"Layers"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 30 -

How many layers of a lesson are there?

Today I spent the entire day taking care of some important paper work.  The other day, my mentor told me... "You need to work on that and get it done!"   Last night, the LORD told me,  "You need to do whatever she instructs you to do!"  That settled it.  Today was an office day and I've almost completed the task.

Meanwhile, I'm still working on accomplishing something God has asked me to do.  I'm not dragging my feet, it's just a task that takes time.   Tomorrow, both tasks will be finished, and I can get back to what I love most -- focussing on Christ!  I'm loving my time in prayer.  I can't get enough of it these days!

Obedience  is  (1) the adhering to and following through on someone's wishes, orders, or acknowledgment of their authority.  (2) submission to instruction, a law or rule.

Simply stated...  

It's doing what you're told.

Tonight at The Bonfire,  it dawned on me that we never stop learning.  Tonight's attendees are all in different places in their Christian walk.  Some are newbies.  Some are teens.  Some have been around a while.  And still others have been around longer.  No matter what our topic may be, everyone has a story to tell.

Take "Giving"  for example.  The "Newbies"  may testify about how God impressed upon them to start tithing.  (That's the first layer).  The "Teen"  may talk about how they are sensing the need to go above and beyond their tithing -- perhaps even giving sacrificially.  (Layer 2)   The Christian who's been around awhile -- they're planting seeds in other ministries, expecting a harvest. (Layer #3)   And the "Salty Dog?"   They're the one who sits back and smiles a lot.  They are enjoying the bounty of many harvests. (Still another layer of learning!)

All of them have interesting thoughts and testimonies to share - regardless of where they're at.  I realized that I've been in every one of those places -- many times -- and I'm still learning.  Once you master one layer, it's time to go to the next.  I don't think the layers ever end!

I got to thinking about how important obedience is in all this.  Whether it's your teacher, or "The Teacher of Teachers" - The Holy Spirit -- that's given you instruction, you've got to follow through.  It's not enough to understand the blueprint of it all.  That's just head knowledge.  You have to do it!

There have been times in life that I thought I totally understood something.  Then, when I got around to doing it, I realized that reading about something and actually doing it were two different things!  Take skating for example.  You can read about it.  You can see it on television.  You can even watch your kids do it.  But lacing up those skates on your own two feet and getting out on the ice yourself, is another thing entirely!  

When it's your first time

-- it ain't pretty -- 

if you know what I mean.  

You don't just float along the ice.  You have to learn balance.  Was that even mentioned in the instructions?  There's a lot of things that aren't written down in the instructions.  You learn them as you go.   Eventually you get the swing of it -- you get in the groove.  That's when it gets fun.

The Red Shoe Project  finds me continually going through the layers.  Daily, I'm learning, being tested -- sometimes making mistakes and trying again -- practicing over and over until I get it,  looking for assurance and correction when needed, and eventually mastering that layer!  It's a lot like ice skating!
Then I'm off to work on something else for awhile.  It's only a matter of time, though, and I'm back to that same thing working on the next layer.

Today, I caught a glimpse of the fact 

that I'm moving into some advanced layers.  It's scary, but exciting, none the less!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

"Ante up!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 29 - 

If you want in the game, ante up!

The most interesting thing happened to me in the prayer closet today.  God called on me to  "ante up!"     I'm serious!  Now I'm not a gambler at all -- never have been!  My only experience playing poker was as a teenager.  A bunch of us would sit around on a hot summer's day with a deck of cards and our loose change and play poker.  You never really won much -- or lost much for that matter -- but playing for money made it a little more fun.

"Ante up" is a term used in card games like poker.  All players throw the designated amount of money into the center of the table to show that "they're in the game!"  Once their money is in,  the dealer gives them their cards.

  No ante, no cards.  You don't play!

 It's that simple. 

In my case, the "ante"  might have been 2 pennies or a nickel.  Everyone who wanted to play that hand put their nickel in the center of the table and the dealer counted them in.  The cards were then dealt to all the players.  If you had a really good hand, you could  "up the ante"  on your turn.  If the person before you threw a penny in the middle, you'd have to throw a penny in the middle too, in order to stay in the game.  If you wanted, you could say, "Here's your penny and I'm going to raise you 2 more pennies."  That meant anyone after you had to put 3 pennies in the middle to stay in the game.  

Yesterday, one of my ministry friends, that I diligently pray for, sent me a list of prayer requests.  Included was the need for more partners to come on board and for some larger donations to help in the launching of a new outreach project that they are about to roll out.  I was so glad to get ahold of this list.  It empowered me to pray very specifically.  

First thing this morning I was up, dressed, in my RED shoes, and praying for the needs on that list.  I was having a good time of prayer when all of a sudden the LORD shut me down. 

"You know Gail,"  He said.  "You're asking me to open the doors of peoples' hearts to give rather largely, when you yourself haven't done that.  You need to ante up!"

"Really LORD?"  I responded.  "How can I do that?  I don't really have any money to give."  

"What about that over there?"  He said.  "You could give that, and you'd be in the game."

True, I own something that someone else is willing to pay money for.  And you know what?  It's something that I wouldn't even miss.  I couldn't believe that I hadn't thought of that myself.  And now, there was God pointing it out -- asking ME to get in the game!  

I thought I just came to pray.  Can you believe it?  There was an ante just to get in on the prayer!

Now I'm in no way saying that God doesn't answer prayers unless you give Him money.  That's ludicrous!  What I am saying is that God doesn't appreciate me asking Him to ask others for something I am not willing to get in on myself.  If we are going to operate in partnership, we need to be in agreement.  If I'm not willing to get in the game, why should He get involved?

It was as if He were saying to me...

"Show me that you're serious about this 

and I'll help you out!"

What would you do?  I took the appropriate steps to move in the direction God asked.  I made a phone call to someone who's interested in something I have.  

I anted up!  I got in the game.  

Now,  I'm a true partner in my friend's ministry.  I've got an invested interest.  The minister may be the one walking it out, but for every person who's saved -- every person who's set free -- every person who's healed --  I've got a stake in that investment.  His harvest is my harvest!  

This minister is no rookie, either.  He's got a proven track record.  Whatever he takes on, he succeeds at.  He's not a long shot, by far.   But that doesn't really matter.  God asked me to ante up for a reason -- one that I may never fully understand.  When it gets right down to it,  my job is to merely be obedient.  I did that.  

I stepped out in RED shoes today and planted my seed.

Believing for a great harvest!

Gail

"Praying Mamas"

Stepping Out in RED shoes!
- Day 28 -

What on earth was that that 
powerful explosion today?

Two Moms Praying in Agreement
 for their Children.  



Not once,
but twice!



How great is that?
We just decided to STORM the 
Gates of Hell on behalf of our kids!

While driving from the Bonfire to the Post-Bonfire Luncheon, my friend Kelly and I were chatting about our sons.  Before getting out of the car to go into the restaurant, we decided right then and there to agree in prayer for our boys -- well they're men now -- but they're still our boys, and they can always use their mother's prayers -- whether they realize it or not!  Glory to God!  There we were taking authority in Jesus' Name, believing God's favor to be upon them, for doors to open, and for them to be divinely interrupted by God's voice!  Hallelujah!

When the luncheon was over, I offered to give my girlfriend, Carolyn, a ride home.  All the way to her house, we talked about our daughters.  We refuse to worry!  We know they are in God's hands.  Right as Carolyn was about to get out of the car, I grabbed her hands and together we prayed against the strongholds of darkness,  pulled down the ploys of the enemy, and secured their divine destiny in Christ's Name.  Yahooooo!  God is Good!

It was just two or three minutes of prayer, 

but putting 2 Praying Mamas together is dangerous!

WATCH OUT!

God only knows how much 

damage was done in the spiritual realm!

We're onto something here!  This is going to have to become a habit.  I'm determined to have these fiery RED shoes continually remind me to agree with my sisters in prayer -- on the spot -- for our children.  

Talk is cheap!  It's time to get down to business. 

 It's time to Step out in RED shoes 

on behalf of our children!

Don't wait girlfriends!

  

I want to challenge you 

-- in the next 24 hours -- 

to grab the hands of another mom 

and pray up a storm for your children!  

It doesn't matter if the other mom is a believer or not.  Every mom can use prayer for their child.  Just do it!  Grab their hands, and lift up a prayer -- 1, 2, 3 minutes -- don't worry about how long or short it is.  Just speak your heart to God on your children's behalf.

Let me know how you make out!

In RED shoes,

Gail

Shut the Door!

Stepping Out in RED shoes!

- Day 27 -

Shut it!   Lock it!

Never open it again!

Don't go there -- You know better!

Some of you may have thought yesterday's blog to be a bit harsh and legalistic.  I would like to take a few moments to put things in proper perspective.  Many of us have testimonies of God literally grabbing us by the scruff of our necks and pulling us out of what can only be described as the "muck and mire."
An old pentecostal preacher used to say it this way...

"Jesus reached down and pulled 

me out of the quagmire of sin!"

A Quagmire is a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot. -- A swamp.
Spiritually speaking, it's a dirty place.  It's a place where people get stuck.
A place where people struggle to get free.  Some never get free and drown.

For some of you,  it was drug addiction.  For others it was alcoholism.  Some found themselves bound in pornography and sex addictions  --  others in gambling and spending.  There are some who had eating disorders that nearly snatched away their lives -- bingeing and purging, over-eating, or not eating at all!   Most people however, found themselves simply unfulfilled with life.  They had no purpose.  They had no hope.  Even though many of you had everything imaginable that money could buy, there was no joy and no peace.  Even love had no real meaning.  You were ready to give up on life!

Jesus changed all that for you!

One day, He came along and set you free.  He lifted you up out of the pit of despondency and gave you new life!  Hallelujah!  Go ahead... take a moment and praise Him right now!  Thank Him for His love and mercy!

All that said, we all come to seasons in our life where we are tired.  We're not feeling the heavenly goosebumps.  Perhaps we've been busy.  A lot of things have been going on and we've gotten distracted.  Life has robbed us of our time with the Lord, and we're not functioning at our spiritual best.

Sometimes it's the complete opposite.  We're at a high point.  Everything is going well.  Abundant blessing has come our way.  Somehow, with all that, we've lost our consistency and diligence at staying connected with Christ. 

Where do you find yourself?  Maybe you're somewhere in the middle.  

Never forget that the enemy is always 

out to lure you away from God's path.  

He wants to disconnect you 

so that He can ultimately destroy you.  

He wants you back in that pit!

Proverbs 4:25-27 says...

"Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil."

Two days ago, my friend was looking for the reason why she shouldn't partake in a worldly activity of sorts.  God spoke to me and said, "I saved her from the pit!  To do that now would be the first step in the wrong direction."  

Every one of us will be tested exactly like that, from time to time.  My friend Bonnie always says... 

"The devil will always come back to test you, to see if you still have the victory in that area."  

No one wants to go back to the pit!  Therefore, we need to boldly proclaim our reason... 

"I'm not going to do THAT 

because it's the 1st Step in 

the Wrong Direction!  

Case closed!"

Then we need to shut that door and lock it!  We need to put a sign on it that reminds us never to open it!  

Do you know what happens when you do that?

You shut off access to the devil  

in that area.  It's a done deal!  

There's no reason for further discussion, because you're not going to budge on the matter!

Good-bye!

As long as you are willing to entertain the thought of it, you give the enemy a foothold.  Picture yourself trying to shut a door, and someone quickly lodging their foot there.  You can't close it!  There's a struggle.  There's arguing.  There's discussion.  It's anything but over. 

Now compare that to a door that's shut tightly and locked.  No access!  The devil might as well pack it up and go home.  You're not even on the other side of the door anymore.  You've walked away and gone about your Father's business.

This is important:  If you are experiencing continual spiritual harassment about something, it's because the door hasn't been closed tightly and locked.  When my friend stated she was going crazy with all the temptation, it's because there was room for discussion.

There's an old spiritual that goes like this:

Shut the door!  Keep out the devil.

Shut the door!  Keep the devil in the night.

Shut the door!  Keep out the devil.

Light the candle, everything's all right!

That's some wise preaching right there!

In RED shoes,

Gail

"Stay the Course!"

Stepping Out in RED shoes!

- Day 26 -

Saved for a Purpose!

One of my favorite hymns is Love Lifted Me by James Rowe and Howard E. Smith.

"I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore.

Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.

But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry!

From the water lifted me, now safe am I.

(chorus)

Love lifted me.  Love lifted me. 

When nothing else could help.

Love lifted me!"

I remember well, the day God rescued me.  It was April 10th, 1983.  The moment I gave my life to Christ, He took me out of the mess I managed to get myself into, washed away my sins, and put me on a new path.  It was The Road to an Abundant Life!    

Psalm 40:2 says it this way...

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 

out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock and 

gave me a firm place to stand."

Many years past and a season of great hardship came my way.  I found myself in a very vulnerable place.  Tired and discouraged, I moved off to the side of the road and sat down for a rest.  I wasn't planning on a detour.   I merely decided to take ONE STEP off the path. I had no intention of doing anything more than that.

Take note:  The detour started with a step. 

- A little step off to the side -

 It was just ONE step, 
but it was a step in the wrong direction!

It was such a little thing.   Looking back, I never thought about where that one step would take me. -- I just took it!   I couldn't believe how quickly -- even after all those years -- that it brought me right back to that same pit.  

Take note:  A step in the 

wrong direction takes you off

 The Road to Abundant Life 

and puts you back on

 The Road to Destruction.

John 10:10 tells us that...

 "The theif, (the devil), comes 

to steal, kill and destroy, but 

I have come,  (Jesus said),  

that you might have life and 

have it more abundantly!"

I just moved off the path, ever so slightly.  I decided to sit down and rest awhile.  "Someone" -- noticing how tired and weary I was -- joined me in some delightful conversation.  They listened intently to all my woes. 

Take note:  Don't sit down and

enter into conversation with the enemy.  

He will deceive you!
Oh first He'll welcome you!
He'll make you feel good.  He'll agree with you 
and tell you everything you want to hear. 
But be assured... In the end,
     He will deceive you!  That's his M.O.

Before I knew it, I was complaining.  He agreed that I had every right to complain.  When I finally stopped talking, He encouraged me to follow this new path that I was on and assured me that it was the right way.  In time I discovered that "Someone"  deceived me.  He was a wolf in sheep's clothing.  The path he encouraged me to take was The Road to Destruction.  

Proverbs 14:12 says...

"There is a way that appears to be right, 

but in the end it leads to death."

God saved me for a reason.  He put me on the path that I'm meant to walk.  It's my job to stay on that path.  Every step I take brings me more and more into the life of abundance that He's promised.

There's no looking back.  

There's no stopping off and sitting down. 

There's no time for that!  

The devil will distract you. -- He will deceive you. -- His ultimate goal is to destroy you!  

Stay the course!

Fixing our  eyes on Jesus, 

the pioneer and perfecter of our faith!"

Hebrews 12:2a

Okay... so incase you still don't quite get it,  let me be very straightforward here...

Don't go back to hanging out with your unsaved friends.
It's not time to start partying!
No... smoking a little weed is not a good thing!
Deciding to take up social drinking again is not on God's agenda for you!
Hitting all the hot spots, hoping to pick up a date for the night is the old way!
Putting yourself back into the company of negativity, vulgarity, and abuse is not profitable!
Re-connecting with that old "friend" when God severed that relationship is the first step backwards.

This isn't about legalism.  It's about moving forward in God's plan for you!  I know you're tired, but there are other options.  For starters:  Pray and ask God for a godly friend in the faith to walk with you. When Elijah was tired, God brought him a friend to travel with -- Elisha.

I'm praying for you!

In RED shoes,

Gail

"The Bait"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 25 -

Years ago, I spent an entire day with friend of mine who was an avid fisherman.  He brought me around to his favorite fishing holes in hopes to share his passion and demonstrate his skill.  I will never forget his abrupt pulling off to the side of the road, peering into the water and quickly reaching for his rod in the back of his truck.  He was a man on a mission!

His rod was already baited with a shiny silver lure, which he told me later was specifically chosen for the type of fish he was pursuing.  He carefully examined the pool of fish that had gathered, and with precision, cast his line exactly where he wanted it.  Slowly and masterfully, he edged the lure in front of the fish, tweaking the line ever so gently to capture his prey's interest and attention.

Quite frankly, I was blown away by this man's expertise.  He was totally "in the zone!"   What a sight to see.  Even with all that, however, the fish weren't biting that day.  One at a time, they turned around and swam in the opposite direction.  Before long, we were driving off to another destination to try again.

Last night a dear friend called me to tell me that she is struggling with temptation.  Like a shiny silver lure, thoughts of an old lifestyle are vying to capture her interest and attention.  It's driving her crazy!  Desperately, she is searching her memory for the reason she stopped partaking in certain activities in the first place.  She can't remember.  All she can focus on is the sugar-coated bait that's dangling in front of her.

"I know why I stopped doing those things" she stated.  

"But I can't remember why I stopped doing  THAT. 

 What was so bad about THAT?  It's just a little thing.   

All I can remember is that it made me feel good."

I've got to wonder...

Do those fish remember seeing their friend 
biting a shiny, silver lure,
 and being carted off to his death?  

Do they remember seeing him struggle for his life -- 
hooked and unable to set himself free?  

Or better yet...

Were they, themselves, ever snagged by the lure,
 and for some unknown reason, released back 
into the water after the struggle of their life?  

Perhaps fish are incapable of remembering 

such things... but man can.  

We MUST recall  

what happens when we bite 

the shiny silver lure!

That said, we've all been there -- in that place of temptation.  We know how challenging it can be.  As obvious as it seems to the outsider, they are not the one with the bait dangling in front of their nose.  The woman is right.  She needs to remember why she stopped that activity in the first place - and why she's not going to return to it!

I knew I needed to get alone with God to pray for my friend.  The Master would have the answer for her.  It was late, however.   I was tired and found myself struggling in prayer with the desire to worry. 

 You can't pray in fear.  

It doesn't work!  

The Lord assured me that my friend was in His hands, so off I went to bed and enjoyed a good night's sleep.  This morning I awoke and the answer was right there waiting for me.

God snatched her out of the pit! 

To do that now would be 

the 1st step in the wrong direction.

The devil will always provide you with an off ramp to turn around.  Don't do it!  Stay the course!  Hebrews 12:1-2a says...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

fixing our eyes on Jesus..."   Hebrews 12:1-2a

There is so much more to say about this, dear friends.   Tune in tomorrow for part 2. 

In RED shoes, 

Gail 

"Muffin-top"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 24 -

Today's blog is one of the most difficult pieces I've written for The Red Shoe Project.  Some of you might blow it off as some sort of joke, but I'm certain that there will be others who will identify with it fully.  Thank you, in advance for your sensitivity and support.  Today,  I'm stepping out in my RED shoes, trying to be as transparent as possible, hoping that God will use my story to speak volumes to someone.

Several days ago, while getting out of my pajamas and into my clothes for the day, I caught a glimpse of something that shook me to the core.  What was that?  I couldn't believe it.  I moved myself closer to the mirror to investigate.

Yup!  It's exactly what I thought it was... 

a muffin top -- belly fat -- excess weight

protruding over the top of my pants.  

Not good!

Now those of you that know me, know that I'm not a big person.  That's because I've been fairly health conscious for years.  I truly believe in proper diet and exercise.  After all, our bodies do house the Spirit of God!  But The Red Shoe Project has had me focused on other things.  My budget doesn't allow for a gym membership, nor is that part of the Red Shoe Curriculum.  God has told me there's a reason for that: 

 He wants my focus and attention totally on Him.

Of course I watch what I eat.  As a vegan, I basically follow a "Daniel fast"  lifestyle -- then, there's my prayer walks.  They get me outside and moving at a brisk pace.  Between my injured ankle, however, and my "frozen shoulder,"  I'm afraid other exercise options have been significantly limited at best. 

Okay, so let me just throw this out there.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says...

"Do you not know that your bodies are

temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,

whom you have received from God?

You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  

Therefore honor God with your bodies."  

As much as I whole-heartedly believe this scripture, I hate to admit it, but that's not why I'm concerned with my less than perfect physique.  Like so many other women in this world, I've been brainwashed into believing that true love and happiness comes to those who are thin, fit and pretty.

Of course I know that's not true!  But just like many of you, I've turned my life inside out and upside down -- for years -- just incase it was!  Some part of my subconscious continually reminds me that my success is dependent on how I look.  Ugh!

So let me cut to the quick.  As I stood their half naked, half in tears -- the Lord spoke to me in the most wonderful way.

"You know that's a lie you've 

been fed most of your life.  

Stop believing it!"

Another "Blind Spot?"  (Day 23)  Absolutely!  He lovingly went on to remind me that He thought I looked quite nice.  In fact, He prompted me to take a closer look -- not with my physical eyes, but with my spiritual eyes.  

The Red Shoe Project,  amongst other things, has been a 13 month spiritual body building program for me.  The Holy Spirit has been training me personally, every day, for over a year.  Many of you have been a witness to that.  

"Go ahead,"  He said  "See how you look in the spiritual realm."

I squinted my eyes as I looked into the mirror, desperately trying to see beyond the muffin top.  I saw nothing! -- Nothing but an inadequate body -- But wait!  -- Something was emerging!   The Holy Ghost began painting a very clear image on the movie screen of my mind.  I took a deep breath as the image came into focus.  It was of me.  There I stood, toned, in quite nice shape, with developing muscles.  

He depicted me as a 

Spiritual Body Builder in Training  

and I looked darn good!

 "Are those biceps, Lord?"  I asked.

"No... those are the muscles you use to pull down the strong-holds of darkness.    

"Wow!  Look at those shoulders!"  I exclaimed.  

"That's your tenacity and determination. You're good at that!"  He said.

I do believe I see the onset of  a "six pack" there, Lord." 

"Yeah... that's your core.  Every time you walk into your prayer closet, 

you strengthen and build your spiritual core." 

"Look at those lats!   What do they represent?"

"That's your faith."   He said.  "You've come a long way!"

"Ooooh.  What about those?"  I asked, somewhat concerned.

"That's your patience,"  He laughed.  That's a tough area for everyone!"

What did I say yesterday?  When someone you love tells you that you have a blind spot, you can listen and change, or ignore them and stay the same.

   I know the Lord is right about this!   

You know He's right as well.   

Quite frankly, I'm tired of being bound by the enemy of my soul with such trivial matters.  Oh... he makes them appear important.  Somehow he manages to blow them up to gigantic proportion.  But in God's eyes, they are small and insignificant, all the same.   

I've decided, from here on out,  to operate more consistently in the spiritual realm, and not be so consumed with the natural realm.  I'm going for the trophy on this one!  I'm working out my spiritual muscles for His glory!

All that said, I've got to wonder,  

"What did I look like -- spiritually -- before

The Red Shoe Project?" 

   Yikes!!!  Don't show me, Lord!  It's a rhetorical question.  I don't even want to imagine that.  Instead, I'll just focus on you and where you are bringing me.

Stepping Out in RED shoes!

Gail