Tag: friends

And I See the Sun!

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So I may have just done something rash.

I purchased tickets for a holiday to Aberdeen this September. Should I have?? Maybe not, but well…I really craved a decent holiday in some far off country among dear friends. And I have not seen my friends in Aberdeen in far too long. So. It is time to return. Maybe I shall rue this decision in the next few days, but I don’t think so. I see the friends the Almighty God has blessed me with and I wish to see their faces again. Oh how lovely will it be to talk with all of them face to face!! Chris and Jo, Rose, John, Ruth, Graham and Tineke, Joel…and so so many others I won’t mention here now. I’m really rather excited just now – it has been too long Scotland. And I planned it well enough that I will celebrate my three-year anniversary of leaving Scotland…in Scotland. September 11th, 2013. And it is now 2016. How the years do tick by, methodically and unhindered by any desire on our parts for time to stand still. There’s only one person who’s ever gotten God to stop time, and my name is not Joshua!! But before I start rambling further…maybe I should sign off and walk off into the bright Texas sun. Thinking of a chicken/broccoli/mushroom stir fry dinner for tonight. Yes? Yes.

Also, I lied. I do sort of want to keep rambling. Been thinking about my walk with God lately, and how precious it is to know Him, deeply and intimately. Too often do we talk of the externals in our life, of our living situation, our delicious home cooked meals, our fun adventures around town, our pleasant diversions. And none of these things are bad in and of themselves, I think we can agree. But in the end of all things, are we letting ourselves be too diverted by the things of this world? Possibly. I know I fall into the trap of living in the world without remembering often enough that I am not of this world. And so do we get swept up by the torrents of the Charybdis of this life in the flesh. Let us remember that the pleasant things of this world are just that – of this world. And that our true joy should come from the knowledge that we are known by God and part of His family. Let us utterly delight in the communion we have with God through the indwelling of His Spirit in us. Imagine that – God’s Spirit – in us! What foolishness it sounds. Yet most profoundly and shockingly true!! And so I urge you all, my most dear and gentle readers, to think on the simple wonder and grave truth of God’s hand upon us as we walk through this earthly life. The sirens of earthly delight wail on every side, yet plug your ears to their call and remember the most pure and heavenly music that is God’s covenant with us. Think on that far country where all songs rise to the One who sits on the throne. Meditate on the delightfully sweet fruit of communing with Christ our Saviour. Fall on your knees and pray to the Lord and blissfully think on who God is. Sweetly rest and delight in this God. The God. My Lord and my God.

And let the homeward call of the Spirit ever resound in your hearts.

Peace, my friends. Peace and love. Always.

Heart of Chambers

James HoganLeave a comment

I am at peace.

A most beautiful afternoon comes to an end(indeed, a beautiful day!!). I write this from my apartment in Houston, just having woken up from a lovely ten minute nap so pardon me if my words are slightly sleepy sounding. But I simply must chronicle today so that I always remember the goodness of my God to me. This morning, worshiped God at church with my fellow brothers and sisters, reveling in the revelation of our Lord we have been granted! “Holy holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty”…our voices rose up to heaven in praise, accompanied by the skillfully played organ. Let us never forget the majesty and undeniable beauty and mercy and might that belong to the God of the universe, this God we serve. Singing these words of praise..oh how I long for the days to come when we in heaven will join the chorus of every created thing! O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise!!

And how do I follow that up? Well, I cannot, surely. Yet I enjoyed a delightful afternoon with Julie at the sports bar watching the Euro final, Portugal v France. Sadly, despite our great hope(and Julie’s cheering in French!!), Portugal grabbed the 1-0 victory and title of 2016 Euro Champions. Despite my disappointment, it was fun to see them all happy and dancing as they celebrated!! And of course, during the ever-more-nervous-making game watching, Julie and I had some lovely talking time – as always!!

Then, made my way to the store and then home…And I brewed some coffee, put some classic Beach House on the record player, and then enjoyed some luscious minutes reading Owen on the satisfactory death of Christ, and what it means for us. Christ died to save sinners. I read those five words and I am blown away. What stunning mercy. What beautiful love. And so now I sit, at peace and and at rest. Peace, my friends. I love you all ever so much.

Now, I will make my turkey burgers for dinner, and also am planning to read some more Owen. I will finish his Volume II tonight, I think. Only eight pages to go. It’s only taken me a year!!! But first. Dinnertime.

Peace and love.

Despite All the Tears

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends!! I have but a few minutes before work begins this fine Wednesday morning, but thought I’d write here nonetheless. This has been a pretty quiet week so far and I have no big plans(Chase might be coming over tonight, and I get to see Earnie tomorrow night!) and I must say, I’ve much enjoyed the last few weeks of relative quietude and rest – God has been so good to me in giving me some restful, relaxing times with Him! I read a few more words in Owen’s Communion with God this morning on the deity of the Holy Spirit – I’m currently on the section on the vindication of the Trinity. Truly wondrous reading. Every time I read a few more pages, I’m stunned anew by the glory and beauty of God. So wonderful and marvelous and high above all else is our God! I’m only forty pages from the end of this volume, at which point I think it’s time I switch it up a bit and begin Iain Murray’s biography on Martyn-Lloyd Jones. Much excited for that!! Ok, enough about my reading, as I probably enjoy writing about it much more than you care to listen. Have a most lovely day, my friends. Peace!

Communion

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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

James HoganLeave a comment

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.