Tag: friends

Communion

James HoganLeave a comment

What a lovely lovely day. And shall I waste it adding words to the ever growing clouds of data spinning through this world? May it not be so! So briefly….

A day of rest, a day of joy. Finally home with my Bethel church family, loving each other and loving God, lifting our voices in worship sweet and listening to the Word expounded. And lunch with friends(chicken curry is always a quality meal, more so when eaten over good chat and sweet communion with my dear friends). Back at my flat and poring over the Word for community group(Colossians 3:15-17…)…And then vacuuming and a quick workout and then out into glorious brilliant afternoon sunshine reading The Silver Chair by the side of the pool…And back inside and now potato is in the oven and I will soon enjoy it hot and freshly buttered along with some plump turkey burgers and green beans but now I sit on this couch and read a bit of Owen’s Communion With God and while I could say that there is nothing more to be said, suffice it to be said that my heart is full this day. Afternoon sweetly passing by, eyes brighten, lips part, heart sigh. A touch of honey on the bread, one last morsel achingly read, truly nothing more to be said.

A Prime Year

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I am overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord.

I shall not write long now, as the evening light fades as this day comes to a sweet closing, but I cannot help but write a scant few words.  This day I turn twenty-nine, not a momentous day in and of itself, but it is indeed a good time to sit and ponder and recall the glorious wonders of my God and the many bounties He has granted me.  And so this day has been a calm one, a normal day of work and a quiet evening now.  But all day today, as I received numerous messages of love and encouragement from my friends, I felt myself a bit taken aback by the far too kind words from my friends and family dear.  I am most unworthy and I feel that it is only the grace of my God and Father that I am who I am this day.  Oh my Father keep me humble and full of love as I walk before You!

And now I am going to have a beautiful and most perfect birthday dinner of lasagna and tomato salad and possibly some chocolate cake!!!  And once again, I offer all thanksgiving to my God and Father who has given me much these past twenty-nine years.  He has given me abundantly more than all I could ask or imagine.  He has forgiven me much.  My God has forgiven me everything.  And in that great beauty and profound love i rejoice! 

Peace, my friends.  Peace and love.  Always.

Turn of the Wheel

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, friends!!! I’m sitting here at my desk at work, about ready to begin another day and end another week in fine style – it’s been a bit of a slow work week here, but no complaints, just been steadily working away. Also been recovering my sleep all week after an awesome weekend in Canada with Robbie, Ryan and friends! I wish I had more time to describe the vacation, but alas, I do not. Anyways, a relaxing night was had last night – ate my dinner(fish, chips and peas!) and watched an episode of Angel. Also read a little more of Communion with God by Owen. I always forget how good and encouraging that book is. At some point, I’ll try to post another excerpt, but right now read about how deeply important the Holy Spirit is to our lives as Christians – and how we should seek the comfort and encouragement and sanctification and gifts that He brings – do not understate the importance of the Spirit in our everyday lives as we seek to glorify God in all that we do. And wow, that was said so much more poorly than Owen stated it. Still hopefully you get the idea!

Now, I’m off. Going to continue drinking my yummy peppermint mocha and dominate this work day and then…drive up to Dallas for a weekend with Mikaela. Y’know. A good weekend is at hand – but first, going to enjoy the Lord in His work this day! Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

Consummation of the Ages

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning friends!! A blitz of a post here before I begin working! I’m sipping on my Friday peppermint mocha even though it’s not really Friday because…this is the last day of the work week for me! Fly off to Vancouver tomorrow for a weekend in Canada with Robbie, Ryan and friends! It’s going to be awesomeness, not least of which because I haven’t seen Robbie in a couple years now so really looking forward to catching up with him and having some quality chats(which we always always do). And of course – first time in Canada, so there’s that! I think we might also drop down to Seattle for a day, as well. So anyway, I’m in a pretty good mood now, looking forward to a sweet holiday time with friends. Shall be wonderful, I so decree!

And just as awesome as this coming weekend is going to be, last weekend was. Another super busy weekend, mostly because Mikaela came down from Dallas and spent the whole weekend in Houston and so naturally we spent very much time together(as is good and proper!). Went to Bethel on Friday night and heard John Piper speak on his new book A Peculiar Glory – about how the Word of God reveals its utter truthfulness to mankind. His talk was absolutely wonderful – he marries intellectual vigor and wisdom with the sweet passion that can only be granted by knowing God so closely and intimately. Oh how my eyes were lifted up to heaven as we pondered the glories of God!

Saturday night(after many fun adventures during the day, of course), me and Mikaela went on a double date with Earnie and Mandy to the symphony! After a quality dinner of steak and mashed potatoes at Truluck’s, we four enjoyed the Houston Symphony and Choir’s fine performance of Faure’s Requiem. Very very beautiful, indeed. And Sunday, following church, Mikaela and I had a most yummy Cajun-filled lunch at BB’s where I had my standard jalapeno mac’n’cheese and she ate many delicious looking crawfish. But…apart from the food and fun we enjoyed over the weekend, the best part was just being with Mikaela and talking with her and enjoying our time together…such sweet times indeed, may God be praised.

And now that I’ve written a bit more than I had planned, it is off to work with me. Be joyful this day, my friends – and think on the beauty of Jesus Christ our Lord. Peace, y’all – peace and love.

A Man on the Wall

James HoganLeave a comment

Hey friends!! Just writing a few words, I promise! Mainly because I’m at John’s place right now, one of the few opportunities I have with Internet, so thought I’d better take advantage of it. Had a sweet morning today…oh I can’t complain!! Got up around 8(sweet sleep!!) and had a great coffee and reading time before going to pick up some breakfast tacos from Las Locas and heading over to John’s. Obviously the first order of business was eating said tacos(with very much delicious green sauce)…and then we finished building a shelf that we’d started the other night. Victorious in that endeavor(a couple of technical wizards, that’s us!), he made some tea and I’ve just been catching up on online stuff since. He’s reading Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the other couch…possibly a better use of time? Well…I’ll read when I’m home and *don’t* have internet! He just read a statement from it about our enduring…and our chastening that we receive from God. And that although we often feel it doesn’t have a point, God knows what we need. And this chastening we receive in this life is. For. Our. Good. Remember that, let’s?

Now I’m off – want to get to HEB quick and pick up some groceries…because I’ve decided I really want to make some homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs for tonight!! Peace, my friends – have a most glorious day in our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been crucified for us and who has risen from the dead with power…for us. Peace and love.

Vintage

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! Just about to start work here – thought I’d pop in for a quick update as another week begins! Had an awesome weekend, full of productivity and fun times(both good things!). I’ll focus mainly on the fun times, as taxes and cleaning aren’t quite as enjoyable to talk about. Anyways! Saturday started with a sweet morning breakfast with the community group leadership team…much good discussion was had(mainly as we tried to hash out the purpose of our group and what we’d like to see come from our times together. A mission statement is currently being constructed, which I think is very much needed) Good times indeed. Following, got to hang out with John a bit(Thai food for lunch…and I worked on the aforementioned taxes). That evening, me and John and Peter went to Melissa’s place where we had a fun game night! Abby and Claire and Jim and a few others were there as well. The highlight of the game night was definitely Pandemic, where me and Claire and Peter saved the world from many virulent diseases(a super fun game that’s played cooperatively…I need to play again – I think the fam would like it a lot too!).

Oh dear, need to speed through the rest of this as work time approaches. Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday morning – worshiping God at church in the morning and then a lunch meeting with the Gathering(young adult ministry) leadership team. After some good open discussion, I went back to my place, did laundry, worked out and prepped for…the Super Bowl! There were no big parties planned and I didn’t really want to watch it on my own…so I invited John, Earnie, Mandy and Julie over to watch. We ordered pizza and wings and had an awesome night talking and being together…oh yeah and watching some football too. The Broncos crushed the Panthers(the Broncos defense was truly ferocious – seven sacks and multiple takeaways!!)…Peyton Manning got his second Super Bowl ring – so cool to see him smiling so much! One of the greats of all time. But truly, apart from the football, it was just a really special evening of being together with my friends.

And now, I must be off. Peace, friends – have a most lovely day.

Sweet Chariot

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! Posting a quick pre-work entry here before everything gets hectic busy. Of course, things aren’t that busy of late here…mostly with the oil industry being semi-catatonic and all. Layoffs are still happening(two more engineers got let go from my office yesterday..) and everyone is in a bit of a grim mood. Anyways! Cheery intro, eh? I’m enjoying my cup of coffee this Wednesday morning and slowly waking up. I’ve felt like I’ve been on the verge of getting sick for the past week or so…and I’m a bit tired of being tired all the time. Oh so weary! I would like to have my proper energy back, please! Alas. Tonight should be a restful night at home and then tomorrow night going out to hang with Chase and Sarah! That will be good times, no doubt. Last night was a beautiful small group meeting…despite my tiredness, God indeed gave grace(as always!) and we had a pretty sweet discussion of the gospel of God. What is the beauty of the gospel?? That was my ending question last night, and as I begin to dive into work this morning, I want to be pondering and meditating on the everlasting mercies of my God. Peace and love, dear friends.

The Lions of James

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday my friends!! Don’t have long to write, as work needs to begin in earnest shortly…(even though it is not even six AM here yet!). But I wanted to at least write a few words to let you know this December is already rolling along nicely. I can’t believe it’s almost time for Christmas. Ridiculous. But I still have two more weeks of work to conquer(along with a few Christmas parties to attend!) before I can think about home time in Tampa. And this past weekend(while tiring!) has been most delightful…besides fun events with lots of people(Christmas party at Abby and Claire’s on Friday! Dinner and movie(Creed – awesomely done!) with the gang for Matias’ birthday on Saturday!)…have had some quality talks with dear friends who I value greatly. And just realise how truly blessed I am to have such amazing friends. Talking with Laura K on Saturday…Daniel yesterday(I miss that guy!!)…then me and John had a sweet evening last night…eating pizza, watching random football game and just talking about life. So yes, as busy as I have been…I just want to sit back for a moment here and remind myself of the friends that I love so much.

Now – work time here y’all. Peace and love.

Hazelnut Lane

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello my friends!! I am posting this before work begins this morning, partly because I realise I haven’t properly written anything in far too long! And I thought that trend of not posting needs to be arrested immediately!! And even now, I don’t have the time to say much. But it is a beautifully cold morning here(low 40s – for Houston, shockingly cold!) and it’s pretty awesome finally getting to wear a turtleneck and sweater to work again. Yes, I am easily made happy. And so as I drove to work this morning with my hazulnut mocha, feeling warm and cosy in my car as I watched the sky slowly lighten and listened to Sufjan’s soft jams…I just realised how truly blessed I am – I have been given so much. No doubt there, none at all.

And really, I think back over this past weekend – and am even more thankful!! I’ve been having an interesting few months here(and few weeks! Maybe I shall discuss in depth at a later date, we shall see) and I know God has definitely been teaching me to even more fully rely on Him and enjoy Him purely and above all else. And I’ve still been feeling a bit emotionally weary…and then right before this upcoming weekend trip to Austin, I ended up getting physically sick! A nasty cold and fever…you know, all that good stuff. I almost cancelled the trip to Austin, but John talked me into it. And I’m very glad he did. Drove up with John to Austin Friday afternoon and spent some quality time hanging out with him that night and Saturday morning(before Melissa and Jim drove up to join us!). Me and John got lots of talking time…of course interspersed with some quality Doctor Who watching. Of course. And once Jim and Melissa joined us, we had a sweet afternoon(more wonderful talking as we walked in the Colorado River Wildlife Sanctuary in the middle of Austin – gorgeous walk, did not see any wildlife. Still, would come again). And as I walked on the woods trail and breathed deep of the crisp wintry air and looked at the piercing blue sky above…I gave thanks to God for his many and diverse blessings that He has given me. Later that evening was the object of our trip – the Oh Hellos concert! I’d not really listened to their music much(Christian folk/rock, I guess?), but John loves them, so I figured it’d be fun! And it was simply a grand time! Outdoor venue, so very very cold though – had my coat zippered all the way to my chin, still shivering in between sets! But being with Jim and Melissa and John…hearing beautiful music and looking up at the moon shining down on us from the nighttime sky and feeling the sure confidence that comes from knowing I am loved by my Father God. And so yesterday morning, we enjoyed a sweet breakfast at a French cafe, then worshiped at a church in downtown Austin…and after a much enjoyed pizza lunch, me and John drove back to Houston, where – of course – more quality talking time was had. And so now I am back in Houston, about to embark on another work week(ok – a very short two day work week!!) and though I know not all before me will be smiles and laughter, I know that God is with me and I cannot wait to see the things He has in store for me. The Lord God is my joy and my confidence – now and forever.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that shall I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.

The Turn of the Tide

James HoganLeave a comment

Hey friends!! A very quick post indeed, since I’m posting from my phone and my fingers are not as nimble as I would like. All I really want to say is.. a very awesome afternoon is being enjoyed here and I am ever so thankful. Right now a pot of chili simmers on the stove and my all time favorite movie plays on the TV(The Two Towers…*of course*…) and I’ve had some quality poolside time reading and soaking in the sun and good times were spent with friends – Ernie, Mandy, Abby, Claire and Angela!! – laughing and talking and reading/reciting scripture…and while I know this world is broken and is ever groaning…Right now I simply see those gifts God has given me and I must and shall lift up my voice in praise to Him – oh for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise!!!

And now…Two Towers and hot chili. Not much better, y’all. Peace friends.