IBC Blog
eLetter
A Reflection on Black History Month
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 MoreMore From The Blog
Formed
Fast Path to Fulfillment During the Pandemic
Do you feel face down in the mud these days? Many of us are struggling with increased stress as concerns about our health, finances, and family pile up.
Election season, regardless of party affiliation, has certainly brought frustration and angst into our lives. Unrest and even violence in our land due to racial issues and other concerns often leaves us feeling bleak about the future of our country.
Formed
Get A Life
Going into 2010, my New Year's resolution was to “get a life”. I was 26, single and worked a high-stress job. I had struggled to make and keep a friend group since elementary school, so my friends had changed based on life stage. High school friends were lost when I went to college; college friends were lost when we graduated and scattered across the country. The few people I had reconnected with after moving back from college were getting married and having kids at breakneck speed. I did attend a local church, but it felt like I was in some no-man's land between “right out of college” and “newly married”.
Since I didn’t really fit the demographic of any of the small groups that were offered, I chose to tag along with my friends who attended the “newly married” group.
Formed
Is it really well with my soul?
I preach to myself in song. It gives me an emotional high, and I’m not sure if it’s my enneagram 4 showing or the excitement from feeling closer to God. He frequently reaches my heart through worship music, as I’m sure He does for many of you.
Amazing grace, that saved a wretch like me…
All my hope is in Jesus, thank God that yesterday’s gone…
There’s an army risin’ up, yeah, to break every chain, break every chain….
There are a few songs, though, that just stop me. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to sing these songs without a large ball of emotion assaulting my voice and spilling tears from my eyes. I didn’t always feel this way.
Formed
Worship Made New
What’s your favorite way to worship God? Is it through scripture? Singing? Nature? Going to church? For students – they love the peak experience of camp worship. There are always new songs, movements, intimate depths of the words repeated over and over. These songs usually lead into our worship experience at church in the fall. But unfortunately, they don’t get that experience this year.
Hope & Healing
My Journey to Recovery
On April 22, 2010 God’s plan intersected with mine and brought me to Recovery at IBC with the hope that this would be the place that would heal my family from the trauma and brokenness we were walking through. I came to Recovery with my husband to make sure he came and participated in the program, but I ended up staying for me. I was honestly not ready to look at myself, but Jesus knew this ministry would shed light on my own issues.
Formed
Perfectly Free
“We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope.” I have read that line over and over. I’ve put it everywhere. On my mirror, in my car and on my computer as a reminder of where my hope comes from.