Tag: friends

Of Books and Beans

James HoganLeave a comment

A rare morning post from my couch and not from work!  But this work day presses upon me and while I should get off the couch and get ready to leave soon…I desired to write a few words.  Tonight I fly back to Tampa for times with the parents and Laura and Caisson – yay!!  Hopefully (maybe) I will have time to write when I’m in Tampa, but I cannot promise any such thing.  What else have I to write?  I had a sweet time with James last night at the Rockets game – beat the Jazz and clinched the series.  On to the Western Conference Finals – Golden State awaits, surprising absolutely no one.  And so after I dropped him off at his house last night and drove the long way back here, I realized I would not get a proper amount of sleep alas.  Two cups of coffee this morning and I’m still not fully awake!  Now I really need to start packing for Tampa so…farewell, friends.  Let me briefly share the close of one of my very favourite chapters:

And there are also many other things
which Jesus did,
which if they were written in detail,
I suppose that even the world itself
would not contain the books that would be written.
-John 21:25

Oh how I long for the day that I see my Lord face to face.

Shards of Honor

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon friends!!  It is a most fine Sunday afternoon here.  And I have not long to write, as soon I will be off to Julien and Kelsey’s for a fine roast dinner.  Most looking forward to that, as delightful conversation and encouraging times await.  But for now, I can only sit and thank the Lord for the beautiful day He has granted me.  A wonderful morning at church with my dear brothers and sisters.  A relaxing few hours at home in which to eat lunch and do other various domestic chores.  And then…a lovely walk down to EQ and a few hours on the porch there, soaking up the sunlight and reading a lovely book.  Oh what a gift was granted me by my Lord, that few hours of reading in the glorious sunshine.  Few things are better than that.  But…one of those things better came soon after…as I walked home, called home and talked to mom and dad…enjoying sweet chat with them…of Lightning victorious and other sundry things.  Again.  Few things are bettter than that.

And now…I really don’t think I can say much else without resorting to poetic anthem, and I feel it is not time for that this day.  Some other day, perhaps.  For now, I will sign off and think of the gratitude and love that fills my heart this day.  I still feel the touch of the sun on my skin and the touch of that song on my soul.

Peace and love, one and all.

Wishmaster

James HoganLeave a comment

So finished another book last night.  Read:

11.  The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan.  I’m not going to overly detail my thoughts on this book, other than it’s another fantastic Wheel of Time book…full of high drama and delicious fantastical elements.  This is the book where Rand is barely ever in it, but he does show up at the end in time to defeat Ishamael and claim the Stone of Tear, prompting both Aiel and Defenders of the Stone alike to shout out in acclamation.  And this book also contains the beginnings of Mat being awesome…as well as Perrin meeting Faile.  For somer reason, the more I read these books, the more I like reading Perrin & Faile’s story…and this is where Perrin first discovers his falcon and their love story is beautiful, as messy as it later becomes!  In this book it ends with her wiping his blood off his face, the blood he shed to save her life.  Romantic to the core.  Now I apologize – for any of you who have not read this book, it sounds most confusing…and trust me, even reading it can sometimes be confusing.  But wonderful all the same.

What else shall I discuss today?  I suppose I could mention that myself and John are planning to go see newest Avengers movie – Infinity War – later tonight.  It should be epic, as it has approximately 23 superheroes in it.  And…I believe that’s not that much of an exxageration.  Excited for that!!

Also been for some reason in a Nightwish mood lately…listening to it both at work and in my drives to and from.  I forgot how much I love them and just how gorgeous their music is!!  And thankfully, I have Laura who I can call and we can go into great detail discussing our fav albums and singers (obviously Tarja is amazing….but I do like both Annette and Floor in their own way, as well!!)  Been remembering the times I saw them live(first with Jackie, second with Laura!) and it has renewed my desire to one day soon chronicle my all-time favorite concert experiences, of which surely Nightwish show will be near the top.

Now it is about time for me to take my leave, but firstly (note, I should really probably leave off that last stanza…but can’t help it – love it even though poem would probably be better ending stanza sooner…)…

The morning warm and dark breaks
like the darkened sea upon the shattered shore,
and though I think there is no beauty left to find,
and no more dawn song tripping through my mind,
I turn the key and turn my head and turn and see
her entering,
and the gate swings open, open
and the streetlamps’ light descends upon her
faintly.

Faintly yes
but enough for me
to see

Chocolate curls cascading,
Snow white dress shimmering,
Her eyes liquidly
Dark and full of magic,

and though I approach but softly
her lips quirk up in sheepish smile,
our eyes brush past each other
and touch oh so gently
and lips murmur
courteous nothings
in the wind.

And lo her eyes smile and dip and dance away
and so I bow and take my leave
and so
and so
the dawn song breaks upon my heart once more
as the foamy sea cast its waves
upon that golden shore.

The Buffalo

James HoganLeave a comment

So…a few(for reals!) words as I sit sleepily here on a slowly lightening Monday morn…

I had a delightfully adventerous and exhausting weekend up in Arkansas with John, Jared, Peter, Chase and others on a camping and canoeing trip…and while I wish I could say it was all beautiful(trust me when I say there were plenty of beautiful moments!!), it also had moments of cold and wet and somewhat miserable sensations…I think I felt like I relate to Sam Gamgee quite a bit…adventures are wonderful when you’re reading about them, but as you go through them, you realize there’s quite a few unpleasant and painful bits!!  But the moments of briskly kayaking down the Buffalo River, cliffs towering on one side, proud trees on the other and gorgeous blue water ahead were what made it all worth it…the solitude and sound of rushing water and the sunshine resting on my head…all of this was beautiful and much loved by me.  And so I could sing a few refrains from favourite songs and thank the Lord who made it all so. 

But now as I am sore and tired and yet have a full week of work ahead of me…I suppose I shall take those sweet memories of beauty and peace and hold them dear and then proceed about my business.  It shall be a good week, though I know not what comes.

Peace and love, one and all.

The Last Hurrah

James HoganLeave a comment

So I was going to write a much longer post (and maybe even a poem!) but alas (not really) I actually talked to Dad on phone instead, which was very worth it!  And so now my minutes to write are few.  But quickly…

It is still wonderfully cold here – sub-50s temperature when I walked out to my car this morning!!  One last time I shall say – long may it continue!!  Even though…I know that no, it most certainly will not continue long.  But I shall enjoy it much.  Oh shall I enjoy it!  Yesterday was sublime.  After church and various errands, came home and quickly made and ate lunch(chicken & curry-spiced cauliflower & red peppers!) then fled to the glorious outdoors.  Walked down White Oak enjoying the strains of live music that were being played at every other bar and restaurant…then went to Red for a quick espresso (because why not, yeah?) then got to talk to Maryanne for a bit to wish her happy birthday as she is now 27 years old, what!!!  Happy happy birthday, Maryanne, dearest sister!!!  Then I realised I’d missed a call from Daniel…so once I walked down to EQ and settled in my usual spot on the porch, called him back and we had a beautiful time chatting.  Oh how I miss him.  But it was a great talk and I must remind myself to pray for him more, that God continues to bless him and grant him peace in all things.  After that…well, no more phone chatting, so I instead settled in my chair on the porch and soaked in the sunshine.  Brilliant blue sky.  Scents of springtime abounded.  And as I read my book (The Dragon Reborn, of course) and enjoyed the sounds of people talking all around me…I could not help but lift my eyes to the heavens and thank God for all that He has made.  Glory hallelujah.

That was yesterday and it was beautiful.  Briefly before I fly – must also mention how great Saturday night was!  Earnie and Mandy had both finally taken their PE exam on Friday and they were deliriously happy at being done with that!  Earnie feels most confident, Mandy slightly less so but I am still sure they both passed.  Anyways – since they finally now have time to have a social life again, I had them over for dinner.  I made burritos and avocado/tomato salad and we ate and talked and laughed…and many many hours later we realised it was almost 12:30 in the morning and probably a good time to part since church was indeed coming up the next (same!) day.  I just want to say though – their friendship is oh so precious to me and I am very grateful for them and the encouragement they are to me.  It even made me happy that I got to lend them a couple of my books – Revival and Revivalism by Murray and a Douglas MacArthur biography.  I love lending books to friends – it gladdens my heart!

Right.  I have now written far more than I thought I would, but I’m glad I could chronicle this wonderful past weekend.  Now, my friends, farewell.  Peace and love.

Contradictory Wildcats

James HoganLeave a comment

 Happy Thursday friends!!  It’s very sadly not cold outside anymore(not close to cold, even.  It’s approximately 75.  Ugh)…but I still can’t complain.  I have my peppermint mocha here, which is…not traditional for Thursdays, but that’s just because tomorrow I won’t be going to work – no, tomorrow at this time I’ll be in airport awaiting my flight to Charlotte to see Maryanne.  Hurrah!!  Can’t wait for that.  We shall have a glorious weekend of being together and doing adventerous things…mostly I just am looking forward to good chats.  Anything else going on here in Texas…?  Not terribly much…last night was a relaxing evening hanging out with John.  Had sushi and watched Rogue One, which is a very good Star Wars movie indeed.  Even if everyone does die(oh – spoilers much?  My apologies.  Not really, it came out over a year ago – no excuses!)  It was more emotional than I remember it being…and it has one of the best combined space/land battles in all of Star Wars.  Much explosive, laser-filled fun!  This morning had a nice breakfast at home while I continued my read through Acts.  Sadly I’m over closer to the end than the beginning of the book….am much enjoying reading about Paul and his missionary journies presently.  Today read about his trials and travails in Corinth, Ephesus and a few other places.  Was encouraged by seeing the works of the Lord in saving so many…also convicted by how the people of Ephesus responded.  They burned over 50,000 pieces of silver’s worth of “magic books”, etc. If only we all were so serious about our sin and what distracts us from loving and honouring God with all our might.  Truly – as I read last night in Edwards biography, “…the love and the pursuit of true holiness is the enduring mark of the true Christian.”  Lovely.  I definitely am most enjoying reading this biography lately – I now remember why it is one of my all-time favorites.  Oh that I might live with even a tenth of Edward’s passion and desire to know Christ more.  And…as I continue to ramble, I think ’tis too late to start a new paragraph now, so shall just leave this all messy and of one piece.  Honestly, it is probably time I end this and sip my peppermint mocha in peace as I meditate on the goodness of God and look forward to what He shall do this day.  Oh!  And speaking of mochas, while at Starbucks today, got a surprise Katie sighting…she is only working one day a week lately due to nursing school, etc – and apparently got switched to Thursdays.  So we enjoyed chatting for a couple minutes – this past Sunday she was at Bethel on a panel talking to middle-schoolers about dating and all that…they definitely need it!!!  (I probably could have used something similar back in the day, honestly…)  Anyways, we had solid people on all these panels(at least on the girls’ side – know it was Megan, Emily, Erica & Katie…can’t go wrong!).  Now I continue to type and yet there is no point.  So I shall rest my fingers and think and ponder for real.  Peace, my friends.

new Sun Rising

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday friends!! It is a lovely cold morning(below 40 for what is most likely the last time this year!) so yes I enjoyed it to the uttermost…almost as much as I’m enjoying on my peppermint mocha now(I must confess I had a brief dalliance with the new cherry mocha yesterday…for all its bright allure, it was most definitely not worth it. I am ashamed for even thinking of abandoning stalwart peppermint. Never again). I’m also a bit sleepy, as last night went to Rockets game to celebrate Danielle’s birthday! Angela and others of Danielle’s friends were there and good times were had by all. Oh and yeah Rockets beat Mavs(of course). Houston triumphant! Anyways – today shines bright another day and I must simply be thankful knowing it is the day the Lord has made – let us rejoice and be glad in it, yeah? Peace, my friends – peace and love.

Renewed

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Saturday friends!!  Finally a bit of a time to rest here.  This morning I woke up to the rain falling…and falling…and falling.  An afteraffect of Harvey is that every time it rains a lot here in Houston…we all(well at least me) get slightly anxious.  Not quite post-traumatic-stress-disorder…but it’s definitely a thing.  Anyways, while I really wanted to just have a lovely relaxing morning with a big mug of coffee and leisurely quiet reading time as the rain slowly poured down outside…alas, it was not to be.  Deacons meeting at 7:30, so I did have my mug of coffee and reading time, but not quite as leisurely as I would have liked.  Good productive meeting, welcoming the four new deacons – welcome Earnie!! – and listening to Alex lay out some of the goals and desires of the elders.  I was much encouraged to know God has blessed this church with such good and wise and God-fearing leaders.  Following meeting…gassed up car and grabbed groceries…then figured I’d at least stop by Starbucks to see if any friends were there.  Lo and behold – barista Katie was there, whom I hadn’t seen in ever so long!  Got my espresso and chatted with her for a while…good catch-up hearing about her life of late…finally let her actually do her job and left to get haircut.  Now I am officially ready for North Carolina trip next week – in which I get to see Maryanne and Deanna – hurrah!!!  Can’t wait. 

Now that I’ve spent far FAR too many words discussing my really pretty boring morning…I suppose I will end this and get back to my lunch.  Grilled cheese and tomato soup as I watch the Leicester City/Man City football.  A little touch of Britain this afternoon.  Apparently I am in a nostalgic mood.  Alright for serious – back to lunch!  Maybe after this I will have a little nap, as I must confess I had minimal sleep last night…ended up watching several episodes of Suits with Julie last night and staying up far later than planned….so yes, a nap sounds wonderful. 

Peace, my friends.  Peace and love.

grey and Restful skies

James HoganLeave a comment

So tonight is finally here – Friday night at last!! I sit now on the couch, having just a nice little walk(up Heights to 11th and then back down again…). I must confess I am ever so thankful that I’m able to live in this gorgeous neighborhood where the walk is so beautiful. Tonight sadly wasn’t that cold out(alas – the cold is fleeing!), but my feet still felt like wandering. The skies grey and almost depressing…but not quite, for the bare branches of winter waved to me in the breeze and all was well. Now time to make a (somewhat delicious!) burrito dinner…and hopefully after that a relaxing reading evening will be had. Looking forward to reading some J. Edwards biography. And then later tonight, Julie is planning to stop by after she finishes work…so I have no doubt we’ll enjoy some quality chat time. Now my friends – this short entry comes to an end. My mind is restless and can’t dwell upon the page. My thoughts fly up to the heavens. The skies are grey and wistful yet. And I sigh for I have been given rest.

Super Post

James HoganLeave a comment

It is Monday once again!  Funny how that happens…

Just posting a few words here before work starts in earnest – (and before the week starts in earnest!) – thought I could chronicle this past weekend, but don’t really feel like writing that much.  But – I can at least say that yesterday was a lovely day.  Deacon duty at church, which meant I was running around the whole morning and didn’t really truly get to be in the worship service, but church was wonderful nonetheless and it is an honour to serve.  Following church, had some chill time at home…talking with John…reading Spiritual Depression…enjoying a somewhat lazy Sunday afternoon!  But yesterday was also a momentous Sunday(if football events can be counted as momentous!) as it was time for the Super Bowl, fifty-second of its name.  Eagles and Patriots were playing…and honestly, since I don’t care for either of those teams, it was difficult to summon up the will to root for either of them.  I decided I wanted a good game(which I got!) and a last minute Patriots comeback(which I didn’t get), since it’s always fun to watch an epic Patriots comeback(me and John have a running joke that whenever the Patriots are behind in the 4th quarter, they’re happy because “they have them just where they want them”, deepening their opponent’s eventual humiliation when the Patriots come back to win!)  But alas, Tom Brady did not Tom Brady and the Eagles won a great game, 41-33.  Go Eagles?  Ugh, let those words never leave my mouth again.  Anyways!  It was a fun night – I didn’t want to go out anywhere, but Emily and Erica came over for a bit and so it was fun to hang out with them and catch up…and watch some football(and Justin Timberlake in halftime show!) together.

Now, this entry was longer than I anticipated so I must be off.  Going to enjoy sipping on this peppermint mocha and watching the sky slowly lighten…