Tag: journal

How Did It Come to This?

James HoganLeave a comment

…and that’s all folks. 2024 is a wrap – in comes 2025. Happy New Year, one and all!! I do hope to write a 2024 retrospective at some point – maybe in poetry, maybe in prose, who can tell? – but for now I wanted to write at least a few words to mark the day as I’m not sure how the rest of this day shall go! This morning was lovely – nice coffee and reading time as the sun filtered through the windows. And then, over to Emily’s house for a yummy taco breakfast with her, Angela, Meagan and Jessie! Tacos were heartily enjoyed followed by the traditional viewing of “Bridget Jones”. Ridiculous yet now I really want to see “Pride and Prejudice”. Yes, the BBC miniseries. As is proper.

Now the sun shines outside and Dani is preparing a hearty and delicious salad for lunch and we shall enjoy that and then after that? Who knows? Walking in the sunshine I hope. And perhaps some reading time and maybe even gingerbread house will be (finally!) constructed! All I know is that I am thankful that this is the day the Lord has made and I shall indeed rejoice and be glad in it! Looking forward to writing a few words musing on this past year and delighting in the works of the Lord. But for now, I simply sit here and rest and smile to know that I am known by God. No matter what comes, I am loved by God. Peace and love, dear friends.

Emmanuel

James HoganLeave a comment

How wonderful it is to sit nice and warm at home after an encouraging and enlivening Lord’s day! Dani and I just spent a delightful hour down at EQ (in the last week of its existence, oh alas alas!) and truly enjoyable was it to sit on the porch there in the fading light of evening on this December evening. Dani read a bit more of her book (she’s almost done with Wrinkle in Time!!) and I read a bit more of the Spurgeon I’m currently reading for Advent season (Good Tidings of Great Joy – a wonderful book dwelling on the miracle and loveliness of the incarnation!) and it was ever so refreshing to sip tea, read and enjoy each other’s company. Now…home again and I really do mean to try and write something creative and we shall see if I’m successful. I’ve actually been writing quite a bit of creative works lately, for which I am ever so thankful to God for blessing me with such thoughts and the will to pen them. Sometimes I ponder what is the point of writing so many words – is it not all futility at the end? Smoke in the breeze and all that? Perhaps. Yet I’m grateful for the gift that is writing. Tis a wondrous gift and I will never cease to be thankful for it.

Speaking of, I shall now attempt a bit. Farewell, dear friends. Rest in the joy of the Lord this beautiful day as we dwell on the miracle that is God become Man and all that necessarily proceeds from that fount.

Sun Streaked

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, dear friends!! I’m listening to my favorite Rachmaninoff concertos No. 2 & 3 as I start work this morning…with the ubiquitous peppermint mocha in hand. The rain came pouring down this morning in startling fashion, but the clouds seem to finally be fleeing the area as the day truly begins to dawn. I’m confident of a good day ahead, for this is indeed the day the Lord has made. Have a wonderful love-soaked day, my friends. As for me, it is time to begin work! (And to enjoy listening to some gorgeous music as I do so…)

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.

Tears of Grace

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! I write this from Starbucks this happy Saturday afternoon and while I shall not write long, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to put a few words to page. Today has been a somewhat productive day so far(got my car’s oil changed, some errands, etc!) and it will continue once I get back home – need to do some cleaning of my apartment! Fun times eh? Now though, just been reading a bit in preparation for Tuesday night’s study(“Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord.” How often do I fail at that. How much do I need to be reminded!) and also sending a few emails out. Also a very nice benefit to having internet access here…downloaded a bunch of Dominic’s sermons from SermonAudio and I shall later on burn these to CDs for commute listening. I am very pleased with my many new sermons and the much encouragement and conviction I’m sure they will provide. Again from Colossians – may the Word of Christ richly dwell within us.

Now, I’m off, mostly because I want to get home and start my chores. Also need to start dinner at some point – tonight’s a chicken parm night…just been craving that this morning, so suppose I shall make it(complete with tomato salad *of course*). I have far more I could write about, but for now, just grateful for a day of rest that my God has granted me. May I spend it pondering the goodness and glories of my God and meditating on the beauties and wonders of knowing Christ. I do not want to waste this day or this life thinking about that which does not matter. Peace and love, my friends – hope you have a beautiful day and are as encouraged as I am!

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.

Land’s End

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! Here at Starbucks just finishing up my coffee and about to head out again pretty soon…needed some internet time(really, mostly just to update my phone apps and write some messages to people that I haven’t talked to in far too long!). Also got some reading time done(Colossians commentary by MacArthur to prepare for next Tuesday community group!) so a most productive coffee place time indeed. I’m feeling a bit weary just now…woke up nice and late(7:30!!) and then went for a run along Buffalo Bayou…didn’t want to run too long since it was getting hot but I got six miles in! I’m going to be feeling it tomorrow though, since I haven’t run in almost two months. Hm. I really need to get back into a routine, but part of the problem is that I prefer to run on Saturday mornings and I’ve unfortunately(or fortunately, depending on your perspective!) been finding myself out of town for many of the past weekends.

Anyways, the rest of today is going to consist of cleaning my place and then cooking a proper dinner(homemade tomato sauce with spicy Italian sausage and peppers and onions, hello!) and having a restful evening. And most possibly reading a good book as well – after an extended break, think it’s high time I get back to reading Owen’s Communion with God. I’m pretty excited. Yes, I’m odd, I realise that! But truly, a relaxing weekend is most needed and I am very grateful that God has given me this time to rest! And some solid time to seek after God and worship Him and enjoy His presence in my life. Truly, to know Christ Jesus my Lord and to understand and immerse myself in His love for me – is there anything greater in this life?? So tonight I mean to meditate on the wonders and glories of Christ my Lord. It shall be beautiful.

Now my friends, I am off into this wondrously bright Houston afternoon. Be well. Peace and love!

Music of the Dawn

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning friends!! Just about to start work here…but thought I’d say hi quickly! It’s the middle of the work week and I’m already starting to get a bit worn out(guess waking up at 4:30 will do that to a person…). Tonight is planned to be a quiet night in(complete with delicious chicken/leek/potato dinner and most certainly an episode of Angel!)…because tomorrow night I know is going to be a late one, me and James going to go to the Rockets-Warriors playoff game. I’m sure the Rockets will get utterly destroyed, but it’s still always fun to see some playoff basketball!! This weekend is also planned to be a quiet one…especially since it’s going to be my first weekend in Houston in a month. Shocking, I know, but that’s what happens when I spend the last three weekends in either Dallas or New Orleans. I am very very tired of driving. So this is a super random post and I really do need to start work, so I’m off! May your day be full of light and love, my friends.