Formed is a platform that gives people a place to wrestle with topics they may tend to avoid and to grow and learn from one another. A tool used to help believers make their faith their own by providing different perspectives and stories while pointing to the gospel and the mission and vision of Irving Bible Church.
Read MoreWhen I first came to Christ, I was at my lowest point in life (or so I thought at the time). I was homeless, I badly needed a bath, and I had survived a convoluted suicide attempt. I found myself at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles after having made a trek across the country, starting from New York City in mid-December of 1979.
"You’re worth it!" I’ve heard these words before! Have you? What is 'it'?
“You’re just trying to cheer me up and magically make me happy! I don’t feel like I’m worth anything. If you were as down and depressed as I am, you wouldn’t feel worth it either!”
Do you remember when you decided to follow Jesus? For some of us, that was 70 years ago. For others, it might have been just a few months ago. For me, it was Spring Break of 1987.
It is not Christmas for me unless I sing "Silent Night." It is my favorite Christmas carol ever! But I have celebrated a few Christmases where I have not sung it. In those instances, we were in churches where the service was in my native language, Tamil.
I’ve never really been a fan of hope. People often used catch-all phrases like “have hope” or “don’t give up hope” or “hope springs eternal” to somehow wish away pain or suffering in my life. But hope never seemed to work that way. No matter how much I hoped, the pain seemed to stick around.
As the holiday season goes into full swing, we are aware of what comes with our celebrations: lots of activities, generous dessert tables and endless gatherings. It is, indeed, a time to be surrounded by family and friends. Most of us greet this time of the year with open arms and excitement; we look forward to spending extra time celebrating with those closest to us.