Author: James Hogan

Raindrops

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My Friday mocha in hand, relaxing these few minutes before work starts and enjoying this day that the Lord has made!

The wind swirls.
Upward reaches that ever greener crown,
Tears of joy and life softly dripping down,
as that lone magnificent sky wanderer
loops a sweeter song
and lo the scent of good pure earth
burns so sweetly strong.
The wind joins in the chorus,
the peonies, blushing,
join their tongues
and rushing tears of heaven
add their voice.

Praise Him, ye heavens
Praise Him, ye earth
Praise Him, ye trees and birds and flowers bright
with all your laughing mirth.
Praise Him, ye stars above and seas below
Praise Him, ye glorious men and maidens,
Praise Him, our God and King and Christ!
Praise Him, the Lord of all!
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise Him, all the earth!
Praise Him who created,
Him who made us,
Jehovah is His Name.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise Him, all the earth!

Happy Tuesday

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Sadly, my delicious chicken and spinach sandwiches got left in the fridge this morning, but fear not – I am having lunch! Just having subway for the second day in a row! Oops.

Anyways, just wanted to briefly write and say what a glorious weekend was had – spending time with Maryanne and Laura here in Scotland, yo! Pretty awesome, neh? So from hiking on coastal paths to drinking coffee together to hanging out with so many of my friends here…good times were had. And I am – as always – oh so thankful. Tomorrow – Ireland beckons!! And more adventures with Maryanne and Laura. Going to be epic, y’all.

And this morning as I was driving to work, I passed my favorite spot on the route and was stunned anew how fortunate I am to live where I do! Driving on the bridge across the River Dee and looking to my right to see the green hills rise up…looking quite like the Shire in all its beauty…and just grateful that I’m in a place right now where I feel so at home. Truly right now, this is the Shire to me. This is home. But new adventures await – and so soon I will be moving on. But I will never forget these years.

A Song upon the Lips

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So just dashing off a quick post here! I have chicken and potatoes in the oven, set to come out in, oh…four minutes! So I will be quick(maybe). Spent the last few minutes uploading pictures to Walgreens so Mom can pick them up tomorrow. And before that, working on my Elijah study. So difficult because there’s just so much to say!! I pray God will give me further wisdom and grace. Anyway, it’s a great passage – at least I can say I’m encouraged by it! Now, it’s almost time to eat…but first gonna post a quick something I wrote this morning after driving to work. It’s terribly sloppy – why I should never write anything prior to my first cup of coffee – but…I haven’t written anything in so long, so here you go. It faintly echoes my heart. Faintly!

The clouds so dark,
they’re almost purple,
foreboding,
they sneer.
And yet the sea
blue and magnificent
reflects beauty towards
the sky.
Clouds swirl and gather
and sea leaps up
for that misty kiss
and time slows.
The sun breaks through
its morning curtains
and reaches out unto the sea.
And I tremble.
Beauty and bliss
and love divine.
I praise the King.

Tears Unbidden

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The earth belongs unto the Lord,
and all that it contains;
the world that is inhabited,
and all that there remains.

For the foundations thereof
he on the seas did lay,
and he hath it established
upon the floods to stay.

Who is the man that shall ascend
into the hill of God?
Or who within his holy place
shall have a firm abode?

Whose hands are clean, whose
heart is pure
and unto vanity
who hath not lifted up his soul,
nor sworn deceitfully.

He from th’Eternal shall receive
the blessing him upon,
and righteousness, ev’n from the
God
of his salvation.

This is the generation
that after him enquire,
O Jacob, who do seek thy face
with their whole heart’s desire.

Ye gates, lift up your heads on high
ye doors that last for aye,
be lifted up that so the King
of glory enter may.

But who of glory is the King?
The mighty Lord is this;
Ev’n that same Lord, that great in
might
and strong in battle is.

Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye
doors,
doors that do last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.

But who is he that is the King
of glory? Who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he,
the King of glory is.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen! Amen!
Amen!

Seven Thousand

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G’morning y’all! Or actually afternoon if you’re in my timezone – can’t believe it’s already past 1 here. Oops. I got here(Books and Beans) about 9:45 I think? And I’m still here. Well, I got a bit caught up in my Bible study prep – getting ready for 1 Kings 19 in a few weeks time, and I’m getting really excited – such a great passage!! One of my favorites – just because…it’s so encouraging and uplifting and full of God’s awesome power and love. From the lowest low in Elijah’s life to God’s encouraging and exhorting words to then the sovereign pronouncement that we are not alone in this life. God is with us. And so are others. As God says, “I have yet reserved seven thousand that have not bowed the knee to Baal.” We are not alone, y’all, despite the state of this weary world sometimes indicating otherwise. Anyways! I should probably not be preaching a sermon on here, so I will cease. But I’ve had such fun going through this passage this morning. So I lost track of time.

Also posted some old pictures(from Maryanne’s graduation!!) on facebook – reminded me of such good times back in May with the fam. Oh how I am blessed. And now, about to read a bit of Laura’s story and enjoy my ham and cheese sandwich – I think I see the waitress bringing it over now!

Mmm, this looks delicious. I’m gonna eat and read and then run back home – French Open women’s final starting at 2. Sharapova v. Serena Williams! I’m a bit wary – Maria tends to get hammered by Serena..but we’ll see. (Tomorrow, Rafa goes for his 8th French Open title vs. Ferrer!). So this afternoon will be full of tennis and chores back at the flat. Then, dinner with Chris and Jo and Jaime tonight at Cosmo’s! Can’t wait for that! But now, lunchtime, before my sandwich gets cold.

Peace, yo.

Sundew

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Almost half past nine here, and the sun still shines! I have to say – I do so love Scottish summertime evenings! Just getting ready for bed soon, but now drinking my hot cocoa(yes, I can drink cocoa in summer, don’t hate) and contemplating what a sweet and relaxing week it’s been. Especially compared to the brutality that was last week!

So tonight, just had a yummy lasagna dinner(John-made!) and been thanking the Lord for all His goodness to me. Indeed, I have been blessed so much, I can’t even describe. Truly. This period(almost three years!) I’ve been in Aberdeen has been simply grand. And that, my friends, is a fact. So all praise to our God from whom all blessings flow!! All hail the Lord of righteousness and peace. Let us not hold back anything from our King. May our eyes shine with purest love for our God. Our Father. Always.

May Day

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Just thought a quick Friday morning update was due!

This week’s been long and intense…but I am still alive!! Maybe I should write more later about what lessons I’ve been learning(truly, going through such rough days and weeks means there is no one else I can go to…but God), but for now, just wanted to wave to you all this beautiful last day of May and say happy Friday!!!

I’m enjoying my Friday mocha and soon enough work will begin in earnest. One more day, and I can rest a bit! Tonight going to enjoy resting at home – so needed! Last night was simply beautiful – was at Zara’s for dinner, along with Ruth and John and Mel. Good times. As always. Simply being able to chill and be silly together after a rough few days – what’s better, right? I was sort of falling asleep at the end though. Oops. Anyways, now it’s Friday, y’all. And I’m going to enjoy this day that our God has made.

Leviathan

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Spending my last few minutes in Books and Beans here before I dash out into the warm sunshine! It’s a glorious day outside, but I needed some quality writing time, so I thought I’d chill here for a few hours first. But now I can see the sunshine slanting fiercely upon the stone walls across the street and I just cannot resist the urge to go outside any longer. But quickly! Had a sweet time this morning with Joel and Graham and and Ben…good breakfast time with some awesome guys. Talking and praying and enjoying some sweet cinnamon rolls. Not a bad way to start my morning, although I was a bit sleepy after a late night yesterday! Yesterday, following a brutal day at work…I went to Chris and Jo’s for dinner! As always, a most marvelous night was had, full of random fictional linguistic discussion, Tomb Raider intensity and occasional kitty interruptions. I love you guys. And really, as I drove to their place last night and watched the sun’s rays play upon the folds of Aberdeenshire, I thought again how much I’m going to miss it here. I do think I’m going to be moving back to the States this year, but the closer I get to that impending possibility…the more I realize how much I love everyone here. And I rejoice in this fact, and yet I’m sad. I’m going to miss y’all deeply.

And now, enough melancholy from me. Going to finish my sandwich and go hang with Mike Patrick this beautiful afternoon. Time to soak in the sun. Peace, y’all.

Morning Light

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Thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to write a few words prior to starting work here! Got in a few minutes ago and made my coffee to warm up. It’s less than 40 degrees outside…and it’s almost June. This is completely intolerable! I’m tired of being cold. So roll on summer!

And besides my random weather thoughts, what else is going on lately, you may ask? Well, mostly just keeping busy at work, although also having some sweet times with people on the side! Got to catch up with Graham for dinner on Tuesday night, and then me and Ruth hit up Starbucks last night. Good times, always. And of course, last night was Wednesday bible study – Joel led it with an awesome message from Genesis 1. Powerful and beautiful…just thinking about the majesty and intricacy and utter beauty of all that God has wrought from nothing. Stunning. And unsurprisingly, good discussion and prayer was had following that.

And now, I probably should close this and get ready for my work day. Laters!!

Twenty Six

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So I’ve sat here for about thirty minutes with this window open in front of me, meaning to write something meaningful – and failing miserably! John and I are chilling out this drizzly grey day, me with my cup of coffee and a good book beside me. So can I write something insightful and deeply penetrating as I begin my twenty-seventh year? I suppose I could. But I really want to read my new book(Temeraire, courtesy of Chris and Jo!) and so I’ll just say that I really have had the most amazing day thus far and I really do have the most awesome friends. Y’know. Had a sweet birthday brunch at Zara’s, accompanied by her and Ruth and Chris and Jo and Alec and Pip. Being together with them all for a few hours – truly truly wonderful. I am blessed beyond measure. And now John’s back from his interview in Glasgow(for Commonwealth Games next year!) and we’re in the lounge together enjoying that comfortable Saturday-afternoon-feeling…

And now that I’ve done my duty and written these few words, I’m off. Peace.