Day 127

Day 127 of  The Red Shoe Project was a day of "wrecking,"  
RED shoes and all!

To "wreck" means...

• to destroy 
• to pull down  
• to shred in pieces
• to demolish 
• to break down 

Today,  I witnessed a "wrecking" right in front of my very eyes.  In fact it was just a couple feet from me.  

Not the wrecking of a building, 

but the wrecking of a man.  

Wow! What a sight to see.  

When I was a young teenager, I remember being with my Dad and watching a wrecking crew take down a huge building in downtown Boston.  It started with a wrecking ball, and ultimately they brought in dynamite.  The whole thing just collapsed, exactly the way they anticipated it would.  The cleaning crew took weeks to get all the rubble out of there and clean up the property.  Eventually, they built something entirely new in its place.  

Sporting my RED shoes, I sat in the circle of my Bible 101 group and opened up the class with the same question I always do...

"Who wants to share what 

God's been doing in their life this week?"

Several people responded with some very good testimonies.  But then something unexpected happened...  

My co-facilitator asked if he could share something.  He recently bought a book about modern day martyrs for Christ.  As he walked by his coffee table, where he had placed it,  God spoke to him quite conversationally stating, "You really need to read that book."

My friend knows the voice of God.  He was intrigued with The Holy Spirit's prompting and thereby  decided to read it sooner than later.  Yup...  that's when it happened...  the wrecking process began.  With each story in the book, God tore apart his heart, more and more.  God was messing him up!

As he attempted to tell us what God was doing,  it just came out in bits in pieces... almost like a pile of rubble.  

I recall something about Christian prisoners being put to the test and somehow finding the ability to love the prison guards with the love of God, regardless of their brutality.  Another story was about a woman in Russia who was tortured and raped on her wedding day because she had shared the Gospel.  

It was hard to take it all in.  Our dear friend and teacher, who was telling the story, was completely broken.  He was crying and sniffling and couldn't quite get the words out.  He's never like that.  And the Holy Spirit wasn't just moving in his heart,  He was reaching out and grabbing ahold of all of our hearts as we listened and observed.  I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.  God's presence was moving in.

The man continued to relay his experience with us.   He was so moved by the testimonies of these modern day martyrs,  He wondered out loud, 

"How can I complain about anything?  

My life is so easy in comparison to these saints!  

Could I ever have a heart for Christ like these people?  

Would I  stand strong in my faith if I were ever confronted with such situations?"

Yup... God is wrecking him... right there in front of us all.  And he didn't care in the least.  It's a GOOD wrecking.  God  is challenging his perspective of things.  He's seeing something differently... from God's vantage point.  The Holy Spirit is churning his heart in a most masterful way. 

  

I've been wrecked by God many times myself, so I can say this...  

It is a glorious thing 

to be wrecked by God.  

Why?  Because you realize that God is taking the time to supernaturally move on your heart.  The Creator, Himself, has decided to make a few changes in you, for the better.  He's molding you into something new.  He's tearing down your way, your thinking, your perspective, and replacing it with His.  And His... is always better!  Isn't that what we want?  To be more like Him?

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, 

are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, 

which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

(2 Corinthians 3:18)

This "wrecking"  of my friend, is by no means complete.  He hasn't finished the book yet.  It will be interesting to see what he has to say about it all in the upcoming weeks.  I'm sure that he's not even aware of the fullness of what God is actually doing in him... but time will tell. 

And that's what I discovered while wearing RED shoes today!

Gail

Day 126

Today was Day 126 of  The Red Shoe Project,  and I was adorned in my RED Jessica Simpson heels  for an important business meeting downtown.  As beautiful as they are, they are not great for "walking it out."  Talk about high!  They must be at least 4" and they are the only shoes that keep the hem of my white pants from touching the ground.


Sometimes, however,  it's not about how things look, it's about how things work. With that in mind, I headed to my Spiritual Wardrobe with a specific outfit in mind.
From the moment I awoke, I realized it was one of those days.  Arrows of defeat and discouragement were flying in from all directions.  I pulled out the Armor of God and got dressed.

"Therefore, put on the full armor of God..."

At Sozo, last week, the main focus was on dispelling the lies that I have come to believe as truth, so that I can move forward, successfully,  in all that God has for me.  Today was a constant onslaught of lies pouring down on me.  The voices in my mind pushed and pushed trying to gain back the ground they lost last week, and it was up to me to defend the territory of truth that I had won back.  It wasn't easy!  It was a day of  "walking it out!"  

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, against the authorities, 

against the powers of this dark world and against 

the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.  

 (Ephesians 6:12)

I've come to realize that  no one else can "walk it out for me."  That's something that I have to do myself.  I have to put forth the effort and  "just do it."  People can tell me about it.  I can read books on it.  My pastor may preach it from the pulpit.  I can even pray about it with a trusted friend.  But at some point.  I've got to put on my RED shoes and "walk it out."  I've got to do what God tells me to do.  I've got to put God's Word into action.  I've got to apply it to my personal life.   Does it really work?  I'll never know for sure until I give it a try.

It doesn't surprise me that the enemy has already attacked in hope of taking back the land. Today was "Bill Paying Day."  I love paying bills!  It's one of my favorite things to do.  But when there's not quite enough money to pay all of the bills, on the day I choose to pay them, the enemy sees that as the perfect opportunity to attack.  Watch out!  Here come the lies!

"Your God didn't really say that He'd provide.  That's just you thinking that!  See, there's not enough.  He's not doing it!  You're never going to make it.  Better just pack the whole thing up and get a real job.  If God were in this, you wouldn't be in need.  It's just not working.  See, there's that feeling again.  You're overwhelmed... and rightfully so.  No one can do this.  You're never going to make it.  What were you thinking?"

Okay... so I want to laugh hysterically after reading that because it's such a blatant attempt by the devil to bring me down!  But it didn't seem that way earlier today.  His voice seemed so loud and powerfully persuasive.  The Holy Spirit picked up on it immediately, though, and brought it to my attention that the enemy was on the offensive.

But you know what?  I'm tired of hearing that same old, same old dialog from the devil.  I've heard it all before.  And between Sozo,  dear friends praying on my behalf,  the angels of God,  great Biblical teaching and all this time I'm spending in the Secret Place with God...  Well  --  I'm stronger now!
No more pulling my tail between my legs and scurrying over to the corner in defeat.  That's not an option anymore.   I'm ready to fight back! I'm prepared to "walk it out!"

So I looked in the mirror, 

made sure my armor was fully in place, 

pulled out my sword and lunged forward!

 I've learned to dismember the lies of the enemy 

with the truth of God's Word.  

I know exactly what God spoke to me.   Jesus, Himself, said... 

"My sheep know my voice; I know them; and they follow me." 
(John 10:27)

His Word says "My God shall provide all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

"Abraham called that place, Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide."  (Genesis 22:14)  He is the God who sees the situation beforehand and is able to provide for  my needs. 

My God is faithful to deliver on His promises.  "His name is Faithful and True" (Revelation 19:11)

Today, I stand firm 
on His Word, believing!  

It was a rough day!  A day of holding down the fort, per say.  A day of repeating over and over again the scriptures I stand on when it comes to financial promises.  But it was also a day of praising God .  Later in the afternoon, I found myself singing that old chorus:

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider.

His Grace is Sufficient for Me.

My God shall supply all my needs,

according to His riches in glory.

He will give his angels charge over me.

Jehovah Jireh cares for me.

Jehovah Jireh cares for me.

With that song, the cloud of darkness seemed to lift, at least for now.  But sword in hand, I'm prepared for when the enemy returns.  I'm not sure how long this particular battle will last, but I expect to be Victorious!  I know that there will always be some sort of battle.  And I always have the choice to plunge forward or to retreat.  But in exercising my faith and "walking it out,"  I put God to the test, and God never fails! 

Will you take your place in the ranks of God's army?  Will you put on your RED shoes and "walk it out?"  Will you exercise your faith in your particular situation and watch God come through for you?

 I can't do that for you.  I've got my own "walking it out"  to do.   You have to do that yourself.  But know that I am praying for you.

You can do it!

Gail

  

Today was Day 125 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I found myself wearing comfortable RED shoes, and once again, visiting Harvest Tabernacle, and enjoying the ministry there with my dear friends Carolyn and Jim.  I'm never disappointed when I stop in there because God is always vibrantly present. I saw Him in the Worship.  I saw Him in the Word.  Not to mention the fact that several people testified of His Saving, Delivering, and Healing Power in their personal lives.  

I was reminded that we serve a Living God who connects with people, here and now! 

Why, oh why do so many settle for Religion?  

It's empty.  It's boring.  And it's dead.  

Why did I ever settle for it?  Because it's easy.  

Religion is easy.  

Relationship is challenging.  

But I'm in for a daily challenge.  A relationship with The Living God provides  Life,  Adventure, and  Fullness.  It's worth the effort!

After service, I joined my friends, Carolyn and Jim for lunch.  Carolyn is an accomplished artist.  She's the one who loves to collage.  Because of that, I was reminded of my Sozo meeting last week.  While in my prayer circle (at Sozo),  God revealed to me lies that I had come to believe were truth.  The whole point of Sozo is to sever those deceiving entanglements and release them to God.   Each time I did that,  I asked The Holy Spirit what He was giving me to replace it.  Whatever picture I saw in my mind, I spoke out loud and one of the women on the ministry team wrote it down for me.  I didn't understand, at the time, what was actually happening.   

It wasn't until later, long after 

the Sozo meeting was over,  

that I realized I had a list of 

promised treasures from the Lord. 

 I say all this, now, because I spent yesterday and today, collaging those treasures on Pinterest. I found pictures that matched my list and collected them on a board entitled, 

"God's Gifts to Me"

It's like my own treasury of

Crown Jewels.

That collage includes:

• a rushing river
• a pile of diamonds 
• a field of pansies
• the truth that "All Things are Possible!"
• an orchestra
• a monarch butterfly
• a big red heart
• white snow, freshly fallen over the earth
• lilacs
• my ability to see the angel that watches over my son
• a waterfall of The Glory of God
• a victory dance
• the revelation that there are angels all around fighting on my behalf
• a snowplow filled with ice and snow, taking away what was blocking the flow of trust and belief
• broken handcuffs replaced by pouring rain
• a powerful wind blowing lies off the clothes line
• a jar of wishes, hopes and dreams
• freedom, opportunity and life
• a box of chocolates
• children running amongst my feet
• a gold wedding ring
• a pure, fresh cotton bulb in bloom, still on the stem
• a basket of fresh picked berries
• a purse filled with gold coins
• a closed book on past relationships
• a spotlessly cleaned room
• an open window with fresh air flowing in
• a treasure chest of gold coins and jewels. 
• extensive wheat fields with an endless harvest
• divine power through The Holy Spirit
• the peacefulness of a clear lake in the early morning

As I look down, this evening, at my 

worn but wonderful Ruby slippers,

I am thankful for the magic that God 

brings into my life each day.

I am also thankful for my "You,"  

my readers,  my  "Rubies."

I treasure the fact that you faithfully support The Call of God on my life by praying for me, encouraging me, and following my writing.

Love to you all,

Gail

Day 124

Today is Day 124 of  The Red Shoe Project.  It's a beautiful day in sunny Sarasota!  The sun is out. The sky is blue.  There's a light breeze in the air.  
It must be 80 degrees outside.  What's better than that?

I popped on my RED flip flops and headed outdoors to bring Pauly for a walk around the neighborhood.  We weren't
out the door one minute when the nice neighbor lady stopped by to chat.
And then it happened... out of my mouth came an onslaught of negativity.  Yikes!

Where did that come from?  That's not usually my area of difficulty per say.
But... well... I guess,  Today it was!  
"Jesus... Please forgive me!" 
And I'm not joking when I pray that.  I take very seriously what comes out of my mouth, and though it didn't last very long... I could have kicked myself.  I should have kicked myself. It was totally unnecessary and unprofitable.

The neighbor lady is very nice.  She just crossed the street to say hello and chat a bit.  But somehow, I was caught off guard.  I was tired.  I didn't think quick enough.

"What do I talk to this lady about?"  

"What do we have in common?"  

She mentioned that she liked my new mailbox.  She's interested in getting a new mailbox herself.  Next thing you know... I went into a two minute soliloquy on how the local neighborhood development committee gave me a hard time about my mailbox.

Could I not have found something more uplifting, more interesting, more happy to talk about with her?  Apparently not.  And once I got started,
it was like I couldn't stop myself.  Immediately,
I recognized what was happening, but I couldn't seem to shut it down. - put a lid on it - zip it  -  lock it shut -  and say no more!   Nope...  it just continued to flow from my mouth like water from a hose.   Only this water wasn't refreshing at all.  It was tainted.


Of course now, I can think of all sorts of positive options.  We could have talked about the dog, or the weather, or her mom visiting, how pretty her lawn looked, how her boys were getting so big.   And actually,  we did end up talking about those things once I changed direction.  As soon as I had the chance, I nicely ended our conversation and carried on walking the dog.  Whew!  Finally I was out of there.

 Yes... I was mad at myself for going there... on negative ground.  I heard it with my own ears and I didn't like the way it sounded.  It was a messy speech of excuses and emotions that was going down from the moment it started.  Sometimes I can rescue things in mid air and turn them around for the good, but this wasn't one of those occasions.

After asking God to flat out forgive me.  I spent the day, open for divine feedback.  I guess what stands out the most was the fact that this woman just wanted to chat.  That was so obvious.  Maybe she needed a friend?  and I cut her short.

I thought the problem was what I said.  And to be honest... most people probably would not have even picked up on it.  My ears tend to be overly sensitive to negativity.  Perhaps I could have rebounded, changed the direction of the conversation, and then just listened.  I'm not saying that what I did wasn't wrong.  It was and The Holy Spirit checked me on it.  I get that.  But what God pointed out to me was "the need" -- her need.   I was so focused on myself  --  what I said,  how it sounded,  how it might be perceived, how I can do so much better  --  that  I missed what was really happening. I cut the visit short.  I cut off the opportunity to minister to her.  All I really had to do was be a friend and listen.

Well, I can still do that.  I'll have to make it a point to get my feet, in RED shoes, and get over to her house this week.  Perhaps I'll bring her some daisies.

"Don't you think that daisies are the friendliest flowers?"

Meg Ryan - You've Got Mail

Lesson learned!   

Gail