"I am currently unemployed, living in a new state with a painful divorce just behind me, and I am resistant toward moving forward. I am depressed."
These are the first words I wrote in response to the study questions prepared by Dr. Stephen Phinney of IOM America in November of 2014.
In April of 2014, after my divorce, my sister had asked me to move with her and her husband from Northern California to Las Vegas, Nevada. My response—"NO WAY!" I thought of Las Vegas, like most – “Sin City!" But, after much prayer, my heart was open and I was excited to go.
Prior to moving to Nevada, I received an email from Grace Fellowship International. I had purchased materials to go through their discipleship program while still living with my husband. By the time the materials arrived, my husband of 23 years had said he was leaving me. I was completely caught off guard. As a result of the onslaught of bitterness, I threw the materials into the dumpster and headed to Nevada with my sister.
Once settled into my new home I received an email from GFI from someone I was not familiar with—Dr. Stephen Phinney. It was part one of a two-part article on our Identity in Christ. I was mesmerized by it. It was the answer I was seeking. I felt like I had hit the jackpot (pun intended). I waited several weeks for part two, but it never arrived. I went back to the first email to see if there was a website, and sure enough, there was—IOMAmerica.org. And so my journey with IOM America began.
I started listening to the audio podcasts provided by IOM America. To assist in my studies, I contacted Dr. Phinney. It was this email that ignited a wonderful friendship. He introduced himself to me and asked many questions about myself. He then told me about the Identity Matters Study and how it worked. I immediately ordered the workbook and began. It was through this study that the Lord revealed His powerful truths regarding who I am in Christ. The study uncovered the lies I had been believing. I have since been through the Identity Matters workbook and online course three times – each time discovering deeper Truths.
There is one thing that struck me about this ministry. I was truly amazed that the Founder/CEO of a ministry would take the time to correspond with me, encourage me, and even invite me to their home for fellowship. Wow! I mean, who does that?
"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality
(2 Cor. 8:14 NJKV).
The Lord opened my eyes to see that the workers of IOM America were giving out of the abundance of their supply in Christ. I was convicted of doing the same. I needed to accept my abundance in Christ and begin to assist this ministry where they had a lack. Not long after this revelation, IOM asked if I would transcribe their audio messages. Now challenged with my conviction – I said, “yes.”
Even though I felt inadequate in this role, I pressed forward. While facing the daunting reality of my fleshly inadequacies, the Lord would gently remind me, by saying, "Just type." After years of service, I found transcribing a delight and a breeze. Transcribing later turned into editing, an even greater challenge. Little did I know at the time that these challenges would aid me in my own writings.
The powerful Truth teachings shared by the many authors who write for IOM America have been a Roadmap for my soul. They are a roadmap that leads to a Rich Treasure Chest of Truth and Life in Christ Jesus. A roadmap that leads me to shout--"I STRUCK INTIMACY!" And I know sharing these truths has come at a price to those who stand by them, and for that, I am truly grateful.
“Embracing rejection is the key to being discipled, and when we do embrace it, we embrace the sufferings of Christ—thus producing intimacy with Him.” These are some of the very first words Dr. Phinney said to me in November 2014. Intimacy is what I lacked, and intimacy is what I had been searching for. Thank you all for supplying me with the Roadmap that led me and continues to lead me to Intimacy with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Compassion International Award
It is with great joy that we recognize Sharon as the recipient of the Compassion International Award, celebrating her unwavering faithfulness and invaluable support in advancing the growth and success of IOM America. Her dedication has not only strengthened the ministry but has become a living testimony of Christlike compassion in action. Please take time to visit her Truthstream profile. -Dr. Stephen Phinney
The Compassion International Award is an annual honor bestowed by IOM America to recognize individuals whose lives reflect extraordinary faithfulness, courage, and Christlike service. Established to celebrate both public leaders and quiet servants of the Lord, this award has been presented to distinguished recipients such as President Donald Trump, President George W. Bush, Judge Mark T. Boonstra, and many others whose influence has strengthened families, communities, and the Kingdom of God. Each honoree is selected not merely for achievement, but for demonstrating compassion in action—living evidence of a heart aligned with the purposes of God.