In recent weeks at IBC, we’ve been discussing the importance of wrestling with our own personal past—our life story—to better understand our present and God’s intentions for our future. This is a vitally important part of our ongoing spiritual growth and development. God has made us who we are through the formative experiences and relationships of our lives: though our heritage, our heroes, our high points, and our hard times.
Read MoreLike millions of Americans last evening, I sat in my Christmas-light festooned house across from a beautifully decorated tree and watched would-be presidents of the US debating national security in the recent aftermath of the San Bernardino jihadist shootings.
I don’t know where I’ve been the past six Advents at IBC, but this year, I’ve been given the gift of Advent and the gift of hope.
Sunday night, our family dusted off an old Advent devotional from the IBC Children’s Ministry. Following its instructions, we turned off all the lights, gathered around one candle at our kitchen table, and contemplated its meaning.
A good look at our history can be best told through the story, “Surprised and Grateful” from our monthly magazine, Chatter.
Last Sunday I had the privilege of preaching what I consider the Apostle Paul’s greatest formulation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
Christianity is not merely a set of ideas to agree to, but a whole new life to be lived in the power of the Spirit and in the fellowship of the saints.