Vicki Pooley

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!