Day 149

Day 149 of  The Red Shoe Project is a day of rest for me... no RED shoes for most of the day.  I was catching up on my sleep -  getting acclimated to being back in the USA.  Oh how I love this country!  Truly we are a blessed nation!  A trip abroad will do that to you.  It will give you a greater appreciation for Home. I know it might sound a bit cliche, but I must say it

:

"There's no place like home!"

                                                                - Dorothy Gale,   The Wizard of Oz  

I'm not home yet.  I'm in Boston a day, then I return to Florida. I can't wait to get back to Sunny Sarasota!  I am ready to embrace the warm, sunny weather and all it has to offer.  I did not fare well in the cold, gray, damp Scottish climate.  Between the poor weather, high fat diet, hard water, and "going with the flow" for two whole weeks... well let's just say that I'm ready to get back to normal.  Don't get me wrong, the trip was great!  I absolutely loved spending time with my family. They were so generous and incredibly welcoming.  I visited so many people and places.  I ate some wonderful meals, but...  

"There's just no place like home!"

I read an interesting thing in a book today.  It's a different perspective on things.  I can't quite stop thinking about it.  In fact, I've read it over and over again.  It's like a steak.  It has to be cut into bite size pieces and even still, it has to be chewed well before you can completely swallow it, otherwise, you'll choke on it.  It said this:

"You are not deeply spiritual unless

 you are growing in meekness, in 

submission, in yieldedness and 

obedience to the discipline of the 

circumstances and environment 

in which God has placed you."

I found this list describing "Holiness"

-meekness

-brokenness of self will

-submission to God

-defenselessness

-selflessness

I always thought holiness was about following "the rules."  But I'm realizing that's not quite it. As a friend pointed out to me, "You can follow all the rules to a "T" and be self-righteous and judgemental... and that's not so holy!" (Good point!)

As I look over this list, I realize that holiness is about dying to self. It's about surrender.  It's about putting your ego on the cross.  Anything that has the word "self" attached... is thereby anti- holy.

self-gratification,

self-promotion, 

self-centered, 

self-assured, 

self-confident, 

self- dependent, 

self-fulfilling, 

self-guided, 

self-glorification,

self-indulgent, 

self-interests

The list goes on and on.  You get the point.

John the Baptist said it best: 

"He must increase,  I must decrease."

John 3:30

another version says...

"He must become more important.   

I must become less important."

That means...

More of God, Less of Me.

Alive to Christ, Dead to Self.

God's way, Not my way.

This is a life FULLY SUBMITTED to God!

I looked over the list of "Selfs."  My gosh, I've been taught, most of my life, that it's all about self... That you have to take care of your self.  That if you don't do it, nobody's going to do it for you.  That you've got to make it happen for yourself.  

God is asking me to do the opposite.  

This is about  FULLY TRUSTING GOD.

I'm not sure how that's going to happen, but okay God.  

I'm willing.  

I'm trusting that You'll take me there.

I'm reminded of something God spoke so clearly to me thirty years ago.

He said,   

"Do you keep doing something 

just because you've always 

done it... even once you know

 it's not right?"

I believe it's time for me to turn and go in another direction.

That's what God's doing in me on this 149th Day of The Red Shoe Project.

Gail

Day 148

I woke up at 6:30 a.m. on this 148th Day of  The Red Shoe Project.  My bags were packed and my RED shoes were snug on my feet as I prepared to head out to the airport.



As I awaited the arrival of my taxi, I buttoned up Ziva's RED blazer.
I dare not travel in anything else, for she gave this to me sacrificially, declaring that is annointed!  Some would think that a bit overly dramatic, but beyond the drama is a very wise woman of God who lives a life separated unto the Lord. She is whole-heartedly sold out to God's call on her life and I feel safe and secure in her Ruby Red coat!


It always reminds me that I am truly loved, not only by her, but by the women of the "Bonfire Bible Study Group" that we attend on Tuesday mornings.  "The Bonfire"  is a firey group of Christian women who love applying the Word of God to their everyday life.  Their thoughts and prayers have strengthened me in my two weeks abroad, and God only knows what else they have accomplished in their whispers to God on my behalf.


I am truly thankful for their love and faithfulness.
Their friendship makes it easy to return home.

I am here now, en route, via plane from Edinburgh, Scotland to London, England. Sis and I are not seated together.  I am in Coach, seat 43C, and a bit of a mess, (leaking again),  as I consider the greatness of God's blessing bestowed on me in the way of Love and Friendship.  God is so good.  I am quite the wealthy woman!  I'll take that over 1st class seating any day!



I know that some might think that's just a cliche... an over spiritualization perhaps.  But no... as I sit in my little,  average seat,  my heart is FULL.   It's full of love.  Not only that, I can feel the love.  It's powerful!  It's overwhelming!  It's warm and  it's wonderful!  That's something that money can't buy. And I'm all the richer for it!

My mother will be awaiting a call when I arrive in the states.  No matter what her age - and no matter what my age -  she always keeps me in her heart and prayers.  She is a good mom.  She is a generous mom.  And I love her.


My girls are no doubt anxious for my return.  I love them, much as my mom loves me.  There will be hugs and much conversation.  There's a lot of catching up to do.  Perhaps Pauly will be sitting at the window when I arrive.

And then there's Bonnie.  She will be picking me up at the airport, anxiously awaiting my safe arrival.  Oh how I have missed my coffee shop visits with her -  the ones where the angels watch over us as we discuss the plans of God.  LOL.  We will need some time together to exchange stories, encouraging words, and prayers with one another.  She is a soul-sister,  a true friend and a spiritual mentor.  She continually covers me in prayer, and I am forever thankful to God for her!


Time to power down for awhile.
Before I know it, I will be back
in the USA in RED shoes!

-- Gail

"In everything give thanks

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Day 147

Day 147 of The Red Shoe Project has me in comfortable RED walking shoes touring the city of Edinburgh, Scotland.  Our walking tour has covered several miles of Scotland's capital city, and no matter where we seem to stop, en route, we can see Edinburgh Castle sitting high above the land.  "What a stronghold!"  my sister commented.   Yes... it is truly a picture of Strength, Power and Protection.  It reminds me of the hymn penned by Martin Luther...

"A Mighty Fortress is our God

A Bulwark never failing..."

Bulwark - a defensive wall, a barricade, a fortification.

Fortress - a heavily protected and impenetrable building.

Impenetrable - impossible to pass through.


The Psalmist stated...

"Truly He is my rock and my salvation;

He is my fortress, I will never be shaken".

Psalm 62:6

Stronghold - a place that has been fortified or strengthened so as to protect it against attack.

"He is my loving God and my fortress, 

my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, 

in whom I take refuge, 

who subdues peoples under me."

Psalm 144:2

Fortification - a defensive wall or other reinforcement build to strengthen a place against attack.


King Solomon noted:

"The Name of the Lord is a fortified tower

The righteous run into and are safe".

Proverbs 18:10

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, 
a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalm 9:9

At the end of the day, I look down at my worn out RED shoes.  My feet are tired.  My spirit is weary.  I think it's time to climb into The Word of God.  I know that I will find the Name of the Lord in that place.  I will find strength and security.  I will find protection from the onslaught of the enemy. Like Edinburgh Castle, I am safe there.

I'm just a soldier, like you, 

 in a battle not so different from yours, 

only I'm wearing RED shoes.

Perhaps you should consider them as a part of your uniform? 

Gail

Day 146

It’s Day 146  of  The Red Shoe Project.  I have packed my bags, put on my RED shoes and said goodbye to all of my Scottish relatives and friends.  There’s still a few days left in my journey abroad, but today I leave the little country cottage of Ashlea Manor and it’s beautiful garden behind.

I have hopped aboard a train headed for Edinburgh.  There’s an hour and a half ride ahead of me.  The scenery is simply beautiful.  I have nestled myself into the train seat and taken a deep relaxing breath. 

I am so looking forward to a good read.  I have pulled out the book I’ve been reading, Behold I Give unto you Power by Paul E. Billheimer and can’t quite find where I last left off.   

I start here on page 97… “There is an old consecration hymn upon whose wings many seekers, in years gone by, have been borne into the fullness of the blessing.  It has been almost forgotten and lost to the Body”

"Oh, God, my heart doth long for Thee;

Let me die, let me die;

Now set my soul at liberty;

Let me die.

To all the trifling things of earth,

They’re now to me of little worth,

My Saviour calls, I’m going forth;

Let me die.

Lord, I must die to scoffs and jeers;

Let me die, let me die;

I must be freed from slavish fears;

Let me die,

Unto the world and its applause,

To all its customs, fashions, laws,

Of those who hate the humbling cross,

Let me die.

When I am dead, then, Lord to Thee

I will live,  I will live.

My life, my strength, my all to Thee

I will give,  I will give.

So dead that no desire shall rise

To pass for good, or great, or wise,

In any but my Savior’s eyes;

Let me die,  let me die."

On this Sunday, May 26^th at 11:34 a.m.  I sit in Seat #60, Section M of the train going from Dundee to Edinburgh.  As I read this hymn I am ruined in the Spirit.  Sitting in this little seat, my soul is more than disturbed.  I want to hold it altogether for I’m right in the middle of a public place, surrounded by people, sipping tea and nibbling croissants, the picturesque scenery flashing by the train windows.  But it’s not working.  As my friend Jim would say… “I’m leaking.”   The tears are quietly streaming down my face. I look away from the people I am sitting with, in hope that they will not see me and disturb this most private moment with God.

I am crying because I so desperately want to be “SOLD OUT” completely for Christ.  It’s just something I must do.  Every time my soul cries out,  “Jesus, I want more!”  there is a piece of my flesh that shrieks as it shrivels up and falls to the ground.  The problem is that I recognize there’s still way too much flesh that's alive in my life. 

Flesh refers to the fallen ego, 

the self,  the soulish life.

My flesh is most ugly when God’s light shines upon it.  I cringe as I see my own self’s attempts to live a righteous life.  I am sick when I realize the trickery of my own thoughts, the deceptions on my own heart, the manipulation in wanting my own way.  Thank God that I don’t have to witness the fullness of my flesh day to day!  I see it only when He chooses to show me His perspective.

So much of this trip has been a test… a test to show me where I stand on things.  It’s easy to think I’m doing great.  (Why don't I just give myself a little pat on the back)   But it’s only when I’m tested that I can accurately see how I measure up.  And today I realize that I’ve got some work to do.  He’s still got plenty of work to do in me.  And He conveniently uses each day, and all it holds, 

to change me accordingly.

In time, 

Gail

P.S.  What I so love about this is that I later realized that I had already read that part of the book a few days earlier.  (Apparently, it didn't quite settle in.  LOL.)  Although I should have begun my reading four or five pages further along,  God saw to it that I didn't miss out on this life-changing moment with Him.  I love when that happens!  Don't you?