chatter, november 2010

8/6/2019 Chatter, November 2010

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0



I’ve found myself watching a lot of movies lately. I think it’s some instinct that

kicks in for me around this time every year: temperatures drop and I begin mymonth-long waiting game.

November has always seemed like a time of waiting: waiting until I can breathein cold air and then waiting to exhale and see my breath in front of me, waitingfor the “socially acceptable” time to begin listening to a Christmas carol with-out shame and waiting to deck the halls with Christmas décor.

And what better way to wait than with a warm cup of HoCho (hot chocolat ) anda movie? I dare say, there is none. With way too much time on my hands, I’vegone a bit overboard and packed this letter full of movie titles so you, the reader,can play the game and get into the spirit of November movie watching whilereading along. (Hint: there have been 10 movie titles mentioned so far.)

Good luck on the hunt. (Now there have been 12.)

The ugly truth is, I’ve never really been good at waiting. I tend to live in “instantgrati cation” mode. Up until now, my life has been a never ending story of “want it; buy it.” It’s a wonderful life, really.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again; I am a product of my culture. I have the so-cial network of friends always available online where I can feel almost famous,I have movies on-demand and .com stores so I can be an online mallrat, I havethrift stores surrounding me that let me go Goodwill hunting without dig-ging through garage sales, I can dye my hair whatever color I want (I’m legallyblonde) and, although I’ve moved away, I can still meet the parents on Skype fora family date night.

Yup, I’ve grown up in a world where it’s always cool runnings as long as I feel I’min control. But that’s just it; that’s as good as it gets. It’s just a feeling of control;a feeling that I run my empire. The tricky part comes when I realize trying tocontrol things is a mission impossible and in reality I ’m just still waiting on theLord. That’s when the empire strikes back.

It’s for exactly that reason why this November proves to be a titanic of a monthto wait through. After more than se7en years of waiting for the right time for myhusband, Mark, and I to pursue our eld of dreams and move north, we nally

made it. We’re in year one of living in Portland, Ore., the city of roses, and we’re

enjoying the precious time we’ve had here. Even though we’re far from home,we’ve made friends, joined a great little pub church and still attend IBC longdistance. Life is beautiful here. It’s been exactly the amazing process we hopedit would be and it was de nitely worth the wait. But the blind side we’ve discov-ered after moving away has been that Mark decided to pursue his passionatedesire to be in the United States Air Force, one: as an o cer, and two: hopefullyas a ghter pilot.

As of the beginning of this sweet November, he has turned in everything re-quired (before the due date, might I add) to be considered for a spot as an AirForce o cer.

So now we wait.

We are keeping the faith by waiting for the Lord’s timing in our lives, waiting tohear if our lives are going to change drastically once again and waiting for thehopefully positive decision in January that a few good men and women makethat will determine our future’s inception.

As I’m sure many of you know rsthand, it’s hard to wait. Die hard. Especially if you just got through waiting for the deep impact of something equally as big. Ithink that’s part of being human though; realizing that on any given Sunday, orany day for that matter, God could make a decision and life as we know it couldchange and produce the best years of our lives or could lead us into the wild of the last crusade or into the twilight of a new moon.

I think I’m learning to be a better waiter. I’m getting more and more okay withthe idea of the unknown and that trusting in G.O.D. is way better than anyinstant grati cation I could try to produce. Without a shadow of a doubt, I canlook forward with a new hope that only Christ can o er.

So for now, I will cast away my impatience and sit in my bed of roses and faceo with a movie while Mark and I wait for the ring from the Air Force withoutfear, enjoying the dark knights of winter and all the chilly rain, man.

Oh, and for those of you still counting, there were over 70 movie titles mentioned.

Chattera letter from

Visit Chatter online at chattermag.com.Contact Chatter at [email protected].

Chatter is a publication of Irving Bible Church | 2435 Kinwest Pkwy, Irving, TX 75063

(972) 560-4600 | irvingbible.org

Stand-in Editor ExtraordinaireKristy Alpert

Art Direction, Design & GoodnessJosh Wiese & Dennis CheathamPhotographyDavid Farris (Basic 5K Update, A Hospitable Approach )Josh Miller (Basic 5K Update)

The Big CheeseBill Buchanan



October 9, 2010 — Basic 5KThe Fourth Annual Basic 5K (bene ting Water is Basic) had agreat turnout with over 575 runners raising over $25,000 to helpbring clean water to Sudan. This was also the rst year for theJerry Can Relay where 22 folks competed in teams of three or

ve with a solo runner carrying the 45+ pound Jerry Can full of

water the entire distance. Great job runners!


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INAugust 2004, Paul and Sandra Pickering joined their daughterJessica and her husband Joe Padilla’s church planting team on themission eld in the desert of Sudan.

Living in Sudan was di cult for the entire team, but times were especiallytough for Jessica who was beginning to show signs of depression. When her de-pression would become too great to manage, the couple would travel to Germa-ny to take some time to pray, rest and receive professional Christian counseling.After a few days, Jessica would rally, pull out of her depression and express herdesire to return to the eld to continue their work there, which they did.

“Jessica’s medication and our prayers didn’t seem to help,” remembers Joe.“But she persevered with the desert, Islam and her own exhausting depression.Finally, pressure from the Sudanese government regarding our visas made it

increasingly di cult for us to continue with our work.”

With the encouragement from their leaders, the couple decided to return to theStates in hopes of providing Jessica with a better and less stressful environ-ment. While adjusting to her new ministry role and life in America, Jessica be-gan to show some signs of unusual behavior; she was not sleeping well and shehad racing thoughts and excessive energy. The pair quickly found a Christianpsychiatrist who felt Jessica’s behavior was symptomatic of a brain conditioncalled Bipolar Disorder, or Manic Depressive Disorder.

The diagnosis was soon con rmed.

Even though Joe and Jessica’s church did not have full understanding or toolsabout mental illness, the church leaders and community rallied around them,providing all kinds of practical support.

“I watched my wife grow worse and worse … to the point where she lost theability to cope well with life,” says Joe. “Jessica didn’t want to be that way, butshe could not make herself well. Thus, in order to care for our children and ndJessica adequate care, we regrettably had to step aside from ministry.”

At that point, Joe remembers trying to comfort his ve children while feelinglike he was losing everything; his wife , the family’s nances and most impor-tantly the feeling of losing both his and Jessica’s dream and vision to serveJesus and the lost. “My wife’s health was in a devastating place and I was de-

stroyed,” says Joe. “But my pastor taught me years ago that when it’s hard, youhave to go deeper with God, not stay in despair.”

Joe and Jessica worked to “make the best of their situation” while continuingto seek help, but it wasn’t until Jessica’s parents, Paul and Sandra Pickering,came to visit in May of 2009 that the Pickerings realized the extent of Jessica’sunhealthy state. Her illness was having a very negative e ect on her family, andher parents, along with Joe, felt completely devastated and helpless.

In desperation, the Pickerings contacted Buzz Moody who was involved withthe National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI). God began to use Buzz in a powerful way, working with Joe by telephone, helping him understand whatwas going on in Jessica’s mind. The Lord used Buzz to help Joe understand howto help Jessica learn to deal with her brain disorder and how they, as a family,

could help not hinder her situation.

“God used Dr. Matt Stanford, professor of Psychology at Baylor University, tohelp us navigate the best we could despite the system failing us. He prepared meto go where Buzz Moody nally took me. Buzz helped me get God’s perspectiveand learn how to rebuild a healthy family,” Joe says. “Buzz always said, ‘If youdo not give up, you will see a side of God that you have never seen before.’ Godbegan to show me a greater way of helping Jessica get better and see our familyrise from the ashes. With the help of Jessica’s parents, we implemented a holis-tic approach to help Jessica regain her health and, literally, her life.”

Through a combination of prayer, medication, psychotherapy and a husbandseeking God’s help to restore his family, today Jessica is doing remarkably well.She has a renewed and solid love for Jesus, and is once again a loving wife and in-credible mom. The entire family has learned to understand Jessica’s disease andlive their lives in ways that help maintain a whole and successful life. It was bygoing through this process that they have a greater hope and a deeper life in God.

But, the story doesn’t end there. God had a plan!

NAMI states that one in four Americans meet criteria for having a diagnosablemental illness. Hundreds have been through absolute devastation and can’t nd

a church that will reach out to help them. Dr Stanford’s research shows thatonly ve percent of churches are supportive of a family with a loved one whohas a mental illness/brain disorder and that believers and non-believers alike,

Did you know these people had Bipolar Disorder?Albert Einstein, Patty Duke, Mel Gibson, BrittanySpears, Beethoven, Ernest Hemingway, CarrieFisher, Margot Kidder and Buzz Aldrin.

The median age of onset forbipolar disorder is 25 years.

“And There Came a Lion”

When a lion, in the form of mental illness,came seeking to ravage and destroy one missionary family

1 Samuel 17:34



“Bipolar disorder literally changes your brain; its shape, itschemistry and the way it handles the signals it is bombardedwith on a second-by-second basis. In this sense, it is nodi erent from any of the scores of neurological diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s chorea.Bipolar disorder is a disease of the brain that primarily a ectsemotion and thought rather than memory or movement.”Taming Bipolar Disorder by Lori Oliwenstein (Psychology Today, 2004)

Mental Illness SeminarAn illness of the silent sufferingFor years mental illness has been a taboo topic in the church.Oftentimes those who suffer with a mental illness do so privatelyto avoid seeming “different,” and those who don’t suffer from amental illness struggle with the “right way” to talk to someonewith one.

On November 7, 2010, IBC is hosting a seminar that will help clearup many of the misconceptions out there about mental illness.Taught by Tony Campbell from the Depression Connection in FortWorth (a ministry for people who struggle with mental illness), thisseminar is for anyone with a mental illness, their family members,

caretakers, friends or even just those curious about how to re-spond to someone with a mental illness.

It is a three hour crash course in what mental illness is about andhow to deal with it. Tony, who also suffers from bipolar disorder,gets to the heart of things and includes experiences from hisown life to help increase understanding of these illnesses. Callthe church or e-mail Buzz Moody at [email protected] to signup. There will also be a kiosk set up the two Sundays before theseminar.

What: Mental Illness Seminarled by Tony Campbellfrom the Depression Connection

When: November 7, 2010 from 12:30–3:30 p.m. Where: West C & D at IBC

For more information, contact Buzz Moody: [email protected].

who are experiencing psychological distress, are more likely to seek help fromclergy before any other professional group. His research also shows that manypastors believe mental illness is a matter of weak faith or sin and are counsel-

ing people to stop taking medication, get “right with God” and pray more. Onewould not counsel a patient with diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease or a brain tumorin this manner, but due to lack of understanding, this is a very real scenario forthe patient with a brain disorder.

It’s with this in mind, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, that Joe and Dr. MattStanford, with the blessing of their church, are establishing a new ministrycalled Mental Health Grace Alliance, to bring change and hope for families andchurches. They are trying to raise awareness and nancial support, as well asproducing literature for families and holding faith-based support groups. Theyplan to train pastors and church leaders to recognize potential brain disorders,and will establish a group of professionals to which the clergy can refer people.Their long-term goal is to eventually open a facility in Texas to care for indi-viduals with acute care needs and their families.

We need to change how the world views mental illness and we need to startwith the church. For more information, contact the Mental Health GraceAlliance at (254) 498–5874 and [email protected] or go to www.mhgracealliance.org.

Paul & Sandra Pickering have ridden elephants in Thailand, camels in Sudan

and had an encounter with whale sharks in Djibouti.

Bipolar disorder affects approximately5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6percent of the U.S. population age 18 andolder in a given year.

Dr. Pepper was invented inWaco, Texas, and is the of cialsoft drink of Baylor University.



BREAKFAST

TACOSM ACKDOWNIn September Chatter , we pitted the

oh-so-authentic goodness of gas sta-tion tacos (courtesy Taquerias Dulceinside the Speedy K Mart in Coppell)against contender Taqueria Guada-lajara in Lewisville to see who mightemerge the forerunner in our unendingquest to nd the best breakfast taco inthe D/FW area. (And when we say “un-ending,” we really mean November.)This month we’re throwing the judgessomething new to munch on: break-fast BBQ tacos from Rudy’s in Denton.That’s right. Eggs, cheese, tortilla —

but with a little taste of Texas. Will BBQbeat out the best? Time to saddle up.

ROUND THREEThe Contender:Rudy’s Country Store & BBQ520 S Interstate 35 EDenton, TX 76205(940) 484–7839

The cost (for a three-item taco): $1.85; $0.25 per additional ingredient

In the northern reaches of the metroplex just off of I-35E in Denton is Rudy’s CountryStore & BBQ. 100 percent of Chatter pressmen agree, you won’t need much lunchafter you’ve lled your tank with breakfast tacos from Rudy’s.

The JudgesThe Egg Apostate: Lauri “I do not like them Sam-I-Am” LanierThe Egg Apologist: Hunter “Egg-head” Roese



LauriWhat I AteBarbeque beef (brisket) taco and chorizo taco

The AtmosphereFirst off, it’s a looong way out there. You wouldn’t think you could get

anything but BBQ and beer at this place, but there they were — break-fast tacos on the menu. It must be a popular place. I think this becausethe restaurant had a Six Flags-type line layout; you know, where the zig-zag ropes lead you to where you’re going, past great big tubs lled withbottles of beer and soda and ice.

I liked the oversized table on the patio where we sat. I felt a little likeAlice in Wonderland because we didn’t “ t” the table. (And it was justa BBQ place!)

The Food

I was ruined with the last place, but the tacos were pretty good here,too. I liked the BBQ taco because it was different, but both tacos wereavorful and didn’t really need the salsa to be tasty. (I did like the hot

salsa the best though.)

The Aftermath (how you felt afterwards)No ill effects.

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 6

HunterWhat I AteBacon taco, sausage taco and ham taco

The AtmosphereProbably the coolest atmosphere of all the places. The inside layout

is much like any other BBQ place. You pick up your food in a crate andthen can sit inside or out. The inside seating is pretty standard, butoutside there is a giant table with giant chairs and benches. (Emphasison GIANT). The big furniture added a lot of points for me because it wassomething out of the ordinary.

The FoodWhen most people think of breakfast tacos in Texas, this is probablywhat they have in mind (soft our tortilla, egg, cheese and choice ofmeat). I chose a bacon taco, a sausage taco and a ham taco — all verygood. If you’re on the way to work searching for a classic breakfast,these would be the tacos of choice. Good quality and good taste, butnothing special.

The Aftermath (how you felt afterwards)Of all the taco places, this one hit me the hardest. Nothing too crazy —just the after-greasy-food stomach cramps.

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 7

Average Score:6.5 out of 10 Grade AA Eggs

The Final TallyTaqueria Guadalajara: 6 Grade AA EggsTaquerias Dulce: 8.5 Grade AA EggsRudy’s Country Store & BBQ: 6.5 Grade AA Eggs

Parting Shots from the Scorer’s TableAlthough we know it’s hard for any Texan to take second place, there was nodenying that Taquerias Dulce (inside Speedy K in Coppell) ran away with thetitle of Best Breakfast Taco of the Three Chatter Has Tried So Far, followed byRudy’s BBQ and then by Taqueria Guadalajara (in third place by only a paltry0.5 Grade AA Eggs).

But the best news of all was that Egg Apostate Lauri was able to expand hercosmology to include egg-based breakfasts, and Egg Apologist Hunter foundhis faith in poultry * con rmed beyond a reasonable doubt.

Have ideas for future Smackdowns? E-mail us at [email protected].

* With the exception of Chicken Little, whom we all know is a paranoid rabble-rouser.

RUDY’S RESULTS :

THE CONCLUSION



Chatter | 8

The queen of southern hospitality,Paula Deen, started cooking tohelp cope with her fear of leavingthe house (agoraphobia).

Every Sunday at IBC, there is an army of men and women who wake up early, put on theirnametags and proudly serve our community. You maynot know their names, but you certainly know their

faces. They direct you to your parking spot, open thedoor for you as you come in and make sure you have a place

to sit. Oh, and if you spill your co ee, need help with your babyor need directions to one of IBC’s many oddly named rooms,they can do that, too. They are the Hospitality Team of IrvingBible Church. They are doctors, teachers, housewives, pilots andelectricians during the week but on Sundays, they become thewelcoming face of IBC. If you are looking for a place to connectwith an amazing group of folks whose mission is to create a safeand friendly environment for people to see Jesus, then Hospital-ity Ministry may be for you. For more information or to sign up,contact Kelly Haney at [email protected].

A Hospitable Approach



Chatter | 9

“The power of a smile, especially yours, can heala frozen heart … And I’ma say this to every man,woman and child. Don’t you ever be afraid to smile;the power of a smile.” Power of a Smile, 2Pac

Legend has it that the practice of shaking hands was developed toensure that neither man could wield a weapon at close range, thusintroducing an instant common bond.

More Than a HandshakeI can be having just an awful week: problems at work, sick parents, I’ve got a million things to do and no time to do it, etc. Then it’s Sunday, and as tired as Iam and as many problems as I may have, I climb out of bed, get dressed and go tochurch to do the thing I most love to do.

I’ve been ushering for the 10:45 service for about four years now. Every week I

smile when I see the same people sit in the same seats (or as close as possible).But I see nothing wrong with the pattern; it helps me nd them. They’re myfriends. Not acquaintances, mind you; but people I consider to be true friends.I’m genuinely happy to see them and they smile when they see me. It’s a blessedman who can say he has so many friends. To be an usher, that’s one of theneeded skills: you really need to enjoy meeting your friends every week. Rough job, huh?

Over the years, I’ve learned that my ministry is, to the best of my ability, torepresent my Lord to anyone who walks into my church and comes into thatWorship Center. Whether it’s to give advice, to point them in a direction, to pray

with them or to just stand there and listen. In short, when they see me, theyneed to be able to see Jesus. And I assure you, the love I have for them is real. It’san honor to get a chance to represent my Lord that way every Sunday alongsideso many other members of the hospitality team that are doing the same.

Then, after the last person has left at the end of the service, after I’ve shakenmy last hand and given my last hug, I head back out to my car. A smile on myface. A skip in my step. Ready to take on the rest of my life. Knowing it’s onlyone more week until I get to do this again. What a blessing; what a beautiful,beautiful ministry.

Bob Gooding

Two-Way HospitalityHaving joined IBC from a much smaller church, it was initially an adjustmentto be a part of something so big. IBC is a very large church, where a visitor couldreally feel unnoticed (unintentional, of course). If the visitor is a quiet, intro-verted person by nature, this could be an even more di cult adjustment. SinceI happen to be an extrovert, I decided to channel my personality and spiritualgifts into making people feel welcomed and noticed.

I have ushered for a few years now. I like to give everyone in my section a greet-ing and a smile to let them know they are noticed and we are glad they are there.The smiles and greetings in return make my morning. When I rst got involved,I began ushering the same section for several weeks in a row. I noticed manyof the same people sit in my section each week. I began to add, “See you nextweek,” to let them know I will be looking for them, and I have since learned a few of their names and hope to learn many more.

This past summer, I was out for a long time due to surgery. I didn’t give muchthought as to whether my absence would be noticed; after all, “Ushers come and

go.” One precious family came in to sit in my section, as they had regularly donebefore my surgery. Telling them I was glad to see them and had been out due tosurgery, the wife, Patricia, responded, “Yes, I know. I’ve been praying for you.”That really surprised me and made me feel wonderful! I came away realizing Iam getting so much more from ushering than I am giving.

In giving of our time and talents, we are so richly blessed. We are all part of God’s family, and I was blessed that day by a sister in Christ. It also reinforcedto me how important it is for us to take the time to share a smile and words of love and encouragement wherever we go.

Debra Putman

Parking Be the rst to greetpeople as they arrive on the IBCcampus and assist people in quick-ly nding a parking place. Morningservice only (10:15–11a.m.). Perksinclude using a walkie-talkie!

Greeter Make people feel wel-come as they walk into the build-ing on Sunday. Cheerfully answerany questions and direct or escortfolks to the Worship Center, TownSquare and Bible communities.Serve 15 minutes before and 10minutes after the start of any ser-

vice you choose.

Hosts Located in the hub of theTown Square to provide informa-tion regarding ministries, Biblecommunities, etc. Arrive 15 min-utes before service begins andthen hang around for a few minutesafter it starts to help those that ar-rive late.

Ushers Greet people as they enterthe Worship Center, assist themto a seat, receive the offering andassist with communion. Arrive 15minutes before service begins.

For more information e-mail Kelly Haney at [email protected].

Four great ways to serve at IBC – join the Hospitality Team!



Chatter | 10

GOD HELP THEM!



Chatter | 11

The population of Sudanis estimated at 41,087,825(July 2010)

Sudan has 597 tribes that speak over400 different languages and dialects.

Of the 140 airports in Sudan,19 have paved runways.

Irving Bible Church has many connections in Sudan through our partner-ships with African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM, Inc.) andWater Is Basic (WIB). Therefore, it’s imperative that we stay informed and prayinformed about the upcoming referendum in January 2011 that could split Africa’slargest country in two, creating the world’s newest and least developed country.Behind the facts discussed below are thousands of stories of “lost boys and girls,”families split apart, death, destruction, refugees eeing then returning and more.Yet, in the midst of all this pain are also beautiful stories of redemption; stories of

God bringing beauty from ashes as only he can do. It will take the hosts of heavento bring about true and lasting peace in Sudan. Read the facts and ask God tointervene. Ask for his perfect justice to prevail. Then, contact our partners and

nd out how you can make a di erence with your own resources, skill sets, giftsand passions.

Past issuesEven before Sudan gained independence from Britain in 1956, civil war had erupted.British-ruled Sudan wasn’t one country; it was, and continues to be, two countries.The South is underdeveloped and populated by Dinkas, Nuers, Azandes and at leasta hundred other ethnic groups of African descent. The North is wealthier and is a

Saharan world with ties to the Muslim Middle East. A break in the civil war beganin 1972 and lasted until 1983 when the war broke out again. Twenty-two years later,in 2005, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the National CongressParty (NCP) in the North and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) inthe South was signed. The CPA granted autonomy to South Sudan for an interimperiod of six years. At the end of this six-year period, a referendum is scheduledallowing those living in South Sudan to decide whether to remain part of the nationwith religious and political autonomy or to break awayand form their own nation.

ALARM began working in Sudan long before the CPAwas signed. Many ALARM sta ers lost familymembers to war, disease and other causes directlyrelated to these issues. Immediately following thesigning of the CPA, ALARM began reconciliatione orts between northern and southern pastors. Outof those e orts, several initiatives were born, in-cluding WIB in 2006. Since WIB’s organization, theSudanese drilling team has drilled over 200 wellsbringing clean water to hundreds of thousandsthroughout Sudan.

Present realitiesDuring this time between the signingof the CPA (2005) and the referendum(January 2011), the two sides are man-dated to explore options for unity. Theevidence is clear that the people of SouthSudan will overwhelming choose secessionif Sudan’s President and head of the NCP,Omar al-Bashir, goes through with the referen-dum as planned.

South Sudan holds the bulk of the oil reserves that

power the Sudanese economy. As agreed upon in theCPA, South Sudan currently gets 98 percent of theirincome from oil revenues remitted by the Khartoumgovernment in the North. If the South votes to secede, it willbe landlocked and dependent on the pipeline through the north toexport its oil. There has been no agreement as to how this might work.

Other looming issues that threaten a peaceful referendum are demarcation of a 1,300 mile (2,100 kilometer) border between the two regions, division of the borderregion’s oil revenues, registration of the southern Sudanese who ed the area dueto the ghting and correction of the procedural and logistical problems seen in lastmonth’s national and local elections.

As if Sudan didn’t have enough complications, a separate referendum will be heldin the volatile, oil-rich Abyei region where residents will vote on whether to join the

North or the South. A top o cial in Abyei recently accused the Khartoum govern-ment of resettling tens of thousands of Arab nomads to alter the population and tipthe vote in the North’s favor.

There are also border issues in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions (both arein North Sudan) where divisions risk leading to unrest. During the civil war, manypeople fought alongside or supported the SPLM while other groups identi ed withthe NCP and as a result communities are d ivided. Many now fear being left on the

wrong side of the border should the South decide to secede.

One of the ways ALARM is helping in many of the above mentioned areas of Sudanis in the development of leaders. ALARM trains civilian and religious leaders incharacter building, theology, con ict resolution, community development andforgiveness. They are training leaders to care more about the people they lead thanthey do about themselves and their tribal loyalties.

Compounding these political realities are the tremendous humanitarian needs of the people in Sudan: one in every six pregnant women will die in childbirth, only veout of six newborns will make it to their rst birthday, less than two percent of thosewho start primary school nish, more than 90 percent live on less than a dollar a day and millions will need food handouts this year and 85 percent of people canneither read nor write. Both ALARM and WIB are addressing these needs on a dailybasis through their work. Your prayers and resources are keeping this work movingforward … and are needed now more than ever.

Future possibilitiesIf the referendum is held as scheduled and the

South votes to secede, up to 2,000,000 southernSudanese living in the North could be deportedor stripped of their citizenship. Thousands of Sudanese living in neighboring countries could

also return to South Sudan.

Or the entire country could erupt in war.

The bishops of Sudan are calling for a na-tion that respects life and human rights,

regardless of the outcome of the Januaryreferendum that could lead to the secession

of the southern portion of the country. Thebishops issued this statement:

“In the event that unity of Sudan is the legitimate

outcome of the process, we call for a change of heart among those in power, to bring about a unity

embracing all, in a just, free and open society, wherethe human dignity of every citizen is safeguarded and

respected. In the event that the people of Southern Sudanchoose secession, we call upon those in power to ensure good

neighborly relations and a smooth and peaceful transition. In particular we encourage the parties to reach amicable solu-tions to practical questions such as oil, citizenship and border

issues — solutions which bene t all.”

In the December issue of Chatter , look for our prayerguide to help you as you continue to pray for the peopleof Sudan and for shalom to spread across the entirecountry. Visit IBC partners: www.alarm-inc.org and

www.waterisbasic.org for more information. You canread more about Sudan and issues regarding the upcoming

referendum at the following links: petemullerphotography.com/blog and www.30-days.net/muslims/sudan-war-links.

Debbie Atteberry usually reads between 10 and 12 books at the same time. You should not ask her what she has been reading lately unless you are on your lunch hour!

NORTH SUDAN

SOUTH SUDAN

SOUTHKORDOFANABYEI

BLUENILE



Chatter | 12

Movies lmed in the Philippines: Bornon the Fourth of July (1989), ApocalypseNow (1979), An Of cer and a Gentleman(1982) and Brokedown Palace (1999).

Unlike many of their Asiancounterparts, Filipinos donot eat with chopsticks;they use western cutlery.

Trafficking in the Philippines The facts are staggering. But the reality is much worse. Thereality is there are individuals in the Philippines — women,girls, even men and boys at times — whose lives have beengiven so little regard that they now consider themselvesworth nothing more than for what they are bought or sold.

Individuals with dreams like nishing school and beinghappily married now believe they never have the hope of attaining their dreams.

So what about this conglomeration of more than 7,000islands in the middle of the Paci c Ocean makes it sus-ceptible to human tra cking? Although some of the mostbeautiful island destinations in the world can be foundhere, so can extreme amounts of abject poverty. With 26percent of families (many of which have more than vechildren) living on less than $300 a year, desperation is

bound to exist.

However, not all impoverished nations have such highnumbers of tra cking victims. Tra cking exists whereit is not prosecuted, and the Philippines have historicallyturned a blind eye to this atrocity. However, new e ortsare arising, including a three year partnership signed onAugust 19, 2010, between the Philippine government andU.S. government for better investigation, prosecution andconviction of human tra ckers.

However, even with the renewed e orts of the government,there is a shortage of places victims, once rescued, can goto nd protection or support to start a new life. Accord-ing to the Tra cking in Persons (TIP) Report 2010, “Thegovernment’s capacity to provide shelter and protectionis severely limited due to inadequate budgets, and thereare regular instances where victims are unable to accessgovernment protection services.”

My Refuge House (MRH) started in 2008 to help meetthe need for victims to experience safety in the midst of

turmoil. Since that time, more than 20 young women havefound hope and healing through its short term rehabilita-tion program. Hope for achieving their dreams again. Andhealing to believe they are worth more than what someperson decided they should be worth.

One former victim said she liked MRH because the sta taught her how to read and she knew she would never gohungry while she was there. Another said she appreciatedthe sta for being so caring and understanding of her situa-tion. Both girls have moved on, pursuing those dreams that

seemed so far out of reach last year.

My Refuge House has begun construction on a newfacility but is still in the process of raising money for thecompletion of that facility. The rental facility previouslyused, can no longer meet the needs of the program. Pleaseconsider partnering with this ministry and helping others,like the girls mentioned in this story, nd hope and healingin their lives.

For more information, visit myrefugehouse.org.

Philippines

Human TraffickingBY THE NUMBERS

Worldwide

2,400,000 people are sold every year.

Sold for sex. Sold for labor. Sold for pro ts.

In the Republic of the Philippines

300,000 – 400,000 people are sold every year.

Sold for sex. Sold for labor. Sold for pro ts.



Chatter | 13

Among others, November is also NationalAdoption month, Peanut Butter Lover’s month,Aviation month, International Drum month andNational Model Railroad month.

The game of Chessoriginated in India inthe 6 th century.

Sukhwant and Vinita Bhatia are partnersof IBC’s international missions minister-ing in North India, speci cally as foundersof North India Institute of Theological Studies (NIITS) providing theological ed-ucation to the entire region of North India. Below is an update from Sukhwant of howGod is reaching India through indigenousChristian workers.

Vinita has quietly developed a signi cantministry at Pathways World School thatour two daughters attend. She initiated a fun reading program for primary childrenand Parent-Teacher-Partnership for BetterLearning, and has created a support groupfor mothers for encouragement and coun-seling. She is the only Christian mother

carrying this monumental task.Vinita was asked to represent the seniorschool parents to meet with the IndianGovernment o cials from the Departmentof Education. Since the enactment of Rightto Education Act of 2009, the governmenthas been taking its task very seriously notonly to revamp the present system but topioneer new ways of education from pre-primary to PhD. India is setting up 150 new

universities to meet the rising demand forhigher education.

The panel lamented the fact that Indianeducation institutions still follow the oldBritish model of three “R’s” of reading,writing and arithmetic. The new educationmodels instead need to focus on three “H’s”of head, heart and hand, where the childrenwould get head knowledge but will alsolearn morality, ethics, social and commu-nity life, while learning about sanctity of allkinds of work.

The need was felt to unlock the creativepotential of children and to evaluate theirlearning not only by grades but also onvarious other parameters.

In contrast to this, it seems that the propo-nents of large-scale theological educationin India want to focus on basic education totrain only the grass-root workers. It is timethat we raised the bar on quality of Chris-tian workers and our expectations of theirservice to the church at large. India now hasworld-class institutions to provide educa-tion in business, medicine, IT and other

elds, but not in the queen of sciences: the-ology. Please pray alongside us as we striveto make this dream a reality.

For more information on Sukhwant and Vinita Bhatia please visit them online at www.niits.net

Thanksgiving Baskets are Here!Over the years IBC’s congregation has generously provided for thousands of lo-cal families during the Thanksgiving season. Just imagine how many families,moms, dads, aunts, uncles and little ones this directly a ects around the stress-ful and often di cult holiday season.

Last year IBC gave over 1,500 Thanksgiving baskets over owing with all the x-ings for a great holiday meal. IBC is impacting the local community in incred-ible ways and showing the love of Jesus Christ through this project. This yearwe have a goal to exceed last year’s amount and collect 2,000 baskets to giveeven more to the surrounding community!

Laundry baskets will be available for pick up on Sunday, October 31 in the TownSquare. In these baskets there will be a list of food items. We are asking them tobe returned with all the goodies no later than Sunday, November 21.

Please ll your baskets with the following items:

• Canned goods including: green beans, corn,peas, carrots, yams, baked beans, etc.

• Bags of pinto beans, rice or potatoes

• Cranberry sauce, applesauce or fruit

• Cookie mixes, or Jell-O

• Macaroni or stu ng

• Jars of gravy

• Salad dressing, salt and pepper

• And/or your favorite Thanksgiving food item• Please include a short note of encouragement with a $20 gift card to

Albertson’s, Tom Thumb or Kroger for a turkey and fresh foods

Please do not include any bread, rolls, chips or anything that could crush easily.

Place your basket, note and gift card inside the bag provided and tie the top withthe rubber band. Please return no later than Sunday, November 21.

If you would like to volunteer for this project please contact Anna Martinez:[email protected].

God is Moving through India,One Christian at a Time

T M



Chatter | 14

T his M onTh

Bible CommunitiesCommunities on Sunday

There’s always something newgoing on in Bible communities!Here’s a taste of what’s going onthis month:

Synergy — 9 a.m.High School RoomCome join us as we delve into aparenting series entitled “SacredParenting.” Instead of discuss-ing how parents can change theirkids, Gary Thomas turns the tablesand demonstrates how God usesour kids to change us.

Girlfriends — 10:45 a.m.Commons Annex A Bible study for women of anyage or station in life who attendchurch alone. Join us as we studyGod’s word together and prayfor each other. We will be sharing

ways God can help us to de-stressour busy lives. Join us the firstSunday of each month for “Pan-cakes & Prayer.”

Central Park — 6:45 p.m.Conference RoomCentral Park is a group of youngadults focused on studying God’sword and living in community withone another. In November we willbe exploring the idea of Christiancommunity more closely as wetake a look at I Corinthians.

The Point — 6:45 p.m.The AlcoveCome join one of our table discus-sions: Tilt-a-Whirl by N.D Wilson,Sermon Series or A Walk throughthe Parables.

For more information or to find out more about all our Bible com-munities, go to biblecommunities.irvingbible.org or call Jen at (972) 560–4655.

ChildrenInfants Through 5 th Grade

Looking for an Opportunityto Serve?We have a place for you! Men,women, teens, girls and boys! Welove them all! Contact Michelleat [email protected] formore info.

Respite Care for Special NeedsCaregiversOne Saturday evening a monthrespite is provided by volunteersto give caregivers of children

with special needs a few hours tothemselves.

Support Group for Familiesof Special Needs ChildrenFirst Wednesdays of the month

6:30–8:30 p.m.The first Wednesday of eachmonth a support group for fami-lies meets after the weekly meal.For more information contact Di-ana at [email protected].

The Special Needs Ministryis Growing!Space to expand the ministryhas been a huge prayer for theministry. Many of our childrenhave grown beyond the age limitthat Children’s Ministry serves.IBC is blessed and strives to servethose who come to learn moreabout God’s love for them andbuild a lasting relationship withothers who love him. Volunteersmake this happen. Find out moreby e-mailing Diana at [email protected] or sign up to serveat servekids.irvingbible.org.

MyZone*MyZone is a safe environment forkids with team building activities,

life-application conversations, andhigh impact fun!

Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m.in the Zone, Grades K–5 th

Zone 6:30*Zone 6:30 is agreat way foryour elementaryage child to growdeeper in theirspiritual walk.Now is the time

to take that next step for yourchild and sign them up for thisdynamic small group Bible Studythat has a lifelong impact.

Who: K–5th gradeWhen: 6:15–8:30 p.m. everyTuesdayWhere: The ZoneFee: $25 per child to cover thecost of the study book and activi-ties through the year.

Register online at

zone630.irvingbible.org*For more info contact MelissaFranke at [email protected].

Community CareHope for the Hurting

Recovery at IBC — Thursdays,6:30 p.m. — The CommonsPerfectionism, pride, overeating,

shopping, anger, control ... andyou thought Recovery at IBC was just about drug, alcohol or sexualaddictions!

Grace for the WoundedGrace for the Wounded is aconfidential weekly small groupprogram for survivors of abusein all forms. We cover issues likewhat the Bible says about abuseand how surviving abuse hasimpacted us. The dynamics andimpacts of abuse are universal andall are welcome.

Women’s group starts at 6:30 p.m.Contact Bernadette (Bernie):(678) 860–4575

Men’s group starts at 6:30 p.m.Contact Paul: (214) 226-8234

EspañolBilingual Ministry

Traducción del Servicio losDomingosTraducción simultánea en el Servi-cio de las 5 p.m. Escuchénlo en lared: irvingbible.org. Se necesitantraductores.

Sunday Service TranslationSimultaneous translation availableduring the 5 p.m. service. SpanishTranslations online at irvingbible.org. Translators needed.

ESL: (Ingles Como SegundoIdioma) — AZ14 & 15¿Quiere aprender inglés? ¿Qui-ere mejorar su inglés? ¡Ven a lasclases de inglés (ESL)!

Practica en las cuatro destrezas:lectura, escritura, oral y auditiva.

Cada miércoles desde 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Para más información, contacte aLauren Menge: [email protected]

Estudio Biblico de MujeresMartes 9:30 a 11:30 a.m. o 6:30 a8:30 p.m. Acompañanos a estudiary meditar en la palabra de Dios junto a otras mujeres.

Women’s Bible StudyTuesday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 6:30to 8:30 p.m. Join us as we studyand meditate on God’s word withother women.

ExploreLearning Experiences for the Journey

AlphaWednesdays from 6:30–8 p.m. inTraining Center

IBCMenMinistry to Men

First Watch on FridaysMeets through November 12,6:22 a.m. in The Commons

First Watch on TuesdaysMeets through November 16,6:30 p.m. in West C/D

First Watch XtraWednesdays, 6:30 a.m.inthe Training Center

Visit men.irvingbible.org for info.

ResourcesStuff People Need

Volunteer at the Citizen Class Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m.Interested in leading others toobtain the necessary knowledgein their preparation in becominga U.S. citizen? Join our team onWednesday nights now throughDecember 17. No experience nec-essary! Contact Michael Larson [email protected].

Seasoned SaintsFor the Young at Heart (ages 55+)

Celtic Blaze — November 14,2:30 p.m. — EntertainmentCenter at Carpenter HallJoin us for a fun night out as wesee Celtic Blaze , a fast-pacedblend of singing, Celtic step danc-ing and Irish fiddling. For moreinformation, visit entertainment-seriesofirving.com or call the BoxOffice at (972) 253–1383.

Dinner at El Fenix Thursday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m. at El Fe-nix on Airport Freeway (Hwy 183)west of Beltline.

Lend Me a Tenor — Thursday,November 18, 8 p.m.Join us for a night at the theatreas the ICT Mainstage (DupreeTheatre) presents Lend Me aTenor , a comedy of mishaps!Rated PG13. For more info, visitirvingtheatre.org or call the BoxOffice at (972) 252–2787

Potluck Lunch and FellowshipNov. 21 — The Commons Annex Meet us in the Commons Annexadjoining the Haven immediatelyfollowing the 10:45 a.m. servicefor lunch and fellowship. Bring a

dish to share.To add or remove names fromthe Seasoned Saints mailing list,e-mail [email protected].



Chatter | 15

Single-Parent FamilyCommunity and Resources

Mentors and Mentees Meet &Eat — Wednesday, November3, 5:45 p.m. — HavenSports and games afterwards!

Car Care EventSaturday, November 6

Mentors and Kids “MysteryOuting” — Saturday, November6, 10 a.m.Meet at IBC at 10 a.m. by the sil-ver sculpture. Includes lunch and amajor surprise!

Camping Trip Nov. 13–14Pilot KnollPark on LakeLewisvilleJoin us for tent

camping, fishing, boating, hikingand loads of fun!

On Track Pot LuckSunday, November 14

Movie Night at TrinityBroadcasting Network facility

Saturday, November 20Progressive Thanksgiving DinnerNovember 27

Children’s Christmas ParadeSaturday morning, December 4,Dallas

Women’s Christmas Dinnerfor Single Moms — Tuesday,December 7, 6:30–9 p.m.Contact Jennifer, director of theSingle Parent Ministry, at jerlen-

[email protected] for moreinformation.

Questions about a single-parentevent? Contact Marsha at(972) 560–4633 x586 [email protected].

Student MinistriesMiddle/High School and College

Sundays — 6:45–8 p.m.6–8th grade meets in The Commons

9–12th grade meets in the HighSchool Room

WednesdaysJoin us each Wednesday to expe-rience The “W.”

Bring $3 for a delicious meal andstay for fun, games & relationships.

High School RetreatWho: All 9–12th gradersWhen: November 12–14Where: Sky Ranch; Van, TexasCost: $160

Contact [email protected].

College Ministry — Tuesdays,7:30 p.m. — The AlcoveJoin the IBC College MinistryTuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. in theAlcove (below the Mosaic Cafe atIBC). For more information, con-tact [email protected].

WeMinistry To Women

Women’s Fall Bible Study“Sisterhood: From Alone toKnown”Tuesdays 9:30–11:30 a.m. -or-6:30–8:30 p.m. For more informa-tion or to register, go to irvingbi-ble.org and click on the women’sministry tab.

MOPS — Thursday, November18, 7–8:30 p.m. — The CommonsFor registration or more infor-mation contact Sara Taylor [email protected].

Young Adults20s and Early 30s

The Gathering for Young AdultsThis a chance for young adultsto relax, enjoy great music, food,conversation and life specificencouragement. Join us the firstthree Thursdays in November andDecember, 7 p.m. at the Mo.

Chat with Shauna NiequistNovember 5, at 7 p.m.The AlcoveA free gathering with the author

of Bittersweet , a book aboutthoughts on change, grace andlearning the hard way. See ad onpg. 17 for more information.

Showing of the Movie: “ThePlayground” — November 16,at 7 p.m. — The Kessler Theatre

Join us fora showingof the film“ThePlay-ground.”This is afilm to raiseawarenessabouthumantraffickingand sexual

exploitation in America. Directedby Libby Spears, Executiveproduced by George Clooney,Grant Heslov and Steven Soder-bergh. Tickets are $7 and areavailable at www.thekessler.org.For more info, contact [email protected].

2435 KinwestWednesday Nights at IBC

Job Transition Workshop Wednesdays, 6:30–8 p.m.IBC Career Transition Ministrywelcomes you to join us onWednesday nights for training andinformation on your job searchneeds. During our eight-weekprogram we will cover job search,resume, interview, networking,issues and general questions or

concerns. You are welcome to joinat any time. What sets us apartfrom other group meetings is thatwe offer one-on-one attention toaddress your specific needs. Formore information please [email protected].

FREE Citizenship Class Wednesdays from 6:30–8 p.m.

It’s not too late;you can stillbecome a U.S.Citizen! If you areat least 18 yearsold and have beenissued a Perma-nent ResidentCard and have adesire to become

a Naturalized U.S. citizen, please join us each Wednesday night.The class will run approximatelytwelve weeks. We’ll guide youthrough the N-400 paper workand prepare you for the maincomponents of the new citizen-ship test. Class is free and studymaterials are provided, butstudents are responsible for thefees associated for N-400 applica-tion process, payable to the U.S.Naturalization Services. Studentsmay attend the class withouthaving to submit for the N-400.E-mail [email protected] register.

ESL: English as a SecondLanguage — Wednesdays,6:30–8:30 p.m. — AZ14 & 15Do you want to learn English? Doyou want to improve your English?Come to ESL classes! Practiceall four skills: speaking, listening,reading and writing. For moreinfo, contact Lauren Menge [email protected].

Visit 2435kinwest.org for a list of other activities and ways toget involved.

MiscellaneousA Little Bit of Everything

Stitches of FaithTuesdays, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.Mosaic CaféWe are meeting at the MosaicCafé on Tuesday evenings from6:30–8:30 p.m. Come join us aswe continue to craft afghans forour military and learn a newskill or technique. Questions?Contact Wendy Vera at(214) 533–2781 or [email protected].

IBC Crop NightDecember 3, 5–10 p.m.The Commons Annex Join us for scrapbooking funFriday December 3. Just bringyour pictures, albums and toolsand let’s crop. If you are new toscrapbooking let us know andwe will be happy to help get youstarted. Don’t hesitate to join usif you are a card maker, papercrafter or digital scrapper. Formore information please contactNikki Heinemann at [email protected].

Budget CoachingAre you ready to get financially fit?Want someone to help coach youso you can take control of yourfinances God’s way? For more infoabout getting a personal budgetcoach, contact [email protected].

Hearing AssistanceHearing Assistance is availableduring all three worship services. You can stop by the JourneyLounge for instructions.

NICHE (North Irving ChristianHome Educators)No meeting is scheduled forNovember. We pray each of youhave a blessing-filled Thanksgiv-ing holiday, surrounded by thoseyou love!

-Your NICHE Board of Directors;contact NICHE at: [email protected].

New ArrivalsCongratulations to thefollowing families on the birthsof their children:

Steven and Joanie Smith and theirson Henry (Hank) Robert Smith,born August 12, weighing 8 lbsand 15 oz, 19 ¾ inches.

Fred and Joanne Cunha and theirson Mattias Linden, born Septem-ber 7, weighing 7 lbs and 11 oz,19 inches.



Are You New to IBC?

Newcomer Gathering is for you.

You're probably wanting to learn more about whowe are, what we believe and how to get plugged in.

Wednesday, November 3, 6:30 p.m., The Alcove

If you are new to IBC, we invite you to attend a NewcomerGathering. This informal get-together is for anyone want-ing to learn more about who we are, what we believe andhow to get plugged in — regardless of where you are onyour spiritual journey. Meet elders and church leadership,ask questions and get to know other IBCers.

Register online at newcomergathering.irvingbible.org.

KidZone is available for children birth-preschool. Regis-ter 48 hours in advance at kidzone.irvingbible.org. Forchildren kindergarten-5 th grade, MyZone is availible, noregistration necessary.

This Thanksgiving, join other IBCers or ourannual Thanksgiving Day Break ast. Enjoy a great meal with riends, plus take a moment

to refect on God’s goodness to you. Break astbegins at 8:30 a.m. Please register at JourneyLounge so we know how to prepare. I youhave any questions or need any additionalin ormation, please call Rod or Karen at(214) 513-2589.

November 6 in The Commons

Lightingthe

FlameSunday, November 28

This year, instead of Lighting the Flame being a stand-aloneSaturday night event it has changed to Sunday November 28.Please join us as we celebrate the end of the church calendaryear and kick off the Advent season during Sunday services.

Please Note: Children Kindergarten – 5th grade shouldparticipate in this worship event with their families.There will not be children’s services for them this Sunday.

Kids’ Night Out is or single parent amilies. Parentsget an evening of, while their kids are mentoredby amazing volunteers. Tis month’s event is Tank-

ulness Cra Night. Here is a list o the estivities:

• Eat great ood

• Count your blessings

• Express your thank ulness

• Make Tanksgiving cra s and cards

• Learn the ve ingredients o “Te Lord’s Prayer”

• Bag up your own trail mix

• Watch “Charlie Brown’s Tanksgiving”

Kids’ Night Out

Tank ulness Craf NightSaturday, November 13, 6–9 p.m. in Te Alcove



Bittersweet Book Tour, with author, Shauna NiequistFriday, November , 7 p.m., in The Alcove

Join us for an intimate evening with the author of our October Chick Litpick. We’ll enjoy co ee, chocolate and great conversation as we hear more

of her story. Shauna Niequist will share herthoughts about friendship, loss and how wend God’s ngerprints in even the darkest sea-

sons. Together we will hear stories about faith,family and the nourishment we receive whenwe gather around the table with people welove. We’ll talk about the moments of loss thatshape us forever and the ways God redeems thebroken places in our lives.

We’ll be selling the book for $10 (cheaper than

Amazon!). For more information, contact Au-brey Flores at a [email protected].

Annual Women ’sChristmas Dinner

Tuesday, December 7, 6:30 p.m. at Irving Bible Church

W hat better way to kick off the Christmas season than anight out with the girls? Join us for an evening of festive

beauty, great conversation and lots of laughter.

This year’s dinner will feature the improv comedy of troupePavlov’s Dogs.Tickets are $20 each or $160/table of eight.Table décor raf e proceeds to bene t ALARM African Women’s Initiatives.

Tickets go on sale November 7–28 after women’s Bible studyand Sunday worship services. For more info or to registerfor KidZone, our excellent program for children, go towww.amovementofwomen.org.

Hosted by:

Community TreeIn years past, grabbingan angel from our Com-munity Tree in the TownSquare has been a greatway to worship and helpsomeone in need! This year

is no exception. The treewill go up the Sunday afterThanksgiving and will be

lled with opportunities for you to help thisChristmas. We will have angels for many dif-ferent causes, including the Gifts for Childrenof Prisoners Angel Tree Project, IBC FamilyNeeds, Community Partners and many others.Please consider taking a look and taking anangel (or two!).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MARY ANN AT [email protected].

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT NOVEMBER 12–14SKY RANCH—VAN, TX 9–12TH GRADERS COST $160

WITH YOUR BIBLE

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

HOW DO I GIVE



Chatter | 18

First Worship Service: 9 a.m.Children’s Classes (all ages)Nexus (40+ singles), The AlcoveThe Tree (newly and nearly weds), West DSynergy (30s and 40s couples),

Middle School Room

Second Worship Service: 10:45 a.m.Children’s Classes (all ages)Crossroads (mid 20s to mid 30s couples),

The AlcoveOn Track (single parents), West CJourney (all welcome), Middle School RoomGirlfriends (solo on Sundays),

Commons AnnexRenew (multi-generational), Training CenterThrive (30s and 40s singles), West D

Third Worship Service: 5 p.m.Children’s Classes (all ages)

Community Dinner: 6 p.m.

Community Events: 6:45 p.m.The Point (20s singles), The AlcoveCentral Park (20s singles & couples),

Conferance RoomLegacy Builders (all welcome), Zone Jr. 7Middle School, The CommonsHigh School, Student Ministries Area

Sunday Community Meals

Join us in the Town Square for our community mealon Sundays at 6 p.m. Meals are $3 per person or $10max./family.

11/7 Pizza, breadsticks and salad bar11/14 Chicken fajitas and salad bar11/21 Grilled hamburgers or brats,

chips and salad bar11/28 Happy Thanksgiving … no meal!If you’d like to serve on a Sunday night meal team, contact Pat O’Reilly at (214) 289-6176 or [email protected].

Wednesday Midweek Meals

Each Wednesday night from 5–6:20 p.m., IBC pre-pares meals for anyone wanting a good, hot meal.

PB&J sandwiches are also available. Cost is $3/mealor $10 max./family. Just come by The Commons, andgrab a plate!

11/3 Pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans,cole slaw, tater tots and brownies(Hosted by Bob Downey’s team)

11/10 Pizza, salad and dessert(Hosted by Lavern Howell’s team)

11/17 Pasta with meat sauce, hot bread sticks,salad and dessert(Hosted by Pat O’Reiley’s team)

11/24 Happy Thanksgiving … no mealIf you’d like to serve on a Wednesday night meal team, please e-mail [email protected].

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

JOURNEYGod invites us to a journey. A journey that leads to him and connects us to others. Individu-ally, our journeys are unique, but we share common needs. The need to deepen our souls.The need for relationship. The need for mission and purpose. At IBC, we are all about

helping each other on our journeys. We invite you to explore irvingbible.org for all kinds of ways you can navigate your journey.

Also, check out the Needs Board in the Town Square tond out how you can help meet the needs of others at IBC.

DEE EN HE SOUFaith isn’t just a one-time discovery but also a lifetime of moving toward God.Our souls are made to grow, not just in knowledge but in connection with God.No matter where you are in your spiritual journey you can go deeper.

FIND RE A IONSHISince creation, God has said it is not good for man to be alone. We are designedto work together, play together, live together. It is essential that we are in rela-tionship with others on the journey.

JOIN HE MISSIONTo be full, a life must be engaged in the story of God restoring his creation andconnecting people to himself. We have a responsibility to each other globallyand locally in making a di erence.

Journey LoungeWhether you’re searching for answers, are a new believer, or have been a follower ofChrist for many years, we’re all on this journey together…a journey to deepen our soul,to be in relationship and to serve with mission and purpose.

Sometimes it’s hard to navigate that path because we share common needs, but eachperson’s journey is unique. So, we’ve created the Journey Lounge and sta ed it with folkswe call Journey Guides. They are there to help you with your unique journey.

The Journey Lounge is open before, during and after all three worship services on Sunday.It’s located in the Town Square across from the fountain — just look for the cool sofas,comfy chairs and smiling faces.

We’re all meant to grow, to be in relationship and to join the mission.The Journey Lounge is a place to start.

My Time, Talents & SkillsSingle Parent Ministry — Ways to GiveSponsor a single mom or a table of single moms forthe Women’s Christmas Dinner. Contact Jennifer at

[email protected].

Sponsor a family or make a donation for a single par-ent family to attend Horn Creek Camp in June 2011.Contact Jennifer at [email protected]: IBC Men and Women mentors. Men men-tor a boy, and women mentor a gir l from a single par-ent family. All it takes is a little time and a big heart.Contact Marsha at [email protected].

Hospitality MinistriesCome join a team of men and women who serveby helping create a welcoming environment wherenewcomers and old timers alike sense they are trulycared for. From the parking lot to the sanctuary andeverywhere in between, we help people experienceJesus by making sure they feel at home. See page 8

for more information.Children’s Ministry has a Spot for You!Looking for a great way to serve without being in aclassroom? We need:Four spots to serve in the Welcome Center. Whatdoes it look like? This is a 45 minute commitment.

You’ll greet families visiting IBC for the rst time. Westaff weekly, bi-weekly, or whatever works best foryour scheduleFour spots to serve at the check in kiosks in the brickhallway, you know the spot: the fun place where folksfellowship while in line every Sunday. You’ll serve for

15 minutes prior to service through 15 minutesafter service. This is a weekly to bi- monthly com-mitment and spots are open for 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.service times.E-mail [email protected] for more details orto volunteer.

Thanksgiving Baskets are Here!

It’s that time of year again. We’re gearing up for theholiday season with our Thanksgiving baskets. Wouldyou join us this year to help out our neighbors inneed by providing a Thanksgiving meal? Our goalthis year is 2,000 baskets! Simply pick up a basketin the Town Square, ll it with canned goods andother Thanksgiving-ish items and return them nolater than November 21 around the baptismal. Formore information and to nd out about volunteeropportunities, contact Anna Martinez at [email protected].

Can You Run a Camera?We need more volunteers to run cameras during

the Sunday services. Contact Jeff Taylor at [email protected].

My ResourcesCars for Missionary FamiliesDo you have an extra car to loan a missionary familyon furlough? Contact the International Initiativesdepartment ([email protected]).

Online Giving OptionIf you would nd it more convenient to donate to theministries of Irving Bible Church online, please visitgive.irvingbible.org.

HOW DO I GIVE



Chatter | 19

vowel-free rst name (see Haggai 2:12). We really are dust in the wind. Just a drop of water in an endless sea. You sing the rest.

And that, I suppose, is why I’m feeling a pang of bummerness encroaching uponmy otherwise two-ticks-north-of-melancholy disposition. Life is short. And mylist of accomplishments — ones that actually matter — feels even shorter. Prob-ably because they all stand under three-feet tall and soil themselves.

In the olden days of the early 90s, none of this would have mattered with re-spect to a reunion. As long as you had moved away (as I did), you could returnand pretty much spin any kind of tale you’d like about your life. Sure, tellingfolks you’re now a successful neuroveterinarian who even more successfullyperformed the rst monkey-dolphin brain transplant would technically be a lie.Which would technically be a sin. Which would technically be frowned upon bythe publishers of this column. Which is why I recommend telling that story via dolphin chirps. It adds authenticity.

Of course, this is 2010. And approximately 45 percent of my graduating classof 700 is on Facebook. And 45 percent of that 45 percent are my friends. Andseeing as how I didn’t have the foresight to construct the myth of Dr. Jason Fox,Neurovet from the get-go on Facebook, I’m pretty much stuck with the truth.Which includes my hairline.

Not that I expect most of my classmates to have dramatically di erent historiesthan my own. But it would have been nice to have checked a few non-family-

related items o my list in the last 20 years. Granted, I lost that list 17 years agoand can’t remember what was on it. Which is an important lesson for today’syouth: If you’re going to make a bucket list, don’t write it on an actual bucket.But if you do write it on an actual bucket, do not loan that bucket to your neigh-bor so he can wash his car. Because he’ll be the one who ends up on stage withDef Leppard instead of you.

On the bright side, unlike some attendees who peaked in high school, I have noteven come close to peaking. Or even Peking. And really, that’s okay. Becausenow my current list of accomplishments will be around to see the new stu they’re (sadly literal) old man pulls o . I just need to nd me some dolphins.

Jason Fox is the original J-Fro. Accept no substitutes.

Age is relative. And not just in theEinsteinian astronaut-traveling-at-near-light-speed-returns-home-tond-his-twin-brother-is-now-his-grandpa way.For example, given predicted advancesin robotics and super glue, I’m probablyonly one-third of the way through a typicallifespan (and only one- fth if you considermy cryogenically pampered head separately,

which you should, as it will be separated from my torso). Yet, I’m feeling a tadold at the moment. And not just because the hooligans in the o ce spun someRun DMC on my Victrola.

No, I’m feeling a skosh creaky because in just a few short days (becausedays seem shorter as you age) I’m heading back home for my 20-year highschool reunion.

Twenty years. Where did the time go? Well, there was college (four years), job hunt (six months), rst job (two years), second job (eight years), marriage(seven years), third job (one year), self-employment (three years), kids (almostthree years) and the fourth job (one year). As you can see, I’ve crammed almostthirty years of actual living into the past twenty years. Which would be impres-sive if some of those years had been spent overthrowing oppressive tyrants(Oprah), educating the unlearned (Bob Clarkson in the second pew) or scaling

mountains to impress the ladies. As opposed to whiling away the time at jobsone, two, three and four.

Sure, I’ve still got a couple of years before I hit 40, but I’m ready to start mymidlife crisis now. Unfortunately, I cannot a ord a sports car, glute implantsor even a glute implant simulation app for my iPhone. And, of course, I knowdeep down that, while these things might make me feel more immature, nonewould actually make me feel younger. Although I’m willing to test that assump-tion from behind the wheel of a Cayman S (that’s a Porsche for you Prius driversout there).

In the scope of eternity, 38 years is a giant bucket of nothing. In fact, God makesa point of making a point about the brevity of human existence many timesthroughout the Old, New and New & Improved with Whitening DazzlePower Testaments. Our lives are but a breath. A vapor. Shorter than Jm J. Bullock’s

Reuniting

and I FeelSo-So

Begin blatantly obvious Idle Chatter disclaimer.

WARNING: IDLE CHATTER IS A TONGUE-IN-CHEEK LOOK AT MILDLY IMPORTANT TOPICS FACING CHRISTIANITY TODAY AND POSSIBLY IN THE YEAR 2354. THISCOLUMN MAY OR MAY NOT CONTAIN TRUTHS THAT ARE PROFOUND OR PROFOUNDLY IMAGINED BY THE AUTHOR. IN OTHER WORDS, IT’S FOR AMUSEMENT.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled Idle Chatter.

For more information on Neurovets, pick up the latest copy of the Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery Journal (VNNJ) …we’re not joking; it exists.

Jm J. Bullock was a regular “square”on John Davidson’s updatedversion of Hollywood Squares from1986–1989.

Editor’s Letter Movie Key (movie titles in order of appearance):Instinct, Waiting Game, Waiting, Waiting to Exhale, A Christmas Carol, Deck the Halls, Chocolat, Overboard, The Reader, The Game, Good Luck, The Hunt, Ugly Truth,My Life, NeverEnding Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, Once, The Social Network, Almost Famous, Mallrat, Goodwill Hunting, Legally Blonde, Meet the Parents, Date Night,Up, Cool Runnings, As Good as it Gets, Mission Impossible, Still Waiting, The Empire Strikes Back, Titanic, Se7en, Field of Dreams, North, Year One, City of Roses, Pre-cious, Far from Home, Life is Beautiful, Blind Side, Air Force One, Fighter Pilot, Sweet November, Due Date, Keeping the Faith, A Few Good Men, Inception, Die Hard,Deep Impact, Big, Being Human, Any Given Sunday, Life as We Know It, The Best Years of Our Lives, Into the Wild, The Last Crusade, Twilight, New Moon, Waiter,Unknown, G.O.D., Shadow of a Doubt, A New Hope, Cast Away, Bed of Roses, Face Off, The Ring, Fear, Dark Knight, Rain Man



Chatter …you CAN take it with you. Send usyour Chatter photos on location, and you maysee yourself in an upcoming issue. E-mail us

at [email protected].

Chatter on a recent service trip to Pinyon,Haiti with fellow IBCers: (top L to R) Phil Thye, ThomasSchultz, Reid Lancaster, Steve Erickson, Wayne Lamb, Debbie Lucien (our host) and Joshua Reynolds(bottom L to R) Darren White, Tommy Tucker, Evan Chavez, Sarah Leonhardi, Warren Leonhardi.

chatter, november 2010

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