Author: James Hogan

The Sovereignty of the Lord

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Happy Tuesday, friends!! This morning I enjoyed a nice drive to work as the sky slowly lightened. And as I drove, was being mightily blessed by listening to an old Dominic message from Isaiah 36-37. It’s too long to go into depth here(although if you want to listen as well, just let me know and I’m sure I can find the link somewhere). But in brief – too often do we grow anxious over some difficult situation in our life and we just fall to pieces. Why? Because our faith is small. Because we don’t understand the sovereignty of God. Here in Isaiah 36 – the kingdom of Judah, ruled by Hezekiah, is threatened by one of the largest and most brutal empires the world had ever seen. The Assyrian empire has turned its eyes on Jerusalem and threatened to bring down divine judgment upon her. We think we have big problems? I think Hezekiah has you beat. But what does Hezekiah do? Does he just fall apart and crumple under the weight of this severe threat? No. He does what all of us should do when our spirits are in distress. He repents in sackcloth and ashes and enters the house of the Lord. He recognizes that this threat from Assyria isn’t so terrible because it threatens him. The real sin of the Assyrian king Sennacherib was that he blasphemed God. And so Hezekiah pleads for the help of the living God, for the salvation of the remnant and for the glory of His own Name. Might we all remember to pray as such! Pray for yourself, yes. Pray for mercy, pray for salvation from evil. But never forget to pray that the name of the Lord be glorified, for it is He who is truly the target of all the attacks of the forces of evil in this world. Our Lord is sovereign, seated above the heavens. Our God is oh so loving and compassionate to us His children. Our God is glorious and worthy of all praise and honour from all the heavens and all the earth. May the mountains clap their hands and may the seas sing the praises of our God. Someday indeed all flesh shall join the chorus of worship to the Lord God Almighty.

So I’m going to close by just quoting the words of the prayer of Hezekiah. I urge that you pray as such today…

Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it,
and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.
Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying,
“O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim,
You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have
made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes,
O Lord, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to
reproach the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated
all the countries and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire, for
they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have
destroyed them. Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the
kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”

Blonde and Blue

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Happy Monday, friends!! I don’t have long to write now…but quickly before I start work…as I sip on my peppermint mocha here(mm, so delicious!), thought I’d share just a few thoughts from my morning reading. Reading John 21 today, finally finishing the book of John. I really tried to take my time reading John, and oh how much I have enjoyed it and been supremely blessed. And so today I read the final chapter…containing one of my favourite parts – Jesus having breakfast with his disciples! – and as I read through to the end, I was convicted yet again by Jesus’ conversation with Peter. This talk that Jesus and Peter have…so encouraging to me. Peter had sinned greatly against the Lord in his betrayal and denial of Christ. Peter was weak and frail. And yet Jesus strengthened Peter and called him to do the work that he was called to do. “Feed my sheep.” Jesus knew that Peter was just a man. Jesus knew that Peter was imperfect. Yet Jesus also knew that Peter was one of God’s own children and had a purpose on this earth. And as he reminded Peter that even in his life, not all would go the way Peter might like – life would not be easy or pain free, oh no! – Jesus left Peter with some final words. “Follow me!” Of course Peter being Peter(oh how I love him!), he blusters a bit and pushes back on Jesus’ statement – “What about him!!?” pointing at John. I can imagine Peter thinking, “If I’m going to suffer and have a horrible death, I sure hope I’m not the only one!” Jesus gently rebukes him and then leaves Peter with the final words we have recorded as Jesus saying to Peter. Again – “Follow me!” And those may be strange words to us – surely, Peter had heard those words oh so long ago when he was standing by his father’s boats when Jesus first called Peter to discipleship. Peter had already chosen to follow Christ. Why was Jesus saying this again? Because Peter needed to hear it. This is such a good reminder to us – have you bowed the knee to God and repented of your sins and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and life everlasting? If so, hallelujah! (And if not…read the book of John and get back to me). But even so – we need this reminder each and every day. Jesus is saying to you, “Follow me!” Each and every day, remind yourself that every step you take needs to be in passionate obedience to Christ, eagerly delighting and rejoicing in the good will of God. Follow Jesus this day. Will it always be easy? Of course not. But it will be glorious. Many years after that walk on the beach with Jesus, Peter took his final steps on this earth and was crucified for his love for his Lord. He glorified Christ with his death. Let us glorify Christ with our life.

Of Symphonies and Spaghetti

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That is the way to pray, says Christ, take these two things together, never separate
these two truths. Remember that you are approaching the almighty, eternal,
ever-blessed holy God. But remember also that that God, in Christ, has become
your Father, who not only knows all about you in the sense that He is
omniscient, He knows all about you also in the sense that a father knows all
about his child. He knows what is good for the child. Put these two things together.
God in His almightiness is looking at you with a holy love and knows
your every need. He hears your every sigh and loves you with an everlasting love.
He desires nothing so much as your blessing, your happiness, your joy and your prosperity.
Then remember this, that He ‘is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think.’ As your ‘Father which is in heaven’ He is
much more anxious to bless you than you are to be blessed. There is also no
limit to His almighty power. He can bless you with all the blessings of heaven.
He has put them all in Christ, and put you into Christ. So your life can be enriched
with all the glory and riches of the grace of God Himself.

That is the way to pray. Before you begin to make any petition, before you
begin to ask even for your daily bread, before you ask for anything, just realize
that you, such as you are, are in the presence of such a Being, your Father which
is in heaven, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘My God.’ ‘My Father.’
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, page 330

I Don’t mind If You Don’t Dance, but Hope you don’t mind If I Do

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A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.”
So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on
a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything,
a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the
citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with
the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

But when he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying
here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for
him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your
sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe
and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us
eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

…so I’ve been pondering this story lately(sorry for not typing all of it out – but about to make my dinner of steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus soon!)…after listening to the gorgeous version that Keith Green sings this morning while driving to church. And reading this again now, oh how it enlivens my heart. Thus such a man was I – lost and without hope in this world. And sometimes it’s easy to forget how great a feat of compassion this is – that our God should smile upon me and grant me His forgiveness. Oh how arrogant was I – demanding the share of my estate from my Father – all owed me I will take and all I take I will count as owed! And squandering the gift of life upon worthless things and loose living and becoming impoverished of heart and barren in soul and having nothing in and of myself that I might count as good. And yet my Father loved me still. And yet. And so coming to my senses – for how else can it be described! – I thought I might return to my Father and work for my restitution and slave for my redemption. But no my Father had divine love for me. For me. And so my Father has embraced me and kissed me and made me His own. And it is glorious and I am loved and I am named and I am a son again. I was lost. But now I have been found.

A Little Bit of Sunshine

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Happy Saturday, friends!! It’s a gorgeous afternoon here in Houston…and by gorgeous, I mean extremely hot and humid – it is the first day of July after all. But I’m enjoying an afternoon inside after a most productive and enjoyable morning…nice to relax a bit, just saying!!

This morning, after sleeping in shockingly late(I don’t think I got out of bed until a little before 8AM!!), I had a nice breakfast of fried eggs and tea…then I made my way over to the Texaco to get my annual inspection done. Figured I’d stop by Starbucks and enjoy a nice iced mocha while I waited. It’s my old Starbucks that I used to go to all the time when I lived down in that area, so…it was a pretty great feeling to have several of the baristas(props to Laura and Katie!) so excited to see me make my grand return! Anyways…I read a bit of my “Sermon on the Mount” by Lloyd-Jones(and enjoying that heartily – but no worries – I shan’t quote a large portion of it on here today!). Eventually, the mechanic called and told me they had to replace my awkward third brake light in order to pass inspection, which meant it’d be another 3-4 hours. Joy. Fortuitously enough, Julie was also nearby(well, within 3 miles!) getting her own car worked on! So I grabbed some water and walked down to meet up with her. Totally unplanned…but it worked out rather well – we got to hang out at the shop for a while before eventually going to grab lunch at Adair. Such a fun time with such a dear friend! We talked about all manner of things, serious and not…before finally my car was ready. Julie dropped me off there, I went to HEB and did some shopping…and now I’m back here at the flat, doing laundry and enjoying a restful Saturday afternoon. God is good to me, of that I am forever reminded.

Anyways, this was an extremely random summary of my day thus far…I shall bore you no further with an account of my workweek(really, who wants to hear about that!?) and sign off. Have a most lovely day, my friends – remember to lift your eyes to the heavens this day and thank our Lord God for all He has given us. Peace and love.

a New Day, once again!

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Happy friday, friends!! I’m about to start my normal work routine…but it is Friday and thus I am happy. Also…this morning, went to my normal Starbucks and Lucas there gave me a free peppermint mocha. A gift from God, indeed! Thus I am grateful. Now, time to stretch my mental muscles and get to work. May God bless each and every one of you this day.

what Else is There to Follow, what Else is There to Love?

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A bit of honey upon the bread makes it oh so tasty and sweet
but oft times we forget the honey and the bread
and just grab a mouthful of cornmeal
instead.

And I can’t express what is in my heart, but then
when have I ever had that express desire
fulfilled?

And oh I’m waiting
as the autumn leaves float down around my head
and oh I’m waiting
for something more than promises of breathless hope to here remain
for something more than promises of fragile tea mugs in their alcoves
for something more than promises of lighted candles upon the windowsill
and oh I’m waiting
oh oh I’m waiting
for leaves of summer to crown my brow
someday soon
someday
and then shall I weep anew for fulfillment sweet
and so I’m waiting
for that crimson sunset
and in-drawn breath
before the silence
before the storm,
before the long
lost called home.

Meanwhile listen
for that true music,
echoing of ages past
echoing of age to come
echoing achingly
painfully
wonderingly
wonderfully
staggeringly
beautiful
and so
listen closely, for it still sings
faintly yes,
but it still sings.

And better now than scattered crumbs of mercury and steel,
the true bread rests upon the plate, invitingly warm and hearty,
even a little bit of honey drizzled sweet,
that worn old book sings to me anew,
not faintly now.
Sometimes yes,
but not the now.

This Shall I Seek

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If anyone wishes to come after Me, he
must deny himself, and take up his cross
and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will
lose it; but whoever loses his life for
My sake will find it. For what will it
profit a man if he gains the whole world
and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man
give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in the
the glory of His Father with His angels and
will then repay every man according to
his deeds.
-Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:24-27

Penstrokes

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Clearly I need to listen to classical guitar more often. As I drove to work this morning, popped in a CD of Christoper Parkening’s(Elmer Berstein – Concerto for Guitar) and was a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed it anew. I’ve had this CD for a while(I want to say – since 2002/2003??!) and I’m sure part of the enjoyment was due to the nostalgia factor and the good memories associated with it. Nonetheless, I now have a great desire to write more. Most likely because this used to be some of my best writing music back in high school! My problem now…what to write!? Frothy poetry? Gritty science fiction? Moody fantasy? I know not…I need some prompt, or a grand idea…or…something! Alas for my muse and the dearth of her song. Someday I shall write again. Someday.

Look to the Stars

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I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
-Psalm 121

Be blessed of God this dear, my dear, dear friends.