Serving God's Purposes in Our Generation (Acts 13:36b)

Asian Americans Highest Internet Users

Americans of Indian and Chinese origin are the highest Internet users, according to a consumer survey result. 90% of Asian Americans spend the most hours on the Internet and young Asian Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 are the largest Internet users. Here is a news report. They browse ethnic sites and informational sites from back home. The study revealed relevant findings and insightful views into brand loyalty, lifestyle habits, purchase drivers as well as media consumption of Asian Americans.What does it mean for youth work and church? With growing emigrantion from Asia (under students and employment visa…

Two Roads And Two Lovers

Romans 6:15 -7:6 was my inspiration. From this part of scripture, I understand there is essentially two ways to live. I can follow the ways of the world, which leads to death. But, if I choose to follow Christ and be under the law of righteousness there is life and fullness. As a believer, we have those two choices. Everyday, I can choose to listen to God's truth or listen to the lies of the devil. Two roads lay in front of me – God’s way or the World’s way.

Can My Kids Watch Harry Potter Films?

You just can’t ignore Harry Potter. He has become a household name, courtesy the powerful engines of Globalization. Harry Potter books and its product spin-offs are found everywhere. Even if you don’t want to read the book/s (watch the films), you still cannot manage to stay insulated. Hogwarts’ magic is slowly but steadily invading our living room through everyday conversations. Trust me, it is extremely difficult to be indifferent about Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Few books/films, like the Harry Potter series have evoked such ‘equal’ and ‘opposite’ reactions, all at the same time.

Global Indian Diaspora

Diaspora means scattered people. Some 20 million people of Indian origin make their home outside of India. Early scattering happened when British Colonizers took Indians to work in the plantations in Malaysia, Fiji, Guyana, South Africa etc. Then Indian skilled labor began to take flight soon after independence to places like Middle East, Hong Kong and Europe. In 1970s and 80s professionals and students began to migrate to Europe and North America.No matter where they have gone, they have done exceptionally well professionally and economically. In fact, the 20 million scattered people of Indian origin make more money than a…

In Other News . . .

i got a job, finally.... it's at vancouver's top corporate law firm... it's in the heart of downtown, on the 25th, 26th, and 27th floors of the TD tower, the firm is over a century old, it's a very prestigious firm. i'm not a lawyer or anything, just a clerk, but that in itself is a blessing and the whole me getting this position is all God, i can't even begin to logically comprehend how it all came together.this position is definitely a stepping stone that God has put in place. i start tomorrow, and i'm feeling somewhere between nervous…

I Shop Therefore I Am?

Few of us would have failed to hear of and experience the impact of the IT revolution that swept our society. Now barely a decade or so after that began we are on the verge of yet another revolution that is about to sweep our nation. While IT may be present here also serving as its backbone, this however is a revolution of a different sort. Not resident in the lines of code that engineers write creating software applications that run business but rather one that stares us in the face as we go out and about in our towns…

Walls Torn Down

I had many walls around me. Walls of doubt, bitterness and depression that held me back. In fact, unbelief started hindering my prayer life. I was afraid to be open to God. I kept a slight distance from God because I didn't want to be emotionally vulnerable. I also had walls around me and my current relationships. I couldn't experience freedom and a complete sense of fulfillment because of this.Today, Pastor Frank preached about importance of prayer in the church and a believer's life. Prayer should be as natural as breathing to a believer. Towards the end, during communion he…

Divorce Hurts Children – China & India

A recent report I read on China Daily written by an Indian guy from Beijing - Pankaj Adhikari (China Daily) really resonates with me. Chinese society is discovering harmful affects of marital breakups what was obvious in many western nations.According to the report by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Chinese government, more than 1.9 million couples got divorced in China in 2006, an increase of 128,000 couples or 7 percent over the previous year. Between 1985 and 1995, the separation rate more than doubled; it had tripled by 2006.In the name of progress and development, societies are cracking along…

Jesus, I'm So In Love With You

I dont know where to start, its been a awesome Sunday, so awesome being with you, so awesome, Lord.And Lord you have blessed me with an Mp3 player, Yay, i love you. I have sought your Kingdom first in my life and you have added on to me, Lord may only Songs pleasing to you be heard in this Mp3, Lord i consecrate this Mp3 player to you Lord, and I plead the blood of Jesus over this Mp3, the Blood that has the power to save, heal and is victory over the devil, Praise you Lord. Bless Jack and…

Can My Kids Watch Harry Potter Films?

Harry Potter - a household nameYou just can't ignore Harry Potter. He has become a household name, courtesy the powerful engines of Globalization. Harry Potter books and its product spin-offs are found everywhere. Even if you don't want to read the book/s (watch the films), you still cannot manage to stay insulated. Hogwarts' magic is slowly but steadily invading our living room through everyday conversations. Trust me, it is extremely difficult to be indifferent about Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Few books/films, like the Harry Potter series have evoked such 'equal' and 'opposite' reactions, all at the same time.Pottermania: The arguments…

What Does Climate Change Have To Do With Spirituality?

Why do we need to think and act green? What does climate change have to do with spirituality? Right from the word go Biblical teaching underlines that creation was God’s handiwork and He considered it good! Stewardship of that good creation is then a divine mandate. In Genesis 2:15 we see that Adam and Eve were given the task of working with God in tending creation. But as a result of sin we also recognise that creation groans in pain (Romams 8:22). The call issued to Adam to work with God is a call that is just as relevant to us here today. We are called to tend and care for creation and help usher in God’s shalom into this fractured world. This is God’s world and His desire is that His children will be good stewards not only of their time and talents and treasures, which are essentially His gifts to us, but also of the world, another valuable gift of His. In that reckoning climate change has everything to do with spirituality. 

Blending Faiths – Episcopal Muslim

Heard about an Episcopal Muslim priest? On Fridays she wears a black scarf and prays with fellow muslim in a mosque in Seattle and on Sundays she wears an Anglican collar to conduct communion service. Read the story in Seattle Times.A black Christian lady minister in seattle has send some ripples in religious landscape saying, “I am both a Christian and a Muslim.” There is no need to convert from one to another, but simultaneously upholding various irreconciliable differences together.What next? A Christian Islamic Swamiji?An attempt to blend faiths in to order to develop a cocktail religion. Will it satisfy…

Doctrine of Demons?

Colossians 3:24 (3:23-24) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.I was thinking about a quote that I heard. It goes like this. “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”. That made me think. Apart from me carrying a bible around and shouting a few hallelujahs, would there be any evidence from the way I go about doing…

H1-B-Green Card, Indians Just Can't Hang Up, Murder Pradesh, Grain Drain etc . . .

I           IndiaIndians just can't hang up: The argumentative Indian is also talkative Indian. An average Indian spends more time talking on his mobile than his counterparts anywhere else except the US, according to the latest data available with telecom regulator Trai. With over 160 million subscribers, India has the highest monthly 'minutes of usage' (MOU) per subscriber in the Asia-Pacific region. The figure, according to the December 2006 data, is 454 minutes a month for GSM users and 424 minutes a month for CDMA subscribers. At 450 million, China has the largest number of mobile subscribers, followed by the US,…

Sikhism in Crisis – Proliferation of Cults and Sects in Punjab

"Sikhism in Crisis - Proliferation of Cults and Sects in Punjab" is written by Dr. Jaspal Singh. Source of article:  South Asia PostPrimitive man in remote antiquity worshipped many forces of nature out of fear or to seek boons in times of adversity. In many cultures he personified these forces as distinct gods. In course of time this polytheism gave way to monotheism that is belief in one [omniscient] all-powerful God. Thus the main religions of the world naming Judaism, Christianity, and Islam came up with their own versions of faith in one God. Some of the other religions particularly…

Sex

As a believer of true love and a lover of life, I perceive copulation as a holy and a sacred act. It is a God glorifying act that celebrates the covenant of marriage which is the physical and spiritual union of two monogamous individuals. It is a pure and powerful act that strengthens the relationship and it is well known among married couples that a good sex life is essential for a healthy relationship that is edifying to the two individuals. Sex is the act that consummates the marriage. It unites and cleaves the two individuals together that they shall metaphysically become one flesh. Read on as Rajwin Singh, a single guy researches and writes about "Sex" a taboo subject to most South Asians!

Shivaji – The Boss

Shivaji - The BossThe global Rajni-Mania and the discourse of ‘desire’ and ‘despair’(1) Come Shivaji – the Boss (2007) and the Rajni-mania is back with a bang (Baasha style). Shivaji is the latest cinematic extravangza and Rajnikant -the Boss is here and here to stay. The movie is another opportunity for die-hard Rajni fans to meet their Superstar (after 2 years) and his latest on-screen persona - Shivaji,the one-man crusader against black money. Actor Rajnikant’s fan following got into celebration mood much before the release of the movie. Such is the passion for cinema in this part of the world.…

Legalism, Standards and Convictions

The whole thing about standards and convictions drove me nuts for the last few years. There are holiness preachers who preach in such a way that people start confessing for sins that they didn't even commit. When I was a new Christian, I wanted to live for God, I didn't want to make mistakes. When I went into PBC, there were so many rules. I thought some of them were ridiculous. For some, I could see the reason behind them.There are reasons for standards and convictions. These do not apply only to pastors, lay pastors or leaders. The reason is…

Global Indian Diaspora

Diaspora means scattered people. Some 20 million people of Indian origin make their home outside of India. Early scattering happened as result of British Colonizers tooks Indians to work in the plantations in Malaysia, Fiji, Guyana, South Africa etc. Then Indian skilled labor began to take flight soon after independence to places like Middle East, Hong Kong and Europe. In 1970s and 80s professionals and students began to migrate to Europe and North America.No matter where they have gone, they have done exceptionally well professionally and economically. In fact, the 20 million scattered people of Indian origin make more money…

‘Story Keepers’ In An Information Age

Who are the storytellers of our times? J.K Rowling, Dan Brown, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Carl Sagan and a host of Hollywood/Bollywood producers are the story tellers who capture the imagination of our generation. We are called to be Story tellers/keepers. We need to re-tell the gospel story in a manner that would capture the imagination of contemporary audiences. It is not just enough to re-tell the gospel “attractively” and “intelligently” to command a listening by contemporary audience. It is important that we re-tell the gospel story “responsibly”. True, telling the gospel story in an information age isn’t easy. But then, every generation of story keepers have done it facing the odds. We can (and we must) re-tell the story of Jesus and keep the story alive . . . Our primary calling is to keep the story alive by being, doing and (re)telling the gospel to our generation and beyond.