Birds

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, my awesome friends!

Me and Daniel have been watching the Royals-Orioles game(game one of ALCS!) and now he’s gone up to bed, so thought I’d write a short little entry. I’m also strongly considering making a second cup of tea, since it’s only the sixth inning and I figure I’ll be up a while longer. An excess of tea never hurt anyone, right? Anyways, it’s super fun watching some classic October baseball…especially with the O’s involved! This is the first time they’ve been in the ALCS in maybe…ten years? And a bloop hit in the infield just scored the tying run for the Orioles! 5-5, men on first and second, no outs, bottom of the sixth. What a game.

But no more baseball for now! I’ll try and rein in my enthusiasm! I think I shall start the water boiling for more tea! And really, I’d rather not write anymore tonight…going to read a bit as I watch the game. Just know that this evening has been exceedingly lovely. After a long and tiring and mentally exhausting day at work, I was much blessed with a night of chilling with John and Daniel, chatting, eating dinner and now…well, you know. Baseball!

Have a beautiful night, my friends – as always, grace and peace.

Recycled Air

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening, friends!!

I’ve just had a good workout and going to clean up and get dinner ready soon(chicken/pineapple curry, very proper Wednesday night dinner)..but I’m on the computer now and thought I may as well write a few words! I’m sitting in our living room as the fading afternoon light slants gracefully across the floor and I’m enjoying my yogurt and listening to some chill Postal Service as my weary body rests. And truly, it’s wondrous thinking of how supremely blessed I am. Despite my hectic work of late(and subsequent weariness!), I have been given oh so much, not the least being overflowing grace from God my Father. Despite all that I am – I have been granted wonderful salvation, beautiful love. I have been born again – to a life of wonders ne’er ceasing. And for that, I praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!!!

A Psalm

James HoganLeave a comment

O God, You are my God; I shall
seek you earnestly;
my soul thirsts for You, my flesh
yearns for You,
in a dry and weary land where
there is no water.
Thus I have seen You in
the sanctuary,
to see Your power and
Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is
better than life,
my lips shall praise You.
So I will bless You as long as
I live;
I will lift up my hands in
Your name.
My soul is satisfied as with
marrow and fatness,
and my mouth offers praises
with joyful lips.
When I remember You on
my bed,
I meditate on You in
the night watches,
for You have been my help,
and in the shadow of Your wings
I sing
for joy.

My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my life to destroy it,
will go into the depths of the earth.
They will be delivered over to the power
of the sword; they will be a prey for foxes.
But the king will rejoice
in God;
everyone who swears by Him
will glory,
for the mouths of those who speak lies
will be stopped.

Praise the Lord!

Rainbow

James HoganLeave a comment

So – time for a little pre-work entry! I haven’t done this in a while…and I feel in the mood to write before I officially start work this morning.

It is pouring outside and sometimes it’s easy to complain in the midst of an early morning drive to work in a Houston Deluge(trademark that!)…but this morning, as I came in, I just realised how blessed I truly am. I’m thankful for the vast quantities of water that have been heaped onto Houston these past few days…I’m thankful that I have a paying job that I can drive to…I’m thankful that I have a sturdy car that keeps me dry as I drive to said job…I’m thankful for delicious peppermint mocha that warms up my inside…I’m thankful for the many lovely friends I have as I remember good times that we have enjoyed together(like at Sarah’s bday party last night!!)…I’m thankful for modern communication devices that enable me to talk to people hundreds and thousands of miles away…oh and also…I’m thankful that the United Kingdom remains united as Scotland voted resoundingly to stay within the Union. So it may be dreary and grey outside and manic and busy inside my office here…but that matters not. I am thankful to my Lord who gives me…everything.

United

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening, friends!! It’s a bit late(especially for a Wednesday night!), but I did want to get a few words written.

Tomorrow is a momentous day for Scotland. Tomorrow, the people of that fair land vote in the “Independence Referendum” and answer the single question – Should Scotland be an independent country?

So much virtual ink has been spilled by various blogs and pundits on whether Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom or become independent, and I almost hesitate to write anything at all, especially because I’m not even living in Scotland anymore! But, after reading Chris’ most eloquent essay earlier today on his thoughts and feelings on the upcoming referendum, I knew I simply must write a few words.

Sadly – it is also late enough that I feel my words slipping away, so an essay is not to be. So rather than pour out my thoughts upon this page, I’ll go to bed(which would be wise considering work in the morning!). And as I drift off to sleep, I’m going to be praying for Scotland. As much as I think that it would be best(both economically and global-politically) for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom – my prayer is this – that, as always, our Father’s will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And I pray that God bless this wonderful country of Scotland as its people go to the polls this day. And I pray that no matter the outcome, the Scottish people will show love to each other, that there be no bitterness by the losing side, that there be no lack of charity or malice shown by the victorious side. And I pray for the future of Scotland. Your will be done, our Lord.

Smoldering

James HoganLeave a comment

A riot of watercolors
and tapestry of tears,
a whispering of smooth jazz and
a slow dance of the years.

A subtle raising of eyebrows,
and dizzy sparkling eyes,
a conversation of laughter
and a slow dance of sighs.

Sitting under maple trees
in lush autumn and
drinking tea with
purest honey and
feeling the sweet caress of wind off the sea and watching clouds dissolve in unprovoked giggles amid the rain falling from hooded eyes of
the storm
and feeling the
warm blush from
sun unveiling and
watching the stars
write a new symphony.

A soulful lilting of trumpets,
violins sing that tune,
two hands now clasped lovingly and
slow dance under the moon.

Hope Unfailing

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening, friends!! I’m in the middle of cooking dinner, but as my chicken is taking its sweet time to reach that proper state of golden-brown deliciousness, I thought I’d take a quick break from the kitchen and write this! My dinner will (eventually) be a most awesome chicken/pineapple curry. For some reason, I felt in a curry mood. So there you go.

In other, less delicious news? Well for one, I can announce that I am now living at the Chuckberry house with John, Chase and Daniel. And as foreseen, it is awesome!! This day’s been perfectly delightful – after a encouraging and awe-inspiring morning at church(complete with chairing the control booth with Joe! Oh and…reminded how sweet it is, leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus. Always, yo)…this afternoon has been no less sweet, hanging out at the house here with Daniel, good chat intermingled with football on the TV. Went out to the store quickly to grab dinner supplies and much enjoyed the gorgeous storm clouds scudding swiftly overhead as the rain fell softly down…

And now, my chicken is bubbling ominously and I should probably pay more attention to the stove and less attention to the 49ers/Cowboys game and this blinking laptop screen…

Have a sweet and most awesome evening, my friends. My love is with you, always.

Changes Pt. 2

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Saturday!!

Shan’t write too much today but I do have a few minutes…and I noticed it had been quite a while since I last posted. The last time, I was in Amsterdam, posting in the middle of my grand Hungary/Scotland tour! Now, I sit here at Beans, just having enjoyed my delicious mocha while getting some work done(end of the month fun times, yo!)…and soon enough, I need to get going, since today is officially moving day!! I’m leaving my nice little flat on Augusta…and moving in with the guys! Daniel and John and Chase will be my roommates and it will be awesome. Sort of weird, since I haven’t had this many roommates since college days. Also, I still miss John…but what can I say – things never stay the same. And changes are good.

Anyways, enough musing – I’m off. Pardon the brief post, friends! As always, peace and love.

(And a rare edit – this is post number 600. Whoa)

Connections

James HoganLeave a comment

Advantages to missing my flight to Aberdeen:
1) I get to sit in glamorous Schiphol for five hours.
2) I get to leisurely enjoy my mocha from Starbucks.
3) Phone is now fully charged!
4) A shocking mid-trip LJ entry!!
5) Indulging my love of people watching.

Disadvantages:
1) I get to spend far too much time in Amsterdam(I am seriously considering a souvenir here at Schiphol to commemorate my many hours spent here thus far…)
2) I miss my long-anticipated Lairhillock dinner with John.
3) I don’t get to Aberdeen until 10pm tonight!
4) I now won’t see Chris and Jo until Saturday!!
5) Starbucks for dinner? (Not sure what this is, advantage or disadvantage)

And a little more seriously – writing this on my phone is excruciatingly slow, so not many more words. Except, as I sit here in Amsterdam and reflect on my adventures so far – Anna and Balazs are now married – all glory to God!! What a wondrously beautiful wedding!!! – I can only think on how blessed am I to be granted this gift to see so many of my dear friends. Truly I am blessed. And so how can I complain or fret over silly travel delays? Truly am I blessed.

And now, the journey continues.

Joyful

James HoganLeave a comment

And now – I sit here awaiting my dinner to come to its completion. Spaghetti sauce(with onions, peppers, sausage…) merrily bubbling away on the stove and with the aroma wafting through the apartment…it’s feeling like dinnertime. Thought that while I wait for the sauce and sausage flavours to marry, I could write a few words here. Not much to say of note, really. Had a nice time at church this morning(Pastor Wayne finished up 2 Timothy – such a great book!) and then afterwards went out with friends for a BBQ lunch where I enjoyed a brisket sandwich with potato salad. Only in Texas.

This afternoon, got a bunch of random things done around the flat – yet still made time for my quiet time on the couch with my coffee, etc. Finally I decided to make dinner(even though still being a bit full from lunch!) to the lovely sounds of Beethoven on my TV(my favorite part of this TV I think – I can connect to youtube through it and play any kind of music I want for ambiance. My TV speakers are *far* superior to this old laptop’s speakers and it’s very nice hearing the music throughout my place).

With all that said, I do want to mention something briefly that I’m not sure I’ve said before – I’ve been planning my grand return to Europe for a while now…and so this week, on Thursday, I fly out! I’m going to first arrive in Budapest and pop up to Miskolc for the weekend…for Anna’s wedding. Yes, dear Anna is getting married – oh joy of joys! And so I’ll be there to celebrate with her and her family and friends. It will indeed be awesome to see her and her family again – been a while since I’ve seen any of them! Me and Noemi have been keeping in touch fairly well – and now we finally get to chat in person! (So much better, eh?) And of course..Steven will be at the wedding too. So – a true and most excellent reunion will be had. God is good. Always.

And of course, once I leave Hungary a week Monday, where will I end up? Aberdeen of course. A week in Scotland with my dearest friends awaits. I’m not going to detail my itinerary…but it will be most glorious. And I cannot wait. God is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting. Always. Always.

Now as Beethoven’s ninth comes to its climax, I think it is a good time for me to get my dinner. Peace, my friends – have a most lovely Sunday evening.