Day 98

Day 98 of The Red Shoe Project had me in RED flip flops and thinking ever so deeply about a testimony I recently heard.  The young woman couldn't have been more than twenty-one years of age.  She has totally laid down her life in ministry for The Lord Jesus Christ.  In doing so, she has attended extensive ministry and missionary training, as well as being active in various missionary projects in Africa.  While serving on the mission field of Mozambique for a handful of weeks, she was offered the opportunity to come back and work with the missionaries she attended to, for a full year.  She prayed about it and gladly accepted.

Her plan was to  finish out her short term missionary endeavor with these missionaries, return home to the states briefly, and come back in a few months to start her new term.  Suddenly, without warning, the missionary home was attacked by men, armed with machetes, who tied them up, robbed them, beat them  and abused them.  The young woman didn't go into graphic details, but it seemed that she had been raped.  Yes... how tragic!  They were all immediately moved to a safe place for a time of  healing, recovery and restoration.

I must admit, as the girl was testifying, she seemed incredibly healed and whole. Surely a miracle!  What astounded me was what she said next.  In her personal prayer time afterwards, she felt as if God asked her,

"Did you really mean what you said when you told me

 you'd lay down your life for me at any cost?  

 What if that incident was the only time those men 

would ever hear the name of Jesus?" 

(She had stated that while the assault and robbery were taking place they were all crying out the name of Jesus over and over again.)

Like probably many of you, I found it very difficult to wrap my arms around this one.  Really?  Where's God in all that?  But as I began to think about it, I began to realize that there have been many who have been brutally mistreated and even killed for their faith. Take the Apostle Paul for example.  Here's what he says in  2 Corinthians 11:24-27...

"Three times I was beaten with rods, 
once I was stoned, 
three times I was shipwrecked, 
I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 
I have been constantly on the move.  
I have been in danger from rivers, 

in danger from bandits, 
in danger from my own countrymen, 
in danger from Gentiles, 
in danger in the city, 
in danger in the country, 
in danger at sea; and in
danger from false brothers.  
I have labored and toiled and 
have often gone without sleep; 
I have known hunger and thirst and 
have often gone without food; 
I have been cold and naked."  

We live in this amazing country called the United States of America.  We often have no real understanding of how blessed we really are.  In fact, we're actually pretty spoiled in blessings.  A friend told me recently that when she came back from a missions trip she attended in Greece, the team returning after her was stopped, questioned and almost thrown in jail.  Really? In Greece?  Apparently Greece has a governmental religion, (Greek Orthodox), and speaking against it in any way could end you up in jail, in many places, even put to death. "Wake up!"  my friend told me.  "Most countries don't have the religious freedom that the USA has."  Wow -- I didn't realize that!  Thousands of people, around the world, each day, are tormented, jailed, abused and killed for their faith in Christ!  Thousands!

Talk about putting things in perspective.  Do I fully understand what happened to that young missionary?  No I don't.   But what a courageous young lady she is, not to mention... serious about laying down her life for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.  Did I mention that she's still going back to do that year of missionary work with those same missionaries?  She said that the devil came back and said to her, "You better not go back there!  You're not safe!  You're God won't protect you.  I'll come after you again!"  She shut the door to those voices, turned her heart towards God and said,

  "Yes Jesus, I meant what I said!"

So let me bring all that down to my little world.
When I think of some of the discomforts I've faced in answering the Call of Christ on my life...  some of the inconveniences...  some of the humbling situations...  things that I thought were so bad...  so difficult...  so hard to wrap my arms around -- Well, what can I say now?  They are nothing!   They don't matter!   They are insignificant!   They are such a small price to pay in taking a stand for Jesus.   I have it easy.  And with that, I am closing the door to the voices that want to tell me otherwise, and saying... 

 "Yes Lord, I meant what I said!  -- 

 I surrender all!  Send me!  All for Jesus! 

 Use me, oh God!  I'll do whatever it takes!  

I will follow you!  Take this world, but give me Jesus!
Oh! that souls would come to know You, Lord!"

As I kick off my RED shoes for the night and crawl into my bed, in this wonderful home, in the peaceful community in which I live, I am ever so THANKFUL to God for how good I have it.  I'm also humbled and repentant of my erroneous perspective of things concerning Christ and the Call of God upon me. Talk about a reality check!

Most of all, I'm lifting up prayers for that young woman and the missionaries she is working with.  I don't know their specific names, but God does.  I'm praying for their safety.  I'm praying for blessing and favor in their lives. I'm praying that God will do special things just for them -- even miracles!  

Oh that His Presence will be continually with them in Magnificent Measure!

Good night, dear missionaries.  God's hand be upon you!

Gail 

Day 97

 It's Day 97 of The Red Shoe Project.  I popped on my RED sandals early this morning and headed to the last service of this GREAT four day conference.  Mel Tari was the featured speaker and he didn't disappoint us.  He said a lot of great things... but here's what hit my heart with power.


Don't forget 
who you are!
You are a son or daughter of God.

God is pleased 
with you.
And He has 
called you!

So, fill up with Him each day...
then go out into the world and
pour Him out to the lost!

A few weeks ago, a friend bought me a little journal that I could carry in my purse and encouraged me to write in it the messages, dearest to my heart, that God would have me to share with others.  I've been praying that God would reveal to me what to put in there.  As I left the church meeting this morning and headed to my car, God just dropped "it" into my heart.  I love that!  In a matter of a handful of seconds... He just lays it out simple and clear as day.
"Put that in your little book"  He says.

"I need you Jesus.
 Come to my rescue.
 Where else can I go?
 There's no other name 
 by which I am saved.
 Capture me with grace.
 I will follow you."


Ok... so I know that little story seems so simple and sweet to you. But as I was writing that,  the lyrics to "I need you Jesus" came on the radio and just wrecked me.   I had to stop everything I was doing  and just worship Him.  He was beckoning me to come sit with Him a moment... and quite frankly, when He tugs on my heart like that, I'm learning to STOP everything and soak.

Those are "NEAR" moments in which He pours life into my soul.  I can't push those aside any more.  I wont!  He means too much to me now
to overlook those little touches of
His presence.


It's like your lover, grabbing ahold of your hand, and pulling you close.  Everything else fades into the background as your head and heart swirl with a love beyond imagination.  What's better than that?   Nothing!

Ok... I got nothing else for you now.  My head is in the attack of Glory.  I'm off to enjoy more of Him.

"But isn't the conference over now?"
  Oh no, my friend... it's just begun!

Til tomorrow,
Gail

Day 96

I was found wearing Red sneakers and jeans on this 96th Day of  The Red Shoe Project.  Comfy shoes and comfy clothes are a must at the Christian conference I'm attending.  For starters, I arrived early and waited in line to insure a decent seat upfront.  (RED high heels would not have worked for that.)  Then, once in the auditorium,  it's not unusual to be jumping up and down or dancing your little heart out before the Lord!  One could always kick off their shoes, if need be, but I personally prefer not to.

Here's the real issue though... nobody cares if you jump up and down, dance, or not. But if your heart is bursting with joy and you want to and you don't... Well then, You missed out!  We live in America... we're free to dance!   Even better... we live in Christ, and we are free to dance before Him!  That is a more than acceptable and Biblical offering of praise and worship unto the Lord.  If it was good enough for Miriam the sister of Moses, and King David, then it's good enough for me.   However,  let's be honest here.  We are way too conservative, structured, religious and restricted than we care to admit.  Like really? Dancing in church? How does that happen?  Actually, it happens all the time, just maybe not in your church.  It's really quite delightful!


Have you ever had your cell phone die on you well before the end of the day?  What's with that?  It was on the charger all night, but for some odd reason, it didn't charge correctly.  Without notice,  it's done - powerless - shut off -  nothing happening!  And there's not a thing you can do about it, but plug it in and let it recharge.
Last night was like that for me.  I hadn't even left the conference grounds and I just shut down.  There was nothing left.  I had to come home and re-charge. So I made it a point to rest a little longer this morning.  But there he was waiting for me as soon as I opened my eyes -- The enemy of my soul!  Yes, even in my RED shoes, the devil came out full force, blasting me with His favorite weapon:  A machine gun that fires one lie after another in quick succession.

I was a bit of a mess this morning as craziness attacked from all directions. The good news is that I have a dear sister who loves me and prays for me in time of need.  I love my friend Bonnie!  When I'm down and out,  she's not down with me.  She's covering my back.  She's firing away with scripture.  She's speaking truth into my life so that I can see through the deception. She jumps in front of me, shielding me with love, so that I can catch my breath and pull myself together.

After all, we're committed to making this last trimester of our lives count for Christ! This is Divine Sisterhood at its best! We're not messing around here!  We mean business!  Where He goes, we will follow!  What He asks, we will do!  We each have our own set of gifts and promises, strengths and weaknesses... but together,  WATCH  OUT!  We're a team on fire for God!

What's better than that?  A bigger team.  And we're trusting God to do just that!  For now... we're practicing our maneuvers, working on divine strategy, sharpening our swords, and storing up our prayers.  Some days, (like today perhaps),  God calls a PRACTICE session.  He wants us to see if we are ready.  He shows us where we're at -- where we're strong, and where we're not.   You see, God never throws you in a battle you can't handle.  He makes sure you have plenty of practice in advance!

So for now, I'm kicking off my RED shoes for the night.
I'll be well rested for whatever tomorrow holds.

Gail

Day 95

Today was Day 95 of The Red Shoe Project.  I may have been the only one in RED shoes at the conference with Heidi & Roland Baker, but EVERYONE was looking for God!!!  People crowded the altars, their hands raised and heads bowed.  Some knelt.  Some laid prostrate.  Singing filled the entire place.  Many waved their hands.  Some waved flags.  People danced with passion.  Prayer was going up to the heavens from every corner and crevice of that auditorium.  Some prayers were in english.  Some were delivered in other languages.  Joy and laughter were not uncommon.  And there was even the blowing of the shofar.  Overall, I'd say the masses were crying out for God!  It was a lovely thing.  I'm sure God was ever so pleased!  And I was glad to be a part of the celebration.

Heidi & Roland Baker are a  husband and and wife ministry team that is quite unique, to say the least.  Both are powerful in their presentations, but in completely different ways.  Their message, however, is the same...

Do whatever you need to do to get in God's presence 

and then just fall in love with Him.

Nothing more.  Nothing less.  

Find that place of intimacy with God, and He'll take care of the rest.

Without hesitation, the people responded to this message in great numbers -- myself included.  Everyone is ready to pack up that "Old Time Religion"   

(Rules,  Regulations,  Structure, Programs, Work, Work, Work!)  

And they are yearning for Divine Intimacy with Our Lord and Savior.  

Oh, that we might be like Abraham and be called... 

"A Friend of God." 

(Not an acquaintance, but a true friend!) 

Conferences can be quite the intense experience, but as I traveled home, I realized that it was time to just "REST in HIM."  No more singing.  No more shouting.  No more praying.  (Not tonight anyway.) 

Like a kid, falling asleep on the ride home from a long day of adventure, I am resting in God's presence -- shoeless --  in my bed -- in my house -- and dreaming of the One I love more than life itself .

His name is JESUS!

Until tomorrow,

Gail