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Our culture has changed so much, even during my lifetime. I was thinking through schedules and extracurricular activities yesterday at local schools and noticed how things were much different from when I was in Jr. high and high school. Ten years ago there were rarely school activities on Wednesday evenings, and leagues didn’t play often on Sunday mornings. Even though no one came out and said it, those were known as church times. Nobody wanted to compete with that.

This generation is facing a very different culture. There are many things that are competing for their commitment and attention. Church is certainly not off-limits anymore.

I believe it’s crucial now more than ever that parents understand that they are called to raise children who love the Lord with all their heart soul and strength according to God’s word. The Bible does not talk about raising well-rounded children. Though it’s good for kids to be involved in activities don’t forget what parents are commanded to do in scripture.

It’s also time for the local church to understand that we must present an option in which students find value. They want to grow, in leadership, spiritually,and  in relationship. I believe they also desire truth which brings about progress in these areas.

We must understand that the culture has shifted, and we must shift to meet it head on.

This post was first published on Sept 28.

Cardboard Testimonies from Lifechurchnw on Vimeo.

Last week I wrote about painful experiences shaping our lives. This weekend some of my friends shared the struggles they have faced in their lives. The power of these testimonies is that God has forgiven and restored these lives, and it is truly a beautiful thing. I had trouble holding back tears this whole weekend as God showed His mighty power through these precious people. Let their stories be an inspiration to you.

These are the words of Jesus to his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

This week I’m going through my top posts of 2009. This post was first published on Sept 22.

What in the world does coconut generation mean?  It’s a phrase that stems from the gradual Americanization of people of South Asian descent.  At least that’s one way to put it.  Basically, a coconut is brown on the outside and white on the inside. You get the connection. Sam George even wrote a book called “Understanding the Coconut Generation: Ministry to the Americanized Asian Indians.” (Thanks to my friend Nate Mathai for this info.)

My family is from a state in Southern India called Kerala.  There is a fairly large concentration of people from this region  of India that live in my neck of the woods.  Over the past 30 years a community has sprung up around this demographic.  There is a group of brilliant and successful young people who possess a great deal of talent and influence in this community.

There is a great disconnect for these young people, because even though they have strong ties to their Indian traditions through their parents, they have been brought up in western culture.  This provides a tension in school, in work, and even within the church.

One finds that the way in which they do many things is subconsciously effected by their cultural upbringing.  It is critical that we never forget our past and where we come from, but we must not allow this to hinder our advancement.

I believe there are opportunities to move forward and respectfully adapt to the social impartiality that western society is more willing to accept.  The roles of women and young people must be scrutinized and approached objectively, taking into account ones merit, work-ethic, and ability instead of gender and age.

This concept doesn’t only apply to Indians.  Many of us have been guilty of allowing conventional ideas to drive our beliefs and decisions.  Many of us have been disregarded due to others’ preconceived notions.  I believe change can start with us.

To those who have been written off  Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength .”  Don’t let others tell you what you cannot do.  To those who find it so hard to unlearn years of cultural and social practice I urge you to reflect on these words of Jesus, “ For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” Luke 14:11.

“Preaching recently I noticed the crowd was too busy tweeting to verbally respond. Click clack is the new amen.” – A tweet from Pastor Steven Furtick

I have written several blogs on the importance of innovation within the church, and the importance of an attitude that is open to innovation.  I can’t help but think that some pastors out there would be rather upset to look out at their congregation only to see so many typing away at their key pads.

Social Media such as twitter, blogs, facebook, myspace etc. have risen as means for advancing the gospel. We can either question it and be fearful of it, or we can choose to embrace it and what it means to us.

We really are seeing the world become a smaller place. Embrace it and take advantage of it, and God will do something great.

I hope you had the chance to check out yesterday’s post, because it was a genuinely amazing experience.  We were able to spend some time and assess what impact these cardboard testimonies had on our staff yesterday during our staff meeting.  The Holy Spirit moves in each person in very distinct ways.  No two people may experience the presence of God in the same way, even if they are standing in one room.

For me, this weekend brought about a deep sense of repentance and rejoicing.  Repentance because I remembered the man I was just over a year ago.  Rejoicing because I know that God is doing a great work in me, transforming me into His image.

I grew up in a church full of imperfect people where imperfect people were not welcome.  I know it sounds crazy, but its very true.  We were taught to hide our sins and shortcomings from everyone and disguise our pain and brokenness as perfect people and perfect families living in a perfect world.  Though we all knew we were faking it a lot of the time, this became our expectation of all people.  I found myself in a place where I judged people who came across my path who struggled with sin or addictions in the past or present.  I didn’t associate with them or even want to know them.

The fact is that the world is not filled with perfect people.  Christians must open their eyes to see the lost and hurting, and open their minds to love and accept them.  There is no one beyond the reach of grace.  There is no sin that cannot be washed white as snow by the blood of  Christ.

“Oh for all the sons and daughters, who are walking in the darkness, You are calling us to lead them back to You.”-Hillsong Tear Down the Walls

Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

Scholars believe the writer of this letter is addressing Jewish converts who were being tempted to revert to Judaism. I believe we can assume then that they are young in their faith in Christ.  The writer urges them to remember those who had led them in their first steps as followers of Christ.

What really spoke to me in this passage though was the writer’s instruction to remember the conduct of those leaders.  It wasn’t just about their eloquent teaching and gifted leadership.  It was a matter of how these leaders lived their lives.

A colleague in children’s ministry once told me things are better caught than taught.  Actions will always speak louder than words.  Unfortunately, many churches have come to a place where relevance and quantifiable accomplishments are more significant leadership traits than “old” values such as holiness and building disciples.

Don’t get me wrong, it is important to develop our leadership, and continually grow. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, or maybe I just don’t understand this trend.  I still believe that if Christ followers in the first century were charged to imitate the faith of their leaders, it stands true for Christ followers today.  Which indicates that Christian leaders must carry their cross with great respect and humble devotion.

Don’t neglect your relationship with God, because you have replaced it with the work of God.  Seek Him each day in prayer and reading the Bible.  Allow others in the faith to speak into your life and develop you.  Don’t be so caught up in your kingdom, that you’re willing to compromise His kingdom.

Consider the words of one of the greatest Christian leaders in history, the apostle Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ…” Phil 1:21

I recently took part in a Challenge Day at a local high school.  As I led students through a process of evoking memories of the challenges and various forms of oppression they dealt with throughout their lives I found that I myself was remembering some of the crud I had gone through.

Anything from racism at school to ageism at church to the colossal pressure to do well  academically made for difficult situations at different times in my life. However, I didn’t feel sorry for myself, and I didn’t feel like damaged goods, nor did my mind shift toward blaming everyone in my life that ever hurt me.  In fact, I  experienced great joy in sharing with those students how my relationship with Christ had brought me through those tough times, and brings me hope each day.

Essentially, we are the sum of our life experiences, and what we have gone through develops the people we become.  Though I may have felt pain at the time, I can look back and see how those painful trials have molded me.  My trials are only temporary, but each one has eternal impact as it shapes me into the man of God I am called to be.   2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

See your struggles with an eternal perspective, and empower yourself to evolve. If you are facing adversity today know that there is a plan and purpose for your life, and that plan is to give you a hope and a future.  Jer. 29:11

I’m a thinker.  I’ve always been this way, and it comes with benefits and detriments.

I’m sure people wonder, “Why the heck doesn’t he say anything?”  They probably want to know if I’m paying attention at all.  Admittedly sometimes I’m not, but most of the time I’m merely reflecting on the ways in which what I’m hearing impacts my life, ministry, and passions. I process things very internally.

Every leader must exhibit the willingness to evolve and improve their process.  This is what separates the have-beens from the up and coming leaders in every sphere of influence.

I like my process, it works for me, it’s easy, it’s simple, and it’s clean.  I’m most comfortable doing things the way I’ve done them my whole life, but I must be willing to employ new tools and technologies to better myself.  I must constantly tweak the process.

So here I am…hoping that this blog may be a new aspect of this process for me, hoping that putting my thoughts to paper (in the 21^st century sense) will help me to organize my thoughts and align them with God’s will in my life.

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people…”  (NIV) from Solomon’s prayer, 2 Chron. 1:10