Tag: life

Wanderlust

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It’s a lovely day – well it’s Friday so of course it is – and I’m enjoying my peppermint mocha – what else!? – and thought I’d share a few words…

Read some wonderful words in Psalms 5 and 6 and then in Leviticus(which was a bit more dry but still good because it is the Word) but the one verse I want to share was from Proverbs 25:27 – “It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.”  This was convicting and I love it for multiple reasons.  Firstly, I do enjoy my honey.  I put it in coffee, I put it in my smoothies, I put it in tea…it is pretty much my go-to sweetener.  Honey is fantastic!!  But…I do need to be careful not to overdo it, do I not?  Firstly, if I put half a cup of honey in my smoothie, besides being slightly unhealthy, it would also taste sickly sweet and disgusting.  So yes, too much of a good thing like honey…can sour very quickly.  But enough focus on the honey – what is the author saying here?  It is not “glory to search out one’s own glory”.  Glory is something that can be pretty sweet, right?  We like being praised, we like being thought well of.  We like to be liked.  Some don’t care to be liked…but they still want to be recognized and acclaimed.  We all want to be known.  So just as it can be oh so tempting to add a few more dollops of honey to our morning coffee, so can we be quickly allured by the promise of our own glory, acclaim and honor.  Live in such a way to bring honor and glory to the Father.  But to do things to bring about your own glory?  Thus is vanity.  Thus is foolishness.  Because self-sought glory may be sweet on the tongue, but it will sour in the stomach.  Do not seek to heap honors on yourself.  They will vanish quickly, like ashes in the wind.

To close – if we should not search out our own glory, what should we do?  Well – there are many things we should do and I don’t have time to explicate them all.  But I will simply leave you with this for now – be faithful in obedience to God and seek to know God more.  Long after the deep, wonderful things of God.

Peace and love.

A Shocking Midnight Sun

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On my drive in to work this morning, began listening to an album I’ve not heard in quite some time…Mumford’s Sigh No More.  I forgot how amazing it is!!  Definitely made me a bit nostalgic for where I first heard it – back in my Aberdeen days.  I cast my mind back and remember listening to it as I drove from Aberdeen to Porthlethen with the sun rising over the sea.  But as for today…how quickly does music stir the emotions – and Mumford’s songs are just so raw and beautiful, soaked in passion and pain, longing and rage.  It most assuredly gives me the desire to write, but alas I have not the time.  Only the heart.

To Sleep,

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I sit at Starbucks right now with my mocha americano and I ponder the lovingkindesses of the Lord.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
my soul longs for You, as a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
do not hide Your face from me,
or I will become like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
for I trust in You;
teach me the way in which I should walk;
for to You I lift up my soul.
-Psalm 143:5-8

Lovely words which I read this morning.  I do still mean to read Hebrews at some point today, but my time flees, my time trickles away as sand in an hourglass.  I’m excited to start reading Hebrews soon though, since in my OT reading I am going through Exodus(and soon Leviticus) so will be so intriguing to be reading the ceremonial and moral law of the Hebrews compared to the work and glories of the gospel as revealed in Christ by the author of the book of Hebrews!  And seeing the faint glories of God that are proclaimed by the shadows of the past…praise be to God for the mysteries of the gospel that have been revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord and His tragic death and most shocking resurrection!!!

Now further – what shall I say?  I did mean to write this entry to chronicle a bit of the past day and I suppose I can do that (but quickly!).  Indeed yesterday was a marvelous day that was given to me by my Lord in which I was reminded of the love that is mine, both from my God and from my many dear friends with whom I have been blessed abundantly!  And while it mostly consisted of work(but at least it was Friday, so duties were not overly onerous!), it was delightful to come back to my place at the end of the day and relish a weekend ahead.  After my workout, I walked down to EQ and enjoyed an hour on the porch there, reading my new book(about mitochondria and their origins and function in the cell…yes I’m a nerd and yes I’m far too excited by the subject matter!!  …still waiting for them to mention farandolae…) and then I walked home.  Didn’t have any more free time then, for it was about time for Earnie and Peter to come over!  I really meant not to plan anything last night, but both of them made mention of the fact that we should get together so I acquiesced and a delightful evening was had.  Earnie brought drinks and Peter brought a cake(chocolate and vanilla with strawberries on top!!) and I picked up some Pizza Hut…and so we talked and ate and shared the highs and lows of our past year…and reminded ourselves of the goodness of the Lord in each other’s lives and it was beautiful.  And so did I get the quiet night I had anticipated?  No.  Did I get the early night’s sleep I expected?  A thousand times no, since I think I didn’t get to bed until after one!  Was I blessed muchly by the events of the evening?  A thousand times yes.

And then this morning, after a few hours sleep, I woke up and had a cup of coffee and a scant few minutes’ reading time…and then off to breakfast with Jake and Julian and Earnie…hours spent around a food-laden table, discussing our lives and our loves and the passion that fills our hearts to know Christ and to make Him known.  To have such godly and loving friends as I do…I hesitate to say I deserve any of this, for I truly don’t.  I only know that I treasure such moments, quiet morning talks with far too much coffee and an abundance of encouraging, uplifting and fruitful conversation.

Now I sit here at Starbucks.  And as my mocha americano lingers on the tongue, memories of wistful eyes and dark brown curls linger in the mind.  Yes yes, I shall not think over-long on this, but as Jake mentioned today about Katie being in his current bible study…she crossed my mind yet again.  But hey – she is not for me and all is well with my soul.

About time to go do some shopping and errands…and then looking forward to a brunch with Jules – I know not what we will talk about, but I do know that our time will be lovely, as it always is.  And tonight…Jared is coming over to hang out and watch the Lightning game together.  Game 5 of Eastern Finals…go Tampa Bay!!!  (Beat the Caps!  – words I almost never say!!)

I must fly, but as is noted in the many words above, I have been given far too much.  I am unworthy and unholy in oh so many ways.  But in the way that matters most, I am holy for I am forgiven.  I know a God who is far too beautiful for my mind to truly comprehend.  But I do strive to know Him yet more and more.  And I am known by a God who is far too beautiful to me.  It is a wonderous thing that I would be called a child of God.  And such I am.

Deepest peace and truest love.

Perchance

James HoganLeave a comment

A wonderfully delightful Friday morning thus far!  I’ve already talked to Mom & Dad on phone…received texts from Maryanne & Laura and various others…and then as I drove in earlier this morning and changed to my next CD in rotation, it turned out to be my Owl City mix CD – songs I’ve not heard in some years but that immediately cheered my soul with their quirky romanticism and luscious soundscapes…mmm loveliness.  And now I enjoy my creamy mocha and sigh in gratitude at the thought of all that my God has done for me these past 31 years. 

Peace and love.

Onwards

James HoganLeave a comment

A sleepy evening, yet again!  And so nothing momentous planned tonight.  But I am rather excited for my dinner.  Delicately spiced fish bakes in the oven, asparagus and mashed potatoes to accompany.  Perfection.  And so on this night when my heart beats fast yet soul pulses slow, I am grateful to the Lord my God for the simple pleasures in life.  Always.

Now time to turn on ’24’ and watch some Jack domination.  Oddly comforting that show.  Although maybe not so odd.  Evil and darkness sometimes posture as victors, but nay.

Light will always conquer.

Clarissa

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So I am really quite sleepy and I am definitely going to bed soon(well, after I write this.  Oh and after I read some of my book as well).  But thought it was proper that I write at least a few words(seriously, very few!!)  I write this as I currently sit(well, sit/lie) on my bed in my room here at home in Tampa…glorious.  This bed is super comfy, I gotta say – hence why I have no idea how long I’ll stay awake.

Today was a wonderful day here with the fam…from waking up not-as-early-as-normal and having an encouraing reading/coffee time….to chocolate chip pancake time with Dad and Laura and Caisson and Mom and talking about love and life and the blessings of the Lord…to mall adventures involving many fragrant roses on display and cheeky express shopping with expert Mom assistance and chicken meal consumption with again – Laura/Caisson/Mom – and just laughingly good times at the old classic Citrus Park…to attempted car-fixing-adventure-but-sadly-failing with Caisson…and then attempted rose-mulching-adventure-and-actually succeeding with Caisson…to getting far too many birthday half-presents from the parents and Laura and Caisson…finally dinner with the fam – mmm roast beef and buttery potatoes and tender carrots and onions – and then enjoying the perfectly delectable chocolate sheet cake while we watched the classic and inspiring and truly beautiful Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are simply magnificent…and finally more talking and relaxing times with Laura and Caisson while me and Laura gave each other back massages…and now it really should be bedtime because I have half-perused this current sentence/paragraph and oh dear it is a mess.

Apparently I really like ellipses and hyphens when I’m sleepy??  But hey – I shall let this stand as a memorial stone to this wonderful day that my God has granted me.  Being with my wonderful family is a gift I shall always treasure – may I never cease to thank my Lord for blessing me so.  I wish Maryanne could have been here too…but apart from her not being here, today was perfect.  Truly.

Now time to close this computer and think and meditate on how good it is to abide in Christ, for in Him is my great love.  Forever and always.  Peace and love, my friends.  Peace and love.

Of Books and Beans

James HoganLeave a comment

A rare morning post from my couch and not from work!  But this work day presses upon me and while I should get off the couch and get ready to leave soon…I desired to write a few words.  Tonight I fly back to Tampa for times with the parents and Laura and Caisson – yay!!  Hopefully (maybe) I will have time to write when I’m in Tampa, but I cannot promise any such thing.  What else have I to write?  I had a sweet time with James last night at the Rockets game – beat the Jazz and clinched the series.  On to the Western Conference Finals – Golden State awaits, surprising absolutely no one.  And so after I dropped him off at his house last night and drove the long way back here, I realized I would not get a proper amount of sleep alas.  Two cups of coffee this morning and I’m still not fully awake!  Now I really need to start packing for Tampa so…farewell, friends.  Let me briefly share the close of one of my very favourite chapters:

And there are also many other things
which Jesus did,
which if they were written in detail,
I suppose that even the world itself
would not contain the books that would be written.
-John 21:25

Oh how I long for the day that I see my Lord face to face.

Fountains Keep Nothing for Themselves

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Last night, even though I *should* have been going to bed and getting a good night’s sleep…I was silly and insisted on finishing my book instead:

12.  Cordelia’s Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold.  Technically I could probably count this as two books – Shards of Honor and Barrayar, but I have the omnibus edition and both individual books are rather short and I did only read it in four days so…I think I will only count it as one.  Anyways!  This book was magnificent.  I’ve always heard good things about Bujold and even tried reading one of her books back in my Aberdeen days – Cryoburn.  For some reason, I struggled with that book and didn’t really enjoy it?  I even remember being bored by it, for some reason.  Hm.  Maybe it was not the best of hers to start with.  Anyway – this book – Cordelia’s Honor – was absolutely magnificent.  I’ve read some reviews online stating that the first book(Shards of Honor) is not very well written and must be suffered through to get to the good stuff…I absolutely disagree as I simply loved all of it.  It may be that the terse and slightly clunky prose reminds me of my classic golden age sci-fi favorites, but nonetheless, so many fantastic moments throughout.  And I realize I am not explaining why I like this at all.  Well, it’s a grand sci-fi adventure with amazingly real characters in a fascinatingly drawn universe.  Cordelia is magnificent and she is my favourite and I simply need to read more about her!  And Aral Vorkosagin isn’t so bad himself, a warrior, a man of integrity and a man of deep-felt love.  And the story of them meeting each other on a random newly discovered planet amidst confusion and conflict and their growing admiration and then love for each other…wonderful.  There are some harrowing moments in this book too – it is most certainly not for the faint of heart.  But the moments of hair-raising terror were made up for by the sheer wonder of discovering a new world and new favorite characters…and the high political(and martial!) drama was beautifully portrayed.  And while some books can glorify or make war seem grand and desirable(especially pulp sci-fi!), this one most certainly does not.  The stupidity and ironic valour of war are highlighted…and individuals are prized.  Even the low and insignificant, the feeble and disabled…all are worthy of life and honor.  I was most impressed by the the themes in this book.  And once again – Cordelia is just plain awesome.  An epic moment near the end of the book left me grinning and slightly open-mouthed in awe.  I shan’t spoil it here, but let’s just say it involves Cordelia on a shopping trip to the capital…and it has a most satisfying denouement.  (this book would make a great movie by the way – why has it not been done!?!)  One more thing – often times science fiction books are all about the action and fancy new tech and exotic worlds, etc, etc and the characters are given rather short shrift.  Other books are marvelous character studies, but the book’s setting and plot is just a bit blah.  This book was a most lovely blend of my very favorite sci-fi elements with delightfully raw and relatable characters living their lives.  Well done, Bujold, well done, indeed.  Next book – omnibus Young Miles – has already been ordered.  One last thing – would I recommend this unreservedly?  Probably not, because it does have a few very scary moments that are not for the faint of heart, and while not overly graphic, is also probably not for the squeamish either.  As you can tell though…I loved it and glad I finally have discovered why Bujold is so strongly praised.  One last thing – this book did indeed have some perfectly beautiful lines in it.  While a lot of the prose is merely…serviceable, there are a couple lines that made me near weep for their beauty.  And that is not a bad thing.

That was a very long review.  Sorry?  Guess you can tell I enjoyed the book!  Now…time to sip on my coffee and begin work this day.  Peace and love.

Amaranth

James HoganLeave a comment

Did I mean to write something more creative and fun this morning?  Yes.  Did I get distracted reading about the Rockets’ win yesterday to put them up 3-1 on the Jazz and the Lightning’s series win over the Bruins?  Also yes.  Ah well – I cannot complain as I have a peppermint mocha in front of me and a three day week before me.  Want to share some of my very favourite words that I happened to read today…thus always my heart:

I cried to you; save me and I shall keep Your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
My eyes anticipate the night watches,
that I may meditate on Your word.
Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.

-Psalm 119:147-149

Shards of Honor

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon friends!!  It is a most fine Sunday afternoon here.  And I have not long to write, as soon I will be off to Julien and Kelsey’s for a fine roast dinner.  Most looking forward to that, as delightful conversation and encouraging times await.  But for now, I can only sit and thank the Lord for the beautiful day He has granted me.  A wonderful morning at church with my dear brothers and sisters.  A relaxing few hours at home in which to eat lunch and do other various domestic chores.  And then…a lovely walk down to EQ and a few hours on the porch there, soaking up the sunlight and reading a lovely book.  Oh what a gift was granted me by my Lord, that few hours of reading in the glorious sunshine.  Few things are better than that.  But…one of those things better came soon after…as I walked home, called home and talked to mom and dad…enjoying sweet chat with them…of Lightning victorious and other sundry things.  Again.  Few things are bettter than that.

And now…I really don’t think I can say much else without resorting to poetic anthem, and I feel it is not time for that this day.  Some other day, perhaps.  For now, I will sign off and think of the gratitude and love that fills my heart this day.  I still feel the touch of the sun on my skin and the touch of that song on my soul.

Peace and love, one and all.