Day 58

Day 58 of  The Red Shoe Project was another RED flip flops day.  This footwear is a must when your day includes a walk on beautiful Lido Beach with your best girlfriend! We had lots to catch up on... the good, the bad and the ugly.  So we chatted as we power-walked the shoreline. The sound of the waves and the cool breeze reminded us that God was with us. Right before our walk, we shared a devotional together that included Psalm 73:23...

"Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand."

Ahhhh... God is good! It's funny how a simple verse can be so powerfully calming.  I must admit, it is wonderful having a best friend... someone to relax and have fun with... someone to talk to about anything and everything... someone to pray with... someone to believe with.  

But even better is knowing that God is upholding both me and my friend.  Because GOD is GOD!  He's not a man.  He's divine.  He's all powerful, all knowing, all present.  

"With Him all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

 He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It all belongs to Him. Everything.  Everything on the earth... and beyond.  It's His creation.  He can do anything He wants.  He can move mountains.  He can move men. It's God that gives leaders their positions.  It's God that gives favor to whomever He desires.  In the end, "every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!" (Philippians 2:10-11).

As I walked the dog tonight, I looked up into the dark sky at the bright, round moon.  Wow!  There's no doubt that I serve an awesome God.  Just looking at all those stars, I was reminded to never give up hope.  What a Mighty God I serve!   

There are many things God has spoken to me... even promised me.  Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, I ponder them in my heart continually.  I pull them out from time to time and remind God  that I haven't forgotten about them, that I'm still waiting.  Then I tuck them in the bank of my heart where they are safe until the appointed time.

I know that God's promises ride on faith.  Some promises are fulfilled right away, while others I have to wait for.  I hate waiting!  I live in the day and age of instant gratification. (The McDonald's drive-thru mentality).  That mentality doesn't faze God in the least.  He doesn't operate that way.  He's on His own time table.  I've come to learn that when it comes to the promises of God, I have to catch His wave, get on His time table, and ride it out (by faith) to the end.  And yes... that does mean waiting!  

But God is a Promise Keeper.   I know that.  The Bible says...

"God is not a man that he should lie,

nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.

Does he speak and then not act?

Does he promise and not fulfill?"

Numbers 23:19

So I am holding on to Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see."

I know that His name is "Faithful and True"  (Revelation 19:11).  I love that!  I love Him!  He has shown himself to me, over and over again, (for 30 years), to be consistent in His faithfulness.  So I have no reason to believe that He will change now.

Waiting.  Praying.  Believing.  

Waiting.  Praying.  Believing.  

Waiting.  Praying.  Believing.

I can do that! 

My RED shoes will help me.

They'll continually remind me that...

He is always with me!

and that as I walk with Him, 

I am holding onto his right hand. 

Gail

Day 57

Today is Day 57 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I slipped on my RED shoes and headed out the door early this morning to attend my weekly, women's Bible study.  I love this group!  It's composed of  twelve women and one God!  Today, I was teaching on "Going Deeper with God" out of Ezekial 47: 1-7.

Since The Red Shoe Project has me looking for God on a daily basis, it's not difficult to come up with more than enough material to teach or write about.  The difficulty is often deciding which, of the many things God gives me, is the one thing  that I should blog about that day.

Late last night,  I took a short break from writing to watch a video clip, with my daughter.  It was the testimony of Heidi Baker,  a Christian woman who is used mightily by God all around the world.  While watching that, I was  suddenly reminded of a powerful vision that I had just days earlier while I was visiting a local church.  How I could have forgotten this, I'll never know, but suddenly, it all came to the forefront of my mind.

As I stood in the church, worshipping the Lord with the congregation, I closed my eyes to shut out any distractions. Once again, I found myself, in that secret place of my mind, that I often go, to be with God. Here's the picture that was presented to me in that place:

 I was standing neck deep in a pool of water.  

The arms of The Father were reaching towards me.  

He  beckoned me to swim underwater to Him.  

He said I'd enjoy it!

It was such a comforting vision.  I sensed the love of God surrounding me.  I wanted so much to swim underwater into my Daddy's arms.  But I hesitated.  Like a child learning to swim, thoughts flooded my mind.  Could I make it?  What would happen if I put my head under the water.  What if I couldn't touch bottom?  Would I drown?  The picture vanished.

When I told my daughter of this vision, she responded, "Mom, That's from Ezekial 47!"  It was then I decided to investigate the scriptures further and present it as this week's Bible study topic.  Even though I didn't think about this passage at the time of the vision, it quickly came back to me.  Of course, I'd heard this preached many times by many ministers.  It's the story of God leading Ezekial into the river.  First he's ankle deep.  Then he's knee deep.  He's brought even further out into the water, until he's waist deep. Finally... if he wants to go further, he has to swim.

I've often heard "the depths of the water" paralleled with "our willingness to go deeper with God".   Deeper in commitment.  Deeper in our understanding of God's Word.  Deeper into ministry.  Deeper into the things of God.

Is God asking me to go deeper?

I'm convinced He is!  It seems I've come so far... "neck deep," even.  But now...  it's time for the next step of faith... To go completely under the water.  Yikes!!!

Completely, under water?  Fully immersed in Him?  Totally committed?  All the way?  Without reservation?  100%?  The whole kit n kaboodle? The full deal?  No holding back?  Wow!  Talk about the BIG plunge!

With that, I will come out...

Dripping wet!  Completely drenched!  Soaked to the bone!  Fully absorbed!  Baptised and beyond!  Saturated in the Spirit!  Totally Engulfed in His Love! 

 Hmmmmm. I have to admit, that does sound really nice.

It made me think about our hot summer days, here, in Florida.  Those days when the kids are in the pool.  I'm usually sitting nearby listening to them laugh and play, as they are cooled and refreshed by the water. They shout to me, "Come on in, Mom!" and as much as I'd love to,  I think of the inconvenience of it all.  I just did my hair.  If I go in the pool, I'll have to shower again... blow dry my hair again... and re-apply my make up.  I don't want to do all that.  So I sit back in my chair, beads of sweat dripping down my back.  I'll just watch from the sidelines.  I can do that another time.  

Only every time, another time comes along, 

I find myself saying the same thing.  

And I never do go in.

 Sure,  I look great... my hair is styled nicely... my make up is done perfectly, and I'm dressed fashionably, RED shoes and all...   But, I miss out!

So, what?  If God's calling for me to swim to Him, am I to not going to give it a go?   Really?  And for what reason?  Is that a good enough reason not to join God in the water?   He says I'll enjoy it!   Do I really want to miss out on this?   Do I want to trade God's way for my way?   I could just look good from the sidelines and let others participate.  But, that doesn't sound right... does it?  I don't think I can do that anymore.  No way!  Inside the depths of my heart, I hear the voice of a child shouting loudly... 

Watch out!  Here I come!  I'm going for it!  

Cannonball!!!

Won't you kick your RED shoes off and join me?

Gail

It's Day 56 of  The Red Shoe Project and I have had several different pairs of RED footwear on throughout the day!  RED socks as I puttered around the house.  RED sneakers for my morning walk.  RED flip flops out in the garden. And RED suede flats as I headed out the door to facilitate a Bible class.  At one point, (between the flip flops and the flats), I totally kicked off my shoes, smiled as I glanced at my RED toe nails, and sat down at the kitchen table for lunch with my daughter.

I love breaking bread 

with someone special and 

discussing what God is doing 

in our lives.

Breaking Bread?  What's that?    Enjoying a meal together.  Conversing over a cup of tea or coffee.  Sharing Communion.   All of these suggest a time of intimate Christian fellowship... "koinonia." A huddling together, if you will, in uplifting verbal exchange.

With Someone Special?   Another Believer.  A Friend.  A Family Member.  A Fellow Servant of God.  Someone you care about.  Someone who cares about you!

Two is the minimum... because 2 is better than 1.

Why?    It's Someone to talk with.  Someone to listen to.  Someone to help solve the problem at hand. Someone who's smarter.   Someone to celebrate with. Someone who lightens the load.  Someone to confide in.  Someone to confess to.  Someone to uplift.  Someone who'll uplift you. That's Someone Special!

"Where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them". Matthew 18:20

 A two-some automatically becomes a threesome.  The Holy Spirit joins the group.  There are two or three of us, plus the addition of one Great GOD!  God brings with Him all His supernatural qualities and characteristics.  That means anything is possible!

Discussing what God is doing in our lives. Testifying of God's intervention.  Sharing God's secrets with one another. Lifting our voices in adoration and praise for what He has done!

I once heard a woman speak on divine healing.  She spent the first 1/2 hour sharing all her personal stories of how she, herself, witnessed God heal... her,  her family members,  her friends, and other people she met.  She proclaimed that she was "Stirring the Pot of Faith."  That's what happens when we share our testimonies with one another.  I stir the pot of faith for you and You stir the pot of faith for me.  My faith is increased in knowing that if  God did it for you, He can do it for me! and vice versa.


God is also glorified when we magnify his name and testify of His awesome works. We put Him in the spotlight for all to see.  We proclaim His Magnificence...  His Great Power...  His Great Love! We celebrate Our Victory in Him!  It's our way of Pointing to Him...  Pointing Him Out in the Crowd...  Elevating Him.  Lifting Him up for all to see!

These Great Times of Fellowship 

can often lead to 

Great Times of Prayer!

When two or more of us come together,  God joins the group...

"With men this is impossible, 

but with God All things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

As we testify of God's Mighty Works and His Goodness...

The Pot of Faith is stirred up within us... We BELIEVE!

"I tell you that if two of you on earth

 agree about anything you ask for,

 it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."

Matthew 18:19

My daughter and I finished our lunch together.  We took a look at some up-coming bills and placed them in the middle of the table. Locking our hands together across the table, we agreed that God is able, and asked for His Divine Provision.  Now,  we are believing together, and waiting in anticipation.  AMEN!

In RED shoes,
Gail

Day 55

It's Sunday evening,  Day 55 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I've popped on my cozy, RED slippers and jammies, grabbed a pillow and a blanket, and propped myself up on the couch to watch The Oscars.
In all honesty, I tuned in even earlier for the "Must Watch" RED Carpet prelude.   Oooooooo! Ahhhhhhh!  What girl doesn't want to see all of Hollywood's starlets dressed to the nines?  It's glamorous!  And it got me to thinking...

"How has this  "Red Shoe Project" 

 effected my sense of fashion?"

Just what is today's "Woman of God" wearing?  Yikes!  I don't know if I can live up to that, and I'm certainly not here to stir up any controversy... But I have made some interesting observations.

I must admit, weeks before I started The Red Shoe Project,  it crossed my mind that there would be times in which my RED shoes wouldn't match my fashionable outfit of the day. What would people think when the color of my shoes clashed with the color of my outfit?  I looked forward to discussing things like:  What do you do when your faith isn't in style? or What do you do when your faith doesn't match your style?  What I never considered was that by the time that day arrived, it wouldn't be about that at all.  Instead my conversation would go in a different direction.

* First and foremost... I never anticipated that I'd fall in love.  That changes everything!  Because when you're in love, nothing else really matters.  I don't really care anymore what people think about my shoes or my faith. 

* Walking and talking with God each day has been a transformational experience (inwardly and outwardly).  I'm not in the same place with God that I was when this all started. 

My gosh... it's only day 55.  Where will I be, what will I be wearing and what will I be saying on day 155? or 255? or 365?  Only time will tell.  

* My RED footwear  is reflective of my faith, and my faith is how I fashion myself.  My RED Shoes remind me of Christ and the priority He takes in my life.  How I dress should be an accurate reflection of that relationship. I've become very sensitive to the fact that I don't want to misrepresent The One whom I'm looking for each day.  After all...  

He is "The Almighty God."  I don't take that lightly.  Have you heard of the phrase,  "FEAR GOD?"  Enough said.

* My dearest friend Mary Ann  and I are often mistaken for sisters. We've known each other for 30 years.  We've spent so much time together that we've picked up habits and characteristics from one another. People comment that we resemble one another... think like one another... even talk like one another.  One time a neighbor of mine, unbeknownst to me, met Mary Ann.  While they were talking to each other, she blurted out, "You remind me so much of my neighbor!" What a laugh Mary Ann had when she discovered that I was the neighbor. 

 I say all this because hanging out every day with God has it's benefits.  One is that His character... His Word... His Love... (and so much more) have begun to rub off on me.  That is a Good thing!  The Bible exhorts us to "Be imitators of God."   That means that we should be an accurate reflection of Him.  I've by no means arrived, but I'm daily moving along in the right direction.  I'm starting to think more like He'd think.  I've begun to say things that are more in  alignment with what  He would say.  So that ultimate "look" is slowly coming together.  It's a work in progress.

* People ask me all the time,  "How many pairs of RED shoes do you have?"  Not that many, I'm on a budget.  I often wear the same Ruby slippers day after day.  This isn't a fashion show by any means.   But, I have found that when I am in the greatest need for a touch from God or to hear from Him, I throw on the brightest, sparkliest, RED rompers that I can squeeze my feet into.  

They might come across as ridiculously obnoxious to onlookers, but they fill me with the HOPE I need to find what I am looking for that day. 

* I used to think that people would wonder, "Who does this lady in the RED shoes think she is?"  I thought that  I'd stand out in a crowd, almost demanding attention.  But being with Him has had a humbling effect.  Not only do "the shoes" remind me of Him...  but I've come to realize that "The shoes" are not for ME to stand out in the crowd, but for HIM to stand out in the crowd.  If and when people comment on the RED shoes, it's as if the door opens wide for me to introduce them to my daily companion... God!

The Oscars have all been given out for the night.  I can turn off my television, pop off my RED slippers and crawl into bed for the night.  As for me personally...

 FASHION isn't so much what I'm wearing on the outside

but Who's living on the inside. 

My prayer is that my RED shoes  will continually reflect

The One I Love, as I step out into the world each day!

Gail