Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Rachel is a volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries, living in Searcy, Arkansas.

Rachel, tell us a little about yourself and your family.
I am originally from Memphis, TN, but I have lived in Searcy, AR, since I came to Harding University in 2001. I received my bachelors and Master’s degrees from HU in Early Childhood Special Education, and I currently teach online. I have been married to my husband, Andrew, for just over 3 years, and we have two children: Abigail is 11, and Logan is 8.

I know from our conversations that the Great I AM has really shown up in big ways throughout your life, even when He didn’t feel present. Can you tell us a little about that?
Absolutely! You might notice the numbers of my children’s ages don’t quite match the length of my marriage. I was married to another man for 11 years. We faced great struggles throughout our marriage, and I did everything I could to save it. When he left and filed for divorce, I could not imagine any good coming from my life or situation. The I AM has carried me through many dark seasons by surrounding me with supportive family, friends, and scriptures. I firmly believe that the relationship I have now with Andrew is a deliberate example of how our God can redeem all things, and I am so grateful for that blessing!

What are some of the questions the I AM has answered in your life?
I grew up hearing people say, “God will never give you more than you can handle,” so I felt like I was weak or failing somehow when difficult times seemed overwhelming. When I finally read 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, I was relieved to read Paul’s testimony: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.” Hallelujah! I cannot handle it all, but He can! Knowing that I can rely on His strength when I have reached my limits keeps me going through the darkest valleys.

How has the I AM provided those answers?
He has used His word to speak Truth to my heart when I was drowning in fear and doubt, just like that passage in 2 Corinthians did. He has also brought other sisters into my life who have been through similar struggles and could share the burden with me.

What direction has the I AM led you through the answers He has provided?
I realize now more than ever the importance of being open and authentic with others. When we are willing to be vulnerable and share our personal struggles, we are more able to reach out and encourage one another through difficult times. I believe that I am created and called to express my faith through love, especially by bringing encouragement, hope, confidence, and passion to the hearts of women through spoken and written words.

Is there a specific Bible verse that has been especially impactful in seeking answers and finding the I AM?
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Psalm 18:16-19

Any final words of encouragement to other Iron Rose Sisters?
Remember that you are to love one another always, but there is only One whom you must please! You are enough because He is enough.

Thanks for sharing your story with us!

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of our newest interactive Bible study book, I already AM: Testimonies of Belief in the Great I AM

Can someone else be in charge? My sanity demands it.

Same song, tenth verse. The broken record rang in my ears as I lamented the current state of affairs. Others were tired of hearing it and I was tired of saying it!

Exhaustion from the weight of life’s stresses clouded my thinking as I attempted to check something off my to-do list and seek a way out from under it. I had to find a solution!

A friend recommended the concept of uni-tasking: working on one thing at a time and a focused approach to that one task at hand before moving on to the next.

When I first heard this suggestion, I cringed at the prick to my pride. I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking. But my “expert” multi-tasking skills were failing me. And were they really worth bragging about?

I heard myself fall into the same trap of repetitive frustration and complaint. Others cringed on the other end of the phone as I broached the subject. Why did my words ring negative? Why were my inadequacies glaringly evident?

My prayers cried out in desperation to God. Desperate to get off the crazy train. Anxious to disembark the spinning carousel. My thoughts were my greater enemy than the daunting tasks at hand; the overwhelmed frustrations became mountains in my mind.

My rambling cries to God culminated in a myriad of questions, “Can someone else be in charge? I don’t want to be responsible. Can I turn over the reins? Can someone tell me what to do next? How do I discern the priorities? Maybe it will all stop long enough for me to catch my breath...”

My questions continued in a torrent of words and emotions. And I came back to my initial question, “Can someone else be in charge?”

After a deep sigh, relieved to express my deepest longing to God, grateful for the ability to put it into words, He responded. A still small voice, a quieting of my spirit, a gentle embrace with a patient chuckle ushered me into the clear statement, “I already am. I AM.”

Did you catch that?! The Great I AM was already in charge of my life, of my situation, of my world—the same world that I felt was spinning out of control.

The One who was and is and is to come was already in charge, taking care of things in ways I could not comprehend. He’s got this. I can let go. I should let go. I will let go. And let Him lead.

No matter what the questions you are asking, the problems you are facing, the doubts, fears, confusion, or frustration that clouds your mind, I invite you to hear the gentle, welcoming response of our eternal Father, “I already AM.”

Your question may be expressed with different words. What is one of the questions you are facing in your own life?

What is your response to hearing “I already AM” from the Great I AM in the midst of your current life circumstances?

Even if you don’t yet hear an answer, may we rest in the promise of the Great I AM and dwell in His presence today. He’s already there. And He’s got this. Whatever it is.

To continue this study, order your own copy of I already AM: Testimonies of Belief in the Great I AM

And we would love for you to join us in connecting more deeply to the I AM and to one another at our Destination Retreat, November 1-3. Early Registration ends October 16 (or pay an additional $15). Remember, we are modeling a bilingual event this year, so invite your Spanish-speaking friends!

While speaking on a panel for Harding University’s Bible Lectures, I was tasked with representing three different marginalized groups: women, singles, and Latinos. The discussion was on “Making Our Churches More Welcoming” and I invite you to listen to the audio.

The conversation from that class and other conversations in which God has called me to speak have reminded me of two important truths:
1) The I AM is present in everyone’s lives. He sees the ones that others may forget, the outcasts, the marginalized, and the broken.
2) It is important to create a space in which those voices can be openly heard and respectfully represented.

Iron Rose Sister Ministries exists to equip women to connect to God and one another more deeply in English, Spanish, and bilingual contexts across the Americas. We encourage and empower women in their spiritual walks, inviting them to draw closer in relationship with the I AM and with each other.

With those purposes and truths in mind, there are two exciting things I am thrilled to announce:
1) The newest book, I already AM: Testimonies of Belief in the Great I AM is now available in both English and Spanish!
2) A survey for single and single-again women is open until November 30, 2019, in order to present, as a collective voice, the perspectives and needs of single and single-again women. The survey results and interview summaries will be shared in the following book on which we are working, Single and Lovin’ It, Mostly.

Please invite any single or single-again women you know to participate in the survey!
Also, we encourage you to order your copy of I already AM, available on our website or via Amazon.

“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)