Month: September 2011

Ignition

James HoganLeave a comment

Only a couple minutes before work starts, but thought I’d dash off a quick entry here!

Been a week of craziness here, but a glorious time of coffee, bacon and reading this morning relaxed me sufficiently to be ready for a sweet day today!! Despite all the issues that I’m sure will crop up, I can be at peace knowing that I am exceedingly blessed and preserved, always!!

And seeing the crimson slice of the sun peek up over the horizon today as I drove to work and being pierced by the early morning rays of light, I could not but help and glory in the presence of our Redeemer! Oh do I enjoy Him so every day!!!

(Of course, it’s a bit sad knowing that the gradually shortening days means I will soon not be able to drive to work in light anymore…oh well. I will still rejoice!)

Also, in sports news, the Rays made it to the playoffs the other night in the most epic fashion imaginable!! Down 9 games to the Red Sox at start of September. Came roaring back to be tied with them on the last day of the season. Orioles beat the Sox in the bottom of the 9th on a single with two outs, two strikes. The Rays, meanwhile, were down to the Yankees 7-0 in the 8th. Comeback capped by an Evan Longoria three-run homer in the 8th, and then a Dan Johnson homer in bottom of the 9th(again, two strikes, two outs!!) Went all the way to the 12th…where 5 minutes after the O’s had defeated the Sox, Evan hit *another* homerun to claim victory and the wild card berth!! Sadly, I was asleep the whole time. Still…absolutely AMAZING. And now they’ll play the Rangers – first game tonight! GO RAYS.

Now that I’ve spent most of my time discussing the Rays, no more time to write! It’s work time…time to dominate it up. Peace. Love you all!!

Like the spring rain

James HoganLeave a comment

And I am far too sleepy to cohesively write, but I wanted to jot down a quick update here anyway! I’ve had such a marvelous weekend in which the mercies and greatness of God have been exceedingly manifest! I cannot doubt the goodness of the Lord. Seeing His faithfulness to me His servant, and experiencing His love day by day – joy unbounded!

And now I don’t think I can do justice to my most sweet and restful weekend. I will say that today(although I spent a few hours at work!) was most awesome. Waking up late(7:30AM feels SO LATE now!), grabbing a peppermint mocha on the way to work, getting a few hours of work done…enjoying a cucumber salad lunch at home with the sun shining brightly through the window and warming my heart…walking through the Aberdeen streets feeling totally relaxed and at peace a midst the jostling crowds…spending some quality time with quality friends and then coming home to the flat and chilling with John here before I drift off to sleep…yeah. Awesomeness. Just know that I cannot cease from praising our God for his goodness. Always. And now, bedtime.

Peace, y’all! Sleep well and have a most glorious week!!

Moonlight Rising

James HoganLeave a comment

So once again, no time for a long update..but relaxing with a nice mug of coffee this Sunday evening and getting ready for a sweet(and most likely hectic!) week. Had an absolutely lovely weekend – got some errands done yesterday while of course making my obligatory Starbucks visit(now frequenting a different location, so sadly not all the baristas know me yet, but Steph Smart works there, so it’s fun seeing her!) and enjoyed some quality time reading and sipping on my mocha, mmm…

Oh and before I go further, you all should also know I’ve moved flats – now a little closer to city centre, living with John Dixon(a guy from church – he’s awesome!!). It’s pretty sweet having a roommate again, been a couple years! Wow, ever since my times at Stoneridge…seems like it was yesterday and years ago, all at once. It’s not bad living on my own, but all in all, I think I prefer being with someone else! God is good, giving me such a sweet place to stay, with such an awesome guy!

And today was just as lovely as yesterday, relaxing yet more and worshiping the Lord at Gilc this morning! Pastor Dominic’s still going through 1 Timothy in the mornings. Afterwards, me and Joel chilled out at the flat before eventually going to evening service(where we heard a powerful and sobering sermon on the “sheep and the goats”, Matt. 25 – we serve a sovereign God – all glory to Him!!). Me and John are now sitting here in the lounge, trying to postpone going to bed…while I type away here, he’s watching Match of the Day(which is sort of like a compilation of all the highlights of all the football games played today). Sadly, there is no real(American!) football shown. Oh well. By the way, Gators beat Tennessee yesterday(wow, I can still remember my first Tennessee game back in ’05!!) and Redskins beat Arizona today! Go Skins!!

And now that I’ve made my way to sports news, it must be almost time for bed! I will be getting up in about six hours, so I guess sleeping would be good. Have a most lovely night, y’all!! Whoever’s reading this(unless you’re someone in the UK!), I’m sure I miss you.

Peace and love.

Swamplands

James HoganLeave a comment

So don’t have a lot of time for a yummy long update now…so you will just have to settle for me showing my face! And yes, I am now back in Scotland after a brief(but supremely wonderful!) couple weeks in Tampa. Got to see so many people that I’ve missed so much my joy cannot be fully expressed. And now as I roll away from Starbucks and walk home on this sleepy rainy day in Aberdeen…

Nameless fear and graceless fall,
hear and bow down, sinners all:

In the Presence, at your altar,
all my weakness praises You.

My spirit sings at Your name
and my eyes shine in Your glory
and my heart is full of wonder
at the sight of Your face.
My spirit weeps in love.
My purpose found.
I am with Thee.
Forever and always.