Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“A nail is driven out by another nail; habit is overcome by habit.” Erasmus said that, contemporary and admirer of Martin Luther. When I read this thought, I am surprised because I had never known and I am sad for all that would have changed if only I had.

I look down at the pen, this pen I keep wielding, one writing her way all the way to one thousand. This pen: this is nothing less than the driving of nails.  Nails driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of eucharisteo (means thanksgiving with its root word meaning grace). I’m hammering in nails to pound out nails, ugly nails that Satan has pierced through the world, my heart. It starts to unfold, light in the dark, a door opening up, how all these years it’s been utterly pointless to try to wrench out the spikes of discontent. Because that habit of discontent can only be driven out by hammering in one sharper. The sleek pin of gratitude.

One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp, pg. 49-50

The books of Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations are known as the Scrolls of the Megilloth. These five books of history, poetry and prophecy are read every year during designated festivals as part of the spiritual rhythms for the Jewish nation. This practice has been in place for centuries as a constant reminder of God’s salvation, His eternal plan, and everlasting love.

Each book or scroll reveals and reminds us of God’s salvation, plan, and love in different ways: Ruth through relationships, Esther through struggles, Ecclesiastes through wisdom, Song of Songs through a love story, and Lamentations through lament.

In the United States, inspired by the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November, many people have adopted the practice of the spiritual rhythm of thanksgiving throughout that month. Before the commercialization of Christmas, the opportunity to pause and give thanks is vital for resetting our focus and renewing our faith.

• When I give thanks, I remember that God is the Great Provider and that His salvation is complete.
• When I give thanks, I recognize God’s eternal plan and trust that He knows what is best.
• When I give thanks, I dwell in God’s love and rest in His Presence.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1-3

What are your family traditions at holiday time?

Thanksgiving dinner alternates between my parents hosting and my aunt and uncle hosting at their home, just an hour away. With as many family members and friends as can make it each year, we gather to eat generous helpings of the traditional foods, made from recipes passed down for generations and from new recipes that accommodate some of our crazy food issues.

Yesterday afternoon, after we had worn her out with the food and family festivities, a family member in her early eighties, widowed about a year and a half ago, was calling it a day. As I gave her a hug and wished her a blessed evening, she took a moment to sincerely thank me, and all of us, for being there together. She said, “These traditions are important: being all together like this. They are part of what make us family. Thank you for being here.”

I was humbled by her generous and heartfelt thanks, knowing that there was nowhere else I would rather be. And then I got thinking about her choice of the word “traditions.”

What traditions do you have? In life? For the holidays? As a family?

What that family member was highlighting through her thanks was three significant things:
Traditions are part of what make us who we are.
Traditions give us a sense of belonging.
And traditions are things with which we identify ourselves and others.

Today, Black Friday, many have a tradition of shopping together to get the best deals. On Monday, the tradition of increased online shopping created the term Cyber Monday.

And, in recent years, a new tradition has come about, shared by many nonprofits: Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to give back from what we have received and increase the awareness of groups whose purpose and vision is to give and bless others year-round.

Iron Rose Sister Ministries (IRSM) strives to equip women to connect to God and one another more deeply, equipping them to equip others, to equip others, and so on. The 2x2x2 pattern of equipping is reinforced by Paul’s teaching in 2 Timothy 2:2.
“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men (and women), who will be able to teach others also.”

Get it? 2x2x2...
This is the tradition we promote, the vision we cast, the purpose we serve.

Will you partner with us and make giving to IRSM a new tradition, multiplying our traditions, 2x2x2?
   1. IRSM traditions are part of what make us who we are: The tradition of giving from what we have been given, equipping from what we have been equipped.
   2. IRSM traditions give us a sense of belonging: Partnering with a ministry that equips women to truly belong to the family of Christ and be equipped to invite other women into that sense of belonging—different roses in God’s garden, in spite of the thorns.
   3. IRSM traditions give us a sense of identity: We pray that you identify with our vision and help us equip women across the Americas to unite with their identity in Christ, in English, Spanish, and bilingual contexts.

Mark your calendar for this Tuesday, November 27, #Giving2x2TuesdayIRSM.
And while this one-day tradition is significant, we are looking for more partners in giving for 2019. Will you join us in maintaining our exponential growth?

Thank you and God bless you in your giving traditions.

Today is Throwback Thursday, so I want to give thanks to God for the blessing of the first IRSM Destination Retreat.

One of the sisters, who attended the retreat at the beginning of October, wrote the following summary. Please join me in giving thanks to God with Stacey Uhlman, who wrote this reflection.

Luke 6:12 – “One of those days Jesus went out to the mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God.”

Oh how Jesus must have loved His time on that mountain with His Father. Because I know I did. Iron Rose Sister Ministries Destination Retreat 2015 was my chance to spend the night on a mountainside praying to my Father. And oh the things I learned!!

Jeremiah 31:11-14 -For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD-- the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a

well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and My people will be filled with My bounty," declares the LORD.

Our theme verses for the weekend. We read them over and over again. So much so that I felt like a maiden dancing with gladness!! I was able to say – and mean it, “God will guide me always! He will satisfy my needs, He alone will strengthen me. I will BE a well watered garden; a spring whose waters never run dry.” - Isaiah 58:11

I learned about the Landscaper – The Big Picture Guy!! My faith has a promise. God has something better landscaped for me so that His will is perfected through me. - Hebrews 11:39-40

Not all the jobs in the Garden are mine!! And not all the jobs required in tending a Garden can be done at one time. “God is the Divine Gardener – the One who provides the growth but we each have a role to plant, water and tend.” – Michelle Goff

Psalm 18:35 – “You make your saving help my shield and Your right hand sustains me. Your help has made me great.”

Your right hand alone is strong, secure. Your right hand is open so I must open my hands to receive You. If my hands are tightly closed where will You reside? I must be willing to “throw” my worries and sins at Your feet and not go and retrieve them. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God.” – Isaiah 40 (but especially verse 28)

I will give thanks in all circumstances. For all good things whether physical or spiritual, I will say, “His love endures forever.” For all past trials that I have come through, I will say, “His love endures forever.” For every current challenge I am faced with, I will say, “His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136

And I will continue to grow!! Whether my roots are growing down reaching the deep wells or growing sideways just marking time I will breathe out me and breathe in Jesus. I will drink, I will believe so that streams of living water will flow from within me. – John 7:37

And for me personally I learned that women and small groups ARE a blessing!! Sharing, caring, nurturing is what we women do best when we are Christ centered. Ladies, we must grab unto this blessing and not run from it. Strength in numbers!! - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Time to “Shout for Joy on the Heights of Zion!” For, “He has turned MY mourning into gladness. He has given ME comfort and joy instead of sorrow. He has satisfied ME with abundance and I am filled with His bounty. He has declared that for ME.” – Jeremiah 31:13-14

I am SHOUTING!!

STACEY UHLMAN

P.S. The audio from the retreat is still available via Dropbox. And the goodie bag and handout booklet can be ordered as well.

Have you ever received something for which you are deeply grateful? We are speechless. Maybe it was a surprise, an unexpected gift, or an undeserved blessing. We feel inadequate in our expression of thanks and our words seem cheap in thanking the person.
I have a friend who always seeks a way to bless others.
Another friend never tires in her service to the Lord and preaching the good news to others.
If you were to ask either of these friends about their motivation, they would tell you that they see it as the only way to express their thanks to God for all He has done in their lives.

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Family and friends gather around a big table of food and, often, we go around the circle and each share something we are thankful for—a way in which God has blessed or guided us in the past year.

One of the best practices and attitudes we can have is one of thanksgiving.

When I am thankful, my needs and worries are put into perspective.

When I am thankful, I count my blessings and not my complaints.

When I am thankful, I remember how much God has done and how undeserving I am.

When I am thankful, I draw closer to the Great Provider and Author of all things good.

What are you thankful for today?