Author: James Hogan

West Intrepid

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Happy Saturday!!! I’m only going to post a brief entry now(possibly write more later?), but I thought it was proper that I at least write a few words here from Beans. It’s been so nice to sit here and enjoy my breakfast of mocha and banana bread. For the first time in almost a month, I’m actually spending a weekend in Houston! And so I am making the most of my time(as is proper) in the coffeehouse here. And I’ve actually been super productive, which makes me happy. UK taxes are now completed. For(probably!) the last time ever, my UK tax form has been submitted. Whoa.

And now, after doing the rest of my various online errands/bill-paying(on this ancient and decrepit Vaio that has served me well for many years…but I am sensing its time is near. I really really need to start researching new laptop possibilities), I’m just enjoying spending a few minutes here at the coffeeshop with the buzz of conversation around me and the beat of music in the air. I have been meaning to write some philosophical musings lately, but I fear work has sapped most of my energy lately, and so my writings have been void of any substantial discussion. I also have been wanting to write a post on my changing musical taste, but maybe later this afternoon!

Now, my feet are starting to itch. Going to hit up Target and get some shopping done then probably head home to do some cleaning. Such a typical Saturday. So now I roll out. Have a most delightful day, my friends!!

Valley Falls

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Good evening, one and all!! Once again, I write on a Monday evening as my dinner bakes in the oven. And so once again, I don’t have long to write. But I thought I’d put down a few words, because a few are better than none, are they not? Not necessarily of course, because if the few words lack purpose, no words may actually be preferable. But now as I write myself into some sort of convoluted knot, it may be best if I stop prefacing my few words and actually write them. Ahem.

This evening I am quite tired, but it is that good kind of weariness. That weariness of flesh and bones that bespeak a good and wonderful past few days. Because these past few days, I spent in Florida with most dear friends! On July 4th, I flew in to Tampa. After renting a car and having a most awesome roast beef hash lunch with Dad, I drove up to Gainesville. Gainesville, where I spent four years of my life, yet so little time since. And so I had decided it was time for a proper time with people in Gainesville – and so it was. I stayed with Rob and Laurie – who else?! – and we had a time of excellence indeed. We talked and laughed and ate and talked and drank mugs of delicious coffee and talked and played some epic board games and talked yet some more. And of course, more awesome things took place than I can describe at the moment(awesome fun with Lebos! Lunch and sweetness with Maryanne!! Maryanne made her speciality lunch of fresh mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwiches. And we got to sit and eat and be together. And it was marvelous. Disc golf with Deanna! Reunions and worship at Creekside!! Perfect dinner of Ledo’s pizza with Mom and Dad!! And of course, little sleep was had this whole weekend. Yet, while I am now quite weary in my flesh, my spirit and my soul are refreshed. Just being with so many people who love me and love God. Being surrounded by those whom God has blessed me in this life. Being reminded of the goodness of my Lord. How can I ever doubt? Never. Never. And so now as I really must end this before I over-cook my dinner, I simply want to say one more thing. I have been given much. I have been given everything.

Now my friends – farewell! I love you all so – grace and peace.

Romano

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Happy Monday, my friends!! I’m about to eat a delicious lasagna dinner with a bit of salad on the side – but thought I’d just state that time in Boston with the gang was truly awesome. Much fun was had – walking through the old cobbled streets, exploring the city where the American Revolution was born…biking along the coast of Cape Cod…playing games and being goofy and laughing almost too much!…but mostly, just enjoying all being together. Maryanne, Laura, Megan, Robbie…you are awesome, my friends.

Now, I’m going to start in on my dinner. Peace, one and all!

Tilted

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Good evening! I don’t usually post my handwritten poems, but well. In a rare pensive yet sharing mood and so here you go. Tread soft and listen close. And have a most lovely night, my dear friends. Always.

Haunting cries
the star,
echoing the song
of a final
wistful soul.
Upon the withered
tree
a fruit hangs
waiting
for a drop
of rain.
And near atop
the moor
a boy runs his hand
across the thistles
wild
and aching with
the beauty all,
he
haunting cries.

Stone of the Philosopher

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Not going to write much tonight, but was just reminded that I haven’t written in a while…so I suppose I’ll put down a few words! I’m just enjoying some delicious (fresh-ground) coffee with strawberries on the side. Winning combination, I have to say. Soon, I’m going to get dinner ready(cucumber/tomato/green-onion salad yes), but now – have just been doing some trip planning. Because…less than a week from now, me, Maryanne, Laura, Megan and Robbie will be having a sweet adventure up in Boston!! It’s going to be pretty awesome exploring new territory and experiencing some epic American history…but the best part will be hanging out with some pretty awesome people. Y’know.

And now I say it’s dinner time. Have a most delightful evening, my friends!!

Scorched Clay

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Good morning! I thought that – shockingly – I’d post another quick entry while I’m here at Beans. Enjoying my mocha and apple bread right now, as I also keep track of current French Open women’s final(Sharapova’s up 3-2 in final set…go Maria!!). Read a few sweet Psalms already…only planned to read two, then I read another by accident. Oops. But I like Psalm 147 a lot, so I can just read it tomorrow too! Soon I really need to start prepping for community group on Tuesday(John 11!! One of my fav chapters), but for now, I’m just enjoying a calm and restful Saturday morning.

This afternoon, plan on going to Chase’s place for some Spades action(with Donnie and Sarah – we should have some epic games!) and later on, probably going to do some errands and then some more planning for Boston weekend with sisters. Less than two weeks away!!

Now, back to enjoying my morning coffee. Peace, my friends – have a glorious Saturday!!

I Carry the Banner

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Praise the LORD!
For it is good and pleasant to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant and praise is becoming.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them.

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;
His understanding is infinite.
The LORD supports the afflicted;
He brings down the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
Sing praises to our God on the lyre,
who covers the heavens with clouds,
who provides rain for the earth,
who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
He gives to the beast its food
and to the young ravens which cry.
He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.

The LORD favors those who fear Him,
those who wait for His lovingkindness.

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!

-Psalm 147:1-12

Awesomeness. Praise the Lord.

Not Our Land

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Upon the earth, a cracked bell rings
violently
and urgently
and men heed the call to arms.
Upon the earth,
thunder booms and
lightning crackles
and eyes look up in wrath and pain.
Upon the earth, a siren keens
shrilly
unceasingly
and men laud the call to war.

There is a girl
who shuts her eyes
in terror of the wrath of men unbridled.
There is a boy
who shudders fresh
in anticipation of monsters nearing.
There is a woman,
she soft moans
for abandoned hope and shredded innocence.
There is a man,
he cries and shakes
for eroded monuments and torn pretense.

Upon the earth, the gleeful dark
laughingly
and viciously
descends to seek and devour.
Upon the earth,
serpents writhe and
red rivers run
and eyes look up in pouring rain.
Upon the earth, last hope dwindles
mournfully
and with no song,
and all is dark,
not yet dawn.

There is a man,
he cries and prays
for the city wrought of pure love unbounded.
There is a woman,
she soft sighs
for precious hope and heaven’s hosts approaching.
There is a boy
who sings anew
in anticipation of the hope of nations.
There is a girl
who lifts her eyes
to the nearing song of the restoration.

Upon the earth, the trumpet sounds
soaringly
and gloriously
and all the skies shimmer in awe.
Upon the earth,
oceans kneel and
mountains spread their skirts
and eyes look up in hope again.
Upon the earth, Christ descends,
achingly
beautiful and
a rose petal gently flutters
to the earth.

Passion

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Good evening, friends!

I only have a couple of minutes tonight, as my dinner is almost ready. A bit of a late dinner, but hopefully worth it. Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs! And a cucumber salad on the side, for good measure. It’s smelling delicious in here, gotta say. And I have ‘Rudy’ playing right now…one of my favorite movies. “He’s so little!” Love it! We might not all have the most natural talent(be it physical, intellectual or otherwise…), but that’s no barrier to us being used by God. Remember that. Playing football for Notre Dame may be pretty awesome(I wouldn’t know), but serving God is what we live for, my friends. Remember that.

Now, my dinner awaits – spaghetti and meatballs, delish. And a sweet night relaxing in the love of my Lord Jesus. Peace, friends.

Unveiled

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So I usually don’t write on a Sunday morning, but my computer is on, and I felt a particular urge to write this passage down…been much enjoying it these past few days, so much so that I can’t progress to the next(admittedly awesome!) chapter in Hebrews. Hebrews 10, so beautiful. And so while I finish my coffee, let me just share some of the sweetness contained therein:

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the
same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered
one sacrifice for sins for all time, ‘sat down at the right hand of God’,
waiting from that time onward ‘until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.’
For by one offering He has perfected those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also
testifies for us; for after saying,

‘This is the covenant that I will
make with them after those days,
says the LORD:
I will put my laws upon their heart,
and on their mind I will write them,’

He then says,

‘And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will remember no more.’

Now where there is forgiveness of these things,
there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by
the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us
through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest
over the house of God,
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good
deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:11-25

A bit long(my apologies!), but I had to write it all. Really, you need to read all of Hebrews to get the full beauty of it. But that might be a bit much to write this morning. Now, with this resting in my mind and graven on my heart, I am off to church to worship God.

Peace, my dear friends.