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Jesus. We trust Christ as our Savior
and find ourselves becoming more
like him as we deepen our relationship with him.
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OK, look. This is the day before we leave on our family beach trip. The clothes JUST beeped at me from
the dryer. My empty suitcase is waiting in the bedroom. Both children are upstairs flinging themselves
against the wall. This is not the time to write. This is not the time to write, or think, or pray or ponder. This
is a time to get All The Things done.
Unless it wont.
Ann Morrow Lindbergh, the beautiful author of
Gift From The Sea, says we need to be pioneers
in achieving a kind of stillness, a quiet core that
persists in the midst of making food, cleaning
spills, and correcting injustice. I think a better
metaphor, at least for me, is that of a thief I will
have to begin stealing. This moment, then the
next, plundering each day for whatever I can. I will
become the great hijacker of my life; a fugitive running ever after a clearer vision of God.
What role fits you best? Who do you need to be
in order to look God square in the face each day
burglar, pioneer, card shark? Id love to know about
your tricks, secrets and back doors. Tell me what
youll do, who youll be, to ride the waves under a
north star this summer.
Together, Id love for us to echo King David,
who said:
I will not enter my house or get into my bed,
I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place
for the Mighty One of Jacob.
Ps. 132:3-5
C HAT TE R FA C T I CON K EY
CULTURE
LANGUAGE
FOOD
LIFE
GENERAL
SCIENCE
GEOGRAPHY
TEXAS
HISTORY
TOMFOOLERY
As of November 2014, the tallest sand
castle in the world stood at 41 ft 3.67 inches
tall in Rio de Janeiro. It used 20 truckloads
of sand. (Source: Guinness World Records)
Chatter | 3
A
SPECIAL
PLAN
Chatter | 4
Russia stretches
across 9 time zones.
language. Both are far from home, facing language barriers and cultural challenges
every day. And neither could have anticipated the special friendship God had prepared for them in IBCs Special Needs ministry.
Shannon knew she wanted to introduce Arzykan to Lina, who was already volunteering at IBC.
Lina is originally from Russia, an area called Yakutia, in the north. She tells us this
is the coldest point in Russia with a registered temperature of -70 degrees Celsius
(a far cry from the triple digit heat of Dallas summers!). She moved to Dallas five
years ago to be closer to her daughter Victoria and started attending IBC with her.
Victoria works at a pediatric hospital, where Lina became a volunteer to care for a
girl with special needs who only spoke Russian. After caring for this child for three
months, Lina realized she had a heart for childrens ministry.
At that time, Victoria was volunteering in the IBC Special Needs ministry.
As Lina watched her daughters involvement with the SonShine Room on
Sundays and Respite Care events, she soon wanted to join her.
Today, you can find both Lina and Arzykan actively involved in the special needs
small group for parents on Wednesday nights, and in the SonShine room on Sunday mornings a special environment for kids with special needs during the IBC
worship service.
With my friend Mariya as my translator, I asked both of these ladies what makes
their friendship special. Arzykan was the first to answer. Even though I could not
understand her words, I was touched as her eyes shone with tears. She leaned over
to hug her sweet friend Lina.
Lina is a very kind person, she said. Watching her work with the children is very
special. They can be difficult and often run around, and there is also the language
barrier. But this does not prevent her from caring for the children. She has such a
strong spirit and I have the most respect for her.
Arzykan goes on to talk about how it was God who brought them together and created this unique, strong friendship. After listening to her reflect for a long
time, Mariya observed to me: Think about the two of them meeting
here in Gods house. Both of them are from far-away countries
and face similar struggles with language barriers.
In just a few
short months,
they have
become dear
friends.
Dina and Nurmat found IBC and the special needs ministry
when they had to pick a local church to attend as part of their study
requirements. The college recommended IBC for its emphasis on special
needs. And it was at IBC where they met Shannon Miller, the ministry director.
We were embraced by her love and care and knowledge of children with special
needs, said Dina, with a sparkle in her eye.
On Previous Page
Top: Victoria and mom Lina serve together.
Middle: Arzykan (L) and Lina (R) share a heart for kids with special needs.
Bottom: Arzykan (R) and her family will return to Kyrgyzstan this summer.
Chatter | 5
Why
We
Serve
I
recently told Marion Mills story at IBC. She was born in 1930
in a palace in Hungary and educated at private schools in
Vienna where she fell in love with a medical student named
Otto. They married and went to Hollywood, CA where Otto Preminger became a famed movie director. Marion Mill Preminger
also became a celebrity famous for her beauty and charm. But then
Marion sank into alcohol abuse, and affairs, divorce and attempted
suicide three times unsuccessfully before fleeing back to Vienna.
Thats when Marion met Albert Schweitzer, the well-known medical
doctor and missionary on leave from his hospital in Africa. She heard
him say these life-changing words: I do not know what your destiny
will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be
really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
Let me tell you a secret. Jesus first lived what Albert then said! He
modeled a life of self-sacrifice to meet others needs. If we are going
to serve like him, we too must take our next step and become passionate about responding to the needsboth great and smallof the
people on our path.
A great context for that service (that is just chock full of people on
our path with needs) is the ministry of Irving Bible Church. Hundreds of IBCers are serving like Jesus right here on the IBC Campus. Some of their stories are told in this very article!
These have learned what Marion Mill also learned all those years
ago. She returned to Africa with Dr. Schweitzer where she spent her
life caring for poverty-stricken children, later writing these words:
Albert Schweitzer says there are two kinds of people. There are the
helpers, and the non-helpers. I thank God He allowed me to become
a helper, and in helping, I found everything.
So in conclusion, heres what I want you to do, IBC: pray that God
will give you an opportunity to serve, then keep your eyes and ears
open for those opportunities. You could even reach out to an IBC
pastor to talk about where your gifts could be put to use in this community. I know youll be blessed as you do.
Pastor Andy
Chatter | 6
Mike Humphrey
Fred Cunha
Through Schoolworks, IBC provides reading buddies and lunch buddies to at-risk kids in many
local schools. Contact lhamilton@irvingbible.org
to learn more.
Chatter | 3
Chatter | 8
Chatter | 9
Sometimes, the safest place during a storm isnt the hallway closet.
Sometimes its at a table with someone you trust. Thats what Stephen
Ministry is all about.
Stephen Ministry at IBC provides one-to-one Christian
care to individuals who are experiencing difficulties such
as loss of a loved one, divorce, terminal illness, depression,
infertility, loneliness, and much more. A Stephen Minister
is a carefully selected layperson with extensive training
who will listen, pray, support, and encourage you while you
are hurting. They will be there to meet faithfully with you
for an hour a week to help you navigate through this difficult season.
This is a confidential ministry. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each relationship will
remain private.
To request a Stephen Minister or apply to become one, email
stephenministry@irvingbible.org.
S TEPH EN M I N I S TRY
Chatter | 10
Next Steps:
ATTENTIVENESS
Ruth Haley Barton defines attentiveness as the the capacity to recognize and
respond to the presence and the activity of Godboth in the ordinary moments
and in the larger decisions of our lives. In other words, attentiveness is simply a
posture that opens you up to more readily pay attention to God and his work so that
if and when God speaks, youre more apt to hear it and obey.
Its the question that Ive been asked frequently this past year. I have family members and friends who are writing books, launching blogs, buying homes, starting
their family, getting married, receiving promotions, starting new careers, moving
across country, going on mission trips, founding ministries, beginning grad school,
and starting their own businesses. Quite frankly, Im not doing any of these things,
and its tempting for me to think that Im not accomplishing anything or actively
working toward a goal.
And even this posture of attentiveness is a gift of God, something that neither you
nor I can earn. But we do get the opportunity to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as
he works to transform us in the image of Christ.
But if I were to sum it up, the past two years have been about settling and putting
down roots. You see, in the span of just five months, from January-May 2013, I
experienced tremendous life change. My sister and dearest friend got married, my
husband Jason and I graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, we both started
new jobs, we moved from Dallas to Grapevine, and many close friends moved away
after graduating. I spent most of 2013 overwhelmed, grieving the loss of community, and trying to find my way in a world where everything was new.
For me, Ive found that practicing attentiveness in this season of life looks like
stopping to pray for someone as soon as I speak with him or her. Because otherwise I might forget, and when I say, Ill pray for you, I want to actually pray for
you with intentionality and specificity. Im also writing more cards and sending
encouragement emails more frequently. Im seeing more needs around me than
ever before as I pray to see God at work, and so I want to be quick to affirm others,
offer a word of encouragement, and share Gods truth with them.
And so rather unconsciously, much of 2014 was just about me adjusting to new
roles and surroundings, and learning what life looks like when youre no longer
stuck in overdrive, constantly fatigued, and spiritually depleted.
Im also going through a Bible reading plan that highlights the women of the Bible.
Instead of objectively studying the text and asking, What is the application for my
life? or What does this text mean today? Im just reading it to encounter God (as
the preface suggests). Im highlighting every time a name of God is mentioned. Im
underlining every action attributed to God. Im noting in the margins the characteristics of God. And then Im spending time in prayer, rereading those attributes of
God and praising him for who he is. In so doing, Im learning more about my good
Creator, his sovereign will, and his trustworthy ways.
And with just 5 months left in the year, my prayer continues to be, God, I dont
want to go somewhere and then ask you to bless it. I want to be where you are
already working. Give me eyes and ears that are attentive to your presence, and the
courage and faith to be obedient to your will.
Chatter | 11
Happier
Trails
Ahead
hat drew me to register for One Parent+Kids was simple: the opportunity for healing, which I knew I needed. Initially, I was curious about
OP+K. Then I was nervous I didnt know anyone attending or leading the
class. I was also hesitant because I didnt want anything negative (like the
womens group in Jerry Maguire), and Id already been through DivorceCare
twice which was very helpful, but I needed something different. In that class,
the analogy used for divorce was the aftermath of a devastating storm. For me,
a better analogy was me as a frontierswoman on foot beside a wagon headed
for Oregon when her family is brutally attacked. Shes left alone to care for
children who have been equally wounded and disoriented, while trying to survive and figure out a whole new path to a different destination. And her wagon
is a really, really beat-up and depreciated Scion XB, 2005.
The two factors that finally swayed my decision were that my children would
also have classes to help them adapt to our new family dynamics while the
parent group met; and, Ill admit it, the convenience of the Wednesday night
meal always delicious, with pb&j sandwiches for any kids who disagreed
with the main offering. (Wednesday night meals are available for all 2435
Kinwest activities at IBC, and anyone who wants a meal, for $3/person or $10
max/family.)
The first night of class was interesting. Our leaders explained that the intent of
OP+K was not to be therapy or counseling but an educational process. Michael
and Dayna, OP+K directors, told us they would be honest with us and provide
help so we could grow to become effective CEOs of our families. Each session
started on time, and was full of detailed, apply-right-now information, plus
time to respond/write/reflect, and time to interact with other people going on
similar paths of healing and rebuilding.
ONE PARENT+KIDS
KICK-OFF
Chatter | 12
For years, IBC has helped provide backpacks and school supplies for families in
need. In recent years, weve teamed up with the City of Irving and several corporate and philanthropic sponsors for Supplies for Success, a large-scale initiative
designed to prepare at-risk kids for the new school year in the Irving ISD.
Irving Fire Chief Victor Conley just wants to say thanks.
The City of Irving Fire Department would like
to express our most sincere appreciation to
Irving Bible Church for their continued support of the Annual Supplies for Success Event.
Every year since 2011, Irving Bible Churchs
partnership has been essential in making
sure the most economically disadvantaged
children in Irving ISD have the tools they
need to begin the school year. Your passion
to help others who need it the most is seen
through your efforts in helping plan the event,
in donating funds to allow 1,000 students to
receive a backpack full of school supplies and
in volunteering your time to help distribute
backpacks at the event.
Our Annual Supplies for Success Event would not be the same without your
collaboration. Thank you for all your hard work and continued support, and we
look forward to a bigger and better 2015.
Sincerely,
Victor Conley
Fire Chief, Irving Fire Department
STUFF new!
BRING
GIVE
It costs $10 to provide a backpack with supplies for the Supplies for Success event.
Write a check to IBC with Supplies for
Success in the memo line. Weve committed 1,000 backpacks to this event.
Chatter | 13
UPC O M I N G
July
August
JULY 2
JULY 18
AUGUST 9
JULY 9-13
Middle School Beach Camp
JULY 19
Red Cross Blood Drive 9 a.m.2 p.m.
JULY 10-11
JULY 26
AUGUST 15
AUGUST 10
JULY 11
Guy Stuff Event
JULY 28
September
SEPTEMBER 3
One Parent + Kids Begins
See ad, pg. 12.
JULY 12
Mercy Street 101 Lunch 12:30 p.m.
Join Mission at IBC for a special lunch where youll
hear about the work Mercy Street is doing in West
Dallas. RSVP to Tricia at tkinsman@irvingbible.org.
GIVE A LITTLE
Life
THIS SUMMER.
JULY 13-17
High School Beach Camp
Visit irvingbible.org/students for more information.
Chatter | 14
ON G OI N G
MEALS
BIBLE COMMUNITIES
MARRIAGE
STUDENTS
SUNDAY
COMMUNITY MEALS
The Tree
9 a.m. West D
20s & 30s, married & young families
Marriage at IBC
Contact bmassey@irvingbible.org.
7/5
7/12
7/19
7/26
Groups on Sunday
Crossroads
10:45 a.m. West C
Couples & Families late 20s to 40s
Growing Together
Pre-Marriage Mentoring
Visit irvingbible.org/marriage.
Journey
10:45 a.m. The Alcove
All Welcome
MEN
On Track
10:45 a.m. Conference Room
Single Parents
First Watch
Fridays, 6:22 a.m. The Commons
Contact Nat at npugh@irvingbible.org.
Thrive
10:45 a.m. West D
Singles in their 30s & 40s
Renew
10:45 a.m. Training Center
All Welcome
Legacy Builders
6:45 p.m. West A All Welcome
Visit irvingbible.org/men.
WOMEN
Summer Study
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
The Commons
Visit irvingbible.org/women.
YOUNG ADULTS
WEDNESDAY
MIDWEEK MEALS
56:20 P.M.
CHILDREN
MISSION
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 laundrylove@irvingbible.org.
New Friends New Life
Serve Dinner to women healing
from exploitation in the commercial
sex industry every third Wednesday.
Contact Christine at newfriendsnewlife@irvingbible.org.
7/1
7/8
7/15
IBC Choir
Wednesdays, 78:30 p.m.
IBC Worship Center
Contact Crystal at
celwell@irvingbible.org.
7/22
7/29
Chefs choice
2435 KINWEST
SINGLE PARENT
Visit 2435kinwest.org.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Community & Care
Contact specialneeds@irvingbible.org.
CUPPA HOURS
MonFri
9 a.m.8 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.5 p.m.
Sunday
7 a.m.7 p.m.
Don't miss...
Hot Dogs & Popsicles
Water Slides and pool with zero entry, like a beach!
Small pool for younger kids
Life vests and lifeguards on site
Lots of fun for all!
Register: To guarantee your child a space, pre-register them online
at irvingbible.org/singleparents. Kids 5 & older are invited to attend the event, but parents are welcome to stay with their kids and
hang out if pre-registered online.
Questions? Contact Jennifer jerlenbusch@irvingbible.org.
Recovery
July 2, 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Wing
If youve ever considered checking out IBCs
Recovery group, but have never taken the next
step, the Eatin Meetin is a great way to do it.
Just bring a dish to share!
At Recovery, we are authentic people learning how
to apply the 12 steps in our lives in order to alleviate emotional pain, stress, and control, and to seek
practical spiritual development in Christ. Recovery
meets Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. in the Student
Ministries Area.
For more information or to register, visit
irvingbible.org/recovery.
Freedom
with
Eating
a small group
MEN AT IBC
SIMPLIFY
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the
glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
HOW DO I GIVE?
My Time, Talents & Skills
HOW DO I GET
CONNECTED AT IBC?
Were glad you asked. Here are the steps to take for
having your questions answered, guring out the
IBC story, and, if youre feeling ready, plugging in.
Start
JOIN IN WORSHIP
JOIN A COMMUNITY
Youre firing on all cylinders but something is missing. And
that something is a someone, or a group of someones.
Enter sermon-based Small Groups, Womens Bible Study,
First Watch, and more. We encourage you to find a group
and connect authentically with others.
Visit irvingbible.org/adults.
My Resources
Online Giving Option
If you would find it more convenient to donate to
the ministries of Irving Bible Church online, visit
irvingbible.org/give.
Chatter | 18
TEMPLE
OF DAD
I confess, I did not come by my dad bod via the typical route. Not once in my
youth did anyone ever describe me as jacked, ripped or juiced (excepting that
one Capri Sun bender in sixth grade). I possess an ectomorphic body type.
Which is better than xenomorphic if the movie Alien is to be believed. And
it is. My body eschews muscle mass. It used to laugh off flab mass, too, until it
started letting said flab hang around to chat for a bit after I hit 30. So I didnt go
from gym rat to Gymboree shopper the easy, pass-me-a-fourth-bag-of-minidonuts way. No, I actually had to work out to reach this level of mediocrity. I
joke with my wife that Ive been bulking up to average. And like most of my
jokes, its just a thin veneer over the painful, smushy truth.
Naturally, this newly bestowed hotness puts me in a bit of a spiritual quandary.
Just how am I supposed to feel about my body now being the epitome of temple
Chatter | 19