Tag: journal

Light and Life

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I have many thoughts swirling around my mind. Whether they are particularly good or inspired ones is a question for another day. But for the now, I’m grateful for a cosy home and a warm hoodie and a couch that is far more comfortable than it has any right to be. Many other things I can name in this space that deserve the praise, but shall I clutter this place with words too feeble to do justice? I feel now is not the time.

I will say how thankful I am for quiet 6am moments where the house is still and quiet and my mind waking up slowly yet unfilled by a day’s worth of worries thrills to the idea of reading a few pages in the word of God and delighting in truths that have been passed on to us for millennia and in caretaking of these truths I partake in worship as I ponder the wonders of the Holy God who has called me and calls me into closer communion with Himself day by day. And while at times it is tempting to spend time reminiscing and chronicling the past, my best thoughts in this morning hour are ones that look towards heaven. The past is blessed by God and wondrous enough. But what does future bring? Whispers of eternity fill my dreams and I tremble. Does your heart ache to know the joy that comes with seeing our God face to face? Mine does. I dwell on the promises of God and the peace that fills my heart through salvation that been granted me through the dazzling word and work of Jesus Christ my Lord. My eyes lift to heaven and my mind thinks of the eternal future that even now stretches before my slow and feeble feet. My flesh and my heart do fail. How good it is to be near God.

City Folk

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calm before the blizzard
walking to and fro
up to 19th and yale
and then back down again
we go
shall we brave the bitter wind
yes let’s go to target
and then on the way stop and
pray
and put a warm winter bonnet
on our friendly neighborhood
sunflower
may it last the night
as for us now hand in gloved hand
homeward now
we rejoice!
for hot dinner and honeyed tea
and look forward to the morrow
to see what our God
will bring
i’ll take snow any day
as long as power stays
and we have lots of
heat

Blizzard on the Bayou

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There is a sentiment within me that swells when there is the prospect of snow. Then quickly I suppress such, for the adult portion of my brain recognizes the stress and hassle that necessarily accompany a blizzard in the south. Yet still! Snow in south Texas, who would have thought? I imagine that someday I shall tell my children of the day I survived the great blizzard of ’25. Rewind that. I sound like an old person already. Of course, if I want to avoid sounding like someone who has lived through far too many winters, I should probably also cease from using phrases that refer to ancient video technology. Back to the snow. Shall we indeed be so blessed with a wintry wonderland? Perhaps. We’ll wake up in a few days and I shall do something I’ve not done in years – peek out the window in the early morning hours to see if there indeed is a white blanket over all. And you can bet I’ll then gulp down some coffee and put on my hiking boots and wool coat and warm hat and gloves and tramp out down the lane to feel the fresh fallen snow underneath my feet and marvel at the beauty that is upon us. Of course it is hard to fully enjoy this thought when I also worry in the fullness of my grown mind of the effects of such an unusual storm upon this land. We do poorly enough with hurricanes and heat waves – how shall this city’s creaking infrastructure stand up to such as the icy blast that in providence descends upon us? The city planners and power providers assure us that the grid is hardened and prepared. One way to find out, eh? At the end of the day I wait and pray for I know these crazy weather patterns are overseen and held together by one who is far more powerful than I. I still hope to see a little bit of snow a few mornings from now. And hope the lights don’t flicker so I can enjoy my hot coffee in peace as I look out upon a winter scene. Even so I sit in silence now grateful for such little things as running water and steady heat. I pull up my turtleneck a little higher and snuggle into my favourite couch. Time to hunker down now and ride this thing out.

That Scotland Sky

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The day turns just like that. I was wearing my blue and green striped sweater and she had on her dusty pink sweatshirt and we walked side by side. It was so warm and nice she bemoaned. Why must it now be cold? I grinned to myself, secretly – oh who are we kidding, she knew full well – thrilled at this turn of events. Our hair windblown, our shoulders slightly damp from the January rain, we walked hand in hand. I gleefully informed her that due to the fact that it was winter, even though in this southern clime, it was fully right and proper that the freeze should be upon us. She huffed mildly. I would like to say she saw reason at that previous statement of mine, but alas she still groaned that it should come to this. The arctic breezes danced around us as the palm trees tossed their heads in fruitless protest. And in silence now we walked, she and I. Hot chocolate when we get home I asked at last? And then finally those words got a smile. Her eyes sparkled and she said yes yes yes. Homeward we go and I raised my arms in welcome embrace to the wintry blue and dappled sky. The day has turned out rather fine.

How Did It Come to This?

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…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

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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.

The Few

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Enjoyed a beautiful evening with Mom and Dad. A delightful dinner of burgers, fries and salad was had, followed by a little bit of reading on the couch time before we all decided it was movie time! Watched a 1942 movie “Spitfire”, which chronicled the design of the British Spitfire by R.J. Mitchell. A fascinating and moving film, not the least because it was actually made in ’42 while the war was still on! Leslie Howard was magnificent as Mitchell and I much enjoyed this movie. A well-acted, old black and white movie that also (with a good deal of dramatic license!) portrays historical events? Can’t go wrong. Me and Dad then decided it was probably too late to stay up watching the second half of the Alamo Bowl (Iowa State vs Washington State – go ISU!) so bedtime it is. And of course I couldn’t resist writing a few words in here. Going to read a few words of The Shadow Rising before bed as well. Oh how I enjoyed this evening with Dad and Mom. I am so thankful for them…for all their love and oddities both!! I love them so.

Now, truly I’m off. Peace and love, dear friends.

Christmas Eve

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So ten minutes remain until the hour ticks over to midnight and it is Christmas Day. I have been meaning to write in here all day today, but somehow have just not quite found the time or the energy!! And even now I write when my energy flags and I have not the will to write long…but wanted to just offer a prayer of thanksgiving to my Father God for the beautiful last few days He has given me. So many wonderful moments have I been given. From glorious times at church yesterday, hearing the gospel of God preached mightily and powerfully and rejoicing with so many dear brothers and sisters in Christ…to walking around the neighborhood and surrounding areas enjoying the gorgeous sunshine and cool air while talking with my dear friend Marina and having such sweet conversation and fellowship (oh how grateful to God am I for her friendship!!!)…to having a lovely evening service at church singing oh so many Christmas carols and again remembering the glorious wonder that Christ came to this earth – the Word became flesh and dwelt among us! – and hearing music and voices lifted high in praise to God (hearing Mom & Sandra sing “O Holy Night”…beauty and bliss and words of truth!…to then enjoying relaxing with Mom & Dad & Maryanne, watching fun movies like “Shop Around the Corner” (Jimmy Stewart / Margaret Sullavan classic!), getting quality time with Maryanne (eating yummy Thai food and wandering around Target!!), and of course an utterly delicious Christmas dinner tonight – roast chicken and potatoes and stuffing and asparagus…um YES please, I will have seconds!…and then walking around the neighborhood tonight, the moon shining brilliantly down upon us as we walked hand in hand and relished the sweet evening air. Oh how full is my heart this night. I am thankful for oh so many things. Pardon the terrible writing of this post, but I simply had to write these few words now. And would you look at the time? 12:01. Merry Christmas, dear friends. Feliz Natal. Häid Jõule! Boldog Karácsonyt. Happy Christmas, brothers and sisters near and far!

First Christmas

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Very briefly. A lovely evening is yet progressing. We are all currently watching (well, I’m half-watching!) a Christmas episode of Little House on the Prairie and it is heart-warming and wonderful. And being home with the family…even more wonderful. Sitting around the dinner table today…enjoying steak (cooked by Mom!) and sweet potatoes (cooked by Maryanne!) and salad and little shrimps and cocktail sauce…but better than all the food was just being at the table with Dad & Mom & Maryanne & Laura…and talking and being together. A couple hours of bliss. Oh so good is our God to us. And shall I spend more time writing here at the fiercely glaring computer screen? I think not. I shall return to watching Little House and being with the family…

Peace and love.

The Dragon Reborn

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It’s a quiet little Thursday morning. And nothing wrong with that! Enjoyed going to a Rockets game last night with James – Rockets stomped all over the Wizards in a good old-fashioned rout (136-118!). You’re still my second team, Wizards, so sorry about that. It was cool seeing the Rockets set an NBA record – 26 3-pointers made! Epic. Also it was definitely sweet catching up with James. Then came home, had a good chat with John…and now one more day of work awaits. Only one meeting today, yay! Then tomorrow – Florida time!! I’ll be home for Christmas.

Alright, nothing more really to say, so suppose I’ll sign off. Peace and love, one and all.