The Greatest Show on Earth

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Saturday friends!!  I’m enjoying my espresso at Starbucks and listening to a potential-next-CD mix(power-metal themed and it shall be glorious if I do say so myself).  Interestingly enough as I was thinking on music-themed subjects earlier this morning, I remembered my old last.fm account…and somehow I was able to log back into it!  It used my ancient hotmail account but thankfully(terrifingly) I use passwords that are all related and too easily remembered and so I was able to access account after a few tries and reset my account to use the email that I actually have been using for the past…fourteen years.  Anyways!  It was fascinating to log into this old music logging site and see the statistics for all my music-listening.  I obviously used it the most during college, so my “top charts” all reflect my college music tastes.  Somewhat hilarious but unsurprisingly some of my tastes have stayed similar as well.  Relient K is in first place by almost a staggeringly shocking one thousand plays.  John Williams is second!  Muse third, Coldplay fourth.  Nightwish shows up at eighth, Green Day at ninth.  Switchfoot at 17th!  Needtobreathe is way down at 34th!  T Swift at 40!  My top album makes me happy and it actually still fairly represents me – Handel’s Messiah at 1.  Excellent.  But my top track?  This is most definitely college as it is Violet Hill by Coldplay…with 57 plays!!  What was I doing.  I mean, it’s a great song, but not quite sure why it’s 1 and not quite sure why it has so many plays.  2 is Brand New Colony by Postal Service.  A much more fitting song for 1 spot.  Ah well.  Clearly if this had been tracking my music consistently throughout the past ten years, things would be different.  Still – fun to see a time capsule of college days!  Ok, enough of music nerdery.

Not really.  I’ve for a while (and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it here before!) been wanting to chronicle a few of my favourite concerts I’ve been to.  This is quite a difficult task – even though I’m not a prolific concert-goer – for I’ve been to some truly epic shows and I can’t even imagine ranking them, but…well, I shall try.  Firstly, some ground rules and acknowledgments.  Firstly, I’m limiting myself to only one concert per artist as otherwise my top five would probably be entirely Needtobreathe and Nightwish.  Not quite tragic, but not quite truly representative either.  Secondly, confession that these rankings are very much influenced the experience of attending the show itself – i.e., who did I go with?  How was the crowd energy?  What other special circumstances made the night truly special?  Hence…it’s not just about the music!!  I’m writing this all from memory(some of these shows are near seven years ago now!!)…so….I’m sure my recollections are partly coloured by the passing of time.  No matter.

Before we go into the Top Five, a couple of honourable mentions – first goes to Mumford & Sons show in New Orleans a couple years ago.  While I do enjoy their music(not as much as I once did, true), I wasn’t really blown away by hearing them live and so I struggle with inserting them into the Top Five.  But I must acknowledge this show because I got to go with Maryanne – and being with her there was very special!!  Too bad I didn’t enjoy the show quite as much as some others I’ve been to…but being with her made it all worth it.  Second – really enjoyed going to a few Josh Garrels shows(will go to my third one of his next weekend!) and quite love his music…but he just barely doesn’t make the Top Five.  Music is just a touch too chill.  Alas.  Still – his music is aces and I shall hopefully discuss him more at a later date!  One more note – I’d love to put lots more pictures in this post, but my picture adding ability is a bit…deficient, shall we say.  So I’ll try to add at least a few more now and maybe a few more retroactively down the line.  We shall see.  And last note (for real!) – I took all the photos shown below with the exception of the one at 3 spot.  That is credit Karen Watson!

Now…enough of the disclaimers.  Here we go.  Let’s count it down, shall we?

5.  Snow Patrol
January 30th, 2012 – Aberdeen, Scotland

Snow Patrol!!  This one makes the top five(barely) for a number of reasons.  First of all, their music is simply gorgeous and is music I still enjoy heartily to this day.  It warms my heart and hits that sentimental/nostalgic part of me just spot on.  But as for this concert?  Well it was in Scotland(actually in Aberdeen!) and I have fond memories of that night for multiple reasons.  I went with Beth and Chris and Jo and what a wonderful night it was!  Beth and I had been good friends for a while by then so obviously I enjoyed her company.  But as for Chris and Jo…while we were friends, I would date the beginning of the deepening of our dear and abiding friendship to this night.  It was so much fun enjoying the concert with them – but really thinking about this concert now just reminds me of the oh so sweet friendship I have with Chris and Jo and for that reason I am very grateful I decided to go to this show!  Oh right, and the music was pretty good too!  They played all my favourites – Set The Fire to the Third Bar, Open Your Eyes, etc.  It was pretty fantastic hearing some of my fav songs live.  It was a good night.

4.  Coldplay
December 3rd, 2011 – Glasgow, Scotland

Another great band, albeit one I haven’t quite kept up with or listened to in quite some time!  Actually, I suppose the last album I bought and listed to was Mylo Xyloto, the one that came out right before this tour!  Regardless of my changing music tastes, what a night.  The energy at this show was astounding and the band was on fire!  This was the opener show to their world tour and so the band was hyped up and we were hyped up and the atmosphere that night was simply phenomenal!!  From jumping up and down to Charlie Brown to enjoying the beautiful chords of Yellow to singing along to Fix You…I mean, obviously – they did all the favourites and it was just a sublime experience.  I went with Rosemary and Beth and Bree(Beth’s sister) and we got there extra early and so actually got pretty sweet spots by the stage(as can be seen in pic above!).  Chris Martin was jumping around all night and the energy he exhibited was most definitely contagious!!  I was buzzing by the end of the night.  What a sweet show.  Hm, now I really want to listen to some more Coldplay now.  What a night in Glasgow.  What a beautiful night.

3.  Switchfoot
September 17th, 2016 – Houston, Texas

Oh Switchfoot, how I love thee.  Switchfoot is one of those funny bands that I was exposed to way back in 2005-timeframe(if not before?) and while I always thought they were good…well, I didn’t love them per se.  But the passing of time has made me wise to the beauty in the lyrics that Foreman writes and the truth that is expounded therein.  While not all of their songs are explicity from a Christian perspective, enough of them shed light on the longing we have for our true home, for our true Love that I cannot help but deeply enjoy their songs.  And hey, they rock out pretty hard too, right?  I’d never seen Switchfoot live before until a couple years ago though.  Funnily enough, they and Relient K were doing a joint tour.  In years past(back in college!) I would have ranked Relient K far above Switchfoot as a band…but just as my love for Switchfoot has waxed over the years, so has my love for Relient waned.  Don’t get me wrong, they’re still a fun band!  Just not quite as favourite as they once were.  So Relient K and Switchfoot both played this night, but obviously it was Switchfoot whose songs I most adored.  I went with a bunch of people from church(Peter, Dustin, Karen, et. al…) and we got some pretty sweet spots up near the stage.  Friends commented later that they were surprised that I seemed to know every word to every song!!!  I used my crowd-fu to manuever extra close…and so while I don’t think you can see it in the above picture, when Jon was crowd-surfing, I had my hand on his back, holding him up!!  (Yes, he was quite sweaty)  Speaking of Foreman, he was a man on fire that night – he had so much energy!!  Jumping around, singing with passion, singing with soul.  If I didn’t already respect him enough for his lyrics and musical craftsmanship, seeing his passion on display that night made me love him all the more.  What a man of God.  And my very favourite moment of this concert(and possibly my favourite moment of any concert, ever) was near the end.  They hadn’t yet played my very favourite song – Where I Belong – but then they announced they were playing their last song and then the chords of that song sounded and I was oh so happy and we started singing all together(“…this body’s not my home, this world is not my own…”) and those words near the end that bring an ache to my heart and tears to my eyes – “…and when I reach the other side, I want to look You in the eye and know that I’ve arrived, in a world where I belong” – all of us singing together I couldn’t help but look up to the heavens and praise my Father God to whom all glory is due.  Oh what a song.  And so as my heart melted in worship, I lifted my arms and pointed them up in worship to the One who knows my name.  And the song finished and I left my fingers pointed up in worship and recognition of my God.  And as the band walked off the stage to adulation…I saw Jon Foreman walk off, his two hands pointing up to the heavens.  What a moment.  What a concert.  What a night.

2.  Needtobreathe
September 23rd, 2017 – Houston, Texas

So somehow I don’t have any photos of this night.  Hm.  Alas!  Actually…of the three times I’ve seen Needtobreathe live, I don’t think I have ANY photos!!  Oh well, no matter!  Now, Needtobreathe.  Number 2.  Surely this was the most difficult for me to figure out which concert to choose for this spot.  As I said previously, if I had just put all my top shows on this list regardless of repeat artist…Needtobreathe would hold 2 of those top 5 spots, if not 3.  They are an absolutely incredible live band.  I listen to their studio albums…and they’re good, but definitely take me a while to warm up to.  For some reason, their musical craftsmanship doesn’t come across quite as well on the albums…and their sweet rock skills definitely do not translate.  But live?  Wow, they blow me away.  Every.  Single.  Time.  That’s actually how I first discovered them – a few friends invited me to a show of theirs back in 2010.  I’d never heard of them, but said yes and went.  Why not, right?  Well – I knew none of their songs.  But…the show was magnificent!  Dancing to Girl Named Tennessee and hearing acoustic un-amped Washed By The Water that night?  Mindblowing.  Honestly, I almost put that 2010 show here purely because of that moment of them pulling out their acoustics and telling us all to huddle in and be quiet before they started Washed by the Water…and me hearing that song for the first time that night and falling in love.  But no.  I decided also not to put the second show I went to with Daniel back in…2015 I think?  Mainly because while the show was magnificent and they were magnificent…this most recent show I went to was even better.  This was less than a year ago and honestly I wasn’t even going to go, even though I’d heard they were coming.  I’ve already seen them live twice, right?  But a few weeks before, Lea texted me and asked if I wanted to go.  I was the one that introduced Lea to them, so was quite proud of her!  I decided, sure why not.  Let’s go.  So me and her went…and for once, since it was a last minute decision, I didn’t get GA tickets.  Instead we got actual seats way up(shocking!).  But it wasn’t that bad once the music started!!  Their most recent album – H A R D L O V E – had just come out and it was a phenomenal rocking album.  Full of great dance songs and sweet guitar licks and even a little sax at one point!  So this show had tons of songs from that album and even though sometimes when a band plays all their newest album songs at a show and you’re annoyed because you want to hear the old ones…well in this case, the new ones were so good, I was super excited every time they started playing one!!  The whole crowd was on our feet, dancing and enjoying the show!  Thankfully everyone was rocking out, so Lea didn’t have to be too embarrassed by my dancing and singing!!  This show was just.  So.  Fun.  I love a good dance party, and this concert was it.  Great songs, great musical craftsmanship.  Again, live Needtobreathe is an incredible experience…if you’ve just heard them on the radio, trust me – doesn’t do them justice.  And actually my favourite CD of theirs to listen to is their Live From the Woods album, a live show they did in Nashville.  If you’ve heard other bands’ “live” CDs before, usually they’re not that good, right?  You might listen just for the sake of it, but they aren’t as good as studio.  This live album is best I’ve ever heard.  It’s my favourite way to listen to Needtobreathe now and if they ever put out another live album, you better believe I’ll buy it.  Too many words in this paragraph…but again, going to see Needtobreathe with Lea and having a rocking dance party to their incredible music?  Quality evening.  ‘nough said.

1.  Nightwish
May 8th, 2015 – Orlando, Florida
Number One spot – Nightwish.  Could it be any other?  Truly?  Part of the reason Nightwish is number one is purely because of musical style/genre.  I mean, sure it’s great to go see an acoustic show live.  I’ve seen Andrew Peterson live a few times and it’s great and I love him, absolutely.  But…there’s something a little more visceral and a little more emotional and a little more awesome about seeing a metal band in concert.  And Nightwish – symphonic metal band extraordinaire – knows how to put on a show.  Not my favourite band(but they’re up there!!), but in terms of live performance, they’re the best I’ve ever seen.  For Nightwish, I had a couple shows to choose from.  I could go with my first time seeing them live – Glasgow back in 2012 with Jackie! – but there’s no way I’d choose that show.  As magnificent as it was…Orlando show is and always will be first.  Why you may ask?  Well, it was a very special night at a very special show with a very special girl.  Me and my dear baby sister Laura got to see Nightwish together and it is my very favourite show I have ever been to.  I must take partial credit(and blame??) for introducing Laura to Nightwish back in the day…and so she has fallen in love with them almost as much as I have.  And so that’s why I chose photo I did to intro this.  (Also because I got no decent shot of band in concert since I was just enjoying the show!!)   Anyways…for me and Laura…Nightwish’s gorgeous songs, full of power and emotion and beauty and love…have enthralled both our hearts and so for both of us to together get to see Nightwish perform live…perfection.  And what a show!!  The openers(Delain and Sabaton) were both pretty decent themselves, but Nightwish.  Nightwish rules all.  We drove up from Tampa earlier that afternoon(listening to their newest album Endless Forms Most Beautiful in preparation!) and I made sure to leave extra early because I wanted to get as close to the stage as we could(Laura’s first metal experience and I wanted it to be an epic one!!).  We sat in line for a few hours, but it was fine because the weather was gorgeous and we took silly pictures and talked about our favourite albums to the hardcore fans we were chilling with…and then finally we saw the band walk past us!!….and then soon enough we got to rush into the venue and took our spots.  Center stage, pretty much at the front.  I got Laura to about second row so she could see properly and I stood behind her to protect her(and because I could see over her head!) and guard our spots.  And once Nightwish took the stage…we were rocking out all night long!  From the first song(believe it was Shudder Before the Beautiful) to the last, it was a gorgeous night of metal and beauty and song!!  And getting to see them with Laura…well…no words.  They played so many of our favourite songs…Sleeping Sun, Ghost Love Score, Alpenglow, Shudder Before the Beautiful…Poet and the Pendulum!!  I also somehow managed to catch Marco’s pick when he threw it out, so that was pretty cool too, y’know.  And being mere feet from the epic awesomeness that is Nightwish…Tuomas and Marco and Floor and Emppu…and witnessing their musical prowess as we sung and rocked out…yeah.  Again.  Epic.  I’ve talked of Nightwish before here, I know – so won’t belabour their greatness anymore.  Once again though – being with Laura at a live Nightwish concert…one of my favourite ever memories.  God is good in granting me this precious gift.  So is there any question this is my number one show?  What.  A.  Night.  

Wanderlust

James HoganLeave a comment

It’s a lovely day – well it’s Friday so of course it is – and I’m enjoying my peppermint mocha – what else!? – and thought I’d share a few words…

Read some wonderful words in Psalms 5 and 6 and then in Leviticus(which was a bit more dry but still good because it is the Word) but the one verse I want to share was from Proverbs 25:27 – “It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.”  This was convicting and I love it for multiple reasons.  Firstly, I do enjoy my honey.  I put it in coffee, I put it in my smoothies, I put it in tea…it is pretty much my go-to sweetener.  Honey is fantastic!!  But…I do need to be careful not to overdo it, do I not?  Firstly, if I put half a cup of honey in my smoothie, besides being slightly unhealthy, it would also taste sickly sweet and disgusting.  So yes, too much of a good thing like honey…can sour very quickly.  But enough focus on the honey – what is the author saying here?  It is not “glory to search out one’s own glory”.  Glory is something that can be pretty sweet, right?  We like being praised, we like being thought well of.  We like to be liked.  Some don’t care to be liked…but they still want to be recognized and acclaimed.  We all want to be known.  So just as it can be oh so tempting to add a few more dollops of honey to our morning coffee, so can we be quickly allured by the promise of our own glory, acclaim and honor.  Live in such a way to bring honor and glory to the Father.  But to do things to bring about your own glory?  Thus is vanity.  Thus is foolishness.  Because self-sought glory may be sweet on the tongue, but it will sour in the stomach.  Do not seek to heap honors on yourself.  They will vanish quickly, like ashes in the wind.

To close – if we should not search out our own glory, what should we do?  Well – there are many things we should do and I don’t have time to explicate them all.  But I will simply leave you with this for now – be faithful in obedience to God and seek to know God more.  Long after the deep, wonderful things of God.

Peace and love.

A Shocking Midnight Sun

James HoganLeave a comment

On my drive in to work this morning, began listening to an album I’ve not heard in quite some time…Mumford’s Sigh No More.  I forgot how amazing it is!!  Definitely made me a bit nostalgic for where I first heard it – back in my Aberdeen days.  I cast my mind back and remember listening to it as I drove from Aberdeen to Porthlethen with the sun rising over the sea.  But as for today…how quickly does music stir the emotions – and Mumford’s songs are just so raw and beautiful, soaked in passion and pain, longing and rage.  It most assuredly gives me the desire to write, but alas I have not the time.  Only the heart.

To Sleep,

James HoganLeave a comment

I sit at Starbucks right now with my mocha americano and I ponder the lovingkindesses of the Lord.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
my soul longs for You, as a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
do not hide Your face from me,
or I will become like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
for I trust in You;
teach me the way in which I should walk;
for to You I lift up my soul.
-Psalm 143:5-8

Lovely words which I read this morning.  I do still mean to read Hebrews at some point today, but my time flees, my time trickles away as sand in an hourglass.  I’m excited to start reading Hebrews soon though, since in my OT reading I am going through Exodus(and soon Leviticus) so will be so intriguing to be reading the ceremonial and moral law of the Hebrews compared to the work and glories of the gospel as revealed in Christ by the author of the book of Hebrews!  And seeing the faint glories of God that are proclaimed by the shadows of the past…praise be to God for the mysteries of the gospel that have been revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord and His tragic death and most shocking resurrection!!!

Now further – what shall I say?  I did mean to write this entry to chronicle a bit of the past day and I suppose I can do that (but quickly!).  Indeed yesterday was a marvelous day that was given to me by my Lord in which I was reminded of the love that is mine, both from my God and from my many dear friends with whom I have been blessed abundantly!  And while it mostly consisted of work(but at least it was Friday, so duties were not overly onerous!), it was delightful to come back to my place at the end of the day and relish a weekend ahead.  After my workout, I walked down to EQ and enjoyed an hour on the porch there, reading my new book(about mitochondria and their origins and function in the cell…yes I’m a nerd and yes I’m far too excited by the subject matter!!  …still waiting for them to mention farandolae…) and then I walked home.  Didn’t have any more free time then, for it was about time for Earnie and Peter to come over!  I really meant not to plan anything last night, but both of them made mention of the fact that we should get together so I acquiesced and a delightful evening was had.  Earnie brought drinks and Peter brought a cake(chocolate and vanilla with strawberries on top!!) and I picked up some Pizza Hut…and so we talked and ate and shared the highs and lows of our past year…and reminded ourselves of the goodness of the Lord in each other’s lives and it was beautiful.  And so did I get the quiet night I had anticipated?  No.  Did I get the early night’s sleep I expected?  A thousand times no, since I think I didn’t get to bed until after one!  Was I blessed muchly by the events of the evening?  A thousand times yes.

And then this morning, after a few hours sleep, I woke up and had a cup of coffee and a scant few minutes’ reading time…and then off to breakfast with Jake and Julian and Earnie…hours spent around a food-laden table, discussing our lives and our loves and the passion that fills our hearts to know Christ and to make Him known.  To have such godly and loving friends as I do…I hesitate to say I deserve any of this, for I truly don’t.  I only know that I treasure such moments, quiet morning talks with far too much coffee and an abundance of encouraging, uplifting and fruitful conversation.

Now I sit here at Starbucks.  And as my mocha americano lingers on the tongue, memories of wistful eyes and dark brown curls linger in the mind.  Yes yes, I shall not think over-long on this, but as Jake mentioned today about Katie being in his current bible study…she crossed my mind yet again.  But hey – she is not for me and all is well with my soul.

About time to go do some shopping and errands…and then looking forward to a brunch with Jules – I know not what we will talk about, but I do know that our time will be lovely, as it always is.  And tonight…Jared is coming over to hang out and watch the Lightning game together.  Game 5 of Eastern Finals…go Tampa Bay!!!  (Beat the Caps!  – words I almost never say!!)

I must fly, but as is noted in the many words above, I have been given far too much.  I am unworthy and unholy in oh so many ways.  But in the way that matters most, I am holy for I am forgiven.  I know a God who is far too beautiful for my mind to truly comprehend.  But I do strive to know Him yet more and more.  And I am known by a God who is far too beautiful to me.  It is a wonderous thing that I would be called a child of God.  And such I am.

Deepest peace and truest love.

Perchance

James HoganLeave a comment

A wonderfully delightful Friday morning thus far!  I’ve already talked to Mom & Dad on phone…received texts from Maryanne & Laura and various others…and then as I drove in earlier this morning and changed to my next CD in rotation, it turned out to be my Owl City mix CD – songs I’ve not heard in some years but that immediately cheered my soul with their quirky romanticism and luscious soundscapes…mmm loveliness.  And now I enjoy my creamy mocha and sigh in gratitude at the thought of all that my God has done for me these past 31 years. 

Peace and love.

To Dream

James HoganLeave a comment

Just had a beautiful hour walking down to EQ in the (now slightly too warm) afternoon sunlight and reading on the porch.  Finally finished:

13.  Lamentation by Ken Scholes.  This is a book that I discovered via an online article some time back…found the book itself in Half-Price Books not that long ago and now have completed it.  It’s…an interesting book with interesting ideas and I want to say I liked it.  The idea of it intrigued me(mix of fantasy and ancient technology and whispers of Earth) and indeed the ideas and the plot is the best thing about the book.  The writing itself is a bit rough, and as I started reading it, I was very much not impressed.  Figured I’d finish it for the sake of it but not read any more of the series.  Half-way through, I found it getting slightly better, but still doubted I’d want to read any further books.  Then somehow today, as I finished the book…realized I actually do want to read more of this series now.  Good job, Scholes – you’ve hooked me!!  Why didn’t I like it at first?  Well, I suppose I can say that I’m not a fan of the way the author handled the characters.  As some of you may know, my very favourite books feature characters so rich and deep that they seem almost real.  This book…does not have characters like that.  They all seemed a bit one-dimensional.  A few chapters in, you instantly understand who the heroes are, who the villains are…and…that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the characters themselves just seemed flat.  No layers, no growth.  The prose was also a bit dull and predictable at times, but I suppose I can’t complain too much, as my own writing is far worse!  Nonetheless, not impressed.  But…the world itself, and the evident detail that has gone into the world-building and plotting gave the story a richness that saved it from the lacklustre characters and mediocre writing.  Very much have to give the author props for creating some seriously fascinating history and backstory!  And at the end of the day, I am curious to see where he takes the story from here and I’m hoping(as this was his debut novel) that the second book improves and grips me even further.

Now as I don’t have the aforementioned second book yet…I need to decide which book I’ll read next.  It’s going to either be a scientific work or a biography or a sci-fi novel…hmm what shall it be I wonder….??

I suppose now it’s time to shower and then get ready for dinner.  And thank God yet again for all that He has made.  Reading Exodus today and Moses’ relationship to God filled my heart with a desire to know God more.  My heart burns for this.

Peace and love.

Onwards

James HoganLeave a comment

A sleepy evening, yet again!  And so nothing momentous planned tonight.  But I am rather excited for my dinner.  Delicately spiced fish bakes in the oven, asparagus and mashed potatoes to accompany.  Perfection.  And so on this night when my heart beats fast yet soul pulses slow, I am grateful to the Lord my God for the simple pleasures in life.  Always.

Now time to turn on ’24’ and watch some Jack domination.  Oddly comforting that show.  Although maybe not so odd.  Evil and darkness sometimes posture as victors, but nay.

Light will always conquer.

Clarissa

James HoganLeave a comment

So I am really quite sleepy and I am definitely going to bed soon(well, after I write this.  Oh and after I read some of my book as well).  But thought it was proper that I write at least a few words(seriously, very few!!)  I write this as I currently sit(well, sit/lie) on my bed in my room here at home in Tampa…glorious.  This bed is super comfy, I gotta say – hence why I have no idea how long I’ll stay awake.

Today was a wonderful day here with the fam…from waking up not-as-early-as-normal and having an encouraing reading/coffee time….to chocolate chip pancake time with Dad and Laura and Caisson and Mom and talking about love and life and the blessings of the Lord…to mall adventures involving many fragrant roses on display and cheeky express shopping with expert Mom assistance and chicken meal consumption with again – Laura/Caisson/Mom – and just laughingly good times at the old classic Citrus Park…to attempted car-fixing-adventure-but-sadly-failing with Caisson…and then attempted rose-mulching-adventure-and-actually succeeding with Caisson…to getting far too many birthday half-presents from the parents and Laura and Caisson…finally dinner with the fam – mmm roast beef and buttery potatoes and tender carrots and onions – and then enjoying the perfectly delectable chocolate sheet cake while we watched the classic and inspiring and truly beautiful Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are simply magnificent…and finally more talking and relaxing times with Laura and Caisson while me and Laura gave each other back massages…and now it really should be bedtime because I have half-perused this current sentence/paragraph and oh dear it is a mess.

Apparently I really like ellipses and hyphens when I’m sleepy??  But hey – I shall let this stand as a memorial stone to this wonderful day that my God has granted me.  Being with my wonderful family is a gift I shall always treasure – may I never cease to thank my Lord for blessing me so.  I wish Maryanne could have been here too…but apart from her not being here, today was perfect.  Truly.

Now time to close this computer and think and meditate on how good it is to abide in Christ, for in Him is my great love.  Forever and always.  Peace and love, my friends.  Peace and love.

Of Books and Beans

James HoganLeave a comment

A rare morning post from my couch and not from work!  But this work day presses upon me and while I should get off the couch and get ready to leave soon…I desired to write a few words.  Tonight I fly back to Tampa for times with the parents and Laura and Caisson – yay!!  Hopefully (maybe) I will have time to write when I’m in Tampa, but I cannot promise any such thing.  What else have I to write?  I had a sweet time with James last night at the Rockets game – beat the Jazz and clinched the series.  On to the Western Conference Finals – Golden State awaits, surprising absolutely no one.  And so after I dropped him off at his house last night and drove the long way back here, I realized I would not get a proper amount of sleep alas.  Two cups of coffee this morning and I’m still not fully awake!  Now I really need to start packing for Tampa so…farewell, friends.  Let me briefly share the close of one of my very favourite chapters:

And there are also many other things
which Jesus did,
which if they were written in detail,
I suppose that even the world itself
would not contain the books that would be written.
-John 21:25

Oh how I long for the day that I see my Lord face to face.