Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“Kektmal” means joy and it was the first word I learned in quiche in order to bring greater focus to the theme of Philippians with the indigenous sisters of Guatemala. The women were filled with “kektmal” when they heard me say a word in their own language. The culture and language of quiche fascinated me and I greatly appreciated Maria’s help to translate the message of Philippians to the forty-six women who attended the seminar.

We explained things in great detail and very simply for the women—many of which never completed the third grade—the joy in suffering, joy through service to others and in imitating Christ’s attitude of humility, joy in trials, depression, and discouragement, and finally joy, contentment and gratitude in any and all circumstances.

I taught eight classes over the course of two days. It was supposed to be eleven classes during a three-day seminar, but one of the seminal members of the hosting congregation passed away—an elder and well-respected man of God, so we cancelled the last day and I combined the final three lessons in with second day’s lessons.

After each lesson, the ladies devoured their time in small groups. They worked together, encouraged one another, enjoyed each other’s company and learned from one another through the shared ideas. Small groups were a new concept, but they caught on quickly and appreciated the opportunity to take what they learned in the classes and put it into practice in a very personal way.

Their final assignment was to write a letter themselves using Paul’s letter to the Philippians as a pattern. “Put yourself in Paul’s place and use the themes that he presented in his letter to address your family or the women of your congregation.. Your “letter” can be written, drawn, sung… be creative!”

The women joyfully completed their task and, in this way, the teaching did not remain with them nor their small group, but rather was shared with others as well.

Since I was unable to conduct the seminar on the third day, I went to one of the Health Talents International clinics and prayed over the patients and their families after their doctor visit. What an honor to take them before the Great Physician in prayer.

As a side note, I was impressed with the indigenous congregations that were community-based in their fulfillment of the organization of the church—multiple leaders, elders, deacons, and family-oriented activities. They receive no financial support from the US (save an occasional seminar) and were growing in number and hunger for the Word.

To see all of the pictures from my trip, you can view the album on Facebook.

No one likes to have her faults pointed out. Speaking the truth in love can still be painful. And, at times, I know that we reach the end of the month and the Common Threads are the last thing you want to reflect on, because it serves as a spiritual mirror and reminder of our shortcomings.
However, today, I want you to look at the Common Threads in a new way. Let’s find joy in the ways in which God has helped us grow and bloom. Take a moment to thank God for the thorns he is removing. And rejoice in the fact that he places other women in our lives that can serve as iron sharpening iron, encouraging and inspiring us to be as beautiful as a rose in spite of a few thorns.
I rejoice with you in the transformation God is bringing about in your lives, as reflected in the Common Threads. Thanks for taking this moment to rejoice with me as well.

No one likes to have her faults pointed out. Speaking the truth in love can still be painful. And, at times, I know that we reach the end of the month and the Common Threads are the last thing you want to reflect on, because it serves as a spiritual mirror and reminder of our shortcomings.
However, today, I want you to look at the Common Threads in a new way. Let’s find joy in the ways in which God has helped us grow and bloom. Take a moment to thank God for the thorns He is removing. And rejoice in the fact that He places other women in our lives that can serve as iron sharpening iron, encouraging and inspiring us to be as beautiful as a rose in spite of a few thorns.
I rejoice with you in the transformation God is bringing about in your lives, as reflected in the Common Threads. Thanks for taking this moment to rejoice with me as well.

As we close out the month on Joy and Contentment, I pray you have delighted in these posts. I also pray they have been a challenge and encouragement to you.

And as a lead-in to next month's topic: Community, I invite you to do the Common Threads with a friend on the topic of Joy and the verses that have been shared this past month. The Common Threads are a way of making any lesson very personal and practical.

So, ask yourself and share with a friend:

• How you'd like to grow and bloom in joy - Be specific!
• A thorn you'd like to remove - Maybe a negative attitude?
• An area in which you are striving to dig deeper or need to have someone hold you accountable.
• Close with an encouraging verse and some time in prayer together!

This past Sunday, one of the young families in the Hispanic congregation needed my help. They have three boys, the oldest of which is not quite four. The middle son, who is two, didn’t want to stay in the nursery during church, so the mom was helping him make the transition while dad took the four-month-old baby on to the church service, which had already started.

Just before communion, I heard a whisper, “Michelle, can you come watch the baby? I have to serve communion.”

“Of course!” I did not hesitate to move to the back row and watch the happy baby in the car seat on the floor. But did he stay in the car seat? Nope. Not on my watch.

During the rest of the service, even after mom and dad had both returned, the baby and I bounced and cooed, sang, smiled, and listened to the sermon. Well, I listened. He started to fight a nap, so I swung him in my arms until he fell fast asleep.

There is nothing like the joy of holding a sleeping baby in your arms. All the other stresses of life melt away when we take the time to absorb the joy of that moment, allowing all of our other thoughts and worries to disappear.

What is something in which you find joy?

The smell of freshly cut grass

A flower blooming in spring

Chocolate

A good sigh

Dinner with old friends

Coffee with a new friend

A sunset

Holding hands

The smell of your favorite dessert

Your favorite song comes on the radio

Be sure to make time today to find joy in the simple things!

“But I don’t feel joyful!” Neither do I, actually. At least not always.
The joy isn’t always there as a feeling, but that doesn’t make it any less “joy.”
Because joy is a choice, not a feeling.
“Count it all joy, my [sisters], when you meet trials of various kinds...” (James 1:2)
Because joy is a choice, not a feeling.
“...who for the joy set before him, endured the cross...” (Heb. 12:2)
Because joy is a choice, not a feeling.
“...And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10b)
Because joy is a choice, not a feeling.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4)
Because joy is a choice, not a feeling.
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” (Ps. 126:5)
Because joy is a choice, not a feeling.
How can you choose joy today?

Written by Monica Dye, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Siloam Springs, AR.

Obedience is a word we often don’t like to hear. We are taught that we obey rules starting at a very young age. We learn that if we do not obey there are consequences. And usually those consequences are negative. So, we learn to obey the rules to avoid negative things happening to us such as spankings, lectures, speeding tickets, etc.

But what does God teach us about obedience? Proverbs 10:17 ESV states, “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray." So, God is telling us that obedience leads to life. And if we reject correction (reproof), we lead others astray. But what does He mean by “lead us to life”? Does it mean if we don’t obey rules then we won’t live? Does it mean we will have a bad life? Yes! At least in a way. Think back to those consequences you had for disobedience when you were little. When were you living your best life? When you were in trouble, or when you were obeying? I dare say most of us were happier when we were obeying the rules. At least we knew we would not be harmed. We felt safer.

Guess what, God still wants us to obey even now that we are grown. But it’s no longer just to avoid negative consequences. God wants us to obey to give us joy! Read Psalm 40:8 ESV. “I delight to do your will, O God; your law is within my heart.” God’s law is in our hearts! We obey because we love God. We obey because it gives us joy to serve God. We delight to obey God!

But what about right now? The law makers of the country are telling us to stay inside. They are telling us to not even go to worship with our church families. Should we obey them? How can this be pleasing to God? How can this bring us joy? Well, sometimes obedience is not fun at the time. It’s not what we want to do at the moment. Sometimes obedience is painful, but necessary. Let’s look at Hebrews chapter 12 ESV. Verse two says Jesus is “the founder and protector of our faith and for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross." Did you read that? He endured the cross for the joy of promised heaven. He endured the cross so we could learn to obey when we don’t want to. Jesus did not enjoy the cross. But He knew obedience was necessary to make the sacrifice for our sins. He knew obedience was necessary to obtain future joy for all of us.

God wants us to obey! He knows it’s not always easy or fun. But He also knows that obedience now will bring us great joy in the end. So be joyful in your obedience to God.

Stay safe, Sisters! “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

In the movie, The Princess Bride, Vizzini, the short, bald Sicilian, uses the word “inconceivable” on various occasions. Finally, the Spaniard, Inigo Montoya, played by Mandy Patinkin, responds, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

We use the words joy and happiness interchangeably. But, spiritually speaking, there is a difference between the two words.

Delight! Joy! That is what this weekend is all about.

I will be speaking on the topic of Delight! for the Hardin Valley Church of Christ Ladies Retreat in Knoxville, TN.
We will be discussing what it means to truly delight and have joy, the delight God finds in us, and how we can delight ourselves in Him.
This weekend specifically, I will delight in...
• Teaching
• Reuniting with old friends
• Getting to know new Christian sisters
• Meeting women who are searching for God
• Stepping away from the busy-ness of life to retreat and delight in God
• Discussing our delights in small groups
• Helping women see how much God delights in them

What will you delight in this weekend? Remember, sometimes joy can just be joy (see March 7th blog post).

Thanks for keeping us and this retreat in your prayers this weekend, as well.

Matthew 13:18-23 gives the explanation for the parable of the sower that Jesus shares at the beginning of the chapter (v. 1-9). After sharing the parable, the disciples ask Jesus why He chooses to speak to them in parables (v. 10-17). Jesus’ answer about listening, hearing, seeing, and understanding is fascinating as I dig deeper into the concept of listening this year.

However, I want to focus on Jesus’ explanation of the parable today. It is the inspiration for the retreat theme here in Marble Falls, Texas, this weekend: Overcomers.
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
The seed that fell along the path was overcome by doubt. The rocky ground illustrates the seed overcome by trials. And the seed that fell among the thorns is overcome by temptation. But the seed sown on good soil is the overcomer; it has not been overcome by fear or any other obstacles.
“For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (1 Pet. 2:19b).

What made the difference between the soils and the seeds’ reactions? Our theme verse for the weekend makes it clear: Faith.

“4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Please join us in prayer this weekend as we strengthen our faith to overcome doubt, trials, temptations, and fear.

IRSM is helping Ret’s Retreat go bilingual this year! I will be leading bilingual worship and a bilingual devo, translating, and teaching a class in Spanish. If you’re in the area and want to join us, there are still spots open!

World Christian Broadcasting’s broadcast into Latin America is called La Voz Alegre (The Happy Voice). Late last year, we rejoiced in the approval for the Madagascar short wave radio station, which, in tandem with their station in Alaska, allows for their worldwide reach.

April 2014, at the Pepperdine Lectureships, I was approached with the opportunity to record a 2-3 minute segment for women as part of the NPR-style Spanish program.

Our segment is called Luz para las Rosas(Light for the Roses) and is a word of encouragement, practical for everyday life, that points women to God.

So why am I mentioning this to you today?

·     We are focused on joy this month and the radio program is called The Happy Voice.

·     I solicit your prayers for World Christian Broadcasting and the part IRSM can play in reaching women for God.

·     In order that you might spread the word to Spanish-speaking friends. For more information or to hear the Luz para las Rosassegment, visit www.LaVozAlegre.com

This picture is of me in my room pre-recording the segments. Don’t you love my makeshift soundproof room?

World Christian Broadcasting’s broadcast into Latin America is called La Voz Alegre (The Happy Voice). Late 2015, we rejoiced in the approval for the Madagascar short wave radio station, which, in tandem with their station in Alaska, allows for their worldwide reach.
Since 2014, IRSM has partnered with World Christian Broadcasting and La Voz Alegre to reach Spanish-speaking women across the world. I record 2-3 minute segments for women as part of the NPR-style Spanish program.
IRSM´s segment is called Luz para las Rosas (Light for the Roses) and is a word of encouragement, practical for everyday life, that points women to God.
So why am I mentioning this to you today?
• We are focused on joy this month and the radio program is called The Happy Voice.
• I solicit your prayers for World Christian Broadcasting and the part IRSM can play in reaching women for God.
• In order that you might spread the word to Spanish-speaking friends. For more information or to hear the Luz para las Rosas segment,visit

www.LaVozAlegre.com

This picture is of me in the World Christian Broadcasting office in Nashville, pre-recording some of the segments.

World Christian Broadcasting’s broadcast into Latin America is called La Voz Alegre (The Happy Voice). Late last year, we rejoiced in the approval for the Madagascar short wave radio station, which, in tandem with their station in Alaska, allows for their worldwide reach.
April 2014, at the Pepperdine Lectureships, I was approached with the opportunity to record a 2-3 minute segment for women as part of the NPR-style Spanish program.
Our segment is called Luz para las Rosas (Light for the Roses) and is a word of encouragement, practical for everyday life, that points women to God.
So why am I mentioning this to you today?

As one more reflection of delight, I would like to share with you a poem shared by one of the small groups with all of the women at the Enterprise Boulevard Ladies’ Mini-Retreat.

In one of the small group assignments, they were encouraged to create their own song of praise or shout of joy, just as Miriam, Deborah, and Mary had done.

The kiwi group decided to use a similar pattern as Psalm 136, so their poem became a responsive reading at the end of the retreat (shared below).

Our God gives healing, 

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

He abundantly provides all our needs,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

He is faithful through all generations,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

Peace, perfect peace in the midst of the storm,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

For giving joy and delight in teaching his word,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

The Holy Spirit makes us aware He is working in our life,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

He sends angels in our hour of need,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

The heritage of those who fear your name,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

God hears and answers when we call,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

As iron sharpens iron,

Our delight is in the Lord forever.

What line would you add to this song of delight?

Today, I am on my way to Guatemala. I will be spending the next ten days conducting classes and seminars in three different cities. The first two are in partnership with Health Talents International, in the cities of Chichicastenango and at the Clínica Ezell.
Both of those seminars will be based on the book of Philippians. We will look to Christ as Paul’s ultimate source of joy, as well as the other points made to the Philippi church that still apply to us today.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice!”

What do we do when our joy is fading? How do we respond when discontent is clouding our perspective on God’s blessings?
The following acronym can be a good reminder of how to respond to questions in areas of discontentment. For example, to those that ask me, “Why are you still single?” These recommendations from Scripture apply to more than just a discontentment with marital status. They can bring us back to a spirit of joy—when we respond APTLY.
APTLY =
Acknowledge the disappointment (Mourning expectations is a form of grief – Ps. 31:9)
Pray (1 Thes. 5:17)
Thank God (Phil. 4:4-6)
Love others (Matt. 22:34-36, Matt. 20:28)
Yearn for the right things (Focus vision: Heb 12:2, 1 Cor. 4:18; Focus thoughts: Phil. 4:7-9)
How can you respond APTLY today to a disappointment?

There are times when I just need to vent. I am frustrated and my circumstances aren’t changing as quickly as I’d like. I usually recognize that my attitude needs an adjustment, but I’m annoyed with a situation or overwhelmed, and feel the need to share the burden of that frustration with someone else.
I am very grateful to those special people in my life who allow me to vent their direction. God has provided some faithful friends and encouraging family members who are an excellent sounding board.
However, I have become aware of the fact that if all I do when I talk with someone is vent, she won’t likely want to talk with me the next time. I become a “Negative Nelly,” if I only share the anger, the frustration, or the burden.
With this warning in mind, I have become more diligent about sharing in the joy, especially as it relates to what I was previously venting about. When I share this joy, it becomes an opportunity to give God the glory for an answered prayer. I see His hand at work and recognize that I am not forgotten or alone.