Tag: life

Great and Terrible

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening my friends! And Happy Friday!!

I’m sitting on my comfy couch this Friday evening, content and at peace. Content because I have a delicious dinner in the oven and a warm flat and clothes to keep the cold at bay. At peace because, despite what swirls around and within me, I am a child of my Father God. And it is well with my soul.

After that opening salvo, I shall attempt to write just a bit more this night. But first, while I gather my thoughts, I’ll describe my dinner! For I truly am looking forward to it. Lemon rosemary chicken, complete with squash and potatoes. It’s really not as fancy as it sounds, but it does smell delicious. And now with dinner out of the way – let’s get to the heart of the matter!

I just finished reading Malachi(and thus the Old Testament) a few minutes ago, and it’s such a delightful book to read. Truly. And maybe delightful is an odd word to use, yet I can’t think of a better. Just reading the words of God, pondering His coming. Thinking of the return of my Lord – the bringer of wrath and the purveyor of justice – the Lord who cares for the downcast and the humble man – and who despises the arrogant and the unjust. Our God will return, one day. And it shall be most awesome. And I truly long for that day, when there is no more pain or suffering or injustice. I long for that day when all the earth cries out – Glory to the Lord! – and all the nations bow before the King of Kings. What a day will that be. Yet who may abide the day of His coming? Those whom the Lord loves. Who can stand when He appears? Those whom the Lord delights in, because He has chosen them as His own and purified them as purest gold by the blood of His son. For our Lord is like a refiner’s fire – holy is the Lord!

Pardon the above paragraph – I fear it’s a bit disjointed, but thus are my thoughts this night. Also – reading Malachi reminded me of how much I enjoy listening to Handel’s Messiah. There are few – if any – pieces of music that bring as much glory to the Lord as that one. Praise the Lord, my friends. Praise the Lord – all the earth!!

And now my dinner is almost ready, which – I suppose – means this entry should be coming to a close. Just think on the Lord Jesus this night. Think of His beauty. Bask in His love. Fall to your knees and pray to Him. No matter what this world throws at us, no matter how our emotions rage – we are children of the living God. We are known. We are loved. Hallelujah!!

Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

Hope in the Darkness

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, my friends!! Thought I’d just post a quick few words here. It is delightfully and ferociously cold this morning! At least by Houston standards. 27 degrees currently. And falling! (That’s -3 for all you on the east side of the pond) I’m quite enjoying this weather, gotta say. I get to wear my sweaters and coat and scarf and just enjoy the crisp bite of the early morning breeze. Glorious, I say. And so I have decided that this cold weather is one of God’s gifts to me these past few days. Now, it is time to get some work domination done – so I am off. Have a wonderful day, y’all!!!

2013, In Memoriam

James HoganLeave a comment

And so does 2013 end. And so does the year 2014 AD begin – may it truly be a year of our Lord. So it is and so it will be.

And with those words, let us celebrate and praise the Lord who this year has made! Happy New Year, one and all!!!

I have thought about doing a year-review survey, but truly, I think I could get much more words in by just rambling on, and I think my rambling might be more interesting than answering survey questions. Of course, possibly not, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take. Anyways – 2013! What a year it’s been. I was talking to some friends at our party last night and was remarking that 2013 was a year of great change for me. And I am most intrigued to see if 2014 will be as life-changing as this past year has been! We shall see. We shall see.

Anyways, before I bore you all to death(already too late? Oops), what’s been the highlights of 2013? Truly, too many to mention. I did a brief review of my journal entries from this past year. My discoveries? Apparently I’ve spent a lot of time in coffeeshops. I’ve drank lots of hot beverages. I’ve often promised to just write a few words and failed miserably at doing so. I’ve witnessed many glorious mornings. I’ve been continuously overwhelmed by the glories of our Father God. And that about sums it up.

And now I sit in a coffeeshop(Beans!!) eating my ham and cheese panini(with tomatoes and onions!). Yes I am a creature of habit at times. What can I say? Truly, though, it’s wonderful to enjoy this day off work and sit here sipping my mocha and thinking back over this past year and thanking God for what He has done in my life.

And that’s really what this post is about, is it not? I think sometimes we can be so self-centered as we reflect upon our past, but let that not be the case here. As I write these words of memory, let they bring glory to our Father in heaven. So let His praises be sung in all the earth!

And so 2013. I started out this year living in Aberdeen and I have finished it in Houston, Texas. I have returned to my homeland(in a manner of speaking). I have left friends innumerable behind in Aberdeen and I still miss them deeply. But now I am living in Texas and I am determined through the grace of my God to discover all the wonders and works He has in store for me. Texas is my home now. And I have already met and become close to so many people here, I can truly not complain!! Last night, bringing in the new year at the Youth Reach party with all my Bethel friends was simply fantastic. A few minutes after midnight, a few of us(Zach, Angela, Stef…) sang worship songs together as we stood in a field and watched the fireworks paint colours across the sky. Is that not a simply wonderful way to start off 2014? I say it is. (Of course, it was also pretty sweet to be able to go over to Andrew’s place afterward and play cards for a few hours. The girls had never played before, so we attempted to enlighten them in the dark arts of poker!)

But I have got off track. I keep meaning to talk more about 2013, but what shall I say? Shall I recount every shining moment in that year? There were too many. I could discuss what we call ‘highlights’, such as Maryanne and Laura’s trip to the UK and our awesome adventures. I could talk about my trips to Oxford and Northern Ireland. I could talk about the trips I had home for Maryanne’s graduation and later on my repatriation to the United States. I could recount the beyond awesome times I have had at home in Florida with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura…all the ice cream we consumed and the Jack Bauer we enjoyed!! I could discuss the countless conversations I had with my dear friends. Sweet nights with John in the Calsayseat flat. Watching movies with people at Union Square – I think Les Mis was probably the highlight movie event of this past year! Coffee mornings with friends at Books and Beans. Now in Texas, coffee mornings with friends at Beans! I could talk about evenings drinking tea and chatting about life with so many dear dear friends(John, Ruth, Zara – did we not have some awesome nights together??). I could mention the remarkably awesome evenings I had with Chris and Jo(and oh do I miss our times together!!)…sadly no more playing Tomb Raider with Chris and no more watching Lord of the Rings and no more driving home from Gilc wednesday nights together. I could talk about the sweet birthday brunch I had with Ruth and Zara and John and Alec and Pip and Chris and Jo…best birthday ever!!! I could dwell on Gilc and the most wonderful worship that went on there every single week. I could think on all the friends at Gilc who I spent time with and encouraged and was encouraged by. I could think of the sweet times I had with Rosemary and April at their flat, eating scrumptious food and watching quality TV(Sherlock is playing today in the UK and I am missing it!!). I could talk about the breakfasts I shared with Graham and Joel and Ben…praying and talking together. I could discuss the beyond-awesome times me and Graham spent, just talking about life. And I could discuss so so much more. But truly, rather than spill even more virtual ink, just know that God has blessed this past year. And although I have talked mostly about Aberdeen and Scotland and my friends contained therein, my thanks to God for this year also extends to the Houston portion! I have become part of a special fellowship here, and I am oh so thankful to God for leading me to Bethel. My community group is a most wonderful group of brothers and sisters and I am ever so grateful. I greatly look forward to the coming days and weeks and months of getting to know them even better! I can’t wait to see what God will do this year.

And now, I’ve noticed I have created a rather awkward paragraph above, but I will let it stand in all its glory. I realise it may be a bit unwieldy to read. My apologies. I apparently cannot properly structure year-end posts! But this post is already far too long, so let me it end it quickly. You have read some of my thoughts on this past year. You have seen how God has blessed me. Know this – I am ever so thankful to Him for all He has done. Sometimes it is so easy to forget the blessings we are given when we are in the middle of a rough and exhausting day. Sometimes the storms and fog of the present troubles are all we see and we cease to gaze upon the majesty of Jesus Christ and we cease to dwell on His glory. And our world becomes small and mean indeed. But then should we stop gazing inward upon ourselves and our pleasures and our fears. Then should we turn to the most sacred Word of God and marvel at the words contained therein. Then should we turn in prayer to the Almighty God. Then should we think upon the glories of Christ. And then our heart burns in adoration and fiercest love for Jehovah God.

Be still, my friends – and think upon all God has done for us.

Happy New Year, my dear friends!! I am now off to do some shopping and try to decide upon the dinner menu for tonight! I wish I could watch some of the Outback Bowl(Iowa-LSU – currently wearing my Hawkeyes shirt!!), but no TV. Ah well. Michigan St. plays Stanford in the Rose Bowl, and I won’t be able to see that either. Alas – guess I’ll just have to get my updates from Dad!!

Jack

James HoganLeave a comment

I fail at keeping this up-to-date, even when I’m on holiday and (supposedly) have plenty of time! Just now, I’m sitting here in the family room and thought I’d write a brief update on this day-after-Christmas(or as it’s called in other lands, Boxing Day!). This day was just lovely. A relaxing morning with coffee and family. Going out with Mom to Best NY Pizza for lunch…and of course the best part of that isn’t the yummy pizza(although that doesn’t hurt…), but just being with Mom and talking with her…which is always one of the highlights of my trip home. Always.

And then once we got home, I got to talk to Chris and Jo over Skype – truly, technology is a wonderful thing!! I got to see Lily as well!!! So so exciting chatting with the three of them for the first time since…well, since I left Aberdeen, three months ago. We talked about Christmas and Lily and Gilc and Buffy and Hobbit and I got to share some of what I’m going through in Houston…and well, I won’t be scandalous and chronicle my whole conversation! But it was just lovely chat. And I miss them so. And I am deeply thankful to God for giving me such friends and for blessing me by enabling us to stay in contact and get to have such sweet conversations. God is good, my friends.

And after I said farewell – what next? Well, Desolation of Smaug of course! Me and Maryanne and Laura and Mom went to see Hobbit II – hurrah!! I’d already seen it, of course, but no one else had. It was much enjoyed, with all the dwarves and Legolas(!!) and barrel-riding and dragony goodness. Oh and Kate from LOST(er, Evangeline Lilly) was the Mirkwood Elves’ Captain of the Guard! Fantastic role, I liked her a lot. Especially her conversations with Kili about starlight. Very non-canonical, but I don’t care, I loved it.

So yes, good times with everyone seeing that, I do declare!

Then we stopped at Blockbuster and grabbed a bunch of ’24’ episodes(Blockbuster going out of business…tragic, tragic) and had a sweet dinner of leftovers at home(because we’ve eaten too much good food this past week and have too much food in the fridge!!) and then me and Laura got to listen to some Tarja(my Christmas gift to her – I think she enjoys!) and me and Dad went for a walk in the cool evening air…and I have no idea how to end this sentence, so I shall just say – now we’re about to watch some ’24’ – classic Hogan Christmas tradition. Season Five, I think! Hopefully we get some ice cream too. Mint chocolate chip, I say.

Hope y’all don’t mind this rambling entry – I shall close as the family calls my name!

Buffalo Gals

James HoganLeave a comment

So – I’ve really been meaning to write a proper Christmas entry, but I’ve been procrastinating dreadfully! Yes, it’s been a simply lovely and most fabulous day here with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura. And yes, I really will write more at a later time(possibly tonight!). But now, it’s family time and we’re about to finish watching It’s a Wonderful Life. Good night, my friends!!

And – Merry Christmas!!!!

Planetfall

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon!! I am going to write a quick update while I’m here at Beans. Why not, right? I also still don’t have internet in the flat, so it behooves me to make use of my internet time here and write while I can! I actually did order internet and tried setting up the router yesterday but somehow it didn’t work? I’m going to try and trouble shoot and get it fixed this afternoon, but maybe I’m just not meant to have internet. We shall see.

Anyways – why am I not at work today? Well, just thought it’d be fabulous to have a day off during this Christmas season! And indeed it is. So I’ve spent the morning relaxing and catching up with people, and soon I’m about to go and do some shopping and then this afternoon will be cooking time! I’m having community group over at my place tomorrow night, so need to have dinner pre-cooked(since sadly I will be working tomorrow). Also, I’m feeling in a spaghetti-and-meatballs mood, so that’s probably going to be on for tonight. I need to vacuum as well. So – productive afternoon ahead!

I also really need to write Christmas cards, so maybe that will happen as well? It definitely needs to, seeing as it’s already December 16th and post does take a bit of time to travel to Scotland. Hm.

And now I’ve said I’ll not make this overlong, so brief recap of last few awesome days. Yesterday was filled with church and cookie-baking-fail and then time at Zach and Daniel and Chase’s house…cookies and Elf-watching. Fun times. Good friends.

Saturday! I spent it here(of course!) and had good times with reading and relaxing and introducing one of my dear friends to the delights of a Saturday-morning-coffeetime. It was a beautiful morning. And afternoon was spent navigating the treacherous shopper-filled highways and seeing The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Truly magnificent. I won’t write a review here now, but simply fantastic – filled with barrel-riding and elf-heroics and dragonfire and creepy spiders and Bilbo-being-awesome. And did I mention dragon? Dragon!! Smaug the magnificent, and oh did he live up to his name. SMAUG. Afterwards, dinner at Russo’s where Italian was consumed and much geekery was discussed. Delightful.

Friday! Besides work, went with the community group peoples(along with a few others) to Youth Reach on the east side of town. Hanging out with all the kids there, playing games, exchanging presents…pretty fantastic. The guy in charge(Troy) gets huge respect for me, just giving these boys(about 12 of them I think?) a place to live and be normal kids. God has blessed his work much, this I can clearly see. And I was blessed, just being there.

Thursday! This also had work in it, but I’ll skip that part. After work, drove straight downtown(stressy-times driving…I really really hate downtown rush-hour driving) and then met up with people to see performance of A Christmas Carol. A great performance(we were four rows from front!) and heart-touching story. Of course. But the real treat was just being there with my friends(Joe, Christina, Alex, Abby, Angela, Lauren, Stef…) and enjoying their company. Afterwards, me, Stef, Angela and Lauren got dessert and coffee across the street and talked and laughed and much sugar was consumed. And once again, I cannot but be overwhelmed by the blessings my Lord has given me and the friends he has allowed me to have. Truly, I am blessed. I am blessed.

And now, this long entry will be closed. So let it be written. So let it be done. Peace, y’all.

Peace and love.

Hot Soup

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, my friends! This entry shall be brief, but I thought I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write a bit, since Monday afternoon updates are so rare! And for good reason, since I’m usually at work, correct? Well, this day is a most wonderful day off, for which I am exceedingly grateful. I’ve enjoyed a nice morning of coffee and reading and random internet errands. Soon I shall go and do some real errands and then back to my apartment for a productive afternoon. It is cold and drearily wet outside, but that is no matter.

Now my hot soup has arrived, mm!! It looks to a be a delightful amalgamation of chicken and rice and celery and carrots and onions and good broth. Delicious. So just took about ten minutes to dig into my soup, and I’ve made good progress! But really, I should finish writing this while I wait for it to continue to cool down…what shall I write about? Ah – yesterday! It was a long day, but a most wonderful one. Met Will at IHOP for breakfast before church – yes!! I haven’t seen Will since over a year ago, so the catch-up was truly deserved. And as always…great times were had. Sadly we’re not at the same church anymore, but we decided that doesn’t mean we can’t still hang out!

And church – to be with my brothers and sisters and worshiping God. That is where it’s at, my friends.

The afternoon was spent Christmas-decorating and cleaning(my living room is finally free of boxes!! Not my bedroom though. Shush) And then Sunday night – Christmas pageant at church! We sang heaps of Christmas carols and heard God’s Word read and it was delightful. But after that, did the night have to end? Certainly not! Zach had a great idea – we needed to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And so we did! A few of us went over to Sarah’s apartment and spent the rest of the evening watching that movie(which some had not seen!). I haven’t seen it in a while myself. So much enjoyed. I’m not certain where it ranks in my pantheon, but it’s certainly up there. Finally made my way home late at night…but joys – it didn’t matter because Monday is no work day! Sadly, I have done some work today(emailing and such), but that’s alright.

This is much longer than I anticipated, and I want to get back to my soup! Just know that God is good. I’ve had some rough times lately, but in midst of it all, God has reminded me of all He has done for me. Simply thanking Him for all the things He’s given me…it does wonders for the soul. So be thankful to our God. Let your hearts abound with joy and praise and thanksgiving, my friends. No matter the wilderness we walk in or the darkness that plagues our souls – give thanks to our God and Father. And He is with us. Always. Always always.

And now, I’m away. To finish my soup!!

Hallelujah

James HoganLeave a comment

A simply magnificent and heart-warming and passion-stirring Psalm to read this morning:

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
the the many islands be glad.
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
righteousness and justice are
the foundation of His throne.
Fire goes before Him and burns
up His adversaries round about.
His lightnings lit up the world;
the earth saw and trembled.
The mountains melted like wax
at the presence of the LORD,
at the presence of the LORD
of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
and all the peoples have seen His glory.

Let all those be ashamed who
serve graven images,
who boast themselves of idols;
worship Him, all you gods.
Zion heard this and was glad,
and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced
because of Your judgments, O LORD.
For You are the LORD Most High
over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls
of His godly ones;
He delivers them from
the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown like seed
for the righteous
and gladness for
the upright in heart.

Be glad in the LORD,
you righteous ones,
and give thanks to
His holy name.

Psalm 97. Beauty. Beauty and love. Praise the Lord.

Refiner’s Fire

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, my friends!! It’s a beautifully cold morning in Houston, what! I think it’s approximately forty degrees, which is…surprising. But hey, I’m not complaining. I feel like I’m back in Scotland, as I’m pretty much wearing exactly what I would be wearing in Aberdeen – scarf, coat, boots and all!. So I could almost feel like I walked down George St. to Books and Beans today and sat at my normal table. Alas, that is not true. I drove down Westheimer and am now at my (semi)normal table at Beans! Still enjoying my mocha. Some things never change. God is good. Always.

And because it’s almost Christmas and I feel like it – listening to the Messiah right now. Simply lovely. I don’t think I’m going to see it in person this year – there’s a surprising lack of people who want to see it, and I’m not quite desperate enough to go alone! Maybe next year. I can still enjoy it on my iTunes…yeah.

Anyways, you all may have to get used to more sporadic updates from now on, as I’ve still not got Internet in my flat yet. I may soon, but holding off as long as I can. So – coffeeshop updates for now! Today’s going to be a fun day – a very much Saturday kind of day. Once I meander home from here(which may be a while), I’m going to go to the store(i.e., Super-Target!) and get cookie-making ingredients and cleaning supplies. Then home-time to make Christmas cookies! Of course, I’ve already had a few of Mom’s when I was home over Thanksgiving. That whetted my appetite enough that I simply must make my own now. And Abby, Claire and Charlotte are throwing a Christmas party tonight, so I want to take my cookies there(speaking of, I need to find a tacky Christmas sweater for aforesaid party. Hm. Let’s hope Target can provide). Anyways, besides making cookies this afternoon, I’ll probably just be continuing to go through some of my boxes that I haven’t opened yet(all clothes I’ve not worn in three years..) and I also need to do some cleaning and some laundry. Typical. To make it all more fun, I figure I’ll throw on Star Wars to play in background.

And this is a very chatty post – my apologies if I’ve bored you to death!!

I think I’m going to enjoy the coffeeshop here a bit more(not time to go out in cold yet). I might even write a bit more later, we shall see. Peace and love, my friends!

Star Dream

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello there!

I’m currently writing from Beans coffeeshop in Houston. Yes, back in Houston! I had a ridiculously early flight this morning(6:30AM flight, which means I was awake at 3:30…fun times…). For some reason, I decided to still go to church. Which was good, but I must confess I felt quite sleepy while there. I’m still sleepy now, but since I don’t have internet in the flat yet, figured I should come here so I could get some work done online. So I’ve had my lunch and now just need to get some shopping done(no food in apartment!) before I can go home and take a nap. A nap sounds simply delightful right now. Stef invited me and others to go see a movie this afternoon(Thor!) but I’m going to pass, as much as I’d like hanging out with people. I think falling asleep in the cinema is probably not the best plan.

Anyways, I did want to write a little bit here of Thanksgiving fun times. Not long though! I got in to Tampa on Wednesday night, and after enjoying a delicious chicken caesar salad dinner(plus cinnamon rolls!) with the fam, went to bed. Thursday – Thanksgiving day! And I still maintain Thanksgiving is one of my all-time favorite holidays. So much less pageantry surrounding it, compared to the other holidays. Just a time to be together with family and relax together and enjoy the many many blessings we have been given by our Lord. And so Thursday we enjoyed more cinnamon rolls and crunchy bacon and delicious coffee and then in the afternoon, we all went over to Steve and Vickie’s and had the most awesome afternoon with standard Thanksgiving fare. Oh lovely.

And you can tell I’m tired in that I’m really finding it difficult to find the words to describe these last few days! Anyways, on Friday and Saturday, the best parts of the time was just being with Dad and Mom and Maryanne and Laura…talking and laughing and loving and being together. You know. Friday night, had some sweet game night action(with Megan G – we got to play our homemade Star Wars game(which is pretty sweet if I say so myself) and Taboo! I was victorious all night long). Saturday, got to make a yummy lasagna for the fam(with Laura’s help!) and then last night we got to be together just a little more.

And now I’m back in Houston. And while I fear this entry has been all over the place – lack of sleep will do that! – I will let this stand. Now, time to log off and go shopping. Burritos tonight, I think. And then, prepare for the week ahead. Go forth and conquer, my friends.