Good morning, friends!! Just a minute to post, and thought I’d write a few words…as January – what a month – winds to an end. I am honestly quite tired right now – sleepy James needs his coffee with honey, this is a fact! But I was invigorated at least slightly as I walked from my car to the office this morning. I forgot if I mentioned I moved office locations recently? Well, I did and now, in the midst of Houston, there is a lovely mini(very mini) pine forest next to my office!! So every day I walk from the parking lot to the office surrounded by pines reaching high. The scent of pine pervades my walk and I am encouraged and refreshed anew each day. This is a small thing, I know. But oh this makes me happy!! Alright, I’m off now…time to drink a bit more coffee and wake up this sleepy Tuesday….
Hello Again
Happy Sunday friends! I post yet again this extremely fruitful January! I must say, I’m not quite sure why I’ve been writing so much lately…in the words of Lin Manuel Miranda…”Why do you write like you’re running out of time?” I know not. But I do like writing, and maybe lately I have rediscovered the pleasure and comfort it brings to put thoughts and emotions to page such as this. Not of course, that I put everything on here…far be that from me! But right now, it is comforting to let the words flow from thought through fingers to screen. Would that I could write something a bit more…beautiful. But for now, I shall simply write. Before I started this, I’ve been in a bit of a nostalgic mood…looking at some old high school friend’s journals – which are still online, shock! Hi Maggie!! *waves* Anyways, nostalgia diving can be dangerous – indeed, dark and full of terrors and all that. But this afternoon, while I have the bitter feeling of friendships lost and far away…I still have the sweet taste of the memories I had with these friends. And that is something I have been blessed with that shall never leave me. Ah bittersweet. And of course, I am reminded as I sit here that it is not entirely profitable to focus over much on the past. Let these thoughts and memories not drag me far away and distract my energies from life now, in the present. It is a dangerous game – to turn inward to the extent of losing our true joy. Now, I start to wax philosophical. See, this is why I should not write as much as I am – I dare expose my thoughts to the light of day, and what shall they say? That I am a hollow man, full of loose dreams and ill-begotten schemes? Even so. I long for the day when I shall be in that far country. No longer be a-ranging in a stranger land. And so, to dream is not so wrong. Only wrong is it when these dreams are forged of rotten beams – cloying words, sickly sweet in all their pomposity and self-important grandeur. Hiding behind a veil of false humility, oh forgive me!
But let us dream of purer things, of that road that goes ever on. The scent of jasmine, that light breeze upon the cheek. The song that rings true upon the soul, a knowledge of the veil now torn. To dream is not so wrong.
Star Song
Hello friends, and happy Friday(again!!). I really didn’t mean to post this evening but I have a few spare moments so thought I might as well. I am currently at…Jones Hall in downtown Houston!! Earlier this week I couldn’t resist buying a symphony ticket for tonight(yes I am here by myself! I actually almost prefer being on my own since I can focus on the music a bit better and simply enjoy the beauty!! Of course, having a woman on my arm wouldn’t mar the moment, but that is neither here nor there!). Anyways!! They are playing one of my favorite pieces – Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto no. 3…it’s not his no 2, but almost as good!! I am simply so excited to hear it! And of course – I turned up absurdly early, so am now waiting patiently here in the dining area. Soon, comes the time of the music. Soon. And now, my friends, I shall be off and abandon myself to my thoughts and prayers. Have a wonderful and most beautiful night, dear friends!!!
A Little Bit of Starlight
Happy Friday, friends!!! I was going to have a nice leisurely morning here, since I got to work early. Figured I’d sip on my peppermint mocha and write a moody poem that’s been percolating for a bit. Well, I have been sipping on my mocha, but instead of writing, I’ve been doing actual work…alas, a sad day when I get more excited about work than writing. Or is it?? Anyways, just thought I’d pop in and say hello. Have a most wonderful day, my friends – may it be full of love and joy and laughter!!
Clarion Calls
No-one will see the need of the Lord Jesus Christ as a
Saviour but the person who has seen himself as lost before God; and
the only true motive to live a moral and worthy life is thankfulness to
God and the realization that one day we shall stand before Him.
This is the call which goes out to religious people today: we must
realize our unworthiness before God, our distance from the saints of
the ages, our terrible dissimilarity from the Christians of the New
Testament; then we must repent and re-consecrate ourselves to God
in Christ, and we must make sure that our religion regulates our
lives. But more than anything, we must realize that the state of the
world is such that nothing but the power of the Holy Spirit can cure
it, and we must feel this to such an extent that we are brought down
upon our knees to pray to God in His mercy to look down upon us in
pity, and for His great name, that He should send a mighty revival
among us. That is the only way, that is the only hope, because with
men it is impossible, but not with God, for ‘with God, all things are
possible'(Matt. 19:26).
-D.M. Lloyd-Jones, Knowing the Times, pg. 31
Heartsong
Hello friends!! I have – for once! – a relatively free and quiet Saturday morning. And it is glorious. It’s coming near on noon now and I’ve already enjoyed a good breakfast and much reading time and now I thought I could catch up on some chronicling. Except I’ve discovered I don’t really feel like writing too much. Hm. Well – one thing I have neglected – I haven’t shared my last few mix CDs I’ve so much enjoyed creating! I actually just finished a new one this past week…but first, let me share a mix I made right before Christmas(and hence – shared with Laura and Maryanne). It may be my all-time favorite…truly a joy to listen to. At least that is my own not-quite-humble opinion. I present…
Seaspray
1. Bohemian Dances – The Dø
2. Sweet Ophelia – Zella Day
3. The Suburbs – Mr Little Jeans
4. Nature Will Remain – The Dø
5. Thanatos – Soap&Skin
6. Shadow – Birdy
7. Perfection – Oh Land
8. The Way We Get By – Spoon
9. Heart Attack – The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
10. Dug My Heart – BØRNS
11. Cloak & Dagger – The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
12. They Never Got You – Spoon
13. Aha – The Dø
14. Let It Happen – Tame Impala
15. Crystalised – The XX
16. Nothing Better – The Postal Service
17. Slip Away – Josh Garrels
18. Wishing Well – The Oh Hellos
19. Searching Gold – The Dø
And in my usual fashion, this mix does have a theme to it, although it may be slightly more dark and depressing than is my usual. In Laura’s words – it “sounds like an emo girl and her battle to save the world”…or something like that? Anyway – in my own confused, slightly odd mind – this mix came into fruition and as I listened to it, my mind conjured up the image of a girl standing on a seashore, looking off into the distance. Bundled up against the cold and her scarf blowing in the breeze, she ponders her life and all that she has done to stay strong and keep on keeping on. But yet. Never enough. And yet. And so the mix takes this girl through that progression of being strong in herself, to being depressed in what she has not…to trying to make everything better through such artifices as dance, love, drugs and mental fortitude. And then…comes the realisation that there must be something more. A higher truth, a greater power, a more perfect love. And a most perfect Lover. And in that, comes life and life eternal. And then as the album ends, the last song is a stark reminder though of this world’s tantalising pleasures and dangerous temptations. As I joked with Laura yesterday – I call this my “1st John” CD…because it ends with the simple warning “Little children, keep yourself from idols.” Anyway – far too much of an explanation for such a silly thing as a track-list. Yet, I enjoy it.
Be well, my dear friends. Remember, as children of God – we are loved. We are known. Peace and love.
Hello Hurricane
A little more coffee sounds lovely, please.
Just tear yourself away from that book you’re reading
Give me another chance, darling, and just lean in,
And tell me, won’t you, that you love me, please?
a glimpse of the Divine, unworthy now
If it be man’s chief end to glorify God and enjoy Him forever,
then man has attained his end, the sole purpose for which he was made,
the entire object for which he exists, when he enters into communion
with God, abides in His presence, streaming out to Him in all the emotions,
I do not say appropriate to a creature in the presence of his Maker and
Lord, apprehended by him as the Good Lord and Righteous Ruler of the
souls of men, but appropriate to the sinner who has been redeemed by
the blood of God’s own Son and is inhabited by His Spirit and apprehends
his Maker as also his Saviour, his Governor as also his Lover,
and knows the supreme joy of him that was lost and is found,
was dead and is alive again,-and all, through the glory of
God’s seeking and saving love. He who attains to this experience
has attained all that is to be attained. He that sees God shall be like Him.
-B.B. Warfield, Faith and Life,pg 439
Comfort Ye
Get yourself up on a high mountain,
O Zion, bearer of good news,
Lift up your voice mightily,
O Jerusalem, bearer of good news;
Lift it up, do not fear.
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
Behold, the Lord God will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him.
And His recompense before Him.
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
This passage from Isaiah 40 – is it not beautiful? I wish I could write the whole chapter of Isaiah 40 – truly one of the most stunningly magnificent chapters in Scripture. But for now, just read the verses from above and meditate on the glorious attributes of our Lord. He is one who is mighty and all powerful. He is one who reigns and deals swift justice. And this same God is also one who is tender and gentle. He is one who has compassion on the fainthearted and deals kindly with the weak. Look at the above verses – the arm of God that rules is the same arm that gathers the lambs and carries them in His bosom. This God we serve is mighty and able to do all things, sovereign in power and perfect in justice. This God we serve is merciful and compassionate beyond measure, perfect in love and sovereign in grace. How precious is it to know that we can trust this God to lead and care for us, even when we know not the way? He is sovereign and He cares for us. He chooses to care for us. Our God will one day come and rule perfectly upon this earth. He will pour out wrath upon the wicked yet He will lift up the flock that is His. The flock that our God has chosen for His own. Is that not a wonderful thought? Here is your God! So think on that, this day – we serve a mighty God. We serve a sovereign God. And this God deeply cares for us. He holds us in His bosom. Be at rest this day, my friends. Meditate on the grand compassion and mercies of our God. Rest in His arms. Think on His love. Rest.
A Blinding Jewel of Light and Beauty
Hello friends!! Monday here and it is furiously raining outside. And I am inside. And it is glorious. Finally, my habit of coming in super early pays off…so everyone else is going to be dripping wet, but because I came in before it started raining, I am nice and dry. Fantastic. Oh and I also have my peppermint mocha, so that’s great too! Had fun chatting with the baristas at Starbucks while I waited for mine this morning…I do love getting to know my Starbucks people – grateful I’m able to make friends with them. I’ve just got off the phone with Dad – had a good chat too, recapping the football from yesterday(Packers beat the Cowboys in a thrilling game, then the Steelers kicked many(six) field goals to beat the Chiefs…now four teams left – Patriots, Steelers, Falcons & Packers. I…don’t really care who wins? I’ll probably root for Atlanta, just because they’re the one team that hasn’t won a Super Bowl recently. Ever? Just looked it up, and they have never won! So I’m definitely rooting for Atlanta now. Go Falcons!).
Football sidebar aside, this weekend has been glorious. Saturday was a crazy day of superb busyness but yesterday was a wonderful day of worship and rest. Oh how I enjoyed my time at church in the morning, hearing God’s word preached. And then after church, went home and had leftover salad for lunch while watching an episode of 24 with John. Eventually, after doing some laundry and workout…had a most beautiful time of quietude and reading. Had a cuppa tea while reading B.B. Warfield’s Faith and Life. Beautiful reflections upon the gospel – reminding me why I live and why I love. Such special meditation time.
And now friends, I must be off…but have a most beautiful Monday, thinking on the wonders and love of Christ Jesus our Lord.
