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.
Author: James Hogan
Liability
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.
Super Post
It is Monday once again! Funny how that happens…
Just posting a few words here before work starts in earnest – (and before the week starts in earnest!) – thought I could chronicle this past weekend, but don’t really feel like writing that much. But – I can at least say that yesterday was a lovely day. Deacon duty at church, which meant I was running around the whole morning and didn’t really truly get to be in the worship service, but church was wonderful nonetheless and it is an honour to serve. Following church, had some chill time at home…talking with John…reading Spiritual Depression…enjoying a somewhat lazy Sunday afternoon! But yesterday was also a momentous Sunday(if football events can be counted as momentous!) as it was time for the Super Bowl, fifty-second of its name. Eagles and Patriots were playing…and honestly, since I don’t care for either of those teams, it was difficult to summon up the will to root for either of them. I decided I wanted a good game(which I got!) and a last minute Patriots comeback(which I didn’t get), since it’s always fun to watch an epic Patriots comeback(me and John have a running joke that whenever the Patriots are behind in the 4th quarter, they’re happy because “they have them just where they want them”, deepening their opponent’s eventual humiliation when the Patriots come back to win!) But alas, Tom Brady did not Tom Brady and the Eagles won a great game, 41-33. Go Eagles? Ugh, let those words never leave my mouth again. Anyways! It was a fun night – I didn’t want to go out anywhere, but Emily and Erica came over for a bit and so it was fun to hang out with them and catch up…and watch some football(and Justin Timberlake in halftime show!) together.
Now, this entry was longer than I anticipated so I must be off. Going to enjoy sipping on this peppermint mocha and watching the sky slowly lighten…
Chromeria
So I shan’t write long now – as soon it’s time for my lunch(leftovers – nothing fancy here!). I hope to write more laters, but for now – just wanted to chronicle my most recent book completion.
4. Blood Mirror by Brent Weeks. This book didn’t take that long to read at all, did it? Sadness now though – since no more in this series for the forseeable future. The long wait for Book 5 commences. This book was a good continuation of the Lightbringer series…lots of good drama and action, while the characters were still such a delight to read about! Seeing Kip’s maturation into a strong leader was just a delight…and then the way the book ended – the romance between Kip and Tisis – was oh so beautiful. Haven’t seen such a lovely depiction of romance in quite some time. So I enjoyed that much. Solid book – still not top tier – but satisfactory in its own way. Next…is? I don’t know? Need to figure that out. Stat.
the Spanish Style
A wisp of wind ruffles the hair
of a boy sitting upon the bench
guitar held loosely in his hands
as he looks up to the stars on high and
ponders all that has come before
and so he strums a note or two
before letting all fade to silence
except for the music of the stars
and because his face is marred
and his hands so full of scars
he knows that not all is as it should be
but he knows that all is not as it will be
because the music from far away
calls his name and seems to say
Come now, Come now
Little child
Come now and hear
Let go your past
Let go your fear
Let go your pain
and listen dear
Little child
Come now, Come now
and upon the scuffed concrete sidewalk
falls a tear
because the name he is known by
is known by
that One who he knows is
the One who composes
all the music of the stars
all the music of those scars
on the hands and on the feet
of the One whom he
is known by.
Flowing Gold, Softer Silver
A few minutes to write this morning. …as I drove in to work this morning, noted the overwhelming full golden moon in the west. Slowly did it sink towards the horizon. But I could not help but be staggered by the beauty of the golden moon contrasted with the dark early morning sky and the garish city lights…the gleaming yellow loveliness of the moon overshadowed all else. All praises to the One who made it so.
And…I suppose I have at least a couple minutes to write on my readings this morning? Oddly enough(or not?!), my readings – as disparate as they were – had a common theme running throughout. The love of money is a dangerous thing…for truly wealth is not all and it will flow away, as fickle and fragile as a moonbeam in your hand. So why do we put our trust in money? We have hope in something that is so much better, do we not?
A few words from the exceedingly chilling prophecies of Ezekiel(sadly I have not the time to write all the words…but you can read for yourselves Chapters 6 & 7 to get full context):
“Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations
to which they will be carried captive,
how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me,
and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols;
and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which
they have committed, for all their abominations.
Then they will know that I am the Lord;
I have not said in vain that I would inflict this disaster upon them…
All hands will hang limp and all knees will become like water.
They will gird themselves with sackcloth and shuddering will overwhelm them;
and shame will be on all faces and baldness on all their heads.
They will fling their silver into the streets and their gold will not be able
to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord.
They cannot satisfy their appetite nor can they fill their stomachs,
for their iniquity has become an occasion of stumbling…
Make the chain, for the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence.
Therefore, I will bring the worst of the nations, and they will possess their houses.
I will also make the pride of the strong ones cease, and their holy places will be profaned.
When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none.
Disaster will come upon disaster and rumor will be added to rumor;
then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but the law will be lost
from the priest and counsel from the elders.
The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed in horror,
and the hands of the people of the land will tremble.
According to their conduct I will deal with them,
and by their judgements I will judge them.
And they will know that I am the Lord.”
Sorry for the over-quoting. But truly, what serious words are those. Can your wealth save? Can your luxuries satisfy? Surely no. And what devastating words are these: “According to their conduct I will deal with them and by their judgements I will judge them.” That is what we all deserve, to be judged according to the full measure of our deeds. Oh what bleakness is that.
Secondly…I also read in Acts 3…the account of Peter and John healing the lame man. One line quite struck me:
“But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, ‘Look at us!’
And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
But Peter said, ‘I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:
in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene – walk!'”
And just imagine that scene. Put yourselve in the lame man’s place…as he first anticipated that these kind gentlemen were about to give him money…and then in that split second after they said “I do not possess silver and gold,” imagine his disappointment. His face falls, his hope fails. That split second of disillusionment and pain. But then. Peter continues speaking and utters that most beautiful name – Jesus Christ. And as He heals the man through the power of God and changes this man’s life forever, what joy crosses that man’s face. He has received physical healing, yes. But of far more importance – eternity awaits! – he hears the name of Jesus and witnesses the power of God.
Do we understand this? We put so much faith and hope in earthly things – status, wealth, power. We think – surely if I had enough money, all would be well. Surely. But these things never satisfy. And so as the people of Jerusalem found out, all their wealth was as nothing in the face of their iniquities and the judgment of God. So too is all our money worthless for wiping away the stench and filth of our sins. Only One can take away our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness and that is Jesus Christ, very God Himself. So today, let us set aside our worries for the physical things of this world and instead set our eyes on Jesus, the true Author and Perfecter of our faith. All else may fail us. All else will fail us. But our God never shall leave us nor forsake us – He will truly be with us and watch over us and care for us, all the days of our life. The nearness of God is our good, for He has forgiven us all our sins. Let us remember, let us rejoice and let us ceaseless love.
Wolfpack
A gorgeous grey, rainy Saturday. And after a lovely walk, a few shots of espresso and good chats with John at home and MJ at Red…I’m now enjoying this Saturday in the best way I know how…grilled cheese, tomato soup and basketball on the tv – NC State vs. UNC. Thanks be to God for this beautiful day which He has made!!
Souvenirs
It is a peppermint mocha Friday!! I am oh so happy that Friday is finally here and rest is almost at hand…been a long and busy week(full of fun things and work things, just lots of things all around) and so not much sleep has been had. I’m very much looking forward to a quiet night tonight! Planning on making up a big batch of burritos, enjoying that for dinner…and then reading in peace. It shall be glorious. I so declare. As for the main reason I decided to post today, trying to continue to keep records of my reading…latest completion is as follows:
3. The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks. This is book 3 in a series known as Lightbringer. Received book 1 from Maryanne for Christmas and consequently devoured(along with Caisson – as we both got this, so it was fun to read in parallel when we were home for Christmas break!)…bought book 2 at the airport as I went to Calgary for Robbie’s wedding. Now I have also obtained books 3 & 4 via the Amazon and so now have completed this one and one more to go before the long wait for book 5(tentative 2019 release date?). Anyways! This is your typical fantasy novel set in a new world with a very colourful magic system and super rounded, real-feeling characters. Because of some crudity of language and content here and there, it’s hard to unreservedly recommend these, but I must confess I have much enjoyed reading – the plot and storylines are gripping and keep you reading and again…the characters are such a delight – even the minor ones I’ve fallen in love with! I also wonder if the author is Jewish and/or Christian…it’s hard not to when his characters have names such as Ben-Hadad and there are evil characters named Abaddon!! There are numerous quotes that convince me of his at least familiarity with the Bible – “You shall be repaid for the years the locusts have eaten…” Anyway, finished this last night so on to Book 4. And again – while I can’t wholeheartedly recommend these, I can say this book was a most enjoyable read, and has me thinking deeper thoughts than with most fantasy I read. Quality writing, indeed.
Shooting Star
A sleepy morning. Yet I must confess I had a most enjoyable reading time(with my eggs and coffee)…reading a couple of my favorite chapters – Luke 21 & 22. I don’t have time to fully explicate these chapters and describe my thoughts…but this morning as I read, I was just encouraged by the words and actions of Jesus. From Him telling Peter, “Simon, Simon – Satan has demanded permission to sift you as wheat. Yet I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” We could spend hours just discussing that alone!! Oh how I love the fact that although Jesus doesn’t deny Satan permission to test Peter….he does say He prayed for Peter – he prayed for his faith. Oh how I long that Jesus would pray thus for me. And later on…as Jesus is fervently praying and tired and emotionally worn out…he is strengthened by an angel from heaven. Then he comes back and sees the disciples and what are they doing? Sleeping of course. He tells them “Pray that you might not fall into temptation.” Oh might I heed these words – what is better, to be self-satisfied and confident in my own abilities, to be awake yet sleeping? Or to desparately pray for that aid which we know we need, that we not stumble and fall. And later on in the chapter of course…Peter denies Christ, as Jesus knew he would. And at that moment of Peter’s third denial, we read that “Jesus turned and looked at Peter”. What was in Jesus’ eyes? What was that look? I imagine it as sorrow and love mingled…yet I cannot say. But Peter responded as is only proper. He fled and wept bitterly. To deny our Lord and Christ – how can we do this? Yet we do it every day. Pray to the Father for relief from temptation. Cry out to the Lord in prayer, day and night. And remember…Jesus is even now(as per Luke 22!) at the right hand of God in glory and He never ceases to plead your case. Forgiven am I. Eternity with my God awaits. Ne’er should I doubt my future when such joy is assured.
reaching yet Falling
It’s…a Monday. Horrors! It’s actually not that bad of a day(yet) although I am very tired nonetheless as my weekend was very busy(with fun social things!) and I am most sure I did not get enough sleep. Alas. And even last night..though it was a free night and I should have probably gone to bed early, I was silly and decided to watch one of my recent fav movies(Dan in Real Life, which although silly and somewhat ridiculous for multiple reasons….is much loved by me, so says I). Now I’ve been wanting to write something for a while, as it’s been too long since I’ve been creatively writing…yet once again my muse fails me and my lack of sleep haunts me and so yet once again there will be nothing pretty written this day. Someday. Someday I will yet write of those diaphanous clouds floating through the silken skies, blue so bright the eyes water and head spins and yet the heart sings of bare-branched trees and sunlight brilliant, unwaveringly poured down upon the earth as honey upon the bread and yet – and still – the song is heard through the rustling of the dancing limbs of trees unfettered by grave-countenanced dusky shadows. Someday beauty comes.
