Lay it ALL down...

I am still reading the book by Anne Graham Lotz, "The Magnificent Obsession".  In a nutshell, Abraham's magnificent obsession with God, his faith...he knew God as his friend.

I came across a paragraph tonight, that struck straight to my heart.  Mind you, this part of the book is talking about when Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son,  Isaac.  Hence, the picture.

She writes talking about her son, "God commanded me to lay him down on the altar of sacrafice.  Unlike Abraham, I wrestled mightly with the painful command.  Finally, God seemed to whisper in my heart, Anne, are you trying to protect your son from ME?  What do you think you can do better for him than I can?"

Wow, talking about hit me in the face... is this so true, what am I holding onto in my life, that I cannot surrender?  It is easy to say... I surrender all... Have I really surrendered all?  Do I trust God enough?  Do I have faith and commitment like Abraham?  "If you want to receive the fullness of His blessing, you must lay it all down.  Lay it down!".

Bite Size is always better...

I read my calendar today, "Trials build patience, make us strong, and teach us that sometimes prayer and truffles do go together."

I had just made a "Ding Dong Cake" for a birthday party.  I made bite size for dinner's dessert.  So yummy, as Layton says.

The recipe for the cake is :      http://shewoodtime.blogspot.com/2010/08/ding-dong-cake.html

Just DO...

Today's verse: Mark 10:27

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

In reading Joyce Meyer this morning, she quoted,
"If you will do what you can do, God will do what you cannot do."
I find this to be so liberating, it is exhausting thinking that I must handle everything. Once again, I do not own the universe! I do my part, and God does his! Yea!

GiGi and Layton...

My men...

I need some sugar...kisses...

Layton is eating sugar, and I need some sugar, I mean kisses...I have not seen him in a few days, I am having withdrawals...I know, I know, I am spoiled ...I love being able to see Layton often...

11346 Sandy Grove Ct, Flint, TX 75762...

New Listing...

Sparkling Pool awaits you! House Beautiful in Woodhollow Subd/Flint. Inviting entry open to family room, formal dining, kitchen and hearth room. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Large master suite with sitting area, master bath complete with jetted tub and shower, two vanities, and walk in closet. Jack n Jill bath separating the guest bedrooms. Spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and dining area, computer desk, pantry, cozy half bath and utility room. Hearth room opens off of the kitchen and family room. Built in's, great flow for entertaining. Updated paint in last two years, ceramic tile and carpet throughout. Sprinkler and alarm system. Roof replaced Dec 2010. Covered patio, cement decking, opens to a beautiful free style saltwater, gunite pool with flagstone coping. Irregular shaped yard wraps around each side of the house, even a garden spot on back of the property with a manual sprinkler! Country setting, peaceful, waiting for you to call Home! More pics, click below...

Lorri Loggins, 903-571-8033 ~ The virtual tour for this property can be viewed by clicking the link below: http://vu.realbiz360.com/Listing-608204.html

Chillin...

Yep, cutie pie...

Tips and Tricks...

Of course, on our Snow Day, we have watched a ton of TV. I heard a lady today, giving tips for stains, after a party (Super Bowl)... you just know you are going to love these!

1. Wing sauce on shirt ~ clean with lemon juice and salt. Yes, really?

2. Glass rings on tables? Yes, I have those sometimes and nothing gets them off, well, try mayonnaise on a cloth. Wipe clean with sponge, or rag... just sayin'...



Now, aren't you glad I blogged this insignificant stuff today? :)

Chocolate Fudge Pie...

On facebook today, one of my friend's posted "Fudge Pie". I had to make it. So EASY!

"Chocolate Fudge Pie"

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

3 T Hershey's cocoa

1 stick butter

1 t vanilla

2 well beaten eggs

dash salt

Melt butter and chocolate. Add sugar and flour. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir until smooth and pour into greased pie plate. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Delish!

Snow Day February 4, 2011...

My angel...I kind of dug my heels in too hard... :)

Pond frozen over with snow on top...

Gazing ball has a snow cap...

My lil' tree...

A perfect snow day! Jason and I had the day together at home. We ate, took a walk in the snow and took pics, ate, dozed, worked on computers, ate, watched TV, ate, relaxing day! :)

Ta Da...

Today's verse, Proverbs 3:6
"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths".

I have pondered on this verse for several days. How much is too much when talking about God in our personal lives as well as our business environment? Have you ever caught yourself praising, or talking about God, and you think to yourself, maybe I should not, for fear of offending a co-worker or an acquaintance? Okay, if you haven't, maybe I am the only one that has, and I have to ask forgiveness in this area of my life on a continual basis. I have read this verse dozens of times, but it now brings a new meaning to me! The verse says "in ALL your WAYS acknowledge him... I suppose I shall continue to walk daily with my God and let him lead me in the right path.

PS I do not know why I picked the picture of Porky, but he looks as if he is saying "Ta Da"...

My angel...

This post will be long...I am writing for myself. I am re-posting this blog from last year. I need to read this post, because this morning I read Psalm 91 and was reminded how God has angels protecting me, I even Facebooked the verse this morning, because it had such an impact on me.

This image has been on my mind since Saturday, when the flood happened. I have a house that the pipes burst. I took several pics with my phone. This one is in the garage. This image on the right is ? Some say a reflection, but this is my Angel. Call me crazy, but I believe.

This morning during my quiet time, I was reading the last chapter of 2 Samuel. In a nutshell, the Lord was angry with Israel. He sent Gad, a prophet, to David, with a message from the Lord, with 3 options that he was going to carry out against him. One was 3 years of famine, one was 3 months of fleeing from enemies, and the other was 3 days of plague. David's reply was, " I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his MERCY is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men." So the Lord sent a plague. Many died. As the angel was going to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved and said to the angel "ENOUGH, WITHDRAW YOUR HAND!". At the end of the chapter, David built an altar to the Lord and the Lord answered prayer and the plague was stopped.

So, then this morning, after 2 Samuel, I was reading Psalms 91. OMG...this Psalm is basically talking about trusting in God and his protection for us. It recounts 2 Samuel. Ps 91 5-7, in a nutshell, You will not fear pestilence, plague, or thousands that fall at your side. Ps 91:9-12, "If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the Lord, who is my refuge--then NO harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning YOU to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

You know I could go on and paraphrase the end of the Ps 91, but I just have to quote it, because the Bible has such powerful passages that no one can say any better, so here is the actual verses.

Ps 91:14-16

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

I myself, am so blessed, but I do have hurts, troubles, disappointments. BUT, I do acknowledge God's name, and I know he will answer me, and I know his MERCY (compassion) is perfect. God will only ALLOW what we can handle. I would like to hear God say "Enough, Withdraw your hand" to an angel... He clearly says, he has angels that concern me, and they will guard me.

So, the picture above, I believe, is an angel protecting me. Right behind the garage is the ceiling that fell through. I was being so careful to not stand anywhere that may cave in. I know some that read this will be skeptical, and you can, it is your right. BUT, I cannot forget this image. I take hundreds of pictures of houses and I have never seen this! Hmmmm...what do you think?

Chicken Salad...

The very Best Chicken Salad

A good friend of mine, Carol, gave me this recipe, a long time ago. I cannot even remember the amounts she gave me. I normally just dump, but I have tried to measure in order to give you this recipe.

My disclaimer:

I may add more or less of each ingredient. :)

(1) Pkg Frozen Chicken Breast-around 12 small. (4 1/2 cups chopped)

2 cups chopped celery, very fine

2 cups purple grapes, halved

2 cups chopped pecans

(1) Bottle Brianna's Homestyle Poppy Seed Dressing

Boil chicken, cool and chop. In a large mixing bowl, add celery, grapes and pecans. Pour about 1/2- 3/4 bottle of Poppy Seed Dressing, mix and chill.

You may want to add more dressing after chilling. This recipe is great to make the day before.

PS If you want to make Gluten Free-use Maple Grove Farms Fat Free Poppy Seed Dressing. It is a wonderful dressing. It is also fat free. I normally, use half Brianna's and 1/2 Maple Grove Farms.

Carry the Bible...

My Aunt Michelle sent this to me today, pretty good! and it works!

When you carry the Bible

Satan gets a headache.

When you open it, he collapses.

When he sees you reading it, he faints.

When he sees that you are living what you read, he flees.

And when you are about to re-post this message, he will try and discourage you.

I just defeated him !!!! Our God is an Awesome God!!!

Valentine Day Shoot for Layton...

Pictures by Red Dirt Studio... cutie pie!

Likeness?...

Today's verses: Ezekiel 1

"Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Well, I am now in Ezekiel, whoooo Jeremiah was a tough book for me to read. I have to admit, I did not understand Jeremiah, maybe parts, but wow, I need God to explain that book. :) Ezekiel is fascinating so far. I am no scholar, and I tend to read and picture what I am reading. Just look at the description above, the appearance of the likeness of the GLORY of the Lord. We will all fall facedown, can you even imagine...there is nothing on this earth, that can compare... I sure cannot explain these verses, just sayin'...

My buddy...

Without Flash...

With Flash...what a difference the flash makes...hmmm...

We had lil man for dinner tonight after he and Boo Boo got a haircut! The light of my life, yes he is!

January 2011 Postcard...

If you would like to be on my mailing list, just email me at Lorri@LorriLoggins.com

New Day...

Today's Verse, Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

The meaning of compassion is to recognize the sufferings of others and then take action to help.

Notice that the word in Lamentations is "compassions"...God recognizes all of us, all of our problems, all of our hurts, all of our pain, and he starts over every morning. I don't know about you, but that is comforting to me.

I have been thinking about how people live without God in their lives. There are so many different religions, idols, whatever you want to call them, but in John 14:6 it says,

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "

I think that is plain and simple, don't you!

Just give me Jesus! :)