"Scammed!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 37 -

Scammed!   Swindled!    Hustled!   

Flim-Flammed!   

Duped!   Tricked!    Cheated!

Thirty years ago, I received the most powerful gift imaginable!  It charged me like nothing I've ever experienced.  When it came to sharing my testimony --  When it came to proclaiming the goodness of God -- When it came to leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ -- When it came to Worshiping the Lord in total abandonment -- 

I had an endless supply 

of Holy Boldness!

Praying in other tongues 

generated a consistent and constant flow of 

Heavenly Power in my daily life!

Then one day I was caught in a storm -- a very bad storm that nearly took my life.  I found myself knocked down and severely broken.  Would I ever walk normally again?   It took a long time to recover -- years!   

I wrote about it in my book, The Yellow Brick Road:  A Woman's Journey to the Edge and Back. 

By the time that book was published, I found myself up and moving again, but something was missing. What was it?  It took me quite some time to figure it all out.  It seemed that my Christian walk was lacking that Book of Acts power!  In and of myself, I couldn't conjure up that zeal -- that intensity -- that  unction  that was needed to witness, testify and lead others to Christ -- let alone to save, heal or deliver someone from affliction!  Woe was me!

Sorry, but it wasn't enough!  Sure, I blended in with everyone else, but there was a persistent nagging at my soul that I couldn't ignore.  It was a intense provoking to break free from Christian mediocrity and do the work of the Lord!  

I must!  I must!  

I must be about my Father's business!

Perplexed by the power shortage, I started a new journey called  The Red Shoe Project.  Many months passed and then one day, I noticed something.  There it was -- sitting on a shelf, no less.   Had I put it there myself?   How could I have done that?   How did I forget?   If the plug was out of it's socket, what was I operating on?  -- some sort of emergency generator that allowed me to merely function in my Christian faith?   That's when I realized that I'd been scammed and so had many others.  Nobody wanted to talk about it. 

Speaking in Tongues was OUT 

and Political Correctness was IN 

--  even in the church! 

Oh... everyone believed it was Biblical, but no one was talking about it, let alone doing it anymore.  Hmmmm.   Actually, let me rephrase that.  People were doing it on occasion.  In times of crisis, they resorted to it.  On a day to day basis, however, their gift was tucked away somewhere on a shelf.  Some were even fearful or embarrassed to admit they spoke in tongues!  No sense in mentioning it.  It might ruffle someone's  feathers.

Oh my gosh!

Did I really shelf 

the Holy Ghost?

Yikes!!!  

I don't think that's so good!

One day, I tuned in to a new preacher in town -- well, new to me anyway.  He was preaching out of 

1 Corinthians 14:18 in which the Apostle Paul proclaims... 

"I thank God that I speak 

in tongues more than all of you."

He challenged his listeners to make that their testimony:  That they would speak in tongues more than everybody else -- even more than the Apostle Paul.  By this time, I had rediscovered my forsaken gift, and with his charge, I began to exercise it.  I took time daily and several times throughout the day to speak in my heavenly language.  Within a very short period of time,  BOOM!  my reluctance -- my hesitation -- my inability to share on God's behalf was gone!  The river in my belly was flowing with gusto as it once had!  All of a sudden, the power was back in full force and I was taking giant steps forward in my walk with Christ. 

Okay... so let's get right down to business.  Today's challenge is directed specifically to those who are Spirit filled, tongue talking, born-again believers who have forgotten where they left their heavenly language.  Are you wondering where the power has gone in your life?  

The scam is over!  

It's time to operate at FULL power!  

I exhort you to step out in RED shoes  by exercising the gift that's been given to you.  Take it off the shelf and begin to use it!  Every time you have a free moment...  let it out!   Practice!   At first it might be awkward, but I guarantee that it wont be long before you realize that you too were scammed.  By that time, however, you'll be back in the swing of things -- on fire for God!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

"Rescued!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 36 -

As I drove home from church tonight, I got to thinking about what the most important thing in life is that I can do.  What is it that brings me the greatest joy?  Of course I could tell you 1001 things about my kids!  That's a given.  But the more I thought and thought about that question, I realized the answer is - and should be...

  Leading people to Christ!

Last week, my friend Jim boldly proclaimed at our Bible Study,  

"I'm Born-Again!"

In the days of my youth, we said it like this:

"I'm saved!"

"Jesus came into my heart!"

"I've given my life to Christ!"

I'll never forget the day that Rev. Bob Salliby lead me to the Lord.  After we prayed together, He looked me straight in my eyes and with the biggest smile on his face, proclaimed that the angels were celebrating in Heaven over my decision to follow Christ.  I thought that was the oddest thing.  I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but even to this day I can remember how genuinely excited he was for me!  I know now that he was referring to Luke 15:10  which says...

"...there is rejoicing in the presence 

of the angels of God 

over one sinner who repents."

There is so much I could say about soul winning.  Tonight, however, I found myself meditating on an old hymn that says it better than I ever could.  I also found a picture of the Coast Guard going out into stormy waters, early in the morning, to rescue lives.  

Rescue the Perishing!

(Fanny J. Crosby   and  William H. Doane)

Rescue the perishing. - Care for the dying. - Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep o-er the erring one. - Lift up the fallen. - Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Tho' they are slighting Him, - Still He is waiting. - Waiting the penitent child to receive;

Plead with them earnestly. - Plead with them gently., - He will forgive if they only believe.

Down in the human heart - Crush'd by the tempter, - Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;

Touch'd by a loving heart. - Waken'd by kindness. - Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing. - Duty demands it. - Strength for thy labor, the Lord will provide;

Back to the narrow way. - Patiently win them. - Tell the poor wand'rer a Savior has died.

Chorus:  Rescue the perishing,  Care for the dying;  Jesus is merciful,  Jesus will save.

Oh that I would step out in RED shoes 

each day with that same mindset -  that 

same driving force - that same focus and mission:  

To Rescue the Perishing!

Who's with me?

Gail

"Everywhere!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 35 -

Everywhere I went today,  God was there.  

Sometimes that was evidenced by His peace.  Several times I caught myself whispering,

  "It is well with my soul!" 

At this morning's Bonfire -- in the stillness of the room -- He was there!  As people prayed, Bonnie and I gently touched their shoulders.  It was just a touch -- but He was in the touch!

It's amazing how His gentle touch 

can melt the hardest of hearts in an instant; 

shred the strongest of barriers like paper; 

or fill a heart to overflowing with His perfect love.  

God used my sister, Kelly Parr, to minister -- deeply -- in the hearts of the women present.  Her lips were moving, but it was He that was speaking.  Mysteriously, He managed to set up a safety net of His love when no one was looking.  All fear was cast aside.

Several women just trusted the LORD 

and leapt into His loving arms.  Healed!

At the end of the morning, Mama Nola announced the most loving welcome to His daughters - on His behalf - and sealed it with an anointed motherly embrace.  Have you ever experienced one of those holy hugs from God?  It's like a ship battered from the storm, coming into the safety of a peaceful port.

It's so warm and inviting.  

The struggle is over!  

Just let go and receive the Father's love.

Later in the day, I visited a very sick friend in the hospital.  The doctor says he's dying.  I don't have much experience when it comes to hospital visitation, but I felt compelled to be there and the Holy Spirit came with me.  I held my friend's hand and talked to him about Heaven.  I prayed in the Spirit for a long time, and then I prayed some more.  There wasn't a sadness, but a sweetness in the atmosphere. -- I didn't want to leave.  I found myself asking God, over and over again, to just keep pouring His love upon my friend, in great magnitude.

Thy will be done, Oh Lord!

When I returned home for the evening, I moved immediately into a time of prayer.  The door was open!  That's the best time to pray.   I went down my list,  pouring out my heart to God on the behalf of others.  I sensed with confidence that My God was listening and I'm expecting a response!

Today while Stepping out in RED shoes,  

The LORD reminded me that I'm never alone.  

We travel everywhere together!

Gail

"Back-Breaker!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 34 -

Today I obeyed

and broke the back of the devil!

No one would think it would be that easy, but it is!  God really does have a plan in mind and often our prayerful desires are part of His plan.  That's why we are compelled to pray them through.  He puts them there.  We don't give up on them because they're sewn on our hearts.

If you're anything like me, once you know God's plan, you try to make it happen.  Oops!   Right there's the problem.  "ME" --  I'm the problem!  Trust me -- I know this to be true, all too well!  That's because I've attempted to do this hundreds of times.  It's only been in the last year that I finally gave up trying to do God's part!  I leave that up to Him now.

That doesn't mean that I have no part in God's plan.  He's not shy!  He let's me know when there's something specific that He wants me to do.  He might ask me to lay hands on someone and pray.  He may request that I say something very specific to someone.  Often he charges me to step out by faith and do something.  It could have something to do with giving or ministry, but it could also seem to be the most random request.  Regardless, I've come to find that they are all specifications of His Divine Plan.

A few days ago, God gave me just such a request and today I finally completed it.  It will be interesting to see how things all come together.  Here's what I do know:   On Day 29,  I put up my ante and got in the game.  On Day 32,  God said I was in store for a downpour of great blessing!

While on my prayer walk today, God and I chatted for quite some time.  He confirmed  that "my part"  was now complete.  Content over the fact that God let me partner with Him on this, I casually commented that now I would wait for the cloud to break.  He kind of snickered at me as He stated confidently...

"You're waiting for the cloud to break?  

Oh, it's so much bigger than that, Gail.

You just broke the back of the devil!"

Right then and there, it was as if a door opened wide.  The peace of God was upon me and I sensed Him beckoning me to ask Him for anything. -- That's right,  anything! -- And not just one thing.  It almost felt like a genie granting me unlimited wishes.  That said, I wanted to make sure that I asked for the right things.  

• I prayed for my friend, who's very sick in the hospital.
• I prayed for the needs of my children, my mom and my sister.
• I prayed for the specific needs in my friend's ministry.
• I prayed for the good health and healing of my mentor and her family.
• I prayed for each of my ministry friends and the work they are doing for God.
• I prayed for all those friends of mine who struggle with addiction. 
• I prayed for the spiritual growth and development of those that I mentor.
• I prayed for the fullness of God's plan for my life to be fulfilled.

Finally, I prayed for my own, specific, financial needs.  As important as they are, they seemed small in comparison to the other requests on my list.  That's so funny, because sometimes they can seem like mountains.  

So let me recap here -- because this is a strategy worth remembering!  

• Do whatever God asks!  (John 2:5)
• Break the back of the devil! (2 Corinthians 10:4)
• Make your requests known to God! (Philippians 4:6)
• 
  

There's no doubt in my mind,
Stepping Out in RED shoes 

        - in obedience -

      has powerful results!  

Gail

   

"The Messenger"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 33 -

Yesterday, while I was looking up Malachi Chapter 3,  I was reminded of a story that I treasure dearly.  Shortly after I gave my life Christ in 1983,  I received news that my aunt was dying of cancer.  Immediately, I began writing her little cards expressing to her my faith in Christ and that I was praying for her.  Several months went by, and I received a call from my Mom and Dad that they were going to take a road trip down to Georgia to visit her at the nursing home. --  They were hoping I would join them.   Of course I wanted to go along!  Perhaps I would get a chance to pray with her and lead her to Christ!  How awesome would that be? 

My parents were not quite in agreement with me.  Let's just say that, in my new found conversion, I may have come across to them a bit like a bull in a china shop.   Hey -- I was new and enthusiastically passionate about converting the world to Christ!  My heart was right, but my technique was a bit overwhelming and messy.

Needless to say, that created a little friction in regards to my going along with them.  Our telephone conversation got a little carried away, and my parents were concerned that I'd do more harm than good. Maybe they thought I would create a ruckus in an attempt to save the entire nursing home?  I don't remember the specific details of the conversation I had with them, but I do remember my Dad hanging up the phone on me.  He never ever did such thing, so I must have been a little unyielding and dishonoring in my youth.

The rest of the details, however, I do remember quite vividly.  I ran into my living room incredibly upset.  All I wanted was to see my aunt go to heaven!  Why couldn't they understand that?  I got down on my knees, closed my eyes, and cried for a very long time.  When there were no tears remaining, I found myself totally exhausted.  My mind went completely blank.  Then suddenly, something quite unusual occurred.  It was as if God, Himself, wrote a word on the blackboard of my mind.  It said...

Malachi 3:1

"What's a Malachi?"   I wondered.  What a strange word.  I was a new Christian and didn't have a clue what that meant.   "Maybe it's a book in the Bible?"  I thought.  There were a lot of words like that in the Bible.    I reached over for the Good Book and opened it to the Table of Contents.  Sure enough,  there was a book called Malachi.   I turned to the reference quickly and read it.

"I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.

Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple;

the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,"

says the LORD Almighty.

Being the novice that I was, I wouldn't have tried to decipher that on my own.  The LORD, however, spoke this very thing to me...

"Gail... I will send my messenger before you.  

When you get there,  your aunt will either 

ask you to tell her about Jesus,  or  

she will tell you she's saved.  

You wont have to initiate anything!"

Wow!  I had never had such a thing happen to me.  I slowly wiped away my tears, went to the phone and called my parents and assured them I wouldn't initiate anything or create anything disruptive on the trip.  --  All was well.  

Before I knew it the time had arrived.  We all jumped in the car and headed to Georgia for a week.  When we finally got there, we walked in the front door of the convalescent home and there was my aunt waiting for us in the visitation area with great expectation.  After plenty of hugs and kisses, she instructed us to all sit down. --  She had something very important she wanted to tell us.  With a big smile on her face, glowing with great joy, she said this...

"Hey... if I can't tell my own family, who can I tell?  I've met Jesus!   He came into my room the other night and talked with me.   Now I know for sure that I'm going to heaven!"

How great is that?  It was just as the LORD had told me!   The next day, my aunt and I got to talk with one another about her experience.  I gave her a little Gospel of John and she gave me a little corsage that she had.  We sealed it with a quiet bedside prayer.  It was an awesome time of fellowship in which our spirits bore witness of each other's salvation.

Over the years, I haven't really spent much time in the Book of Malachi.  But when I went there yesterday, and my eyes caught a glimpse of  Malachi 3:1,   it all came back to me.  Suddenly, it dawned on me that my aunt will be waiting to greet me at the pearly gates one day.  I'm looking forward to that!

I wonder if she likes my RED shoes?

Gail

"Cloud Burst!"

Stepping Out in RED shoes!

- Day 32 -

The Cloud is about to Burst!

KABOOM!

This morning while I was talking to the Lord, He showed me a picture of a huge, dark cloud sitting directly over my head.  As I looked at it closely, I noticed that it was the biggest, fattest cloud I've ever seen.  It was enormous!  Inside of it, there were all sorts of noise, sparks and electrical activity going on.  --  Lightning bolts were shooting out of it.

"That's it,"   He said.  "It's about to burst!  

As you give to Me this last time 

 - the way I've instructed you -

 the heavens will open up and pour out 

in a way you never could have imagined!"

Without asking, I wondered what scripture could possibly confirm such a thought.  Quite by surprise, The LORD abruptly responded... "Take a look at Malachi Chapter 3!"  

"Really?"  I thought.    I went for my Bible to look it up and here's what I found:  

"...Test me in this,"  says the LORD Almighty, "and see 

if I will not throw open the floodgates of 

heaven and pour out so much blessing that 

there will not be room enough to store it."  

Malachi 3:10b

That said, I'm getting myself ready to dance in the rain!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

"The Baptism of The Holy Spirit"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 31 -

Day 396 of The Red Shoe Project 

was not so much about 

Stepping Out in RED Shoes 

as it was about 

Sitting down at the Kitchen Table 

in RED Shoes and Talking it Out!  

What an amazing night!  Two of my dearest friends and I sat down at their kitchen table to talk about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  They are so hungry for more of God!  That is key!  When you're hungry, God comes to feed you!

My girlfriend told me that a few years ago, while attending a Joyce Meyer's conference, she had her first up close encounter with "Speaking in Other Tongues."   All the women in the auditorium were standing with their hands lifted high, praising God --  her included.  Suddenly, Joyce began speaking in other tongues, and the women around her did the same.   Then it began to happen to her! -- She felt a churning in the pit of stomach, slowly making it's way upward, into her chest.  

"I got scared!" she said.  "So I stopped it!"

"That was the baptism of the Holy Spirit!  I told her. 

I turned to her husband.  He already confessed to me that He thinks He's been baptized too!  One day when he was praying these little syllables came out of his mouth.  He wasn't sure if that was it or not.  I should have known something was up.  He's not one who's afraid to talk or voice his opinion, but tonight at Bible study, he was different.  He was out of the box!  He got to preaching there for a minute.

There was a holy boldness in him 

as he proclaimed...

"I'm not afraid to say that 

I'm Born-Again!!!"

As we continued to talk at the table, I felt lead to give them a mini demonstration of what their heavenly tongue might sound like.  It was obvious that they really didn't know what to expect. 

"Oh... I've spoken like that!"  said my friend, rather matter-of-factly. 

Her husband nodded in agreement.  "Me too!" 

"That happened to me last night at The Bonfire."  she said.  

"While we were all praying at the end, I heard myself whispering 

those kind of words under my breath. I wasn't sure what it was."

Right then and there, she showed me.  "Yup! That's it." I said.

"I was doing the same thing, tonight, at Bible study."  Her husband said.

"While everyone was repeating the Sinner's Prayer, I was whispering that."

"You're doing it!  You're doing it!"  I exclaimed.  "And you don't even know it!

Now you just have to practice.  Just let it out!  Before you know it, it will 

change from a bunch of syllables to a full blown language!  Go for it!"

Oh my... I looked at the clock.  It was past midnight.  Where had the time gone?

 "Gotta go!"  I announced.

As I drove home, I was so content.  My heart was filled with the peace of God as I thought about the evening.   John 7:38 came to mind.  The KJV says it this way:

"He that believeth on me, 

as the scripture hath said,

out of his belly shall flow 

rivers of living water."

John 7:38 KJV

What a glorious night in RED shoes!  

Thank you LORD.

Gail