Love to Pray!

Ahhhhhhhhh...Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Almond Granola Bars... I kid you not, just the thought of eating one of these bars makes my mouth water! I don't use this word casually, but I "LOVE" eating them. 

The truth is, I get tremendously excited before eating them. I find myself exhilarated while I am eating them, basking in every bite. I even get sad as I reach that last bite. And as I take that last bite, I begin contemplating the next time I can engage in another salivating experience between me and my Nature Valley bar.

Today, in a Ministry Seminar, the facilitator asked us a question that I have been battling with for the entire day. The question was..."Do you LOVE praying, or is it just a function, an obligation, a way to get what you want from God?"

Can I describe my prayer experiences the same way I describe my Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Almond Granola Bar experience?

Q: Do I get tremendously excited before my prayer time?
Q: Do I find myself exhilarated while praying, basking in every word?
Q: Do I get sad as I reach the end of my prayer time?
Q: Do I find myself contemplating the next time I can engage in another experience between me and The Father?

"Love to pray. Feel often during the day the need for prayer, and take trouble to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own." -Mother Teresa

Taste them again, for the first time...

It seems like companies don't use as many "catchy" slogans/jingles as they did when I was a kid (SN:Saying"when I was a kid makes me feel old). I can remember jingles like "The best part of waking up, is Folders in your cup." Or "Your not fully clean unless your Zest-fully clean." 

Well, back in the 1990's Kellogg's Corn Flakes began to see a drop in sales in their iconic brand, and decided to ask their faithful customers to come back to the brand; coining the slogan, "Taste them again, for the first time."


This year I decided to read through the entire bible in a year. This is something that I have never done before. Of course, I have read the entire bible before, but never chronologically or even in a years time-span.

Nevertheless, I am doing it and I must say it has got to be one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. I am using an app on my I-pad called YouVersion and the plan that I am using is simply called "The Bible in a year." I like this plan because I end up reading a chapter from the OT, NT and a Psalm a day.(This works well for me because it gives me variety) 

At any rate, though I have read these passages hundreds of times before, it seems that God is allowing me to "Taste them again, for the first time," things I had never noticed (or tasted) before.

Day three I read Genesis 3. As I was reading, I got to verse 8 which says, -->"They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day..." WHAT? How could I NOT notice this before? I even read the passage in Hebrew. And it said the exact same thing...

I said to myself..."Wait, God was actually there? Like in the flesh?"  That's what the passage says. For all of my life, I was under the impression that Adam and Eve only heard the voice of God from the heavens, or the Holy Spirit was with them, but NO...if my biblical exegesis is correct (which I believe it is) God in the flesh, a.k.a Jesus was present with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

I say all this to say, if you are looking for a great read this year, read the words of God..."Taste them again for the first time." I know I am!
  

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