Tag: birthday

Three to the Power of Three

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello my friends!!! I shan’t write too much now, for the hour is late. But I thought I’m required to write a few words, for today I celebrate my twenty seventh birthday. Yes, truly!! And though now I am slightly sleepy, I wanted to chronicle the day. (Shall I chronicle the year? I shudder at the thought!)

But enough rambling. Today’s been beautiful, mostly because it hasn’t been about me. I had a perfectly awesome time at church this morning, worshiping God along with my dear church family. Some quality songs were sung in adoration and praise to God(“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, “Be Thou My Vision”, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”…and “Bless the Lord, Oh my soul…”). A beautiful sermon was preached on the primacy and importance and clarity and power of God’s Word. And then got to eat lunch and talk with lots of people…I have been given many good friends. I am oh so grateful for the goodness of the Lord to me.

And afterwards, Chase was insistent that I come over to his house for Halo goodness! And I couldn’t really say no, so the afternoon was spent in epic Halo battling with Chase and others!! I must say, I think I almost hit my limit for Halo in one day! But it was awesome…I may have even placed second a few times. (No one touches Chase. No one) We ordered pizza for dinner and it was fantastic just being with people.

And then I drove home, talked to Mom and Dad for a bit on the phone(may have been third time of the day I got to talk to Dad!!) and just had lovely chat…again – I am blessed beyond measure for being given parents such as they. Truly.

And now I sit here and reflect(slightly sleepily, I confess!) on the day and the year and on all that God my Father has given me. I think of a year ago, in which I spent my birthday in Aberdeen with dear friends, friends who I treasure. Friends who I miss. I still think back on that brunch at Ruth and Zara’s with fondness, of the time I spent with John and Chris and Jo and Alec and Pip and Ruth and Zara…and we talked and we laughed and it was beautiful. How I was blessed.

And now, I’m living in Houston, and while I do indeed miss my friends, I am here now for a reason, and God has blessed me much here. He has given me friends and true brothers and sisters here, and I cannot doubt my God’s faithfulness to me. Never never. I spent today in the company of such dear people. I have been given much.

And I think of the most precious gift of all, that God has blessed me with salvation through His one and only Son. Who died and shed His blood for the forgiveness of my sins. And who was raised to life on the third day, triumphantly, eternally! I died with Christ. And I have been raised with Him. And so I have been given much. I have been given everything. How can I but love? How can I but offer my being – my very heart – to the One who is Lord of all, God of heaven and earth. I am known by Him. He is my Shepherd. And I follow Him. He knows me. And He loves me. And it is beautiful.

Now to Him who is able
to do exceeding abundantly
beyond all that we ask
or think, according
to the power that works
within us, to Him
be the glory in the
church and in Christ
Jesus to all generations
forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Twenty Six

James HoganLeave a comment

So I’ve sat here for about thirty minutes with this window open in front of me, meaning to write something meaningful – and failing miserably! John and I are chilling out this drizzly grey day, me with my cup of coffee and a good book beside me. So can I write something insightful and deeply penetrating as I begin my twenty-seventh year? I suppose I could. But I really want to read my new book(Temeraire, courtesy of Chris and Jo!) and so I’ll just say that I really have had the most amazing day thus far and I really do have the most awesome friends. Y’know. Had a sweet birthday brunch at Zara’s, accompanied by her and Ruth and Chris and Jo and Alec and Pip. Being together with them all for a few hours – truly truly wonderful. I am blessed beyond measure. And now John’s back from his interview in Glasgow(for Commonwealth Games next year!) and we’re in the lounge together enjoying that comfortable Saturday-afternoon-feeling…

And now that I’ve done my duty and written these few words, I’m off. Peace.

24

James HoganLeave a comment

So this will be a short update, for two reasons – firstly, it’s a Saturday morning, which means it’s bacon and coffee and reading time!! And secondly, because it is just gorgeous outside, and so I just can’t spend too much time inside today!! And also, I am not quite in a writing mood, but I wanted to write at least a little bit following my 24th birthday the other day!! And yes, I am now 24. What!! It is a bit odd to think that three years ago, I turned 21 as I finished up my junior year at UF, looking forward to my internship with Cameron… And now, just three years later, I’ve graduated, spent a year in Houston, and now almost a year in Scotland. Um, did I expect this? Yeah, I can safely respond ‘No’ to that. Indeed, man does plan his ways but the Lord directs his steps!! How true that is! And so I’ve lived twenty-four years of my life, and I can’t but praise God for every second of those years! King of kings and Lord of lords, He cares for me. God of the universe, He holds me tight. Messiah of this fallen world, He loves me! And so, I love Him!!!

And as my thoughts attempt to run away with themselves, I will end this before my ebullience rises to new heights.

But briefly – yes, even celebrating my birthday in Scotland(first time in a foreign country!), I had a simply magnificent day…from celebrating in the office with a double-chocolate cake(courtesy of the awesomeness of Mark Neish) to walking up to church in the gloriously sunlit and breezy afternoon to basking in the wonders of the mercies of God at bible study to chilling with dearest Steven and Anna as we watched PotC4(complete with ANOTHER chocolate cake…yeah, my friends know me too well!!) to strolling along Union Street with them and thanking my Father for friends such as them to walking home and talking to Mom and Laura and Maryanne and loving hearing their voices even as they are millions of miles away…yes, I am supremely blessed.