. So there is nothing wrong with that as long as I finish.

So all and all I thought GOD was contradicting His instructions to me but in reality GOD was not. God was saying that there is nothing wrong with going back to re-charge your batteries, go back to where you can set your heart, mind and soul straight again. And when it’s time for you to go back. Then you can. So that’s what I am going to do, go back and power down and when I’m ready God will call me again.

God is truly smart; when I was thinking one of the other He tells me you can have both. Thank you Lord…

On another note, I just found out that a TV show is coming to my FMA School and do an expose on us. Which would be great publicity for the school as well as bring in some new students. The day after I change my flight plans. GOD is truly amazing in all His wonders.