Tag: journal

Redux

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This post written yesterday, February 20th…thought I may as well post it today!

Good morning all!! I am writing this from work this morning(well, as I guess I usually do on Monday mornings?) But feels a bit weird now, as I’m writing this on a Word doc and not in livejournal itself. The whole network is down at work right now, so no internet, no emails…almost no work of any kind is possible right now! Hopefully the internet comes back soon, because (sadly or not!) I really do want to get some work done today. Also, it is pouring buckets outside and I very much appreciate the fact that I am inside where it is warm and dry just now! And since I can’t do anything online, I figured I may as well write a few words now and then post them on livejournal once the network comes back online. If it ever does.

Anyways, what shall I write about? Hm, I know! Earnie and Mandy’s wedding this past weekend! They got married this past Saturday at Bethel and it was glorious. I can’t express the joy that was in my heart at seeing them being knit together as one! Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Terrell, congratulations!! Oh what bliss and oh what love!! The ceremony was gorgeous and I shan’t describe it in detail. We drove out to Plantersville for the dinner and reception – where much delicious barbecue was consumed and much awesome dancing took place!! Good times with so many good friends. I do so love weddings and this one did not disappoint. And just to see God’s work in the life of Earnie and Mandy. I’ve known Earnie for a few years now, and I remember when he would talk about Mandy and be yearning after her…even though she had no thoughts for him! And now…to see how God has brought them together is truly amazing. And they are brought together not just by their love for each other, oh no! They are brought together and bound by their love for Christ. Amazing love.

Now, the network is still down, so I guess I can keep writing! Yesterday was a joyous time at church, worshiping God and offering praise to the One from whom all blessings flow. Afterwards, had a good meeting with Sammy and some of the other young leaders at church – talking about millennials – oh that fickle, silly and irksome generation! Eventually made my way to the store for some dinner materials, then homeward bound! While my spaghetti sauce simmered on the stove, finished my 1 Peter study for next week(vss. 1-2 – keeping it real, keeping it slow!) while I listened to my prime study muse – Lorde – don’t ask me why. Then did my workout and afterwards, got to talk to Maryanne for a while!! We hadn’t talked in ages – so it was very well worth it. About time. Sorry for the wait, sis!!

Finally, it was almost dinner time, so made meatballs while John and Camille hung about and watched me do so. I don’t know why meatball making is so fascinating…but there you go. Julia came over and we all watched Dr. Strange(fantastically fun movie, with so many good actors…Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong – all the Benedicts!! …now I want some eggs benedict…mm…) ANYWAY. It was a beautiful relaxing night, enjoying a delicious dinner and watching a fun movie with friends. Can’t get any better. Me and John had a good talk before I went to bed and I daresay I’ve been feeling very encouraged lately. I am at peace and I feel oh so blessed by God my Father. How should it be that I am blessed so? I know not. I simply lift my eyes to the heavens and pray with adoration in my heart to my Father. Abba Father – hear my cry.

Now, dear friends…I end this. Still network outage here, but going to tear my eyes away from the computer screen and talk to some of my friends here at work. Be warm and safe and dry this day, fellow Houstonians!

Up and Down the Heights

James HoganLeave a comment

Hey friends – happy Saturday evening!! I’m about to eat dinner…my chili is bubbling away on the stove and is almost ready. And I’m not a little hungry, so not going to postpone that in service of writing! I’m still sick(ugh), but I have had a most blessed day, I cannot deny that. Deacons meeting this morning, then was able to rest and relax the rest of the day. Good times studying for community group and talking with John as I read my Knowing the Times by Lloyd-Jones. Felt so encouraged by God this day – I shan’t attempt to put that into words, but I know my God and I know I am loved. Then got a nice walk to Krogers while talking to parents. And at this moment…on the couch, getting ready to watch Warriors/Thunder game and enjoy a delicious bowl of chili(along with a glass of red!). It’s funny how sometimes I can be in a perfect state of health and be so unhappy and discontent….and then now, my physical body ails and yet I am at peace, joy abounding. Maybe it’s not that funny after all.

Alright, food time for me. Peace and love, dear, dear friends.

That Scent of Pine

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It’s a Friday once again, hurrah!! I have been sick most of this week(not hurrah??) and that’s not been fun, but oh well. I am surviving. Now I’m just happy to reach the end of this week – been super low-energy and work has been taxing. Last night was great though – a relaxing night with John…we got Chinese take-out and watched approximately four episodes of Avatar. As is proper. And had good chat, about things both serious and silly…so grateful to have a roommate like him. So blessed indeed to be living with him…while it was good and well living alone before, I don’t think I’m made to live on my own. Not optimal. Now, time to get to work here. A relaxing(at least as of now!) weekend ahead and I am happy. Farewell, friends!

A Hint of the Sea

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Hello all! It is a dreary Monday morning and I am sleepy. I really shouldn’t be writing at all, as it is time for work to start, but thought I would at least say hi! I really need to wake up a bit more, as I feel like I’m in that hazy mind state halfway between sleep and wakefulness…hopefully this mocha helps with that. We shall see. I have to say – I much enjoyed my music driving to work today…it’s maybe a bit sad how much pleasure my music brings me at times, but there you go! Started listening to Seaspray again – surely one of my very favourite mix CDs. Just delightful. Puts me in the mood to go down to the seashore and gaze off into the horizon…but anyways, I suppose I’ll now just take my leave and write more at a later date. Farewell, friends.

A Day of Chili

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Happy Friday, all!! I’m enjoying my Friday peppermint mocha and this early morning calm before the storm. Nice and quiet here in the office currently, although that will soon change. Anything much going on here lately? Not really, although did have a great roommate night yesterday with John! We actually expanded it to include Camille last night…went over to her place, had far too much yummy pizza and watched Groundhog Day(as is proper). Bill Murray is outstanding, I always forget how much I love watching his movies! Tonight is Rockets game with James – I’m excited because they’re playing Chicago…never seen the Bulls play before! And so I get to see Butler and D. Wade and Rondo and all them play – should be a fun one! (Although of course…go Rockets!) And now, I must be off.

Have a wonderful day, dear friends – peace and love, always.

Bells on the Wind

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends!! Just a minute to post, and thought I’d write a few words…as January – what a month – winds to an end. I am honestly quite tired right now – sleepy James needs his coffee with honey, this is a fact! But I was invigorated at least slightly as I walked from my car to the office this morning. I forgot if I mentioned I moved office locations recently? Well, I did and now, in the midst of Houston, there is a lovely mini(very mini) pine forest next to my office!! So every day I walk from the parking lot to the office surrounded by pines reaching high. The scent of pine pervades my walk and I am encouraged and refreshed anew each day. This is a small thing, I know. But oh this makes me happy!! Alright, I’m off now…time to drink a bit more coffee and wake up this sleepy Tuesday….

Hello Again

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Sunday friends! I post yet again this extremely fruitful January! I must say, I’m not quite sure why I’ve been writing so much lately…in the words of Lin Manuel Miranda…”Why do you write like you’re running out of time?” I know not. But I do like writing, and maybe lately I have rediscovered the pleasure and comfort it brings to put thoughts and emotions to page such as this. Not of course, that I put everything on here…far be that from me! But right now, it is comforting to let the words flow from thought through fingers to screen. Would that I could write something a bit more…beautiful. But for now, I shall simply write. Before I started this, I’ve been in a bit of a nostalgic mood…looking at some old high school friend’s journals – which are still online, shock! Hi Maggie!! *waves* Anyways, nostalgia diving can be dangerous – indeed, dark and full of terrors and all that. But this afternoon, while I have the bitter feeling of friendships lost and far away…I still have the sweet taste of the memories I had with these friends. And that is something I have been blessed with that shall never leave me. Ah bittersweet. And of course, I am reminded as I sit here that it is not entirely profitable to focus over much on the past. Let these thoughts and memories not drag me far away and distract my energies from life now, in the present. It is a dangerous game – to turn inward to the extent of losing our true joy. Now, I start to wax philosophical. See, this is why I should not write as much as I am – I dare expose my thoughts to the light of day, and what shall they say? That I am a hollow man, full of loose dreams and ill-begotten schemes? Even so. I long for the day when I shall be in that far country. No longer be a-ranging in a stranger land. And so, to dream is not so wrong. Only wrong is it when these dreams are forged of rotten beams – cloying words, sickly sweet in all their pomposity and self-important grandeur. Hiding behind a veil of false humility, oh forgive me!

But let us dream of purer things, of that road that goes ever on. The scent of jasmine, that light breeze upon the cheek. The song that rings true upon the soul, a knowledge of the veil now torn. To dream is not so wrong.

Star Song

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends, and happy Friday(again!!). I really didn’t mean to post this evening but I have a few spare moments so thought I might as well. I am currently at…Jones Hall in downtown Houston!! Earlier this week I couldn’t resist buying a symphony ticket for tonight(yes I am here by myself! I actually almost prefer being on my own since I can focus on the music a bit better and simply enjoy the beauty!! Of course, having a woman on my arm wouldn’t mar the moment, but that is neither here nor there!). Anyways!! They are playing one of my favorite pieces – Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto no. 3…it’s not his no 2, but almost as good!! I am simply so excited to hear it! And of course – I turned up absurdly early, so am now waiting patiently here in the dining area. Soon, comes the time of the music. Soon. And now, my friends, I shall be off and abandon myself to my thoughts and prayers. Have a wonderful and most beautiful night, dear friends!!!

A Little Bit of Starlight

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, friends!!! I was going to have a nice leisurely morning here, since I got to work early. Figured I’d sip on my peppermint mocha and write a moody poem that’s been percolating for a bit. Well, I have been sipping on my mocha, but instead of writing, I’ve been doing actual work…alas, a sad day when I get more excited about work than writing. Or is it?? Anyways, just thought I’d pop in and say hello. Have a most wonderful day, my friends – may it be full of love and joy and laughter!!

Comfort Ye

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Get yourself up on a high mountain,
O Zion, bearer of good news,
Lift up your voice mightily,
O Jerusalem, bearer of good news;
Lift it up, do not fear.
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”

Behold, the Lord God will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him.
And His recompense before Him.
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

This passage from Isaiah 40 – is it not beautiful? I wish I could write the whole chapter of Isaiah 40 – truly one of the most stunningly magnificent chapters in Scripture. But for now, just read the verses from above and meditate on the glorious attributes of our Lord. He is one who is mighty and all powerful. He is one who reigns and deals swift justice. And this same God is also one who is tender and gentle. He is one who has compassion on the fainthearted and deals kindly with the weak. Look at the above verses – the arm of God that rules is the same arm that gathers the lambs and carries them in His bosom. This God we serve is mighty and able to do all things, sovereign in power and perfect in justice. This God we serve is merciful and compassionate beyond measure, perfect in love and sovereign in grace. How precious is it to know that we can trust this God to lead and care for us, even when we know not the way? He is sovereign and He cares for us. He chooses to care for us. Our God will one day come and rule perfectly upon this earth. He will pour out wrath upon the wicked yet He will lift up the flock that is His. The flock that our God has chosen for His own. Is that not a wonderful thought? Here is your God! So think on that, this day – we serve a mighty God. We serve a sovereign God. And this God deeply cares for us. He holds us in His bosom. Be at rest this day, my friends. Meditate on the grand compassion and mercies of our God. Rest in His arms. Think on His love. Rest.