Inner City

I went to Winnipeg's inner city (North End) with some youth the other day and it was an eye opener to see how much we take for granted only a short drive away. It wasn't so much what we saw, though we did see women standing on the corners, working track as they call it, and boarded up houses, it was the realization of the environment kids teens and parents live in. The system is so messed up and it seems so little one could do to change that. Kids steal cars for the experience because they don't think they'll ever get a drivers license because they don't know anyone who know how to drive, thus no one to teach them, even if that "them" was willing. Or Young adults who don't get jobs because they have grown up in a neighbourhood where they never watched their family or their neighbours go to work, it's just not normal. Now the inner city minister who was touring us around was sure to tell us there are a lot of people living there trying to make their life work in their environment, but it is very hard by the sounds of it. There was so much more that was interesting and informative. This taught me to reserve my judgments of why people are in their self destructing lives. I feel more compassion now.

Visit an inner city where you are if you have a chance, it will help you better understand the people that live there.

The presence of God

This day has been a wonderful day. It's not about what I did but it's about the feeling in this day, it's about God in this day. Maybe it started yesterday or the day before but I feel it for sure today. I feel so at peace with God, so full and full filled. It's like I am in the most perfect spot in my life, I am at the look out on a long hike and I can see a breathtaking view. I actually feel so good it is almost overwhelming, like I am not sure I can stand it for too much longer. Maybe it is the spiritual residue from the Tuesday evening "Encourage to Freedom", all those people who prayed for the evening and who are still praying for it's effect in women's lives. Maybe it's the feeling of doing the will of God (As i really know I did His will by sharing the other night). This feeling is the presence of God, I want to keep it and never take it for granted. I am in awe of God! In utter awe of His miraculous ways! In awe of His grace to allow me to have this beautiful day.
This is the day that the Lord has made!

Ecourage to Freedom

I have been reading my friend Niki's blog and I have been blessed by her honesty and willingness to share her secrets. Her hard to share honesty is something to aspire to. It really is refreshing to hear/read the honesty in ones heart. When we recently chatted about the topic of sharing our secrets, we discussed how sharing secrets isn't for everyone on the same level but yet it seems we are asked by God to be real and transparent. We concluded that each should share as the Spirit leads them to. So what do you do if you sense God asking you to tell a large group of women your "bad and ugly" past? You say "Yes" of course..... and then ...eeeekkk
Last winter the Spirit sorta nudged me to start thinking about helping other women know what it means to not live in secret and to encourage women to tell their secrets to help themselves and others experience freedom. At that time I had no idea what this was going to look like but I knew part of it meant sharing my story of becoming free. I kept the idea smoldering and this November the date has arrived. November 18 at the church will be an evening called Encourage to Freedom. I will share my freedom story and a challenge.
I guess at some point I'll have to share that story here but not until the time the spirit leads me to.
Women - keep that date open and I hope to see you out.