Day 240

The night has arrived and Day 240 of  The Red Shoe Project is coming to an end.  My RED shoes are still on my feet, as I look back over my day and realize the many things God has done all around me.

Early this morning, I headed out the door in RED shoes, to set up for 
The Bonfire.   I ran into a pastor friend who just finished reading my book,
The Yellow Brick Road:  A Woman's Journey to the Edge and Back.  We chatted for awhile and I was able to share some encouraging words with him.  This man and his wife are Soul-Snatchers for the Kingdom.

What's better than that?  They facilitate a weekly Celebrate Recovery program.  In the past, his family has personally encountered the challenges of drug addiction, and now he and his wife are being used mightily to pull people from the pit of hell and help others from falling back in.

"Bless them Lord for their tenacity in this challenging ministry!"
I know they will be greatly rewarded one day for their diligence in being about The Father's business!

Pre-Bonfire,  I enjoyed an awesome time of prayer with two of my dearest girlfriends.  Together, we came into agreement with one another and with The Holy Spirit, that He would  have total liberty to move amongst us in our Bible Study.  For about twenty minutes, the three of us huddled together and praised God, prayed and thanked Him for his goodness.  Truly it set the stage for the ministry that was to come.


Our Bonfire Bible Study  started off with a BANG!  Dr. Linda's hands were on fire, and those needing prayer,  headed into the center of the room for a special healing touch from the Lord.  My shoulder has been aching lately... so when the opportunity  was given, I stepped into the middle of that circle, without hesitation.

I don't know what it is... but her hands heat up and the penetrating warmth brings relief to my pain inflicted limbs.  Sometimes the healing lasts for hours, sometimes for days.  Hey... I'd love a full, complete healing -- and I'm believing for that --  but meanwhile I'll take whatever I can get, and if I have to come back for more, I will.

If that weren't enough, my sister, Carolyn, came over and gave me one of the most anointed hugs I've ever experienced.  It started off like a regular hug, but then, she whispered in my ear...  "I sense the Love of God being poured out upon your head, right now!"

At the very moment she said that, I heard a "snap!" in the atmosphere.  Something broke!  Every piece of tension in my body released itself, and suddenly I began to weep.  The peace of God consumed me, right there and then.  "Don't move,"   I whispered in her ear, as we hugged a little longer.  To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stand if she were to let go of me at that moment.  LOL.

Out of the corner of her eye, Bonnie (who was facilitating the study) caught a glimpse of my tears.  "Let's just give it another minute or two here,"  she stated,  " I can see that God is doing some work in people's hearts."   Ahhhhh!   That's what I love about The Bonfire -- God has the liberty to do whatever He wants to do.  It's His agenda, not ours! 

Our sister, Bonnie, did eventually present a great word on "Pride Prevents Promotion." A message on Truth vs. Lies -- Humility vs. Pride -- God's Way vs. the Way of the World.   It was a time of learning for us all.  Ultimately, we learned the importance of opening ourselves up to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to shine His light on us.

I have to laugh... because rarely do I think that I have problem.  But from time to time, I will hear God say...  "I'm talking to You, Gail!"  

"Me?  
You're talking to me?  
Seriously?
Oh my gosh... I didn't know!  
I didn't realize that I was even doing that!
Lord... Forgive me!
I don't want to be like that.
Rewire me! 
Do whatever it takes to change me.
Have mercy on me, Oh Lord!"

A wonderful sister...  Deepeka - a pastor's wife from Sri lanka  (near India) joined us.  She had a time to share about her ministry there and at the end we all gathered around, laid hands on her and prayed.  She was refreshed!

Ministry continued at Perkin's Restaurant.  That's where we all go for lunch.  Between bites of sandwiches, sips of soup and forks full of salad, people continued to testify, encourage and pray for one another.  All I know is that my dear sister, Norma, arrived for lunch one way, and left another way -- totally set free!  God is doing a wonderful work in her life.  I hate to even pick her out of the crowd, because everyone was getting ministered at the lunch table today.  God had something for everyone.  Talk about an after-party!  LOL.

Okay... so you know where Bonnie and I always end up after The Bonfire.  Yes... even still, ministry continued at Starbucks  where we ran into a friend and her husband.  Ahhhhh... talking about the things of God over a Chai latte is a nice way to spend the afternoon.  We were all fired up when it began to drizzle outside.  Off we headed, in different directions, all filled to capacity!


Finally, I headed out to an evening Bible study where a friend of mine finished up a four week study on The Vine and the Branches  (John 15).
It was summed up perfectly with this analogy:

 As Christians, we're all friends of God... 

but what kind of friend are you?  

A Casual friend?  

A Close friend?  

or an Intimate friend?  

I know I'm going for the gusto, and so are many of those around me.
I'm the one in RED shoes!

Gail

Day 239

I am not feeling so well on this 239th Day of  The Red Shoe Project,  but I have put on my RED shoes regardless.  Pauly still needed to be walked.  And I figured that a power walk just might do me some good.  I didn't feel any better physically, after the walk, but I did get in some great prayers for my family and friends and that made my soul smile!   

It wasn't all that long ago that I didn't seem to have much time to pray.  Now, it's right up at the top of my list with "Walk the dog"  and  "Brush my teeth."  That's a good thing... a very good thing.  I know that some good ground is being conquered on behalf of The King during these power walks of mine.

Being sick is like being tired... it makes me a prime target for the enemy.  With that said,  I'm doing everything I can to keep my mouth shut.  There's no better time than this, to spout off something that I shouldn't due to distress... so I'm unplugging myself and doing my best to avoid that!

Yup... I have bad days too!  Not many, but they're there.  During that time, I try to stay in the neutral zone.  That's the place where I may not be moving forward, but I'm not moving backwards either.  I don't like to lose ground that often took a fair amount of blood, sweat and tears to conquer.   That said, I've taken care of some much needed computer work, read a book about Heaven, and puttered around the house meditating on this old chorus:

I'll give thanks unto the Lord

for His goodness to me.

I'll give thanks unto the Lord

for His goodness to me.

For His mercy endures for ever.

I'll give thanks... give thanks

unto the Lord!

A dear sister in Christ has been talking to me lately about gratitude.  Being thankful is always a good thing!

Gratitute is...

thankfulness,   appreciation,   indebtedness, 

recognition,   acknowledgement,   credit.

As I go through the list in my mind, of what I'm most thankful for...  

YOU all float to the forefront of my mind.  Yes.. I am grateful for you all.  Thank you for your love, prayers, and words of encouragement.  

You are a blessing to me!

'Til tomorrow,

Gail

Day 238

Day 238 of The Red Shoe Project is a much needed day of REST!  Today I am still sporting my RED shoes, but I meditating on this scripture:

"Come to me, 

all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Enjoy a day of REST with me.

Gail

Day 237

As I sit here, on  Day 237 of  The Red Shoe Project, I am wearing my Ruby Reds and thinking about my dad.  Dad died seven years ago this week.  I miss him.  He was a good man, a good husband, and a good father.

While reminiscing with my mom,  she happened to mention that in all their years together,  my dad never told her "NO."  He would merely share a few thoughts for her to consider and let her make up her own mind.  After listening to my mom's story, it seems that her considerations consisted of...  Does this move me forward in the direction that my family is going?  Is it beneficial?   Will it add value to my life as an individual, wife and/or mother?

Today's Topic:

When God says "NO"

The more I think about this, the more I realize that's exactly how God is with me.  Rarely does He come straight out and say "NO."  Instead, I often find myself contemplating 1 Corinthians 10:23

"I have the right to do anything, 

but not everything is beneficial,

not everything is constructive."

All things are permissible, but are the...
    

advantageous?  helpful?    useful?    profitable?    fruitful? 

Will my decision, move me forward in the direction that God is moving me right now?  Or does it move me in the opposite direction?  Does it promote spiritual growth? or does it chip away at it?

Come to think of it... growing up, my dad never told me "NO" much either.  Perhaps that's because I never approached him with stupid thoughts that would warrant  "NO"  for an answer.  Seriously... my dad was a busy man!  Oh.... he always had time for me.  And no question was considered stupid.

But I was brought up in a day 

and time where you thought about 

what you said before you asked it.

Foolishness was unfashionable.  We were encouraged to ask intelligent, thoughtful questions.  I have found that works best with my Heavenly Father as well.  So what's my secret for knowing what God will say  "NO"  to without having to find out the hard way?

The best filter by far is the Bible... 

The Word of God.  

Dad wrote it, Himself! 

If it doesn't align with scripture, I already know not to bother asking God what He thinks... because I know what He thinks.  So that means we're all good in that area,  Right?   NOT!   This is the area that the Natural Man fights me over continuously.  When I'm strong, it's easy to beat off the Natural Man.  But when life has me in the valley, it's easy to make compromises.

Compromises are settlements or trade-offs.

It's when I settle 

for something less 

than what God has for me.

But it doesn't have to be that way.  I don't have to settle.    

God says is Psalm 23:4...

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and staff, they comfort me."

Over the years,  I've disciplined myself to say  "YES!" to God  and  "NO!" to the flesh.  Why?  Because every time that I've gone the way of the flesh -- EVERY SINGLE TIME! --  It's come back to bite me.  I end up remorseful! 

The voices in my head, not to mention the voices of many people around me, encouraged me!  They smiled.  They even cheered me on. They said it was okay... "Go for it!"   But when everything caved in -- when I was left sitting in my sin, discouraged and broken -- when I realized I had "settled" and that that I'd been duped...  Well, where were those people then?  They all retreated to their corners with their tails between their legs.  Not one of them could be found. 

 BUT JESUS... 

Once again, He extended His hand to me.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

"The acts of the flesh are obvious:  sexual immorality ( promiscuity, fornication, homosexuality, adultery, pornography, etc.) impurity and debauchery, (corruption, depravity, immodesty, indecency, lust, immorality, sinfulness), idolatry and witchcraft ( this includes fortune telling, conjuring up spirits, and drug abuse), hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions and factions and envy;  drunkenness, orgies , and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." 

There's one thing that I've found to be true.  No matter how I look at it...

God can't and won't bless me

when I'm dancing with the devil.

He wont put His stamp of approval on something He didn't author and advise.  

If I go with what the world has to offer -- if I settle for less -- That's my choice.

 But the door is always open for me to come Home to Him.  Yes it is!  He's always watching and waiting for me, with open arms!  

I choose His Way!

Until tomorrow,

Gail