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 MoreIf you happen to notice more Mexican or Latin American flags this weekend, it’s not because someone missed the Cinco de Mayo memo. In fact, September 16 is Mexican Independence Day and September 15 is Independence Day for several other Latin American countries, all kicking off National Hispanic Heritage Month!
I struggle deeply with not being enough, with body image, and with internal critical words toward myself. I can help others through their similar struggles, sharing all the good that God has for them, but it has always felt indulgent for me to believe the same things for myself.
“Whatever it takes.” Barry emphasized this point at our 60th anniversary and it has captured my imagination about discipleship. The call of Jesus is a call to do whatever it takes as we learn to trust and follow him. This quality is what I love about the people of Irving Bible Church.
The first time I stepped on stage to preach a sermon at IBC, I was so nervous. It was 2007. I was a first-year seminary professor. This was the church I loved. And my preaching hero, IBC's pastor Andy McQuitty, was in the audience. I was scared out of my wits. But I was also so incredibly grateful.
Most of us don’t delight in weakness, limitations, and vulnerabilities. You’re never going to see a Marvel movie about an average human being like you and me struggling to make it to payday, yelling at their kids, or being overcome with debilitating anxiety. Millions flock to theaters to down popcorn and watch superhero movies precisely because the heroes don’t have the same limitations we do.
I’ve always connected really strongly with places. Places are a little like people to me—they’ve got a personality, a history, a story. There are some places I’m drawn to immediately and some that don’t ever feel quite right, even if I’m not exactly sure why. And then there are a handful of places that have so defined periods of my life that they are inextricably linked to my own story. One of those places is Irving Bible Church.