Day 265

Today is Day 265 of  The Red Shoe Project and I am sporting my RUBY REDS,  still flying high from yesterday. It was a much needed day of  

Spiritual Build Up!  

The enemy had been blasting  away for a couple days.  Finally, a day of  RELIEF,  REASSURANCE  and  REST  from anxiety and distress!




In my book,  The Yellow Brick Road:  A Woman's Journey to the Edge and Back,  this is what I  say about "Traveling Companions."

"When you're  on a long journey,  it's great to 

have a traveling companion or two. Time goes 

by a  little  quicker  when you have someone to 

talk to.  If  a  problem arises  and  you  need to  

think  things  through,   two  heads  are better 

than one.  In discouraging times,  one person 

can lift up the spirit of the other.  And though 

one  traveling  alone  may  be  weak,  there  is 

strength  in  numbers.  When  obstacles  arise,  

it's easier for  an  individual traveler to become 

discouraged and give up.  Sometimes we  need  

the  help  of  others  to  accomplish what we're  

trying to get done.   Individually,  we  may  not  

have all  the   know-how,  skills,  monies  and 

contacts to get the task completed on our own."

Boy did my girlfriends come through yesterday!  First I met up with a pal at Starbucks for a iced tea.  Regardless of our recent battle wounds and fatigue, we chatted up a storm about the Goodness of God.  I could feel the strength coming back into my bones.  My spiritual muscles were being worked!  My spirit was refreshed!   The time flew by and before I knew it, we were in our cars, heading off in different directions, charged up, to the Glory of God!

I don't remember, anymore, the days of being around negativity.  One day, a long time ago, I made a decision to step away from a friendship that was negative and somewhat strange.  I can barely remember the details now, but it just didn't feel right.  There was too much drama and manipulation.  I wasn't accustomed to that sort of thing, and when the door opened for me to exit, I did.  I thought it would be difficult, but it went smooth.  One day we were close friends, and then... I don't think I ever heard from her again.  How weird is that?  So I just let it go!  I didn't call it back.  I just released it!  WOW!  It sounds so easy, years later.  At the time, I remember that making that decision to let go was a tough one.

After that, I was more careful with my choices on who got in my inner circle.  A few more years went by, and being surrounded by positive, uplifting friends, I let go of another.  That one wasn't so easy.  It took years, a lot of prayer, a lot of counsel, and a lot of focus, but I did it.  Sometimes we get attached to people that don't bring out the best in us.  We can't be all that God wants us to be and be with them too!  

What that old saying?  TIME HEALS.   It doesn't sound soothing when someone suggests it and your heart is in anguish.  But with God in your corner, it's true.  God uses time to do some amazing things in our lives.   Doesn't He?

Last night, I met up with another girlfriend of mine that I hadn't seen in ages.  She pulled up in her sports car and whisked me off to a wonderful waterfront hide-away, where we talked forever.  Once again, it was the three of us:  Her,  Me  and The Holy Spirit.  We just had a great time!  And to finish it off, we drove home with the top down.  Ahhhhh... what a gorgeous night it was for a drive!

I'm reminded of the scripture found in Ecclesiastes 4:12...

"Though one may be overpowered, 

two can defend themselves.

a cord of three strands is 

not quickly broken. "

You know what I love about these friends, in particular?  I couldn't be negative, whiney or complaining  if I tried.  They'd call me on it in a second, and they know I'd do the same for them.  Oh... we'll present scripture after scripture to stand on.  We'll undergird one another in prayer for as long as it takes.  We'll curse and discard any discouraging, disheartening, and dispairing spirits on one another's behalf.  But we won't sit down with negativity.  And we don't let each other do that.  Our job is to pull one another up! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Friends are a 

blessing from God!

I hope you find yourself surrounded by some good friends who are in it to win it, with you.  If not,  perhaps it's time to start changing some things?  

One step at a time!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

Day 264

There was still some enemy fire this morning -- the 264th Day of The Red Shoe Project -- but with RED flip flops on my feet, I headed out to the beach with my daughter, Grace, where the two of us agreed together, in a mighty prayer walk with God.  Yes, regardless of the spiritual shrapnel amongst our feet, this morning we set off bombs of our own.

 Powerful words of Promise and Petition 

went up to Heaven on the behalf of 

our Partners in Christ Jesus!

We are praying for YOU!

At some point, you gotta get out of the foxhole and fire off a few shots of your own!  This morning was our opportunity to do just that!  When the unction comes, you gotta go with it!  When The Holy Spirit says "NOW!"  It's time to move!  There's that moment when all fear drops off and the way in front of you is clear.  Your adrenaline kicks in and you're off!

CHARGE!  

Sometimes the enemy can be so relentless that it's difficult to do anything.  You're tired, worn out, confused, empty.  But when God re-charges you -- when you're filled with His Spirit -- you can't stay down any longer.  It's time to take action and GO!

You might be wondering, "Where am I going?  What am I to do?"
It's simple.  You're going to open your mouth and let the prayers flow forth.  Don't be deceived, my friend!  

The enemy would have you believe that 

your prayers are like a little cap gun, 

but in reality, they are perhaps your 

most powerful weapon!

Praying
 in the NAME of JESUS...

You will tear down the strongholds

the enemy has put in your path!

You will claim the Promises of God 

for yourself and for others!

You will establish barriers of protection 

against enemy attack!

You will proclaim  SALVATION,  

HEALING  &  DELIVERANCE  

for those God has assigned to you!

You will push back 

the forces of darkness!

You will take back 

what the devil has stolen!

You will grab ahold of the enemy's flag 

and shout VICTORY in Jesus' NAME!

Remember... this isn't some game.  This isn't a weekend paint ball tournament or obstacle coarse to test your physical abilities.  This is the real thing!  This is SPIRITUAL WARFARE!  Are you with me?

"... at the Name of Jesus 

EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, 

of those who are in heaven 

and on earth and under the earth."  

Philippians 2:10 NASV

Wearing RED footwear,

Gail

Day 263

Day 263 of The Red Shoe Project has finally arrived!  The firing has stopped for the time being.  Whew!  Yesterday was crazy!  The enemy of my soul came out in large numbers, trying to take me down.  So I did what any good soldier would do.  I crawled in a foxhole and waited for the firing  to stop.

"The Name of the Lord is 

a strong tower

the righteous run into 

and are safe!"

Proverbs 18:10

Oh!  It was non-stop alright!  I was up most of the night before, praying for a dear friend.  She had a trying day.  I could see it on her face.  She was weary and God put it on my heart to pray that she'd have a good night's rest.  I can only surmise that as I prayed for her, that same enemy turned in my direction and attacked me, full force!  With little sleep, I woke up uncomfortable, unrested, sore in my body and the enemy knew it!  

BOOM!  BOOM!  BOOM!   BOOM!  BOOM!

As I walked Pauly, every defeating thought plummeted my mind.  I choose not to repeat them here, so as not to go through the entire conversation again, lest I give an open door for the enemy to step in and attack once more.  I had to keep shutting it off! -- shutting it out! --  filling the space in my mind with opposing scripture that would strengthen me.

While in the foxhole, I thought about my goals:  

-- To connect with God each day 

-- To determine His will for me 

-- To be found about His business 

-- To be in partnership with Him

All things considered,  I am certainly on the right track!  The devil is a liar!  You see, the enemy will lay it on heavy when He sees you making huge strides for God.  He wants nothing less than to turn you around.  Like a bully, he shouts:  "Go Home!" 

Not this little soldier!  

I'm one tough cookie for God!  

I'm not going anywhere!

That's easy to say today -- The firing has stopped for now.  I made it through the night.  But I do remember this...  I made a conscious and deliberate decision last night, to shut out the voice of the enemy and tuck myself under the wings of God!  Psalm 17:8b says...

"Hide me in the shadow of your wings. "

I've had time to rest and re-fuel, but already the firing has begun once again.  Bombs are dropping here, there and everywhere!  Everyone seems to be under attack!  

All things considered, I have pulled out my brightest and sparkliest RED shoes.  I know some of you might think that's silly.  Are you kidding?  In times of war,  I want GOD to be right in the forefront of my mind.  While the enemy is trying his best to make a connection with me -- in order to download his plan of defeat -- I want to be mindful that God has a plan of His own.  I can hear Brother Ron Kennoly singing it now...

Who's report will you believe?  

We shall believe the report of the Lord!

     His report says I am healed.

     His report says I am filled.

     His report says I'm set free.

     His report says VICTORY!

What does His report say for you?  That's a unique Word that You, alone, must retrieve yourself from the heart of God.  Because here's how it really works...

Sure... 90% of the time, the devil's just trying to do a number on you.  He's pulling out all his weaponry to defeat you, discourage you and disillusion you!  He just wants you to give up on God!

But that doesn't mean difficult things aren't going to come your way.  The other 10% of the time, they do.  Trials and tribulations take place.  Calamities occur.  Things don't always work out the way we want them to for all sorts of reasons.   People we love pass away.  Some people get sick and are not healed.  Friends make choices that don't include God.  What we really want at the time, God doesn't always deliver, and we don't understand why.

Yes, tragedy happens with or without God.  The difference is this:  Without God, you're left hopeless and in despair.  With God, you have hope and a future.

"For I know the plans I have for you,"  

says the Lord  

"... to give you hope and a future."

"What's God's Word for you?"  

* While you're in the foxhole, why not Ask Him! *

Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.  And if He's not answering, know this...  He's there.  He hears your heart's cry.  He's the friend that sticks closer than a brother.  If difficulty has come,  you can be assured that He will walk through it with you!

Hebrews 6:18-20a says this...

"We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  

Enemy fire has quieted itself in my neck of the woods, for the time being,  but I'm hunkering down in my foxhole and lifting up prayers for those of you who are still under attack.

God is with you!

Gail

Day 262

Today is Day 262 of  The RED Shoe Project.  From the moment I woke up this morning, it was as if heavy artillery were being fired at me from every direction!  I quickly got on my RED sneakers and headed out for my three mile prayer walk.  I've been dodging spiritual warfare all day long!  It's exhausting, but I am alive and unharmed!  Boy, some days you've got to be quick on your feet - RED shoes and all!

Ephesians 6:11-13 says...

"Put on the full armor of God 

so that you can take your stand 

against the devil's schemes.

  

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 the heavenly realms.

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, 

so that when the day of evil comes, 

you may be able to stand your ground 

and after you have done everything, to stand

James 4:7-8 adds

"Submit yourselves, then , to God.  

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come near to God and He will come near to you."  

God is Faithful!

Gail