How Has God stirred you for this New Year? What are you goals for the kingdom?

From Eastford, CT.

I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

From Joy(www.Handmaiden.com)
If nobody smiled and nobody cared and nobody helped us along. If every moment looked after itself and good things always went to the strong. If nobody cared just a little about you and nobody cared about me, and we stood alone, in the battle of life, what a dreary old world this would be.

Encouragement; that’s what the E in REAL WOMEN! stands for. God, by His leading, I believe, would have us take a look at some specific areas where we need to examine our level of encouragement—the encouragement of our husbands. The men in our lives are a gift from God. They need up-lifting and encouraging and you can choose to freely minister to this need. This should be an obvious, simple, already in place part of our relationship, but sisters, we need to be careful it isn’t something we have left on the shelf—only to be brought out for “company”.

The following is a “too true to life” scenario, that we as Christian Women leaders may or may not have faced. Can you send in your suggestions on how you would handle this challenge?

It’s the beginning of a year, Lucy is determined to be more organized this year. Here is some suggestions for Lucy from Sandy Phillips, Coupeville, WA.

When my husband and I got married, one of our first commitments to each other was to always live within our means so that when we had children, I could be a stay at home mom.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets.
• Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hairstylist you like.
• Perhaps you know why women over fifty don't have babies: they would put them down somewhere and forget where they left them.
• One of life's mysteries is how a two-pound box of candy can make a woman gain five pounds.
• It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

Have you ever been faced with a "challenging" situation in which you knew your emotions and attitudes could come roaring into play? How do you effectively navigate through such difficult and treacherous emotional seas?

Lucy would like to reach out to other women in her church and community. She would like to hear how others have successfully done so; do you have some old tried and true ways that have worked in your area? Or perhaps some new creative means? What may seem obvious to one place, may be completely new to another!

Response to Lucy's situation from Marge Couture, Pastor's wife Trinity Assembly of God Hyde Park, Vermont

In the last issue of REAL Women! We began with the question, "Perspective, Perspective, Who's got the Perspective?" We had many positive responses to the article, and I felt the need to explore the topic more completely. As I meditated on the subject several ideas began to unfold. First of all, why does it matter if we have God's perspective?

• A baby cries-he knows nothing but his own need to be held.
• A child demands a toy-she knows nothing about her mother's empty wallet.
• A young adult is lonely and wishes for that special someone.
• A wife complains because her husband won't take out the garbage.
• A young couple whines because of lack of sleep done to a babies cry.
• A couple cries because of childlessness.
• A wife envies her single friends freedom.
• A widow envies her married friends closeness.

Martha has invited me to share a few words with you concerning valuing your gifts and callings in the Lord as a woman from a man's perspective. Interesting assignment wouldn't you say? Anyway I do have some great encouragements for you ladies. First let's consider the following verses from the Bible.

Galatians 3:26-29 (NKJV)