What the IF:Gathering Means to Me

It's funny.  Actually it's ridiculous.  I have sat down to write this post more times than I can count.  But the words haven't come.  And it has been very frustrating.  Because the IF:Gathering means so much to me.  It was almost a year ago, at the first IF:Gathering, that I really started to dream again about where my life was headed, to remember what Jesus really means to me, to think that the impossible really can happen.

I was newer to the area and had been following the beginnings of the IF:Gathering through Jennie Allen and Jen Hatmaker.  What they were pursuing was a refreshing, pure, simple desire to seek God and to ask tough questions.  What would it look like to live life IF I truly believed God for his promises, for who He is. I wanted to host an IF:Local in my home, or at the church I was attending, but I was scared.  I had fear.  That no one would see what I saw.  That no one would join with me. So I didn't do what I felt called to do.  To put myself out there, trust God, and see what happened.

Fortunately, my story doesn't end there.  I did seek out another church in the area hosting an IF:Local. And I was immensely blessed by my time there.  I did not know a soul and they welcomed me in like I had already been a part of their group for a long time.  I had rich conversation with women of all ages and left the weekend as encouraged by the women I had spent time with as with the Gathering itself.  What a blessing it was!

This year I am very excited to help host an IF:Local!  I am excited to finally be doing what I should have done a year ago. I'm so thankful for the opportunity and I can't wait to see how God is going to show up and move in the lives and hearts of women in our area.

In just over two weeks, on February 6-7, 2015, women from across the nation and around the globe will come together to worship, learn, be encouraged, and equipped to live more fully for God where they are.  I want to encourage every woman I know to come!  Find an IF:Local near you!  Join us here in South Tulsa.  Or host your own!  It's not too late!! There is a powerful movement for Jesus billowing under this.  It is Spirit filled and prayer covered.  It is not perfect, but there is love.  Much love.  And Grace.  And Freedom.

Click here for more information about the IF:Gathering.

To find an IF:Local near you or to host an IF:Local, click here.

And to join us for IF:South Tulsa, please click here!

The Tuesday Review - Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

The disciplined pursuit of less...I am all about that.  I've spent the last few months in a state of longing to live with less, and to pursue less but in a better way.  This applies not only to material things, but more importantly to my personal life, to what I pursue to do and to learn.  I think that there is a longing inside all of us to do something well, to make a difference, to be fully us.  I am the only me.  You are the only you.  And we were created to do what only we can do.


http://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-The-Disciplined-Pursuit-Less/dp/0804137382

Essentialism, by Greg McKeown, is a simple yet profound book. He encourages his readers to dial into what means the most to you in life, and then to do those things well and with passion.  And in doing that, we will find more meaning and have greater influence in the lives of those around us.

There is so much more to this book than what I have chosen to highlight.  This just happens to be what is on my heart at the moment.  Honestly, I read this book months ago, and have not put into practice all that I learned from it at the time.  With the new year, the examining of where I am at, and the thought of goals for the coming year, this book has come back to mind. I look forward to reading it again and being challenged anew to choose the most important things in my life... and to pursue less but better!!  I challenge you to read it as well.  And let me know not just what you think about the book, but how it changes your life for the better!

"If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will!" - Greg McKeown