The Connection between the Physical and Spiritual Sacrifice of Jesus

I was asked to prepare for this coming Sunday's children's moment at Corona UMC.  I must admit I dread being asked to do the Children's moment, not because I do not think it is important, I believe that to them the Kingdom of Heaven belongs.  I am nervous because kids are very binary, I am just glad that my Pastor and Church Office Manager gave me the opportunity to study up on it.

First of I cannot emphasize enough how much I love my LOGOS program.  The resource that I have on my fighter tips  is phenomenal.  Best investment I have ever made.

I was asked to speak on John 6:51-59 (English Standard Version) 

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum."

Unlike the synoptic gospels the book of John was written without using Mark as a main point of reference.  Written by John around 90 AD - John was wrote this gospel to combat the ever growing Gnostic philosophy.  Which in its foundation it believes that the Spirit which is inherently good and the Physical (Body) inherently evil and that two are separate and cannot dwell in its pure form together.  

That created two immediate contradiction with me:  

First if God is Good and thus he is a spirt, how can God create the physical world?
Second how can they explain Jesus Christ who was man and yet God at the same time?

To explain this, the gnostics came up with Emanations.  One in which he was either a phantom or that Christ entered Jesus at baptism then leave at the beginning of His sufferings.  Hence he was never physically here just appeared to be here.   It was this emanation that allowed God to be less spiritual and more physical enough to create the physical.  

When John records on the verses above that directly combat that blasphemous theory.  Jesus is using a physical act of eating and drinking to save the soul as well as using a deplorable act of cannibalism (which clearly Jesus was not referring to) to do something good.  

As well as in order to do this act the body must be broken and the blood shall be shed.  

It never cease to amaze me the depth the Word of God truly is.  I thank you Lord for allowing me to see and learn this.   

CI Chicago

First night here at CI Chicago. Much smaller group to what I am use to and the biggest shock was that CI is only 4 days long. First person I met was Ian and Edward who was nice enough to pick me up from the airport. I think they were relieved that I entertained them the other way around. Took us two hours to get to camp and I thought the drive on cajalco was dark and deserted this place took  it to another level. 

Once at the campsite went to the basement where all the evening program was taking place. They had an auction thing going on. Donated by staff and campers. Saw some familiar faces of Kathlyn and the Melads (Pastor, Vincent, Dodong, and Angela) as well as Caj and Kath's sister. Then I finally met Ann, James and his team as well as Joash. 

I was ready for the cold but it's hella warm I over packed. So far I love what I'm seeing and its to early to determine anything. But I can see the passion is there and the genuine desire to serve God. So with those ingredients it's got the potential of a huge success. 

Day 2:

First full day of Christmas Institute, I had a chance to finally meet my family group, I haven't instantly made a connection with them yet, but the dynamic is a little different.  First of, most of them never met me before, nor do they know anything about me, but I think I'm hamstring myself and worrying too much about the 45 minutes of family group time.  I need to let the Lord be the one in control of the family group and be the counselor they need me to be.  I'm trying to force something that cannot be forced.  You think by now I would have learned that.  I guess that is one of things the Lord wants me to learn (if not a second time) that GOD is ALWAYS in charge.  I think today I will talk about the Sower and the Seed and then go into the discussion of the one thing GOD cannot do.  

I also had the blessed opportunity to speak during the afternoon service as guest speaker.  I think I was able to find my voice as a speaker, I will go around and ask more campers about if they have found what I said relevant.  I talked about Dr. Dogterom's insight on Jesus calming the Storm, and the exogetical insights that he had brought in when I heard him talk about that.  I of course added my stamp of style on my sermon, where I made it my own.  

I also led a workshop and it was on HT.  I am a little concerned because technically I was suppose to clear that with Tom first, but being in the mountain, its hard to communicate.  They learned the basics of palm and punch with elbow strikes and knee and kicks.  Without any equipment this is the best that I can do.  I also explained the differents anatomy of the tools that we have.  

Day 3 & 4:

I thought I would have time to write down my reflection for dayy 3 but the day's event got away from me.   The morning started off normal, except it was a tough night sleeping again.  It was clear that I was alergic to something in my room.  It probably had something to do with the blanket or the bedsheets.  Either way, I was ichy.  Good thing Kathlyn gave me a blanket for Christmas.  I opened it up and then it covered my chin to my waist.  Apparently the blanket made me choose, which part of me was going  be warm.  It was all sorts of funny, but I knew then that I was not going sleep in that room the following night.  

The schedule was re-shifted a bit instead of me teaching the martial arts workshop in the afternoon, they changed it to the morning.  This time Pastor Romir and his wife joined the class, and this was a little more intense since I actually had an hour and half to teach.  Instead of the 45 minutes alloted.  Then lunch and then break.  THe only thing was that I thought i had more time with my family group, but instead it became one more session and half of my group was missing because they were staff.  

Oh I did have a great talk with Yoann, from Central Africa about the cost of a salvation.  He was genuinely into what I was talking about till we were late  from lunch.  I just pray that I was able to make a small impact on the lives of my family group members.  If there was something I would suggest to change w/NIC CI is that they need to allow more time for family group and less time on workshops, or free time.  

Mr and Ms CI, I must admit I had some strong reservation about this event, since it could construde as a popularity contest, they even had campaign managers and even pitted sisters against each others.  But I was really turned around when the majority of judging was based on wisdom.  So whom am I to say that this does not bring any intringent benefits to the campers.  I think maybe my biased way has planted that if we don't do it mentality then it must be wrong.  This is why I want to get out of California, because we live in such a bublle that anyone or anything that differs from the way "we" think it must be wrong.  How arrogant, being at this CI confirms that.  It was great and the kids had a wonderful time.  Immidietly followed by the talent show night and the "oldies" wanted me to perform with them.  I don't know if I declined respectfully or not, but I believe that old guys like myself should not use that time to showcase my talents but to showcase that of the kids.  Or maybe I was just too arrogant again.  Man I really need to work on that.  

After that was the commitment night service and Pastor Hannah did a beautiful job and delivered a wonderful message, and I was honored to be asked to pray for the campers who commit and or re-commit to Christ.  Never fails, there I was praying for these campers as they share their burdens to GOD.  Thank you Lord for that moment where these campers lives and help them in the times of sorrow.  I am truly honored.  

After that it was free time, yet the pastor's and I stayed behind to see if there was anyone needing counseling.  Although I am not going to say who or what this person shared, but my past experience related to this person.  But I could not help but bring back issues that I had gone through.  

Then it was an impromptu smores session and Talent Showcase II, started w/Pastor Lindsay grabbing the guitar and singing.  THen Pastor Romir grabbed the mic and started calling others to perform.  Jay, was an opera tenor and had a beautiful voice and even asked Yoann to translate a song from Romeo and Juliet that he sang in French.  Gorgeous.   

After that we Micah asked anyone wanted to play Mafia.  I asked what their rules and how to play, and it was definelty different from the Mafia I played.  We tried the Chicago style first and it was different.  THe moderator was more involved and was the key to the game.  He had  the special task of createing a story that needs to be immaginative.  Then we played KILLER CALI style, I know I am trying not to be this arrogant California guest, but I am going to say it.  Killer CALI version is better IHMO, and iin the end some if not preferred thhat better that Killer Cali style.  Micah and Jay said so, and even those who was there to observe liked it.  We played a few more rounds and there was a round where I won (townspeople).  

Came back to the room around 2 AM and decided to sleep on the couch.  At least I wasn't sctratching anymore.  Woke up around 10 AM and breakfast was over. But we did have pizza not the Chicago famous pizza.  What can u do. 

Overall I had a blast at this CI. Was it different from what I am use to? Yes, are they as big (attendance wise) as what I am use to? Definitely. But is this any less of a Christmas Institute NO. The people's genuine love for God shines through everything that they do.  And it brings joy to my heart that this is happening at the same night in other parts of the world. I am just blessed and honored to be a part of it. Thank you to God and my Chicago friends and family. 

Construction Zone on the Road to Salvation

Our Lord has told us specifically that the road to salvation is difficult. Well at this point the road is under construction. For southern Californians we all know that construction in the freeway means many things.  Do we sit in traffic and hope that we don't wait too long?  Then have you ever noticed that when you do pull to the construction site there are about 5-7 guys standing around and only one person is working?  How about when the freeway has 5 lanes and it merges into one? You look over to the carpool lane and do you think? Do I feel lucky? Or we do we take a detour and try to find a better route. These are the things were we roll the dice and hope for the best. 

Well I'm on this road now and it's traffic it's the middle of the day, and I need to only drive five miles and I've been stuck for 2 hours. Should I exit or stick it out? Should I turn around and go home? It's difficult to know exactly what The Lord wants us to do.  

So instead of trying to figure out what to do or where should we go? How about we let Jesus be the driver of our lives? It may be traffic, it may be long, but only God knows the way. 

NAFAUM and the Young People's Mission

The millennial issue has been a problem for many of the established churches and the United Methodist Church is not exception.  Many theories have arisen as to what could be the leading cause of the exodus of younger generations leaving the churches.  One theory suggest that since the idea of a youth pastor/director was never a part of God's plan since there are no mention of any youth director ever mentioned in the Bible, so the source of a child's spiritual formation should not be anyone else but their parents.  Another theory is that since the churches are so old fashioned with their old hymns and sermons that do not speak to the issues of the younger generations.  Thus finding themselves either finding their spiritual feeding somewhere else or find the church to be a chore and not attend at all.  Another theory is that the youth are regarded as second classes members of the body of Christ.  Thus not being included in the development of the Church or any vital areas of the ministry.  Given enough time I am sure that their are many other theories as to why young is leaving the church.

I believe that it is all those issues and needs to be addressed if our beloved Church is to survive.

The NAFAUM Young People Core Team this year tried to addressed as many of the issues by not trying to dodge the issues but attack them head on.

So NAFAUM 2013 held at Riviera United Methodist Church the Young People core comprised by Kathylyn Talapian from Illinois, Allen Navarro from Northern California, Rachel Wu and Sara Agtarap from the Pacific Northwest, and Katerina DePano and myself from Southern California all leaders of their own respective Christmas Institute tackled each of these issues with programs such as Utilizing Social Networks workshop lead by United Methodist Communications' Minister of Online Engagement  shared to the next generation of leaders how the utilization of Social Networks can be a powerful tool of spreading the Good News from all corners of this Earth.  Then a workshop in Filipino Martial Arts lead by Filipino Martial Arts School owner Guro Francis Thomas B. Serrano (Myself) closed of the day of workshops.

On day two, for the first time in NAFAUM's 100 years history, a panel of Pastors and Lay Leaders participated in an open forum discussions of today's issues such as same sex marriages, health care reforms, immigration reforms, abortions and death penalty and where the United Methodist Church stood in these issues.  What made this even so important we allowed anyone to be able to ask questions about these issues and hear from different sides of the spectrum.  Lay persons such as Katerina DePano, Manang Ely Del Rosario, Pastor Glen Haworth, Pastor Amy Barker, and Pastor Richard Bentley did not duct any question and was ready to show to the audience that they do not all agree with everything written down on the United Methodist's social principles.  But that it was our diversity is what makes us a United Methodist. 

There were so many wonderful events including the amazing Filipino race and the YP congress. But Rachel and Sara who lead the planning for the CI Reunion gave everyone old and young alike a glimpse of CI from all over the United States. The photo montage that was put together was beautiful, and to see the old photos again was both embarrassing and funny. But what the rest of NAFAUM saw  was this is where our leaders are born and that CI needs to be supported if we want to continue to foster the next group of leaders. 

The last memorable moment for me is the Young People's Service. Our keynote sermon given by our very own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, with performances by Prayer of Jabez from IL, Fellowship UMC from Vallejo, CA and a dance also from IL. 

Over all the experience gave a sense of CI in July and one that has sparked the sense of service in me to continue to serve. And to the team, well done. 

Sanctity of Marriage

Right now the Supreme Courts of the United States of America (SCOTUS) are hearing arguments regarding same sex marriage. And as a christian man and especially as a candidate for ministry I am asked as to why I support same sex marriage. I want to clarify my position.

1. The question to me was never is homosexuality a sin. When it clearly states in the bible that it is. I have not read anything that contradicts that hence I will not ever preside a same sex wedding ceremony. I will attend one and support my friends and loved ones who choose to marry but I will not officiate one. That's not supporting their lifestyle but loving those who I do love.

2. What the issue at hand really is not about same sex marriage that concerns me. Is that we the people are giving our government the authority to legislate who can and cannot get married. This is not the role of the government and I am so confused how my republican brother and sisters who oppose big government to allow this happen. This is a step forward in regulating our religious ceremonies. Which the government has no right to be part of. If we say that two same gendered individuals cannot get married then whose to say that a couple of mixed culture cannot get married? Or a couple of different heights, age etc...I choose who I want to marry and in order for me to have the right to marry whomever I chose then I must afford that same right to ALL. Freedom of Speech is not exercised when I say whatever I want. It is exercised when I allow someone else to say something in complete contradiction to what I believe. And it must be afforded to all or none at all.

3. Sanctity of marriage??? If we as Christians really want to start waving the flag of the defense of the sanctity of marriage then we must defend the whole cause not just the things that you all like. Where is the defenders when our country/society has at least 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Or how people marry not because of love but out of financial convenience or immigration? Yet there are no protest about these things because as a society we crave the stories of celebrities marrying and divorcing and sleeping around from one partner to the next. A movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock starred in a movie called the Proposal where Canadian played by Bullock begged Reynolds character to marry her so she can stay in this country. While the only antagonist in the movie was the INS worker who investigated against this false union. All the while in their personal lives Sandra Bullock was going through a divorce with husband Jesse James and Reynolds was also midst of divorce with Scarlett Johansen. Now I'm not saying that they planned their divorces at a strategic moment but that movie grossed over $300 million dollars worldwide. Society has accepted this and not only is this tolerable it's now marketable. (Side note: Great movie though)

BOTTOM LINE: We as Christians have become lazy and only choosing what we want to defend instead of defending the entire cause. We have relegated our core beliefs as a buffet by choosing want we want and ignoring the rest. And I do not give the government the right to choose who I am going to be happy with. That's none of their business and neither is it yours.

I pray that we accept each other and do what Christ has commanded us to do which is by loving each other. Not judging each other.

Into Thy Hands... I lift him up - Goodbye Dr. De Lara

Into thy hands I lift him up 

by: Francis Thomas B. Serrano

He was my teacher

Educated me in compassion

Encouraged me in achieving

Empowered me to never give up

He was my friend

Stood up for me when no one else would

Prayed for me, when times looked at its bleakest

Talked to me when I need to listen

and listened to me when I needed to be heard

He IS my friend

For he showed me what a real Christian Man is

And loved me like a son when I was just a stranger

and now he prepares a place for me

for when we see each other again.

Goodbye Dr. Greg De Lara, thanks for believing...

The Necessity of Suffering

Suffering has always been a part of life.  We have all accepted this and have come up with cliche such as Pain is nothing more than to remind us that we are alive, or suffering allows us to appreciate life.

I agree with those statements, but why would a loving God include suffering to be a part of our lives to begin with?

Suffering has been at the bedrock of time itself.  It has been said that suffering is a direct result of man's disobedience to God, but going with that logic that means that suffering was not there before original sin occurred.  I argue that suffering has been present even before original sin but did not manifest itself until the sin has occurred.  In Genesis 3:3, "But from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'"  This was a warning to Adam and Eve that if they ate from the tree which God commanded them not to eat then they will unleash death.  Which can be used as some form of suffering. Since God used death in the context of consequence to an action.  Secondly when Job was asking God as to why he is suffering God's response was, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the Earth?" (Job 38:4 NASB) God is pointing out to Job that to understand why suffering exist you must understand how God created the world.

But suffering is also God's way of communicating to to us.  Through trials and tribulation we learn what God wants from us by refining us and tempering us to be stronger and more capable of handling heavier loads.  Psalm 66:10 beautifully brings this up as David compared it to silver's refining process.

In the end suffering is a necessary element so that God's people would be needing a rescuer.  Which He does by sending Jesus to be the ultimate being to carry the ultimate suffering.  And because of this God shows us how much he is willing to suffer for his Children.

I Belong to You

I Belong To You

By: Francis Thomas B. Serrano

I am a foreigner in my own country

A stranger in my own home

An orphan to the world

I belong to you

An Enemy with no allies

I fight by myself

the Enemy surrounds me

the Shadows creep in

I cling to the sword of truth

that

I belong to you

The waves are crashing

the boat is sinking

the sail is torn

all  hope is gone

I am lost

My compass points towards the 

North Star

Reminding me that

I belong to you

And when I had breathed my last breath

When I have seen my last sunset

When my race is over

and have loved

I belong to you

A Short Story written by Me.

Underestimated

By: Francis Thomas B. Serrano

Frankie a husky teenager whose perfectly content in just slipping under the radar. Attention was something that frightened Frankie and if he could live the rest of his life without anyone noticing him he would be content. On the other side of the spectrum was Tommy his older brother. A jock and a star pupil. Attending college on a full athletic scholarship and has made the deans list every semester he’s attended. Everyone loved Tommy and everyone wanted to be with him and he was actually a good guy. Everyone except to Frankie. Tommy thinks that it is his job to push Frankie, belittle him and push him around. There was not a day that Tommy did not take it upon himself to push Frankie around. And because Tommy justified this under the banner of trying to motivate Frankie into something a lot of people including their parents went along with it. But instead of pushing Frankie into doing something they considered positive with his life it just pushed him deeper into depression. And today was no different. For just like any day Tommy is doing his best to make Frankie a tough time. The kitchen the typical hub of any family you see Tommy laying it into Frankie. As Frankie continue to play on his game console Tommy is laying on him about how he’s not making anything of his life. Only when Frankie was in tears already that Frankie looks to their mother in hopes that she would end this torture, did Frankie’s heart break even further. When his own mother condones Tommy’s actions and tells Frankie it was for his own good.

Until one day, while walking home from school another bully decides to pick on Frankie. Unfortunately bullies like to seek out the weak and they do not get any weaker than Frankie. As the bully kept pushing and pushing him it just drew Frankie deeper into himself and as his older brother walks by for the first time he needed Tommy. He thought that no matter what they were still brothers and that blood was always thicker than water. But that day, it was not the bully that hurt Frankie but Tommy as he looked at what was happening and joined the fray.

As he was walking home, bruised and crying. He decided that this was the straw that broke the camels back. As each step towards home was as painful emotionally as it was physically, Frankie could not help but feel helpless and hopeless. Until a billboard catches his attention. “DON’T GET MADD, GET EVEN...” Those five words resinated with Frankie like no other five words in the world has ever done. It was like something inside him woke the sleeping dragon and all of a sudden everything make sense.

Two nights later, dressed in a dark hooded sweatshirt and masked armed with a toy shotgun walked into a liquor store. Pointed the gun at the attendant and demanded all the money be put in the bag. Afterwards asked for a bottle of Scotch. The attendant refused due to the fact that the thief did not look 21 years old. Frankie insisted that he was and yet the attendant did not believe him. Until Frankie pulled out his wallet showed the ID and was finally given the bottle of scotch. Two hours later the police pulls up to Frankie’s house. The police officers knocks on their door and his mother answered, “What can I do for you officers?” Then the police looks at her asking, “Ma’am were here looking for Tommy.”

The Missing Element

These past few years, I started my own business. Since I was hesitant to get a job and take away a job from someone who really needed it. I decided to start teaching Filipino Martial Arts. And for the longest time I had 1 student to 2 to even 3-5. But I wasn't consistent. I tried doing some seminars and some demonstrations for organizations but yielded little to no results.

I created a website, a facebook page, myspace, friendster, twitter you name it I was on it. And no matter what I did I was not getting the numbers I was hoping to get. And as a marketing guy, I was starting to have doubts as to what I was doing. I ask my fellow school owners to see what were they doing differently yet they aren't doing anything different. Just hang in there. But I felt something missing from my marketing strategy. Some key component that without it the engine wouldn't run. I even registered my company name in Riverside County. But it was then I remembered what my Mom taught me long ago about business was that the CEO must and always be God and He must get HIS share first.

Then I read this.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (Malachi 3:10 NLT)

That was the missing element. God, I forgot to put God first. And I forgot that in ALL things I must place GOD first.

Now business is great and that's all for the Glory of God. Best marketing advise I can ever give anyone is to put God first. I am
now over capacity and even starting a new class and a new little warrior class.




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When do we say enough?

What do you do when you have no more cheek to turn? This has been a constant struggle for me and even more as of lately. I thought I was the type of person that has a calmer demeanor. But it is easy to push my buttons.

This weekend I find myself thinking maybe there is something inside of me that is a giant sleeping dragon that the slightest of provocation will invoke the monster within me. I must learn to control that beast. And let the true me come out

something missing

The music plays, and it plays for me. It crescendos as it prepares for it's final piece. I think, I hope that sounds can come out. The only comfort I have is the spotlight as it focus my heart and my mind. The orchestra conductor weaving his wand as he rallies his mighty orchestra and again I think and I hope that sounds can come out, the others are there but are there for your moment and all eyes are on you. I think you hope sounds can come out. My heart race my palms sweat and the weeks and months come down to this. I just hope and pray that when I open my mouth sounds can come out. I miss being on stage.

As I was listening to some music of famous musicals (les miserables, miss saigon, wicked, etc...) I forgotten how pure a musical really truly is. I know that there are technologies out there, but you can't fake a stage actor. It's either you have it or you don't. There are no CGI and there are no cuts and re-shoot. To be a stage actor is to have the ability to turn it on at a moment's notice and leave it on till the play is done. And do it all over again the next night.

I miss being on stage, something put me in a freeking musical. I promise I have what it takes...

WEKAF USA to Raise Dues

It has come to my attention that WEKAF USA's board of directors are planning to raise the dues. As a former member of the board that thought has indeed crossed my mind, with all the things I wanted to do as the Marketing Director the number one issue has always been money.

But before they raise the dues I think a few fundamental questions need to be answered by the board before I agree to the raise.

1) Has the whole issue of who has the right to be called WEKAF USA been resolved?

2) If WEKAF USA is the largest WEKAF INTL member, than what has WEKAF INTL done to accommodate the USA team? For example,
a. Get special rates for USA team to be in one hotel
b. Shouldn't the USA group vote be worth more since we are a majority? I am not asking this to be a snob, but if 10 countries vote against the USA and each of those countries have only 1-2 members while the USA has 160+ then why is our vote only count as one?

3. What benefits do I get now as a WEKAF USA member?

4. What do you plan to add if we raise the dues?

5. Where are my ID cards or School Certificate?

6. How come there are no more ALL MEMBER meetings?

7. How can the board communicate with it's members?

8. What forum do we have to talk about how the last National was ran?

9. As a school member how are you helping me develop my business?

10. How are you making FMA more mainstream?

These are just some questions that need be answered irregardless wether they raise the dues or not.

I encourage all WEKAF USA board to ask their director these questions before they raise the dues.

Sincerely,
Francis Serrano
Former Marketing Director
WEKAF USA
2006-2008




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Constantly Improving

Its been hard trying to market FMASCHOOL.com, difficult because I am my own worst client. As someone with marketing experience, I know that its crucial that I follow up with any and all contacts I
might have made in my events. It's important to have a booth ready to go with staff ready to answer any questions that might arise. But it is also important to get their contact info. Just giving them my flyer or business care won't do any good. It is up to the vendor to follow up. I know this, and any marketing person worth his salt knows this. But I can't seem to do it. Maybe this is what keeps me from success. My own lack of follow through?

So with that to any and all who wants to market anything. Showing up isn't good enough anymore, its showing up everyday is what counts. Push for it and never give up on your dream.

Francis




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New Testament Survey

Last night (11/04) I started my second class at Vanguard University and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Last night again the Lord reconfirmed that Vanguard is the right place. But its kinda sad and scary at the same time that I only have 4
more weeks of class left. I don't even have time to adjust to it. But at the same time I don't have time to get bored. I have to just fix my student loans stuff. Pray for me.


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God Answering

On September 27, 2010 the Serrano house went through an upheaval Sunday morning. Finding a boy in my niece's room is surely something that this uncle wasn't prepared for.

But that is not what this blog is about. This blog is about doing what is right even when it betrays even myself. Surely this was a test from God. To have this same boy whom I just kicked out of the house invite back because he had nowhere else to go.

All throughout my thought process I kept pushing and pushing for let this BOY deal with his own problem. But Jesus was talking to me the whole time where He drown out my own voice and kept reminding me of my Christian Duties from my conscious aka GOD. Then if that wasn't enough I saw a license plate that said God Loves U and that was it.

Well he's staying with us. But I know God will not forsake us.


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Tita Celia's Pinoy Restaurant in Carson, CA

I


happen to chance to find Tita Celia's Filipino restaurant here on Carson and Figeroua. As I found this place I found myself excited to eat some authentic Pinoy Food. I ordered Breakfast meal with Tocino served eggs and Garlic Rice. I also ordered 2 pcs of Pork BBQ and Large Sago Gulaman.

As I first noticed that this place is standard turo-turo (point point) restaurant. The decorations are dark and uncomfortable. Two flat tv playing of course TFC. I try not to judge the quality of the food based on this weird decoration but it does have a theme. A dark theme colored. But with all the windows you would think this would be brighter. Tables are dirty and the chairs well there's stuff on it.

Now let's get to the food. I think the only thing fresh with my meal was the eggs that was polched, cause that's the typical way the Pinoy cooks eggs. (<---sarcasm). The tocino and rice was too hot. It was clear that rice have been reheated to the point it burnt the tongue. No taste of garlic anymore. The the tocino was frozen cooked a while ago and reheated. Thus the meet was dry and the ice that was on the marinated meat washed away the sweatness and sapped all the life from it.

The Pork BBQ I'm afraid was prepared similarly where it was frozen and reheated. And what's worse was the Sago gulaman. Ive had water that had more taste. It might as well served dirty water. For that was no sago gulaman.

Its so sad I want to support Pinoy business but until they improve their food they have no business of being in business. Sorry.

Out of 5 stars I give Tita Celia 1/2 a star. And they only get that cause the women that work here are cute.

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I know I am suppose to share

When I was a little boy one of the things that was alway hard for me was to share. Share my toys my friends just anything that belonged to me well it stayed with me. I am just a stingy little boy. I guess it had to do with being the youngest and there was at least 16 years between my sister and I. So in that context i am an only child.

But as I grew older I knew that sharing was important. And now I share all the time. But when is it okay not to share?

Eversince Visayan Legacy split from the main school it has been awkward. I mean I still have friends from the old school. And I look forward to see them in tournaments and seminars. But now it's different.

Now that they decided to stay with their teacher why are some of them still asking us to be their corner man and or prepare them for the upcoming tournament. Why are they not asking their leaders and or teachers? I just find it so unfair that they are expecting us to sti help the when in our time of need they decided to abandon us. Let's me be clear although they are still my friends. Their decision to stay with that person still hurt. To me it felt lime they put their self interest first before doing what is obviously right. ( Oh btw if you are reading this and you are one of those people. Sorry but this is how I feel )

Now at tournaments they come up and ask if we can be their corner man or have a session with them to train. I am so not down with that.

1. Why aren't they askig their teachers? I mean they choose to stay with him so have him help you. But more often than not if we do help them they go and give credit to their teacher not the one that actual helped them.

2. As a school owner my point of view has changed. I find myself thinking of my students first more and more often. And my students pay me to teach them what I know, why then should others get it for free? It's not fair to my students.

So sharing all the time. Well not in this case.

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To my Dad c/o Jesus

Dad,

Do u miss me like I miss you? Do you cry at times on the moments that seems to make any sense?
Do you envy those who have take advantage of those they are supposed to?
All I know is Dad that 15 years ago a small piece of me left and I wait I long and I cry for no matter what no matter who you will be the only one that fills that gap. And I long for the day where we can be all a family again. I love you Dad.

Your Son,
Francis Thomas B. Serrano

Jesus, can you tell him this for me? And I thank you for the promise that I will see him again.




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Effectiveness of Stickfighting

More often than not I get a lot of questions and comments about FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) and it's effectiveness. Well it doesn't take much convincing that FMA is designed for real world application. And yes I know we don't walk around with sticks everyday. But any true Filipino Martial Artist knows what makes this effective isn't the tool it's the "tool" that thinks that I need a stick to kick their ass. Just kidding what makes this dangerous isn't the stick it's the person that wields it.

And here's why:

1. Extension. A stick is an extension of my arm meaning that I can still do the same move with a small variation.

2. Faster than you. A stick can travel almost 50x's faster than your fist. And we train to block and counter with a fast moving sticks being wielded against us. Well if we can move block evade counter circumnavigate dodge with a stick traveling at high velocity than how much easier would it be when it is traveling at a slower rate?

3. We start training weapon first. That is because FMA has a military point of view. In any military training across the globe and history. All soldiers are first taught how to fight with a weapon. And when they go out on the field of battle they carry as much weapons as they can carry. Why? It's because they want to have as much of an advantage over their enemy. So they teach them how to wield their weapons first and then move into empty hands. But ask any soldier, once you take a way their weapons are they any less dangerous?


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