Day 315

It's Day 315 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I've had on various RED footwear throughout the day ranging from RED socks to RED sneakers to RED ballet flats.

Most of my day has been spent in the prayer closet, closed in with God, worshipping and chatting back and forth.  It's been a day of directives.  That's when God goes into specific details on how and what He wants me to do.  I love directives.  They insure that I'm on the same page with Him.  I do my best to listen carefully and take notes.

 At lunch time,  I stepped outside for some fresh air.  It was so beautiful, I couldn't resist throwing on my RED sneakers and going for a prayer walk.  The Holy Spirit joined me and we continued our most delightful conversation. 

A good part of today has been lifting people up in prayer.  The Bible says...

"And without faith it is impossible to please God

because anyone who comes to Him must believe 

that He exists and that He rewards those who 

earnestly seek Him."

Hebrews 11:6

This is an interesting scripture.  It basically says that if you don't believe God is real, and personal and powerful -- you're going to have difficulty praying.  Someone who prays BELIEVES,  not only that God is all those things, but that  He is listening  and that  He will respond! 

As people popped in my mind today, I presented them to God and prayed whole-heartedly on their behalf.  I know God listens intently.  He never gets bored, and in fact, He often tells me how much He loves this one and that one.  He's very fond of His children, you know.  

Sometimes He'll ask me to do something specific for an individual... Maybe send them a card, text or email with a specific message.   I can't take credit.  He writes the best messages.  He always knows exactly what to say.  I guess that's because He knows people's hearts.  Sometimes I know what's going on and sometimes I don't.  That doesn't really matter.  My job is to be obedient.  

Sometimes He'll ask me to pay someone a visit.  It may be to lay hands on them and pray.  It may be to check in on someone, chat and stir their faith.  It's so common for people to get caught up in life and loose sight of God -- even though He's right there in their midst.  

God knows when people need a special, intimate touch from Him.  He makes sure I am equipped with everything I need for every situation.  It could be knowledge,  wisdom,  love,  kindness,  joy,  hugs,  prayers,  the gift of gab... even finances.  He's a gift giver.  I don't think I've ever visited with anyone, on God's behalf, where He hasn't dropped a little something special in their heart.

Like the other day, for example, I was driving home from a meeting with my prayer partner when God said, "Let's stop by and see Carolyn and Jim!"  Instead of going left to my house, I took a right and went to their house.  What a delightful time we had over a cup of tea.  Someone else was visiting them that God wanted to chat with -- a new Christian who needs a miracle of healing.  It was a lovely afternoon.  I told some stories, encouraged this new brother and before he left, we all gathered around and prayed for him.  We are believing God is at work!   What's really great is...

I never really know exactly what God is doing, 

but He's always doing so much more than I think!

There are people and ministries that I pray for regularly.  Some of those people know me, and some don't.  It's funny how God can put such a love in your heart for the people you are interceding for.  Many of them don't even know that God's employed someone to pray for them.  Just the other day, in fact, I received a call from a dear friend.  

"I want you to know,"  she said,  

"God has put you on my heart 

and I've been really praying for you lately!"  

I responded boldly... "Thank you dear sister! 

THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!  

I have needed it!"

When my dad was alive, he was confined to a wheel chair for years.  I noticed that every day he would take time to call people -- to check in on people who had no one -- to give a friendly hello and remind people that someone cared enough to call.  WOW!  There's so much wisdom in that.  What a ministry!

Tonight I ran out in my RED ballet flats for church service.  The message was entitled, "Stop trying to be a Christian and just be one!"   

Sometimes we overlook the importance of the simplest things:  

 A visit  --  A phone call  --  A note.  

Those ministries -- when done in partnership 

with the Holy Spirit-- are power-packed,  

meaningful and life-changing!  

When we all gathered around the table at Carolyn and Jim's the other day, I said to their guest...

"Would you mind if I prayed for you?  

It's just a prayer."  

Then I laughed and said...  

"Well, I shouldn't say  'JUST' a prayer,  

after all,  it could be the prayer that changes your life!"  

We are believing for that!

In Red shoes, 

Gail

Day 314

Day 314 of  The Red Shoe Project started off very much like yesterday.  Yesterday's disciplines had such great results, I decided to give it another go.  Once again, God showed up, and before noon, no less!

I awoke this morning to a good word waiting for me by text from a dear friend and prayer partner...

"May the Lord shine His light into the 

dark corners of your prayer closet, 

revealing any dust bunnies of doubt 

or discouragement and sweeping away

any hidden cobwebs that entangle you 

in thoughts of  "shoulda-woulda-coulda."

At first I just loved the artistry of it all...  a prayer closet filled with "dust bunnies" and "cobwebs."  But as the message began to sink in, I realized that I was in for another day of deep cleaning.  "Owwww!"  My body already ached through the night from all of yesterday's stretching, lifting, scrubbing, and scouring.  Now what?

Needless to say, I wasn't in a rush to get out of bed.  I pushed up the pillows behind me and took time to talk with God.  I made it a point to take that thirty seconds and gave Him my day!  Actually, I think I did that three times throughout the morning!  LOL  There were things to be done, however, and God released me to move forth.  (That's a nice way to say He kicked me out of bed!)

As I prepared myself for the day... as I ate breakfast... and as I folded some towels from the dryer, I kept thinking about my dear sister's words.  It was as if they were a key to something.   I beckoned God for help.

 "Lord... Release whatever it is 

You want me to understand!"

With that simple prayer, God dropped a revelation in my mind.  The queue was full.  Now I just had to get it out.  When God downloads something to me, I usually sense right away that a deposit of sorts has been made.  It's always huge, and I'm usually only able to see the beginning of it.  It may be the first few words of a sentence, the beginnings of a picture or the schematic of a plan.  I've learned, over time, that if I speak out the words, describing what I see --  Woolah!  -- the rest follows and the fullness of God's message becomes evident.

Remember the verbal lashing someone generously gave me the other day?  The Lord commended me for not taking offense from it,  BUT...  He also said that during that event, the individual spoke a word of carnal-minded instruction over my life that was contrary to the direction He has given.  Ahhhhh.  That's why I've been in such conflict these past few days.  It all makes sense now!   You can't follow two masters... you must choose one.    I quickly explained all this to my prayer partner and asked her to pray away this negative spiritual residue that was resting heavily upon me.

"No one can serve two masters.

Either you will hate the one and love the other

or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve both God and money."

Matthew 6:24 

Meanwhile, I got up from my desk and went about my business.  It was a matter of mere seconds.  I was walking by my prayer closet  and BOOM!  -- The Holy Ghost fell upon me.   I began pacing up and down,  speaking out bold, unrehearsed  prayers --  tearing down that carnal covering.  All I can say is this:

 It wasn't pretty!  

I shredded that spirit 

until there was nothing left!  

When it was over...  

a sense of Freedom and Victory 

filled my soul as the 

Peace of God blanketed me.

Let me just say this... I can't make the Spirit of God fall on me.   That holy boldness is not something one can conjure up.  My prayers are as dead as a door nail without the Holy Spirit.  Don't get me wrong, I pray regardless -- by faith -- believing that God hears every word of every prayer that comes out of my mouth.  BUT...  when the Holy Ghost decides to join me in prayer -- Watch out!  Heaven opens and the glory comes down.  Nothing's better than that!!!  Cleaning out the dust bunnies and cobwebs from the prayer closet just moved up to the #1 position of  "Things I love to do!"

In Red shoes, of course.

Gail  

Day 313

It's Day 313 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I've been missing my prayer walk lately, (because of my swollen ankle), so I gingerly put on my RED sneakers and thought I'd give it a try today.  I slowed down my pace considerably, but I did it -- no bother at all!  The Lord and I had a wonderful time together conversing back and forth.

Actually, my day started at the break of dawn.  As soon as my eyes opened, I saw that big BELIEVE sign hanging on the wall in front of me.  Right then and there, my conversation with Christ began.  I propped up my pillows and stayed in bed awhile, making notes on some things God was telling me. 

I got out of bed, soon enough, and decided to take thirty seconds right then to give God my day.  I'm not usually so formal about that, but today, it just seemed the right thing to do.   

God...  I give you this day!

Have your way in my life.

Lead me and guide me 

I pray -- in Jesus' Name.

When I was done, I headed to the kitchen and made myself a smoothie.  I went outside on the lanai to drink it and chatted with God a little more.  Time was getting the best of me, so I popped on Pandora for some worship music as I quickly washed up, brushed my teeth, got dressed and prepared for my walk.  Suddenly an awesome song came on.  It's one that we sing often in church.  

There it was --  the hook!  

I could feel God pulling me close.

Next thing you know,  I am on my knees, weeping and praying for God's will to be accomplished in my life!  On my knees!  I don't get on my knees very often.  Usually it's because my legs fall asleep, and it's anything but comfortable.  Funny how, when the Holy Ghost falls, none of that matters.  There I was on the bathroom floor - tile, no less -- on my knees,  praying!  What a glorious morning!

I am scheduled to speak at a women's meeting in December and have already begun to pray specifically for God's Word for that audience.  Today, He began to roll that out for me.  I'm very excited about this meeting.  It will be my first major event since I started the RSP.  I did an event at this church about a year ago.  I'm believing that this time they see more of God, and less of me!  Surely there will be something different in my ministry after spending a year, set apart, with God!  I know that God has a powerful Word in store for them!

After all that, I wondered if I needed to prayer walk.  I quickly checked my phone before leaving and...  Oooops!  -- Wait a minute -- God began speaking to my heart about two specific people.  I  pulled them up on my smart phone and texted them words of encouragement and direction.  Ahhhh.  Now I was ready to walk out the door.  I'm not a big phone person.  I don't do a lot of texting.  Half the time, I forget to turn my phone on.  But even God enjoys the wonders of technology.  It may have been my phone, and I may have been the one typing, but it was His personal messages that went out to those individuals. I love when He does that!  Think about it... He took the time to prompt me to pick up my phone, and then he dictated a message to me, to deliver to them.  

Most of the afternoon was spent doing a thorough clean of my bathroom.  It was a menial job, but I put on my Bible CDs and went to work!  How clever is that?  Basically I read, (well -  took in), several books of the Bible:  Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians and Galatians.  Talk about killing two birds with one stone.  I'm going to have to do much more of that.  I like it!

Today was an awesome day!  I'm wondering if that little, thirty second, proclamation to God, first thing this morning, is what set me on the right track?  I'm going to try that again and again.  If that's all it takes, why wouldn't I do that?  Why wouldn't you?

In Red shoes, 

Gail

Day 312

It's Day 312 of  The Red Shoe Project and I am wearing my Ruby Reds as I bask in the joy of last night's testimonies. During my evening Bible study, I asked the group if anyone had a testimony or praise report.

"What's a praise report?" 
 someone asked.   

"It's a testimony of what 
God has done with a 
'THANK YOU JESUS!'  
attached."  I responded.


Here are two, in particular, that I must share with you!

I woke up yesterday with a text from my daughter...  "Don't worry Mom, I'm okay!"  Yikes!  What does that mean?  She told me to turn on the news.  It turned out she had gone by the local shopping mall to check out the location of her new job.  It's just minutes from her new apartment -- a quick and easy drive to work!   Shortly after she left, however,  a man went into that same shopping mall with a gun and opened fire.  No by-standers were hurt, but he ended up killing himself.

With all that had transpired, her first day of work was cancelled.  The entire mall was considered a crime scene and taped off -- No Entrance!  
My daughter and her friend decided to enjoy the day,  getting acquainted with her new surroundings.

Originally she was supposed to move into an apartment in another neighborhood.  In the midst of her packing, she received a call that the apartment fell through. The agent rented the apartment to someone else.   How odd?  She thought it was a done deal.  The whole thing seemed a little shady.  With little time to spare,  she thought she was going to have to call and turn the job down.

"Don't be discouraged!"  I told her.   

"This is God at work.  Even though time 

is short, God has something better for you.  

This is a blessing in disguise!  

You'll see."  

Sure enough, we found another agent immediately and she landed an apartment closer to work.

While out and about investigating the new area, my daughter and her friend decided to go by that "original" apartment.  YIKES! -- were they ever surprised.  They found themselves smack in the center of the ghetto.  It was scary!  Needless to say they just kept driving.  It's not the place a young woman wants to live -- with or without Pauly!

"But as for me,  I will always have hope;

I will praise you more and more."

"I will come and proclaim your mighty acts!"

Psalm 71: 14, 16

 I give THANKS to God

    for answering my prayers!  

Truly, He was faithful to...

1.  Get my daughter to Jersey safely in that big truck.
2.  Make sure she got a nice apartment in a safe area.
3.  Keep her safe from harm.

My children are all under the covering of my "prayer tent."   As a mom, I consider it my responsibility to pray them through life.   I take that role very seriously!  They are my most precious gifts from God!  That said, I am continually mentioning their names before the Lord.  They are my top priority and they are at the top of my prayer list -- always!  And I don't wait for them to get into trouble to pray.  From the day the first one was born, I have been making daily deposits into my prayer bank on their behalf.  You never know when you'll need a withdrawal.  A storehouse of prayer is a good thing!

The second praise report that came forth was from a gal in Bible study who is such a lighthouse for God.  I say that because she just glows with the joy of the Lord. She is a wonderful sister in Christ, and her heart is so tender towards the lost.  Week after week she lifts her family and friends in prayer, hoping that they will all come to know Christ.

As a new Christian, that's not always easy.  Once your eyes have been opened, you so desperately want your loved ones to see too!  Usually, that's God's first assignment:  

Pray and Wait!

"I waited patiently for the LORD;

He turned to me and heard my cry."

Psalm 40:1

Last night, this dear sister brought a friend with her to the Bible study.  He testified that his son became a Christian when he went off to college.  He's seen wonderful changes in his boy's life, and he is intrigued!   (Yup -- You know God is after this dad, big time!)  Not really knowing where to look for God or what to do, he noticed my light-house friend, shining brightly amongst the crowd.  "There was something about her smile,"  he said, "She seemed so happy!"  Ever since then, she has been aiding him in his pursuit of God.  

The crazy thing about this testimony is that all this time we've been telling our friend that her presence, alone, is such a witness --  Her smile -- her laugh -- her enthusiasm.  We all know that it's just a matter of time before people start asking questions.  Yahoo!!!!  It's happening now!

When I got home last night, and again today, I've been thinking about my sister's testimony. 

When she thought nothing was going on, 

God was at work!  

Today, that's a message from God for me!  Perhaps it's a message for you as well? 

He is at work in Your life and mine!

Right now --  this very moment --

He's taking care of all the things that are

out of our control -- Things that we are

incapable of doing anything about!

I'm am believing that and resting in it!

In RED shoes, 

Gail