Professional Documents
Culture Documents
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
GROWING IN CHRIST At the
heart of our journey is the gospel of
Jesus. We trust Christ as our Savior
and find ourselves becoming more
like him as we deepen our relationship with him.
CONNECTING IN COMMUNITY
Cough, cough*
Gobble, gobble!
Wade (his turkey-being-spared call)
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Chatter is
Editor Julie Rhodes
Art Direction, Design & Goodness
Josh Wiese, Lindsey Sobolik, JD Lemming
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to
everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2
Admin Extraordinaire
Victoria Andrews
Pastor to Hashtags
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Photography
Jacque Bundy (Photo Update)*
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Writers
Jason Fox (Idle Chatter)*
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Summer Alexander*, Annie Stone*
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Contact Chatter at chatter@irvingbible.org.
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C HAT TE R FA C T I CON K EY
CULTURE
LANGUAGE
FOOD
LIFE
GENERAL
SCIENCE
GEOGRAPHY
TOMFOOLERY
REMINDER
December 28 will be a family-friendly
service and Childrens Ministry will be
available for nursery only. Questions?
Contact children@irvingbible.org.
HISTORY
The book Brave New World derives
its title from Mirandas speech in
William Shakespeares The Tempest,
Act V, Scene I:
O wonder!
How many godly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people int.
Chatter | 3
The
Point of
No Return
Chatter | 4
David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth
to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2.4-7).
Once God was born a baby, there was no going back, no looking around and saying,
On second thought. So why did God create Christmas? Why was Christ willing to
pass this incredible point of no return?
He existed in the form of God ... (Philippians 2:6a). The word existed here
describes what someone is in their essence, that part of them which cannot be
changed. For example, part of my being or existence is that Im Scots-Irish. My
grandfather served in the Irish navy and my dad came over the big water on the
Queen Mary. It doesnt matter how much pizza or canalone or enchiladas I eat, Ill
still have leprichan in my soul! Its the same with Jesus. His deity is an unchangeable part of who he is. As Paul later writes:
Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all, and in fact, Christ himself is the Creator who made everything in
heaven and earth(Col. 1.15-16a).
Even though the Lord Jesus laid aside his glory and took on the form of a bondservant, he never ceased to be God. There was a time when Jesus was God, but not
man. But there was never a time when Jesus was man, but not God.
although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing
to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being
made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6b-7).
The idea of God coming down to earth and relating to people is not unusual in
ancient religions. The Greek and Roman pantheons were full of self-centered,
impetuous, and impulsive gods who loved to come among men and wreak havoc.
Ancient mythology assumes that the gods come down. What makes Christianity absolutely unique is that our God not only came down, he bent down when he
came down. Thats the meaning of Christmas God, not in majesty, but in
a manger.
Dorothy Sayers puts it well:
For whatever reason God chose to make man as he is limited in suffering and
subject to sorrows and death he had the honesty and courage to take his own
medicine. Whatever game he is playing with his creation, he has kept his own
rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that he has not exacted
from himself. He has himself gone through the whole of human experience, from
the trivial irritations of family life, and the cramping restrictions of hard work
and lack of money, to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair,
and death. When he was a man, he played the man. He was born in poverty, and
he died in disgrace and thought it well worth-while.
Why did God bend down to become a man? For us to ascend, God had to descend.
Six Flags Over Texas Titan is considered a hyper coaster because of its
continuous circuit and 200-foot drop.
This was no accident, but the plan of God from the very beginning. God would
become a sinless man who could rightfully die himself and thus make atonement
for sinful men.
Max Lucado writes,
The death of the Son of God was anything but an unexpected peril. No, it was
part of a plan. It was a calculated choice This is why the ropes used to tie his
hands and the soldiers used to lead Him to the cross were unnecessary. They
were incidental Had Jesus been forced to nail Himself to the cross, he would
have done it. For it was not the soldiers who killed him, nor the screams of the
mob: it was his devotion to us. So call it what you wish: an act of grace. A plan
of redemption. A martyrs sacrifice. But whatever you call it, dont call it an accident. It was anything but that (God Came Near).
Why would Jesus endure the cross? We were worth it to him. As C.S. Lewis explains, God retrieved us from our spiritual darkness at great personal expense:
In the Christian story God descends to reascend one may think of a diver, first
reducing himself to nakedness, then glancing in mid-air, then gone with a splash,
vanished, rushing down through green and warm water into black and cold
water, down through increasing pressure into the death-like region of ooze and
slime and old decay; then up again, back to colour and light, his lungs almost
bursting, till suddenly he breaks surface again, holding in his hand the dripping,
precious thing that he went down to recover (C.S. Lewis, Miracles,
pp. 115-116).
What was the first Christmas? The biggest recovery operation the universe has
ever beheld. It was Jesus passing the point of no return by coming to die for us.
Being born was Christs point of no return. Being born again and following him is
ours. Shouldnt we who love him back not also be willing to pass the point of no
return? Jesus didnt look back. Neither should we. Its time to ride The Titan! To
identify with us, God chose to become one of us. To redeem us, Christ had to die for
us. And it all started on Christmas when Christ passed the point of no return. Why
not let this Christmas be when you do the same for his glory?
Andy McQuitty is a fountain pen aficionado who prefers a vintage wide-barrel with
a 14K music or chisel medium (right-handed) nib.
As Senior Pastor, Dr. Andy McQuitty is a member of the Elder Board and Lead Team, and acts as the
spiritual leader for Irving Bible Church.
Christmas at IBC
IBC Band Christmas Party
December 11, 7 p.m., The Worship Center/Town Square
A night of story, music, and cheer. Bring your neighbors and join the IBC
family as we anticipate and celebrate the coming of the Savior. Following
the program, cozy up with some coffee and cookies in Town Square.
This event is free, but please bring laundry soap, dryer sheets, and/or
quarters for IBCs partner, Laundry Love.
Chatter | 5
Wed actually already been involved in IBC by that time, and joining the family here was a natural fit. We immediately jumped in with Launch (an IBC
ministry focused on getting involved overseas) and then were finally launched
ourselves by IBC in August of 2009. We worked in Oman teaching English for
the next five years.
CHAT What inspired Serious Creatures?
BB Life in Oman was difficult for us, especially Amber. Its an odd thing, I sup-
pose, but lifes particulars there were a bad fit for her personality and make up,
and she ended up depressed for about 18 months. As happens with spouses,
life became difficult for me, too. I coped by turning to art.
Over time, people began asking to buy illustrations Id posted on Facebook.
Amber was coming out of the darkness at that time and was looking to do
something creative that helped her feel like herself. Shed already been writing some and updating her business knowledge to catch up with the internet
changes of the past 10 years, and when people began asking to buy prints, her
entrepreneurial nature hulked out a bit.
I wasnt for it, really. But I finally agreed that if she did all the business pieces,
that yes we could open an illustration shop. It turned out to be a surprisingly
great thing for us as it gave us a lot to talk about and connect over in an otherwise strained stretch of our marriage.
CHAT An internet business seems like a great fit for people working overseas
and trying to make ends meet
BB When the possibility of working with Home of Hope came about and we re-
As our path unfolds, we are continually surprised how perfect this business is
for our life at Home of Hope. As a company, Serious Creatures aims to encourage whimsy and imagination and relationships. Which is exactly what the
kids we work with need. On the flip side, people who find us on Instagram (for
example), love the illustrations, and end up writing to ask how to get involved
in Home of Hope. How cool is that?
Chatter | 6
CHAT Tell us more about the kids youre working with in Beirut. Whats unique
about Home of Hope?
BB Some of our kids are Palestinian or Syrian refugees; others are Lebaneseborn. They arrive at the home after being picked up off the street (often for
selling flowers or trinkets) or being rescued from abusive situations.
Home of Hope provides shelter and safety for the kids; because these children
dont have legal papers (ie: refugees, orphans, or unknown parentage), they are
ineligible for government services like education and medical care. Home of
Hope also aims to educate, counsel, provide legal services, and share eternal hope.
In Lebanon, Home of Hope is unique because we are the only home that welcomes any child needing shelter, regardless of citizenship or religion. Consequently it makes consistent funding incredibly difficult. Groups in Lebanon
including Christians are extremely sectarian, and they only want to give
to charities that benefit their particular group. Which leaves a Christian home
that accepts Sunni and Shia kids out in the cold. Sometimes literally so.
CHAT Is it possible to sum up your long-term vision for Home of Hope?
BB Amber often says she hopes each child will have someone who sees
him or her. But with limited staff and limited funding, the kids can be just a
crowd. (Sometimes more of a zoo.) But Jesus looks into the eyes of each little
soul. We want the children to experience him in an earthly sense with people
who love them.
If youd like to know more about Brady and Ambers work with Home of Hope,
visit them on the Home of Hope Lebanon Facebook page or email bradyandamber@gmail.com. Check out Serious Creatures at seriouscreatures.net. For more
fun, you can also find Serious Creatures on Facebook and Instagram.
Do your kids like to color? Download a free PDF of
the Chatter cover (in black-and-white line drawing)
at blog.seriouscreatures.net.
See Wheres Chatter (back cover) for a pic of Brady with
some kiddos from Home of Hope, and a few very serious
creatures...
Brady is
the new black.
J O U R N E Y O N : U P DAT E
Two years ago, IBC embarked on a campaign for financial freedom that would retire our $9 million mortgage
and provide ways to be even more impactful around our
community and world. Since that time, over 3,600 families have given generously towards this goal. And what
a two years its been. A journey of sacrifice and blessing,
trust and patience. Thank you for your partnership, IBC!
Once the $9 million is fully retired, IBC will have $1 million freed up in its yearly operating budget for further
ministry. And the goal is in sight. Were closing in every
month. This is the time to finish strong.
And finishing strong is to be celebrated. Big time. Were
hoping to burn the IBC mortgage in January as a symbol
of freedom for what God has in store in the coming years
at IBC. Because its not just about retiring debt. Its about
retiring debt so thatSo that we can do more. Be more.
So that we can take the next steps of ministry without
the burden of interest payments. So that we can continue to see lives transformed by Jesus.
There are many so that dreams already in the works
post-Journey On. The IBC leadership has dreams for
bolstering the capacities and ministry potential of our
own ministries, as well as those of our global and local
partners. We are also prayerfully considering significant
repurposing of our children and youth space at IBC.
Youll be hearing more about these so that dreams in
the coming months, but first things first. We hope youll
finish strong for JO and 2014.
Thank you for finishing well, and for taking this journey
with us.
Pete Hyndman, IBC Elder Board Chair
On behalf of The IBC Elder Board
Chatter | 7
A Special Delivery
A FAMILY FROM KYRGYZSTAN FINDS SUPPORT
IN IBCS SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY.
Although they were not prepared for this news, God had been
preparing them for years.
Nurmat is a native of Kyrgyzstan where he grew up Muslim
and Dina is originally from Kazakhstan. The two both came to
know Christ in college through Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) and it was through their work with
Cru where they met and married.
Nurmat has served with Cru for the past 12 years, Dina for the
past 20. As part of their work, they were involved in every aspect of ministering, not only to students, but to families as well.
When Abby was born our whole world changed, Dina explains.
Everything we had trained for, learned and believed came
into question.
In Kyrgyzstan, there is such a culture of shame and blame
when a family has a child with Down syndrome or any other
kind of disability, Nurmat adds. Many times these children
are institutionalized and abandoned.
In the Kyrgyzstan culture, people think the parents did something wrong or that it is a curse to have a child with a disability.
Shannon Miller, IBCs Special Needs Coordinator, likens this
philosophy back to the apostles in John 9:2 [Jesus] disciples
asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he
was born blind?
Chatter | 8
In many parts of the world, and even here, people forget what
Jesus response was: Neither this man nor his parents sinned,
said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might
be displayed in him (John 9:3).
Although Nurmat and Dina were distraught and questioning,
their journey had just begun. As they slowly began to accept
Abbys diagnosis and lean on God, their hearts would open and
a new ministry began for them both.
When Abby was a year old, we began meeting with two
other families, led by a missionary friend who was also a
Special Education teacher, Dina explains. From there, we
decided to launch the Parents Association for Children with
Down syndrome.
We knew there were other families in the same situation,
Dina adds, and once we started getting some publicity for our
association, people started to contact us.
In March of 2014, a family from Houston came to minister to
the special needs community in Kyrgyzstan. Coincidentally,
the Houston family also had a daughter named Abby who had
Down syndrome. A local newspaper picked up the story about
the two Abbys, and the response was overwhelming. In two
short years, what once started as a few families was now a
community of over 100 families.
It was good for us to talk with other families who were going
through the same thing we were, Dina says. Talking to
other parents helped us to be accepted and learn to accept,
Nurmat adds.
Earlier this year, Nurmat and Dina got an opportunity to come
to the states through a program affiliated with Christ for the
Nations, an interdenominational Christian Bible college. As
part of their program, they are learning how to start a Special
Needs ministry in Kyrgyzstan.
RUSSIA
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
CHINA
IRAN
INDIA
Chatter | 9
UPC O M I N G
November
NOVEMBER 30
DECEMBER 24
JANUARY 7
December
DECEMBER 2
JANUARY 13
DECEMBER 28
irvingbible.org/newcomergathering
DECEMBER 7
Small Groups Registration Closes
January
Register at irvingbible.org/smallgroups.
JANUARY 4
JANUARY 15
JANUARY 18
FPU begins
See ad, pg. 16.
See ad below.
DECEMBER 11
DECEMBER 13
Single Parent Christmas Mall
9 a.m.12 p.m.
See ad, pg. 16.
Writers Workshop
10 a.m.12 p.m. West C
Join a community of people who are honing their
writing skills. Everyone is welcome, no experience is
necessary. Contact doreilly@irvingbible.org.
Chatter | 10
Partner Pines
DECEMBER 714
ON G OI N G
BIBLE COMMUNITIES
Groups on Sunday
Synergy
9 a.m. The Alcove
Multi-generational
The Tree
9 a.m. West D
20s & 30s, married & young families
Crossroads
10:45 a.m. West C
Couples & Families late 20s to 40s
MEALS
Journey
10:45 a.m. The Alcove
All Welcome
On Track
10:45 a.m. Conference Room
Single Parents
Thrive
10:45 a.m. West D
Singles in their 30s & 40s
Legacy Builders
6:45 p.m. West A
All Welcome
CHILDREN
MyZone
Wednesdays, 6:308:15 p.m.
The Zone
Activities, friends, and slime.
No registration required. Ends
December 10.
The Table
Starts January 18
The Living Room
A place to explore Christianity.
irvingbible.org/thetable
Community Care
SPECIAL NEEDS
Community & Care
Respite Care
January 24
Small Group for Moms
Sundays, 10:45 a.m.12 p.m.
In His Image Bible Study
Sundays, 6:307:45 p.m
SUNDAY
COMMUNITY MEALS
6 p.m. Town Square
Contact specialneeds@irvingbible.
org for more info.
STUDENTS
MARRIAGE
Growing Together
Pre-Marriage Mentoring
Visit irvingbible.org/marriage.
MEN
2435 KINWEST
IBC Choir
Wednesdays, 78:30 p.m.
IBC Worship Center
Contact Crystal at celwell@irvingbible.org.
Prayer Meeting
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
6:45-8 p.m. The Chapel
Laundry Love
First Saturday of the month
9 a.m.12 p.m.
Contact info@llpirving.org.
SINGLE PARENT
MISSION
WEDNESDAY
MIDWEEK MEALS
56:20 P.M.
Visit 2435kinwest.org.
JUNE 2225
FREEDOM
FROM AND
EMPOWERED
FOR
For six weeks starting in January, Men at IBC will study Romans chapter 8, the Apostle
Pauls most well known chapter in the New Testament. It is an opportunity to explore
our freedom found in Christ and the empowering work of the Spirit in our lives today.
Come learn what it means to live a life of liberty, victory, expectancy, and security.
FIRST WATCH
for kids in
single-parent families
Saturday, December 13
9 a.m. 12 p.m. in The Commons
An annual tradition, the IBC Christmas
Mall is an event where kids in single-parent
families prepare for Christmas! Kids enjoy
a fabulous breakfast, shop for their parents,
wrap gifts, decorate cards and cookies, and
make an unforgettable Christmas memory.
Everything is free.
Were fine.
REGISTRATION: Exclusively
online at irvingbible.org/fpu
COST: $89
INFORMATION: Contact
kyeichner@irvingbible.org with
questions. KidZone is available
with prior registration.
HOW DO I GIVE?
NEW TO IBC?
Start
Safety Team
Do you have a desire to serve and protect others?
Contact Chris Rose at crose@irvingbible.org. Please
include any credentials and relevant experience.
Mentor Kids in Single-Parent Families
Men and women are needed for gender-specific
mentoring of children from single parent families.
Contact Marsha at mtribbett@irvingbible.org.
All right! Youre feeling the IBC vibe and want to see
where you might get involved. Propel is a 4-week class that
explores the IBC calling and culture, and how your unique
personality and passions fit in. Meet many of our pastors
and directors of ministries at IBC.
Next Propel: January 2015
My Resources
CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP
Chatter | 14
A HUNDRED
JOKES-A-BOMBING
Sadly, The Little Drummer Boy did not prove fertile enough ground for 900
words of comedy pyrite. Which brings us to my second-least-favorite Yule tune,
The Twelve Days of Christmas. Its long, tedious, full of birds and allusions to
indentured servitude (to put it nicely), and irresistible to advertising jingle writers.
Also, weird. So, as I am wont, I shall now mansplain the meaning behind these odd,
Victorian gifts and posit suitable contemporary replacements for those keen on
keeping the dream alive. Whose dream? No idea.
A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE As children longing for a certain video game
system, my brother and I would sing, And a cartridge in an Atari. To punish our
hideous punnery, our mom put the Atari box in an even larger box with bricks
inside so we couldnt tell what it was. True story. Whats also true is that I havent a
clue as to why someone would give another person an annoying bird that reminds
you of the gift giver with every warble, cackle, eye-scratch and gift from above. A
friendlier version for todays retro-inspired Secret Santa: Set all your lovelys ringtones to The Partridge Family song I Think I Love You. Did I say Secret Santa?
I meant Secret Satan.
TWO TURTLE DOVES This is what passed for a double cheeseburger in the
early 1800s. Part bird, part turtle, all nasty. Refined palates, indeed. Do everyone
a favor and get your honeybunch a double-double from In-N-Out. If said honeybunch prefers tofu, eat it yourself. Better to give and receive back and whatnot.
THREE FRENCH HENS The French hen was originally scheduled to be in the
partridges slot. Unfortunately, when one French hen surrenders, two more invariably follow suit. There is, luckily, no direct modern analog to this gift. Therefore,
it is suggested that you go with two baguettes and a Blu-ray of Les Miserables
with all the Russell Crowe parts cut out. Nothing says love like risking a phone
to the face. And nothing says timely Christmas comedy like a nine-year-old
celebrity reference.
FOUR CALLING BIRDS Does your cherished one suffer bouts of insufferable
loneliness when your presences are not congruently aligned on the space-time
continuum so that even a Dr. Who marathon offers meager consolation? In ye oldenne dayes, such gloom was doomed with the arrival of a quartet of quail trained
to call your name nonstop and ask when you planned on starting a family because,
lets face it, youre not getting any younger. A suitable present-day replacement? A
Tracfone with four months worth of pre-paid calling cards. Love means never paying for data overages. Or data at all. Its in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Near the part
about Ricardo Montalbans rich leather.
FIVE GOLD RINGS A reference to the ancient Five-Point-Palm ExplodingHeart-Technique, the five gold rings symbolized the power the recipient had over
the gift-givers Aorta of Love. While the symbology has been lost to those not
named Tarantino, gold rings remain a great gift from an investment standpoint
assuming everyone on AM talk radio is correct. Just make sure you keep the One
Ring to rule them all.
turn for proffering these be-poopifying ninnies, you were undoubtedly considered
the bees knees (which, by the by, were the fallback gift if you didnt have the coin
for five gold rings). A more contemporary test of devotion can be had by gifting
your besmitten a six-pack of Celine Dion CDs. Like the geese, it is Canadian, annoying [which is not redundant Ed.] and able to honk across five octaves. Happy
birthday, Jesus, indeed.
SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING This final (PTL!) batch of birds graceful
and stately could be considered the anti-geese. But, in truth, swans are actually
nastier creatures, prone to stealing your lunch while gossiping about the neighbors nasal adjustment. The joy of this gift lies in the fact that theyre swimming.
Which means the giver has paid to have a pool installed. In contemporary terms,
its the equivalent of giving someone a Lexus with one of the giant novelty bows.
Which is quite the garish thing to do. My advice: A subscription to the Swanson TV
Dinner Salisbury Steak-of-the-Month Club. Say I care, not I had to.
EIGHT MAIDS-A-MILKING The maids naturally came with cows (Im assuming they werent milking cats). And the cows came with cow pies. Do your sweetums a solid and give the gift of barbecue. From Kansas City. Preferably Oklahoma
Joes. But I digress.
NINE LADIES DANCING / TEN LORDS-A-LEAPING No one is entirely
sure what the point was behind this Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and a Loser
Cousin conglomeration. Perhaps some sort of corset-and-ascot battle royale in
which the lone remaining lord gets poofed with wig powder. Did I say perhaps?
I meant probably for sure. In todays gift-o-sphere, try nine tweeners texting and
ten hipsters trying on skinny jeans. On second thought, unfriending the recipient
is easier.
ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING The only thing on this list that makes any sense.
God bless the pipes and all who compress the noble squeezebag. A good set of bagpipes will set you back more than a few haggisses full of gold (found at the end of
the stinkiest rainbow ever), so your only alternative is a used DVD of So I Married
an Axe Murderer from Craigslist. Or steal the set your weird Uncle Todd has in
his garage.
TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING Nothing says your love has conquered
my heart and annexed it like the British did Fiji in 1862 quite like a military drum
corps. Sadly, that was a failed annexation. Much like all attempts to pitch suitable
woo are destined to falter upon the alter of a dozen Tommy Lees. Nonetheless, if
you insist on enumerating twelve somethings doing something to declare your
yuletide besottedness, its hard to go wrong with a dozen masseuses masseusing.
Trade in the Celine CDs for some old school Enya and youll be like the British annexing Fiji in 1874. Ohhhh yeahhhh.
Now if youll excuse me, Im going to go hark some herald angels into sharing their nog.
Jason Fox cant believe he wrote an entire Christmas column without a single
mention of Burl Ives.
Jason writes from Omaha, Nebraska, where the natives think chili and cinnamon rolls pair nicely.
SIX GEESE-A-LAYING Sweet Moses, what was it with the Victorians and their
fowl? This half-dozen gaggle-o-goobers was actually a trick gift. If your beloved
didnt slap you with either a cease-and-desist order or a be-spiked gauntlet in re-
Chatter | 15