Martin Luther King would be proud?

My friend who is changing the word

Check out this AG news article on Bike for the Light.

Wednesday Random

-My sister is having her baby

- I made chops tonight...so gooood!

-I'm doing the family thing for the next few days while everything gets settled with my sister

-MCC busted their tails the past 7 days! If you go to Clarksville First A/G you owe them a thank you! They are making our church better!

- Had a great time doing some reverse mentoring at Lasaters today. It's always great to engage in honest discussion with sincere believers.

-The service at Lasaters was kind of lame...just putting that out there. Matt Lasater is a great guy and his company rocks, but that chick working today needed some Jesus!

- My kids are hilarious!

Tuesday Runsheet

- MC prayer

-Pick up new TV for Kafe

-Clean up MCA project

-???????????

-THE LAST BEREAN CLASS OF THE SEMESTER!!!!!!

-Done for the day

(Somewhere in there my sister may be having her baby.)

iRead

Just finished a great read. I've always been fascinated by engineers an creators. This book really gives a behind the scene look at the Silicon Valley movement that changed the world forever. If you've ever type on a computer and seen the words appear on a screen, played a game on a personal computer, used a universal remote control, or been blessed to use any of Apple's great projects...you owe Steve Wozniak some thanks!

My new project

Bike for the Light Update

Weddings and Whirlwinds

What an exciting 48 hours. I officiated my first wedding. (congrats Ed and Devona) I was apparently nervous according to my wife. I'm glad I got the first one out of the way. Should be way less stressful next time. We also spent a day and a half in nashville at TN Fine Arts Festival. We have some very talented and very courageous young people in the TNAOG. Thank God they are using their gifts for His glory. I'm excited about our talk tonight at Next Level. I'm giving a back to basics message on worldliness. Got some funny and edgy video to show! You know how we do?! What a whirlwind week!

Busy Friday

Friday is normally my day off. I usually try to accomplish as little as possible. Not so today. I have a wedding rehearsal, the actual wedding, and a trip to Fine Arts in Nashville all on the plate. Should make for a fun day though! In between all of that I'll continue my iMac research. I am determined to upgrade at least on of the 3 iMacs that I've inherited to OSX. It looks like it'll be a fun project. I've never been a mechanic...but I've always been decent with tech maintenance. Can't wait to work on the old school iMac G3.

I'm Fascinated

I've been reading the autobiography of steve Wozniack and it has me in education mode. I can't wait to finish up my pysch degree. It'll be a great tool along with my bible college education. After that (or before?) I'll definitely take some comp-sci stuff. I don't have the math strength to progam...but I would love to dabble in the world of graphic design and html. This week has just blown me away with how much I don't know. I hate working with my hands and I'm lost when it comes to construction/painting/handyman type of work ect. All week I've been in Lowe's getting a great education in chemicals, tools, piping, and paint. I stand in awe of people with the mind to create and build. I build words and help build lives for a living...I'm fascinated by those who build computers and homes. Just thinking out loud.

What I'm doing right now

...blogging

...eating Raisin Bran

...listening to my kids get ready for school

...watching the talking heads of foxnews

...talking with my wife about our SC trip

What I'm thinking right now

...I am hungry

...I can't believe we are not done with this paint job yet!

...it hurts my heart to see people waste their lives

...an iPhone would be amazing right about now

...I can't believe the MC year is almost over

...this weekend is going to be a very fun whirlwind!

2:00AM

Yes it is really 2 AM and I just got home from church. We have been helping the church with some much needed building maintenance. I am truly honored that we can serve in this way. Not only do we help keep the house of worship in order...we are helping tithes and offerings to go toward missions and ministry and not toward labor and contractors. Thank God for MC students who are true servants!

Joel

(from L to R: Stephen Christian, Mike Schuman, Zach, Kevin Kelso, Joel Chastain RIP, Carlo Serrano)

I lost a good buddy yesterday to drugs. We became friends about 12 years ago in the punk/ska scene of Central Florida. That scene produced some pretty big bands like: Anberlin, Copeland, Denison Marrs, Underoath, Sleeping by the Riverside and more. We had some great times playing our music our way. We really believed we could make a positive impact on our generation for Christ through music and positive living. He was such a talented drummer. It is sad to see that my friend lost the battle with such a horrible monster. My heart and prayers go out to all of his family and friends and the whole crew. A piece of us is gone forever.

10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

This was a fun read! It actually inspired a sermon I did back on Apr 8th! Buy it here.

Just Because “Everyone Believes It”

Doesn’t Make It True

People don’t set out to build their faith upon myths and spiritual urban legends. But somehow such falsehoods keep showing up in the way that many Christians think about life and God. These goofy ideas and beliefs are assumed by millions to be rock-solid truth . . . until life proves they’re not. The sad result is often a spiritual disaster—confusion, feelings of betrayal, a distrust of Scripture, loss of faith, anger toward both the church and God.

But it doesn’t have to be so. In this delightfully personal and practical book, respected Bible teacher Larry Osborne confronts ten widely held beliefs that are both dumb and dangerous. Beliefs like these:

• Faith can fix anything

• Christians shouldn’t judge

• Forgiving means forgetting

• Everything happens for a reason

• A godly home guarantees good kids

…and more. (From the publisher)

What Kind of Shape Are You In?

On July 5^th 1950 US troops who were unprepared where sent to battle. The early days of the Korean War were nothing short of disastrous. Soldiers who were out of shape could not match the intense stamina of their enemy. When US soldiers would withdraw from overrun fighting positions they would leave behind wounded comrades and valuable equipment…because they were not conditioned to carry the extra loads. In those early days the victors of WWII were routed by a poorly equipped…but well trained Army of peasants. The costly lesson is this: if we fail to prepare our soldiers for physically demanding wartime tasks, then we are failing our soldiers. A soldier’s level of physical fitness has a direct impact on his or her combat readiness. And I would propose that the same is true for the spiritual soldier. It is no secret that the enemy is at war with the children of God. We know the news, we see the signs of the times, and we know that it will get worse before it gets better. What kind of shape are you in? When the battle comes will you be over run by an ill-equipped but well trained adversary because you are not prepared spiritually to deal with what comes at you physically? When the war heats up will you abandon your wounded brothers and sisters because you are not spiritually equipped to bear the extra burden through prayer and witnessing? Or will you look the enemy in the eye and say “Bring it on” because you know that you are full of the power of God, dressed in His full armor, trained in His warfare. Are you “fit to fight”?

Dream Redux

Last night was amazing. 3 years ago I shared my heart to be specific in reaching young adults age 18-25. Since then we have:

-Transformed a "catch all" singles ministry into an age specific young adult ministry

- Started a Master's Commission to disciple young adults

-Renovated our young adults space (added a Kafe, multi-media, lights, video games etc.)

- Incorporated live worship into every Saturday night service

- Transformed our Sat night meeting from a small group to a worship experience

- Attained recognition from Austin Peay State University as a campus ministry

- Started a small group Bible study on campus at APSU

And last night we held our first big event on APSU. Thank God for all that He is doing in and through this great ministry. I thank God for allowing me to live my dream everyday...onward and upward to the Next Level....

Last night

Nevertheless was pretty good...
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Saturday Runsheet

1. PT
2. Study
3.Worship practice
4. Watch my son sing at Rivers and Spires
5. Move some furniture
6. ALB practice
7. Set up the UC for tonight
8. Next Level @ APSU 7PM with Johnny Wethington and his jokes
9. Tear down and clean up
10. Sleep
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Chill

That's what I plan to do for a bit today. This weekend will be pretty busy. I believe in the art of relaxing. to many Christians live by a false sense of motivation that makes them feel guilty for taking a break. Not THIS Christian. Jesus hung out. Jesus took naps. Jesus ate with his friends. Jesus got alone to pray and focus. There will be plenty of time to run around and do work...but if you don't MAKE time to recharge and chill...there never will be time. Tonight I'll take in a concert with MCC...that's the most work I plan to do.

The Best Way to End the Day

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Hit the ground running

Got a crazy weekend ahead! Tons of planning, promo, and practice. I'm still a little worn out from all of the driving the last 5 days. I think I drove every inch of Tampa and St Pete! The good thing is that I only have 1 day of "work" and then I can chill most of Friday before I head out to Rivers and Spires for a concert and some promo for our big event on APSU Saturday @7pm in the UC. Today should consist of the normal Thursday meetings etc. Hopefully I'll get to get a workout in at CMMAA. Time to get busy!

Sacred Places

These 3 pics represent some very special place for me. The tree, or "Serrano Tree" as my grandmother called it, is located about 50 yards from where my grandparents and uncle are laid to rest. It is a great illustration of our great family.

The house is where we ALL grew up in some way. That house has over 30 years of Serrano history in it.

And of course there is Bethel Church...where my spiritual journey began.

Home

I'm ready to be back in Clarksville...but I also want to hang out more in Tampa. It has been great catching up with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and close friends. I left Tampa 9 years ago and have never believed that I would live here again. I thank God for the opportunities I've been given to come back to my old stomping grounds. This trip has been particularly special because I was able to connect with some "sacred" places that were so instrumental in making me who I am today. Time to hit the road.

Great day with the family

Me and my brother Ed with our uncles Abel, Noel, and Irving. My uncle Dan wasn't around when we took this pic. It's been great to hang with my massive family. Lots of memories. I'm excited about the next page...

Gotta love Tampa thundershowers!

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I sure miss this!

Easter Thoughts

It has been very weird to be detached from the "Easter craziness" this year. I wasn't involved in our church Easter musical and I spent the holy-day in another city. It was so great to give Jesus all of the focus and just get lost in worship without being distracted by the machinery of church administration and all of that. I loved worshipping at Bethel Church. Pastor Mike Tedder has done a great job rebranding and revitalizing my home church. I LITERALLY grew up in this church. Most of my early childhood memories involve something going on at Bethel. I learned the fundamentals of the faith, learned about missions, Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, etc., and so much more all at this great church. It's had its ups and downs, but God is doing great things on the corner of Hillsborough and Rome.

God has really turned this trip to see family into some much needed recovery time for me and my family. A million thanks to Pastor Montoya and First A/G Clarksville for sending us to Tampa. We are truly blessed. Tomorrow evening will be the services for my grandfather. I'm looking forward to seeing all of my GIANT family.

Bethel

The church I grew up in (birth through 12). So surreal to be in the church that started it all. I love what they've done with the place. Ran into an old friend who grew up here to. What a great way to celebrate Easter!
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3 Generations of Soldiers

Florida living

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The Disguise of Blessings

"I have no idea when I'll ever see my hometown again." I uttered those words just a few hours before I realized that I would be headed to Tampa for my grandfather's funeral. Weird. My grandfather lived a long life and accomplished more than he ever thought he would. This trip is all about family. My paternal family is huge! My grandfather had 9 children (7 still living). There are about 32 of us grandkids who will be at the funeral. That doesn't count his nieces, nephews, cousins etc. I hate that funerals are what seem to get us all together...nevertheless, we'll make the most of this gathering and it should be a great experience as we honor Panchito. It'll be nice to see my brother and of course my beloved Gulf of Mexico! I'll post pics along the way.

Francisco E. Serrano

Francisco Serrano, age 89, died on April 8, 2009 at Kindred Care Central Hospital . He was born Dec 17th, 1919 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to the late Geronimo and Felicita Serrano. He attended Betancia Grade School and graduated from Robert Lewis Stevenson School in 1951. He also graduated from the Latin American Bible Institute in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed at Ft. Clayton AFB in Panama. He attained the rank of Tech 5. On May 10, 1946, he was united in marriage to Felicita Maldonado in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

In 1946, Francisco and Felicita moved to New York City and he began working for the U.S. Postal Service. He purchased his first home in 1961 in Queens, New York. In 1976, He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and moved his large family to Tampa, Florida where he purchased a new home in 1977.
Francisco Serrano was a member of Riverhills Church of God and was a retired minister for the Church of God: Mission Board, where he served three terms as an Associate pastor for a Member church at Hubert Ave in Tampa, Florida. He was a member of the Latin American church of God “La Sinagoga” serving as Church secretary in 1960-63. He served on the board of directors for the Men’s Society, as a volunteer for Mission Board fund raising projects and as a “Meals on wheels” volunteer for many years. He was a member of the Foresters’ Lodge and the Gala Foundation. He was also a Radio Program Host of a local show entitled: “Men of God”.

Francisco Serrano is survived by his sons Noel,Daniel, Irving and Abel and his daughters Gladys, Frances and Norma. He is further survived by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Mayito, three sisters; Herminia,Mirta and Anhelita, and two sons; Francis E. II and Wilson.

Present with the Lord

I wonder what the reunion was like as father, mother, and eldest son locked eyes with each other in heaven. Do we take a break in our worship of Him Who Sits On The Throne to acknowledge our family and loved ones that make heaven their home. Did they hug? Did they share a laugh? I can't stand the song "I Can Only Imagine", but it's times like this that sure do make my mind wonder to what April 9, 2009 was like in heaven...when son and mother welcomed their beloved father and husband into the presence of the Lord.

Bike for the light update

Johnny will be with us in Clarksville for MCC 08-09 Graduation!

Multitasking

Today has been all about doing...a lot. I've filmed and edited video, taken vehicles to the shop, done work at Kinkos, made a run to Sams, had meetings, taught a class, read, worked on sermon notes...and on and on. Thank God for my wife and my team! I could not have made it without them. I hate multitasking, but it has become a regular part of my life. There are not enough hours in the day sometimes. Again, thank God for technology that helps me, a team that has my back, and the Word that charges my batteries!

This is a must read

If you are serious about cultural exegesis or living and ministering with relevance...you MUST buy and read this book. Creps is right on the front-lines of what I pray I could someday do. Read his story here. I'm not even finished with the book yet! I couldn't wait any longer to tell you about this great resource. Every MC Director, college pastor, youth pastor, and leader should have a copy.

We don't know it all

The more I am around young adults (18-30) the more I value their minds and experiences. It is easy to slip into a false sense of superiority when you are the one people come to for answers and counsel. Thank god that I have never been too scared to say "I don't know"! I know I'm only 6 months from reaching my thirties...but I'd be in a cultural fog if I didn't have my friends to and mission field pushing me to stay fresh. My batteries get recharged when I am around those who are searching, young, and right on the edge of the rest of their lives. Definitely know that I am right where God wants me: Reaching college students and mentoring young adults.

I get frustrated when...

...when the milkshake machine is broken at EVERY fast food joint

...when people ignore godly advice

...I hear cheesy cliches

...when people don't say what they mean and mean what they say

...another millionaire athelete throws their lives down the toilet

...we put preference over people
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Guys night @ Next Level

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Sound check

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Friday Runsheet

1. MC prayer

2. Finish up media for youth service

3. Load and setup equipment (lights, video, smoke, instruments, banner, etc)

4. Human vid run through

5. worship run through

6. MC prayer

7. U-Turn Youth service in Clarksville!

Some thoughts on theFINAL night of TNAOG DC 09

-JR Gould (District Superintendent) challenged us to preach the Word. He keeps it real!

- The ordination service was VERY different.

- My friends Charlie Hughes, George LeFevre, and Joe and Christy Hunter all received credentials or moved up a level. Congrats!

- Had a blast hanging out with MCC at Waffle house last night. Good times!

- I got to serve with all of the youth/college pastors as an usher for the entire DC. I made a ton of new friends and connections.

- Overall I enjoyed the new venue in Murfreesboro...but I prefer Chattanooga for next year. We'll see what happens.

Gotta eat somewhere

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Some thoughts on the 2nd night of TNAOG DC 09

- "Just because you are not visible, does not mean you are not valuable."

- The 1st day of business was loooong.....today looks to be just as busy. Thank God for SBUX!

- I am fired up about serving God on APSU. Definitely feel called to college ministry. What's awesome is that I'm already doing it!

- I'm so happy that Terry Bailey is our new Assistant District Superintendent. He is the best!

- Steak N' Shake totally made up for the sucky IHOP experience.

-MCC joins us today for the last service. Look out Murfreesboro!