#ifdayton

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them. Here is an encouraging word from Catherine.

Loss. Life. Mourning. Joy

"Blessed be the God our Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

On July 13th my aunt went to meet her maker due to cancer. She had been suffering in pain for at least a year, if not more. She LOVED Jesus, and I am so deeply grateful that she has found complete healing in His Arms! She showered people in His love, even when it was hard. His light shone through her and touched those around her in so many different ways. 

My Aunt, was a teacher, she loved her students dearly. She was a master gardener, and could make anything grow. She lived creatively and accomplished so much in life. I was blessed to know and love her and see the life and love she had for all people! She was sweet and kind with a stubborn flare. She loved fiercely and used her whole life to show others love. From the kids she taught for 29 years, to those she met at various hospitals seeking treatments, and of course those closest to her heart, her family. All of them. I am still learning from her even after she has gone. Mourning is hard. I don’t want to have to experience the grief and emptiness that accompanies mourning.I can now empathize with those navigating through grief as well. For me the hardest part is to come to terms with is her young age. I think and imagine that she had more life to live and more knowledge and love to give. But I do not get to dictate that. We asked and prayed for healing and she has received full healing! She is with family and angels worshiping in the presence of our God! 

I have to remember Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Grief I am learning, is a process through which I can only go through leaning into Jesus. If you are experiencing grief right now I am praying for you. Know that you are not alone and that my prayers are holding space for you before the Lord. We all grieve in different ways and we all find comfort in it differently. I find solace in worshiping God, letting down my barriers and just giving him what is in my head and in my heart. I give him all that is beyond my control and things that have made my heart hurt and even harden. He so graciously takes it and unconditionally loves and helps our hearts to heal. He knit us together in our mother’s wombs and so he continues to knit our hearts to His even in grief. Thank you Jesus! He gives us all exactly what we need everyday to live life well.

Maybe you can also take time to spend some time in worship as I leave you with the lyrics to a song I was able to play for my aunt before she passed.

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) By People and Songs The Lord is my Shepherd He goes before me Defender behind me I won't fear I'm filled with anointing My cup's overflowing No weapon can harm me I won't fear Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close He always guides me Through mountains and valleys His joy is refreshing Restores my soul Mercy and goodness Give me assurance That I'll see His glory Face to face Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory Hallelujah, I am not alone I am not alone I am not alone I am not alone 'Cause He's my Comfort He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them.

Catherine invites us to step outside and see how God draws close to us in nature.

“During this season I have been able to take peace and comfort in going outside  and take in the beauty of Spring. I have seen the buds turn into flowers and then fresh green leaves. Flowers popping up and dotting the landscape with fresh color, is just one of the reasons why Spring is my favorite season. It surrounds me with new life and new growth. It reminds me every year of this passage in Luke. 

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:22-31

This awe and wonder that I feel when I see the beauty of the earth He created,  does not compare to the way He delights over us! That You and I are cared for and loved more deeply than we know. There is not a single shred of good that comes from worry, instead we are left heavy with anxiety, doubts, and fear. In my heart of hearts I know my God is bigger than all of those things but routinely I forget. I forget because sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the stress that seems looming, and the mundane that seems never ending. I think we all have these moments where we feel so alone, broken, and unable to express what we are truly feeling. 

But God hears us and God sees us despite our short term memory He does not forget us. 

It’s a daily fight to hold onto the promises that God has given us especially in these times of uncertainty. So, will you step outside with me and breath in grace in the fresh air? Take a walk around the block, your neighborhood, or go to a park and just breathe. As you allow yourself to be in nature find a quiet place and close your eyes and breathe in the peace of God.  When you breath in and say, “ I accept your peace Lord” and when you exhale name the worries that you are giving over to God.  Do this a few times and you will feel your body rest and relax.

Listen to the birds, for they do not worry about their next meal. Look at the flowers and trees, and enjoy the beautiful colors that you've been gifted through them. Recall to mind that in midst of all the crazy Jesus is with you, holding you and guiding you. You are Loved.

Love, 

‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ‘John 16:33 

Dear ones,

 I want to say so many things to you! That  we got this! To hang in there! That it will all be ok! I want to be positive but I don’t want to send out hollow words. A few days into the stay home order I began to sense the tension mounting as the little things began to become big things in my eyes. The tightness in my shoulders a sure reminder that I had not processed my feelings through the word with Jesus. 

 So, when I turned to his word I found The Word of God come to me as a challenge and as peace. I went straight to find Jesus direct words. I will be sharing with you how John chapter 16 has set the tone of my day to day in this season.  I was given a reason why these phrases have depth. They can be spoken with confidence because of the the Word. Jesus’ words to His disciples in a very uncertain time ring true for us today in this uncertain time.

I found four things Jesus wanted His disciples to know before he asked them to have peace in Him and to take heart.

 studying this chapter has given me the confidence to do as David said in Psalm 27: 14  

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. 

I have spent the weeks leading up to Easter in this chapter, I read it frequently meditating on it. How sweet and tender of Jesus to make this chapter come to life for me, during lent. In this time of Lent I  follow the timeline of his life as He set his face towards Jerusalem yearly. These words seem to have so much weight and importance because He was heading to His death, He knows what’s to come and continues to prepare their hearts as He goes before them to prepare the way for Salvation. 

The first verse that came to mind was John 16:33. Here again from the Amplified version.  

‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] Peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]’ John 16:33 AMP

 In it of itself this verse can be so encouraging, and it’s been quoted many times, but I didn’t want to take it out of context when I was coming to it daily. I wanted to know What things had He told them? 

These are the four things I found He told them.

1.  The suffering that would surely come.  “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, ‘John 16:1-4.   

2.The promise of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15) -He would be in close fellowship with us to help navigate life convicting us of sin and leading us to all truth. Holy Spirit-in greek,  is Parakletos which means -called to ones side for help.  So Jesus again preparing the way for them promising that the Holy Spirit Would come. In fact from chapter 14-17 He repeats to the it is imperative that I go so that the Holy Spirit can come. What a Savior, He was revealing to them what they didn’t even know they would need yet.  And I say that because He first revealed to them the sure promise of the Holy Spirit before reminding them that He would surely die and that He would leave them.

 3. He explained to them that He would die and rise again (Jesus death and resurrection foretold)   This is The hope on which our faith is  founded but it came at a great price. 

 ’So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy. ‘ John 16:22AMP

Hallelujah! And as if that wasn’t enough He also explained to them that He would give himself up so that the throne of God would be accessible to them directly. 

4.  He instructs them to PRAY: Because now in His name they could approach the father’s throne directly and boldly. And so can we.

 ‘Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete. ‘ John 16:24 AMP

Do any of these resonate with you? How do you relate to the disciples as they listen to the Lord?  Doesn’t it feel like we are in the midst of uncertainty so thick we feel lost? It feel as if we are alone and gripped  with fear that threatens to paralyze our entire being.  Yet, I hear Jesus’ words reverberating in my being and waking me up from the stupor of shock and grief. I can have peace, perfect peace, because Jesus has overcome and His Victory is abiding and true! Can you hear them, even if they are muffled and seem far away they are still true.

‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ‘John 16:33

Will you rise then and take heart? Not because you are strong and can pull yourself up by your boot-straps, no. But you can rise and take heart because your Savior, Jesus, has prepared the way for you to endure suffering with joy, He has fought the battle and the Victory is sure. You are made alive , undaunted, and confident through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.

Surrender your burdens of anxiety and fear to Him. In prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection to strengthen your faith. Seek His presence believing as the young men in Daniel believed, “ Our God will save us, “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”” Daniel 3:18 NIV

We will remain faithful to Him and will not bow our knee to anxiety, fear, insecurity or even comfort. Instead we will remain stead-fast as we trust Jesus with our whole lives! Will you  pray with me now?

 Dear Lord,You are faithful and true you are the Christ, the Faithful Witness and the First born from the Dead. You are the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by your blood, You are the alpha and the Omega, Who is and who was,  and who is to come! It is because of your unchanging nature that we are able to come to you in the midst of uncertainty. The trials, tribulations, and pandemics don’t get to have the last word. You do! I surrender to you my anxieties, my desires, the uncertainty, and all that threatens my peace. You have conquered the world and even if these times may seem overwhelming you are bigger. I thank you that You have given me the Holy Spirit to literally come to my side to help me! I am not alone and you have prepared the way for me! I will walk in your way and put my trust in you. Help me to remain faithful to you as you remain faithful to me. Amen 

Love you and praying for you, 

Daisy Dronen

This the third installment of our current series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace if:table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. —Acts 2:42

Heidi’s beautiful and gentle demeanor is delightful. When you are with Heidi you feel heard, seen, and loved. She exudes life and draws you in by leaning into hospitality even if she’s not at home.  At home she is a wife of 9 years and with her husband they raise two beautiful children. She loves cozy, you can find her by the fire under a blanket with a good book on any given day. But winter, winter has her heart especially when snow is involved! The winter season finds her celebrating many things but one event that we also join in celebrating with her is her birthday! We are so glad you were born Heidi our lives are richer because you are in it.

As a local Daytonian her love for this city is inspiring! She knows so many intricacies of the city and of course the best places to get coffee-Ghostlight, Reza’s and St. Anne the Tart to name a few! Here are some favorite Dayton Spots for her and I hope you check them out too!

Some of her favorite spots: Smith Gardens, Dorothy Lane Market, 2nd Street Market, Lookout Point in Woodlawn Cemetery, local libraries

She is a creative woman who loves to create, study, move her body,  and encourage women. Heidi is fierce in her embrace of the Word of God and you can see that transfer to how she cares for her body as well. 

She is enjoying finding new ways to move every day-here are some examples yoga, TRX , and boxing! Yes! Go Heidi! Her favorite way to study the Bible is using the study tools from Jen Wilkin’s book, Women of the Word; annotation is her favorite because it reveals areas in which she needs to grow in understanding and helps her see the attributes and promises of God more clearly. You can find her teaching with Dayton Women in the Word, serving in her local church, Fairhaven, in Mom to Mom ministry, and in her neighborhood through Acorn Collective. All of these are ways of doing life with other women and encouraging them in their walk with the Lord.

Here is in her own words how IF:Dayton has impacted her life.

My first impression of IF:Table and the community surrounding it was so comforting.  I remember my very first IF:Table a couple summers ago— the moment I walked into the door I was welcomed with open arms. I was nervous walking into a stranger’s home and joining a bunch of women I didn’t know for dinner, but once we started answering the four discussion questions, I was immediately comforted by the fact that we are all members of God’s family and are not strangers as a result of our faith in Christ Jesus.

 What made me come back was the intentionality and vulnerability I witnessed during that first IF:Table. It was a beautiful time of discussion and prayer that I realized I had been missing. The community surrounding IF:Table is beautiful, generous, kind, and diverse. I love how IF:Table brings women of all walks of life together around a common love for the Lord. I’ve even developed friendships through IF:Table that I wouldn’t have made if it weren’t for this ministry!

The most encouraging thing about being a part of IF:Dayton is the  encouragement I receive from my fellow sisters in Christ! At each IF:Table and IF:Gathering I walk away stronger, encouraged and more confident to follow the Lord’s leading and pursue His Word. The intentionality to discuss the Lord at work in our lives each time we meet is so powerful! Getting to hear how the Lord is at work in sisters’ lives moves my heart to worship God for His faithfulness, love and redeeming grace.

My biggest take away from the IF:Gathering is that the Lord is at work on such a grand scale, and it’s exciting to be a part of it! 

Each IF:Gathering reminds me to look up and around at how awesome and big our Creator is. Knowing there are fellow Christians around the world watching the same encouraging messages and praying at the same time as us in Dayton reminds me of God’s omnipresence.

We are so excited to start a new series introducing you to the women that grace if:table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption. 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. —Acts 2:42 

 For our first introduction I’d Like to present you Anna Collier, here’s a little glimpse of her full yet beautifully devoted life here in Dayton. If you attended IF:Pray she led us in worship and helped our hearts prepare for prayer.

Anna is Married to her best friend Kristopher. They currently leave in a 1920s fixer upper where she homeschools her 5 earth side kiddos ranging from ages 1to11. She also is mama to 3 heavenly babies: a stillborn son  named Johnny, and 2 miscarried little ones in Heaven with Jesus.

Singing is one of Anna’s passions, especially when she is worshipping her King! Because of the gift of singing she also directs a christian homeschool theater group, Stage LeFters. She loves the opportunity to invest in her students, to build them up in confidence unto whatever calling the Lord has for them. In her spare time she runs  a small business called Earthside Treasures. She’s a master at hunting, repairing, cleaning and selling vintage housewares and other lovelies.

When you first meet Anna you feel heard, seen, and cared for in her presence and attention as she converses with you. It is no wonder she is  also a certified labor doula. She is a loving companion and helper to women and families as they birth. She has worked as a donation based doula in our area for almost 8 years and also as a volunteer bereavement doula for 6 years.

Now from her own words her first impressions of IF: Table and how IF:Gathering 2019 reminded her that she serves  the extraordinary and gracious God who invites her to find her life in Him.

My first impression of the Dayton If:table was the wide variety of women. I have met women of different ages with different styles and backgrounds, of different ethnicities, from different Dayton area cities, and from varying churches. Although I was new I felt at home, our mutual faith in Christ uniting us and making us sisters and not strangers. I loved the structure of discussion, we are invited to participate and share what the Lord is doing our lives. For me, the most encouraging aspect of if:table is that the women really want to go deeper in their conversation and in prayer together. I am reminded at the table that each one is walking through something and by taking time to pray for one we don’t feel alone but supported.  

If:Gathering this year could not have come at a better time for me. My biggest takeaway was that it doesn't matter how ordinary or how imperfect I am when I serve an extraordinary God who is gracious. This beautiful and reminder is what it is really all about, isn't it? I mean, what does it mean to be a Christian? It means that  when we surrender ourselves and give ourselves away then our life is found IN HIM! I also learned a lot about my relationship with God and my relationship with myself at If:Gathering. It prompted growth in me and I know that God was working through all of the men and women who served to make If:Gathering happen here in Dayton.I have already gone through my planner and marked If:Table for the coming months. I have also set aside the first weekend in March for IF: Dayton 2020 featuring the If:Gathering. Moving forward, I hope to remain a regular face at the tables and help make other newbies feel welcome. I hope to come alongside the leadership of IF:Dayton in serving the women of Dayton, through the gifts the Lord has given me. 

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 NIV

Every June we get together to celebrate the team of volunteers that helps put on the If:Dayton gathering in the winter. It is hands down one of my favorite dinners. I love being able to highlight the way that I see Jesus in sthem. I love to acknowledge their hard work and then build them up with truth that speaks to their gifting and beautiful love for others.

I encourage you this week to send that card, send that email, leave a voice mail, send a text, or meet up in person. Tell each other how you are the seeing the Lord at work in their life. Tell them what you love about them and how their love for the Lord spurs you in to do good as well.