Early I wake and slowly stumble out the door,
weary feet on battered pavement,
– sadly not batter for pancakes,
too early –
but what is that to me? I look up
with joy, almost hesitating – and see
the half moon shining brilliantly in the sky,
a witness towering in heavens far
to God who placed it there.
My heart is not worthy of such joy –
pain is far more apropos –
but worthiness is not why I rise each morn,
Abba Father
near to me
I cry.
Author: James Hogan
Dripping
Cold now I shiver,
work calls my name and I sip
peppermint mocha.
Up and Down the Heights
Hey friends – happy Saturday evening!! I’m about to eat dinner…my chili is bubbling away on the stove and is almost ready. And I’m not a little hungry, so not going to postpone that in service of writing! I’m still sick(ugh), but I have had a most blessed day, I cannot deny that. Deacons meeting this morning, then was able to rest and relax the rest of the day. Good times studying for community group and talking with John as I read my Knowing the Times by Lloyd-Jones. Felt so encouraged by God this day – I shan’t attempt to put that into words, but I know my God and I know I am loved. Then got a nice walk to Krogers while talking to parents. And at this moment…on the couch, getting ready to watch Warriors/Thunder game and enjoy a delicious bowl of chili(along with a glass of red!). It’s funny how sometimes I can be in a perfect state of health and be so unhappy and discontent….and then now, my physical body ails and yet I am at peace, joy abounding. Maybe it’s not that funny after all.
Alright, food time for me. Peace and love, dear, dear friends.
That Scent of Pine
It’s a Friday once again, hurrah!! I have been sick most of this week(not hurrah??) and that’s not been fun, but oh well. I am surviving. Now I’m just happy to reach the end of this week – been super low-energy and work has been taxing. Last night was great though – a relaxing night with John…we got Chinese take-out and watched approximately four episodes of Avatar. As is proper. And had good chat, about things both serious and silly…so grateful to have a roommate like him. So blessed indeed to be living with him…while it was good and well living alone before, I don’t think I’m made to live on my own. Not optimal. Now, time to get to work here. A relaxing(at least as of now!) weekend ahead and I am happy. Farewell, friends!
A Hint of the Sea
Hello all! It is a dreary Monday morning and I am sleepy. I really shouldn’t be writing at all, as it is time for work to start, but thought I would at least say hi! I really need to wake up a bit more, as I feel like I’m in that hazy mind state halfway between sleep and wakefulness…hopefully this mocha helps with that. We shall see. I have to say – I much enjoyed my music driving to work today…it’s maybe a bit sad how much pleasure my music brings me at times, but there you go! Started listening to Seaspray again – surely one of my very favourite mix CDs. Just delightful. Puts me in the mood to go down to the seashore and gaze off into the horizon…but anyways, I suppose I’ll now just take my leave and write more at a later date. Farewell, friends.
The Potter King
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
I will also rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
No longer will there be in it an
infant who lives but a few days,
Or an old man who does not live out his days;
For the youth will die at the age of one hundred
And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred
will be thought accursed.
They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree,
so will be the days of My people,
And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
Or bear children for calamity;
For they are the offspring of
those blessed by the Lord,
And their descendants with them.
It will also come to pass that before they call,
I will answer; and while they are still speaking,
I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will graze together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox;
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will do no evil
or harm
in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.
-Isaiah 65:17-25 Oh what glorious words.
A Day of Chili
Happy Friday, all!! I’m enjoying my Friday peppermint mocha and this early morning calm before the storm. Nice and quiet here in the office currently, although that will soon change. Anything much going on here lately? Not really, although did have a great roommate night yesterday with John! We actually expanded it to include Camille last night…went over to her place, had far too much yummy pizza and watched Groundhog Day(as is proper). Bill Murray is outstanding, I always forget how much I love watching his movies! Tonight is Rockets game with James – I’m excited because they’re playing Chicago…never seen the Bulls play before! And so I get to see Butler and D. Wade and Rondo and all them play – should be a fun one! (Although of course…go Rockets!) And now, I must be off.
Have a wonderful day, dear friends – peace and love, always.
Upraised
A girl sits prettily on a bench,
dwelling on all that has come before,
and as she ponders
and she wonders
what all these tears
are truly worth,
so she wanders
down the lane of
fading memories,
sweet as honey-
and wistful sighs
the willow blossoms
that open yearning to the brilliant sun-
memories now fade,
the road goes on,
so she wanders
towards that true worth
for all these tears
now she wonders
and so she ponders,
heart a burning for what has come before.
And yea-
A girl sits upon a bench.
(Going to touch this up later…no time now -homeward bound. Pardon the rawness)
Bells on the Wind
Good morning, friends!! Just a minute to post, and thought I’d write a few words…as January – what a month – winds to an end. I am honestly quite tired right now – sleepy James needs his coffee with honey, this is a fact! But I was invigorated at least slightly as I walked from my car to the office this morning. I forgot if I mentioned I moved office locations recently? Well, I did and now, in the midst of Houston, there is a lovely mini(very mini) pine forest next to my office!! So every day I walk from the parking lot to the office surrounded by pines reaching high. The scent of pine pervades my walk and I am encouraged and refreshed anew each day. This is a small thing, I know. But oh this makes me happy!! Alright, I’m off now…time to drink a bit more coffee and wake up this sleepy Tuesday….
Hello Again
Happy Sunday friends! I post yet again this extremely fruitful January! I must say, I’m not quite sure why I’ve been writing so much lately…in the words of Lin Manuel Miranda…”Why do you write like you’re running out of time?” I know not. But I do like writing, and maybe lately I have rediscovered the pleasure and comfort it brings to put thoughts and emotions to page such as this. Not of course, that I put everything on here…far be that from me! But right now, it is comforting to let the words flow from thought through fingers to screen. Would that I could write something a bit more…beautiful. But for now, I shall simply write. Before I started this, I’ve been in a bit of a nostalgic mood…looking at some old high school friend’s journals – which are still online, shock! Hi Maggie!! *waves* Anyways, nostalgia diving can be dangerous – indeed, dark and full of terrors and all that. But this afternoon, while I have the bitter feeling of friendships lost and far away…I still have the sweet taste of the memories I had with these friends. And that is something I have been blessed with that shall never leave me. Ah bittersweet. And of course, I am reminded as I sit here that it is not entirely profitable to focus over much on the past. Let these thoughts and memories not drag me far away and distract my energies from life now, in the present. It is a dangerous game – to turn inward to the extent of losing our true joy. Now, I start to wax philosophical. See, this is why I should not write as much as I am – I dare expose my thoughts to the light of day, and what shall they say? That I am a hollow man, full of loose dreams and ill-begotten schemes? Even so. I long for the day when I shall be in that far country. No longer be a-ranging in a stranger land. And so, to dream is not so wrong. Only wrong is it when these dreams are forged of rotten beams – cloying words, sickly sweet in all their pomposity and self-important grandeur. Hiding behind a veil of false humility, oh forgive me!
But let us dream of purer things, of that road that goes ever on. The scent of jasmine, that light breeze upon the cheek. The song that rings true upon the soul, a knowledge of the veil now torn. To dream is not so wrong.
Something Weird 