Month: March 2013

The Gardener

James HoganLeave a comment

And now this fine Easter Sunday, my dinner is about to be enjoyed! But I thought I would write a line or two first, just to say how gloriously great it is to rejoice this day of days! As we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, let us sing in purest love and perfect wonder!! Let us dance in most blissful joy!!!

And now, time for my dinner – I don’t know if it’s a proper Easter dinner, but it will be good. Lamb burgers, baked potatoes and green bean casserole. Good hearty food. God be praised.

Peace, y’all!!

Far Green Country

James HoganLeave a comment

My eyes are heavy with sleep at this late hour. But before I go off to my bed, just wanted to say how sweet a night this has been! Went to church and with my dear brothers and sisters, celebrated the most perfect atoning sacrifice of all time this Good Friday at church tonight – Jesus, God’s own Son! And then, as a perfect end to a most exhausting week, me and John ate apple pie and ice cream and are now watching Return of the King. Awesomeness.

And now, just again – wanted to say how thankful I am for the absolutely amazing friends I’ve been granted! As hard as this past week has been, I’ve been encouraged and strengthened more than I knew possible. From hearing from friends far and near who have been praying for me…to going over to friends’ flat for a chill dinner in the middle of the week, just so I wouldn’t have to worry about cooking and could relax! And now this night, chilling with John and realizing yet again how my Father God has kept me going this week, despite myself and my worries and fears! So yeah, I’m pretty thankful, y’all. Remind me of all this when next I start grumbling!

Now, back to end of the Return of the King. Frodo and Sam trudge ever so slowly up Mount Doom. The volcano looms ever more menacing as they crawl up its slopes. I feel like I’ve known that feeling! Sam’s thinking about hazel thickets and strawberries. Oh Sam. One of my all-time favorite moments – “I can’t carry it for you…but I can carry you!” Oh Sam.

Now truly – going to finish watching one of my favorite movies and then drift into the sweet arms of sleep…

Potentate of Time

James HoganLeave a comment

It’s early Wednesday morning – the middle of a mad, mad week…and I thought I would just briefly share one of my favorite songs of all time- one which we sung part of on Sunday evening at Gilc. Simply glorious.

Crown Him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of him
who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son,
the God incarnate born,
whose arm those crimson trophies won
which now His brow adorn;
fruit of the mystic rose,
as of that rose the stem;
the root whence mercy ever flows,
the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God,
before the worlds began,
and ye who tread where he hath trod,
crown Him the Son of Man;
who every grief hath known
that wrings the human breast,
and takes and bears them for His own,
that all in Him may rest.

Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
who died, and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace,
whose power a scepter sways
from pole to pole, that wars may cease,
and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end,
and round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown him the Lord of love,
behold His hands and side,
those wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his burning eye
at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven,
enthroned in worlds above,
crown Him the King to whom is given,
the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns,
as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords,
who over all doth reign,
who once on earth, the incarnate Word,
for ransomed sinners slain,
now lives in realms of light,
where saints with angels sing
their songs before Him day and night,
their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years,
the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou has died for me;
thy praise and glory shall not fail
throughout eternity.

Bracing

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Saturday, y’all!!

Comfortably sitting at Books and Beans, with a very sad empty mocha cup in front of me. Shortly think I’ll go downstairs and get a sandwich, but now just enjoying sitting here. Been here a few hours now, some of that time been spent enjoyably writing messages to people and reading(Psalm 59 is awesome, just so you know!) and some of that time trying to remotely put out work fires in preparation for big project next week. It wearies me, yet I must conquer.

Now, I’m trying to think if I have any burning issues that I simply must write about, but at the moment, no? Maybe I’ll suddenly become inspired once I’m back home? Oh – definitely been enjoying the ongoing NCAA tourney – it’s madness! Kansas State loses to La Salle! Florida Gulf Coast dismantles Georgetown! Thankfully Florida stomped NW State last night for their first victory, next up – Minnesota tomorrow night!

Now, I think it is lunch time. Still not sure what I’ll make for dinner tonight, but I’ll think of something. Ham and cheese panini, yes. And then out into the gloriously windy day!

Life

James HoganLeave a comment

So yes – I really should be going to bed soon now, even as I sense sleep crouching like a hungry lioness, waiting to pounce. But no! Not yet, I say. I’m eating a delicious cupcake(yeah, the girls that live downstairs are excellent bakers, this I cannot deny!) and just enjoying sitting here on my bed, warm and at peace.

But the reason I am posting this entry? Just wanted to mark this momentous occasion – Chris and Jo are expecting a baby!!!! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!! Seeing the pictures of tiny baby(12 weeks old right now!) this night…wow. Oh how wonderful! Oh how miraculous! And yes, I am ridiculously happy for them. I now wish I could ensure I’d be living in Scotland until their baby is born!

And now I will continue to eat my celebratory cupcake and think on the staggering wonder of life. Oh is our God amazing!!

Rainy Days

James HoganLeave a comment

Saturday afternoon here in the flat! Would have written earlier in Books and Beans…but for some reason their internet wasn’t working. I spent the time cleaning out my computer and finding lots of old random pictures and videos. I realized it’s been four years since I’ve been in college. Wow.

Anyways, now back at home and going to read a bit this fine wet afternoon. Soon enough, going to walk down to Sainsbury’s to pick up ingredients for chicken parmesan tonight! I figure that’ll be a nice meal as I watch the Gators play basketball – going up against Alabama in the SEC tourney semifinals. Go Gators!! Sadly I can’t watch it with dad, alas.

Before I get to my book, just thought I’d leave you with the tentative playlist for my newest CD. Approve? It’s my “preparation for summer” CD. And yes. Summer is coming. Eventually.

Peace y’all!!

1. Oohs and Ahhs – Needtobreathe
2. Charlie Brown – Coldplay
3. High of 75 – Relient K
4. Last Summer – Lost Prophets
5. Arise Shine – Hope Bible Church
6. Oh My Stars – Andrew Belle
7. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye
8. We are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift
9. Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord – Hope Bible Church
10. Time of Your Life – Green Day
11. In Your Sleep – Andrew Belle
12. You Belong with Me – Taylor Swift
13. All Those Pretty Lights – Andrew Belle
14. Crags and Clay – Gungor
15. The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkle
16. 22 – Taylor Swift
17. Stars – Switchfoot
18. One Day More! – Les Miserables International Cast
19. Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain – London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
20. Amen – London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir

Evensong

James HoganLeave a comment

This evening I sip on my coffee and read from my book, Spiritual Depression, by M. Lloyd Jones. I have to say, I really think it should have a different title, as the current one was initially a bit off-putting to me. I feared that the book would end up being depressing in and of itself! But happily my fears were for naught, as it’s been delightfully encouraging and wonderful to read. So instead of writing a lot of my own words tonight, just thought I’d leave you with a brief quote from it, at the end of the chapter titled ‘Weary in Well Doing’.

“Well, remind yourself of your blessed Master and look to Him and ask Him to forgive you for ever having allowed yourself to be weary. Look at your life again in this way, and as certainly as you do so, you will find that you are filled with a new hope, a new strength, a new power. You will not not need your artificial stimulants or anything else, for you will find that you are again thrilled with the privilege and joy of it all, and you will hate yourself for having grumbled and complained, and you will go forward still more gloriously, until eventually you will hear Him saying: ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord’, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'” – M.Lloyd Jones

Truly, this is only a small sample of the awesomeness of this book. If you need a new book to read, I heartily recommend this one!

Now, I think I shall read a bit more before John turns on the TV. It is Suits night, after all!

God Always Richly Provides

James HoganLeave a comment

So I’m a bit sleepy this night.

And today at work was the definition of hectic as my project not-so-slowly begins to heat up in anticipation of end-of-the-month deadline and so right now I’m weary and dreading the coming days just a bit…and yet. God richly blessed today, as always. And He will continue to do so. Now. And forever.

Now, in preparation of my pizza and salad dinner(perfect Tuesday meal, no??), computer goes off as I contemplate the beauty of my Lord.

Light Uncloaked

James HoganLeave a comment

Before I turn off my computer for the night, thought I would just say again how amazing of a day this Sunday has been! A beautiful evening service at church(rejoicing in the sovereignty and love of our God!!) and some pretty sweet times talking with friends afterwards. As always.

And now I sit cozy in the lounge, nice and warm and at peace. Me and John are enjoying some pretty awesome apple pie(if I do say so myself) and now I think it’s time to get back to that, my coffee and my book. Blessings in abundance! Peace and love, my friends. Always.

Clouds and Snow

James HoganLeave a comment

So as I look outside the window now, I see the grey skies of this morning have vanished, although snow still graces the rooftops and lingers on the pavement below. But the winds of winter are strong, sending beautiful cottony clouds to billow across the blue of the sky. And the sun shines!

I did so think that winter was over and spring was coming, but apparently I was mistaken. Awoke this morning to see – snow everywhere!! So I spent a nice morning with my eggs and coffee and reading before tramping through the snow to church. And oh what a joyous time at church it was!! Singing with all our hearts(Psalm 24 was particularly lovely – The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains! …who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty!) and enjoying being together as a church – an amalgamation of people from all over this earth, people from all walks of life and manner of living. And yet we all share a common bond – we are heirs of God and brothers of Christ and bought by the blood of this Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit and desirous of being with our King and God forever and ever!! And so today, as our local fellowship of believers in Christ – what a wonder it is that I have been blessed so be included therein!! – met for the first time as a new church, we couldn’t help but exult in the Lord and worship him oh so heartily!! We are no longer part of the Church of Scotland – nay, we are no longer tied to an organization who deems servility to the world of higher value than being submissive to Christ and all He has told us in His Word. And so this new church – Gilcomston Church – is no less a church because we are not tied to a denomination or hierarchy of men. Gilcomston Church remains part of the church universal – the body of Christ – and as we long to worship Him in spirit and truth with all our might and all our heart and all our soul, I simply bow my head and rejoice in my spirit. That God has blessed me so…by putting me with people here with such a passion for God and His Word – what have I done to deserve this? Nothing. And yet God blesses me.

And indeed, God our Father – the King of glory! – has blessed our simple church. And as we rejoiced this morning in song and word and love(Dominic had a beautiful sermon from Psalm 98…oh, how we long for the return of the King!), I was overwhelmed by what God has done for us. He has given us much. May our hearts continue to cry out to Him all day long and through the watches of the night! And if you are reading this and don’t know our church, pray for us, I ask. Pray for us.

And I was not planning on writing all that, but I shall let it remain.

Now time to prepare some dinner before evening service! Oh how I love Sundays! A day to worship God and enjoy the rest He has given me and be at peace in my soul. And y’all – I pray that you may have such a peace – a peace as sweet as the most beautiful sunrise, and no less glorious. Grace and peace.