Good morning, friends!! This is a quick-before-work update…I just couldn’t resist writing a few words! It’s delightfully cold(36 degrees outside! …or 2 degrees, if there’s any non-Americans reading this!) A busy day is ahead of me, but right now, I’m just enjoying sitting here nice and cozy in my turtleneck/sweater combo and drinking my steaming hot honey-laced coffee. My hands may be cold. My heart is warm. Peace, my friends – have a most glorious Tuesday!!!
Author: James Hogan
First Fruits
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I
preached to you, which also you received, in which also you
stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the
word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also
received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas,
then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than
five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain
until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared
to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all,
as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am
the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God
I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;
but I labored more than all of them, yet not I, but
the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they,
so we preach and so you believed…
…Now I say this brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does
the perishable inherit the imperishable.
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep,
but we will all be changed, in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;
for the trumpet will sound, and the dead
will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
For this perishable must put on the imperishable,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
But when this perishable will have put on
the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on
immortality, then will come about the saying
that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.
O Death, where is your victory, O Death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
-1 Corinthians 15:1-11,50-58
Very tempted to write all of 1 Corinthians 15. I refrained. What glorious words. What beauty. What truth. Glory be to God, forever and ever. Amen.
Lilies on the Sun
Hello friends! On this beautiful and most delightful Saturday, I sit here at Beans coffeeshop, about to head out. But I must not let the opportunity to write a quick update pass me by! I’ve just enjoyed a pretty awesome morning here, sipping on first my mocha, then a nice honey-flavored green tea. Now, the afternoon is beginning to wear on, and I really should get back to the house. Me and Daniel are planning to see Interstellar at the cinema, and I’ve been here long enough, methinks! Last night had a sweet relaxing Friday night, involving eating a delicious dinner(grilled burgers! green bean casserole! deliciousness!) and watching random videos with Daniel(Legend of Korra!!). And today, I really should be prepping for Tuesday bible study, but I’ve been doing Christmas shopping instead. And mixing up an awesome playlist(I think I’ll burn it for Maryanne’s Christmas present…but it’s so great, I’ll make myself a copy too I think). Now though, as disjointed as this entry is, time for me to go. One of these days, I’ll write something properly, but this will have to do for now.
Peace always, friends!!!
Spaced
Happy Saturday, yo! I’m sitting in Beans with John, having enjoyed a very proper morning here. Drank a mocha…and maybe an extra shot of espresso too. Don’t judge. I’ve read a bit but really spent most of my time doing some quality Christmas shopping(i.e., browsing Amazon and placing several different orders…so now, Christmas presents…sorted! Mostly. Still debating on a couple more possible presents for Maryanne and Laura…) John joined me about an hour or so ago, and we’ve had some sweet times chilling here(i.e., looking at our separate computer screens and speaking to each other every once in a while). I’ve wanted to do some writing, but sadly, I think my writing here will have to suffice for today. At least this morning. It’s now past noon and I should probably do my errands and head back home eventually. Anyways, I wanted to write because I felt I’ve been pretty absent lately. This past week has been another hectic work week, but joyous moments have been liberally sprinkled throughout, so I cannot complain. Never ever. Lots of quality time spent with Daniel either having deep talks about life or being silly watching the best shows ever(the ARROW or the FLASH…I am being totally serious as to their being the best shows ever. Maybe with a very slight tinge of sarcasm. Y’know)…lots of moments at work realising that despite the stress and the weariness, God has used me to encourage and help people as I work…moments hanging out with friends and watching silly movies(like the terribly silly and romantic yet wondrous About Time at Erica/Emily/Michelle/Meagan’s place or last night watching Star Trek Into Darkness with John and Daniel as we heartily enjoyed watching Kirk being awesome and Spock beat up on Khan…)…and really, this whole week…just relishing the goodness and love and wonder of being a child of God. Each and every moment I am alive, I exist to bring glory to the Most High God. This brings joy to my heart and a song to my lips. And now, I must let my espresso-fueled fingers rest, as I fear this paragraph is terribly unwieldy. Yet, I feel oh so blessed. And I long to share these moments with you all. My friends.
Peace and love.
God of our Fathers
Hello and happy Saturday evening, friends!! Daniel is currently playing guitar and I’m chilling in the living room…thought I’d write a few words. This day has been long and difficult but now I am resting. And it is good. I went in to work for a while this morning(oh crazy Ensco and their rig down emergencies!). Working on Saturday isn’t always fun, but sometimes it must be done. Afterwards, went over to the Maresh’s for one of their patented International House of Coffee events…even though I felt a bit tired and stressed from work, really wanted to see people. And so of course, it was a lovely time hanging out with awesome friends and drinking far too much(not really) delicious coffee…
Afterwards, even though I really felt like going home, went back to work for a few more hours to ensure the equipment testing(an HC connector, which none of you will know what that is…but I do, so you can ask me all about it sometime!! Or not, as it’s really not that interesting!). Anyways, after work-part-two, I came home, had a little dinner…and now hanging out in the living room as me and Daniel talk about random things. Pardon the disjointedness of this entry, as me and him have been talking throughout the writing of this!
So now, as I think about today and all that I have done and all the people I have talked with…I rejoice. I rejoice because even though I am tired and weary, I am a child of God. And that is truly wonderful.
Peace and love.
Arrow
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.
Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.
Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, and set my spirit free.
I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Saviour mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.
I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.
‘Tis He who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.
Royals
Evening friends!! Sitting here on a relaxing Saturday night, drinking tea with Daniel and watching some of “The Arrow”(best show ever…ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration). Good times! Anyways, I realise I haven’t written in a while. Sadly, I am now sleepy and don’t feel like writing much at the moment. Peace, one and all!
Birds
Happy Friday, my awesome friends!
Me and Daniel have been watching the Royals-Orioles game(game one of ALCS!) and now he’s gone up to bed, so thought I’d write a short little entry. I’m also strongly considering making a second cup of tea, since it’s only the sixth inning and I figure I’ll be up a while longer. An excess of tea never hurt anyone, right? Anyways, it’s super fun watching some classic October baseball…especially with the O’s involved! This is the first time they’ve been in the ALCS in maybe…ten years? And a bloop hit in the infield just scored the tying run for the Orioles! 5-5, men on first and second, no outs, bottom of the sixth. What a game.
But no more baseball for now! I’ll try and rein in my enthusiasm! I think I shall start the water boiling for more tea! And really, I’d rather not write anymore tonight…going to read a bit as I watch the game. Just know that this evening has been exceedingly lovely. After a long and tiring and mentally exhausting day at work, I was much blessed with a night of chilling with John and Daniel, chatting, eating dinner and now…well, you know. Baseball!
Have a beautiful night, my friends – as always, grace and peace.
Recycled Air
Good evening, friends!!
I’ve just had a good workout and going to clean up and get dinner ready soon(chicken/pineapple curry, very proper Wednesday night dinner)..but I’m on the computer now and thought I may as well write a few words! I’m sitting in our living room as the fading afternoon light slants gracefully across the floor and I’m enjoying my yogurt and listening to some chill Postal Service as my weary body rests. And truly, it’s wondrous thinking of how supremely blessed I am. Despite my hectic work of late(and subsequent weariness!), I have been given oh so much, not the least being overflowing grace from God my Father. Despite all that I am – I have been granted wonderful salvation, beautiful love. I have been born again – to a life of wonders ne’er ceasing. And for that, I praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!!!
A Psalm
O God, You are my God; I shall
seek you earnestly;
my soul thirsts for You, my flesh
yearns for You,
in a dry and weary land where
there is no water.
Thus I have seen You in
the sanctuary,
to see Your power and
Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is
better than life,
my lips shall praise You.
So I will bless You as long as
I live;
I will lift up my hands in
Your name.
My soul is satisfied as with
marrow and fatness,
and my mouth offers praises
with joyful lips.
When I remember You on
my bed,
I meditate on You in
the night watches,
for You have been my help,
and in the shadow of Your wings
I sing
for joy.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
But those who seek my life to destroy it,
will go into the depths of the earth.
They will be delivered over to the power
of the sword; they will be a prey for foxes.
But the king will rejoice
in God;
everyone who swears by Him
will glory,
for the mouths of those who speak lies
will be stopped.
Praise the Lord!
Something Weird 