IF: Gifts Part 2

Last time I wrote that God cares more about his gifts than yours.  True dat.  At IF:Gathering we were encouraged to bravely use our gifts to serve God and those around us.  So, what if you DO have a "gift"?  (Gift in quotes for lots of reasons.  Briefly, so much work goes into honing a "gift" that it's often a building, not a blessing.  For example - I'm a great musician.  No, really!  But what started as a propensity to enjoy music over other forms of entertainment or expression required years of study to learn/hone/articulate.)

So, what if you DO have a gift/talent/passion that you sense God asking you to use?

IF: Gifts Part 1 - What Are Your Gifts?

We recently attended the IF:Gathering from here in sunny Santa Monica.  Gathered in our sanctuary, we worshipped, prayed, laughed, learned and more as we watched the broadcast from Austin along with thousands of other women worldwide.  The experience was rich; the speakers were great.

However.

Sometimes when emotions are high, or speakers are rushed, the whole story never gets stated or the truth doesn't get fully fleshed out.  So, I want to clarify something.

At IF:Gathering there was much talk of gifts and talents: How does God want to use your gifts and talents to do something amazing for Him? What are your talents and passions because those are the muscles you need to flex - that's how God will use you in a mighty way.  If you spend years not using your talents and gifts you're turning your back on the who God made you to be.

Hmm...

What Is...

Are you having the kind of morning I'm having?  My daughter was up screaming until about 1am.  Not crying, not sort of noisy, literally screaming.  She was fine, just overtired and wouldn't let herself go to sleep.  Finally, I just put on headphones and listened to an audiobook.

I woke up with the aftermath of a disagreement with my husband still churning in my head.  Because, you know, rehashing it a million times and coming up with zingy retorts so we can launch back into it at breakfast is a great way to use my brain power on 5 hours sleep.  

My Bible study routine was interrupted.  I've been heading down to the coffee shop early each morning to get some time alone with God away from the messykitchen/toychaos/laundrypile/billstack and everything else that competes for my attention in the wee hours of the morning.  It lets me take a few unhurried breaths and clothe myself with good intention for the day.  Of course, this morning I got down there to find that I had no money and my Peet's card (with $85 on it!) was nowhere to be found.  In a huff, I repacked my bag and headed back home.

IF: We were like Joshua

So excited about the IF event this February!  I hope you've registered.  If not, you can do so here.

Jennie Allen, visionary of IF, announced that this year's theme will be the faith of Joshua and Caleb.  Hear it from her:



Introduction to Joshua from IF : Equip on Vimeo.