Tag: life

Music of the Heart

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Just a few words…oh so beautiful!

When my heart was embittered
and I was pierced within,
then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.

Nevertheless I am continually with You.
You have taken hold of my right hand.
With Your counsel You will guide me,
and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart
and my portion
forever.

And now as my heart is full and my tongue has no more words…I will return to my delicately crafted spinach salad and rejoice this night. Farewell, y’all!

Love and peace.

Slow Love Slow

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And it’s a gorgeous Saturday morning here in Aberdeen! The sun is burning bright, a chill is in the air, and while I’m a bit sleepy…I am at peace this morn. I must write quickly now(we’ll see how that goes!) because I’m waiting for my sandwich to arrive here at Books and Beans(and yes, I stood up Starbucks today. Horrors!). Had a delightful morning thus far, getting some errands done and then a bit of reading here as I enjoyed my raspberry mocha. Posted some pictures from my recent Nightwish adventure on facebook and now thought a bit of writing was called for!

It’s been a long week, and yea, exhausting as well. But still, my Father holds my hand. And He is with me. Always. And last night was a beautiful Friday night that was granted me! Heather let us home a bit early from work and so I arrived home by 5:20! John decided that it was a good plan to go to the chip shop and I agreed – so we went down and got some nice chips..came home and had them with his leftover chicken casserole. Absolutely perfect Friday night dinner. Following, we rolled off to the youth group social at the Bruce’s house in the country – bonfire time! As we pulled up, the fire was roaring in the middle of the lawn, stretching some fifteen feet into the sky.

And so a lovely evening of enjoying the fire, hot cocoa and good company. I couldn’t ask for anything more relaxing or perfect on a cold November evening. Beautiful.

And now my lunch has arrived! Before I dive in…a few last words…


Red and yellow and
swirling orange and
tongues of smoke.
Glowing embers and
burning driftwood and
singing flames.
Prayers rising and
eyes sparkling and
peace abounds.

Nightwish

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And this will be a blitz of an entry – as I’m currently a bit starved and feel that a frozen pizza is calling my name this evening! But I cannot help but write at least a little this night!! Last night, got to experience an amazing event of music and beauty…seeing Nightwish live in concert. And yes, it was *AMAZING*.

Most live shows, you can’t really get across in plain words. Even a video wouldn’t do it justice! But take my word for it. And for those of you that are not Nightwish fans, let me briefly describe them: a band from Finland, sometimes described as orchestral power metal, sometimes described as symphonic power metal, and always described as crazy awesome beautiful music makers!! If you want a good intro, youtube “Sleeping Sun Nightwish”. Gorgeous.

Anyways, before I succumb to my hunger and end this entry…let my fingers be off and tell this tale! And let me warn you now…if you’re not one of the two Nightwish fans I know and are reading this…you may get bored partway through. My apologies. I just want to chronicle this while the memory is fresh!

Took the train into Glasgow yesterday afternoon(on which I got some sweet reading and even a little napping in!) and then met Jackie!! Which was absolutely amazing because I hadn’t seen her in ages…and by ages I mean a couple months. But still, so so good to see her again! We grabbed dinner(steak and chips mmm..) and had a delightful time chatting and catching up…my only regret is we didn’t have a chance to talk more, because sadly, we eventually had to make our way to the O2 for the show! After queuing for a bit, me and Jackie finally made our way indoors – beautiful venue!

Before the show started, we met a couple girls that also live in Aberdeen and had sweet times talking with them – eventually made our way to the floor, where we got spots super-close to the stage! We took lots of random pictures and eventually the show started! The support act was ok, but a little bit too crazy for me! And then…it was Nightwish time. They opened up with Storytime from their new album and then went into Dark Chest of Wonders and then I Wish I had an Angel! I have to admit, really weird(yet awesome!) seeing them actually play the songs live after listening to them for the past four years…seeing Tuomas interact playfully with Emppu mid-song…watching as Marco croons powerfully into the microphone as he’s rocking out…watching Jukka pound the drums ever more passionately…and then being stunned at the gorgeousness of Floor Jansen’s voice soar to the rafters. I couldn’t believe how good Floor was, since she just started singing for Nightwish mid-tour!

So yeah, they played so many of my favorite songs(including: The Islander! Planet Hell! Ever Dream! Ghost Love Score!) and the crowd was just electric. The band even seemed a bit taken aback by how loud we were! Seeing the emotions surge in Tuomas’ face as he played…I think one of the things that struck me the most about the show is just realizing – in truth – that all the band members…Tuomas and Emppu and Jukka and Marco and Floor…are real people just like us. And just like all of us, they rage and cry and love and dream…and I couldn’t help but pray for every one of them. And like I know I’ve written before, I realized again the sheer power of music. It has such a hold over us at times, such a firm grasp and we don’t even know it. And so once again, while I do so love the gift of music that God my Father has blessed us with…I also must acknowledge its dangers and not give it my heart…as is so easy to do! So here at the end of all things, I think of the beautiful evening I had last night and I thank my Lord for blessing me so! I got to hang out with Jackie and experience beautiful music. A good night! The only thing that would have made it better was if Laura could have been there too…I called her afterwards to give her the full run-down and felt sad that she couldn’t be with me. Laura, miss you!!

And now, it truly is dinner time. And then time to crack open a book. Read a little, wonder a little, love a little. And ever dream.

Orange and Red and Yellow…

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And on this perfectly lovely fall afternoon, I’m relaxing in my room, looking out the window as the light slowly fades. It’s a little cold right now, but I have some delicious smelling French onion soup on the stove and I must confess I’m rather looking forward to a bowl of that! Hopefully this latest cooking experiment is a success! Even though I probably shouldn’t eat too much of it, since in a couple hours me and John will be heading over to Zara and Ruth’s for dinner and I’m sure whatever we eat there(Zara’s cooking, methinks) will be absolutely delectable.

And now maybe I should stop talking about food! Anyways, earlier when I was walking to the store, kicking up the leaves and enjoying the delightfully brisk autumn breeze, I couldn’t help but rejoice in my heart and pray to my Father, thanking Him for all that He has blessed me with! Oh let us never forget our Father who has loved us so!! With warm clothes and cozy places to live and delicious food and hot showers and enthralling books and lazy Saturdays and amazing friends…well, how can we complain? Really.

Now, time to stir my soup. Love y’all.

Skyfall

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So guess what came down out of the sky last night? Yep, snow came slowly twirling down yesterday and it was beautiful. While I couldn’t properly appreciate it while I was at work, as soon as I got home and then began making my way down the street to Ruth and Zara’s for dinner, I could just enjoy being in my winter coat and scarf and gloves once again as the snowflakes gently descended upon me…beautiful winter has arrived! And while I’m not a big fan of the short dark days of winter, the beauty of the snow dancing through the sky is something I can’t deny!

And now after a lovely morning, it is about time for my feet to wander outside of the warm and comfortable confines of Starbucks to the cold streets above. Have a lovely afternoon, my friends!!

A dance of wolves and a song of snow,
What calls the blue-jay, what says the crow?
Hush and listen! Heed now our cry!
Behold the witness of the sky.

A wreath of berries, a lance of light,
Who sings sweetly, who sings bright?
Turn and listen! Hear notes unseen!
Gaze soft upon this evergreen.

A trance of dusk and a song of love,
Who blushes to see stars laced above?
Come and listen! Sing lilting praise!

Rejoice ye heavens, rejoice ye earth!
Rejoice upon this uncommon birth!
Rejoice ye seas, rejoice ye sky!
Rejoice ye peoples far and nigh!

Jesus Christ,
Word of God
and God indeed!

For from Him are all things!
For through Him are all things!
For to Him are all things!
To Him be the glory forever!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Hallelujah and Amen!

A weeping heart, newborn eyes of love.
What says the sparrow? How sings the dove?
Bow and listen! Dance blissfully!
Jesus, my heart longs after Thee.

Stormswept

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I quite want to write and write and write but am currently exhausted and more than a bit foggy, even with the peppermint mocha currently coursing through my veins and although I’d like to chronicle just a bit of my recent Houston adventure and share with y’all the love and grace I’ve experienced this past week, I think my body may just not cooperate as it just arrived from the airport a few hours ago and now it calls out for sweet sleep and so now instead of staying longer at Starbucks I think I’ll walk home and collapse into my bed for the first time in over a week and it will be simply glorious and I think now is the time to end this surprisingly weird sentence and log off and shut down and enjoy my walk home on the grey streets of Aberdeen this wind swept day and so as I drift off to sleep I can only do one thing – bless the name of the Lord. Peace, y’all.

A Slice of Home

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And this lovely(yet slightly chilly!) Tuesday night while my potatoes bake in the oven, I thought I’d write a few words. But I don’t want to dilute my night with an abundance of time spent on this keyboard, so this will be brief! Just wanted to share a bit of my brimming over heart with you all as I give praise to my Father for his goodness to me! Always, always so good. Why do I doubt?

As last week(oh what a week of trials and glories!) ended, I started off Saturday beautifully…eating a delicious breakfast of pancakes and bacon at Graham and Tineke’s. And as me and Graham and Ben prayed together in the early morning light, I couldn’t help but sigh in wonder at the mercies of my God.

Afterwards – went to the train station to pick up who else but Laura K!! She and her friend Kathleen were in the middle of a grand British Isles Tour – and oh was I honored to be a part of it. So we spent a weekend of castle-wandering and star-watching and laughing and sun-enjoying…and I won’t ruin the memories by attempting to put down every detail. But chilling with Laura and Kathleen and John and Alec and Pip these past few days…last night playing Balderdash and drowning ourselves in tea and laughing so much we cried. I can only thank my God for blessing me so!

And now as I sigh, thinking of being home with the fam(if I was home now, me and Dad could be watching Game 2 of the ALDS – Yankees/Orioles!! – tonight. And I bet we’d be having ice cream. And it would be awesome) And I think of my beyond-amazing friends and family that love me so(Steve and Vickie – love you both so much!!)…

And now before I plunge over the brink of emotion and embarrass myself, it is time to dive into a book and read and delight and wonder in the bliss of knowing my Jesus.

Peace, y’all. I am supremely blessed. No matter what Satan and this world throws at me in vain attempts to destroy my soul, I fear not. God is with me.

Peace and love.

A Hint of Cinnamon

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And now, I am so ready to sleep this night! It has been a long and tiresome day – and indeed a weary week! But I cannot complain for my Father has loved me throughout, so so much! From sweet dinner times on Monday with Alec and Pip to amazingly heartfelt discussion last night at church over the gorgeous book of Hosea…to now sitting on my couch chatting with John and feeling overwhelmed with the blessings poured out upon me from my God. Indeed, I am His child. And He is my God!

And now I am ready to eat my frozen pizza and salad(containing lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, green olives, black olives, feta…mmm…) dinner. An easy meal…but oh so delicious. Yet another gift from above.

Rock on, y’all. Have a simply awesome rest of your week. I love you all.

Peace.

Life Eternal

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And I am oh so weary this Tuesday evening. But…I need not be downcast. Truly – “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” True that!! A thousand times yes. And thus I sit back in my chair and relax in the peace that comes with knowing my God. My God.

And now, about time for my meatloaf and potato dinner. Another blessing that we don’t often consider enough – that we have such delicious and plentiful food. Truly, let us be thankful!

Farewell, my friends. Grace and peace.

Hope

James HoganLeave a comment

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law’s commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.