Tag: life

Upon a lake

James HoganLeave a comment

And now from Aberdeen, g’morning all!!! Don’t have too much time to write now as work is about to start…but just wanted to say that despite the gloomy rainy day that is today, I am feeling marvelous and looking forward to dominating some work this day! For the past few days I’ve quite wanted to update y’all on my past weekend(which was simply glorious!!) but that will have to wait as I simply do not have the time now. Tonight I’ll be going to study/prayer time at Gilc…and probably won’t be home ’til after 10 at the earliest…but tomorrow night will be my first night to myself I’ve had in a week or so! So maybe tomorrow night. Anyways, last night I went with Aiysha to the cinema and as always, we had marvelous times together and I’m ever so grateful to the Lord my God for such an amazing friend!!! God is good, what more can I say?? I doubt, yet He is ever faithful.

And now it is work time. Time to glorify God a bit, yo. Have a beautiful morning, my friends!!! Let’s bask in the goodness of the LORD!!

Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
-Psalm 136:26

Overwhelmed by joy

James HoganLeave a comment

So I really should be going to bed now. If I go to bed now, I’ll get approximately six hours of sleep. Which is good. The bad thing is, I’ve been drinking coffee the past hour. Hm. Bad decision? We’ll see. Sometimes coffee doesn’t affect me. Let’s hope tonight is one of those times!!!

Anyway, I also probably shouldn’t be writing this, because it delays my head hitting the pillow…but don’t worry, I’ll keep this short. Honest!!

Just wanted to state that today has been totally awesome…starting with a sweet morning relaxing, drinking coffee and enjoying the marvels of the Lord in His Word(specifically classic Romans – 8-11…love those chapters!!!) continuing on through a great day at work(including sweet conversations with friends there…Mark, Paul, Hashina…and CHOCOLATE CAKE) to a walk in the cold rain(not so great, but hey, not complaining) to Starbucks where I had my dinner(steak panini + peppermint mocha = pure deliciousness) and more awesome times in the Word(more Romans and then epic Zechariah action!!!) culminating in an oh-so-lovely time of fellowship at church(drinking in the goodness of the LORD in the Word, prayer and sweet talks with friends…Steven and Anna, you guys are awesome)…and am I still on the same sentence? Sorries!! Sort of. Anyway, just realizing that despite all the blessings God has poured out upon me, my greatest joy is in Him alone, knowing that whatever situation I’m in…I can look to Him and my eternal hope before all else. The sufferings of this present time are indeed not worthy to be compared with the glory that is before us!!!!

And on that most glorious note, I’m off, y’all!! Have a most beautiful night!!

The Kingdom

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Oh, the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God!
How unsearchable are His judgements
and unfathomable 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?’
From from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever.
Amen.
-Romans 11:33-36

So yeah, reading Romans 8.5 through 11…and I’ve decided they’re pretty much my favorite chapters right now. So so so amazing. And apparently Paul agreed with me as to the awesomeness of these chapters because the above passage is how he concludes! I want to write more to express my adoration for the Father…but my wonder at His love really can’t be much better stated than in the above verses. Anything I would add would just be rubbish…

Have a most glorious day, y’all!!

Before the sun

James HoganLeave a comment

So why am I awake so early? I woke up at 5 this morning…more than two hours before I have to leave for work. Some people(all people?) may think I’m slightly insane(which may be true), but I love having a nice relaxing morning with plenty of time to read and get ready for the day. And so now I’m munching on bacon and sipping my coffee and rejoicing in the beauty of the day that the Lord has made!! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

2010 In Review

James HoganLeave a comment

So it’s a beautiful Sunday night here in Aberdeen, almost 9:30, and I really should be going to bed…but the writing urge is on me. Sadly, my muse is not cooperating. Punk muse. Anyways, today was rather awesome, even though I spent most of it at home(I feel a creeping sickness coming on…nooo!). I did go to the morning service at church – my first time at Gilc in about 3 weeks! So it was great seeing everyone again and finding out how everyone’s Christmases were…and then I found out my pastor is starting two new sermon series this year – Romans in the morning, Jeremiah at night. EPIC. Two of my fav books – I can’t wait!! So excited that I think I may read Romans tonight before going to bed…not that that will help me get to sleep any sooner. Nah, sleep is so unnecessary.

Also, since apparently I can’t come up with anything original to write(I’ll probably get some inspiration as I’m drifting off to sleep of course), I thought I’d do a year in review:


1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Lived in another country! Scotland w00t!!

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions for 2010? Will you make more for 2011?
Well, I don’t really make resolutions, so no. Will I make any for 2011? Nope.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
DREAM MARIE AND DAVID. WHAT!!!?!?! Baby Gloria is just made of awesome and it makes me sosososo happy I finally got to see her this past Christmas. YES.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but this question is still quite sobering…knowing how many people die…by the minute…

5. What countries did you visit?
Scotland, obviously. England and Holland, if airports/train stations counted. I don’t think they do, so I won’t count them. Hopefully France(maybe Italy too!) will get visited in the next few months…

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Seeing certain people…whom I haven’t seen ALL YEAR. Namely, Rob G. Among others. There’s quite a few people I haven’t seen all year and that is just wrong.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Mmm…so many days are memorable, but I can’t think of one single day that stands out above all others. God is good every day. That’s my answer and I’m sticking to it. Any singular moments that stand out in my memory are going to stay with me alone – don’t think I share every intimate detail of my life on here! (Sorry to disappoint)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Achievement? Of my doing? Well, I can’t really credit myself…but just seeking after my Lord and Father’s face more and more every day…I consider that an achievement.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I am a man of many failures.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Got sick a few times…nothing too bad though!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmm, I don’t buy much, but I guess I’ll say my camera(Canon Powershot) after breaking my old one in a tragic accident on Enchanted Rock about 6 months ago…

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
This is such a weird question and I don’t get it. Everyone’s? I’ll just pick someone out at random…Laura my sister – whose domination in school continues. I swear, I think she’s a harder worker than I ever was; her work ethic puts me to shame. She’s about to graduate from Gaither this year!!

13. Whose behavior made you mad and ill-willed?
Another odd question. I’ll just be boring and say Congress. I don’t like to get political, but they really do a lot of silly things and the rampant corruption and self-serving by the members of the US Congress is a bit depressing. But then I look at the governments of much of the rest of the world and in comparison we look pretty ok…which is scary.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food? Actually scratch that. Probably rent. Oh yeah and MY CAR. Aeryn took up a lot of my money the first half of this year…*shakes head sadly*

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going home to see my family this Christmas!!! Oh and coming over here to Scotland. Yeah, that was pretty big.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Hm, this is always a tricky question. For some reason the answer’s always a pop song. That’s a bit worrisome. Anyways, the answer(after a moment of reflection) is Alejandro by Lady Gaga. Shh, don’t judge, yo. Or actually, judge all you want. But I don’t care. I’m sure there are other songs that will remind me of 2010…but the year’s barely over, so hard to tell.

Oh and going to add on to this one real quick. Just listening to “Open Your Eyes” by Snow Patrol right now…and that definitely will remain a 2010 song(no matter when it came out). I’ll always remember listening to it driving through Houston crazy traffic as the sun sets behind me…

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
1. Happier or sadder?: Happier? Yes. Every year has always been better than the year before so…
2. Thinner or fatter?: The same? I don’t know – I haven’t weighed myself in ages.
3. Richer or poorer?: Richer, I suppose. Working for a year will do that.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Write. Oh that would be a good resolution(If I made resolutions, which I don’t. So never mind). I do so need to write more but my discipline at forcing myself to write is really quite non-existent. I’d love to start writing an actual long work of some kind…but to write a couple short stories/essays would be a start. Alas, it seems poetry is my only outlet of late. And that rare.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wow, not sure how to answer this. Waste time on the Internet? Probably that’s it. Eek, sorta scary.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with the fam, relaxing, eating awesome food, playing ping-pong…watching ’24’…actually why am I re-summarizing this. I wrote an entry on this a few days ago, so go read that.

21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Well, I already spent it..but I spent the first part of it at work(sadly) but spent the rest traveling to the Isle of Man and spending an epic weekend with the Ripamonti family there!! New Year’s Eve, I got in to the airport about 8PM. Robbie picked me up and took me straight to his house, where there was a party going on…so I got to meet lots of people I didn’t know and have good conversations…and watch the clock wind down to midnight where we all celebrated! Five hours ahead of most of you(or six if you’re in Texas…or…well, calculate it yourself if you’re somewhere else), so hah!

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Whoa, whoa…what is this personal question doing here! I refuse to answer this on principle.

Hah, but no, no falling in love for me. Not yet.

23. How many one-night stands?
HEY. This is way too personal. And besides, if I said none, would you believe me? Well, you’ll have to take my word for it. No one-night stands for me.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
LOST finished this year!! So I guess I’ll say LOST. Also, got into 24, which is also pretty intense.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Um, no? I don’t like hating people, in general. It’s not fun.

26. What was the best book you read?
Oooh, tough. Best new book, or old one? (I reread lots of books) Best overall might be the Life of Jonathan Edwards, by Iain Murray. I just love that book…read it for the second time earlier this year. Best new book? Possibly the Towers of Midnight, penultimate book of Wheel of Time series. It was EPIC.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lecrae? Well, I didn’t technically discover Lecrae this year(David introduced me to him a while back), but I didn’t fully appreciate and love him until this year. His older album(Rebel) has been my favorite walking-in-Aberdeen music these last few months…

28. What did you want and got?
For what? Christmas? I’ll pretend that’s what the question is asking. And I asked for clothes, “Contributions to the James-sometimes-looking-cool Fund”…and I got an awesome sweater vest(from the parents), a sweet blazer shirt(from Katharyn) and…a kilt. From(who else) all my sisters.

29. What did you want and not get?
Again, I’ll take it this is Christmas. Anyways, I wanted a Church History book. Didn’t get that, so guess I’ll have to buy it as a present from myself!

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
New film? Inception! A remarkable film in that it was a big Hollywood film and hugely hyped…and it actually delivered. And it is currently in my possession. Great, great movie.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Spent time with some of my awesome Htown friends(after working) at my apartment, eating yummy food, drinking coffee, having sweet conversations… Glorious evening…I miss y’all, Htown friends…you know who you are.

32. What’s one thing would have made 2010 immeasurably more satisfying?
I can’t think of anything. Honest. 2010 was a good year.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Same old? I don’t know what my personal fashion concept even is. Anyone care to enlighten me?

34. What kept you sane?
Finally an easy one!! My Lord and Saviour, Father and King, God of the Universe, Jesus Christ.

35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Hmmm…I don’t really have any celeb crushes at the moment. Sorry to disappoint! Is there anyone I *should* be fancying?

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmm, this is a dangerous question…so I’ll just be political and say: “No comment.”

37. Who did you miss?
LOTS OF PEOPLE. Too many to name. Far too many. If you’re reading this and aren’t in Aberdeen(or maybe even if you are!), you’re probably one of them. My family of course…Rob G, Laurie, Deanna…all my Gville friends…David and Dream…all my Tampa friends! Will and Alex…and all my Htown friends…and if you didn’t get named, don’t feel bad – blame it on my sleepiness!! I do truly miss you all. Well, unless you’re a random person I don’t know who’s reading this. Then of course I don’t miss you.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Oh gosh…this is a tough one. I guess I had already met most of my Houston friends in 2009, so I can’t name any of you guys. So that means it would be a Scotland person…well, I guess if you take talking-time as quality of friendship, Aiysha would win that lottery! We’ve had some epic conversations and sweet times together!! Sadly, I haven’t seen her in about 3 weeks…But yeah, she’s pretty awesome(*waves to Aiysha* SERIOUSLY, we must hang out soon!!). ALSO, meeting most of the Ripamontis for the first time!! Me and Robbie had some sweet times together this past weekend on the Isle of Man…a New Year’s never to forget. Technically, I met Robbie on New Year’s Eve, so that counts for 2010, right??

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Just one? Well, I think I already knew this, but it was further reinforced in 2010: having guy friends is pretty awesome. And now that I’m currently in a far-away land from many of my good friends(specifically thinking of a few of you in Houston…), I think how blessed I was to have some sweet man-friendships in 2010. Ladies, don’t get me wrong…I love you and all…but guy friends are just…different from girls. And having fellow men and brothers whom I can share everything with and pray in sweet communion to our Jesus with…that’s just awesome. And I miss it a bit now.

40. Quote or Song Lyric that sums up your year:
I have become a marvel
to many, for You are my
strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with
Your praise
and with
Your glory
all day long.
-Psalm 71:7-8

And that pretty much sums it up. A MUCH longer survey than I anticipated! All I will say further is something I think I’ve said every year now for the past few years…once again, God has blessed me exceedingly. And I know that this year, 2011, He will bless me still. Whether I am in times of great bounty or times of tribulation, I will always love my Lord. He is good. And He is God.

The eye of the sea

James HoganLeave a comment

Mmmm…sipping some perfectly lovely mint-chocolate tea right now and feeling slightly sleepy, but I couldn’t resist writing a few words(and since I’m hearing my bed call my name, it will indeed be only a few!). Today, returned to Aberdeen after a totally awesome week in Florida!! I wish I had the time to truly do it justice, but alas for my tired state(flew from Tampa to Detroit to Amsterdam to Aberdeen last night and so didn’t quite get much sleep). Truly though, just let me say one thing(actually no, two things): firstly, I have pretty much the best family in the world. Secondly, God is awesome.

And while one week isn’t really the ideal length of time to spend at home…we made the most of the time, what with continuing our annual Mini-Golf Tournament of Champions tradition and eating like royalty(roast turkey, potatoes, stuffing, asparagus, fettucine alfredo, shrimp, lots of salad, chicken parmigiana, chocolate sheet cake…just the tip of the iceberg) and playing cards and ping-pong (which got stylishly interfered with by our resident kitten troublemakers, Caroline and Julia) and relaxing in the joy of each other’s company and watching Jack Bauer dominate it up in a ’24’ marathon(Season 3 – but we didn’t get to the finale before I left ahhhh!!!) and singing together and staying up late talking about random things with the sisters and making known the goodness of the Lord and going out to lunch far too much(TGI Friday’s with Mom, Panera with Katharyn, TGI Friday’s with Laura, Chili’s with Maryanne, Five Guys with Dad…yes, I told you I ate bad. Shh, no telling. But it was so worth it just to get the time to talk with everyone..) and catching up with friends(and seeing friends’ new baby – Gloria!! David and Dream, y’all are indeed most blessed of our Father!) and oh I just don’t know how to properly convey the joy of the blessings of the Lord which He has bestowed on me and my family! And while my prayers for them will not lessen as the distance between us increases, may my love for them increase all the more! And all of you that aren’t my family, don’t worry, I love you too. Always.

And as for me, it is not that late, but I fear my wits are fleeing me, begging me to rest my eyes and drift away to the land of my dreams before I pour out my whole mind like a waterfall into the deep… First though, I will finish my tea.

Merry Christmas!

James HoganLeave a comment

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God. All things came
into being through Him, and apart from
Him nothing came into being that has
come into being. In Him was life, and
the life was the Light of men. The
Light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not comprehend it.
…And the Word became flesh, and
dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father, full of grace and truth.
-John 1:1-5,14

Oh wondrous words!!! I couldn’t think of any words more fitting for remembering the birth of Christ our Lord and Savior than these. Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased! Remember the birth of the King!!

Raging starfire

James HoganLeave a comment

So, at work a bit early this morning…despite the continued onslaught of snow against my fair city of Aberdeen! I woke up this morning and looked outside to see that not too much snow had fallen during the night. Relieved, I went to make my coffee and sandwiches and then sat down and read for a while. Before I left my flat, I looked outside again…to see it snowing furiously outside, with an additional few inches of snow on the ground!! Knowing that every second I delayed inside would mean more snow on the roads, I hurried outside to my car, quickly warming it up and scraping it off before undertaking the treacherous six mile journey in to work(which took an hour last night, ugh). You may ask why I’d drive to work in the snow, with a very reasonable probability of not being able to get back home tonight? Well honestly, I don’t know either. But driving convoy style on the dual carriageway(er, that’d be highway for us Americans), we all made it through the snow safely, each of us following through the tire tracks of the car before. And by the way, Rhapsody of Fire is pretty much the most intensely awesome music to listen to while driving through the snow, just saying. “The embrace of ice and snow could stop the bravest warrior, but the thirst for justice still and more will warm our soul.” What now?!! Finally made it in to work just to find that the lights were off in our Drilling office…yes, I was the first one in. That did give me just a bit of pride at first, being the Floridian and all in the land of Scotland, before I realized it might just mean that I was the only one silly enough daring to brave the snow. I’ve sat here for a while now, sipping my hazelnut-tinged coffee(props to Deanna for bringing over wondrous proper American coffee creamer from the States!!! You will be my bestest friend forever and ever for that, Deanna. Mmmmmm…and now you all know the way to my heart. Oops) and writing this snow filled entry.

And now, there are actually people in the office besides me and it’s about time for work to begin. Have a lovely day!! Hopefully there’s far less snow wherever you all are at..

Oh and I really will end this entry after this sentence, but Romans 8 is awesome, y’all; you should read it right now, that’s how awesome it is(I have been abundantly reminded of the glorious love of God our Father and of Jesus Christ our Saviour and of the Spirit our Comforter these past few days through this chapter) and I would be negligent indeed to not point you all to such an amazing wealth of words and storehouse of grace and fountain of truth that is contained therein.

All we, like sheep

James HoganLeave a comment

Lunch time here at work! Actually, it’s about over but thought I’d post a quick update, seeing as this last week has been most full of awesomeness! Hopefully I’ll get around to a longer post later detailling my adventures with Deanna throughout Scotland(and yes, it was an amazing few days!!) but for now, suffice it to say that…yeah, Scotland’s a pretty beautiful country. It’s true.

And last night, went with Rosemary to see Handel’s Messiah at the Music Hall here in Aberdeen – my first time ever seeing this performed! Listening to it on my laptop is most definitely not the same thing. So amazingly lovely and gorgeous and our-Lord-glorifying and beautiful and powerful and majestic. And He shall reign forever and ever! My only regret…that I couldn’t sing with them! Ahh, one day. One day.

And now it’s time to get back to work, but know this: tonight will be my first night to myself in quite some time, so I will most definitely enjoy the time to relax and read and SLEEP. Oh the sleep will be welcome! I may or may not have a satisfying dinner of delicious hamburgers, baked potatoes and crispy green beans too. Mmmm. If I don’t fall asleep first.

Have a simply lovely day, y’all! Love you guys!!

Across the ocean

James HoganLeave a comment

Alright, I was going to post a long, EPIC entry, but alas, I took too long eating lunch and now lunch is about over and I need to work. But I still must at least write something! Hopefully the quality makes up for the quantity. Actually, it probably won’t, but shh. And now that I’m done talking about why I’m not writing more(and thus wasting precious time that I could have written a longer entry!), I shall just say a few words…

Firstly, Deanna is in town! What!!! Yes, you heard that right – Deanna’s in Aberdeen as of last night and that is just so much awesome, y’all. She’s staying with a family here in the church(Eleanor’s parents) currently and today she’s recovering from her flight adventure yesterday(which included a 4 hour “visit” with immigration officials. Ugh) and exploring around Aberdeen while I work. But tonight, going to go downtown and celebrate Rosemary’s birthday(hurrah!!) and then tomorrow, we go up to Inverness! As long as we don’t get blizzard-ed in the face, that is. We’ll spend a night in Inverness(of course exploring Loch Ness while we’re at it) and then taking the train down to Edinburgh on Friday(again, God willing) and spending a couple days there! It shall be sweet and epic and awesome and fantastically fabulous and perfectly lovely, I so declare.

Of course, I’m also a little exhuasted right now, because while I told myself ahead of time I’d get lots of sleep over the weekend in preparation for impending Deanna-visit, did I? Of course not. Instead I had a gorgeous weekend hanging out with people and enjoying amazingly encouraging and refreshing times at church and shopping(the worst part of the weekend!) and seeing random movies and staying up FAR too late every night and not getting any sleep at all(most of this is your fault, Aiysha!). But…what do I always say? Sleep is unnecessary.

And now it’s work time(for the last time until next Monday!) and then it’s epic Scotland with Deanna Adventure time! Peace out, y’all!!