Fencing Practice.

Stepping out in RED Shoes!

- Day 129 –

There's nothing like a little sword fight

to sharpen one’s spiritual skills!

I have a friend in the ministry that I pray for regularly.  I find myself, from time to time, asking God to engage him in a sword fight.  Everyone needs to keep their skills sharp when it comes to wielding their sword.

“Put on the full armor of God so you can take

your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

 …Take the helmet of salvation and

the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Ephesians 6:11, 17

Spiritual Fencing takes place when you meet someone, spontaneously, and they have questions about God.  The Holy Spirit drops His Word in your heart so you can accurately respond to the person’s inquiries.

Here’s the chapter and verse on that:   John 14:26

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father

 will send in my name, will teach you all things and

will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

God speaks to us through His Word.  Jesus is The Word.  (John 1:1)  Have you ever thought about that?  The Bible is the written manifestation of Jesus!  It’s Jesus, in written form.

That’s why it’s so important to read the Word of God.  If you’ve read it, the Holy Spirit can bring it back to your remembrance.  And He’ll do that when you’re fencing.

Just the other day, I met a lovely woman on the plane, who had questions galore regarding Christ.  As we talked back and forth, the Holy Spirit gave me verse after verse to confirm what I was telling her.  That’s Spiritual Fencing!

The night before I gave my heart to God,  I met a woman, Cathy Chenes , who answered all my questions about God.  After each answer, I remember her saying,  “You don’t have to believe me.  Look, it’s right here in the Bible.”  With that, she turned right to the scripture and pointed it out to me.  A true swordsman!  Needless to say, the next day I got saved.  There’s power in chapter and verse!

I once read that Billy Graham 

put as much scripture as possible 

into his sermons because he truly 

believed that was where the 

life-changing power was!  

What do you think?  Are you ready to do a little spiritual sparring?  Ask God to bring people your way who will engage you in the challenge.

Don’t forget to wear your RED shoes!

Gail

I'm ALL in!

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 128 –

"Unwavering Faith" 

is believing Whole-Heartedly!

As I continue to  “pull in”  the visions God has given me, from the spirit realm to the natural realm, I have noticed that my measure of faith for such things has changed.  

At some point,  I went from believing -->  to believing whole-heartedly. 

 100% Faith  –  Zero Doubt.

I’ve always believed that the visions were of God.  I never questioned that for a moment.  But in order to pull them from the spirit realm to the natural realm, I had to totally buy into the fact that...

 It exists “there”  and God has asked me

 to pick it up and carry it over to “here!”

Yes – I know how bizarre that sounds.  Some things of God are a challenge to put into words.  I’m trying my best.  I’m inspired by Abraham’s example after God had told him that he would be the father of many nations.

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact

that his body was as good as dead – since he was

about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb

was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief

regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened

in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded

that God had power to do what He had promised.”

Romans 4:18-21

Here's what I know:   In order to accomplish this feat, I've had to make the decision to be  “all in!”   You can’t  "pull over"  something you’re not quite sure about, for it will slip through your fingers.   You either believe it, or you don’t – there’s no in between.

Kathryn Kuhlman once said...

"It costs EVERYTHING!"

 That said, I choose to believe whole-heartedly and have taken on God's task at hand -- 

all while wearing my RED shoes!

Gail

Grab a hold of it and...

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 127 –

Pull it into existence!

Over the past several months, God has shown me some specific things in the spirit realm that are visions of what is to come.  When I saw the pictures in my mind, using my own voice, He spoke to me about what it was that I was seeing.  Usually when that happens, I’m just blown away with what it is He wants to do!  I can’t stop praising Him for His greatness, love and mercy!

• Sometimes it’s about large numbers of people coming to Christ!
• Sometimes it’s about people getting set free of disturbing bondages!
• Sometimes I see people being loosed of debilitating afflictions!
• Sometimes divine provisions are pouring down from Heaven!
• The list goes on and on. 
• Sometimes they’re general.  Sometimes they’re personal.  

A little time may pass by and the LORD will show me the vision again.  He’ll often ask me to pray for something very specific.  For example, He may ask me to pull down strong holds in the minds of those who are receiving.  He may ask me to push back the principalities and powers of darkness.  He may ask me to pray that the hearts of the people will be fertile soil for the seed that is about to be deposited in them through preaching.  I just follow His direction, accordingly.

Today, however, he asked me to do something new.  

He asked me to 

pull the vision from

the spiritual realm 

into the natural realm.

Just what does that mean?  Well --  symbolically and somewhat dramatically –- in the privacy of my prayer closet --  I reached out with my arms and grabbed the vision – as if I were grabbing someone by the shirt collar – and I pulled it towards me with great force.  I did it over and over again, stepping back each time, moving from one end of the room to the other. 

When I was done, the LORD brought another vision to mind, and said,  “Now I want you to do the same thing for that.”   So I did.   This time, however,  I saw all sorts of promises come in the door, behind it.  I’m pulling in the vision, and other visions are attached to it. 

"Yes!"  He said.  

They're all connected!

When the first one 

comes forth, 

all the others will 

follow in behind it!”

WOW!  Whoever said prayer was boring?  Actually, I may have thought that myself at one time, many years ago.  I had forgotten how awesome the prayer closet ministry could be!

Then He continued… 

“I want you to do this for 5 days!”

I’m being obedient to the call.  Something  divine is being birthed in my midst!   Glory to God!  

There’s never a dull moment, when you’re stepping out in RED shoes!

“ …the God who gives life to the dead and

 calls things that are not, as though they were.” 

Romans 4:17

Gail

Going under

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 126 -

A Deeper Baptism!
- More of His Spirit -

Some of the greatest things happen in prayer.  For me, that's always a place for visions and spiritual insight to take place.  Take today, for example.  I arrived early to The Bonfire for our informal pre-meeting prayer.  It was just me and my friend Kam, stirring up the atmosphere with prayer and praise, welcoming the Holy Spirit to come join us.

As I was standing in the middle of the room, eyes closed, whispering to the LORD, He showed me a vision of my sister-in-the-Lord, Karen.  She was standing in a river up to her waist.  How awesome is  that?  If you've been around church for any significant length of time, you've probably heard a message or two out of Ezekial 47.  That's the chapter that discusses the four depths of The River of LIfe.

Ankle deep - Knee deep - Waist deep - and Fully submerged.

As I stood worshipping in His presence,  I saw the LORD reach His hand out to Karen.  Slowly He guided her down into the waters.  With every step she took, she moved into the water deeper and deeper until she was completely covered.  

WOW!  I don't see visions like that everyday, 

and it doesn't take a spiritual genius to understand 

it's significance.  The LORD wanted to immerse 

Karen in His Spirit, in greater measure.

I wondered how that would all play out.  I'd just have to wait and see.  Our prayer meeting ended and The Bonfire  began.  Karen was one of many in attendance.  Some great things happened at the meeting, but  nothing specific regarding the vision I saw of her.  When the meeting concluded, fifteen or twenty of us headed over to the  "After Glow"  that followed.  Every week after The Bonfire, we have lunch at a local restaurant, in a private room.  There we share stories and insights as we fellowship with one another.  It was there, that Karen suddenly stood up and began to share a testimony.  Immediately, the Spirit in me took note and began to dance.  I could feel Him tugging on my heart with excitement.  

"This is it!  This is it!"  He said.  "Here we go!"

First of all,  Karen's testimony just happened to be the  "perfect"  living example of what the ministry was about at The Bonfire, this morning.  Bonnie had challenged the ladies to step out by faith and allow God to use them.  Now, here was Karen sharing how she had done just that!  She had no clue.  She just thought she was sharing a story.   The next thing I knew, I was up there beside her, sharing the vision I had of her, laying hands on her, and speaking out in the Spirit...

"God is pleased with your faith and acknowledges 

your stepping out on His behalf to minister to others.  

Now He's going to grant you the desire of your heart 

and baptize you in greater measure in His Holy Spirit."

Woe!  As my hands rested upon her, I could feel God's Spirit move through her.  I saw on her face that God was ministering to her.  For a moment there, I thought she was going down... but she gently rested her weight on the back of a chair and caught her balance.  It was a happy day for Karen!

Stepping Out in RED shoes is often about waiting in RED shoes! -- 

Waiting for the Holy Spirit to say  "NOW!"

Gail

The Thicket

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 125 -

A New Perspective!

Arriving home from Colorado, I made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up a couple of items for the refrigerator.  As I returned to my car, I noticed that the sun was setting and a wonderful warmth came over me.  In a split second, I was reminded of a time, many years ago, when I was stuck in the thicket.  Today, I saw the whole story from beginning to end.

The thicket is a place of sticks and thorns.  When you stumble into it, you become trapped and can't move.  It's dark and scary.  You realize in the midst of it, that you've lost your way.  You know you don't belong there, and you fear that you'll be there forever.  Your spirit calls out from it's very core...

" My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

Psalm 22:1

Today, however, my perspective is different.  The thicket is just the beginning of the story that has now come to an end.  Today, I'm back with the sheep.  I'm free!  I'm healed!  What's better than that?

When you're in the middle of your story, 

everything is different.  Turning the page 

to a new chapter has it's advantages.  

Reviewing that story now...

I can see how I was stuck.  

I can see how Jesus left the 99 and came to get me. 

I can see how He moved the thicket apart and gently pulled me out.  

I can see how He held me close in His arms as He took His time walking me home. 

I can see how He removed with care, every thorn that was stuck in me. 

I can see how He put a healing salve on every scrape and wound.  

I can see how that special time with Him infiltrated me with love and confidence.  

I can see how, in His perfect time, He put me back into the fold with the rest of the sheep.

He's The Good Shepherd!

John 10:4

I love Him!

When I lost my RED shoes, and wasn't going anywhere, He came for me!

I'm celebrating that today!

Perhaps you are in the middle of your story?  Don't fret!  One day you'll look back on the entire chapter and celebrate like I am today.

Gail

Mountain Climbing.

 Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 123 -

It all looks so beautiful from afar!

Here in Colorado for my son’s wedding, it’s totally impossible not to notice the majestic mountains.  I have never seen mountains quite like these.  They are bold and beautiful!  No matter where I go, standing in the background are the most magnificent, snowcapped peaks.

As my sister and I drove along the highway today, she told me something that got me to thinking.

"The mountains look so beautiful from here" she said. 

"They beckon you to come closer, don’t they?   One time,

I did that,"   she continued .   "I followed the urge and

drove right to them.  The only thing was… when I got

real close, I couldn’t see them anymore."

Following our dreams can be like that.  God gives us a glimpse of them from afar.  Like those mountains, they fascinate us.  They are bigger than life.  They call to us to come closer.  God adds just enough anointing to draw us onto the path that will bring us there.  Then the journey begins.  

"One foot in front of the other,

 One step at a time, One day at a time --  

That’s how you make it, when the going gets rough"

The Yellow Brick Road

But when you get real close – when it’s time to climb the actual mountain, you only see what’s directly in front of you.  It’s a faith walk!  The only bold and beautiful picture you see is the one God has etched on your heart.  That’s okay though. 

If He’s called you there, He’ll get you there.

You can be sure of that!

Climbing mountains in RED shoes!

Gail

Answered Prayer!

Stepping Out in RED shoes!

- Day 123 -

A Broken Heart is Healed!

Years ago, I dated a wonderful man for several years.  He wanted to get married, but I was a mess.  At the time, I was on a lot of medication and healing from a broken marriage of twenty years.  I knew it wasn’t wise to make any major decisions.

In The Yellow Brick Road:  A Woman’s Journey to the Edge and Back, I talk about that time of my life in great detail, and how God was faithful to bring me through it.  I can’t help but recount how that man, with kindness and love, traveled life with me, protected me and encouraged me to get off all the pills doctors had prescribed me, and write my first book.  He was a hero.

As I healed, however, and came off all the medication, the real Gail began to surface again.  I was no longer broken.  I was no longer sedated.  My dreams came back in full force, and I felt the need to run after them.  God was calling!

Then, the thing that we both always knew was a possibility, happened.  I realized my future wasn’t with this man, so I chose to move on with God alone.  That said, I broke his heart. I’ve got to be honest with you,  I didn’t handle things very diplomatically.  I’ve never been very good at saying goodbye, so I just cut everything off one day and said I was leaving.  It wasn't right, but that’s how it all went down.  I was so afraid that if I talked things out with him, I’d stay for all the wrong reasons. 

I’m not exaggerating when I say he was a wonderful man.  He really was.  He just wasn’t the one God had for me.  I remember telling my best friend at the time,  “I hope I don’t regret this.  I may never find someone like this ever again.”  

Even still, I knew God’s voice, 

so I shut that door and followed 

after 

the Lord, whole-heartedly.

Going through a divorce, I can tell you firsthand, that having your heart broken totally sucks!  But I found out real fast that being the breaker of someone else’s heart is even worse!  Truth be told, I didn’t belong in any relationship.  God wanted my heart for Himself.  He wanted to heal me completely,  restore to me the joy of my salvation, and usher me back into the call of God on my life.  That's part of the reason why I've never dated again.  

Today I found out that man just got married.

It is an answer to my prayers!

I have prayed diligently, for several years now, that God would heal this man’s heart and bring someone into his life that would love him completely, and he her.

Of course you know the devil had a hay day with that!  You better believe he was right there saying… 

“See, that door is closed now.  You’ll never meet someone as good as that!  You blew it!  You gave up everything to follow God and what’s in it for you?  Nothing!”

I was expecting the devil to say that.  But here’s the interesting twist on all this.  While here in Colorado, our family was sitting around sharing stories and someone mentioned a time in which my son was about to leave everything behind to follow the call of God on his life – that included his girlfriend.  At the last moment, he called his dad, fearful that he couldn’t do it!  His dad encouraged him to follow God’s voice knowing that in the end, God’s plan would be best!  The result of his obedience, amongst other things, was that he met the woman he is about to marry.

How weird to share such a story on the night before the wedding!   Everyone knows that you don’t mention the old girlfriend.  Perhaps the person was nervous and didn’t realize what he was saying?   The conversation moved right along, and no one really took much notice, so no worries.  The next day, however, I couldn't help but mention the whole thing to God in prayer. 

“That was for you!”  God said.  

“I was speaking that to you!

 Your story is the same.  You 

left someone dear to your heart

to follow My call, and I’m going 

to do the same for you!”

Well if that didn’t shut the door right in the devil’s face!   Bravo, LORD!  How funny that I was so oblivious to what was happening.  God certainly got my attention.  What do I always say?  "God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform." 

 He confirmed He has a very specific

 plan, purpose and person for me.

Stepping out in RED shoes, isn’t always easy.  When God beckons you to leave people, places and dreams  you love behind, and move in a different direction with Him,  you’ve got to trust that His plan is better than yours.  The devil will try to get you to focus on what you’ll lose.  You’ve got to believe that God’s got a bigger win in store for you.  You won’t be disappointed!

In RED shoes,

Gail