SUPER BOWL DIP

6 LAYER APPETIZER
2-3 large, ripe avocados
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2 tablespoons mayonaise
8 ounces of sour cream
2 - 8 ounces jars picante sauce
3/4 cup chopped, ripe olives
3 cups (3 medium) chopped, peeled tomatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mash avocados. Stir in garlic powder, lemon juice and mayonaise.
Spread in 12"x8"x2" baking dish. Carefully spread the sour cream on top. Drain picante and spoon over sour cream. Add olives and tomatoes. Sprinkle cheese on top.
Serve with tortilla chips

STRESS, WORRY AND WHAT TO DO

Our lives are so full of activities, schedules, problems and running to and fro. Most of the time it is our ways and our plans. Many times they don't work or we make mistakes. The cycle starts over. Many plans are in a man's heart but the counsel of the Lord will stand.
How comforting. We make mistakes but if we truly seek God's counsel it will stand. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
I see God at work in my life daily but I don't always seek His counsel. I seek my own way. It may work or it may not but God's way will stand.
Keep a focus on Him and His word. Dwell on these things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute and worthy of praise.
May the Lord do what is good in His sight.
1 Chronicles 19:13; Proverbs 3:6, 19:21; Philippians 4:8

Hidden Dangers: Lead in Women's Handbags - The World Newser

Hidden Dangers: Lead in Women's Handbags - The World Newser

"Eat This, Not That"

"Eat This Not That" is a nice series of books that list name brands and which are healthier than others.
They include: "Restaurant Survival Guide", "Supermarket Survival Guide", " No Diet Weight Loss Solution", The Best and the Worst Foods in America", and "Eat This Not That for Kids".
You can get them from their website eatthis.com but they are $20 each. I found the supermarket one at Lakeside.com for $10 but I don't think they have them anymore.
You can find some information on the eatthis website.
This one about supermarket shopping has a lot of information on every section of the supermarket including a money saving section.

Some of their suggestions are:
EAT Breakstone or Organic Valley whipped butter
NOT I Can't Believe Its Not Butter
EAT Uncle Ben's Fast & Natural Whole Grain Instant Brown Rice
NOT Uncle Ben's original Converted Rice
EAT Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
NOT Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
EAT Natures Own Whitewheat Bread
NOT Wonder Classic or Arnolds, Double Fiber 100% Whole Wheat
EAT Krispy Cream Donut - original glaze
NOT Otis Spunkmeyer Banana Nut Muffins or Quakers Banana Oat Muffin Bars (Surprise)
EAT Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, Honey Comb, Honey Nut Cherrios
NOT Lucky Charms, Capn Crunch, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
EAT Better'n Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Co. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl
NOT Jif Crunchy Reduced Fat, Jif, Skippy or Peter Pan Creamy
EAT Oreo Fudgee's, Chips Ahoy, Nabisco Ginger Snaps
NOT Oreo Original, Nilla Wafers, ELFudge original

Very informative and easy to use book.

God is Near

When your world turns upside down and your soul is overwhelmed;
when all turn from your side, the Lord will accomplish what concerns you.
For the sovereign Lord helps me and I will not be disgraced.
In the day of adversity consider, God has made the one as well as the other.
God is near to all who call on Him in truth.
Blessed be the Lord my rock,
my stronghold and deliverer,
my shield and He in whom I take refuge.
How blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord.
Psalms 138:8; 141:1-2; 142:3; 145:4,18; 146:5; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Isaiah 50:7

Matters of the Heart

As God called Samuel to go and anoint a king to follow Saul he said to Samuel,
"Do not look at his appearance. For God sees not as man sees, for a man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

How wonderful God sees past our skin, sizes and all imperfections. He doesn't care about any of that. He cares about our heart which involves our feelings, our will, our understanding, our intellect and our wisdom.

Appearance is such an obsession in our culture. We look up to the Hollywood crowd, athletes, politicians and well-known people in our communities. Eating disorders are wide spread and are causing health issues.

What peace that we could have if we looked up to God only and strive to keep our hearts pleasing to Him.

ROLL, TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!

We have been waiting for snow for several days and the "big day" has arrived. We received only a few flurries. I feel bad for the children because the weathermen get us all excited and then it is a flop. That seems to be the norm in my area - they are wrong more than they are right. We should get some benefit from this cold. Yesterday when the sun was out it was bearable but today it has just been all gloom. Our area is not use to this so it is hard to handle. I guess when the summer gets here we will all be saying it is too hot.
The children were in anticipation of this like it was Santa coming so that was a let down for them. They even announced yesterday afternoon that our schools would be closed today because of the snow storm.

However, we have a bigger excitement in this area for this evening. Our Crimson Tide is playing for the College Football Championship. A large portion of the state of Alabama will be glued to the TV. Roll Tide Roll!!!!!

As I look out my window this morning on a day that is not going to get above freezing I see two birds playing in a tree. They are so carefree and seem to be having so much fun. They don't know that we have about five more days of below freezing weather with possible snow in a couple of days. This kind of cold is unusual for us and it is hard to get motivated.
While watching these birds I immediately thought of the verses in Luke chapter 12 where Jesus tells us to consider the ravens and the lilies and how God knows their needs and He will provide. He knows our needs and we should not be anxious or worry because He will provide for us too. Seek first His kingdom.
As my birds fly around today they are totally leaving it all in God's hands. It can be hard for us to "totally" leave our lives in His hands. We try to figure out our own ways and plans.
It is a growing process to leave it all to Him. We have to keep focused on His ways and not be so wrapped up in the ways of the world. I have found that if I start the morning with prayer and Bible study that my day runs smoother. Obstacles come but there is a peace throughout the day. God will keep in perfect peace those whose mind stays on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)