Author: James Hogan

To The Shops

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So I was planning on writing a long and interesting entry here today. Really!! I’m here at Starbucks for the first time in a while – just felt like getting out and about and being somewhat public in my coffee-drinking and computering – and I thought surely I’d then feel in the mood to write for a while. Sadly, that has not turned out to be the case. I have been (mildly) productive at least. Gotten a few correspondences written and just now written my shopping list – planning a dinner of baked cod and mashed potatoes tonight and it shall be glorious – this I declare!!

Any other news? I suppose I could ramble on and on about nothing in particular, but that doesn’t sound appealing at the moment. Just know that it is a quiet September morning here and although not all is as I would wish it, I trust in the Lord. Truly a lesson I need to be learning of late. Sometimes it seems I try to make things happen of my own volition and that…doesn’t always work. Yet it is also no good to simply sit back and “wait for God to work”. It’s a balance of having faith in my God that He is working…and also taking steps in faith, trusting God that He is working in and through me, each and every day. Oh that I would ponder on the mercies and glories of God more. The things of this world are pale and thin indeed when compared to the glories of knowing my God.

Remember that, always.

Peace, my friends – peace and love.

A Dream Near Realised

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A lovely morning. The air is cool(for Texas!), the peppermint mocha is hot and I slowly wake up here at my desk. I much enjoyed my reading this morning…as I read a few chapters in 2 Samuel(the ark being brought into Jerusalem – oh how David celebrated at the glory of His God! And the promise of God that the Davidic kingdom would be…forever. A achingly sweet herald of Christ who is promised). Also read some in one of my favourite books – Hebrews. Oh how wonderful…it stirred my soul. And it reminded me that too often I let myself be distracted and weighed down by things that do not matter. Too often do I seek pleasure and satisfaction in the dregs of this world instead of looking to Him that sits at the right hand of God. Oh why does my passion wax and wane so? If only I could be consistent in my honour and love for Christ. I am weak. But gloriously, wondrously – my God is strong and holds me close. And on my commute – listened to some of one of Dominic’s old sermons on 2 Peter 2(coincidentally – the sermon that was preached the evening service the week Mom and Dad were in Aberdeen with me – what sweet memories I have of that time!!). Listening to Dominic preach on the grave dangers of false teaching and the high regard in which we should hold the truth of God’s revelation to us reminded me yet again how I am most insufficient in and of myself. Do I get angry at the slights that are constantly made against my Lord and God? Do I defend the honour of my Lord in my life with my thoughts, words and deeds? Sadly I must confess I am oh too imperfect. I am most unworthy. But – glory be to Christ – that matters not. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. For me.

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;
and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is
good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods,
through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have
no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood
is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering
for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also,
that He might sanctify the people through His old blood,
suffered outside the gate.

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city,
but we are seeking the city which is to come.
-Hebrews 13:7-14

Cauldrons and Kernels

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Ingredients: Four cans tomato sauce. Two cans stewed tomatoes. Two baby cans tomato paste. 1 can water. Small amount of sugar. Copious amounts of: celery salt, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, ground black pepper. Chopped: two green peppers, 1 white onion.
Directions: Cook until done
Addendum: Delicious amounts of spicy italian sausage(cooked, please)
Further directions: Blend all until…smooth?

Result: Delicious concoction?

I don’t know if I would go that far, but it is more tasty than many things I have eaten, this is for sure.

It was fun seeing Julie today for the first time in…weeks? We had a most wonderful chat. Driving in much Houston traffic constrained by many flooded roads was not as nice.

I also was somewhat productive in mailing a nice fat letter off to far away lands of St. Louis.

Also – my phone decided to rebel as it apparently does not want to celebrate its fourth birthday this month!! After literally hours of research and trial and error and some fun phone hacking, I think I have stomped out the rebellion. For now.

This is a bit of an odd format for an entry – I know!! I am in a bit of a spacey and meditative mood just now, methinks.

Following the closure of this post, I will begin evening reading time. (I have just finished David Copperfield – marvelously overwritten and I care not – the characters were so beautifully drawn, I was pulled speedily through the story!) I have just now(as of last night) begun The Yearling. A long treasured book that I have not read since I was a boy. So far – wonderful.

Now I truly shall bid you all adieu. It has been a long and strange week here in the rain-sodden land of Houston. God is sovereign and God is good. Always.

Love and peace, dear friends.

Renewed

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So I’ve been reading through Deuteronomy of late, and while I’ve known for a while how wonderful of a book it is…I think I appreciate it even more as I have read through it this past time! There are many reasons why this latest read has encouraged me, but I think I just appreciate the fact that the laws God gives are a reflection of who God is. And at the end of the day, obeying God is – as according to the words of Deut 12:28 – doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord Almighty. Do we truly care about what God thinks? We should long to obey and please Him – not because it will benefit us(though it will!), but because to obey God, pleases God. And as a child of my Father God, oh do I wish to please my Lord. A small excerpt from my Psalm reading this morning that echos my heart…

My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
I have told of my ways,
and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So I will meditate on Your wonders.
My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.
I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.
-Psalm 119:25-32

Over the Rainbow

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All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live
and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your forefathers. You
shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years,
that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His
commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not
know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread
alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not
wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. Thus you are to know in your heart that
the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, you shall keep
the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and
springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and
pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in
which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig
copper. When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land
which He has given you.
-Deuteronomy 8:1-10

A Severe Mercy

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It truly is remarkable how wonderful the love of God is.

Oft times it seems that difficult and trying times are ours for no good reason. We can easily shiver as the cold winds of tribulation blow. Yet, do we understand the love of God? Do we truly know in our heart of hearts that we have a Father in heaven? If we do, these chill winds should be as but a passing shadow and a quickly vanishing vapor. Naught more.

And still more, our Father knows what is good for us. We think we do. How wrong we usually are! Our Father God longs to make us shine e’er brighter with the glory that He has bestowed on us through His Spirit. Our Father God desires to draw us closer to Himself. And what is better than that? What is of greater value than being with our God? Is there any jewel that can compare? To know our God and to be known by Him – there is nothing better than this. And it is worth the cost. Our lives – our earthly desires and passions – are as nothing compared to the glory that awaits us when we shall see our Lord face to face. Remember that.

It truly is remarkable how beautiful the mercy of God.

Interlude the Second

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Wrote a quick poem yesterday…when I say quick, that is not an understatement. I think I wrote it in approximately 45 seconds. Of course, that also means the quality is a bit…compromised. Nonetheless, I share it below as a glimpse of my random soul.

Pride cometh before a fall,
but sometimes the fall precedes
the threatened pride,
and this fall may be
a stumble, large or small,
and may stinging
bring such tears of pain,
but nevertheless it is
a mercy true,
that we might remember
we are not
the fairest of them all.

Breached

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Read this today…forgot how much I do love Psalm 103!

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always strive with us,
nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.

And truly, what more can I say? It’s been a long day(even though it’s not yet 7…I’ve been up for a few hours since took Daniel to the airport!) and it’s been a long weekend…and I’m tired. Though – I do have a nice warm mocha in front of me, which always helps! Nonetheless! It was a beautiful reading time this morning once I got back from the airport. Too often do I get sidetracked by all that is going on in this weary, wounded world. And too often do I get distracted by the pains and travails of my earthly life. And that is not proper, at all. Instead, ought I more and more reflect on the staggering mercy of God. Indeed, when I think of how God’s sovereign hand reached in and breached that vainglorious barrier that I had constructed out of shiny metal and wheels and varied things…I ought to bow my head and weep at the love of God. That beautiful love of the God of the universe is mine. A weary, lonely soul forsworn of hope was I.

Now – I am a child of God. And that most glittering jewel of love and beauty I proudly wear upon my brow – life eternal through Christ Jesus my Lord. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.

An Interlude

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So briefly…enjoying a remarkably relaxing Sunday afternoon. Laundry done. Room cleaning done. And now chilling on the couch with Daniel watching some animated Superman adventures…after a long weekend, it’s the simple things, no? And being with Daniel again, just talking and hanging out like old times…well, that’s pretty special. Soon off to the Hadley’s for dinner. Then, another week begins.

Have a most amazing Sunday evening, one and all. Peace and love.

That Shining Barrier

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G’evening, friends! I write to you now as Monday afternoon slowly bleeds into Monday evening…it has been a long day and I am wearied, yet now I am at home and it is time to rest. What a wonderful concept, rest! And I have been meaning to write this entry(or something like) for the past day or so now, but this is the first time I’ve had both the opportunity and the energy to do so. Of course, now that I start writing, my interest begins flagging(or perhaps that is my appetite speaking?). Nevertheless, I shall write.

Firstly, a small digression on commuting. I have a reasonable length commute compared to some(30 minutes in the morning, about 40 in the afternoon), but for Houston that’s not bad at all! But one of the most common complaints I hear from people here in Houston is the abysmal traffic(which is true) and the shockingly long time it takes to travel anywhere(which is also true). For some reason though, I really do not mind my commute that much and I started thinking on it recently…and it really is purely the fact that I quite love listening to my music(with the sporadic sermon!) as I drive. I make (far too many if you ask most people) mix CDs with my most favourite music…and I tend to buy CDs off Amazon now and again too…so I have a plethora of music from which to choose and freshen my rotation as desired. Am I odd? Most certainly – but I find the relaxing – and at times exhilarating – nature of the music I listen to is a boon to my soul. And of course – a gift from God. It’s odd, because I even find myself not wanting to talk to people while I drive anymore, because then I have to pause my music. This is probably a good thing, as distracting myself with my phone on the Houston roads is not entirely wise. Still – I wonder at myself. Why do I prefer music to talking to a dear friend or sister or parent at times? Possibly because my drive home tends to be my decompression time…as I slowly let the stresses of work bleed away as I drive on. The open road and a good tune. Quality combination, yes? Anyways, this digression is utterly silly, I acknowledge. I just wished to do a little self-reflection in a public forum, which is occasionally acceptable. Key word being occasionally.

Now secondly? The bittersweet ache that comes with nearing the end of a beautiful book. I am currently reading a book that is most remarkable in many ways and if I dare to try and name the numerous recommending qualities of it, I risk marring its beauty with my poor words. Maybe later I shall try. But this book…I started reading it approximately a week ago. Last Wednesday I believe? And now, I near its end(literally, all I have left is the epilogue!!) It is very short, less than 250 pages, and I have made my usual mistake of rushing ahead through a book as a bull rushes through the undergrowth of the meadow. But there comes that moment that I have faced many times before – when I am reading a book for the first time and realise that I am nearing its end. As often as I may reread a book, I can only read it for the first time the once. And that feeling…nearing the end…it is as if you were at the symphony, watching Tchaikovsky’s 6th being played to the height of its pathos and knowing you would never again experience such sublime beauty again. That piercing feeling of mingled grief and anticipation. Yet, while reading a great book – its promises are not yet fulfilled until the end is reached. So the end must be reached and so its finish comes. The end may linger, but it will come. Even with this book I am reading, I have been lingering these past few nights, trying not to let myself finish it, trying to stretch out the staggeringly beautiful read. But – do I not want the culmination? Do I not want that final promise fulfilled? Do I not want the boat to surge up the shoreline and touch that white sand? We linger, yes. But the joy will be greater when the book is closed. And now I have severely mixed the themes of this paragraph and I shall cease. To sum up though, I do have actual grief at nearing the end of this book. No more to read. No more to love. But without reading this book, its beauty would not be observed.

Thirdly? Because I did have a third random topic to talk about, but I for the life of me cannot remember what it was. Well, I will make up a new topic then. I recently have been much enjoying my communion with God…and I wish so much that all of you could be as enamored of Christ as I feel I am. Even this morning was remarkable. I usually set my alarm for 4, but almost never get up right away. I struggle and sleep for a while…before finally showering and grabbing a few quick minutes in the Word. Today though – I was wide awake by 3:55…you may think “horror of horrors!” but it was indeed a great gift that God gave me – it meant by the time I had showered and made my lunch and warmed my coffee, I had 38 minutes to read! (yes, I checked – so in awe was I). So 38 minutes to dive into the Word and enjoy a quiet few moments with my God. How shall I complain of the mundane worries and wearisome burdens that I bear…? This morning, I received that special gift of extra time with my God and it was beautiful. So unworthy am I. So loved am I.

Now…with such a shockingly random assortment of reflections…I shall take my leave and make my dinner. (Or rather…heat up my leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes!!). My heart burns for the love of my Lord. Go under the mercy of God, dear friends.