Day 280

Today is the sabbath day.  It is also Day 280 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I had on my shiny RED high heels for church today.  There was a visiting preacher... Roberts Liardon.  Many of you may know him, amongst other things, for his books, God's Generals.  What an awesome service!

During the past two weeks or so, I've read some of Dr. Liardon's books, viewed several of his YouTube clips and sermons, and watched a handful of his DVDs.  They are incredibly impactful -- especially for a soldier in God's army! What does a soldier in God's army look like?  It looks like me!  It looks like you!

 I've come to realize something very important, and this is why I find myself so interested in this pastor's ministry. Since I've found myself between a rock and a hard place --  in need of a miracle, no less -- the last thing I want is some

mamby-pamby, wishy-washy preacher  that's delivering a watered down gospel.  Sorry, but I need more -- much more!   I've been looking for someone with authority, experience, and time in God's Word -- someone who's not afraid to say, "This is how it is!" ---  Someone who can hold the Bible in the air and say, "Don't just believe me, take a look in God's Book for yourself!  It's right here!"

As I continue to wait on God, The Lord has somehow worked in me a mindset change.  At some point, while listening to this man's preaching, I moved from operating in fear to operating in faith.  A power has come upon me to BELIEVE in greater measure.  This minister has preached some powerful messages -- spoken boldly  -- with love  -- but without compromise.  And that's just what the doctor ordered!

Unfortunately, I feel like somewhere in these past years,  I've been duped into believing that people have to be handled extra delicately. "Be careful!  You don't want to offend anybody with the Bible!"    Granted that may be true in some instances, but as I've been out there diligently searching for answers from God, the last thing I've wanted was a lot of fluffy, feel-good, fancies.  No!  Where's the TRUTH?

Will someone just give  it to me, straight!"

Somehow I've found myself on the edge, waiting for God.  I'm disappointed that I've had to search so long and so far to find  preaching at a higher than elementary school level.  When real difficulties arise, I want everything that God has to offer!  Not just what's warm and fuzzy.  Because warm and fuzzy doesn't work on the edge.  Warm and fuzzy will kill you!

Personally, I'm tossing the fluffy bunny slippers,

 and  getting myself a good pair of

 RED preaching shoes!  

I just told some good friends of mine the other day, "I predict my own preaching will become more straight forward in the future!  Just expect it!"  Yes, there are gray areas in life, but everything is not gray.  Some things are black and white, and they need to be delivered that way!

Thanks to some solid teaching, some straight Biblical answers and the anointing of The Holy Spirit, I find myself standing on solid ground, trusting that God will deliver.  There's something to be said about preaching an uncompromising Bible -- not some of it, but all of it!

Standing strong
in RED shoes, 

Gail




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Day 279

Today is Day 279 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I popped on my RED sandals,  (Remember,  I live in Florida, so the weather is still sunny and in the 90s here),  and I headed out the door to celebrate my dear friend's birthday.  What a day we had!  We talked about Jesus.  We talked more about Jesus.  And then we talked even more about Jesus!  For a moment there I thought it might be my birthday!  It wasn't -- but talking about Jesus is my favorite thing to do!  Glory to God!

What a Mighty God we serve!

What a Mighty God we serve!

Angels bow before Him.

Heaven and earth adore Him.

What a Mighty God we serve!

Seriously, Im not sure who was ministering to whom.  We were both ministering to each other.  What a blessed day!  I left at noon, and returned at 8:30 p.m.  It was a full day in the Lord!

Last night was a fun night as well!  I met up with some dear friends and we celebrated life over dinner. What a glorious time we had!  These friends are like my family!  I am blessed.  Again, I left at  5:30 and I got home at 12:30 am.  I'm not used to this.  It's been a weekend of celebration!  What are we celebrating?  Christ, of course.  But perhaps there's more.  Maybe God's about to descend with a miracle!  I'm ready!

Tonight I checked in with my soul-sister and prayer warrior, Bonnie.  We tore it up on the telephone.  My goodness, after testifying of the Goodness of God, she started praying up a storm.  I don't know what was happening on her end of the phone, but the Spirit of God was ricocheting all over my living room.  Exuberance! The atmosphere was filled with energy and excitement.  I'm telling you... Something is at hand.  Something awesome!

I've been here before.  The Spirit of God is about to explode in wonder.  You can't keep that undercover.  The Spirit in me and the Spirit in Bonnie is the same Spirit that's about to manifest in some sort of awesome display.  We were just the lucky ones that got an invitation to the pre-exhibition party.  I can't wait to see what God's going to do!

He is the King... of Kings!

He is the Lord... of Lords!

His Name is...

 Jesus -- Jesus -- Jesus -- Jesus --

Oh!   Oh!   He is the King!

Stay tuned!

Dancing in my RUBY REDS!

Gail

Day 278

It's Day 278 of  The Red Shoe Project.   Like many of you, I am waiting on God.  He's working on the minute details of my life.  He's handling my concerns.  He's pulling things together -- setting things in order -- and making ready all that is necessary.  Meanwhile...  Life goes on.  I need to get dressed.  What shall I wear?   RED shoes, of course -- that's a given!

I've been looking through my closet for hours.
I know it's in there  --
The perfect outfit for today! 
No, that's not it!   That's not it either!
Too small.  Too big.
That doesn't fit right.
That one simply wont work.
Yeah... not the right color.  
Too frumpy.   Out of date.  
Wait a minute  --  Ahhhhhhhhhh...

 There it is!  

How did it get stuffed way back there?  (Probably because I haven't worn it in ages.)  Let me get it out of the closet and into the natural light.  Hmmmm.  It's a little crumpled.  No worries!  It's one of those garments that come to life when you put it on.  Wrinkle-free!  And I know it will still fit.

  Yes... It's perfect!  

You have one too!  We all do.  But somehow it ends up forgotten amongst all our stuff,  so we don't wear it.  That's too bad, because it would solve a world of problems.  "What is it?" you ask.

It's the "Garment of PRAISE!"

Just like that old chorus:

"Put on the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness.

Lift up your voice to God!

Pray in the spirit 

and with understanding.

Oh, magnify the Lord!"

Sometimes I forget.  I forget that this "Garment of Praise"  will shake off that spirit of heaviness.  You know what I'm talking about.  Some people refer to it as a "funk" of sorts.  "I'm just in a funk!"  they say.   Some see it as a depression - an overwhelming, constant sadness that they can't snap out of.  Some make excuses. "That's just me -- I'm melancholy!"  Some  people refer to it as a heavy heart that won't go away.  Maybe, for you,  it's a feeling of despair and hopelessness -- even though you know CHRIST as your Lord and Savior.  Have you ever wondered, "How can that be?"  Well, the enemy is at work.

Isaiah 61:3  tells me 

that He has given me a 

"Garment of Praise" 

to replace that spirit of despair.  

* All I have to do is put it on!

"Putting it on" - What does that mean?  It means I need to sing -- unto the Lord  -- LOUD --  and from the bottom of my heart -- with everything I've got!  I need to sing with all sincerity,  knowing that God, Himself, is my audience.   I need to sing long enough and loud enough until that "funk"  falls right off me!  

So often, people spend tons of  money...  drinking, drugging, attempting various therapies, salon treatments, exercise plans, diets, vitamins and more...  all in an attempt to  rid themselves of "the heaviness."  Oh!  if they would just try God's way!  (Not to mention that it's free.)  If they'd just  PRAISE HIM!

"Praise the Lord!

Come on and Praise the Lord!

Let all God's people praise the Lord!

Shake off those heavy bands!

Lift up those Holy hands!

Let all God's people praise the Lord!

(Sing it again)."

It really is that easy.  But you have to put forth an effort.  You may have to start off by putting a fake smile on your face.  You tell yourself you're going to smile, by faith, even though you don't "feel"  happy.  Remember, according to Hebrews 11:1   Faith is the substance of things hoped for, even though you haven't seen the physical manifestation of it yet.    

Then, you tell your body, "Stand up!"  Even though you're tired, you lift up you hands in surrender to Him! 

You may have to force out that first song!  That's what's referred to as a "Sacrifice of Praise!"  You don't want to sing, but you do it anyway -- because God's Word tells you to!  

You have to lift your voice and sing out strong.   Did you ever see that movie, Elf?   The little boy says to his father... "Hey, you're not really singing."  The father says, "Yes I am!"   The son retorts, "No you're not!  You're just mouthing the words!"   Same thing.

You might just have to put on your dancing shoes! Or kick off your shoes for that matter.  Whatever works best for you.  Can you believe for a moment that you just might be so happy that you'll have to cut a little rug?  Would that be so bad?

Here's what happens:   As those genuine praises flow forth from your lips -- over and over again -- eventually that oppressive spirit breaks.  You begin to operate in the Goodness of God.  

Suddenly you become cognizant of God's Love for you!   You remember you're saved -- that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  Before you know it,  your smile is real.  You find yourself celebrating Christ, your Redeemer!  Your shouts become exuberant!   The music is more than a song. Your joy is full!  You're overflowing!  That "funk"  has been washed away!  All to the Glory 

of God!

Hallelujah!

Yes,  the "Garment of Praise" is the perfect choice!  For that matter, shouldn't I own one in every color?  LOL.  Shouldn't that be my choice everyday?  With RED shoes, of course!

Gail

Day 277

Today was Day 277 of  The Red Shoe Project.  Once again, my RED shoes were securely fastened on my feet, but it was another strange day.

It was a QUIET day.

Yesterday was a day of talking with God.  Today was a day of  NO TALKING   -- not with God -- and little to none with anyone else as well, including Pauly.  I've puttered around taking care of a few little things here and there.

This old hymn has been on my mind all day:

"Great is Thy faithfulness," 

O God my Father,

There is no shadow 

of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not,

Thy compassions they fail not;

As Thou has been

Thou forever wilt be.

Great is they faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning 

new mercies I see;

All I have needed 

Thy hand hath provided.

"Great is Thy faithfulness, " 

Lord, unto me!

I love it when a song or scripture infiltrates my mind during times of quietness.   God puts them there for a purpose.  How appropriate these were for today. 

Lamentations 3:22-26 says this...

Because of the Lord's great love 

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my 

portion, therefore I will wait for him."

The Lord is good to those whose hope 

is in him,  to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly for the 

salvation of the Lord."

I've learned over the years that when things get real quiet, Daddy's working... on my behalf.

Watching and waiting

   -- QUIETLY --

in RED shoes, 

Gail