I can't be silent!

Alice and I were in need of God’s guidance in making a very important decision for our (1 year old) son Mason. We decided to pray and fast for a significant amount of time, while asking God to give us guidance on this matter. We did so, and sure enough God answered our prayer. It is amazing to me how every time we earnestly go to God for guidance, He never fails to speak to our hearts. Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”

 In the words of C.H. Spurgeon, "...to be silent over God’s mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as basely as the nine lepers, who after they had been cured of their leprosy, returned not to give thanks unto the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life." 
 This morning, I am giving thanks to the Lord, as I recount what he has done for my family. How dare I be silent? What mercies has he incured on you that you need to recount?

God, give us a song to sing...even in the night!

Metaphorically speaking, if "day," is when things are going good and "night," is when difficult times arise, many in the Coppell area are experiencing a time of "night," right now. As many of you know Jacob Logan, a senior/ star football player for Coppel High School was found dead, in the waters of Possum Kingdom Lake early this morning. His body had been missing since Sunday. To make matters even worse, on Wednesday the body of another student (Jonah Blackwell) from the same school was found in a near by park. Authorities say that he committed suicide. (for more information on this stories please refer to this link)http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas/Two-deaths-in-three-days-devastate-Coppell-HS-174663651.html

Many students, parents and families find themselves confused, bewildered and even lost. Even I find myself asking the question "Why?" As I try to encourage and council our students and families during this time of "Night"I am reminded that "God our maker, giveth a song even in the night." (Job 25:8)
During the "day time", when there is light and motivation we can easily read the words and sing songs to God, but when the lights die down, the wind begins to blow and we can no longer see the flowers and the trees, it's a lot more difficult to find the words to sing.

In the words of Charles H. Spurgeon, "No man can make a song in the night of himself; he may attempt it, but he will find that a song in the night must be divinely inspired." 

During this time of "Night" let us look to Jesus to give us a song to sing. Let us wait upon Him for the music.  Let us not remain songless simply because of affliction.

Thy path drops fatness???

Today, during my quiet time, I read Psalm 65. Which is a praise to the Lord written by David. The entire Psalm was encouraging to my soul but verse 11 seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. It says, "Thy path drops fatness…" My first time reading it I said, "WHAT, in the world does that mean?" As I began to read it over and over again, I began to understand what David was saying. Many our the paths of the Lord, and when we follow His paths, we experience "fatness;" that is, an abundance and fullness in our lives. Want to experience "Fatness" in the Lord? Seek His paths(ways).

Middle School Intern

Purpose: To shepherd and coach Godly young adults interested in investing in students and to unleash their passion and energy to connect with IBC students and their friends on and off the church campus.

Student ministry is essentially a ministry of “being there”. Effective ministry happens when people who love Jesus meet students where they are. With relational ministry in mind we have a 2-fold hope for interns here at IBC.

Personal and Ministry Development –

The best way to learn student ministry or any ministry is not in a classroom but in the field. Young adults who are passionate about students or even considering student ministry as a career will find a great opportunity to grow and learn.

Coaching from the IBC staff as well as seeking mentors is always an effective means to develop in spiritual and ministry life. Understanding that the heart of the minister is of utmost importance, great care will be given to help interns grow in their spiritual formation.

Interns will have the opportunity to “look behind” the curtain as they participate as an integral part of the team. By attending staff meetings, helping in the planning process and providing ministry assessment interns will not only observe what happens behind the scenes of a student ministry but also participate in the leadership process. Interns have a significant seat at the student ministry leadership table.

There will also be opportunities to serve in a variety of ways with ongoing assessment and feedback from the student ministry staff.

These opportunities may include:
• teaching / speaking
• relational ministry
• event planning / production
• counseling
• small group leadership
• leadership
• you name it

Incarnational Ministry –

Any ministry that effectively disciples, connects and sends students has relationship as it’s foundational philosophy. In addition to personal growth, half of the intern’s time will be spent connecting with students where they live. This may mean lunch on high school / middle school campuses or attending a school play. Whatever students view as their territory is where interns need to spend their time.

In addition to connecting with IBC students we are very interested in reaching out to peripheral students and students who are unchurched. Yes, this can be messy but we long to see the transforming power of the gospel transform students.

Sample Weekly Schedule / Time Commitment -

With personal / ministry development and incarnational ministry as the goal each intern is expected to serve a minimum of 30 hours.

Although our goal is flexibility there are some required time commitments for the intern.

• Sunday Programming
• Weekly student ministry staff meeting
• Wednesday night programming
• Special events / retreats
• Intern Coaching gatherings

Intern Profile –

When we think about the characteristics of a person who would be a perfect match for us there are a few words that come to mind.

• Heart for students
• Teachable
• Relational
• Team player
• Fun
• Mature (relatively)
• Christlike

So do you love Jesus and have a heart to see the gospel transform students? If you’re interested contact Mary Ann Conner at Mconnor@irvingbible.org. We would love to have a conversation. Space is limited.

Live bodly today!

Check this out...

A man by the name of Polycarp was arrested by Roman officials after having served as Bishop of Smyrna for many decades. When the Roman guards ordered him to declare that "Caesar is Lord" and to curse Christ, the elderly Polycarp refused, saying, "Eighty-six years I have served him and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King, who saved me?" Polycarp was sentenced to death by fire, but the flames miraculously stood like a wall around him and he was not burned. The executioner then stabbed him in the heart, which issued such an abundance of blood that the fire was quenched.

Join me today in proclaiming boldly "Jesus is Lord! No matter the cost..."
"For to live is Christ and to die is Gain." Phillipians 1:21

You call this light?

For the last couple of days I have been wrestling with a passage in 2nd Corinthians 4:17 which says "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison as we look NOT to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen..." My first response was..."WHAT? You calling my affliction Light and Momentary?"

I even studied this passage in its original language hoping that I would get more understanding and to my dismay I found the words "immediate" and "insignificant" which if anything are even MORE harsh! So Paul, are you saying that all the distress and affliction we experience on this earth is simply immediate and insignificant?

What about divorce?
What about persecution?
What about death? (All things I have experienced firsthand...)
Are these Light (immediate) and Momentary(insignificant) too?

In comparison to the great divorce between God and lost souls, the persecution Jesus experienced by His own people, and the death he endured carrying the sins of this world on His back...Our affliction IS pretty light and momentary:) Not to mention we are rewarded for it! This passage tells us when we endure this "affliction" (on earth) which is by definition light and momentary, it prepares for us a eternal weight of glory (in heaven)... I'll take that:)

Completely, Correctly and Compassionately!

Lately, I've been using a book called Handbook of Prayer to help me begin praying through scripture. The premise is to guide one through a biblical perspective on the fundamental issues of life..."Who am I?' "Where did I come from?" "Why am I here?" "Where am I going?"

During this intimate prayer time, I get a chance to review God's perspective on my faith, my identity, my purpose and my hope. This morning a passage that I have read time and time again stood out to me.

Matthew 22:37, 39 which says, "You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. Verse 39 says, "And the second is like the first: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."


Our purpose in life is simply this...Love GOD Completely, Love SELF Correctly and love OTHERS Compassionately!

Lord help me to do this well today!

Teaching Schedule

January 2012
January 8th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
January 15th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
January 22nd- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)

February 2012
February 4th- Parenting @ IBC Seminar
February 5th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
February 12th- Irving BIble Church (Youth Service)
February 19th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
February 24-26th- Disciple Now Conference 2012 Fort Worth, TX

March 2012
March 11th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
March 16th- Boys Retreat
March 25th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)

April 2012
April 1st- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
April 15th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
April 21st- One Church (Singles Conference) Allen. TX
April 22nd- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)
April 29th- Irving Bible Church (Youth Service)