Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Walking with God through the Most Difficult Moments

My name is Carole Gastineau. I am married to Zane Gastineau and we live in Searcy, Arkansas. We have two children. Our youngest child, our daughter, is married and lives in Kansas. Our oldest child is our son, Isaac. Isaac is no longer with us. On April 28, 2012, Isaac died from a rare form of Leukemia. He was diagnosed in October of 2011 and he died in April 2012.

That one event has defined my walk with God, hard. This was not my first experience of losing someone I love to cancer. In June 1991, my father died from cancer. I was 7 months pregnant with my daughter when my father died. My dad only lived three months after being diagnosed with cancer. My walk with God has been hard at times.

When my son was diagnosis with cancer, my first thought was “God, I have already had my turn with losing someone to cancer. Why, do I have to do this again?” I was in shock. We took Isaac to M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX, where Isaac and I lived while he went through the chemotherapy. My husband would come every week and stayed with us 4 days and then he flew back to Searcy and worked 3 days. My daughter was married and in college and she came every weekend that she could. This was our family life for 7 months.

Before this life-changing event, life was good. My husband and I were both raised in the church of Christ. We raised our children to be active and faithful members in the church of Christ. We praised God for our children and their decisions to remain faithful to Him. We were and still are a close family. We lived, loved and played together. We had fun in our family. We enjoyed being around each other (granted we did raise teenagers and sometimes they didn’t like each other or us) but overall we loved each other deeply.

I guess you would say we were a typical family, enjoying life, loving our church family and watching our children grow up and all of us growing in our faith. Then that October day came, when Isaac was diagnosed with cancer and my life changed forever.
On Monday, April 22, 2012, Isaac was in the hospital and the week before we didn’t know if Isaac would live through the week. He had been in ICU in a coma, but he pulled out of it and we were moved back to a regular room.

That Monday morning, I woke up and took my husband to the airport so he could return to Searcy. I returned to the hospital and around 8:00 a.m. the doctor came to Isaac’s room and he told me “I promised you that I would come to you and tell you when there was not anything else we could do for your son and that you needed to take your son home.” I had to then wait for my husband’s plane to land in Little Rock so that I could call him and tell him he needed to come back to Houston so we could take our son home to die. I was all alone in Houston, no one to sit with me, only me and God.

My husband couldn’t return until Tuesday, so I spent the day holding Isaac and crying because I knew my time with him was quickly coming to an end. I continued to pray for a miracle. I asked God again and again to heal Isaac.

Then I remembered the scripture in Isaiah 57:1, “The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” I then could say to God, “If there is a future evil that may cause Isaac to lose his faith, then by all means, take Isaac now because I know his heart belongs to God.”

I wrote a blog while Isaac was sick, and I wrote every day and I ended it by saying God is good, God is always good no matter what and God is faithful to all of His promises. That is what I hung onto every day. I knew God loved me and He loved Isaac and God would do what was best for us.

I was thankful for the verse from Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” I could do that. I could take on each day and do what Micah 6:8 said to do.

I was blessed to be with Isaac every day for 7 months. Isaac had many favorite verses, but the one verse that sticks out is Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” That verse sticks out because Isaac struggled with that verse and he and I spent a lot of time talking about that verse. Many precious conversations were started between Isaac and myself based on that verse. But, we never stayed focused on that one verse, he would talk about God’s promises and he would talk about heaven. Those are precious conversations that I hold close to my heart.

It would not be fair for you to get the impression that I walked through this with strong faith and never wavered. I did waver. I struggled daily with the question “Why doesn’t God answer my prayer to heal Isaac?” I know that God heals people! I had witnessed people being healed and doctors saying, “We can’t explain what happened, but he/she is healed.” Why wouldn’t God answer my prayer? And my answer is I don’t know. I still struggle with that question.

After Isaac died, I was looking for a way to draw me back into God’s Word. I had discovered Bible journaling on Pinterest. That is drawing pictures to illustrate scriptures or stories that are in the Bible. It is a way to record your feelings in your Bible or to record your feelings in a journal. So, I committed Bible journaling a scripture every day during the month of June. I did it! And it did draw me back into God’s Word. It also allowed me to communicate, with God about how I was feeling spiritually, through drawing, writing and coloring. And, because I was in God’s Word, God spoke back to me.

Isaac was 24 when he died. He was in the Army National Guard. He was attending Harding University and had finally decided what he wanted to major in. Isaac had dreams about how he was going to serve God. All that ended on April 28, 2012.

My life will never be the same. Part of me died when my precious Isaac died. But I can still say without a shadow of a doubt that God is good, God is good no matter what and God is faithful to all of His promises.

Thanks for listening to part of Isaac´s story, about his walk with God, and some about my own walk with God, as well.

#IronRoseSister #walkwithGod #Godisgood

Written by Monica Dye, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, Arkansas

Attitude.We often say this word, but what does it mean? When my daughter was young and would sass back to me I would say to her, “watch your attitude.” To which she would answer, “I don’t have an attitude.” How often do we think or say that same thing? We all have an attitude about many things. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad.

Attitude, as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary means “a mental position with regard to a fact or state, or a feeling or emotion with/toward a fact or state.” Simply put, I think attitude is how I react to things that happen to me or around me. Sometimes I react positively, and sometimes I react negatively. But I always have an attitude.

Let’s redefine attitude to find out how God wants us to react to things that happen to us or around us. We think God always wants us to have a positive attitude to everything around us. We read Philippians 2:5, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset (attitude) as Christ Jesus” (ESV). Wow! That’s hard. Jesus loved everyone; some people annoy me. How do I react to them positively? What can I do?

Well, yes, Jesus did love everyone. But He also did not just approve of everything they did. Many times, in the Gospels He criticized the teachers of the Law. In Matthew 23, He called the Pharisees “hypocrites,” “snakes,” and “brood of vipers” (ESV). This was as He was pronouncing seven woes upon them. It sure doesn’t sound like a positive attitude towards them to me. The difference is, Jesus was saying these things out of love for them. He still cared about them. He knew their hearts were far from Him, He did not approve of their actions, yet He still loved them enough to die for them. This is the attitude we are called to have! We are called to love and care about our fellow humans. We don’t have to approve of their actions, but we have to love them.

If the definition of attitude is how we react to people and the things around us, how can we have the same attitude as Jesus? Can we call the people around us a brood of vipers or hypocrites? We have to be sure that our motives are in the right place. And that has to be out of love for them. The Bible teaches us how to have pure motives about how we react to people in several places. Here’s just a few:

1. “Love one another” (John 13:34, ESV)
We have to have an attitude of loving each other even when we are criticizing each other. Otherwise, we are just being mean.

2. “In humility, value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:3 ESV)
If you read the context of Philippians 2, we learn that Jesus did not look out for His own interests, but for the interests of others. He spoke to the Pharisees harshly because he was concerned for them. He wanted them to learn how to really know God.

3. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8 ESV) In other words, let your attitude towards things be pure. Think about God and why He treated people as He did.

My attitude is certainly not always perfect. I lose my temper. I get frustrated. I lose patience. I have been and will always continue to work on my attitude through prayer and study. How about you? How will you work on your attitude?

For further reflection, study these verses:

James 3:18

James 4:1-12

Colossians 3:23

Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

When I read through the lists of themes for the Iron Rose Sister Ministries articles for the new year, my eyes landed on the topic of “welcoming.” I knew exactly what God story I wanted to share.

My husband and I moved from Searcy to Little Rock in the summer of 2019. When we arrived at our new apartment complex, we were welcomed by over twenty members of the Lord’s church who showed up on that Saturday morning to help us move in. In less than thirty minutes, the brethren had unloaded the truck and moved everything into our new apartment. Lance and I were astonished. Here were people who sacrificed their Saturday morning to help us move in when they hadn’t even met us yet. Here were people who truly believed we were united through the bond of Christ. Here were people who loved us and welcomed us before they knew us.

In Matthew 25, the Son of Man comes in His glory and separates the sheep from the goats. To the sheep on His right, He invites them to come receive their heavenly inheritance: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (verses 35 and 36). Currently, my chosen secular job is in the hospitality industry. But for Christians, hospitality is a calling and a command. Hospitality is a spiritual work as much as it is a physical work. This unpaid labor of love is so much more important – eternally so.

Oftentimes, it seems we have a picture of a perfect home in our head – everything put away, everything cleaned, and all of the kids’ toys picked up. We feel like we must present perfection to anyone who walks through our front door. However, that is not real life. Sisters, I’m not saying it is wrong to want to clean your house before company comes over. But a problem arises when the lack of perfection prevents us from opening our homes to others. In Galatians 1:10, Paul writes that if he were still trying to please men, he would not be a servant of Christ. Are we trying to please people or are we more concerned with pleasing God? Let’s not let the world’s standards (everything looking perfect) become more important than God’s standards (practicing hospitality).

When Paul and Luke were shipwrecked on the coast of Malta, Publius (the chief official of the island) welcomed them into his home. Publius entertained Paul and Luke for three days even while “his father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery” (Acts 28:8). Even though he was enduring a struggle, even though his family member was sick, he prioritized showing hospitality. At times we may find ourselves weighed down by a busy schedule or simply uninterested in the inconvenience of hospitality. Despite difficult life circumstances, do we invite others into our homes, our lives, and our hearts?

In 1 Timothy 5:9-10, Paul instructs Timothy in the qualifications for a widow to be placed on the list of those financially supported by the church. Such a widow “is well known for her good deeds, such as… showing hospitality.” Romans 12:13 says, “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Are we practicing hospitality with our Christian family or only our friends and biological family?

Has someone ever done something nice for you and then ruined it by complaining about it? The apostle Peter writes, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). We can easily undo our good works by complaining about them. Sisters, I will share with you a time in which I failed. After returning from our honeymoon, we moved everything out of a storage unit and into our one-bedroom apartment. We were so blessed by the many wedding gifts and storage bins covering the floor that we couldn’t walk around the main room without stepping over packages and squeezing around stacks of boxes. Within our first week in our first apartment together, my husband invited over a family of five. Everything was shoved into the bedroom and the door was forced shut so we could have enough walking space and set up a folding table to make enough room for our guests. I was livid. How dare he inconvenience us so much in our new apartment? Wouldn’t there be time later for showing hospitality, when everything was cleaned and put away? Any good I did that day was negated by how much I complained before and after.

Hebrews 13:2 teaches, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Through these two personal stories I have shared and many others, God has taught me about the practice of filoxenía (“hospitality” in Greek). In Romans 16:23, Paul writes, “Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.” Among the Christians in Rome, Gaius was known for his hospitality. Let us be a people who are known for their hospitality.

Written by Mackenzie Lancaster, published on her final day as IRSM summer intern... We are very grateful for her work this summer and for introducing this month’s theme.
When Michelle asked me to write a blog for this month's theme: wisdom, I immediately felt unqualified. I'm 21, I'm still in college, I've never had a full-time job, lived on my own, or supported myself. On top of that, my dad, who is a school psychologist, likes to lovingly remind me that my frontal lobe isn't even fully developed yet. So all this to consider, on the wisdom spectrum I'd place myself fairly low, probably a few steps above a teenager (and I hope that those of you who know me would agree).

That being said, I felt the need to research wisdom and what it even means to be wise, and it's a hard concept to pin down with just a single definition.

But there was one conclusion I was able to make: one cannot become wise on their own. Wisdom is something you acquire through talking with a mentor or other people in your life, asking questions, taking chances, living life, and learning from your mistakes. Becoming wise takes time, reflection, and community. Even King Solomon had to ask God for his wisdom, which was then gifted to him, he didn't just wake up on day, the wisest man alive.

Becoming wise also takes some work. You must act for it, but you must also diligently search for it. In my search for the definition of wisdom I began to read Proverbs, which was written by King Solomon, and talks profusely about wisdom. At one point wisdom is even personified and represented by a woman who is then compared to a woman of folly. (I encourage you to read through the book in its entirety if you haven't before!) Reading through Proverbs my question of "how does one become wise?" Was answered:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:1-6

So, if you're anything like me, having no idea what wisdom really is and feel very low on the wisdom scale, take heart! Wisdom is a common theme throughout the Bible, but even just these few verses from Proverbs promises that if we yearn for wisdom, if we search for it with our hearts as though it were the most valuable treasure, "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding."

Written by Jocelynn Goff, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Have you ever felt like you were living under a dark cloud? Or maybe it was so dark you actually felt as if you were not just under it but even in the middle of it.

A few years ago, I was emotionally walking with a friend through an extremely difficult and tragic part of her life. Since she wanted to be confidential, I was the only one she was sharing with. She had me, but I had no one else to share this with. I felt a tremendous weight with this responsibility—a responsibility I fully accepted to help my friend but a heavy weight none the less. In other words, I felt both under and in a dark cloud. This weight felt hard to overcome in my day-to-day responsibilities. I found myself sinking into a state of depression. I knew I had a ready listening Heavenly Father, so I was definitely praying. However, no lifting of the dark cloud. In addition, I was fasting and praying. And yet, no lifting of the dark cloud. I began singing especially on my walks around the neighborhood. Still no dark cloud lifting. I cried out, “God what am I missing?” I felt a still small voice say, “thanksgiving.”

OH, yes, Father this is a missing element in my prayer and petition to you. As you remind me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

So, I pulled out my Thankful Journal and began reminding myself of the too-numerous-to-count times of thanksgiving blessings God had given me. As I read each blessing out loud, I felt the dark cloud slowly begin to lift. Hope began permeating my mind, spirit, body, and soul. Thank You, God! And now I had another entry for my Thankful Journal! God had already supplied me with the answer, “Present my requests to Him with thanksgiving.”

My Thankful Journal was the result of another friend’s recommendation of Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts. The author invites the reader to live the concept of “Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle,” and encourages a Thankful Journal.

I was challenged to start my own Thankful Journal and began with the goal of 1,000 gift entries. I am now at 6,851 Thankful Journal entries. It’s nearly impossible to keep up with writing down all of God’s blessings. Still, it is pure delight to be reminded and record God’s gifts in my life. When I am feeling the weight of life on many different levels, I am prompted much earlier in my dark cloud moments to choose thankfulness. I am also reminded in His Word:

“give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thes. 5:18)
“let us be thankful and so worship God” (Heb. 12:28b)

I encourage you to choose thankfulness as a significant part of your everyday walk and especially for those dark cloud moments. I also encourage you to read One Thousand Gifts and begin your own Thankful Journal.

Written by Corina Diaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Argentina

Redefine means to give a new definition by establishing different characteristics. So, when I think about redefining my priorities, what do I think about?

In some countries, March is a crucial month, for example here in Argentina, the summer holidays are ending and most of the people are starting their normal activities (school year, work projects, etc.). So, it is a perfect time to think about priorities related to a new successful routine. Especially, in my particular case, after having enjoyed the month of prayer throughout February. God definitely surprises us with His connections!

So then, what are the steps I am going to take for my priority list? After being redefined by prayer, I found that in my life there were loose and, perhaps, messy steps in my routines. I know it is difficult to set up priorities in this century when technology changes our lives just with one click. But I found there is only one way to solve this issue.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9, NIV)

Seeking the Door will be my priority. After all, this is what all human beings seek and long for (Rom. 8:9). Our greatest desire is to find green pastures and move into God's freedom. I just need to focus on the door (Jesus), follow His path (showing His Kingdom to this world), and recognize that I need Him and that only in Him can I find the life that my heart yearns for.

By redefining my priority list, I can obtain a restored relationship with my Creator Father who allows me to partner in His redemption plan for creation. This is my first and ultimate priority!

Written by Corina Diaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister in Argentina 

From a very young age, my personality was leading towards being an Enneagram 9. If you know about the Enneagram personalities, you will know what I mean. If not, this link will take you to some information that may help you understand it in a very illustrative way: The Nine Enneagram Types - Enneagram Explained.

The ability to mold myself into this Enneagram personality type is a result of being raised by a father who was a very severe man. So, I adopted a rather stressful defense mechanism: trying to make everything perfect at home to prevent my father from getting angry.

As a consequence of maintaining this practice for years, I managed to make connecting with God, from the perspective of seeing Him as a loving Father, one of my greatest challenges. This is especially hard when we have grown up with the image of a God who in the old covenant is seen as a strict and demanding Father, demanding the attention of His people.

However, when we look at the story of God and His people from a more global perspective, we observe a God full of grace and tenderness. “For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath”(Deut. 4:31 NIV).

There are examples of grace throughout the Bible. Although the Old Testament focuses its attention on justice, mercy also plays an essential role in our understanding of the character of God. “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness”(Is. 16:5).

With God, there is no judgment without mercy. “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”(Is. 30:18)

This new understanding of the old covenant has also changed the way I perceive my relationship with my earthly father and has even allowed me to discover traits of my own personality that I was unaware of. Now I can feel more authentic in my relationship with myself and with God, I feel confident in a love that doesn't desperately need perfection, it just needs me to be willing to live in His home forever as we are promised in Psalm 23:6. “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In this way, Christ can do his work.“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”(2 Cor. 12:9a).

Written by Ann Thiede, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 

“Insecure” describes me from my childhood through my teenage years, wanting to fit in, becoming a people-pleaser which led to conflicts within and ungodly choices. I craved relationships—people with whom I could be close and share my heart. Unfortunately, many of my contemporaries during my high school and college days followed the crowd. But, praise God, a few helped me walk toward Christ.

Matthew, in his gospel, recorded these last words of Jesus:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

I’m forever grateful for God’s beautiful orchestration through four peers, drawing me to Him and teaching me what it looks like to follow Him. These are some discipleship steps I’ve learned.

The first step involves getting to know Jesus as you read the Gospels with a hungry, teachable heart, and the willingness to let go of preconceived ideas. In searching for what you believe, you will find Who you believe. I encourage you to read through John’s gospel first, taking note of all of the titles Jesus gives Himself. For example, in John 6:35 He says, “I am the bread of life,” and then “…sothe one who feeds on Me will live because of Me” (6:57b). Ask yourself: What would it look like to feed on Christ?

The writer of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb.

Remember my issue of people-pleasing, wanting approval? Jesus wants us to please Him above all others. His desire is to draw us toward His likeness, giving us the courage to talk as He talked, live and love as He lived and loved, and to reach out and share the Good News even as He did.“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It is the heart of Christ that we who are disciples make disciples by sharing His Good News, studying the Word with those who don’t know Him, planting seeds of faith or watering what others have planted, and watching God bring the increase of souls into the Kingdom.

Discipleship means adhering to God’s Word first and foremost. Spirit-inspired words throughout the Bible embody truth. Luke records these insightful thoughts: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts

Following Christ as His disciple also means walking together in this life with other disciples; encouraging one another, praying with one another, and sharing joy and grief together. Surrendering to Him as Lord and Savior means becoming a part of His Body, the church. Jesus intends for disciples to function together in harmony. I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 and Romans 12:4-8, both beautiful passages about the church and what your part may be, according to the gifts God has given you. Many disciples over the years have enriched my life, encouraging me to be more like Jesus. These relationships go deep as we share life including our spiritual struggles and victories. The Holy Spirit has taught me the value of Paul’s admonition when he says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). If you desire qualities you see in another person that are Christlike, start asking God!

As you’ve read, in what area of being a disciple of Jesus do you desire growth?

• Getting to know Jesus better through the Gospels
• Developing a consistent prayer life
• Allowing Him to make changes in your life
• Making disciples by sharing Christ with others
• Letting the Word be your guide for truth above all
• Deepening relationships with other disciples

Go to Jesus and share with a fellow disciple. And remember, Jesus has promised to be with you, always.

Written by Débora Rodrigo de Racancoj

The command to rejoice in the midst of tribulations and to be joyful at all times has often been an incomprehensible challenge for me. I understand that salvation gives reason enough to be joyful and to exude joy. But there are situations in life in which, honestly, I do not feel like smiling.
We need to understand that the joy of the Bible is something much deeper than the emotion of joy, which is momentary and changing. Biblical joy is a state of the soul, from the depths of our being. We can have a horrible day in which everything goes wrong; or we may be even going through a particularly difficult season in our lives. That will produce a change in our emotions, and can probably stay that way for a few hours, days, or weeks. But the circumstances of life, whether small or large, are not responsible for the emotional state of our soul.
What is inside your soul? Is there joy? Or is there bitterness? It may seem somewhat difficult to identify the state of your soul, but actually, it is much simpler than we think. Watch your behavior, listen to your words, and analyze them. Jesus Himself gave us the key in Luke 6:45: what we store in our hearts is what is reflected in our behavior and our words. If we have a soul flooded with bitterness, bitterness will come out of us; whether it is a good day, in which everything seems to be going well, or a bad day, where things go wrong. If, however, what prevails is joy, we will inevitably radiate joy.
What is clear is that a fountain cannot pour through the same opening fresh water and bitter water (James 3:11). It’s one or the other: either you're splashing with joy toward others or you're splashing them with bitterness. And from my own experience I tell you: it is very easy to flood our soul with bitterness. I guess that is why Paul repeats so insistently that we rejoice.
Whatever the situation you are going through at this point in your life, whether circumstances are prosperous or contrary; if the invitation to rejoice is unattainable, you have probably let the sea of bitterness invade your soul. I have good news for you: bitter water can easily be converted into fresh water, you just have to cry out to God and ask Him to show you what to do, just as He showed Moses (Ex. 15: 23-25).
A simple prayer was sufficient for Moses to know what to do so that the bitter water, with which he would quench the thirst of the people, was transformed into fresh water. Changing that water that invades your soul is no more difficult for God than changing the physical water in the story of Moses. Cry out to God, and He will answer, He has the key so that the bitter water that floods you will turn into fresh water. He is the key to your fountain flowing joy.

Written by Nilaurys Garcia, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada

Imitating people and accents has been easy for me for as long as I can remember, and I don’t mean it by making fun or laughing at them, but by speaking like them after spending some time in a specific place or with certain people. Even though it was an involuntary response, and I was not aware of it, it was common to hear comments like, “You spent two weeks there, and you already think you’re from there,” or “You have no identity”. Add that to learning a new language, changing cities and later, countries, and you get a very interesting outcome.

When I first moved to Chile, adopting their accent was not a conscious decision but a defense mechanism. I am one of many people from Latin America who have decided to migrate to another country looking for better opportunities. The word “foreigner” can be used in various contexts, and one of them is a person that does not belong to the place where they are currently, and I felt this very definition when I moved to a new country where everything was different. I did not fit in because I did not relate to their food, culture, words, or traditions. It was a country I felt was too cold because of the four seasons, and it simply was not home.

I sometimes wondered if that’s how the Israelites felt every time they had to move from one place to another as a nation; maybe they also missed home. But one thing I can say, my story did not end at that homesick and sad stage; it was when I met my wonderful spiritual family. A father and mother that opened not only their hearts but the doors to their home, sisters that went through my closet as if it was their own and whose hugs were always there when I needed them the most. And that was how, through love, I started to feel part of the new place and acquired their traditions. The conversations after lunch were never too long, and there were never too many get-togethers for a barbecue, just because.

At this point, it was so easy to blend in, not only because of my accent, but because I understood their dynamics so well that unless somebody knew my story, they would have never guessed I had been born and raised in Venezuela. However, this was not enough to feel like I belonged. Years later, I understand why; I was looking for things in the wrong place. Neither people nor the church nor society could provide what only God can, an identity.

The song “This World is Not My Home” always felt like my motto; I am just passing through. Good thing this “I-don’t-belong” feeling took me straight to the arms of the One who is my everything, who gave me a new name and who does not worry where I came from or how I talked, for He knew me before I was born. You might relate to changing your traditions, your food or words, or maybe you had to leave your country and have already adapted to the new place, but sometimes miss what used to be home. You might also miss your old traditions, the music or even smells. All of these are part of who you are and makes you the wonderful person you are today. I want to remind you that neither your nationality nor where you physically are at, define you in God’s eyes or how precious as a person you are. Although you might feel like a stranger in your own home, please remember who you are in God; you are His daughter, you are loved, and you are His instrument wherever you are.

A couple of years after feeling like a foreigner and my identity crisis happened, I now live in a totally different country, speak Spanish like a Chilean and have Venezuelan arepas for breakfast, but the most important part is I remember that my identity comes from the One who gave me a new name, rescued me. I am His, and have decided to follow Him wherever He leads me… “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine.” (Is. 43:1 ERV). Every time people ask me where I am from, my answer is I am from Chile, but was born in Venezuela. Whatever your answer is, would you like to help me serve The Lord no matter where we are?

 #IronRoseSister #HIStories #identityinChrist #foreigners #thisworldisnotmyhome #guestwriter #blog

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

It happens every single time we are in the car and see someone holding a cardboard sign on a street corner. “Mommy, why do they stand there and ask for help? Can we give them something? How can they get some money or a job?” Both of my children have what many people would call “bleeding hearts.” They cannot stand to see others suffering, and they want to come up with solutions to help everyone. If my daughter sees someone who looks upset or stressed, her immediate reaction is to give them a hug. Where does this instinct come from? This seems to come so naturally for children, but adult hearts are often more hardened and cynical after years of struggle and disappointment. In a world that can seem so calloused and self-centered, how do we respond in a way that demonstrates love?

One of the most difficult things we encounter in life is how to cope with grief and stress. When times get tough, people instinctively search for something to ease the pain or lighten the load. We just want something – anything – that will make us feel better, and Satan is more than willing to provide cheap substitutes that will momentarily fool us into thinking we’ve got it under control. Peter tells us “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We are the most vulnerable when we are hurting. So, what trait of the I AM can we draw from to reach the hearts of those who seek comfort?

The compassion of the I AM is mentioned many times throughout scripture. Psalm 103 tells us He is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love... As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” In Matthew 9:36, we are told when Jesus saw the crowds, “He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” and similar examples can be found in chapters 14, 15, and 20. The I AM came down and lived among us, fully human, enduring the physical, mental, and emotional strains that come with our earthly limitations. His willingness to suffer as we do shows the extent of His love for us.

How, then, do we extend this love and compassion to those around us? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs the church “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” When we turn to the I AM in difficult times, He provides a comfort and peace that goes beyond our understanding. He does not hammer us with advice or tell us to get over it. We are not yelled at from the heavens or told to hurry up and move on. He comforts us in all of our troubles, which then allows us to extend that same comfort to others.

So go ahead and give the hugs. Lend an ear. Offer comfort. Be brave enough to have the compassionate, bleeding heart.

“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matt. 10:8b)

Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Samaria: the region between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north of the Promised Land. It was the area given to Ephraim and Manasseh, sons of Joseph, when Israel entered the land. Second Kings 17:24-33 gives us background about the Samaritans. After the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom and took most of the Israelite people into captivity, they resettled that land with foreigners. Those people intermarried with the Israelites who were left in the region, creating a mixed race that became known as Samaritans. They were hated by the Jews because even though they worshipped the Lord, pagan gods had been brought in, and they also worshipped those foreign gods. The Samaritans only accepted the first five books of the Old Testament. They chose to worship on Mt Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem. In AD 6, Samaritans desecrated the Jewish temple by putting human bones in the temple porches and sanctuary during Passover.

Despite the hostility Jews felt towards Samaritans, Jesus chose to walk through their land in a time when “Righteous Jews” traveling between Galilee and Judea would avoid going through Samaria by crossing to the eastern side of the Jordan River, adding about three days to the journey.

John 4:4-6 tells us Jesus had to go through Samaria. He stopped in the town of Sychar (Old Testament Shecham) to rest at Jacob’s well. It was about noon, and He was weary. Jesus made at least seven round trips between Jerusalem and Galilee during His ministry, and this is the only time we are told the route He took. Focus on the word “had” in verse 4. The literal Greek translation is “it was necessary.”

Why did Jesus “have to” go through Samaria when other Jews either chose not to go through there at all, or to pass through as quickly as possible? I believe Jesus went because He intended to meet the woman at the well. He knew she would be coming for water. She, however, had no idea what that daily trip to the well would bring.

Throughout the Scriptures, we see how God has pursued mankind. Even though she was not looking for Jesus, He was looking for her. Jesus stopped at the well to rest and His disciples went into town to buy food. While they were gone, the woman came to the well to draw water where she met Jesus. When the disciples returned, they marveled that He was talking to a woman… a Samaritan woman at that, but surprisingly, none of them asked why. Perhaps it was because it was early in Jesus’ ministry, and they were already learning that their Teacher did the unexpected.

In John 4:26 Jesus reveals to the woman that He is the Messiah she is expecting. In verse 28 she leaves her water jug and rushes back into town to share the news that she has found the Messiah, and the whole village comes out to hear Him. As the village people talk to Jesus, they ask Him to stay, and He spends two days with them (verses 40-43).

We learn: Even though we may not be looking for God, He is looking for us.

The time would come when Jesus would tell His disciples to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). His last words before ascending back to the Father were, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus was preparing them to hear those words by setting an example. He “had to” go through Samaria because He wanted to reach this one woman, and through her, He would reach her whole village… Samaritans… the people who were half Jew and half Gentile… hated and despised.

From this encounter we learn that cultural or racial prejudices must not affect our decision to teach others, and this command often leads down a path we did not plan.

Today, we have our own “Samaritans,” those who, for any number of reasons, are outside our circle of friends or our comfort zone. Are we pursuing them to share the story of Jesus as intently as God has pursued us?

Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

“So, do you want a straw or a spoon with this?” the obviously new teenage employee asked as he handed me the hot fudge sundae at Sonic. His question surprised me, and I smiled and said, “I usually use a spoon,” and then he realized that you don’t eat a sundae with a straw. He ran back to get a spoon and just as he reached my car, he realized he brought another straw. The third time he brought a spoon, embarrassed as he kept apologizing. I told him it was OK… he was doing a good job, and he smiled and said, “Thank you for being kind and encouraging me.”

As I sat in the heat enjoying the cool ice cream, two Scriptures went through my mind. “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3 ESV). “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14 ESV).

As a disciple of Jesus Christ my speech is being refined to be different from that of the world. At times of inconvenience or frustration or when we are caught off-guard, it is easy to blurt out something we should not say.

As a disciple, I also need to remember cultures are different. When I went to Scotland as a college student, we were given a list of words that have a different meaning in the UK. Even in the United States there are cultural differences from one area to another in meanings of some words, and we need to be aware of these differences.

Paul mentioned how the disciple should speak when he wrote: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up” (Eph. 4:29 ESV).

He also wrote, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Eph. 5:4 ESV).

In Acts 4:36, Barnabas is called “son of encouragement.” While we are not given a lot of detail, I can hear him telling John Mark later in the book, “You can do this… forget what happened last time.”

Jesus told His followers, “On the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak” (Mt. 12:36 ESV).

Words... are the major way we communicate with others. James 1 and 3 tell us to “bridle” our tongue, which means “restrain” or “control.” What we say and how we say it often leaves an impression that is never forgotten, and just because we think it doesn’t mean we need to say it.

In Matthew 26:73 Peter was told, “Your speech betrays you,” and while this may have referred to a Galilean accent, it is something we need to think on: How can our speech make others aware we are a follower of the Christ?