Vicki Pooley

PLEASE PRAY FOR KENYA!

Hi! This is some of the latest news Robert and I received concerning the situation in Kenya. By now, even some of this news will be old, but this is has a lot of information about what to pray for...please pray! This situation is SO serious!!

Dear Family and Friends,

No doubt you have seen or read the reports in the news of the tragic events that have followed elections on December 27^th here in

Kenya

.  The two top contenders for President have come to a political standoff with the support of their political parties.  President Kibaki had himself sworn back into power while the Honorable Odinga claimed a rigged election and is threatening to instate himself as the Peoples President.  There is much clouding the whole affair and efforts are being made by the international community to find an equitable solution with which both parties can agree. 

This has caused violent clashes and left more than 300 dead, the most horrific being the death of over 40 villagers, near the town of Eldoret (a town 185 miles from Nairobi), who fled to a Kenya Assemblies of God church in an attempt to escape vigilante gangs roaming the streets.  The church was torched as they were seeking shelter there and those who died were mainly women and children.  Over 70,000 have been driven from their homes since this past weekend.   

During our 32 years of serving in

Kenya

, we have experienced unrest and turmoil from time to time in various cities or areas of this nation, but never have we seen this beloved land gripped nationwide in such ongoing ethnic violence.  We believe God has strategically placed Kenya to be a powerful light to the nations in central, east, and southern Africa and the enemy has greatly risen up to diminish that light.   

Due to the unrest and insecurity in the city of

Nairobi

, our congregation was unable to gather last Sunday (Dec. 30^th) at the stadium where we meet.  However, we have been reaching out and ministering to our congregation through the leadership base in our cell group structure, which is once again proving a vital way to care for the needs of those affected by this difficult situation.

As a family, we are safe and we want to thank so many of you who have been in touch with us either by phone or email.  It means so much to hear from you and we are deeply grateful.  Several have enquired as to what they can do and our greatest need is prayer.  We are asking God to have mercy on our land, to turn the tide of evil that has flooded this nation through hatred and tribalism.  This coming Monday we begin our annual season of prayer and fasting, as a congregation, and will focus our hearts together in crying out for God to heal our land and bring revival to us as a result.  Here are a few Prayer Points in which you can join with us in agreement;

·    A ‘Million Man March’ has been reorganized by ODM, the main opposition party, for Tuesday, January 8th in

Nairobi

.  It was to be held today (3^rd) and even though declared illegal by the government, thousands tried to turn up and were dispersed by riot police, thus its been postponed now for Tuesday.  Pray for divine intervention.

·    Pray against the spirit of tribalism that is holding this nation hostage and is being fought out among the nations’ poor and young unemployed.

·    Pray for the thousands of displaced peoples who are fleeing to churches, schools, and police stations.

·    Pray for the spirit of humility to come to our political leaders; that they will heed both the local and international pleas to reach out one to another in dialogue. 

·    Pray for justice and truth to prevail in

Kenya

during this critical season of establishing a new government for the next 5 years.

·    Pray for the restoration of daily life, which has put the transport of even the basics such as vegetables, bread, and milk out of reach for many of the common folk, especially in the cities.   

·    Pray for our economy that has been losing about 2 billion shillings a day (apprx $31 million), for banks to return to normal work.

Again, thank you for standing with us in these most trying of times and we assure you that we feel so privileged to serve alongside our precious Kenyan brothers and sisters.  We say Jesus is Lord of this nation and our greatest days are yet ahead!

Don & Amy Matheny

Nairobi

,

Kenya

Moving Forward

Today's Quote

If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you’re going to be cockeyed today.

-Anonymous

As we stand on the ledge looking out over the horizon of our life...we must know that at some point we need to get unstuck from the past.

God is the God of "new beginnings."

We all fail, but we all can succeed, too. With God's help, nothing is impossible.

The future can reveal a new "us" that has had the opportunity to grow under the light and nuturing of God's love.

If you need to forgive yourself, "do it!"

Awake to a new beginning...

Hinds Feet on High Places

This is a LONG post...but it's from a book that I LOVE and it minister's to me. If you have the time to read this (I googled up the cliff notes, and once again it ministered to me), I believe you will be blessed.

To my friend, Brandi...I dedicate this post to you! :)

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.”
- Habakkuk 3:19

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The book club I am in is reading Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard this month. The book is an allegory, wherein the main character, Much-Afraid, takes a journey up a rocky mountainside for which she must develop “hinds’ feet” to reach the “high places.” She is encouraged on her way by the Chief Shepherd, who comes to her aid whenever she calls, and is accompanied by the companions he chose for her, Sorrow and Suffering.

The theme of this book is crucifying your own will for that of your Lord. Every acceptance of His will is an altar of sacrifice that helps us to progress and mature in our walk with Him.

I would invite any of you who stumble across this blog to read the book and consider some of the things I’ve mentioned below. The first and longest portion of this guide is a simple summary of the book, with scriptural references for expansion on what the allegory is really attempting to say. But personally, I feel that the most important part comes in the few questions at the bottom. Asking myself these questions as I was reading was what was truly helpful to me in applying the lessons Much-Afraid learned on her journey in my own life. Remember, as the introduction states: the “High Places” are not meant to signify heaven or life after death, but the rewards God gives us during our lives here on Earth if we follow the path chosen for us.

MuchAfraid’s Journey – A Summary:

• Part 1: Weeping May Endure for a Night (Psalm 30:5)
  1. Invitation to the High Places: The chief shepherd offers Much-Afraid salvation from the Valley of Humiliation and all of her “Fearing” relatives who plague her existence. He sows the seed of divine love in her heart so that it may grow and blossom into Perfect Love.¹ He tells her to be ready at a moment’s notice to drop everything and follow Him so that he may lead her to the High Places, the Kingdom of Love.²
  2. Fearing Invasion: Much-Afraid is besieged at her home by a mob of “her terrible relatives”, who blame her for estranging her family and attempt to persuade her that her husband-to-be, Craven Fear, only needs her help to change his manner and that this is her responsibility. It is during this moment of weakness and confusion that the Chief Shepherd chooses to come for her, but she is paralyzed by her fears and unable to go with him.³
  3. Flight Into the Night: Later, with the help of Mrs. Valiant (her neighbor), Much-Afraid is able to overtake her cousin Gloomy and escape from her relatives. Even though she was not ready to follow the Chief Shepherd when he came for her, the Shepherd waited and did not leave without her.⁴
  4. Start for the High Places: The Shepherd uses the beautiful wildflowers to teach Much-Afraid a lesson: the flowers offer up their beauty completely and willingly even though it seems that there is no one to appreciate them.⁵ He tells Much-Afraid that once she has ascended to the High Places, she will have the power to take all that she is given and travel between the High Places and the Valley of Humiliation. After teaching her these valuable lessons, he discusses with her that he will leave her with two guides who will help her ascend the mountain, but that he will never be out of her reach.⁶ At that, he leaves her with Sorrow and Suffering.
  5. Encounter With Pride: The relatives Much-Afraid left in the Valley of Humiliation have allowed themselves to be consumed with bitterness that she has escaped and begun her journey with the Chief Shepherd. In their efforts to make her return, they send her cousin Pride up on the mountain to discourage her. In talking with Pride, Much-Afraid does begin to question the validity of the Shepherd’s statements to her, but when she remembers the covenant he made with her, she calls upon him and he comes to her aid.⁷
  6. Detour Through the Desert: Sorrow and Suffering begin to lead Much-Afraid down instead of up, and when she calls on the Shepherd, he tells her only that she must trust his word. This is where she builds her first altar. Once she concedes to go down into the desert with him, the Shepherd shows her the process by which grain is refined: it is beaten and bruised over and over until it is fine enough to bake the best bread.⁸ In the desert, she finds a flower called Acceptance-with-Joy and decides to accept her Lord’s will and work for his purposes.⁹
  7. On the Shores of Loneliness: Much-Afraid, left alone with Sorrow and Suffering on the shores of the Sea of Loneliness, rather enjoys her time in the desert until more of her relatives appear with the intention of retrieving her: Resentment, Bitterness, and Self-Pity. After recognizing that they are attempting to manipulate her, Much-Afraid begins to attack her assaulters. But even though she tries to resist them on her own, she is unable to defeat them without the Shepherd’s help.¹⁰
  8. On the Old Sea Wall: Much-Afraid lays down her will on a new altar as her adversaries look on. She glories in the victory the Shepherd has in her. She finds the little flower Acceptance-with-Joy growing in herself, and sacrifices her heart on an altar. The Shepherd tells her that she must be ready for something new, and that he will soon be taking her to the High Places.
  9. Great Precipice Injury: Much-Afraid, along with Sorrow and Suffering, come to a cliff blocking their path. The only way they can continue is by following the path of the deer. Much-Afriad truly believes that it is impossible for her to follow the path any longer as her cousin Craven Fear appears on the mountaintop. Sorrow and Suffering urge her to call the Shepherd, but she hesitates because she is afraid that he will send her up the cliff. She does call him in the end, and he encourages her. She lays her will, dread, and shrinking on an altar and makes the decision to ascend wherever the Shepherd would have her ascend because his desire for her life is more important to her than her own.¹¹ She must now surmount Mount Injury bound to Sorrow and Suffering, helped along the way by the Spirit of Grace and Comfort.
  10. Ascent of the Precipice Injury: In a cave where the travelers are to pass the night, Much-Afraid finds the flower Bearing-the-Cost (Forgiveness) which has borne injury and not ceased to love. Much-Afraid builds another altar and dedicates herself to forgiveness. Later on their journey, Much-Afraid takes a fall that can only be healed by the Spirit of Grace and Comfort.¹²
  11. In the Forests of Danger and Tribulation: Much-Afraid and her companions weather a storm and fight against Craven Fear with strength. When the storm returns, they are safely protected in a hut provided along the way.¹³
  12. In the Mist: Spurred on by Resentment and Bitterness, Much-Afraid works herself into a frenzy believing that they are not ascending at all, and that they have missed the path up that they were supposed to take because of the fog surrounding them. Only when she becomes so tired of stumbling and feeling miserable that she begins to sing a song of worship does the mist lift, and the Shepherd come to her aid.¹⁴ After spending time in quiet conversation with him, she invites him even to deceive her if it be his prerogative.
  13. In the Valley of Loss: Sorrow and Suffering lead Much-Afraid, again, into a valley instead of up higher, and she honestly considers abandoning the Shepherd’s path for her own. But the idea of a world without the Shepherd’s love and guidance is so terrifying and dismal that she gives herself completely to him.¹⁵ It becomes clear to her at this moment that the only thing that matters to her is faithfulness to her Lord.
  14. The Place of Anointing: Much-Afraid learns that as much work as her journey has been, the last part is simply surrender, trusting the Shepherd to carry her all the way up – she rides a suspended chair all the way to the top. From the waterfalls of love she learns that the spirit of the citizens of the Kingdom of Love in the High Places lies in their desire to give.¹⁶ At the mountaintop, the Shepherd reveals himself to her as the King of the Kingdom of Love so that she will see the truth. Finally, she spends time there preparing herself for the last part of her journey, which she does not know is death.¹⁷
  15. The Floods: The Shepherd commands Much-Afraid to go up to the top of the great waterfall at the top of the mountain. On the way they meet Fear, Bitterness, Resentment, Pride, and Self-Pity on their way down the mountain, fleeing a storm at the top. But Much-Afraid refuses to turn back; the Shepherd has prepared a place for them to take refuge until the storm passes. Throughout the storm she is tempted to stray yet again from the path set before her, but instead examines the stones she has collected in memory of the sacrifices she has made on her altars along the way and refuses to forsake any of them.¹⁸ After the storm, she continues to ascend to the heights.
  16. Grave on the Mountains: Much-Afraid casts herself down onto an altar to sacrifice her offering. With help, she tears human love from her heart and lays her life on the altar.
• Part 2: Joy Cometh in the Morning (Psalm 30:5)
  1. Healing Streams/Hinds Feet: Much-Afraid awakes in the High Places with Hinds’ Feet. Called by the Shepherd, Much-Afraid realizes that she is able to leap out of the canyon she is in with her new powerful hinds’ feet. The Shepherd fulfills his covenant with Much-Afraid by giving her a new name – Grace-and-Glory – and bestowing upon her the divine love that has blossomed in her heart.¹⁹ He also transforms the common stones she collected as memory of her sacrifices into jewels from which to fashion her heavenly crown. Finally, he introduces her to her new companions, the transformed Sorrow and Suffering, now called Joy and Peace.
  2. High Places/Return to the Valley: Despite the lessons Grace-and-Glroy and her companions learn in the High Places, and the trouble they took in getting there, they decide that their new responsibility is to help others reach the High Places as well.²⁰

Notes
¹ “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. . .” 1 John 4:18
² “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24
³ “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27
⁴ “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my words and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8
⁵ “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love on another.” John 13:35
⁶ “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
⁷ “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
⁸ “For you, Oh God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” Psalm 66:10
⁹ “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17
¹⁰“Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man does not live on bread alone.”’” Matthew 4:4
¹¹ “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3
¹²“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:35
¹³“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
¹⁴“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
¹⁵“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
¹⁶ “The Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6¹⁷“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. . .” 2 Timothy 2:11
¹⁸“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:25
¹⁹“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
²⁰“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though god were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’sbehalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

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Where did that come from???

Yesterday after I got off work my feet were killing me. I thought of this old saying, "My dogs are barking!" Meaning my feet are killing me?...somebody please tell me how that makes sense...my feet are talking back to me??  I guess that's it.  :)  I think that's funny...who thought it up, and how did that phrase catch on?.

Inspiring Story

I thought this was a touching story, with a great message...

-----------------------
Column By Patrick Combs
-----------------------

Greatness Inspires Greatness

If you live in Philadelphia you probably know this story. An
11 year old boy named Joey Jones is "skating" in his socks
across the floor of church shelter he and his mom were
staying at in North Philly; homeless because Joey's mom
Karen had recently lost her job at a print shop and been
evicted from her apartment.

Joey seemed to love skating in his socks so one day Karen
took him to a real ice skating rink. Joey laced on old
skates and loved it.

Karen quickly re-employed herself at an auto parts plant at
$9.9 an hour. Then, by working overtime five days a week for
months and months, she got her and her son out of the
shelter and into affordable housing.

Joey loves skating so much that Karen keeps taking him. Then
11 months after his mom had first introduced him to a sport
he'd only seen on television, a man named Jimi spotted Joey
skating at a public rink. The young boy's hunger for the
sport shined brightly and it ignited the spirit of
generosity in Jimi, a local coach of the sport. Jimi began
coaching Joey for free.

Young Joey's passion for the sport was pure greatness. He
skated with enthusiasm, diligence, fearlessness, and even a
sense of play. Most athletes curse when they fail to do what
they were attempting. Joey tries, falls and giggles.

Soon, through Jimi's introductions, other people were
ignited in generosity. A city center designer gave Joey
blades and a costume. A choreographer helped him with his
routine.

Over the next year Joey won 6 gold medals at area
competitions, and captured the state championship for pre-
juveniles. By becoming a state champion he qualified himself
for the inaugural American State Games in St. Louis.

Joey's dream, in his own words, is to win two Olympics and a
couple of world championships. His mother finds herself
wondering how she'll ever pay for such an expensive sport,
usually reserved for children of rich parents.

Just for Joey to go to the national competition in St. Louis
was a $3000 expense. Karen raffled off her TV, cd player,
and a camera to neighbors and raised $300. She raised a
little bit more with a bake sale. She was still a long way
away from the $3000, and not even making a dent in the
$25,000 amount that it would take for her son to compete at
a national level for a year.

Then a reporter for the Philly Daily News, named Mark Kramm,
got wind of Joey's story and wrote a moving article about
it. Two friends, Anthony Casey and Clement Butterfield, read
the story and were touched by it.

Casey, only 31 years old, remembered how he wanted to swim
when he was Joey's age but was discouraged. He could
identify with having a dream once. Butterfield, a man of 40
years old, was sensitive to the difference some help would
make during challenging times. He, and many of his friends,
had been there and not gotten any.

Anthony and Clement decided they should do something, and
began taking up donations from their friends and neighbors
-- ultimately 700 of the 880 people they asked donated a
total of $1,000.

Anthony and Clement weren't the only people to donate money
to Joey's dream. Within two months of the news paper
article, a total of $10,000 had been donated. Karen and Joey
were overwhelmed by the generous response. But they were
especially amazed by the donation from Anthony and Clement
and their 700 friends and neighbors.

$1000 from 700 people means on average each person gave only
$1.42. That might not seem like a lot until you know that
Anthony, Clement and their neighbors all make only .19 cents
an hour, because they're in prison.

We were all born great, which means we can always remember
our greatness. No matter where we are, where we've been or
what we do for a living, an opportunity to be great is
always present. A chance to be daring. A chance to be
selfless. A perfect time to be heroic.

Greatness is displayed through the passionate and daring
efforts of an athlete. But greatness is also the strength
and courage displayed by a loving parent, and the generosity
offered up by a community of people.

Until next time, be great.

Simply stated

Some things said are worth pondering...this is one of them.

Today's Quote

Forgiveness is having the courage to take down the walls that we think are there to protect us.

-Suztes40

Just the way I am...

Ever have one of those days when you aren't feeling too bad about yourself. You know you need to lose some weight, but for the moment it's not nagging you, and you feel half way decent.

Then it has to take an ugly turn, you pick up the mail and it has the Victoria Secret flyer in it...not one but two...geez....I'm feeling low. I don't shop at Victoria Secret except to buy perfume these days! Now I'm feeling even more down.

Well, guess that is why I love Jesus so much. He loves me just the way I am. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

In fact, He can't stop thinking about us. He loves us that much! His thoughts towards us are more than the grains of sand on the beach.

Even the people I love best are never in my thoughts that much.

Jesus loves me just the way I am.

It is because of this love we find, and will find the courage to change.

I love the words to this song that says, I'm accepted, I'm accepted, I'm accepted...by the one who matters most. Feeling low? Feeling a bit fluffy like me...know that you are still loved and precious in God's eyes! He has eyes of faith!! :)

Patience has a different a different view

Patience is one of those things you just can't buy! If I could, I would have some stockpiled!! It's been a long time ago, but I looked up patience in the dictionary, and I think one of the definition's was: the ability to wait, without complaining!!

For several month's now, I have been persevering through a situation that I would normally have said, "forget it! I don't need this aggravation!" However, I feel that God has been putting it on my heart to trust Him, and not let my feelings get in the way.

Feelings can be those powerful emotions that send you over the edge when you least expect it. In the bible it says (paraphrased) that a patient man is a man of great understanding. That makes me think of the story of a man that gets on the metro with his three children. The children are running around, making noise, disturbing any peace that can be found. One of the other passenger's becomes annoyed quite quickly. He tries to hold his tongue, but totally exasperated finally says to the father of the children...."Can't you do a better job of keeping your children under control!!" The father lovingly looks up at the man and says, "I am really sorry. I just left the hospital , my wife has just died, and I was sitting here thinking about how a single dad is going to take care of all of these children without their mother, and how much I am going to miss the love of my life" I really am sorry for disturbing you.

Now, if the man who got upset truly understood the other man's situation, he would have reacted differently. The man didn't have all the facts...he didn't fully understand the situation. I think that is why the bible says that a man of patience has great understanding. Meaning he really understands the situation, and because of that can have the patience needed to endure what is happening.

We're quick to access, react, judge, and come to conclusions about any situation on any given day. Sometimes we need to sit back, pray, and see if there's something we are not understanding.

Patience is a virtue. A part of our "character wardrobe" that few of us wear very often. For some silly reason the line from Mary Poppins came to my mind...just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Patience is the sugar that helps the medicine of a situation taste better.

I want to have whatever patience I need to fully understand things. If I'm quick to react, I may find out later on that I didn't fully understand. Having patience can give us time to see more clearly, and just like the man on the metro was annoyed...until he truly understood, and wouldn't you have hated to be him when he did?? Good lesson to keep in mind!  

Under Pressure!!

I love my husband's grandmother. She is one of those ladies who is multi-talented. She cooks some of the best food you will ever taste, she quilts, crochets, knits, any kind of craft you can think of...she knows how to do.

Over the years, she has taught me how to do some of these things. I can crochet some, knit some, and I can make a mean batch of collard greens! Here's the funny thing...I'm from Montana...never heard of a collard green before coming to the south, and I LOVE collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens. Now, my husband who grew up here in the south can't stand any of the green's family. Whoda thunk it?!

Anyhow, on one occasion grandma was teaching me how to use a pressure cooker. If you ever want fear to strike your heart, just mess around with a pressure cooker. If you don't know what you are doing, it can totally explode, send everything in the pot up to the ceiling and beyond, not to mention the risk of a severe burn!

I'm still terrified of pressure cookers, and I never learned how to operate one. However, I often see people's lives just like the pressure cooker. Things just build and build until one day they just explode. One of the tricks with the pressure cooker is allowing the right amount of steam to come out to keep the pressure from building up.

We definitely need to keep the lines of communication open to God. Clog that line and there will be evidence to support that fact soon enough.

Always have good Christian friends, ones who have the knack of helping you look to God for answers, and love you through the tough times.

I do hope some day that I will learn how to use a pressure cooker. Some of the most delicious meals you ever want to taste are made in the pressure cooker.

When we are in the pressure cooker, it can be a place in our lives that will bring out the best in us. None of us ever love to be in the pressure cooker, but when we can see what was made when we come out on the other side...it's worth it!

A Miracle in the Making

One of the joys of watching little children grow, is to see the awe and wonder that is in their eyes. They look at life differently, and they have this incredible ability to believe.

As we grow older, we often lose that sense of wonder. Maybe we even become somewhat cynical, and we lose the power to believe in miracles.

I still believe in miracles, and I know this...I want to see more of them. As I press into the Lord, I see Him doing mighty miracles in the lives of people. I've also had the joy of going on mission's trip's and seeing people physcially healed.

If you ask a child if they can paint they say, "Yes!" If you ask a child if they can sing they say, "Yes!" If you ask a child if they can climb the tallest mountain ever ever they say, "Yes!"

I don't know about you, but I am believing God for some big things, and I want to have that child-like faith to just trust and believe. To know that Jesus is bigger than my mountains, too.

The greatest killer to believing is the loss of hope...never lose hope. Jesus said, be not afraid just believe. If we allow fear to come in, it will kill the hope within us.

Let's turn our faces to Jesus and say, "Yes, I believe!" Come on, let's give Him something to work with!!