Author: James Hogan

Whisper of Heaven

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I decided to write a brief few words even as my belly growls for lunch here – I’ll use my hunger to drive me on to pen my thoughts before giving in and going downstairs for a sandwich. At Books and Beans right now this cold and rainy day and delighting in the warmth and light inside here as I’ve been relaxing this morning(now afternoon!). Been reading a bit, as well as doing some miscellaneous computer and internet errands and soon enough, time to brave the wet city and hop over to Rosie and David’s for Rosie’s birthday tea…and then later this afternoon, Chris and Jo and I are off to see the Hobbit again!! Of course me and Maryanne and Mom already saw it, but it will be awesome to be with Chris and Jo and just enjoy the beauty of Middle Earth once again…

And I feel like I should be writing more than this, because really – this is a rather short update thus far, but what shall I write? Ah, I know – I’ve been reading through Mark lately(such a great book! I think it has some of the most hilarious lines in any of the gospels. Particularly relating to the disciples’ interactions with Jesus…they’re so silly sometimes(Mark 8:16!)…and then I realize they really don’t differ from us at all. We’re all just as weak and dim-witted most of the time, so then it simply comforts me that Jesus still loves us and holds us close to Himself nonetheless(or should I say – all the more!!). Anyways what was I saying? Ah yes, Mark. Anyways, for some reason the past few days I’ve been reading Mark 13 over and over again. If you’ll recall, this is the chapter talking about the Last Days and the return of Christ to this earth in all His glory. I think my heart has been especially yearning for this Day recently…partly as I read my yummy book A Memory of Light as it describes a fictional End of Days and this makes me think of the true Day of the Lord when our Christ comes back to this earth…and it will be dark and glorious and epic and fiery and lo – the end of this present age. And lo – the beginning of the reign of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords! Him who will reign forever, whose kingdom will have no end!

Anyways, let me share a few verses that have struck me recently(all in Mark 13- you can read the whole chapter to see them all in the context of Jesus explaining to His disciples something we should all long to know more about)..

When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be frightened;
those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines.
These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…

…And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’;
or, ‘Behold He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs
and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders,
in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see
the Son of Man
coming in clouds with
great power and glory.
And then He will send forth the angels,
and will gather together His elect from the four winds,
from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven…

And those words do stir my soul – let us all be eagerly looking to the coming of our Lord – let us be on the alert! Let us be longing for this most terrible and most glorious day!!

And now on that awesome note, it is time for a humble lunch. Ham and cheese panini and salad I think? Going to hop downstairs and order that and then maybe read a bit more this morning(er..afternoon I mean). Peace, y’all!

A Memory of Light

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For those of you uninformed and slightly curious, the above title references the book by the same name…the *last* book of the Wheel of Time series – which comes out this next week. I remember starting the series when George Lebo lent me the first book oh so many years ago…(ok, maybe not that long ago – 2008, I think)…anyway, it’s been a good run and I’m a bit sad to see the end come. I will try and slow my usual frenetic reading pace down and savor this last one. I’ll still probably finish it in a week – curse me and my quick reading abilities!! And maybe Laura will hurry up and finish up the preceding books sometime this year so she can read this one! (You know I love you, Laura!!)

Just now, sitting in Books and Beans(for the second time in three days!!) and as my coffee slowly gets cold, I think it’s almost time for lunch, but I wanted to write a little bit first! I’ve been doing my normal Saturday morning routine…reading(Psalms 59-60, Proverbs 5 and some more of 2 Samuel! Absalom is currently being a punk and David is hiding out…may I always have his attitude when persecuted/downtrodden! When Abishai wanted to decapitate the guy that was cursing David, David said, “Let him alone and let him curse…Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”) and also have been having online time(checking on bank accounts and the all-important facebook..as well as trying to find a way to watch the Redskins/Seahawks playoff game Sunday night! Looks like my best bet may be to listen to it on BBC Radio 5…)

And I really am hungry, so I want to get a sandwich. First though…

Time and space and interwoven footprints in the snow,
the young man tilts his head and smiles and ponders,
and thinks of flickering fires and fragrant hot cocoa
and whispers of the violin
and his dream wanders…

Soaring rhythm accompanies lilting steps of heels upon the well-worn tiles
and eyes of sea-swept grey dip and gaze into sparkling eyes of richest caramel
and the dance of the heavens proceeds on unimpeded by the smaller cares,
and the music of the stars dazzles with the bliss of its perfect harmonies,
and sweetness as of raspberries and chocolate and honey swirling in the tea
and beauty as the sun twirling her skirts of cloud into the blue of the sea.

And his thoughts wander
ever towards that whisper of heaven,
and he thinks of cobblestone streets and sun’s gentle warmth
and the strums of that achingly perfect song in his soul,
dreams and well-loved pages and scarf tugged snug in the snow.

Toast and Tea

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Originally was not even planning on writing this fine cold evening, but due to popular request(*bows to Laura*), I decided to at least write a few words! But on my word, just a few it shall be!

I’m now back in the flat in Aberdeen, and while I’d like to write a longer post on my trip back home in Florida…it shall not be this night. Right now, I’m just enjoying being nice and warm and cozy as I sit on the couch and wait for my dinner to be ready(Roast beef, onions, carrots and potatoes…oh I cannot wait!!) – of course, it’s already going on 8:30, so a nice fashionable late dinner for me tonight. I already had a couple slices of bread and some tea, so thankfully I’m not too hungry yet!

This day was full of…well, not a lot actually! I took a day off work to recover from my travels back here, and I needed it! Slept almost twelve hours last night. This morning, walked down to Books and Beans and had a nice morning reading. This afternoon, stopped by Sainsbury’s and stocked up on some food before coming back and preparing my roast beef dinner…and now, as I sit and catch the scents of my soon-coming dinner, I just cannot help but be grateful to my God for all He has given me – this warm flat, plenty of hearty food, good books overflowing and waiting to be read…friends that are better than a man could hope for…a family that loves me oh so abundantly…yes, I am thankful to my Lord Jesus Christ and praise Him so!

And now, to keep my promise, I’m off. Maybe to read a bit more before dinner time…

Joyful Joyful

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Yes, I probably should be in bed now, as the clock bears down on 1AM. Oh dear.

But – just wanted to briefly dash down a few thoughts before my body shuts down and I fall asleep on this most comfortable bed here at home…

I really have been wanting to write more these past few weeks as I’ve been home – but I’ve been far too busy enjoying being with the fam…so no regrets! And today was as sweet as ever…from going to church and loving being with everyone again as we worshiped our God together! (And got to sing some of my fav songs…And Can It Be, Jude 24/25!!) Came home and dad made some delicious hash from the leftovers from last night’s roast beef dinner…once that was done and me and Mom and Maryanne and Laura had done our Sweetbay run(needed to get ingredients for sauce for tomorrow night’s lasagna!!), we decided it was too nice a day to stay indoors…so me and Maryanne and Laura walked down to the park and got some awesome basketball/football in! It’d been *far* too long since I’ve played with them…and oh so much awesomeness. Following that, came home and we all had Jack Bauer time(*almost* all the way through Season 8! Agent Renee Walker just died in one of today’s episodes…one of the most tragic episodes in all of 24, I think…) then went off to church for end-of-year praise and prayer time! There weren’t many of us there, but there didn’t need to be. We had the sweetest and most lovely time of singing praises to our King and praying deeply and fervently to our Father. I can’t really describe it any further other than I wish you could have been there if you were not…oh how much our God blesses us, giving us such times as these!!

And no, the night was not over yet. We all came home(picked up some delish Pizza Hut on the way! SO GOOD) and watched another episode of 24 before watching the Redskins/Cowboys game…winner-take-all, loser-go-home! And in fine fashion, the Redskins won, 28-18, to take the NFC East crown and a spot in the playoffs! Hail to the Redskins!! And better than all of that…was being with Mom and Dad and Maryanne and Laura and just soaking in the love of my Lord and my God…

And as my grammar continues to deteriorate, it is time for bed, my friends!!

I love you all.

Peace.

Second Breakfast

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And I was planning to write a bit more this morning, but now it is no longer morning and I no longer have time! Me and Dad are about to go out to lunch(destination: unknown) so I’ll just write a few lines. Currently importing the 6th CD(!!) of the Jascha Heifetz collection I got for my mom. Gorgeous violin music – truly, he is one of the best. But yes, this morning has been nice and restful, been able to read a bit with my morning coffee(Coffee always tastes better at home, why is that??) and try to help Laura feel better(I think she’s got the flu, no!!). I picked her an orange from the tree outside…being able to eat a yummy hand-picked orange two days after Christmas? I love Florida.

Now I want to read more of David being awesome(he’s currently on the run from Saul), but I think it is time for lunch. It is half past twelve after all! Oh and I want to write more, but alas my time runs out. Maybe later I’ll be able to talk about my perfectly lovely time at home…from watching Jack Bauer awesomeness on season 8 of ’24’ almost every night…talking and praying and resting and relaxing with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura(truly the best part of being home!!)…eating delicious foods(fettuccine alfredo, chicken burgers, Ledos pizza, yummy pork chops…) and partaking in far too much coffee!!…going to see “The Hobbit” last night with Mom and Maryanne(magnificent timid Bilbo as he goes out to adventure to lands he knows not…loved it!!)…and truly, just being with my family. Love them so.

And I guess I lied before because I wrote quite a tome above, but now – I’m off. Lunch with Dad time!!!

Peace, ya’ll.

A Sprig of Parsley

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And a Merry Christmas Eve to you all!! I sit here as the fettuccine is beginning to boil on the stove. The salad is made and dished out and soon enough the family shall be sitting around the table about to celebrate the wondrous love of our God and Father and the Most Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ – the Messiah and our Saviour!

While it has been a most dazzling few days behind me, days of catching up with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura and moments of utmost bliss sprinkled throughout the pain and sorrows that come with living in a weary and sorrowful world. Yet shrink not back do we from that ancient foe, that serpent of old – nay, we celebrate this day of Christmas as the day when God was born a Man – the Seed of woman and the Son of God. This Child was born and truly was it proclaimed – ‘Glory to God in the highest! And peace on earth to men upon whom His favour rests!’ And this Jesus was sent to this world to reconcile the shattered form of mankind to Himself and to herald the time when He would once and for all crush the dragon’s head – that devil and father of lies.

And this Messiah was born on this world as the most lowly child so that the love of God might be proclaimed in all the world – Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! And that love of God – so blissful, so sweet, so achingly beautiful – is proclaimed to us abundantly. Hear the call of the King! The Most Almighty God gave us the most shockingly lavish gift of all time – that gift of His Son Jesus, the Anointed One of God. This very God died so that we could come to Him in humble and broken adoration – this Jesus has died for the very forgiveness of our sins. What wonder! What hope! What love! Hear the cry of the King! Hear how he weeps for those who are lost and broken and in utter and complete darkness. Hear the trumpets of the heavens, the songs of the stars! Hear the chorus of the angels as they sing praises to our God! Hear the cry of our King!

A chorus of stars and angels high,
A dance of lovers in midnight sky,
A song of bliss and sparkling mirth –
A sigh of praises – oh God’s own birth!

Hope for Hope

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And as I lie here on my bed in my room in Tampa(!!!), I just wanted to write a few words, despite the fact that I’m about to roll out with Dad to have lunch! I’ve been home for almost a week now, and oh how marvelous it’s been!! While hopefully later this afternoon I’ll have a chance to write a few more words, I just wanted to take this moment on the 21st of December 2012 to thank my most wonderful Father in heaven for the blessings He has poured out on one such as me!!! To be here with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura…to rejoice in the beauty of our Lord Jehovah’s most magnificent presence and glory…what can be better, I ask you? No, don’t answer. For there is none. Hopefully I’ll write more later about the gorgeous times I’ve been having in Tampa and Gainesville these past days, but for now, just know this – no matter the fires and corruption of this world, no matter the blasphemies and depravities of this present age, there is still beauty to be found upon this earth. And that beauty belongs to the faith and hope we have in the most marvelous love of Jehovah God. Oh how I love y’all!!!!

Goodnight Moon

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And now this Thursday evening I fondly say goodbye to Aberdeen! Because yes, I will soon be on my way to Tampa, what!! Flying out tomorrow night, staying a night in London and then flying across the sea to America on Saturday! It’s going to be oh so good to be home, yo. But as I eagerly look forward to being home and delighting in the love of my family – I’ve realized this week how much I will miss everyone here! Truly, how blessed am I to have such good friends!! As I said goodbye to so many people at Gilc this past Sunday evening, I got ridiculously sad(Seriously – I’m only going to be gone three weeks!).

And then this past week I’ve been having some pretty sweet evenings with dear friends…Tuesday dinner with Graham(Handmade Burger at the mall, mmm..) and as always, oh so encouraging! Last night, went over to Chris and Jo’s and enjoyed delicious sweets and lovely tea as we enjoyed watching first half of Fellowship of the Ring together! (Side note – Me and Chris were having a discussion about the make-up of the Fellowship, wondering why the party was so obviously overbalanced with an abundance of fairly useless hobbits. Really, only one wizard? And *four* hobbits!?! And then Jo pointed out how well this matches up to our lives in Christ….thank goodness our Lord didn’t choose all wizards or skilled swordsmen to make up his followers! He also chose people like me…simple hobbits(hairy feet and all!). Thank God.) And yes, that was a fairly long digression. Oops.

And now, as busy and nerve-wracking as this week has been at work, I can still be comforted in the fact that my Lord watches over my paths and my Father holds me in His arms. Amen!!

And this night I was blessed yet again as I decided to go over to Ruth and Zara’s to drop off their Christmas cards. I meant to stay for only a minute…definitely stayed over an hour! But enjoyed some lovely chat and tea with Ruth and was reminded for the thousandth time this week how blessed I am to have such dear friends!! I walked back home in the cool night air, relishing this one last night I have in Aberdeen and enjoying the good gifts that our Father has given me.

And now these are many more words than I meant to write. It is time for me to sleep. Tomorrow night at this time, I will be in London! Sleep well, my friends!

Glories upon glories

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O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendour above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes
You have established strength
because of your adversaries,
to make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
what is man that You take thought of him,
and the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
and You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

O LORD our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
-Psalm 8

Simply and blissfully glorious!! Maybe I’ll write more later tonight once work is done for the day, but for now, have a marvelous Thursday, my friends!!

Railway Station

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Sipping on my coffee and listening to Charlie Brown Christmas music as I sit on the brown sofa and relax at the end of this lovely Saturday…

Today was truly a day that God gave to me as a precious gift, a day of rest and joy, a day of peace and love and bliss. Started out oh so sleepily as I woke up around 8:30. (And now John’s back from skyping his sister, so we’re about to start watching Avengers – his Christmas gift to me!! So my fingers must fly to finish this!) And so I sat in Books and Beans, drinking my raspberry mocha as I read epic words from Scripture and sweet words of love from my dear sister Laura! Following, spent a gorgeous day at Ruth and Zara’s flat, where John and Mike Patrick and I played an epic game of RISK while munching bacon rolls…sadly my usual strategy of over-aggressive warlord failed to pay-off and I was first off. I could not hold Africa! Me and Zara spent the the rest of the game reading on the couch while Ruth ended up winning in fine fashion! Next time, Ruth. Next time. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Back to the Future and then random youtube videos before eventually we made our way home…and then me and John exchanged Christmas gifts! I can’t wait to watch Avengers! John is awesome, if I haven’t already said that. Sadly, it’s already almost 9, and as we are old and responsible(shhh…), we’ve decided to watch only half tonight.

So yeah, while I wouldn’t say this day has been overly eventful, it’s just been a day where I’ve been fully aware of the love that God has so richly given us. Sitting with friends and talking and soaking in the sweet companionship of ones that know our Jesus and love Him just as much as I…oh so lovely! Not much that can beat that, say I. Pondering the beauty and ineffable grandeur and terrifying majesty and unknowable mysteries and perfect love of God with others – I think this will be a part of heaven, no? So I can safely and joyously say I’ve experienced a blissful slice of heaven this day.

And now, think it’s Avengers time. G’night, y’all!!