Month: June 2013

Norn Iron

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Quickly I write!

About to go off to Rosemary and April’s flat for dinner(a surprise meal- I have no idea what’s brewing!), but I wanted to write a few words. Firstly, I need to say that I still maintain Halo soundtrack music is some of the best writing music there is. I still remember writing Finance discussion boards listening to this…and now, as I’ve struggled through my Bible study prep(this coming week! Elijah awesomeness!! Well, not really. More like Elijah despairing. But that doesn’t sound that fun..) – anyways, I’ve gotten my best writing done listening to Halo music. I don’t know why.

So yeah, been working on my Elijah study for the past few hours now. I really should have been working on it all day, but I’ve been procrastinating by drinking coffee and looking at pictures and talking to fam. Oops. But these past few hours have been productive – I now have a very serviceable draft(i.e., I’d be comfortable preaching off my current notes). Tomorrow afternoon, want to tighten it up a bit and work on structure and format, etc. Anyways, I’m sort of looking forward to Wednesday night. Key point – we are not alone. God our Father is with us. Always.

That’s enough of that though. You surely don’t want to hear all my study thoughts!!

Last night was bittersweet. Mostly sweet really! Ruth and Zara came over here for a delicious(if-I-say-so-myself) fettuccine alfredo dinner with me and John. Youtube videos were watched and cake was eaten and laughs were had and funny pictures were taken…and I realized yet again how much I love these guys. Why sad though? Well, Zara’s moving tomorrow(Northern Ireland – home – for a month, then Glasgow in August)…after I helped her move her stuff to her brother’s this morning, we said goodbye. Well, not goodbye. Not forever. But I don’t know when I’ll see her again. And as we hugged farewell, I just…couldn’t help but be a bit sorrowful. She’s been such a friend to me…indescribably so. And so, instead of wasting mean words now, I will simply say a prayer of thanks to my God for giving me a friend such as her. Peace, my friend.

And now, I must away. Dinner calls my name!

Raindrops

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My Friday mocha in hand, relaxing these few minutes before work starts and enjoying this day that the Lord has made!

The wind swirls.
Upward reaches that ever greener crown,
Tears of joy and life softly dripping down,
as that lone magnificent sky wanderer
loops a sweeter song
and lo the scent of good pure earth
burns so sweetly strong.
The wind joins in the chorus,
the peonies, blushing,
join their tongues
and rushing tears of heaven
add their voice.

Praise Him, ye heavens
Praise Him, ye earth
Praise Him, ye trees and birds and flowers bright
with all your laughing mirth.
Praise Him, ye stars above and seas below
Praise Him, ye glorious men and maidens,
Praise Him, our God and King and Christ!
Praise Him, the Lord of all!
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise Him, all the earth!
Praise Him who created,
Him who made us,
Jehovah is His Name.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise Him, all the earth!

Happy Tuesday

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Sadly, my delicious chicken and spinach sandwiches got left in the fridge this morning, but fear not – I am having lunch! Just having subway for the second day in a row! Oops.

Anyways, just wanted to briefly write and say what a glorious weekend was had – spending time with Maryanne and Laura here in Scotland, yo! Pretty awesome, neh? So from hiking on coastal paths to drinking coffee together to hanging out with so many of my friends here…good times were had. And I am – as always – oh so thankful. Tomorrow – Ireland beckons!! And more adventures with Maryanne and Laura. Going to be epic, y’all.

And this morning as I was driving to work, I passed my favorite spot on the route and was stunned anew how fortunate I am to live where I do! Driving on the bridge across the River Dee and looking to my right to see the green hills rise up…looking quite like the Shire in all its beauty…and just grateful that I’m in a place right now where I feel so at home. Truly right now, this is the Shire to me. This is home. But new adventures await – and so soon I will be moving on. But I will never forget these years.

A Song upon the Lips

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So just dashing off a quick post here! I have chicken and potatoes in the oven, set to come out in, oh…four minutes! So I will be quick(maybe). Spent the last few minutes uploading pictures to Walgreens so Mom can pick them up tomorrow. And before that, working on my Elijah study. So difficult because there’s just so much to say!! I pray God will give me further wisdom and grace. Anyway, it’s a great passage – at least I can say I’m encouraged by it! Now, it’s almost time to eat…but first gonna post a quick something I wrote this morning after driving to work. It’s terribly sloppy – why I should never write anything prior to my first cup of coffee – but…I haven’t written anything in so long, so here you go. It faintly echoes my heart. Faintly!

The clouds so dark,
they’re almost purple,
foreboding,
they sneer.
And yet the sea
blue and magnificent
reflects beauty towards
the sky.
Clouds swirl and gather
and sea leaps up
for that misty kiss
and time slows.
The sun breaks through
its morning curtains
and reaches out unto the sea.
And I tremble.
Beauty and bliss
and love divine.
I praise the King.

Tears Unbidden

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The earth belongs unto the Lord,
and all that it contains;
the world that is inhabited,
and all that there remains.

For the foundations thereof
he on the seas did lay,
and he hath it established
upon the floods to stay.

Who is the man that shall ascend
into the hill of God?
Or who within his holy place
shall have a firm abode?

Whose hands are clean, whose
heart is pure
and unto vanity
who hath not lifted up his soul,
nor sworn deceitfully.

He from th’Eternal shall receive
the blessing him upon,
and righteousness, ev’n from the
God
of his salvation.

This is the generation
that after him enquire,
O Jacob, who do seek thy face
with their whole heart’s desire.

Ye gates, lift up your heads on high
ye doors that last for aye,
be lifted up that so the King
of glory enter may.

But who of glory is the King?
The mighty Lord is this;
Ev’n that same Lord, that great in
might
and strong in battle is.

Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye
doors,
doors that do last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.

But who is he that is the King
of glory? Who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he,
the King of glory is.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen! Amen!
Amen!

Seven Thousand

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G’morning y’all! Or actually afternoon if you’re in my timezone – can’t believe it’s already past 1 here. Oops. I got here(Books and Beans) about 9:45 I think? And I’m still here. Well, I got a bit caught up in my Bible study prep – getting ready for 1 Kings 19 in a few weeks time, and I’m getting really excited – such a great passage!! One of my favorites – just because…it’s so encouraging and uplifting and full of God’s awesome power and love. From the lowest low in Elijah’s life to God’s encouraging and exhorting words to then the sovereign pronouncement that we are not alone in this life. God is with us. And so are others. As God says, “I have yet reserved seven thousand that have not bowed the knee to Baal.” We are not alone, y’all, despite the state of this weary world sometimes indicating otherwise. Anyways! I should probably not be preaching a sermon on here, so I will cease. But I’ve had such fun going through this passage this morning. So I lost track of time.

Also posted some old pictures(from Maryanne’s graduation!!) on facebook – reminded me of such good times back in May with the fam. Oh how I am blessed. And now, about to read a bit of Laura’s story and enjoy my ham and cheese sandwich – I think I see the waitress bringing it over now!

Mmm, this looks delicious. I’m gonna eat and read and then run back home – French Open women’s final starting at 2. Sharapova v. Serena Williams! I’m a bit wary – Maria tends to get hammered by Serena..but we’ll see. (Tomorrow, Rafa goes for his 8th French Open title vs. Ferrer!). So this afternoon will be full of tennis and chores back at the flat. Then, dinner with Chris and Jo and Jaime tonight at Cosmo’s! Can’t wait for that! But now, lunchtime, before my sandwich gets cold.

Peace, yo.

Sundew

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Almost half past nine here, and the sun still shines! I have to say – I do so love Scottish summertime evenings! Just getting ready for bed soon, but now drinking my hot cocoa(yes, I can drink cocoa in summer, don’t hate) and contemplating what a sweet and relaxing week it’s been. Especially compared to the brutality that was last week!

So tonight, just had a yummy lasagna dinner(John-made!) and been thanking the Lord for all His goodness to me. Indeed, I have been blessed so much, I can’t even describe. Truly. This period(almost three years!) I’ve been in Aberdeen has been simply grand. And that, my friends, is a fact. So all praise to our God from whom all blessings flow!! All hail the Lord of righteousness and peace. Let us not hold back anything from our King. May our eyes shine with purest love for our God. Our Father. Always.