Breakfast on the Beach

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Hello friends and happy Monday!! …apparently I only write on Mondays anymore? I noticed that my last entry was also on a Monday. Ah well, eventually I’ll write a proper length entry and it shall be glorious but…it is not this day. This weekend was a most beautiful weekend…Daniel was in town and so as is proper, we spent oh so much time together. Oh how good it was to see him again!! We’ve had amazing conversations and wonderful times just hanging out. And I am sad that when I return today, he will be gone(he was sleeping on the couch when I left this morning for work…I couldn’t resist and had to wake him up to say goodbye one last time!). Anyways, he is a most dear friend and brother and I shall miss him dearly when he is gone. Again.

Now though, no time to write more. I must be off. Have a beautiful morning, my friends – look to the sky and see the beauty that surrounds you…and note that the Lord our God is the one who made it all. Ponder the lovingkindness of the Lord. Are we not blessed? Amazing love, how can it be – that Thou my God shouldst die for me.

Rachmaninoff

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Happy Sunday, friends!! I’m now very sadly drinking the dregs of my peppermint mocha frap on this fine afternoon. I may or may not have been here at Starbucks for most the afternoon, but well…I have had quite a bit of work to get done! Finally finished prepping for community group a few minutes ago, then me and Maryanne had a nice chat for a while! In a few minutes, I’m rolling off to Bethel for our Thanksgiving dinner event – that’s going to be super fun to enjoy with my whole church family! Then tomorrow starts another work week which shall hopefully proceed in a somewhat smooth manner.

This weekend, while somewhat busy, has also been very much assuredly blessed by God. I got quite a few errands done yesterday(also including further unpacking of my room. I have too many books…but at least two shelves are now complete!! Two more to go. Also, is there such a thing as too many books? I am as of yet unsure of the answer to that). Anyway, after a busy day yesterday, I enjoyed an evening out on the town! Me and Julie went and grabbed dinner at Dish Society(I had a rather fine pork tenderloin cooked in a cherry reduction sauce…with sauteed spinach and mashed sweet potatoes. Amazing? I can confirm that it was). Afterwards, we made our way downtown and had time for a quick glass of wine and some chat…and then it was symphony time!! Julie had never been to see the Houston Symphony before, so she was in for a treat. There was a guest pianist in town – Daniil Trifonov, who played a superb rendition of Schumann’s piano concerto. So stunningly beautiful was it that we gave him a rousing ovation and he eventually played an etude(…I am too musically ignorant to be able to tell you what it was!). After the intermission, the symphony played Rachmaninoff’s symphony no 2…and it was simply magnificent. I have naught the skill with words to describe it here, but trust me in my assessment of it as…overwhelmingly gorgeous. How special it is that God has granted us the gift of music – and that certain people would be given such skill as to write musical compositions of such intricate beauty that they draw the purest emotion from those who listen. Ah to hear this with my own ears last night….skillfully played by an orchestra most accomplished…I am so grateful for this night of wonder I was given. Oh and I think Julie enjoyed it too! At least, as long as her joyous effusions were genuine! It was really just quite fun to have a night out on the town and feel all high society! I’m now really tempted to get tickets for another symphony next year – they’re doing Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto no 3(not my favorite no 2, or I would have already bought tickets!). We shall see…

Now – I’ve written far too much on this – hopefully you all are not bored to tears. I must fly – have a most joyful remainder of your Sunday, my friends. Look to the heavens and consider what wonderful gifts we have all been given – to live on this earth and enjoy so many good things…sweet music, joyous laughter, dear friends and light from above. Ponder the fact that our heart beats in time with the rhythms of the universe and that we are loved by God Most High. We are loved. Forever and always.

Ginevra

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Happy Wednesday, one and all!! This is a quick entry, just because I haven’t written in a few days and so thought I might as well! Just made the coffee here at work since clearly no one else gets here as early as I do(6:15 isn’t that early, right? Right??). Now drinking the fruits of my labor in peace and quiet before things start getting hectic. Any other big news over here? Not really…with the exception of me being moved in to my new place in the Heights!! Me and John, roommates again! I’m still trying to get settled in, but that will come eventually, I know. It will probably be much helped once I have time to unpack and shelve my books/movies this weekend!! Then my room will look proper and cozy and it will be wonderful. Now…I clearly have nothing else of substance to say, so I shall be off. Oh one more note! Game 7 of the World Series tonight…Cubs v Indians. I honestly don’t even care who wins, since the Cubs haven’t won the WS since 1908(!!) and the Indians since 1948. So as long as it’s an exciting game, I shall be happy. I do so love World Series baseball!! Alright, now I’m off for real. Peace.

Oh Soul, Canst Thou Repine?

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Happy Tuesday all!! Figured it’s been a few days since I’ve posted, so might as well put up a quick mid-week update. And sadness of all sadnesses, it’s not even really mid-week. More like…post-Monday. Anyways, I’m sipping on my honey-tinged coffee here and slowly waking up as I prepare for work shortly. I really don’t even have that much to talk about. My upcoming move to John’s place this weekend is demanding most of my attention of late – I’m rather excited for a new place and a new/old roommate! This weekend was pretty fun too, even if I got a severe lack of sleep which rather impeded my wakefulness yesterday! Saturday morning was simply gorgeous here(low 50’s(F)) and so my run in Memorial Park was simply wonderful…it was rather amusing noting how the running population dropped quite a bit, presumably because of the “cold” weather! Anyways, after I’d done my 5.5 miles, went home and then enjoyed my tea and reading time. Later on, went with John and a few of his friends to the Houston Holocaust Museum, where we attended a Bonhoeffer tour. Sobering, enlightening and encouraging all at the same time. Is that possible? I don’t really feel in the mood to describe it more, but oh, how I long for that day when evil such as this is no longer possible.

Saturday night, had a fun movie night with Julie – got to watch some classic Jason Statham in ‘Snatch’ and of course enjoy far too much good conversation and fellowship with dear Julie. Sunday morning…glorious time at church, always. Following, had to bunker down in Starbucks to get my community group prep done(Ecclesiastes 5). After eventually making it home and spending a few hours getting other chores done, the highlight of my week occurred – went to Bethel for ‘Family Worship Night’, where we sang a plethora of gorgeous songs(voted on by us the congregation…I was very proud of all of us for the vast quantity of hymns chosen!!). Worshiping God with uplifted voice and radiant eyes and weeping hearts – oh what a night of sweetest truth and more perfect beauty! I cannot describe further. And so upon ending our night of joy and song, talked with various friends and then made my way to Starbucks for yet more good fellowship with dear friends(Julian, Sarah, Jonathan, Natalie, Vanessa…), talking about such sundry subjects as bad roommates, weddings and dancing, and the fear of the Lord and what this truly means. We actually talked about a lot more too, yet my memory fails me and it is too late here and I have already written too many words. Again though, God has blessed me much with such friends and I dare not complain. Never, never.

Goodbye, friends – I raise my coffee cup in farewell! Peace.

Honeysuckle Memories

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Happy Monday, friends! I’m mere minutes away from starting another week of work here, but thought that I’d write a few words as I sit here, peppermint mocha in hand. My mocha is shockingly a venti today – even though I usually try and limit myself to grande, Katie talked me into it(and by talked me into it, I mean she just mentioned it and I crumbled immediately and said yes). I am going to be sad when I move…I love all my Starbucks people and will miss them! Jake, Kelli and Katie were there today, and although I can’t say I know any of them super well(save Jake since he comes to Bethel now and again!), they are simply lovely people and my random interactions with them brighten my sleepy mornings. Alas, I’ll just have to come back and visit this Starbucks from time to time and visit. And oh yes, I’m weird. Again – when I write early in the morning like this, I tend to be a bit less…focused…in my writings. Also – the moon tonight shone brilliantly. Yesterday was the full moon I think, so this morning the light of the moon simply filled the sky with its grandeur. And thinking of the One who placed the moon in the sky – His lovingkindness endures forever!! Now, I’m off – have a wonderful Monday, my friends – may the joy of the Lord be your strength(per Nehemiah…as I read today…the law was being read to all the people and it was stunning to see the people’s response. Grieving and weeping as they heard the words of God. A very natural response, I feel. Yet Nehemiah and the priests told them – do not weep. The joy of the Lord is your strength!! Thus should we remember. Yes, at times as we ponder and think on God’s commands and His words and how we fail so utterly to keep them, our heart breaks and our tears do flow. But ultimately, even through our tears, we rejoice. Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God shouldst die for me!?!)

Bread and Wine

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Happy Sunday, dear friends!! As is my Sunday tradition of late, I am enjoying a nice dinner(chicken parm, tomato salad, etc!!) while I watch the Sunday night football game(Texans v Colts. Go Houston!!!). Also, today I was beautifully encouraging by the family of God at church. Singing heartily in worship, hearing a powerful message on the Word of God and being blessed by good words from dear friends. May I bless others and honor God in all I do.

Now, my friends, ’tis dinner time. Peace, always.

Blessings and Honour

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At that time Jesus said, “I praise
You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that You have hidden these things from
the wise and intelligent and have
revealed them to infants. Yes,
Father, for this way was well-pleasing
in Your sight. All things have been
handed over to Me by My Father; and
no one knows the Son except the
Father; nor does anyone know the
Father except the Son, and anyone to
whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Come to Me, all 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.”
-Matthew 11:25-30

a Whisper of Sunlight

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends…and happy Friday!!! I am sitting at my desk here at work, peppermint mocha in hand, soon to start actual work. But for now, thought I’d just say hello! It’s been a bit of a slog of a week here, partly due to not feeling physically great. But I shall not complain, for God is good and I am blessed much! Tonight, planning to go over to John’s place to begin prep for my move there in two weeks. So excited. Also – last night – got to talk to Daniel on the phone…oh so good hearing his voice again! I was much encouraged. Anything else going on here of late? I must say no. The regular routine of work and life rolls on and ever on. But just as this morning as I walked to my car and looked up and saw a bright star piercing the veil of clouds…I now lift my eyes and look to that far country.

Peace and love.