Day 62

Today is the 62nd Day of this Red Shoe Project.  I put on  my sparkly RED flats as I headed out the door for church. I didn't think that those RED shoes could stand out any more than they already do, but considering that I was dressed in all black... well let's just say my RED footwear stuck out like a sore thumb. That's okay though, because they were an "in-my-face reminder" to look for God.

There was a special speaker at my friend's church today, so having attended my own church last night, I decided to go for a second course by attending hers this morning.  I got there a little early to get a good seat, only to find out that I had accidentally slipped into the end of the early service.  So I guess that made three services this weekend!  Wow!

There was lots of beautiful worship music there.  The kind you can just close your eyes to and be swept away in.  I enjoyed focussing my attention on the Lord.  One of the young ministers shared something very thought provoking that I find myself thinking about over and over again.

Do you constantly follow after God 

for what He can do for you?

The minister talked about how there's a couple people that just follow after him for what they can get from him.  They aren't really interested in him, only what he can do for them.  Sure, it starts off with a big smile, maybe a hug, some light banter back and forth, but all too quickly it gets down to the fact that they just want something from him.  And it's not just 1 time or 2 or 3 or 4.  It's all the time.  That can wear someone out.  I guess we all know people like that.  Perhaps, if we think long enough, we can remember a time where we've been  like that?  Yikes!

He talked about relationships... like the one between him and his wife.  How conversations can sometimes become about what one person said they'd do for the other, and how it isn't done yet.  He remarked how hungry they can each get for hearing those words, "I love you." "You're wonderful."  "I think you're amazing!"  And after those affirming times, the other person is desperate to do all those wonderful things for the other one, without even being asked.

Then he paralleled that idea with how we can be that way with God.  Do we just find ourselves hungry for God because we need what He can offer us? Do we get into His presence with a smile... maybe lift up our hands to sing a few familiar songs, only to get down to a long request list of what we need from Him? How often do we do that?  Perhaps too often?  

What about just worshipping God 

because He's GOD?

I've decided to spend my day worshipping God in my heart for who He is.  

God Almighty.  The Father of Glory.  The Ancient of Days. The Commander of the Lord's Army.   My Healer.  My Provider.  The God who sees me.  The Everlasting Father. The Creator of all things.  The Bridegroom.  The Alpha and Omega.  The Lord of Hosts.  The Holy One of Israel. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  The Bright and Morning Star.  The Lily of the Valley.  The Prince of Peace.  Wonderful.  Counselor.  The Great I AM.  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  The Chief Cornerstone.  The Beginning and the End.  The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Ghost.  My Comforter.  My Helper.  My Teacher.  My Advocate.  The Door.  Emmanuel - God with us.  The Bread of Life.  The Light of the World.  The One True God.  The Word.  The Great Physician.  The Lamb of God.  The Friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Our Great High Priest - who was tempted in all ways but sinned not.  The Good Shepherd who goes after the one who is lost. My Rock.  My Deliverer.  My Refuge and My Strength.  My Strong Tower.  My Fortress.  My Shield.  My Hope.  My Righteousness.  The Living God.  My Sure Foundation.  The Way, the Truth, and the Life.  My Redeemer . The Sacrificial Lamb.  Faithful and True.  My Savior.  The Christ.  Messiah.  My Lord.  JESUS.

Now if that doesn't get your heart pumping, I don't know what will.  I'm am just going to ponder this list over and over again on this Sabbath day.  I can feel my spirit simmering within me.

God said, "Take off your sandals, for the place

where you are standing is holy ground."

Exodus 3:5

I think it's time to take off the RED SHOES.  

Gail

Day 61

Day 61 of  The Red Shoe Project was awesome! I just totally enjoyed the presence of God.  Yes... God is always with me... BUT it's just so much better when I'm "tuned into" His presence... when I feel like He's right there in the room visiting with me. There's such a contentment in my soul!  Such a completeness.  Such a warmth.  And not a care in the world.  Ahhhh... God is Good!

I woke up this morning, propped up the pillows and reached for my glasses.  Before doing anything else, I pulled over my Bible from the bedside table and turned to today's message for the day.  I found myself talking -- out loud, quite conversation-like, with God -- asking questions, and telling Him how I felt about things -- reminding Him to remember to watch over my kids (like He needs me to remind Him? ) and then just Thanking Him because I remembered that He's already doing that. Yes, I love Him!  I told Him that too.  And I just prayed a simple prayer...

"God, lead me today."

A good part of the morning was spent working together on a business project that we're developing.  Yes, God is helping me with my business.  Next, I spent some time preparing for my classes for the week ahead.  Before I knew it, the day had flown by, all too quickly, and it was time for church. I slipped into my RED sparkle shoes and headed out the door.  

I know that sometimes it may seem to those around me like all is just glorious, as I flutter around, here and there, in my Ruby Reds.  Most of the time, it is pretty sweet.  But it's not always that way.  I have my confrontations and struggles just like anyone else.  There are occasions when I'm down, doubting, and discouraged. But I try my best not to go there, let alone stay there for any length of time.  In my opinion, any time spent there is too much time.

Some people wear their emotions on their shirt sleeve.  What you see is what you get.  My personality is different.  I prefer to keep my emotions on the inside until I can get alone, in the prayer closet with God.  That's where I wrestle it out.  That's just how I do it.  It's what works best for me.                                                               Sometimes I have to go back to that closet, day after day, until I get things resolved.  But God is faithful.  He always hears me out.  LOL.  I'm laughing because sometimes I can get a little crazy when an issue arises.  He just lets me do my thing -- get it all off my chest.  He waits until I wear myself out.  Then, and only then, am I capable of listening to what He has to say.  I know that doesn't sound religiously appropriate... it's not.  But I'm not involved in a religion. I'm involved in a relationship... a relationship with the Living God. 

That's not to say that He doesn't correct me when I'm done ranting and raving or crying or questioning. Because He does.  But He's so gracious.  He knows that I get frustrated and confused.  He knows that I hate when I mess up.  He knows that I just want to understand. And He knows that I just want to get it right.  He knows because I tell him.

You can see why I like to go into the closet to do all of this.  It can get a little messy.  (LOL).  It's really not so messy anymore.  I've come a long way in 30 years.  I've learned a lot.  Some things I've learned the hard way.  But most of all, I've learned one-on-one from Him.  I've gotten to know Him, better and better, with each issue... each circumstance... each dilemma.  That's how I know so well that I can trust Him.  Because on the few times that I worked it out on my own... well, let's just say that it didn't work out so well.  

Tonight, as I pull on my warm RED socks to crawl into bed, I am focusing on a wonderful thought.  I am remembering that scripture,
1 Corinthians 13:13...

"And now these three remain:

Faith,  Hope and  Love.

But the greatest of these is

Love."

Sometimes the issues of life, shouldn't be issues at all.  I can make way too much of them.  I can get entangled in them.  Perhaps the enemy puts them there to distract me... an attempt to cause me to detour...  to get off track.   I think I need to  push this issue aside and pay no notice to it. Yes... There's my word from God today!

I'm going to bed dwelling on the idea of  L O V E.  Remember, how God told me that my primary focus should be figuring out how to walk in His Love on a consistent and continual basis?  Perhaps I'll dream about that tonight.

Love to You all,

Gail

Day 60

I woke up on this 60th  Day of  The Red Shoe Project and found myself staring at a pile of  RED shoes.  Red flats,  Red flip flops,  Red sneakers,  Red sparkle shoes were all in disarray, heaped on top of one another by my bedroom door.  "That's one powerful pile of shoes," I thought to myself.

Was this God giving me direction for the day? Was He already trying to speak to me?  I wasn't even fully awake yet.  I turned over in my bed, desperately hoping to get some Divine Words from Heaven.  "Where are you God?"  I whispered.  Flipping back over, there they were... the RED shoes,  all staring in my direction.  I just knew my answer from God was in that radiant heap of redness. This was going to be one of those days where I'd have to figure it out for myself.  "Okay,"  I thought,  "Better get started!"

Today was a day of exploration... a day of seeking God... a day of searching for answers.  Have you ever felt like there was something missing, but you couldn't quite put your finger on what it was?  Sometimes I get this strange feeling like there's something inside me -- something awesome -- that hasn't quite manifested itself yet.  I want to know what that secret gift is! What is the key that will unlock that mystery?

I thought about the pile of RED shoes.  My RED shoes are supposed to remind me to LOOK FOR GOD today.  Maybe a "pile" of RED shoes is over-emphasizing the point that today I should REALLY LOOK for GOD... and KEEP LOOKING.  Perhaps it's an encouragement not to give up,  no matter how difficult it may be?

Today was a little difficult. I listened to worshipful music, but couldn't quite break through. I went on a prayer walk, but still felt unresolved.  I watched inspirational clips on my computer, and as good as it all was... I couldn't quite find what I was looking for.

What I did find, though, 

was a great message about 

"Waiting on God."

A very small part of that message, (but one that I can't totally shake), was about "Patience."  I told you that I don't really like waiting.  Actually, I'm probably better at it than most. But as I said, we live in a generation of instant gratification, and in this case, it certainly doesn't help matters when it comes to waiting on God.  

The writer stated that  "We must be EXERCISED in waiting."

There's an interesting thought.  Waiting on God is more than just natural patience.  I may not complain about waiting on God.  And I may not get totally discouraged when things take so long.  But so what?  That's just average. That's just expected. That's the way it ought to be.  But if I'm looking to go to the next level of my faith in Christ... a higher degree of maturity so that God can use me in greater ways...   A patient spirit is a must!

 A "patient spirit"...

• is not fearful.  
• It doesn't worry while waiting.  
• It trusts God to the fullest. 
• It rests in knowing that God is working His plan.  
• So it doesn't rush God for an answer, or for a manifestation, or for the delivery of a promise.  

There's another interesting term that I discovered today.  It's called "The Law of Orderly Development." This is in reference to how God works out His plans in our life.  James 5:7-8 says...

"Be patient then brothers, until the Lord's coming.  

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its 

valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn 

and spring rain.  You too be patient and stand firm, 

because the Lord's coming is near."

The farmer is patient because he understands the process. He knows that first he has to prepare the soil. Then he plants the seed.  Then he waters the crops and waits. The sun shines.  The rain falls.  Time goes by.  The crops grow.  Eventually there is a harvest!  And not a day sooner than it's meant to be.

I can see that God is building my "Patience" muscles through daily exercise.  With this kind of "Spiritual Body Building" God uses a special kind of weights called "DELAYS."  Delays force us to be patient.  They try us again and again.  So when I don't quite respond correctly, that's okay, because we'll practice again tomorrow.  

I'm shaping up while I wait on God.   Hmmmm... I wonder if I need some type of special RED shoes for that?  LOL.

Gail

Day 59

Day 59 of  The Red Shoe Project was like a chain of perspectives that linked themselves together from the moment I put on my RED shoes in the morning, until I took them off at night.

Do you remember making those paper chains for the Christmas tree when you were little?

Different colors of construction paper were cut into long strips.  The first strip was made into a circle by connecting the two ends together with a little paste. A second strip of paper was then fed through the circle and pasted at the ends, so that you had two connected circles. Another strip was then linked through the second circle, the ends pasted, giving you three circles.  The process continued until you had a long paper chain, which was put on the Christmas tree for decoration.

I've found that's how God sometimes speaks to me. He links things together throughout the day that ultimately present a message to me.  Today he linked people's "perspectives."

a "PERSPECTIVE"  is  

a point of view or 

a way of looking at something.

It's funny how several people can witness a particular event, but when you ask them what they saw, they all have their own unique perspective.  They all see things differently.  Sometimes their perspective is due to their geographical location... the angle at which they see the event happen.  One person may see things that  another person is blind to. People's perspectives  also tend to effected by their personalities, traditions,  experiences, friends' opinions and more. They all interpret situations differently. Sometimes one's perspective is correct.  Sometimes, however, it's only partially correct.  And even other times, it can be wrong. They may have made erroneous assumptions, or jumped to conclusions not based on facts.  Overall... 

I have found that listening to several 

people's perspectives on something can often

give me a more accurate perspective of my own.

So here's how God linked together various events throughout my day to speak to me:

1) While doing my morning devotion, I read how some people's PERSPECTIVE of God is like that of a judge.  They feel that God is always judging them on their lack of perfection. The devotional used John 3:16-17 to show the Biblical PERSPECTIVE of the character of God, which is quite different.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him." 

2) Later in the morning, I was facilitating a class in which we were discussing our PERSPECTIVES on God the Father.  The idea was presented that an individual's image of God The Father, is often molded, (positively or negatively), by the image they have of their own father. So if their own father was loving and protective, they see God as loving and protective. If their father was demanding and angry, they view God as demanding and angry. Once again, the point here is that one's PERSPECTIVE can be erroneous.  The character of God the Father is not the same as one's earthly father.

3)  We then took that idea to the fathers in the group and reminded them that their kids would be forming a unique PERSPECTIVE of God the Father, based on them. (LOL.  There's a challenge!)

4) After the group, I had lunch with a good friend of mine.  Amongst the many things we discussed she brought up the idea of eventually expanding my PERSPECTIVE in some of my writing. I must admit, I was a little defensive at first, but told her I would consider her thoughts on the matter.

5) Later in the afternoon, I had attended a small group meeting in which we were discussing two opposing PERSPECTIVES on connecting with God.  One person noted that it was very difficult to try to connect with an invisible God that he couldn't see or touch.  Knowing that this individual desperately wants to make that Divine Connection, I encouraged him to talk to and watch those who are connecting with God for their PERSPECTIVE on things.  He is such a living example of how some people are blind to what others see.

6) After giving this great advice on how to expand one's thinking by taking other people's PERSPECTIVES into mind, I  got to thinking...  Perhaps my friend at lunch was seeing something that I was missing?  At the very least, her thoughts to expand my PERSPECTIVE were worth my prayerful consideration.  Even if  I wasn't quite ready to expand my PERSPECTIVE, I should at least contemplate why she is thinking differently from me.

7) As I untie my RED sneakers and place them in the closet, I am heading off to bed, to talk with God about my writing.  It's time to find out what  His PERSPECTIVE is on all this.  I'm all ears now.  After all, He is the senior partner.  He tends to think much more "out of the box" than I do.  But I've noticed that His ideas are good... well actually, they're GREAT!

So  today's RED shoes walked me from one place to another, putting together a"chain of perspectives" that has led me back to God.  It seems I'm beginning to figure out how these RED shoes work.

Gail