Readers start with Shepherd’s own inspirational story about her struggles to treat her body well by eating real food, exercising, and praying. She invites readers to sign a covenant in which they agree to jump-start a diet using specific guidelines. Readers are supported with 30 days of personable and helpful devotions with plenty of stories, suggestions for exercise, and appropriate Scripture. Shepherd even includes many of her favorite tasty recipes to keep women on track.

Sheri Rose Shepherd has a gift for speaking straight to women’s hearts and souls. Because of that, women will use this book, talk about it, and share it with others.

EXCERPT FROM CATALOG: The Diet War Begins . . . Take Your Royal Position Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”?–Genesis 3:13 NIV I’ve been sixty pounds overweight–and I’ve won the crown of Mrs. United States of America. I have been called the “Fat Girl” in high school that never had a prom date–and I have appeared on the cover of a fitness magazine. I’ve been in bondage to bulimia–and free from food controlling my life. But no matter what season I’m in regarding my health and weight, I’ve discovered I am not alone. I can’t help but wonder if the first fall of man, which was between a woman and food, is why we woman have been struggling with this food issue and our body image ever since. Was it that first act of disobedience that birthed this battle with the way we woman see ourselves . . . our worth? Prior to the fall, the woman was not aware of her body. However, after the fall she felt shame for the first time. The truth is, our Daddy in heaven, “The King above all kings,” has chosen our bodies as His dwelling place. The time is now to fight for our freedom and learn to treasure our temples to bring glory to our King, not to ourselves. If you’re ready to lose weight once and for all, regain your health and energy, and become the best version of you, then let’s get to the heart of the matter and make every calorie count for Christ. His Princess Prayer for you Dear Lord, I ask today that you would open my sister’s eyes and heart to the freedom You hold for her. Let her see that it is a gift, a special treasure, that she will receive as she learns to look to You to be her mirror, and whatever keeps her from fully experiencing You, Lord God. We claim victory in the name of Jesus today, Lord! Prove Your power through her as she commits these next 30 days to You, Lord, and lead her to complete freedom from food ever controlling her again! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Discover the best health and weight-loss secrets found in God’s Word!

In this 30 day journey, the bestselling author of His Princess shares how God healed her from an eating disorder, helped her conquer chronic fatigue, and gave her the strength and wisdom to lose over sixty pounds and keep it off. Today, at nearly 50 years old, Sheri Rose is healthy and free. More than a half a million women have been set free through this life changing teaching.

You can win this diet war once and for all! Sheri Rose Shepherd walks through each day with you, supporting you with 30 days of life changing devotions, heartwarming stories, creative cooking, and a daily dose of Scripture to keep you on track. The treasures of truth found in these pages will transform the way you see yourself forever.

It’s time to get your girlfriends together and become the best version of you! God loves you and will be with you every step of the way.

8 tomatoes (roma)
1 finely chopped onion (large)
1 bunch of minced fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 jalapeno
8 key limes
1 ancho chili (dried)
1 casabel chili pepper (dried)
8 garlic cloves (roasted)
1 tablespoon olive oil (roasted garlic)

Directions:

1. Finely chop onion and put in a large work bowl with 1 teaspoon of the salt sprinkled over them.

2. Dice up the tomatoes and add to the bowl.

3. Mince the jalapeño and add to the bowl. (Be careful not to rub your eyes or wear some rubber gloves.)

4. Mince the cilantro and add to the bowl.

5. Take the dried peppers and cut the stem end off and get all the seeds out. Cut the peppers up into thin strips and add to the bowl.

6. Juice the limes into the bowl. Make sure you use a strainer to catch the seeds. If you can’t find key limes, use regular lime but only 4-6. Add to taste.

7. Add the roasted garlic and the roasted garlic oil.

8. Stir to combine.

9. Before adding any extra salt, taste the salsa with the chips you plan to eat the salsa with. This helps to give you tongue a good salt starting point as you don’t want it to be too salty.

10. Let this sit in the fridge for at least an hour, if not over night to let the flavors mingle and the dried peppers to rehydrate.

What is it that will make us better mothers? Is it trying to do all the special fun things others do with their kids? Or is it giving our children lots of toys and clothes? If so, some of us would be unable to give as much or do as much, depending on our circumstances. That’s why it’s bad to judge ourselves as moms in comparison with other moms. Instead, we need to do what will help us develop and grow as mothers. I try to learn all I can about how to be a good Christian mom. Here are some things that will help each of us to be the best moms we can be!

Seek God’s help and wisdom.

Raising children is a tremendous responsibility. We need to pray for wisdom. Many times a day I stop to ask God for wisdom in dealing with the situations that arise. At times I’m just at a loss as to how to deal with the kids and as I pray, God will bring to mind a verse, or the words I need to say. Later I marvel, knowing I couldn’t have thought of that answer myself!

We also need to read God’s Word if we want to train our kids in God’s ways. I have found the book of Proverbs to be especially helpful, as it is the book of wisdom.

Read good books about parenting.

I am always looking for books that will encourage me and challenge me to do what’s right; books that stress the importance of discipline; books that remind me of what a special job God has given me; books that give me ideas. It’s easy to get tired and discouraged after days of endless discipline, diapers, etc. I need books that remind me of what God says is necessary and that motivate me to ‘keep on!’.

Many moms say, “Well, I just don’t have time to ready anymore.” I don’t have time either, but I make it. I squeeze it in whenever I can.

Listen to CDs about being a good mother.

Again, the positive reinforcement we receive from these can be an inspiration to us to strive to be our best. (You can listen to quite a few CDs if you get in the habit of taking them with you whenever you drive somewhere.)

As I seek God’s wisdom through these different methods, there are four ‘MUSTS’ that stand out to me as truly vital in raising our kids. These four vital ‘must do’s’ are:

1. Consistently discipline our kids according to God’s Word.
2. Teach our kids God’s Word and develop in them a love for the Bible.
3. Train our kids in Godly character.
4. Pray for our kids without ceasing.

I am asking God to help me stop comparing myself to other moms, which leads me to discouragement, and help me to look to Him for the help I need to be the best mom I can be!

Kathie Morrissey - http://www.courtshipconnection.com

We connect you with valuable, practical resources to help you train your children in Godly character, purity, and courtship. Visit the website above for more help in being your best as a Mom!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathie_J_Morrissey
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Inspirational Ink: Insight for a Woman’s Life

by Tammi Ector

The problem: Your work and life are out of balance!

The attitude with which career women approach life is critical to our achieving and maintaining equilibrium. Balance is a learned skill-set and a needed component for women because our attitude not only impacts our job performance; it impacts our families’ lives and/or the lives of those in our care, and our overall well being. But so many of us struggle in this area. When it comes to work and life, many women feel like they’re always dropping the ball in one or the other.

The solution: Get your head on straight!

The blockbuster hit, “I Don’t Know How She Does It” depicts how one career woman with a family juggles and ultimately balances the two. As the film’s title suggests, everyone in her life wondered how Kate, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, managed to do it. The actress delivered a credible portrayal of a businesswoman climbing the ladder at her agency with a husband and two small children in tow. Much of the time she pulled this off dressed in heels. Since I find myself walking in the same shoes, I could relate. Now I’ll try to share the real insight I gained about getting your head on straight from this fictitious character’s balancing act.

Belief

Kate’s career as an investment banker already required her to travel extensively and to spend lots of time away from her husband and children. She was plagued by guilt over taking store bought items to her daughter’s bake sale and missing her son’s first haircut because the nanny took him while she was on a business trip. Though desirous of intimacy in her marriage, she was too exhausted to enjoy it. She’d pass out then awaken to stare at a ceiling list of To Dos. But when Kate’s efforts paid off and she was given the chance to bag a high profile client for her firm, she only hesitated briefly before jumping at the opportunity to advance her career. That meant her children would see even more of the nanny and less of her. Some stay at home moms judged her for her choices and her mother-in-law opposed the decision, but Kate believed she could be the wife and mother she wanted to be while succeeding at her job. Setting about doing what she was good at, she invested. In PMA: a Positive Mental Attitude. Despite the naysayers, she believed she and her husband could pull together and make it all work. She believed there was a doable solution.

Things got worse before they got better. Kate’s son got hurt while she was away, and her husband left the children with an unknown sitter because she couldn’t get out of the office to relieve him so he could attend a meeting. The situation escalated to a pitch where the only thing she and her husband did together was schedule logistics. Now her life wasn’t just out of balance, it had spiraled out of control. Still Kate held on tight to the belief that the problems could be fixed. She persisted in convincing her husband, her children, her in-laws and yes, even herself, that she could do it.

So what motivated Kate to overcome the obstacles? To keep throwing those balls in the air?

Purpose

Much as Kate loved her family, was 100% committed to them and tried to put them first, her career held a strong second place in her heart. This savvy businesswoman was self aware and understood what she was meant to do. She knew her purpose. As an investment banker, she was motivated by how her father left her mother with nothing through lack of investing. Her desire to help others not to end up in a similar predicament made her passionate about her work. And she felt fulfilled assisting others to investment wisely.

When believers feel this way about our work, we may refer to it as our calling. Some say they’re “at work on purpose” or leading a purpose driven life. One word that could describe all purpose driven women is PASSIONATE! Those of us with this mindset understand the difference between having a job and having a purpose. One is driven by money and/or the time clock while the other is an intrinsic motivation to make a positive contribution or to make a difference.

Like Kate, when you are passionate about your work, when you embrace your purpose, you realize and accept that you aren’t completely yourself when not doing what you were designed to do. That realization will drive your determination to strike a balance that will allow you to fulfill your professional calling outside the home while enjoying an abundant joy filled personal life outside the office. Going to work won’t be drudgery and just more of the daily grind. Then you won’t feel like you’ve got to go to work, but that you get to!

So what is your purpose at work?

Vision

Because Kate knew she wasn’t completely her without being a wife, a mother and a career woman, she had a vision of how she wanted all of them to work together, in tandem. She envisioned a life where she could make the most of the meaningful moments away from work. That meant setting appropriate boundaries surrounding her personal time. This translated into time with her family where her attention was undivided. It meant turning off her Blackberry while on vacation. There could be no more dumping of her family due to spur of the moment work related crises. Kate saw herself building snowmen with her children. To make that happen, she had to keep her word and make good on her promises to them. Her husband replaced her boss as the # 1 man in her life. No longer could she compromise her relationship with her spouse in order to spend time with her business colleague, nor could she continue to allow professional and personal lines to cross.

Kate’s vision of her life was realistic. She had to accept the parts of “the mess” that couldn’t be changed and embrace them. That meant letting go of what she couldn’t control and not sweating the small stuff, like eating takeout versus cooking. The key was that she and her husband did it together. Taking care of things on the home front, like speech therapy for her son and repairs that made the house safe for the children, freed Kate of some guilt and worry. Without these issues weighing on her, she was able to be fully present while at work. Giving herself permission to do it her way (regarding her children’s diet and nutrition, division of household responsibilities between her and her husband, etc.) minimized her concern about others’ opinions.

The vision was of a life filled and overflowing with all the things she loved. Her family, her friends and her job. It included and balanced both. Kind of like the model provided in Proverbs 31:10-31…

So, what do you want your life to look like?

At the end of the movie, when a friend asks Kate’s husband what she does for a living, he looks across the room at her and answers, “She’s a juggler.”

I’m in an ongoing process of getting my head on straight in order to get my life in balance, but in those precious moments of clarity, I picture myself successfully riding a unicycle across a tight rope, work related items in one hand, home related in the other. I’m doing all this in high heels of course.

Equilibrium in High Heels: Successfully Balance Work and Life

An Intimate Morning of Transformation with Founder Kay Fittes Featuring Insight and Inspirational Music from Tammi Ector of Inspirational Ink Press Do you struggle with any of the following: •    Acting like a martyr? •    Feeling guilty in every area of life? •    Letting go of the uncontrollable? •    Embracing the controllable? •    Missing the meaningful moments of life? •    Taking care of yourself?

Then you need Kay and Tammi’s simple, surefire strategies for Equilibrium!

Date:	Saturday, June 9, 2012
Time:	9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:	Fountain Pointe, Building II 4675 Cornell Road, Suite 170 Blue Ash, OH 45241 (Enter business park from Cornell Rd. – 2nd building on left.  Park and enter at front door) (map)
Suggested Attire:	Business Casual
Cost:	$79/person. Last day to register is June 6, 2012
Registration:	Registration is required. Click the Buy Now button below to register for this event.  Sorry, no walk-ins will be accepted.

We are looking forward to having you participate in this transformational event!

When I first became a mom, I was shocked to discover the realization that God loved my children even more than I did. Wow! As much as I loved them – He loved them even more!

One of the things I enjoy learning is different ways of showing my daughters just how much I love them. Here are five great ways to make your children feel loved…

Spend time with them. Yes, we’ve all heard this many times, but it’s true. Children equate love with the time spent with them. Whether you take your kids to the playground or just spend time snuggling, time spent is important.

When my girls were toddlers, they loved playing with their toy horses. One day, I decided to sit on the floor and join them. Together, we developed a pretend “TV show” we called Horses. We made up a theme song that we all sang before the “show” started. I would then think of a topic – usually one with a good lesson tacked on the end. For example, in one “episode,” David (one of their favorite horses) struggled with being selfish. How did the other horses handle this? What did David learn in the end? With my daughters involved in the plot, it was always an adventure to see how the episode progressed.

Before long, Horses turned into a series. I had to chuckle because every time we played, each of my daughters would be the voice of just one horse each. “And Mama, you are the voices for all of these!” I was then handed a pile of horses, both male and female, for which I would be the voices.

A few years later, my daughters have grown beyond Horses, but I have fond memories of playing something with them that meant so much and being able to stick in a few good lessons while we played. Now the bike rides, throwing the softball around, and playing board games are at the top of the “spending time together” items they suggest.

Surprise them. What is something that means a lot to your child? One of the things I do on a whim is to cook their favorite dinner.

Another way is to place notes in their lunchboxes. A heartfelt “I love you and hope you have a great day!” is sufficient. A smiley face at the bottom adds to the charm.

Read to them. I began reading to my children when they were infants. As toddlers, there wasn’t a day that would go by when I wasn’t brought a stack of books including Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? A Little Girl After God’s Own Heart, and Little Whistle. Now a few years later, I still read to them, although it’s usually from books I haven’t memorized! Now I read devotions, the Bible, and classics such as Little House on the Prairie.

Thank them. One of my favorite things to do is to thank my daughters for something specific each night while tucking them into bed before prayers. It can be something as simple as “Thank you for sharing that last cookie with your sister.” Or “I really appreciated how you made sure the little girl in your class wasn’t left out at school today.”

Encourage them with thankfulness by adding it to your prayers. Our family prays together, and when it’s my turn, I’ll often add, “And thank You, Lord, that my daughters have servants’ heart and were willing to help me today.”

Keep the lines of communication open. If you’re a parent, you know that children ask a gazillion questions! I believe it’s important that we take the time to answer those questions to the best of our ability and at an age-appropriate level. I have told my children since they could speak that they can ask me any question about anything. I hope to be able to keep the lines of communication open into their tween and teen years and beyond.

One of the fun things we have implemented is to declare time for “chitty-chattys” whenever we are in the car doing errands. It’s amazing the wonderful conversations that I have had the privilege to partake in during these times.

Take a minute and ask your children what are things you do (or could do) that make them feel loved. Listen to their answers and then take their suggestions.

As I continue on this incredible journey of motherhood, I am constantly learning. One thing I know for sure is that the Lord will continue to guide me as I raise my little blessings for Him.

Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous articles in national and regional publications. Penny’s most recent book is a Christian historical romance titled “Hailee”- the third in her Montana Skies Series (Whitaker House). Penny is also the author of “77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others” (Beacon Hill Press). Penny loves to connect with readers through her website at www.pennyzeller.com, her blog www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks

“Aún llenará tu boca de risa, Y tus labios de júbilo”

Sonríe, mientras esperas eso que tanto anhelas y que pronto llegará. Sonreír alienta, da nuevas fuerzas y esperanzas. Al sonreír demuestras fe y confianza porque aunque en el momento no estás viendo nada, muy cerca está el momento en que recibirás esa sorpresa.

Sonreír te hace lucir más hermoso, radiante, lleno de vida y de luz. Estás exhibiendo certeza y proyectando luz. Sonríe que nuevas aventuras te esperan, un mundo de cosas por vivir.

¡Limpia esa lágrima de tus ojos que lo que tanto deseas ha de venir! No pierdas tu optimismo, asume una buena actitud. Sonríe, porque Ana vio su milagro en Samuel; Abraham y Sara en Isaac.

Josué mientras conquistaba; Moisés mientras cruzaba el Mar Rojo. Para aquella viuda llegó el aceite y para sorpresa de Marta y María su hermano Lázaro resucitó. Bartimeo pudo ver con sus ojos la sanidad que Dios hizo en él. Solo ten paciencia y mientras esperas, ¡no dejes de sonreír!

Autora: Brendaliz Avilés

Escrito Para: www.brendalizaviles.com

And the Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man
whom He had formed. Genesis 2:8 NAS

Soon after God formed Adam, He placed His new creation in the garden He Himself had planted, the splendor of which we can only begin to imagine. Adam’s Eve was brought forth from him in that garden and God Himself walked in Eden’s splendor in the cool of the day in intimate fellowship with His newly created pair. Adam stepped out of God’s will in that same garden and as a result, was banished from that wondrous place of lush abundance. (Genesis 2:7 & 8; 3:6, 8, 23 & 24)

It was in yet another garden that Jesus declared His complete surrender and obedience to God’s will and plan, speaking it into the atmosphere for all of Heaven and earth to bear witness. The first Adam’s transgression in the garden was canceled by the second Adam’s submission – in another garden. Adam was the accurate representative of all men by virtue of being first of the line. And though it took 4000 years, God’s carefully constructed plan came to pass in Jesus as the second Adam, the accurate Representative of all men by virtue of the carefully laid groundwork of lineage.

Even though the first Adam was removed from the garden, the garden was never removed from him. Like Adam before us, we are dust according to Genesis 2:7 and Psalm 103:14. The word used in both verses is aphar, meaning dust or loose earth, highly desirable for the gardener. Any gardener knows that loose earth is the beginning of a great garden. Having been born of a garden, we maintain the properties of a garden and so we are highly “plant-able.” Jesus expands this concept in Mark 4 when He explains the sowing of the Word. The soil is our hearts, and, as in any garden, there are various kinds, some more conducive to abundant growth than others.

The principle of the garden, the process of sowing and reaping, planting and harvesting, was settled in its kingdom import from the very beginning, simply stated for us in Genesis 8:22, and confirmed as New Testament principle in Mark 4:26-29. We cannot help but see the importance to God of the principle of the garden.

What is your garden experience? Are you in the lush garden of abundance right now, that summer garden bright with blooms? Or perhaps you are in the garden of decision, wrestling your flesh into submission to God’s will as Jesus did at Gethsemane. Or are you in the garden that feels like death, frozen solid as January? It is that very garden of death which can become your garden of victory (see John 12:24).

The most important factor is the state of the garden of your heart. It is this definitive garden and how well it has been tended that will indeed determine the garden of experience. Remember Jesus’ ultimate victory came in a tomb in a garden (John 19:41), which many thought was surely the garden of death, but from which sprang not only His resurrection, but the resurrection of the whole world!

Now that spring has arrived, it is a perfect time to take a walk round the garden of your heart, beginning here and now to tend what needs attention. The harvest will surely be realized in the garden of your experience.

The problem is that the majority of us have at one time or another allowed weeds to creep in unawares. Begin to identify and pluck them out right now before they take hold and establish roots. Keep watch not only for weeds but for those small pests with the propensity for becoming garden-devouring monsters. (Proverbs 4:23) Diligently guard the garden of your heart against even those small invaders that everybody allows, that harmless TV show, the slightly off-color joke, the risqué conversation, the “innocent” gossip, the unlovely expression (Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 4:29).

If you find unwanted guests have already taken hold and put down roots, what, if anything can you do about it? After all, isn’t this just part of life in a garden, part of the human condition? Absolutely not! Make a conscious choice to acknowledge not only your responsibility but your God-given authority over the garden of your heart. Genesis 1:28 tells us God’s intent and original directive to His man was to subdue the earth, exercising dominion over everything in the natural world. How much more then are we to exercise authority over the garden of our own hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23)?

What small pests are you putting up with, perhaps even entertaining? Prayerfully begin a list and take specific action, driving each of them out with the Word of God. Start today to cultivate an environment in which no unwanted seeds are sown, no pests are tolerated. By diligently protecting your garden from known invaders, you can be assured of nurturing an environment in which the peace of God will protect that most precious of all gardens, your heart. (Philippians 4:6)

***
Copyright ©2010/2012 Karin Syren
Adapted & Reprinted with permission from
The Bible Minute: One Year of Concise Bible Studies for On the Go Christians
Order your copy at Amazon.com

***

Karin can be reached at Ksyren@solushunz.net. For more information about Solu’shunz Leadership Services, go to www.Solushunz.com.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul…who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Proverbs 103:1, 5).

God didn’t arbitrarily forbid the Jews from eating certain foods. God doesn’t operate under the law of “whim.” Every meat deemed unclean by God is unfit for human consumption.

In 1953 science caught up with the Bible when Dr. David Macht of Johns Hopkins University published a study on the toxicity of animals listed as clean and unclean in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. He ran tests to determine their toxic effects on a controlled growth culture in his laboratory (“An Experimental Pharmacological Appreciation of Leviticus XI and Deuteronomy XIV,” Bulletin of Historical Medicine, Johns Hopkins University).

Not surprisingly, every animal God calls toxic science finds toxic, too. Unclean animals include: swine, horse, rabbit, squirrel, dog, cat, bear, opossum, groundhog and rat. The clean animals (cloven-hoofed and chew the cud) include cattle, goats, sheep, oxen and deer. Interestingly, the blood of all animals is more toxic than the flesh.

Many of the animals God calls unclean eat flesh or have parasites that would sicken or kill humans. Pigs, bears and vultures eat decaying flesh. Wolves, lions and other predators often prey on the weakest, sickliest animals in a herd.

Jesus, being a devout Jew, did not eat pork. In fact He used pigs as receptacles for the demons within the Gadarene demoniac (Luke 8:22-39)! The man was set free when Jesus evicted the demons from him and sent them into a herd of swine. The pigs were destroyed when they plunged off a cliff into the lake and drowned.

Clean birds include poultry (chicken, turkey, geese), ducks, pigeons and quail. Many supermarkets now carry organic chicken products raised without antibiotics or hormones. We certainly don’t need to be ingesting synthetic estrogen (a hormone typically given to chickens). Pre-menopausal, peri-menopausal and menopausal women need to be especially aware that hormonal imbalances may be linked to synthetic estrogen and estrogen-producing foods.

Instead of pork, how about turkey franks or kosher beef hot dogs once in a while? A stir fry with fresh vegetables, crumbled organic or GreenFed™ burger, slivered almonds and water chestnuts is a quick and easy dinner your family will love. If you’re concerned about estrogen-producing foods, try fermented soy products such as tempeh instead of regular soy.

Archeological Evidence of Benefits of Eating Clean

Moses, who received the dietary and hygiene system from God, had been trained as a prince of Egypt in the most advanced medical system of his day. Yet Moses did not advocate the Egyptian way of avoiding disease. Forensic examinations of mummified Egyptians show that the wealthiest Egyptians didn’t seem to benefit from the best that their physicians had to offer. They suffered from many of the same diseases of our day. Many researchers believe this is due to their taste for unhealthful foods and disregard for hygiene, contrary to God’s directive to the Hebrews through Moses.

In short: Detox, eat clean, eat lean and always eat green (lots of veggies!).

Christian Fitness Expert Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry (http://PraiseMoves.com and on Facebook http://facebook.com/PraiseMovesFan). Get your free fitness kit at http://ChristianFitnessKit.com ©2012

2 Tbsp olive oil
4 cups chopped yellow onions (from about 2-3 onions)
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 ounces light cream cheese, softened to room temperature

DIRECTIONS

Heat olive oil in a large, thick-bottomed deep pot (I used a 5-quart Dutch oven) on medium high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent and starting to color, about 10 minutes. If at any point during the cooking of the onions they start to dry out, add a tablespoon of water to the pot. Stir in the balsamic, salt, black and cayenne pepper. Lower the heat and cook gently, uncovered, for about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are nicely caramelized. Then set aside. (You can caramelize the onions up to 2 days ahead and chill until you make the dip.) Let cool a bit before adding to the other ingredients.

2 In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise (a rubber spatula works well for this). Stir in the caramelized onions. Sprinkle with garlic salt and stir to incorporate. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.

Chill until ready to serve. Serve with potato chips.

“I hated singing in front of people,” confesses the singer/songwriter Laura Story, who recently walked away with top honors at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Story and her husband, Martin Elvington, walked the red carpet to accept the Grammy award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song for her song, “Blessings.” The 2010 Female Christian Vocalist of the Year nominee and winner of the 2009 Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year continues, “I never would have done it if God hadn’t put stuff in my heart that I had to share with people.

Story sings about doubting God’s goodness and love as she eloquently describes every believer’s eventual struggle with doubt when life gets hard. She says the song is a reminder that God remains faithful even when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want Him to. Story sings from her own experience. Married to her high school sweetheart Martin, her journey hasn’t been all easy.

The greatest trial of their lives, she shares, was when Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006, just one year into their marriage. “When you’re standing at the altar promising ‘for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,’ you think that part is for when you are old.” Martin underwent multiple surgeries, experienced severe, life-threatening complications, and has been through extensive rehabilitation.

Though still troubled by vision and memory problems, he travels with Laura when she performs. All the way through his illness, Story recounts, Martin never lost his sense of humor. “In the hospital he had so many memory problems. I would show him my engagement ring, and he would say, ‘Who are you married to?’ and I would say, ‘I am married to you!’ and he would say, ‘Yes! Yes! You are my wife!’”

Story shares that many times she was angry at God. “I wondered why, if He had the power to heal Martin, why He didn’t. But God, in His gentleness, would peel my fingers out of the fist I was shaking at Him and say to me, ‘I love you, and I am walking through this with you.’ I reached the place where I realized that if He could heal Martin and He hadn’t, then He must have a very good reason. He does not owe me an explanation this side of Heaven. ”

Instead of struggling with the question why, her music centers around some of the spiritual lessons she has learned through Martin’s illness. In her CD, Great God Who Saves and the song, “Perfect Peace,” she sings about God’s promise and provision of perfect peace, provision, and presence. She relates how she realized that despite the storms around her, she had a hiding place in God. When she first heard the final version of the CD, she confesses, “I said, ‘Oh no, I said all that? I’m supposed to be this professional Christian who never doubts or fears. . .’” She discovered that “God’s ok with his children having fears and doubts as long as we bring them to Him.”

Being a performer brings with it unique struggles and challenges, Story says. She comments on the natural tendency to get prideful and enjoy the limelight and attention. “When you’re standing up here with a microphone and a spotlight, it can be deceiving, even to me, but I remember that it’s really all about Him. He deserves the glory.” Story credits her commitment to her local church, Perimeter in Atlanta, for keeping her grounded. “I can do a show on Saturday night and (people are) bringing me bottled water and fruit trays. Then I drive home and go to church the next morning, and I’m the one getting the bottled water and the fruit trays.” This demonstrates the truth that both are ways of serving God. “One way is out in front of an audience with a microphone, and the other is behind the scenes. Both are needed in the Kingdom. It’s not the job you do,” Story states, “it’s the fact that God has called you (to do it) that makes it important.”

Story serves as one of the worship leaders at her church, and is the women’s worship pastor to approximately 150 women. “My time at church fills me up,” she explains. “They send me out, then I go out, and I get filled up. I come back and encourage them. That’s how I know it is a spiritual thing. After every concert, I walk away encouraged. I talk with people afterward, and while I am talking with them, they are ministering to me. It is truly a God thing that two needy people can get together and both come away filled.”

Story’s ministry journey began at age ten. “I grew up in a big Baptist church in Spartanburg, (SC)” she relates. “We were having a revival and the speaker was talking about us all being sinners. I knew that I wasn’t a very good kid, so it made sense that God wouldn’t want me in Heaven with Him. (I remember) hearing the news that Jesus wanted to pay the price for my sin through what He did on the cross, and that I could be clothed in His goodness. It made sense. (I knew) that it was the totally right thing to do.” And her decision to serve Him in ministry? “That part was easy,” she says with a flash of a smile, “Why wouldn’t I want to spend the rest of my life in gratitude to Him?”

To hear more of Laura’s story, visit her website at http://laurastorymusic.com/media/