Month: February 2018

The Steward and the King

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‘Then you think that the Darkness is coming?’ said Éowyn.
‘Darkness Unescapable?’ And suddenly she drew close to him.
‘No,’ said Faramir, looking into her face.
‘It was but a picture in my mind.
I do not know what is happening.
The reason of my waking mind tells me
that great evil has befallen
and we stand at the end of days.
But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light,
and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny.
Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan,
in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!’
And he stooped and kissed her brow.

And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor,
and a great wind rose and blew,
and their hair, raven and golden,
streamed out mingling in the air.
And the Shadow departed,
and the Sun was unveiled,
and light leaped forth;
and the waters of Anduin shone like silver,
and in all the houses of the City men sang
for the joy that welled up in their hearts
from what source they could not tell.

-Tolkien, LotR, p962

Smeared Black Ink

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So it is the exact midpoint of the week.  Wednesday at noon and while I should be beginning my lunch (cheese sandwiches – don’t judge!), I somehow feel like writing a few words instead.  So I shall do that.  Only a very few words though since I am hungry!  Today read a number of passages in my coffee time, but the words that struck me the most came from Romans 5…the first few verses.  And since they so powerfully rocked me, I shall quote them here:

Therefore, having been justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained
our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;
and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,
knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
and perseverance, proven character;
and proven character, hope;
and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

That’s Romans 5:1-5.  And truly, reading those words…does that not stir your soul?  Each line more thrilling than the last – a whirlwind of love and glory, a symphony of hope and awe.  I shan’t talk about all these words as my time and abilities don’t stretch that far….but look at that first line: “Therefore, having been justified by faith.”  This is the bedrock of our salvation – and rather than something as grand and magnificent as some great work that we have done…we have been justified(i.e., had righteousness credited to us) because of our faith alone.  Simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and ye shall be saved.  (And at this point I must mention before I forget…that these words in Romans 5 really must be read with the understanding and context of the first four chapters of Romans.  In which, briefly – our sin and utter damning lack of holiness before God demands a response.  There is no one righteous, not even one. And nothing we do in and of ourselves can atone for our sins or is something we can boast in.  The wages of sin is death.  All we can do as we consider our great and overpowering sin before the face of a holy God is…tremble.  And fall flat on our faces before the Almighty.  And wail and weep.  And yet.  There is an Answer.  There is a Hope.  And that Hope is Jesus Christ, in whom is our redemption and our salvation).

Ahem.  So…in returning to my point, we are justified by faith.  How marvelous is that?  Simple, precious, beautiful faith – believing and trusting in God and understanding that He is able and willing and desirous to save us from our sins(from ourselves!).  And that next line…because of our faith, we have peace with God.  How can we possibly react to this.  We – who are dirty and vile and impure and rotten and dark and lost – have peace with God.  The Creator of the universe and the Most Holy One who sits in the heavens.  We have peace with this God.  We should tremble in awe and adoration at these words – how can it be that our God shouldst grant us this peace?  And one more line…this peace is through our Lord Jesus Christ – of course! – because of what He has done for us.  Our God – died – for – us.  So we now stand, not sit or kneel or even flat on our faces as wouldst be appropriate.  We stand in the grace of God.  And our response?  We sing and dance and praise – we exult in hope of the glory of God, for that is from whence all our joy should spring – that God is glorified in all these wondrous things!

And…funnily enough, this passage continues.  You would think it would be a perfect spot to end – exulting in hope of the glory of God, right?  Wrong.  …we exult in our tribulations. Hm, that’s weird.  Tribulations?  Sounds terrible and not at all appropriate to be part of an uplifting and self-affirming passage as this right?  (Well, there’s your first mistake – this is most definitely not a self-affirming passage!!  If you think that’s the purpose of reading Scripture – to uplift and affirm yourself – you are gravely mistaken).  Anyways.  Our tribulations result in perseverance, proven character…and hope.  So next time you encounter tribulations(perhaps later this afternoon?), rejoice.  And seek that perseverance, proven character and hope that is promised here – for truly, this is a promise from God.  What is God teaching you through your tribulations?  Trust in Him, lean on Him and surely you will rejoice as God honours your acknowledgement of Him alone as the sole Sustainer of your soul.

And now that my appetite begs me to eat lunch…how can I end this?  Simply by reminding you that if and as you are a child of God because of your faith in Him then the Holy Spirit has been given to you.  This is true!  And what a miracle – we have God in us.  We have a Comforter with us at all times.  And because of this Spirit, the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.  Let me repeat – the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.  Does that even make sense to you?  It takes me aback.  I question it.  I wonder.  I certainly don’t always feel that.  Yet.  It is true.  As children of God, we have been abundantly and staggeringly blessed with the love of God Himself.  Consider that as you go throughout your day.  Next time you’re tempted to complain or fear or snap…pause.  The love of God has been poured out within your heart.  Stunningly beautiful words.  Meditate on them.  What cause have we for grief and sorrow in the face of such an overwhelming jewel of light and beauty as this?  The love of God has been poured out within your heart.  Remember.

Las Locas

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…it is a lovely(grey) morning here in H-town. And as my day begins(the best way possible – with peppermint mocha and yummy breakfast tacos), I just wanted to wish you all a happy Friday! It is true that not all seems bright and cheery in this world, but nevertheless, we shall – I shall! – rejoice and be glad in the knowledge that I am a child of the living God. The world is surely dark and filled with terrors yet above the stretching clouds of doom the stars glimmer with promises of glory. And inward sings the testimony of the most sacred Witness. Be still, my soul.

the Pathetique

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Far above the Ephel Duath in the West the night-sky was still dim and pale.
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains,
Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while.  The beauty of it smote his heart,
as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him.
For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end
the Shadow was only a small and passing thing:
there was light and high beauty
forever beyond its reach.

-Tolkien, LotR, p922

Northampton

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends and happy Wednesday!  I am most sleepy and thus shall not write long…(even though at some point would love to chronicle my past weekend in North Carolina…), but for now – my latest read:

5.  Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain Murray.  My second favourite biography of all time…and one of my very favourite books ever.  I hadn’t read it in a few years and I thought it was time.  And yes – it was as encouraging and inspiring and convicting as ever.  I do love it so.  One of the great men of God, humble and longing to please God in all things.  Would I possess even a small fraction of his love and passion for God.  Murray’s writing is – as always – enthralling and uplifting and supremely factual, while also seeking to glorify God in the telling of a story of a man.  The book is truly a story of the works of God, not the works of man.  And that is what I love.  And this book did something all good books should do – it got me pointed to my next read – now reading the diary of David Brainerd, which has continued to deeply convict and encourage me.  Oh that I might be more conscious of God and His glories and less desirous of mine own.  

Contradictory Wildcats

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 Happy Thursday friends!!  It’s very sadly not cold outside anymore(not close to cold, even.  It’s approximately 75.  Ugh)…but I still can’t complain.  I have my peppermint mocha here, which is…not traditional for Thursdays, but that’s just because tomorrow I won’t be going to work – no, tomorrow at this time I’ll be in airport awaiting my flight to Charlotte to see Maryanne.  Hurrah!!  Can’t wait for that.  We shall have a glorious weekend of being together and doing adventerous things…mostly I just am looking forward to good chats.  Anything else going on here in Texas…?  Not terribly much…last night was a relaxing evening hanging out with John.  Had sushi and watched Rogue One, which is a very good Star Wars movie indeed.  Even if everyone does die(oh – spoilers much?  My apologies.  Not really, it came out over a year ago – no excuses!)  It was more emotional than I remember it being…and it has one of the best combined space/land battles in all of Star Wars.  Much explosive, laser-filled fun!  This morning had a nice breakfast at home while I continued my read through Acts.  Sadly I’m over closer to the end than the beginning of the book….am much enjoying reading about Paul and his missionary journies presently.  Today read about his trials and travails in Corinth, Ephesus and a few other places.  Was encouraged by seeing the works of the Lord in saving so many…also convicted by how the people of Ephesus responded.  They burned over 50,000 pieces of silver’s worth of “magic books”, etc. If only we all were so serious about our sin and what distracts us from loving and honouring God with all our might.  Truly – as I read last night in Edwards biography, “…the love and the pursuit of true holiness is the enduring mark of the true Christian.”  Lovely.  I definitely am most enjoying reading this biography lately – I now remember why it is one of my all-time favorites.  Oh that I might live with even a tenth of Edward’s passion and desire to know Christ more.  And…as I continue to ramble, I think ’tis too late to start a new paragraph now, so shall just leave this all messy and of one piece.  Honestly, it is probably time I end this and sip my peppermint mocha in peace as I meditate on the goodness of God and look forward to what He shall do this day.  Oh!  And speaking of mochas, while at Starbucks today, got a surprise Katie sighting…she is only working one day a week lately due to nursing school, etc – and apparently got switched to Thursdays.  So we enjoyed chatting for a couple minutes – this past Sunday she was at Bethel on a panel talking to middle-schoolers about dating and all that…they definitely need it!!!  (I probably could have used something similar back in the day, honestly…)  Anyways, we had solid people on all these panels(at least on the girls’ side – know it was Megan, Emily, Erica & Katie…can’t go wrong!).  Now I continue to type and yet there is no point.  So I shall rest my fingers and think and ponder for real.  Peace, my friends.

new Sun Rising

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday friends!! It is a lovely cold morning(below 40 for what is most likely the last time this year!) so yes I enjoyed it to the uttermost…almost as much as I’m enjoying on my peppermint mocha now(I must confess I had a brief dalliance with the new cherry mocha yesterday…for all its bright allure, it was most definitely not worth it. I am ashamed for even thinking of abandoning stalwart peppermint. Never again). I’m also a bit sleepy, as last night went to Rockets game to celebrate Danielle’s birthday! Angela and others of Danielle’s friends were there and good times were had by all. Oh and yeah Rockets beat Mavs(of course). Houston triumphant! Anyways – today shines bright another day and I must simply be thankful knowing it is the day the Lord has made – let us rejoice and be glad in it, yeah? Peace, my friends – peace and love.

Renewed

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Happy Saturday friends!!  Finally a bit of a time to rest here.  This morning I woke up to the rain falling…and falling…and falling.  An afteraffect of Harvey is that every time it rains a lot here in Houston…we all(well at least me) get slightly anxious.  Not quite post-traumatic-stress-disorder…but it’s definitely a thing.  Anyways, while I really wanted to just have a lovely relaxing morning with a big mug of coffee and leisurely quiet reading time as the rain slowly poured down outside…alas, it was not to be.  Deacons meeting at 7:30, so I did have my mug of coffee and reading time, but not quite as leisurely as I would have liked.  Good productive meeting, welcoming the four new deacons – welcome Earnie!! – and listening to Alex lay out some of the goals and desires of the elders.  I was much encouraged to know God has blessed this church with such good and wise and God-fearing leaders.  Following meeting…gassed up car and grabbed groceries…then figured I’d at least stop by Starbucks to see if any friends were there.  Lo and behold – barista Katie was there, whom I hadn’t seen in ever so long!  Got my espresso and chatted with her for a while…good catch-up hearing about her life of late…finally let her actually do her job and left to get haircut.  Now I am officially ready for North Carolina trip next week – in which I get to see Maryanne and Deanna – hurrah!!!  Can’t wait. 

Now that I’ve spent far FAR too many words discussing my really pretty boring morning…I suppose I will end this and get back to my lunch.  Grilled cheese and tomato soup as I watch the Leicester City/Man City football.  A little touch of Britain this afternoon.  Apparently I am in a nostalgic mood.  Alright for serious – back to lunch!  Maybe after this I will have a little nap, as I must confess I had minimal sleep last night…ended up watching several episodes of Suits with Julie last night and staying up far later than planned….so yes, a nap sounds wonderful. 

Peace, my friends.  Peace and love.

grey and Restful skies

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So tonight is finally here – Friday night at last!! I sit now on the couch, having just a nice little walk(up Heights to 11th and then back down again…). I must confess I am ever so thankful that I’m able to live in this gorgeous neighborhood where the walk is so beautiful. Tonight sadly wasn’t that cold out(alas – the cold is fleeing!), but my feet still felt like wandering. The skies grey and almost depressing…but not quite, for the bare branches of winter waved to me in the breeze and all was well. Now time to make a (somewhat delicious!) burrito dinner…and hopefully after that a relaxing reading evening will be had. Looking forward to reading some J. Edwards biography. And then later tonight, Julie is planning to stop by after she finishes work…so I have no doubt we’ll enjoy some quality chat time. Now my friends – this short entry comes to an end. My mind is restless and can’t dwell upon the page. My thoughts fly up to the heavens. The skies are grey and wistful yet. And I sigh for I have been given rest.

Liability

James HoganLeave a comment

So about to start this Wednesday(thankfully have a nice hot cup of coffee in front of me to aid and assist in this endeavour!)…just thought I’d share a few brief thoughts.

Firstly, was listening to my newest mix Tears of Nienna – which at some point, yes, I will post tracklist for – and as the CD wound down, I heard Taylor Swift’s “New Year’s Day”…a song laced with gorgeous piano, but apart from that, one line struck me: “Hold onto your memories, they will hold onto you.”  Apart from Taylor’s intended meaning for this, the line struck me because indeed, memories have such a strong hold on us at times.  The Lord knows I can surely fall into the nostalgia trap…I do so love thinking about dear memories and pondering the treasured past at times.  Do I do this too much?  Sometimes, yes.  It’s not a bad thing to think or recall the good things in your past – or indeed – remembering the deeds of the Lord in your life up to this point!  But – of course there was a but coming – we should be striving to live in the moment and press on to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  We don’t want our memories to hold onto us.  All things in this life should be held loosely, even our memories of times most sweet.  Only one thing should we cling to – our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Secondly, this morning I read about Peter coming to preach to Cornelius and his household of heathens(i.e., Gentiles).  What a marvelous, momentous occasion was this.  For so long it was thought that salvation and the grace of God was limited to the Jews…now…God decreed and made manifestly known that the gift of eternal life was for all.  Peter was commanded to preach the gospel to these non-Jews(horror!) and he obeyed.  And God poured out His Holy Spirit upon them even as they heard the gospel of God.  The impact of this event can not be overstated.  Salvation and eternal blessings and ceaseless glory belong to all who believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no barrier based on nation, race or creed.  How amazing is the love of God.  Amen?  Amen.