Vicki Pooley

In the Arms of FAITH!

When God delivered the people from Egypt, it was a great day! It was what the people wanted and had prayed God would give them. The people had been under heavy oppression, and sorrow. However, after getting some distance from Egypt, they began to complain, and at one point they said they wanted to go back to Egypt! As an outsider looking in, why in the world would that thought even cross their mind?? Had they gone mad?!!

I don't think it was because they had gone mad. I believe it was because they liked the familiar. As horrible as it was, they had some idea of what to expect. Out in the wilderness, they didn't know what was going to happen next, things were not living up to their expectations, and they were frustrated and scared!

Just the same, despite any fears they had about the future, God WAS still taking them to the "Promise land!" They just did not like the route God had chosen to get them there. To get to the new, they had to leave the old behind. On the road to beautiful, we may have to see some unpleasant terrain.

There are times in our life when we are asking God to make things better. Get us away from this unbearable pain! Then there we stand...holding the past in one hand, and reaching out to the future with the other!

When God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He told Lot and his wife to leave the city... run, and don't look back!! Lot's wife just had to take one more look at the place she romanticized, and also her curiosity caused her to disobey God. God said, "DO NOT LOOK BACK!" She did look back, and because of her disobedience, she was frozen into a pillar of salt. Frozen in time. Lot's wife would never get to enjoy the new life God had planned for her and her family.

If we want a NEW beginning, we cannot hold the past in one hand, and reach out to the future with the other. We MUST lay the OLD down, go into the scary wilderness, but hold on to the promise that God gave us when He said he was delivering us from our Egypt or Sodom and Gomorrah. In both situations, God had promised a NEW BEGINNING!

Just because we are scared, doesn't give us a FREE pass around FAITH. Faith is standing in front of us, arms outstretched, and both hands held forward...waiting for us to put our hands into its hands. However, there is one requirement that true faith asks for...GIVE ME BOTH of your hands! That hand that is still holding on to the past MUST LET GO!

It is similar to the childhood game of falling back into the arms of those who said they were going to be there to catch you. You just have to do it! Trust that those arms will be there...THEY ARE!

Here We Go Again!

Let's face it! None of us like to admit that we have failed at something. Failing leaves us with this feeling of being "less than!" When we feel "less than" in one area, that feeling may try to filter its tentacles into other parts of our lives.

When I was a young girl, I can remember...SO VIVIDLY...being the last one chosen for a team sport. In my heart, I knew I was going to be chosen last. I tried to mentally prepare myself, and even tell myself that it was NO big deal. It WAS a big deal! Everyone was saying "I was a loser!" I can't tell you how many times I cried in my bed at night. Why did I have to be the one who was weak in sports?  I could feel the sneers and arrogance of the strong ones, which further hammered into me that I was not important.

Recently, I have had YET another failure! Several months back I prayed and asked God what would be the one thing that I could do that would bring me closer to Him and closer to others. The most surprising answer came back to me. The answer focused around getting myself back in shape, losing this weight and caring about my health.

I wondered WHY would getting back in shape help me be closer to Him and others! I'm not going to question God. He knows me better than I know myself. I would venture to say that it has to do with that old "less than" feeling I have been in some way or another been dragging around for years!

Anyhow, I tried to honor this request. I started working out, eating better, lost about ten pounds, but then I stopped making it a priority, and I derailed in a major way! I couldn't hold on to the stamina that I needed to be successful in this area. I felt like a loser again!

Should I just give up? No, giving up is the EASY thing to do! One thing that I have realized is that God doesn't condemn us, but He will be persistent in wanting us to follow through with what He has put in our heart to do. In certain counseling situations, where people seem to be "stuck", I will ask them, "What is the last thing that God asked you to do that you haven't done?"

The last thing I haven't done is get the weight off and take better care of myself, but this time I am not going to adopt the "less than" attitude! I am going to adopt the "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" I need strength that I don't have!

On January 11, our Church is going to do a 21 day Daniel fast. Fasting is a powerful way to have breakthroughs! There were times in the bible when the disciples could not do the things that God asked them to do. When they went back to the Lord and asked why, He told them "these things only come out by prayer and fasting!"

Fasting is a lost spiritual principle in most people's lives, but I would say that we need not forget it! Even the disciples failed! They failed because they did not have the power they needed, but God told them how to get the power they needed, for them it was fasting. That is what I am hoping this fast will do for me. The Daniel fast fits right in with getting healthier, as God told me to do. It's not a total fast, but it is fasting from meat, processed food, fast food, soft drinks, caffeine, and sugar.

All I can think is, "This is gonna hurt!" That's my "flesh" yelling! Oh, the flesh is always there to get us off track, but I am praying that I will find the victory I have been praying for, and that the devil will not triumph over me, and that the devil will not triumph over what God put in my heart to do.

What about you? Do you have an area in your life where you feel "less than?" A place that you have not attained the goal that you have set out to do? Don't give up! The worst thing we can do is "give up!"

What is the last thing that God asked you do to that you haven't done? Pray and ask God what your next step is to have the victory!

Let's start this New Year ahead out right! With God's help, and our obedience, we CAN do this!!

Lost and Found

I haven't written a short story in years. So, just for fun I decided to write whatever came out, and here it is. Please don't judge my grammar, but hear the heart of this simple little story.

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A young woman shuffles down a street full of freshly fallen snow. She pulls her jacket tightly into her neck, as the wind is trying to pierce through any little spot it can find. She glances up to catch a glimpse of a snowflake that has been illuminated, in the darkness, by the glow of the little street light.

As she walks along, she thinks about her life and wonders if she really understands the true meaning of Christmas. Something is missing. Christmas feels empty, she thought, like the old abandoned grocery store she was passing. No life-just empty shelves, and a knowing that at one time there were people who filled the room with endless chatter, laughter, and countless thoughts of what one needed.

She begins to pray, "Dear Jesus, I want to feel your presence this Christmas. More than ever, I need to know that you are near. This world has pushed you out of Christmas, and I'm afraid that I am doing that too. Why are we always forgetting you? I'm sorry, Jesus."

It was just a simple prayer she prayed, but she began to feel a peace rise up in her heart.

As she rounded the corner, she heard singing coming from inside a Church. She listened. It occured to her, that she had not sung Christmas carols in years. Clearing her throat she managed to let the first little note escape into the wintry night. Other little notes began to follow after it, chasing one another, dancing and leaping into the air as they went.

Caught up in the moment, she almost missed a fragile looking kitten trying to cross the road. Its tiny legs trying to jump over puddles that had formed. The tiny body began to shiver. As she approached the kitten, it meowed, and its small, round eyes had a pleading look in them. 

The kitten was now safe in her arms, nestled inside of her warm jacket, close her chest. The kitten began to purr, as a way of letting her know that it felt safe with her.

She knelt down on the steps of the Church, and said, "Jesus, We are just like this little kitten. We've lost our way, but you are around every corner, and on every street looking for the ones who have strayed from  you. If we don't run from you, you will pick us up and hold us close to your heart, and bring us peace. We can know you, be held near to you, and feel the presence of the one who can save us from the darkness and cold of this life. How we need you! You were born in a stable, such a lowly place. You have asked for nothing more than our sincere desire to allow you to be in our lives, and to let you love us like you have always wanted to love us. Help me, Jesus to slow down, and keep you, Christ, in my Christmas!" Amen

After she said, "Amen" the Church bells rang out in confirmation! She was content that God had heard her prayer!

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The bible tells us that the Lord is close to the broken hearted, but not only the broken hearted, but anyone that will include Him, our Lord and Saviour into their lives. We have to open our hearts to see Jesus. Jesus is seen with our heart, and not our eyes. Open your heart this Christmas season, and pray the Lord will use you some how, some way, to show His love, and to bring the joy of Christmas into this season.

  

Thanks!

Thanks to all who have not actually commented on typepad, but have told me personally they are enjoying the blogs. That means a lot!

Mixed Signals

There is something special about things that are new. Don't you love the "new car" smell?

When I get a chance to go shopping for something new, something that I "really" want, I get SO excited! I go to great lengths to find the perfect item. When something is new, I also take better care of it, at least for awhile.

As we grow in Christ, He gives us a "NEW anointing, imparts a "NEW" thing in our spirit, and we are incrementally changed into HIs likeness.

Jesus challenges us NOT to put NEW wine in an OLD wineskin! Why not? What's the problem? The OLD wineskin is still in fairly good condition, no holes, it has the potential to hold the wine. Just put it in there and it will be fine. However, Jesus says, "NO!" This new wine is so powerful that it will cause the OLD wineskin to burst, and it CANNOT contain it!

In our lives, we think we don't have to replace some OLD ways with some NEW ways. We think we can keep on doing the OLD things and move forward in Christ. I think we need to do a recheck on that thinking.

Habitual sin has to be dealt with. We all sin, but if there is habitual sin, and no turning away from the things that we know are wrong, we cannot walk in Christ as we should.

There's an old saying that says, "You can't go to second base, while you still have your foot on first base!" There must be an exchange that takes place. A trading of sorts...you give Jesus that, and Jesus will give you this.

I am challenging those with one foot in the world, and one foot in Christianity to think about what they are doing. What are actually saying with their lives?  We are ambassador's for Christ. Meaning that we go in "His" place, speak for "HIM" we are His representatives to those who don't know Him.

What are you saying with your life?

I believe there is a "mixed signal" going out into the world these days. So many want Jesus, but they don't want to give up their sin. Yes, we can know Jesus, but we will never walk in the fullness of His power, if we try to put the NEW wine in an old wineskin.

Again, we all fall short, but let the Holy Spirit shine some light in areas that the NEW wine will be lost, because there is an OLD wineskin in a place where it should not be.

Not by Chance!

Today has been one of those days of having to do some "deep thinking!" All too often, it is this chain of simple thoughts strung together that make one day look like the one before it.

What does it mean to "really" live? To feel and know that YOU have made some contribution to this world? To be mindful of the fact that you and I are here to do more than just take up space.

People who contribute to life are people that I am attracted to. Attracted in the sense that I know my life will be enriched, because they are a part of my life. It is also knowing that some people show us how to do things by the "how to" model they live before us.

I believe we are all ignorant in some area. There is no way that we can know everything! I am quite turned off by those who lift their noses in the air, as if they are more special than the rest of us!

We all can contribute to the growth of another person, and we all can have a light shine on an area of our life, a thought, an idea that we may have never considered needs improving or expounded. It is people who challenge us to be more than we are! Ones who cause us to dig a little deeper... to be the better us!

Let's be tender with one another, as we learn these life-lessons! We are not "instant" anything!There's always the process we would love to skip, but cannot, if we want to go for the greater thing!

If you are a part of my world, for whatever reason, I am SO thankful. I know in my deepest heart of hearts it is for a reason.

I pray we each fulfill our part!

Don't Leave Home Without it!

When I went on a mission's trip to Africa, one of the things our team leader asked me to do was  speak to the female staff, at the place we were going. I did a lot of praying...asking God for a word that was just for them. It's what I call a "right now" word.  Meaning it's just for you, and it is a word about where you are spiritually, and what God has to say about it...right now!

A burden began to drop in my heart, as I prayed. I kept seeing in my mind's eye a tire going back and forth in the same spot. Bathing the thought in more prayer; the analogy became clear to me. These women I was going to speak to in a couple of days were in a "rut!" If you have ever experienced a rut, you know it is not easy to got out of one. Sometimes you have to put a board under the wheels, use the pure power of the engine, or maybe it takes several people at the back of the car to push it out of the rut!

The time had come for me to share this insight from God about what was happening to them. With their heart's laid bare, they received the message. At the end of what I shared with them, I asked them to find a place in the room, off to themselves, and ask God to deliver them from the ruts that held them captive. The room was silent for a few moments. Then I began to hear prayers being mumbled all over the room, but it wasn't long before I began to hear loud wailing. Voices crying to heaven in repentance for leaving God out, for doing things under their own power and strength, and causing these ruts to form!

Puddles of tears literally began to take over parts of the wooden floor in the room where the women were praying. Their repentance reconnected them with the only One who can bring life into any and every situation!

Without including God in everything we do, we become helpless to do "His" will! We become "stuck" in the rut, and this is how Satan takes our life-line away from us.

In our lives, we LOVE to stay connected...blogs, Twitter, My Space, Facebook, e.mail, and texting to name a few. I do most of these things too, but we also need to stay connected to God! We need Wisdom from God everyday, and the challenge is to stay connected. It is getting fresh manna for today. Not living off old, stale bread from yesterday.

God can be moving all around us, but we may not be aware of it, because we are not tuned in...we don't hear, and therefore we can't know the heart of God.

My declaration for today, and hope to say it every day is: "God, I need You! Without You, I am nothing!"

Don't leave home without Him!!

Rewired to Win!

Well, I had totally aborted my mission for losing weight. A dusk till late into the night 4 day conference, working overtime for a week to catch up, a vacation, and working overtime again were the culprits of my derailment.

With the holidays upon us, I could choose to just start over after the first of the year. However, I'm resetting my mind to win.

What we think is SO powerful! I've often heard that winner's are just regular people who are willing to do what others are not willing to do!

I've been seeing a pattern in me that I don't like. When things in this area get too difficult, I fold.

Last night I was watching the Biggest Loser. I admire those who have so much farther down the road to go than I do. They have this grit determination that is impressive. Not to mention, the beautiful, but totally obnoxious Jillian. Don't get me started!!!!

Anyhow, I haven't given up. Just having to drop back and regroup! The only way we fail is if we quit! I'm pressing on for the prize!

Broken Inside

I have a love/hate relationship with emotions. I love all the "warm fuzzy" ones and hate the ones that bring me to the door of emotional closets that I don't want to know what's inside. Lately, my least favorite emotion is being vulnerable. I haven't had a great track record with this emotion. It's like some emotional kryptonite! Leaves you with your heart laid bare, and feeling weak.

Here's my thought...okay, to let people deeper into our hearts is risky business, but sometimes what comes out of letting people into such a fragile place in our lives is worth the risk. I have experienced it from both sides...the good and the bad.

I'm overly cautious, but I want to have wreckless abandon. I wonder??? What's the worst thing that could happen? My answer...a lot. So, it is a proceed with caution area in my life.

My heart wants SO much to love on the deeper levels. Levels like Christ goes to, without fearing the pain. He is always willing to pay the price for a deeper relationship. I think of all the times Jesus is standing there with arms open wide, and I am so unaware of such great love.

There's a song by, Sanctus Real called: I'm Not Alright    Some of the words are: "I only want to be loved, but I feel safe behind the firewall. Could I lose my need to impress? If you want the truth, I need to confess. I'm not alright...I'm broken inside. Broken inside, and all I go through it leads me to You. It leads me to You. Put away the pride...bring me to my weakness till everything I hide behind is gone. When I am old and wise and nothing left to cling to, only You are there to lead me on...cuz, honestly I'm not that strong. I'm not alright. I'm broken inside. Broken inside.

Aren't we all, in some way(s), broken inside? Is there anyone out there besides Jesus who is willing to love us to wholeness? I want to be one of those people who can take it. One who is willing to suffer. One who can endure the pain, for the joy set before them.

When Jesus told us that He would not discard the broken reed, He saw the value others did not.  I'm sure we need new eyes to see! Most of the time we would rather wear blinder's, it is safe. Those who play it safe will only go to the places everyone else has gone to, but others will have the blessing of loving on a level others will only hear about.

The price is high...Lord, give me the courage to be willing to pay the price!

Iron Sharpens Iron

After leaving the movie theater this afternoon, Robert and I stopped by Barnes and Nobles to see a friend. When we walked into Barnes and Nobles, Robert immediately saw someone he knew, and soon he was off in conversation. I went to meet our friend. She was sitting there reading an article by Lance Armstrong. Brandi was obviously inspired by the way Lance goes after what he wants, knows he can get it, and goes after it!

Sometime back, Brandi and I had a discussion about her running a half marathon. She is a medical student, and has quite a bit on her plate. Brandi decided to table the discussion about the marathon...now it may be up for discussion again. Inspiration comes from SO many places!!

Meanwhile, Robert comes to join us, and we get into a great conversation about a number of things. Finally, Robert and Brandi are deep conversation about some things Robert and I have talked about quite a bit. I quietly dismiss myself, leaving them to solve the world's problems.

Anyhow, as I'm looking in the Christian section, I am thinking I want to read something that will inspire me to grow, to be a better Christian, and challenge my thinking. I ran across a book by, Mother Theresa. I flipped through some pages, read a part about some of the discouraging times Mother Theresa had gone through, and how there were times when it felt as if God had turned away from her. I continued to read and soon my eyes fell upon these words.

                                           "Offer Each Other to Christ for Souls"

Mother Theresa continued to be cheerful and enthusiastic. Hers was no mere superficial joy but a deeply spiritual one. She explained the reasons behind it in an encouraging letter to her sick and suffering coworkers:

My very dear Sisters and Brothers,

For a long time I have been wanting to write & each time the post goes without my having written. But be assured that every one of us claim your love before the throne of God and there every day we offer you or rather offer each other to Christ for souls. We the Missionaries of Charity how grateful we must be-you to suffer and we to work.- We finish in each other what is wanting in Christ. What a beautiful vocation is ours, to be the carriers of Christ's love in the slums. Your life of sacrifice is the chalice or rather our vows are the chalice and your suffering and our work are the wine- the spotless host. We stand together holding the same chalice and so with the adoring Angels satite His burning Thrist for souls.

My very dear children-let us love Jesus with our whole heart and soul. Let us bring Him many souls. Keep smiling. Smile at Jesus in your suffering-for to be a real M.C. you must be a cheerful victim. How happy I am to have [you] all. You belong to means much as every Sister belongs to me here and often when the work is very hard I think of each one of you- and tell God-look at my suffering children and for their love bless this work, and it works immediately. So you see you are our treasure house-the power house of the M.C. Pray for me dear second selves and keep smiling for Jesus and for me."

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I closed the book, tears had filled my eyes, and I rejoined Brandi and Robert. I had to read them what I had just read. Brandi smiled and said, "Isn't it funny...you came in and I was reading about Lance Armstrong...totally inspired...and then you read this writing by Mother Theresa and you are inspired!" Aren't we so different, and yet the same?

Yes, I would say Brandi and I are as different as Lance Armstrong and Mother Theresa... not exactly the same, and yet I would say their determination may be the anchor that held their dreams together and helped them see their dreams come to fruition.

Brandi and I often giggle about how God brought us together as friends. We are different, we don't always see eye to eye, but we love each other and cherish our friendship. We spur each other on to greater things than we have done so far. We make each other think about things through another set of eyes, and we have a genuine desire to see the best in each of us rise to the top!

I'm thankful that we have others who are what I call our "Iron Sharpens Iron" friends. I hope you have some of these types of friends in your life too!!