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I really should go to bed now and should not be writing this…but just wanted to say that the past few weeks have been AWESOME. This past weekend in particular. Went to the first Gators game of the year and watched us smash Hawaii(56-10) from the 88th row(got a nasty downpour in the beginning of the game…but hey, it is the Swamp, after all). Rob and I went to Plant City to visit his aunt and cousin…third year in a row I’ve been there and it was sweet times. Had good times relaxing, getting some work done(like moving massive pieces of furniture), watching insane movies(I don’t know if I’d recommend it, but Death Race was just ridiculously crazy-fun), and playing some classic Nightfire late at night…good times indeed.

And then today we drove back from Plant City straight to the Moningers for our annual Labor day lake party!! I loved just being outside all day long…throwing the frisbee, throwing people into the lake(ok, I spent some quality time in the lake too…), and then just floating on a giant tube out on the lake as the sun went down…enjoying being with friends. God is such a good God!!!

And as the night wound down, we had a Stoneridge ice cream party…me, Galan, Andrew, Rob, Shari, Amy, and Deanna ate yummy ice cream(mint chocolate chip!!!!) and watched Transformers. Or tried to, since the PS2 kept freezing on us. Still…I felt so relaxed and happy.

And I have talked much more than I meant to. All I really wanted to get across was that God is awesome. And so I praise Him and thank Him, day by day. The end.

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It’s good to be home!! Houston was pretty fun, but being back home with my family…I love it. Enjoying good food, good conversations, and just relaxin’ as I get to be with my parents and sisters…I appreciate it even more now than ever, after being hundreds of miles away!! We got to have a nice spaghetti dinner this afternoon after church and then later this afternoon and evening, went to youth group. So fun seeing everyone and enjoying playing games. Especially some classic football at the end…been so long since I played so I know I’m gonna be sore tomorrow. But it was worth it!

Now I’m quite tired…but think we’re gonna watch a little more of the Olympics before I go off to bed. Farewell all!!

James HoganLeave a comment

I am overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord
and of his faithfulness to his chosen ones.
There is truly no One greater than He who
provides so richly for his children and
puts His hand of protection upon
all those who seek His face.

How great is His lovingkindness!
Higher than the heavens and
wider than the east is from the west
is the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Oh, I am so undeservedly blessed
by the love of our most Holy Father.

Truly…those words are from my heart because today I’ve felt a flood of emotions. While I’m quite excited(!!) to be coming back to Florida soon, I’ve realized how much I’ve been blessed this summer. I remember getting ready to come to Texas and having no idea what this summer would be like. And indeed, I was a little nervous coming to Houston and not knowing anyone at all. I wondered if I’d be able to find a good church and good friends. But really, why did I doubt?? Where was my faith?? Because God is a good Father, He has blessed me so much more than I could have thought or imagined. He has given me a good church(Bethel w000t!)in which to worship and be blessed by the preaching of the Word. He has given me friends whom I could both encourage and be encouraged by. He has given me people who have welcomed me into their homes and ministered to me every Sunday. He has given me so much.

This was my last Sunday at church and I don’t really get emotional that often, but I felt that way today. Knowing it would be a long time(if even in this life) that I saw all of these people again…I think if I were the crying sort, I would have cried. I’m just so thankful to the God who despite all my wickedness and sinfulness and rebellion…who chooses to bless me as a beloved son. I am indeed blessed. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!!

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Just had a lovely breakfast of bacon and coffee. Mmm, nothing better!! I love lazy Saturday mornings, even if my work schedule has trained my body well enough that I can’t sleep past 8:30! I had a great morning relaxing and reading the Word while I enjoyed breakfast(by the way…Galatians is pretty awesome!! Freedom in Christ forevah!!) Now I think I’ll take a walk and maybe stop by Target or Best Buy…it’s pretty awesome that they’re only a five minute walk away!(Of course, I do have to cross under a major freeway and all…but shh, that’s a secret)

I still can’t believe I only have two more weeks of work left…and then it’s back to Florida! While this summer has been pretty sweet, I am looking forward to coming back to my family and all my friends and getting ready for my SENIOR YEAR at UF!! Whoa, that’s just craziness. I’ve realized that four years ago(as I started this livejournal), I was getting ready to start my senior year at Gaither. How I have changed…mostly for the better, I do believe!

But before it gets too hot outside(hmm, may be too late for that), I’m off for my mid-morning walk! From Houston…signing off. Go forth and conquer!

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I walk down the shadowed road
and look for something
What it is I do not know
something.

I listen to my pounding heart
and wait for something
What it is I do not know
something.

I gaze up at the evil sky
and cry for something
What it is I do not know
something.

My mind is torn
My strength is gone
My heart is rent
My soul is lost.

What now can I do?
Where now can I fly?
How now can I cry?
When now can I die?
Why?

Slowly slowly spinning
this wounded world waits to
suck my lifeblood from me.
Waits to kill me. Help me!

And then the darkness closes over
And then my eyes begin to dull
And then my wits begin to leave me
And then I see a flash of light!

Heaven’s Grace and heaven’s Light!
He will take me from this fight!
My own struggles worked for naught
Yet by his blood I am now bought!

I once looked up and felt only soul’s deepest pain
I now look up and see the Lamb who has been slain!
I once looked up to see the very darkest night
I now look up and see with most heavenly sight!

I once was lost in the depths of despair
I once used my will to kick against the rod
I now look up and see heaven opened
and the Son of Man at the right hand of God!

James HoganLeave a comment

Wow, today has been a LONG day! I actually woke up today around 4:45(AM!!). Ridiculous, huh? It was because my sunday school class at my church(Bethel) was helping put a garage sale on. Anyway, I was pretty tired when I first woke up, but after my shower and some awesome bacon and coffee, I was raring to go. Well, mostly! The garage sale was lots of fun, partly because it’s always fun to help someone else out and partly because it was fun hanging out with the people here…whom I’m finally getting to know now, so it’s good times! A lot of the time, when nothing was happening with the sale, I would just be talking to one person or another…and I really enjoyed that. It’s been a while since I’ve had Christian fellowship like that. After the sale was over, I was pretty exhausted but Sibi(my co-intern) and I had planned to go to “The Galleria”, a huge mall here in Houston. I was wondering how big a mall could be, but this mall definitely was the biggest mall I’ve ever been in. It had 3 levels and multiple huge buildings…and an ice skating rink in the middle of the food court. Yeah, pretty awesome. It was so fun walking through the mall and exploring all the stores and having no idea where anything was and seeing so many people!!! And I actually “shopped” at the mall…i.e., I bought clothes there, which I never do, so I was a little shocked at myself. After some harrowing moments trying to get back to our hotel, finally got back here and now I am ready to crash. Been doing laundry and just took a shower and I am ready for a good night’s sleep!!! Hope everyone is having great times wherever you are…and I am going, going, gone. G’night, all!

James HoganLeave a comment

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”