Faithful

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends, and happy Monday!! On this beautifully cold morning, I cannot help but rejoice!! It was (seriously!) 33 degrees this morning as I drove in to work. What is this wonderful cold weather doing here!? I have no idea, but I am so thankful to God for granting such a gorgeous weekend to me. A very proper last day in Houston, I do say. I get to enjoy my peppermint mocha and slowly warm up here in the office…this is simply fantastic. And yes, last day in Houston! Tonight I fly off Florida way for a week – hurrah! Of course, I’ll miss my friends here, but a week with the family will be oh so much enjoyed…of that I have no doubt.

And this past weekend has indeed been one in which I have been blessed by God exceedingly. As I have been praying to God for guidance in various matters, I have been reminded anew how blessed I have been here in Houston with the friends God has given me. Saturday night – was able to enjoy a fun and relaxing night over at Camille and Erin’s place with John – we had dinner and watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Then yesterday, after a sweet morning of worship at church, I went home and got a few things done…then went and picked up Julie for our Sunday movie adventure – LA LA Land. It was a simply lovely movie, bittersweet and tinged with nostalgia, yet currents of joy running throughout. I think I will buy this one when it comes out…that’s how much I enjoyed! It had lots of good music as well – that definitely didn’t hurt! Afterwards, Julie and I went out and got dinner and simply had a fantastic time talking and chatting about so so many things…this was our last time to hang out before I go to Florida tonight and she’s off to France tomorrow! So we made the most of it. Such a dear friend is she. And then I came home and me and John had some quality talking time. So encouraging is he!! I am oh so blessed to have him as a roommate. And then…I finished reading my book(Swiftly Tilting Planet – I have realised lately how influenced my writing has been by reading L’Engle’s works. My writing takes after hers more than I thought!!). My next book is going to be a re-read of Name of the Wind. It is time.

And now, I do write too much. One last day of furious work. Then…homeward bound.

Peace, my friends – peace and love.

Constellations

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, friends!! I am quite sleepy this morning…really, I felt like going back to bed as soon as I woke up. But I did not. Made my tea, read a few words(Psalms + Proverbs + Song of Solomon!) and then traversed the busy highways to my work place, where I am now sitting. About to officially start work, but wanted to share a few words that always comfort me during times like this…(And coincidentally enough…been able to hear these same words as I’ve been listening to the Messiah recently on my commute!)

Come to Me, all who who are
weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest
for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and My burden
is light.
-Jesus Christ

A Note Upon the Wind

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday friends!! Now in the office about to rock this last day of the work week. Beautifully cold outside this morning – a brilliant forty degrees – so I was able to wear my black cashmere sweater today. Hurrah! And then I drove into work and got to listen to my very favorite Christmas CD – Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s sublime Christmas Eve & Other Stories. Beautifully inspiring and warmly encouraging and deeply moving. And now, my friends…time to wrap my hands around my peppermint mocha and continue to enjoy this day that the Lord has made. Peace.

Arrowhead

James HoganLeave a comment

Hey friends!! Thursday night update here…just thought I’d write quickly as my burritos are five minutes away from being done. (And yes, this is my first grand burrito dinner – complete with avocado/tomato/lime salad! – in new flat) Earnie was going to come over tonight to hang out, because it’s been far too long…but sadly, we’re going to have to wait for that long awaited chat time a little longer since he had to take care of some things. But as I told him, it’s all good…since it’s Thursday night football time! Chiefs are playing the Raiders and it should be a pretty fun cold-weather game! So yes, that is my night…as temperatures drop outside, I’m inside nice and cosy in my flannel shirt, eating burritos and watching football. Simple pleasures. Have a wonderful night, my friends!!!

Sanguine Eyes

James HoganLeave a comment

Hi friends, happy Thursday! Just jotting down a few words here before I start work…it’s a nice cold morning and set to get a lot colder!! According to our wise weather prognosticators, temperature is going to drop steadily throughout the day, possibly even to freezing point! I came fully prepared today, wearing my turtleneck and sweater – so excited! Sad how happy cold weather will make me, but there you go! Also, last night was simply beautiful. Sarah Hadley just started working at this coffee shop nearby(2nd Cup) and once I realised I could walk there in about 20 minutes…I got up and did just that! Had a great post-dinner walk through the crisp almost-wintry air enjoying walking through my neighborhood…then a nice cup of cocoa at coffee shop! Got to chat with Sarah for a bit before deciding not to distract her anymore. And so my evening was finished off by sitting and drinking my cocoa and reading Faith and Life by Warfield…meditating on the wonders that is the incomprehensible fullness of the love of Christ…for us. And that, my friends, is a good night.

Peace and love.

Love Unending

James HoganLeave a comment

Afternoon, all!! It’s a gorgeous Saturday here in Houston and thought I’d just write here briefly! And by gorgeous, I mean that it’s a wet, chilly grey day…and I simply love it. This day has so far been one of rest and chats with dear friends and enjoying bountiful blessings from my Father God. I started out the day by…waking up far later than is my norm! Since it was a mostly rainy night, decided I’d skip my run this morning and enjoy a little more sleep instead. Very good decision, I have to say. After finally waking up and having my coffee and chocolate cream-of-wheat for breakfast and reading for a bit…I got to skype with Noemi!! We hadn’t talked properly in simply ages…and oh how wonderful of a chat it was!! She is such a dear friend and encourages me mightily. So thankful am I for the technology that grants me and Noemi the ability to talk even though we are thousands of miles away, me in America and she in Hungary!! I shall not describe our talk in detail. But know how lovely it is to talk about life and love and the things of the Lord with dear friends. And so it was. Following that lovely talk, it was time to go meet Julie for lunch! She wanted to eat at Velvet Taco, and I discovered it was in walking distance. So I made my way there, through the small neighborhoods, splashing through puddles as I went. Oh what a beautiful day! Grey and chill and fresh and wonderful!! So fun to be able to walk somewhere and not have to drive! And so after a much enjoyed walk, met Julie at Velvet Taco and enjoyed some delicious tacos(one of them was like a Cuban sandwich…but in taco form. I have found my ideal Tampa/Houston fusion food. It was sublime)…but more than food, a proper catch-up chat with Julie! We realised we hadn’t had a decent talk in a while, somehow – and it was truly great to talk about…life and love and the things of the Lord! Hmmm…is there a theme here? Possibly. Anyways, once again – I shall not detail our talk. But after our yummy lunch, she dropped me off at my place and we chatted a bit more before she went her way…I’ve been getting other random things done(like going to Trader Joe’s for some necessities and listening to my awesome HymnSing CD as I drove!). Now it is dinner time I think. Yes, an early dinner. Yes, I am hungry again. And wow, this is a messy long paragraph and I probably should tidy it up. I shan’t. Going to make my dinner of mac’n’cheese and chicken and tomato salad. And I shall continue to think of the Lord my God and how much He has blessed me. Oh how I long to know Christ more. My highest desire, my truest song, my greatest love. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

Mountains

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends – and happy Friday!!! I’m just writing a quick hello here as I get ready to begin my work day. But, it is so nice to come in early and relax a bit before work begins(I’m not sure why, but I do indeed find such pleasure in being the first one in at the office!). So as I sip on my peppermint mocha and ponder the wonders of this life, I sigh. How wonderfully blessed am I and how much have I been given! Be at rest, my friends.

A Night Most Treasured

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, friends!!! Just a few words as I soon conclude this wonderful Friday evening. Such a peaceful night of rest and joy!! After a long week…oh how wonderful to come home and have a nice dinner and simply enjoy the gifts my God has given me. I am ever so thankful for the mercies of the Lord. Dinner of a nice thick bean soup and a spinach salad(perfect dinner for this cold weather!!)…then finished up watching “State of the Union”, a remarkable and moving movie – Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn starred. Hepburn was a firebrand, paragon of truth and integrity!!! Loved it so much. And now I’m watching the Buffy Thanksgiving episode(“Pangs”) in honour of soon coming holiday. And yes it is unnecessary for me to chronicle this, yet I simply want to offer all thanks to the Lord my God for the simple pleasures He has granted me this night. My love – my heart – is His.

Peace and love, dear friends. Always.

A Haystack World

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning all!! Just a quick entry here on this balmy Thursday morning. I say ‘balmy’ because it is above 70(F) currently, which is completely unacceptable for mid-November. Just saying. I really would like to wear my turtleneck and jacket tomorrow to work, if that’s not too much to ask!! …honestly, I’ll probably wear that combo no matter what. I need winter weather. Please?

Anyways! Aside from the weather, nothing too exciting going on lately. A normal work week here. Tonight, going to the Rockets/Blazers game with James, so that should be fun. First Rockets game of the year! They’re actually not half-bad this year, although they’re not quite in the same class as Warriors/Clippers/Thunder. We shall see if they improve as season progresses…

This weekend promises to be a most busy one, but I shall write more about that later when I have more time. One more note – a week from now I will be in Tampa celebrating Thanksgiving with the fam!!! Cannot wait. Have a most amazing day, you all.

Postscript – because apparently I want to write just a few more words. Been really thinking about my future hope lately…and how much my hope is not in this world. As I look at the horrors present in this world and the frailties of our physical bodies – truly, we are made of bones and skin and beating heart, wonderfully made, yet so fragile! – and as I think on the fate we so richly deserve for our ignominious behaviour towards the Creator of all things…I just long for that day when I am in the presence of my Saviour, my God. Someday. Someday.