Tag: life

Heart of Chambers

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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.

Raise a Glass

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Hello my friends, and happy Tuesday! I am in work early today, trying to get some things done before the office fills up. So right now it is quite quiet here and I thought I’d at least take the chance to write a few words here…

A tattered flag waves in the salt fragrant wind, all its faded colours on display,
And I sigh and ask myself if it is enough to merely stand strong and silent
Or shall I pour myself another cup of coffee and begin to have my say?
I think both options are fairly equal, although words serve just to draw out the pain
And at the end of all things, I confess my heart is burdened and oh so weary
Still I trust God and look to that far country as I stand amidst the pouring rain.

Despite All the Tears

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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!

Drums in the Deep

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, all! Happy Friday from sunny Houston! I am about to kick off this working day, but just wanted to type a few words. I actually wanted to try and write a quick poem, but alas – I spent too long looking at all the news post-British referendum(the UK voted yesterday, in a surprising result, to leave the EU. I stayed up far too late last night watching the BBC report on results as they rolled in…). This is truly an interesting time to be alive and I am very intrigued(not to mention a small bit worried) to see the fallout of this. The right of a nation to freedom, democracy and self-determination is a grand thing, but…the loss of unity and cohesion in Europe is also deeply disturbing. The flags of nationalism are being jubilantly waved across the land and Europe is in turmoil. God preserve us. And yet, as I can too easily at times imagine the negative consequences of events, I can also be comforted by the fact that God is sovereign and that He holds this world in His hands. Jesus is the same today, tomorrow and forever.

Oh So Cavalier

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, friends!! Am sadly lacking in time to write a proper entry here, but just wanted to say that I’m excited for this week. And no, nothing all that special going on, but I’m just feeling refreshed anew and looking forward to see what God will do in my life this week. As I work this week, I know that He too is working. In me. Is that not a wondrous thought??? (It is, just in case you thought that was not a rhetorical question)

Be filled with joy and grace this week, my friends, as you consider the beauty of Christ – the e’er indescribable glory of God – and never stop remembering that we are children of God. Let your heart sing that song as you go throughout this week, my friends. Peace and love.

So Neatly Written

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Hello, dear friends, and happy Friday! I sit at my desk at work, minutes before the clock ticks over to working time, but I couldn’t resist just saying hello. I’m drinking my peppermint mocha and pondering deep thoughts, like say…what shall I do this weekend? Actually, I’m a bit stunned – I’m going to be in Houston all weekend, a shocking development! Been traveling so much lately, it shall really be quite nice to be at home and get some proper rest. But for now, one more day of work, so no rest for me(yet!). Have a most blessed and wondrous day, my friends.

Fingers drumming on the tabletop,
coffee mugs littering the counter,
clamorous chatting fills the kitchen,
Something comforting, this home sweet home.

Marseille

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Happy Friday, friends!! I realized I had (somehow) managed to post here four consecutive days, so there was no way I was going to break that streak and not post today! I’m ready for a sweet day to start here, fueled by peppermint mocha goodness and the knowledge that this is the last day of the week, hurrah! I’m in a bit of a nostalgic mood today as well…Euro2016 kicks off in France today(Romania v France!) and I’m missing it. Weird thinking that four years ago for Euro2012 I was in Scotland and watching random games with John(as he educated me on all the finer points of football!) Alas, I do miss him. And now I’m trying to figure out who I’m rooting for this time around and I’ve discovered I have too many countries I’m fond of and it’s extremely difficult to narrow it down. For now, let’s just say I’m rooting for France, Northern Ireland, Italy, Wales and Hungary. That’s not too many teams right? Right?? I also think it would be awesome if Iceland did well. Because – Iceland. Sadly no Scotland. (Even though that’s not that surprising, unfortunately). Anyways, this post has consisted of far more football than I expected and I shall now get down to business here.

Have a most wonderful day my friends – may you be joyous and full of love this day! Peace.

The District Sleeps

James HoganLeave a comment

Hey friends!!  It is Thursday afternoon and I am enjoying my post workout yogurt…as I read a bit of Owen’s Communion With God.  Oh so encouraging.  How wonderful it is to relax and enjoy this spiritual consolation God has given me as I think and ponder on the great love and grace of Christ!!  In a few minutes, I will shower and start dinner up(turkey burgers, green beans and a baked potato – what can be better!?), but for now, going to read…just a few more minutes…

Meditating

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There is a peace and quiet relaxation that comes with trusting God in all things. Too often we rush through life frantically scrabbling for control of our own destinies and fearing for our own future, but we need not do this! Just as Abraham was able to believe God in the promises God had made to Him, so should we. Seek the heavenly Father in all things, be continuously meditating on the glories of Christ and be reliant on the power given us through the Spirit and so live as a child of God. For such we are. Trust in the Lord and seek His face – long for Him above all else, and all will be well. For truly, we have a hope that is above all this world has to offer. Raise your eyes to the heavens and recall this higher hope we have. Let your mind feast upon the thought of living with God forever. Let your soul be blessed by the grace poured out to us by the Spirit through the ministry of the Word given to us. Ne’er be so distracted by this world that you forget the love of God. We are children of God. We are loved.

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…)