Tag: life

Tears of Joy

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends – and a happy Tuesday to you all!! I am going to write a quick update here before work begins…because this weekend has been quite a whirlwind, not at all the “free and relaxing” weekend I thought it was going to be! Well, it was a beautiful three day weekend but somehow I found a way to cram many many things into it. Hmm. Not one quiet night, what has become of me!!? Anyways! Friday night, had a fun time going to Torchy’s with Angela and John and having some good catch-up time with them(and delicious tacos, natch!) Saturday morning…somehow I got the brilliant idea that I needed to run since it’d been a while. So I got up uber early(to beat the heat, etc. Oh Houston) and ran my long run(10 mi). After I was halfway through, body was feeling great and so I was thinking I might push it to 13…but sadly my lack of hydration caught up with me about the 8 mile mark and so I most struggled those last couple miles. I decided not to be foolish and just finished my normal run. Anyway, once I hydrated, I felt great(albeit quite sore rest of day. And day after. And day after…) and I got to enjoy a nice coffee and reading morning at home. Eventually I went out, did various errands that needed doing(and buying books for people in Aberdeen, hurrah! I shall not name them here, just in case they’re reading this. Which is probably doubtful). Then I popped over to Starbucks for some online and writing time(which was very unsuccessful – I’m struggling with current story sadly). At this point, it was about 2pm and I realised I was very faint and dizzy and getting a headache. I wondered why. And then I remembered that I had sort of forgotten to eat anything all day. Even after my run. Oops? So I went to Trader Joe’s, got some hatch chile mac’n’cheese(which was quite good!) and then ate that at home while watching college football(which has returned! Houston beat Oklahoma and Texas A&M beat UCLA and Texas beat ND…so all is well in the state of Texas today).

And wow, this entry is a bit ridiculous – I am rambling overmuch and I would apologise, but I’m not done yet. I shall try to quicken the pace though, as I do need to start work soon. So where was I? Saturday? Oh yes. Right. So, after watching a bit of college football, I had plans with Jared to hang out and watch a movie at my place. Sadly, he had to cancel because of some family plans that came up…but since I have awesome friends that invited me to something else(thanks Lea and Marianna!), my evening did not go wasted. Went to the Miller Outdoor Theatre and enjoyed some quality baroque music and some even more quality conversation with the aforementioned Lea and Marianna. I got home at some point and promptly fell into bed. Sunday! Sunday was the day of days. Church(which was marvelous and encouraging and God exalting!), then missions prayer time, then had some good sushi with Jonathan and Julian for lunch. Afterwards when I was back at my place, invited Julie over for tea and reading time, but sadly(not really!) we got no reading done and just had a great time talking and talking and talking instead. She is such an encouraging and dear friend! After that…Jared came over and we had some dinner and watched the Texas-ND game(instead of movie, because who needs a movie when you have football?). And unsurprisingly, while we watched the game, the best part was just talking about life. And thus ended my Sunday, in which I got approximately one hour to myself. And I am not complaining one bit.

And…er, I really need to cut this off here, even though I haven’t even talked about yesterday(Labor Day) yet. Oh well – just know that it was good and God blessed. As always. I must simply praise my God for always blessing me oh so much. Of course, there are some parts of life that are sorrowful and so we must grieve. But when I am enjoying life, I must recognize that it is God my Father who has blessed me so – and I thank Him and Him alone.

This morning, I heartily enjoyed listening to my newest mix CD…it is maybe my best yet. It is all hymns(do not laugh!) and it is beautiful. It is very unoriginally entitled HymnSing and it contains pretty much all my favourite hymns. Singing them in the car this morning as I thought about the love of God…oh what tears, oh what joy. When someday God grants that I may return to Him(oh come that day!), I do hope that some of these songs are sung. Oh how wondrous it is, to think that the blood of Jesus has paid for all my sins. That is my theme, my song. I will at some point post the track-list, but now I shall simply end this very very long entry(my apologies, dear friends) and leave you with this…

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine?

Leaves of Autumn

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, one and all!! I really have negligible time to post this morning, but it is Friday and I am drinking my peppermint mocha, so my Pavlovian reaction is to write a quick entry here!! September has finally begun, and it shall be a month to remember, I do believe! I am excited for this month, to see what God will do!! Now I must fly, but just wanted to encourage you all to enjoy this day – oh so many good things do we have to be thankful for. Let’s remember that, shall we?

Peace and love.

Neon Haze

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, all!! Quick update time. It’s a wonderfully sticky Monday morning here in Houston and as the day slowly lightens, thought I’d let you know what I’ve been up to lately as I sip on my peppermint mocha…

In actuality, this weekend was a nice and calm one, which I appreciated much. Friday night, went with Sammy to a random church’s young adult group meeting, where he was engaged to preach. He was much blessed by God and preached mightily on 2 Samuel 11 and the effects sin has on us. Powerful, convicting and encouraging – God be praised! Saturday, I got many random errands done, then went to Natalie and Andrew’s engagement/wedding party in the afternoon, where it was awesome to celebrate their soon marriage!! Sunday was church and afterwards, I went straight home and did various household chores before finally sitting down and having my dinner of leftover lasagna and a tomato salad. And…with my dinner, watched Return of the King. It’d been far too long. And even more fun was me and Maryanne watched it in sync, so we got to text each other random comments back and forth as we watched. Fun times…just wished we lived closer so we could watch in person!!! Alas. Oh! I also was much engaged in writing yesterday afternoon…got a powerful urge to put a story to paper, even though I am now doubting my literary powers and ability to do the themes of this story justice. I’m about 2200 words in and halfway done, but it is most rough so far and I am unsure whether it will get to where it needs to be. We shall see. I need to fly now, but shall leave you the opening…sorry to be such a tease. Love you all, my friends!!

A window stained, spattered with raindrops and grim in both general aura and appearance. Thunder rumbled in the far off distance and the harsh neon lights glared into the window, through the rain streaked plastic and into the cramped room. The room, mean in appearance and dim lit with a single lamp beside the bed, had a singularly utilitarian appearance. A bed, a sink and a mirror. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing more was needed. Nothing less was used.

To Trust in the Unseen

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello all!! Just finished my lunch here at work and about to get back to it, but I noticed I have approximately seven minutes remaining of my lunch break, so might as well write something here, since it has been a few days!! I really need time to write much much more, but I am hampered by various constraints so no long post today. This past weekend I was in Nebraska/Iowa with the family(and extended family!) for Grandma Hogan’s funeral. I don’t even know if I can quite do justice to this time with my ill-chosen words, so I will not even try at this time. But I do want to state how good my God is, how abundantly faithful and richly compassionate He has been to one as weak and low as me. Oh how joyous to think on that glorious day when I shall see my God face to face!! This is what I long for, truly. Someday. Someday.

And now my time flees and I think it’s best I not write anymore. Be at peace, one and all. Much love, my friends.

A Note

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends…and happy Monday!! I don’t have time to write long, but thought I should dash down a few words here, even though I can’t properly chronicle the weekend! Alas. Still, a good one was had(even though I was busy every night and didn’t quite get in a relaxing rest night like I had planned!) Still, I can only thank and bless my God for all His goodness, for all His love. I was able to sing praises to my God in a hymn-sing that John put on, Friday night…oh so joyous!! And then dinner and good chat with new friends(plus John!). Saturday involved a quality coffee morning and many more conversations at the Maresh’s, followed by watching the new Jason Bourne movie with Julie(it was a good movie…but definitely not up to the standards of the previous three. Oh well. Still awesome seeing Matt Damon be amazing on the big screen!!) Then I had a craving for lasagna so of course…had to go home and make that for dinner!! Julie came over to help me eat it and we watched so many good Olympics events(and had some good chat interspersed!). Saturday night was an excellent Olympics night…Mo Farah taking the gold(again!!) in the 10k – so thrilling, especially as I remembered watching it from my Calsayseat flat four years ago!! – then Michael Phelps dominating in the pool one last time…Sunday, many more fun things happened, but I simply don’t have the time to write about them now!! Sorry for this poorly constructed, somewhat rambling entry, but just wanted to write these things down so that I always point back to them and…remember the goodness of the Lord. Be well, my friends – take courage and live today for the glory of our God and Father!!

Rio

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends, happy Monday!! A quick post before work…hope that’s acceptable to you all! I realise I haven’t posted in quite a while, so thought I’d write something just to break up the monotony here! August is steadily rolling on here in Houston and I am quite ready for summer to hurry up and leave. It’s been quite sweltering these past few months and I’ve reached that point where I’m not really welcoming the constant sunshine and heat any longer. Oh well, suppose I shouldn’t complain, since at least there hasn’t been any flooding in Houston for approximately two months. A new record!

Enough of the weather though…a fun weekend has been had here – actually a quite busy one! We had our community group barbecue on Saturday afternoon. That was a relaxing time, full of yummy burgers and other assorted foods of course, but the best part was just hanging out with friends and having quality conversations. Then last night, went out to celebrate Annie’s birthday. More good food, more good conversations…and some quality game playing(featuring Four Men on a Couch – which is always hilarious when played late at night when everyone is tired and not entirely thinking clearly…). Besides all that, just good times talking with people, including but not limited to Julian, Isaac and Julie…)

And of course, the other notable part of this weekend was the beginning of the 2016 Summer Olympics! I do so love the Olympics and it’s been just grand watching them yet again. So very excited for these next few weeks!! Julie came over Friday night and we watched the opening ceremonies in Rio – it was a joyous and exuberant beginning of the Games and much enjoyed watching the athletes of over two hundred nations march into the stadium. Love it! The past few days, have watched much volleyball and swimming and road cycling and other various sports…and for the next few weeks to come, will enjoy much more daily sport in the form of Olympics. Hurrah! It’s also a bit bittersweet as I remember back to the last Summer Games – the London 2012 Olympics. And when I was – of course – in Aberdeen as those occurred. (And yes, even was in London for a few days with Joel to witness some of the events in person!) And so as I think back to those fun days in Scotland, I do get a bit nostalgic…remembering how blessed I was to enjoy the time I did there. God blessed me much no? And oh yes – He blesses me still. Always remember. Always.

Now, I must be off. Peace, one and all!

A Most Profound Loss of Place

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! It’s Saturday morning here at Starbucks and I’m just about to leave…I actually am forced to leave, because I need to go pick up my car from its annual inspection. Here’s to hoping it passed! (It better have…) Anyway, this Saturday is set to be a very productive one(I hope), since I plan on doing a bunch of cleaning at my place and following that…some solid writing time just needs to happen. I’ve been meaning to write something substantial for some time now, and I swear, I shall force myself to do so. Since Starbucks writing clearly isn’t working, going to just ensconce myself in my living room at home and hope my couch isn’t too comfortable to keep me from writing something properly beautiful. We shall see – I must at least experiment and get myself out of this extremely bad habit of not writing! (Oh and as always…if any of you have some writing ideas/prompts you would like to share, I would be ever so grateful. Truly) Now, I must fly. Peace my friends – have a most glorious Saturday!!!

Trekking

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Thursday, friends!! No big news here in Houston, but just thought I’d say hi as I slowly prepare to begin work. In approximately five minutes. Today is a “dress-up” day – wearing my fancy shoes and a tie today just for fun. Yes, that’s what counts for fun these days!! Currently enjoying a hot cup of coffee and an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. It’s homemade and delicious, so that counts as a decent breakfast, right? Right?? Anyways, I’m off now – have a most brilliant day, one and all!!

And I See the Sun!

James HoganLeave a comment

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.

A Hint of Cinnamon

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! It’s a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon here in Houston – I currently sit in Starbucks, as is my custom many a Saturday. I have been doing random things of an internet nature and have spent far too much time on crafting my next two mix CDs. One is a standard indie/alt/folk mix…still doesn’t quite flow right, but it’s getting there. Lots of Oh Hellos, Josh Garrels and Beach House!! The second CD is a dance mix…something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but just haven’t got around to it. I’m not quite sure who else will like it besides me, but it’s coming together nicely. David Guetta, deadmau5, Laura Izibor…it’s a very interesting and peppy mix thus far!

Anyways, I’m also looking at random flights to Aberdeen…I really don’t know if I should travel there, but I miss people and I’m very tempted and the prices are actually decently reasonable. So we’ll see. Would flying out there in September be too rash of a decision?? Don’t answer that.

I’m also feeling rather tired and sick lately(not fun)…not sure if it’s allergy related or just some other random sickness, but I’m just extremely low on energy lately. Hence today, after having breakfast with Brandon and Chase, came back to my place and almost fell asleep again on my couch!! Well, today’s going to be a quiet day, so hopefully I regain some of my energy. Have leftover lasagna in the fridge…thinking I’ll have that with a fresh tomato salad for dinner. If anything will cheer me up, that’ll do it!

Now I really wanted to write something creative and inspiring today, but I’m really not feeling it now. Sadly. Even with multiple cups of coffee today. Alas, my muse, why do you leave me all alone??

I’m going to sign off and drink the rest of my coffee and just sit and think and pray here. Maybe I shall write something else too, maybe not. But whatever I do, thanking the Lord my God for who He is and what He has done for me – I owe all to Him. He is my Lord. He is my God!!!