Good Monday morning, my dear Blogees! Another new week!!

This morning I am thinking about how we go from week to week. We have just started 2014 and already we are almost heading into the second month! Time really does fly!!

It is January in Winnipeg - cold and lots of snow. It can be a hard time for many because of the long, cold and dark days. And for some of us, there is no hot holiday to break up the long, cold spell. So, what to do? How do I encourage myself to move through this time - not just to get through it but also to find some enjoyment in it.

Can I suggest that you throw a 'just because' party? It doesn't have to be costly or huge but a few close friends, some good tunes, good food and you've got yourself a little party. Or how about a tea party? Perhaps on a Sunday afternoon? Some great flavored teas (I recommend David's teas - so good!) and some little cakes. Or if you don't like to fuss, just buy a nice cake at Sobey's or some President's Choice cheese cakes (Superstore). It doesn't take much to get a group together and have a good time.

It's nice for you and others to have something to look forward to. Sometimes a party just to celebrate life is a great little break in this season. By the way, if you do throw a party, I'm quite free over the next few weeks....

"How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!"  - Psalm 47:2

Monday morning and God has led me to Psalm 47. God is being worshipped in this Psalm for who He is. I guess what I have to ask myself is this: how often do I just worship God for who He is - not just for what He's done for me and will do for me; not just to have Someone on my side when I need Him.  If I take 'me' out of the picture, can I just worship God for who He is?

It's certainly not something that comes readily to me and I feel somewhat selfish and ashamed. I gave my heart to God when I was a child and have now been walking with Him for almost 44 years. That's a long time. But it's not just been since I said yes to Him. He's been there all along! He formed me in my mother's womb and kept me safe. My Mom smoked, drank alcohol, drank coffee and really never changed her habits at all for her pregnancy. Please understand, I don't blame her. It was the times. However, God's hand was on me because He has purpose for my life.

That fact alone causes me to fall on my face before my King and my Creator. God, open my eyes to the wonder of You and to love You and bless You just for who You are and not just what You can do for me.

For all who read this, please join me in this prayer. We serve an amazing God - let's just worship Him because He's amazing!

Today I was thinking about all the decisions we make in a day. What to wear, what to eat, what color socks do I want? I was also thinking about our society and how high-pressure it can be. "Buy now!", "this offer won't last!" , "order now and you'll get ....". We've all heard the ads and have felt the pressure.

Here's what I want to encourage you with today. Unless it's an emergency, there's no decision that can't wait - even a little while. We need to be allowed some time to think: do I really want this? Is this good for me? Do I need/want it now or can it wait? These (and other) questions are good to ask when feeling pressured with a decision that you are unsure about.

The thing about decisions is the larger the decision, the larger the consequence. So if we have a big decision to make, consider the outcome. Take some time to pray about it, ask someone you trust for their advice/opinion or perhaps write a list of pros and cons.

The main thing is: don't feel pressured into some decision that you don't really feel good about or want. Take your time, ask the questions and then make your choice. We won't always get it right and that's okay. Then we will take responsibility for the consequences and will ask what we have learned.

We can make good decisions!

Happy Monday morning! Here we are diving into a new year.

This year I will be seeking God for each blog and trying to listen very closely for what He wants to say.

For today I got Proverbs 14:1. It reads as follows: "The wise woman builds her house,  but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."

We as women, whether we are married or single, young or old, we all have a place that we call home. I want to talk about that place today. Let's stop and think about what our own home is like. I'm not talking so much about the physical place but more the character of our home. Is it a safe place, a refuge? Is it a place where we can truly be ourselves? What have we done to make it that way? Or have we?

I would like to encourage you as a woman to become aware of your surroundings in your home. What do you like about your home and what would you like to change to make it a more nurturing place. We have a powerful role as women in our homes. We set the tone. Is the television on too much? Are you playing music that uplifts? Do you have a good place to have your quiet time? Are you running your home and not letting it run you?

Build your home and make it a place that you are happy to be in. Be wise in how your build your home and how you build up both yourself and those who enter that place. Let's start the year by setting some great new standards that will be wholesome and up-building in our surroundings!