Tag: beauty

In Memoriam

James HoganLeave a comment

This has been a rich morning. And can I describe it all to you here, dear readers? Well, maybe not sufficiently, and most likely no one will care to read this quite as much as I am enjoying remembering it, but it is my journal and so I will make full use of those inherent rights and privileges as I ramble a bit this morn…about small and sundry things that won’t mean as much to you, but have been gifts to my soul this morning.

As I sat on my couch this morning, with my honey-sweetened coffee in hand(always a good way to start the morning, no?), I got to read so many sweet sections of scripture. Starting with Psalms 115 and 116(two of my favorites, bliss! Not to us, oh Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth”) and then after reading Proverbs 29(also containing some sweet wisdom which I will not delve into further here) I continued in my journey through Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a very strange and wonderful and dangerously sobering book. And today I read what I still maintain is one of the most chillingly frightening chapters in all of scripture – Ezekiel 22. “‘…and they have forgotten Me,’ declares the Lord GOD.” So after reading in graphic detail the sins of the people of God and of the grave seriousness with which the Lord took the affront to His name, I then turned to Romans, which I’ve just started. Romans is always a perfectly delightful book to read and I’ve really enjoyed the first couple chapters already. So today read chapters 3 and 4, with a very little bit of 5(because really – the first few verses of 5 are just marvelous!! I can’t remember them off-hand, which means you get to look them up). But my reading today(which I seldom describe, but again, I will indulge myself today!) took me from from the depths of despair that is our sin against God…to the heights of glory upon realizing the grand plan of God which encompasses both Jew and Greek – salvation for all who have faith in Him. Faith alone – naught of what we’ve done! This salvation through Jesus Christ, because of His propitiation for our sins – oh beautiful thought! And so I really can’t think of a more perfect combination of chapters than Ezekiel 22 and Romans 3-4…and God granted me such a gift by allowing me to read them this day. And so as my heart was lifted and my spirit enlivened and my soul strengthened from above, I drove off to work…and fortuitously enough, my current CD ended and I popped the next one in – which happened to be the Oh Hellos “Through the Deep Dark Valley”…very possibly my current favorite album and a masterpiece of emotion and grace and joy and light. And I had no doubt as I continued to be encouraged by their music as I drove through the slowly lightening Houston morning that God had given me yet another gift…listening to such sweet music that encourages me so. And now this rambling paragraph must draw to a close, I know this. And all these thoughts that I write – they are for my memory and for me to look back on in times of darkness and doubt…so that I will remember the things the Lord has done for me. So that I will see the many beautiful blessings of God that I have been given. I have been given much and thus do I love much. Be deeply encouraged this day, every one of you – rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation and dance in the light of the gospel of God. Peace and love.

Messiah

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening, my friends!

The light is slowly fading here in Houston and I say goodbye to a lovely Saturday. It’s been a grey day here…but somehow that accentuated the beauty all the more. Clouds scudding before the wind and autumnal leaves dancing across the city pavement and the kiss of the winter light upon the earth. And as I drove around this day, I couldn’t help but think of the God who made it all. And now I listen to Handel’s Messiah as I write this, firmly convinced it’s one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed. Surely it is my favorite piece, that I cannot deny. In a little bit, I’m going to start getting dinner ready…going to be a delicious vegetable and bean soup(carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes, beans, etc….), recipe graciously passed to me by Dad! A perfect warm meal for a winter evening. Maybe I’ll even write a bit of something? I can always hope! Peace, my dear friends.

Happy Tuesday

James HoganLeave a comment

Sadly, my delicious chicken and spinach sandwiches got left in the fridge this morning, but fear not – I am having lunch! Just having subway for the second day in a row! Oops.

Anyways, just wanted to briefly write and say what a glorious weekend was had – spending time with Maryanne and Laura here in Scotland, yo! Pretty awesome, neh? So from hiking on coastal paths to drinking coffee together to hanging out with so many of my friends here…good times were had. And I am – as always – oh so thankful. Tomorrow – Ireland beckons!! And more adventures with Maryanne and Laura. Going to be epic, y’all.

And this morning as I was driving to work, I passed my favorite spot on the route and was stunned anew how fortunate I am to live where I do! Driving on the bridge across the River Dee and looking to my right to see the green hills rise up…looking quite like the Shire in all its beauty…and just grateful that I’m in a place right now where I feel so at home. Truly right now, this is the Shire to me. This is home. But new adventures await – and so soon I will be moving on. But I will never forget these years.

Dawn

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I drove in to work and witnessed the cloud dappled eastern sky and the sun admist it, shining e’er brighter. And as the green of the fields warmed to a more perfect hue, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty.

And now I sit and enjoy my french vanilla infused coffee…and I sigh. Perfect peace, what a treasure this is.

Cloudless

James HoganLeave a comment

Ah what a gorgeous day this is!! Just got finished making a mammoth salad for my dinner(probably enough for another few dinners too..) and enjoying feeling the spring breeze waft through the windows. After walking back from church(where a good haggis/neaps/tatties lunch was enjoyed by all), the springtime sun shone down so brilliantly on me that I couldn’t help but immediately change into my shorts and t-shirt and dash back outside again! Went for a Sunday drive to the store to pick up my salad ingredients, enjoying seeing the blossoming trees and yellow tulips sprouting everywhere! About 70 degrees here. Love it. It should stay this weather for every day here, ever. I so decree.

And that’s enough about the weather, just couldn’t help but glory in the beauty of it all!! Now I think I’m going to enjoy eating my salad before going out again to walk to evening service! Enjoy this day of rest, you all.