Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Sabrina Nino de Campos, Portuguese Team Lead for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Tennessee

It's been a little over 2 years now since I feel like my vision has been blurred by pain and confusion. It may be that, just like me, you've also had an experience that transformed your vision. Maybe something related to your job, maybe to your family, or maybe you are not going through anything like that at the moment, but it happened to you in the past or it will happen in the future. There are changes in life that transform our vision of the world.

When my biggest fear came true and my mom had a medical emergency that left her with severe brain lesions, I felt like I didn't know what to do or what to expect. My eyes turned dark and God became a strange being, Someone I could no longer recognize.

During that period (and constantly since) I held on to the passage about the two people on the road to Emmaus. It says:

That same day two of them were going to a town called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about everything that had happened. It happened that, while they were talking and arguing, Jesus himself approached and began to walk with them; but they did not recognize him, for their eyes were veiled. (Luke 24:13-16, NIV)

This passage doesn’t tell us exactly why they didn’t recognize Jesus, but I imagine the disappointment and pain they felt at seeing the One in whom they had placed so much hope die on the cross had something to do with this temporary blindness.

Can you think of a time in your life when you have also been blind?

In Luke 24:17-24, the two people explain to Jesus everything that has happened about the Christ and His death, and Jesus answers them in verses 25-27. He explains all the things that had to happen and everything that referred to Him in the Scriptures. He takes them by the hand just like children and helps them reach conclusions that they should already know, but do not know—that they should see, but don't see.

Many times, during stressful situations in which I feel lost, I can hear the voice of Jesus also telling me: “Didn't I have to suffer so that I could enter His glory? And was I not by your side during all your life and since the beginning of time? Have I not walked by your side?”

Doesn't your heart burn too when you listen to His sweet voice? (v. 32)

We have been through many difficult situations in recent years; COVID has affected more than just our health. And many times, it feels like we have come out of a fog in 2020 right into another in 2021. We don't know what to expect and we can't see anything. But I encourage you to think that Jesus speaks to you and walks by your side, just as I know He has walked by my side, and just like He walked by His disciples on that road.

Do you feel your heart burning within you?

Just like He did with the two people on their way to Emmaus, Jesus invites you to reflect on the journey that He’s shared with you. To celebrate, break the bread and bless it (v. 30) in the forthcoming year and in many others to come. May our eyes can be opened so we can see clearly (v. 31), that our vision now and forever is Jesus! Let’s keep our eyes on Him, to Whom all our goals belong.

Written by Jeana Poole, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado

“I can see really good because of my far away eyes,” my four-year-old told me.
“Your what?” I asked.
“My far away eyes. It means I can see through things to spot something I need to see.”

‘Far away eyes’ have become a sort of running joke in our family, but something about that phrase has always struck me as deeply theological. To see through things to spot something we need to see. Isn’t that what we’re called to do as Christians?

We’re told in 2 Corinthians 4:18 that “we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (ESV). It’s all too easy to focus on the things we can see. They’re right in front of us!! But we are told to do the harder thing, to look at the unseen things.

Take the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6:8-17 as an example. Syria (Aram) is getting ready to go to war with Israel, but Elisha keeps warning the Israelite king about which way to go so that the Syrians (Arameans) can’t attack. The Syrian king is troubled by this and decides he needs to capture Elisha, so he sends horses, chariots, and a great army to surround the city where Elisha is staying. Elisha’s servant wakes up, sees this great multitude and, to put it mildly, freaks out. Elisha tells him,

“Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:16-17, ESV)

The servant wasn’t using his far away eyes. He was so focused on what was in front of him, that he couldn’t see what God was doing around him. I wonder how many of us are like the servant, too focused on whatever the enemy is doing in front of us and forget to open our eyes to what God is doing around us.

As we close out 2021, I challenge us to use our ‘far away eyes’ going into 2022. Let us focus our vision on the unseen things. Let us ask our Father to open our eyes to what is around us, to see through whatever obstacles are in our way.

Where will your far away eyes take you in 2022?

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

This is the last month of the year, and as usual, I take a look at my path through 2021. Many things happened! I am realizing that each situation was a simple thing to be solved and not a big problem as I thought. It is true what Paul says: Difficulties are small and will not last long, and indeed I can see how each situation made me grow and allowed me to end this year with another perspective. This makes me think of these words from Paul:

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

That's totally true! What we see today goes away day by day, and what we DO NOT see is immutable. Therefore, remembering pain is a way of understanding that it is perishable and that today is a new opportunity to give thanks for it.

I want to share with you four ways I can take advantage of my pain, especially in 2021!

1. I use my pain to glorify God and draw me closer to Him. When we are in pain, we go in deeper search for God. It is a new opportunity to trust more in His power.
2. My pain allows me to be more like Christ. We are more sensitive and reverent when we are in pain. We approach the likeness of Christ with a pure heart.
3. Pain brings me closer to others. That's right, pain brings me closer to my community to solve my problems.
4. It is an opportunity to testify about Christ. Think for a moment… What is it that strikes you the most about someone else when you meet them? Many times, it is the person's pain and how she has overcome it! So, how many people could come to Christ with your testimony?

In a few days, 2021 will be over, so, let's take this opportunity to redefine our vision about pain. Remember that pain is a warning sign that tells us when something is wrong and also, God uses pain to protect us, take care of us, guide us, and make us grow.

Written by Jocelynn Goff, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas (and mother of Michelle J. Goff, founder)

Did you know there actually was a “Year of Vision”? Yep, you guessed it, 2020. Some of you may remember or have participated in a 2019 New Year’s Eve party with the theme of 20/20 Vision. There were all kinds of phrases, jokes, even costume glasses made into the shape of 2020. It was going to be a great year. Afterall, 20/20 is what we have traditionally considered perfect vision. However, COVID happened and that perspective was silenced. It became the year we all wished would hurry up and go away quickly, so that we could get back to normal, or at least our definition of normal. We really wanted the year 2020 to be in our rearview mirror.

The year 2020 is truly behind us now. But, where are we now as a nation, a congregation, a family, or, looking closer to home, where am I?

For me, 2021 has been a most challenging year. The most recent challenge has been an additional health issue. The quivering feeling of my heart out of rhythm seemed to call me to worry and become anxious. It threatened to consume me. I knew I needed to recognize that something was wrong and seek medical help. However, I was also seeking the appropriate response to the anxiousness and not let it run away with my mind, even as my heart needed medical attention.

I prayed for calm and the appropriate perspective. Then, as I contemplated thoughts for this blog on Redefined Vision, the song, Be Thou my Vision, came to mind.

Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

My focus or vision has had to intentionally refocus on the perspective of letting my Lord be the vision of my heart, even as it’s physically beating rapidly out of sync.

There have been other events in my life as teaching points of this concept. For instance, when I was pregnant with our first daughter, I took Lamaze classes and was introduced to the helpfulness of a focal point and relaxed breathing. These were important for me in managing pain while in labor. I chose a birth announcement card as my focal point. I practiced multiple times prior to labor, using that focal point. Then during labor, I could picture my focal point, even if I had my eyes closed. I can still picture this focal point when I’m in other painful situations.

Spiritually, the application of this principle is not new.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)

He is our focal point. We fix our vision on Him and let Him lead by example to have joy in endurance and rest at the throne of God.

Another aspect of the Lamaze method was learning relaxed breathing patterns for each stage of labor.

Spiritually, the relaxed breathing is a reminder of Who’s in control. A friend taught me this concept years ago, “Breathe out self. Breathe in Jesus.” It’s a part of letting go of the notion that I am the one sitting on the throne, and then allowing His breath to fill me.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I AM the LORD.” (Ezek. 37:4-6)

I think I can speak for all of us that we’d like to have the breath of the LORD in us and come to life like the dry bones.

In summary, not only as we do in January, when setting New Year’s Resolutions, but also throughout the year must define and redefine our vision to be fixed on Him so we can have joy, endurance, and be filled with life from the I AM.

Blessings and Happy New Year.

Written by Michelle J. Goff, founder and director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

What makes a story worth telling?
What makes a story memorable? Special? Significant? Relevant?
What makes a story bad?

One of my family members is known for his storytelling… his poor storytelling, I should say. At a birthday party, the group was sharing unusual stories. He joined in, declaring, “Yeah! I heard a story about a guy who was in the ocean and got bitten by a shark!”

His prolonged silence prompted puzzled expressions and finally someone asked, “Was he alone?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged.
“Did he survive?” asked another.
“I don’t know,” he continued, undaunted by the increasing level of concern in the voices among the rest of the group.
“What more can you tell us about the story? How did it end?”
“I don’t know,” the inept storyteller repeated once more. “I just remember that a guy was in the ocean and got bitten by a shark.”

“That is a horrible story!” declared one of the women present. “You are fired from storytelling because you can’t just leave us hanging with only that one tragic part of the story without telling us how it ends or what else happened!”

That family member has many talents. He is a highly intelligent, respected person in many areas of his life, but storytelling is not one of those areas.

Is storytelling a talent? Or is it a skill we can develop? I propose it is a little of both.

There are orators whose voices emulate the inflection of every emotion carried throughout the story being narrated. Their description of the events and the tidbits shared about each character invite you into a reliving of the story, rather than a mere retelling.

Jesus was an excellent storyteller. He fostered connection, invited involvement, challenged with His words, and inspired with His eloquence.

His illustrations were layered in such a way that the simplest application was as practical as the deepest purpose was relatable. Jesus painted pictures in the readers minds, drawing lessons that could be easily recollected and universally applied.

The best stories are the ones with God as the main character, whether in a protagonist role or hidden behind the scenes. God stories may sound like a simple narration of the events of someone’s day, but what makes it a true God story is that it is an account in which He gets all the glory. The kingdom-level relevance of the retelling is highlighted through God’s role—one of greater importance than the minor, secondary characters.

God is the Author and we, along with others in the Kingdom, are all part of the greater story—in the same way that the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 often did not see the fruition of their involvement.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Heb. 11:39-40)

What makes a good story?
1. God gets the attention or the glory (John 12:49; 2 Cor. 4:5,7).
2. It points others to Christ and the gospel message (1 Cor. 2:2; 15:1-4).
3. It is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).
4. A conflict, challenge, or dilemma is resolved by God’s hand at work, a biblical insight, or spiritual growth (Gal. 2:20).

When Jesus told stories, He only spoke what the Father told Him to say. In human form, Jesus was a mouthpiece, a vessel of the Spirit’s voice in Him. He was truly One with the Spirit, yet we are invited into that same oneness—a unity that is emphasized when we testify to the working of the Spirit in our lives.

The Messiah’s stories were not His own. He used His life and His stories to point back to the Father and present a Kingdom invitation and application.

Our stories are not our own. God wants to use our lives and our stories to point back to the Father and present a Kingdom invitation and application.

Therefore, Iron Rose Sister Ministries, in the year 2022, will be sharing stories—stories from the Bible and stories from our own lives. We will invite others into their own God story. We will be equipped to recognize our story as a part of God’s bigger story, “Our Story in God.”

Thank you for all of the stories you have been a part of in 2021. We cannot wait to share in the God stories that God will bring about in 2022!