Tag: life

Friday Vault

James HoganLeave a comment

So I realize I haven’t posted a Friday morning entry in quite some time! I suppose work just may have something to do with that. Nevertheless, before I start work on this lovely Friday morning, thought I’d write a few words…

As I drove in this morning, the sunlight blazed victoriously until the road started descending towards the River Dee. As I crossed the bridge, fog rolling across the waters, I was sad for a moment to see the sunlight vanish from the skies. But I had already seen the sun burning merrily in the sky and I thought to myself that surely it would burn through the fog soon enough. And as I continued driving along the coast, my car escaped the tendrils of fog and broke into the sunlit summer morning once again. I smiled.

And now I must start work momentarily, but briefly – the Olympics are oh so awesome this year…I’m much enjoying the cornucopia of sports events every night this past week! Got to watch some great swimming last night(complete with Phelps domination of the 200 IM – 20th Olympic medal, what!) and as I was about to turn off the TV and go to bed, they mentioned they were going to show gymnastics highlights at 10. I had no idea who’d won the women’s all-around, so I groaned to myself and just decided to read a book and stay up to watch the gymnastics too! Enjoyed watching Gabby Douglas take the gold there! And so a delightful Olympics evening was had…only thing that could make it better was if I was watching it with my family.

And this was far longer than I was expecting to write. Still, only one other person in the office, but think it’s time I went to work.

Farewell all, enjoy a marvelous Friday!!!

Wreaths imperishable

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I forgot how much I like watching the Olympics! Was watching Team USA lady gymnasts dominate it up earlier today in qualifiers(gosh, our girls are good!) and now came back from church to find some good swimming races on! Sadly Team USA couldn’t hold off the valiant French, losing the 4x100m freestyle relay. Alas. Now seeing the medal ceremony for the women’s 400m freestyle…French girl won, USA second. Again. Oh well, at least I love the French national anthem!

Seeing as my two favorite events to watch are gymnastics and swimming, it’s been a pretty good Olympics watching day. And so now I sip my tea as I relax this evening and enjoy the end of a beautiful weekend! Last night Chris and Jo came over for dinner and we all three enjoyed a good roast beef dinner and talked for hours and had an exceedingly delightful evening(complete with some very nice(oh so sweet!) Hungarian wine courtesy of their recent Hungary trip).

And now I will continue to enjoy my tea and maybe write a few more words. And I will relish the goodness and blessings the most glorious Lord has bestowed upon me. Ah how silly am I for seeking fulfillment in anything other than knowing the beauty of our God!

And now boxing is on, Team GB vs. Brazil. The GB guy is a Scot! I’m not a big boxing fan, but I’ll leave it on for now. These few weeks of Olympics is definitely going to be the biggest workout my TV’s had in a while.

Have a lovely afternoon/evening(depending on your time zone – I don’t *think* I have any readers in the Far East!). Peace out.

Cross-roads

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My mug is almost dry of mocha deliciousness and my body is aching to go back up into the sunlight this gloriously bright Saturday! And yet I sit here and write, the reasons for which are murky in the recesses of my mind. But maybe it’s just been too long since I’ve properly written, or maybe it’s just because I have too many thoughts swirling around and they’re in need of release. Or maybe it’s just because I’m in a talkative mood? (Or whatever word would be more appropriate for the written word!) Perhaps my muse is just a bit over-caffeinated? Surely not. Anyways, almost half twelve here and that is quite late enough to spend here in the depths of Starbucks.

But briefly now(who am I kidding?), saw Dark Knight Rises last night with Alec and Chris and Jo…most intense. Epic. Heart-pounding(seriously, the music had my adrenaline pumping pretty much the whole movie). Did I love it? Hard to say, as it is a rather dark movie(like the previous two). But this movie ended in the light. And for that, I do think I can safely say I enjoyed it much. It contained echoes of terror, glimpses of hope. I think I can safely say it’s my favorite movie the year, thus far. Which isn’t saying much, since I think I’ve only seen three to four this year. But still.

And now that the previous paragraph(as disjointed as it was) is over, time to return to my fleet-footed thoughts. This past week at work has been both stressful and God-glorifying. Truly, if God is for me(as He most truly is!), what can mere man do to me?? This is the height of rhetorical questions. And while my future still seems but a haze to me, it is not the dim fog of fear, but merely the misty wind of the unknown. I cannot – shall not – ever doubt that my future is anything but good. Because I serve a good God. Because I serve a living God.

And truly, my thoughts wander far afield yet again. But it is good to write. My fingers have been idle too long.

A road that winds over the banks
of fog and fear and fires below,
seems to end in mists and sand and
trails off into deepest shadow.

But never doubt! Why do I cry
when I do not wander alone
or whisper unheard or even
sink deep into my bed unknown.

A road that lies over the mounts
of lies and hope and cruelest pain
shall surely not end in terror
but proceed upward, home again.

It is good to rest this gorgeous day. It is good for me to be here.

And now, up into the sunlight do I go. Have a most beautiful day, my most treasured friends!

Given Rest

James HoganLeave a comment

And though it is Starbucks Saturday here, I don’t want to spend too much time writing as it’s about noon and it’s time to make my way outside to a beautiful afternoon…

This morning I enjoyed a leisurely lie in(to almost 8:30!)…ah how nice it is to rest after a long, long week. What a wonderful gift sleep is! This whole past week has been quite manic at work, and though I can’t say everything’s gone well(or even moderately ok), I can say I am at peace. God will bless(and has blessed!), as always.

And last night, as tired as I was, enjoyed such a sweet night with friends! Was going to see Spiderman at Union Square, but they cancelled our showing! I think they were trying to make more room for the new Batman movie(which I would like to see eventually). Anyways, we were foiled, so James Cordiner, Jackie, Zara and I made our way back to my flat, where we enjoyed a night of tea and talking and laughter…though eventually our weariness overcame us!

So this morning I’ve enjoyed slowly waking up and delicious peppermint mocha and reading a letter from my sister…and though I almost wish my writing muse was smiling upon me, my face wishes to feel the sun upon it, so outside I go!

Farewell, my dear friends – have a most awesome Saturday!!

A Lighthouse

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Driving back from work today was quite awesome, I must admit. Brooding clouds stretched to the horizon in majesty, while the green rolling hills reached up to touch the sky. Gulls wheeled lazily across the face of the heavens, impervious to the smoky gaze of the city below. And as the worked-stone buildings of Aberdeen climbed high, the beauty of the upper reaches of the heavens towered yet higher. The grim grey clouds sneeringly masked the city, but no matter. Above, were sun and stars and glories ne’er ceasing.

And as my fingers trailed off and seemed to have written the above of their own accord, I think it is time for me to log off. After a long week at work and a tiring day, I cannot help but be thankful for the evening of rest that has been granted me! A dinner of leftover spaghetti and meatballs awaits. As do some lovely books, I believe. Peace, y’all.

A tilt of earth

James HoganLeave a comment

And now as my dinner is almost upon me, I wish to just write a few words to express the wonders of this weekend! It has been indeed supremely glorious and relaxing…how can I not thank my Father for what He has given me??

Yesterday I was able to sit in Starbucks and wrap my hands around my coffee mug as I struggled to wrap my mind around the eternal mercies of God…and I couldn’t help but praise Him! And then being able to talk with my family back home(oh the wonderful thing that is cellular communication!) and enjoy a restful evening of reading…

And this morning enjoyed worshiping at church with some of my dearest friends(before I go further, must mention the awesomeness that was Gilc’s song choice today…O For a Thousand Tongues, In Christ Alone, Joyful Joyful, and a really ancient and dusty-sounding translation of A Mighty Fortress…surely never to be paralleled again!) and then a most lovely afternoon spent cooking Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce and yet more reading…before going back to church and worshiping anew!

And now I’m about to have my epic dinner of spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and salad while maybe watching a bit of 24(Season 7, for those interested!). Oh how I cannot fully comprehend the goodness of the Lord. I hope these faint musings echo at least a bit of what I’m feeling now…

Peace, y’all. Peace and love.

The Ultimate

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At the end of one of my favorite sequences of chapters…

Oh, the depths of the riches both of
the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who became His counselor?
Or who has first given to Him
that it might be paid back to Him again?

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever.
Amen.

Under the Hill

James HoganLeave a comment

Huzzah for lovely Saturdays!! Been having a most delightful day today, I must confess! After a good morning relaxing in the depths of Starbucks, emerged to find the sun gloriously shining a midst a sea of blue. Had a good walk home talking to Laura and Dad and Mom – and then went to the store to grab some dinner fixings. I came home and decided it was just too perfect of a day not to be outside, so sat out in the garden, soaking in the sun while enjoying some quality reading time.

And now I sit in my living room, Fellowship of the Ring on the TV and a spinach salad before me…and chicken parmigiana baking in the oven. Good day? Yes. God is good.

And now why ever should my heart ever be downcast or my soul depressed? So silly am I at times!! How blessed am I! My heart will sing – of the loving-kindnesses of the Lord.

Peace be with you all. Now back to enjoying my salad…

All Things Bright and Beautiful

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One more Saturday, one more blissful morning of rest after a long week.

Won’t write too long, but thought a brief update wouldn’t be a bad thing! This week has been rather crazy, but I’ve been exceedingly blessed with a quiet weekend of rest thus far! This past Monday, me and John and Joel went to see Men in Black 3 – hilarious and awesome, of course. Then on Tuesday night, was at the Smarts’ house for their Jubilee party! The Queen’s been on the throne for 60 years. Wow. It was definitely a unique experience, celebrating the Queen’s rule, since we can’t quite do that in the States…

As much fun as I was having Monday and Tuesday, work was piling up pretty steadily, since I’ve been covering for both Ryan and Ian as they’re away on vacation! I say, I think half of my work this week has been for Transocean. Ryan owes me!! Anyway, this week has been exhausting and Friday night last night was ever so welcome…had a beautifully relaxing evening. Leftover lasagna, spinach salad, garlic bread while watching classic Star Trek? I say yes! And got to read some too, of course…

Now time to go home and do some cleaning, laundry and other chores. Also will try to catch the women’s French Open finals…Sharapova v. Errani. Go Maria!! And tomorrow Nadal will try to take his seventh French Open title. Epic. He has to go through Djokovic first though…going to be intense.

Now I’m trying to think of what else I can write, but think I’ll just stop here and go out and enjoy this day! Rock on, y’all.

Three Steps to Summer

James HoganLeave a comment

I’m in Starbucks and getting ready to move out and do some shopping, but before then – wanted to write at least a small update! Had a pretty good week at work, quite possibly my least stressful week in quite some time! And the whole city(and country) is going a bit crazy over the upcoming Queen’s Jubilee(sixty years IS a long time, I suppose), so I’m looking forward to going over to the Smart’s for a Jubilee party on Tuesday night.

This morning I’ve been relaxing with my reading(classic Proverbs with some Ezekiel for good measure, plus a letter from dearest Laura!) and doing some tune-up on my laptop. For some reason, Windows has gobbled up some 28 GB of hard disc space, drastically eating away at my free space. Not cool, Windows. Not cool at all. So got to do some cmd prompt wizardry and free up some 15 GB of that. Excellent. Felt like I was back in high school – been a while since I’ve actually been able to use any of my computer knowledge!!

Also just downloaded some Andrew Belle music(graciously introduced to him by Steph – many thanks. *bows*) Great summertime music – oh I love “In Your Sleep”! I’m attempting to compile a summertime CD for my work driving pleasure, but I’ve only been able to find 12 suitable songs – tragic! Any suggestions?

Now, I really think I’ve been in Starbucks quite some time, so about time to go. Before I do though, you all should read through some of the prophets. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel…quite intense. The Book of Isaiah is grand, majestic and awe-inspiring. The Book of Jeremiah is tragic, mournful and almost depressing. And the Book of Ezekiel is enigmatic and tears-inducing. Of course, those are just my surface impressions, but reading them through is as encouraging an exercise as any I’ve done in some time, as much as they can bring me to feel such great sorrow. We are not that different now, than the stone-faced and hard-hearted people of Israel. Good to balance the prophets with some classic Thessalonians(always so encouraging!) Just read Ezekiel 22 today – seriously, go and read it. The sins of the people are grave. And the Lord will not forestall his wrath forever, although His compassion and lovingkindness are indeed greater than the skies and stretch further than the east is from the west. That I would be a man who would stand in the gap before the Lord. This is my prayer.

And now that that unexpected profusion has come to an end…it is time for me to flee Starbucks to the light of a Scottish afternoon!