Tag: music

Constellations

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Morning, friends!! I am quite sleepy this morning…really, I felt like going back to bed as soon as I woke up. But I did not. Made my tea, read a few words(Psalms + Proverbs + Song of Solomon!) and then traversed the busy highways to my work place, where I am now sitting. About to officially start work, but wanted to share a few words that always comfort me during times like this…(And coincidentally enough…been able to hear these same words as I’ve been listening to the Messiah recently on my commute!)

Come to Me, all who who are
weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest
for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and My burden
is light.
-Jesus Christ

A Note Upon the Wind

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Happy Friday friends!! Now in the office about to rock this last day of the work week. Beautifully cold outside this morning – a brilliant forty degrees – so I was able to wear my black cashmere sweater today. Hurrah! And then I drove into work and got to listen to my very favorite Christmas CD – Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s sublime Christmas Eve & Other Stories. Beautifully inspiring and warmly encouraging and deeply moving. And now, my friends…time to wrap my hands around my peppermint mocha and continue to enjoy this day that the Lord has made. Peace.

Love Unending

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Afternoon, all!! It’s a gorgeous Saturday here in Houston and thought I’d just write here briefly! And by gorgeous, I mean that it’s a wet, chilly grey day…and I simply love it. This day has so far been one of rest and chats with dear friends and enjoying bountiful blessings from my Father God. I started out the day by…waking up far later than is my norm! Since it was a mostly rainy night, decided I’d skip my run this morning and enjoy a little more sleep instead. Very good decision, I have to say. After finally waking up and having my coffee and chocolate cream-of-wheat for breakfast and reading for a bit…I got to skype with Noemi!! We hadn’t talked properly in simply ages…and oh how wonderful of a chat it was!! She is such a dear friend and encourages me mightily. So thankful am I for the technology that grants me and Noemi the ability to talk even though we are thousands of miles away, me in America and she in Hungary!! I shall not describe our talk in detail. But know how lovely it is to talk about life and love and the things of the Lord with dear friends. And so it was. Following that lovely talk, it was time to go meet Julie for lunch! She wanted to eat at Velvet Taco, and I discovered it was in walking distance. So I made my way there, through the small neighborhoods, splashing through puddles as I went. Oh what a beautiful day! Grey and chill and fresh and wonderful!! So fun to be able to walk somewhere and not have to drive! And so after a much enjoyed walk, met Julie at Velvet Taco and enjoyed some delicious tacos(one of them was like a Cuban sandwich…but in taco form. I have found my ideal Tampa/Houston fusion food. It was sublime)…but more than food, a proper catch-up chat with Julie! We realised we hadn’t had a decent talk in a while, somehow – and it was truly great to talk about…life and love and the things of the Lord! Hmmm…is there a theme here? Possibly. Anyways, once again – I shall not detail our talk. But after our yummy lunch, she dropped me off at my place and we chatted a bit more before she went her way…I’ve been getting other random things done(like going to Trader Joe’s for some necessities and listening to my awesome HymnSing CD as I drove!). Now it is dinner time I think. Yes, an early dinner. Yes, I am hungry again. And wow, this is a messy long paragraph and I probably should tidy it up. I shan’t. Going to make my dinner of mac’n’cheese and chicken and tomato salad. And I shall continue to think of the Lord my God and how much He has blessed me. Oh how I long to know Christ more. My highest desire, my truest song, my greatest love. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

Rachmaninoff

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Happy Sunday, friends!! I’m now very sadly drinking the dregs of my peppermint mocha frap on this fine afternoon. I may or may not have been here at Starbucks for most the afternoon, but well…I have had quite a bit of work to get done! Finally finished prepping for community group a few minutes ago, then me and Maryanne had a nice chat for a while! In a few minutes, I’m rolling off to Bethel for our Thanksgiving dinner event – that’s going to be super fun to enjoy with my whole church family! Then tomorrow starts another work week which shall hopefully proceed in a somewhat smooth manner.

This weekend, while somewhat busy, has also been very much assuredly blessed by God. I got quite a few errands done yesterday(also including further unpacking of my room. I have too many books…but at least two shelves are now complete!! Two more to go. Also, is there such a thing as too many books? I am as of yet unsure of the answer to that). Anyway, after a busy day yesterday, I enjoyed an evening out on the town! Me and Julie went and grabbed dinner at Dish Society(I had a rather fine pork tenderloin cooked in a cherry reduction sauce…with sauteed spinach and mashed sweet potatoes. Amazing? I can confirm that it was). Afterwards, we made our way downtown and had time for a quick glass of wine and some chat…and then it was symphony time!! Julie had never been to see the Houston Symphony before, so she was in for a treat. There was a guest pianist in town – Daniil Trifonov, who played a superb rendition of Schumann’s piano concerto. So stunningly beautiful was it that we gave him a rousing ovation and he eventually played an etude(…I am too musically ignorant to be able to tell you what it was!). After the intermission, the symphony played Rachmaninoff’s symphony no 2…and it was simply magnificent. I have naught the skill with words to describe it here, but trust me in my assessment of it as…overwhelmingly gorgeous. How special it is that God has granted us the gift of music – and that certain people would be given such skill as to write musical compositions of such intricate beauty that they draw the purest emotion from those who listen. Ah to hear this with my own ears last night….skillfully played by an orchestra most accomplished…I am so grateful for this night of wonder I was given. Oh and I think Julie enjoyed it too! At least, as long as her joyous effusions were genuine! It was really just quite fun to have a night out on the town and feel all high society! I’m now really tempted to get tickets for another symphony next year – they’re doing Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto no 3(not my favorite no 2, or I would have already bought tickets!). We shall see…

Now – I’ve written far too much on this – hopefully you all are not bored to tears. I must fly – have a most joyful remainder of your Sunday, my friends. Look to the heavens and consider what wonderful gifts we have all been given – to live on this earth and enjoy so many good things…sweet music, joyous laughter, dear friends and light from above. Ponder the fact that our heart beats in time with the rhythms of the universe and that we are loved by God Most High. We are loved. Forever and always.

Seaspray

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And hello again! It is (still) Saturday and (still) Starbucks. I have semi-finished my new CD. Ok, not really, but I’ve cut it down to an hour, 47 minutes and am listening to it while I write this. Honestly, don’t think it’s good enough yet, so may not finalize for a few weeks. Thought since I have been thinking of mix CDs, will post a track-list from my last one(not HymnSing – that is the post below this!). This is a particular favourite of mine…may be my all time favourite. But of course, it is mostly just a peek through the window of my heart to what I’ve been currently enjoying…although I do think I can say it is critically acclaimed, as both Julie and Laura have testified it is quite good! You may notice a preponderance of certain artists. I feel a bit guilty of overloading…but the songs were just so good I couldn’t help it. Anyways…

eyes closed, Heart Open
1. In Memoriam – The Oh Hellos
2. Second Child, Restless Child – The Oh Hellos
3. Jerome – Zella Day
4. The Arrow – Josh Garrels
5. Mainstream Kid – Brandi Carlile
6. Tales of Brave Ulysses – Cream
7. Gila – Beach House
8. Intro – The XX
9. VCR – The XX
10. 1965 – Zella Day
11. Past Lives – BØRNS
12. Clouds – BØRNS
13. Electric Love – BØRNS
14. Hypnotic – Zella Day
15. Shelter – The XX
16. Heart of Chambers – Beach House
17. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight – The Postal Service
18. Ulysses – Josh Garrels
19. Compass – Zella Day
20. Go – The Civil Wars
21. Caesar – The Oh Hellos

O For a Thousand Tongues

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Hello friends and happy Saturday!!!

I am currently at Starbucks(in Houston again!) and have been having a relaxing last couple of hours here. I recently have been putting together (another!) quality mix CD, purchasing various songs from hither and yon(er, or…from the wild Amazon) and now I’m at the point where I really need to listen to them together to judge the flow, etc. But I’m also rather silly and am refusing to do that since I’m currently listening to my Hymn playlist…and it is so joyous and marvelous and simply amazingly God-glorifying that I can’t listen to anything else just now. So thought I’d update this instead. Yay? And because I haven’t posted these track-lists yet, thought I’d record for posterity the last several mixes I’ve made…I rather enjoy them, but your tastes may(and will!) differ.

Firstly, the playlist I’m listening to now – HymnSing. I’ve long desired to have a proper CD with all my favourite hymns. During the course of making this, discovered that I have too many favourites for one CD. Oops? Anyways, I put this together and…it is rather wonderful. It may or may not have drawn tears during my first listen-through in my car one beautiful morning. Since these are all sung by various groups, not going to put the artists, just the title. Many of them are live recordings of simply amazing congregational and choir singing praises to our great God…who has forgiven us…everything. If you want a copy of this CD – message me on your preferred media and give me your address and I’ll send you a copy. Behold our God.

HymnSing:
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
2. My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
3. Grace Greater Than All Our Sin
4. And Can It Be That I Should Gain
5. How Firm A Foundation
6. There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
7. Before The Throne Of God Above
8. Behold Our God
9. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
10. O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus
11. Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
12. Jesus Paid It All
13. It Is Well With My Soul
14. Holy, Holy, Holy
15. O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
16. All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name
17. Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain
18. Amen

Tears of Joy

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends – and a happy Tuesday to you all!! I am going to write a quick update here before work begins…because this weekend has been quite a whirlwind, not at all the “free and relaxing” weekend I thought it was going to be! Well, it was a beautiful three day weekend but somehow I found a way to cram many many things into it. Hmm. Not one quiet night, what has become of me!!? Anyways! Friday night, had a fun time going to Torchy’s with Angela and John and having some good catch-up time with them(and delicious tacos, natch!) Saturday morning…somehow I got the brilliant idea that I needed to run since it’d been a while. So I got up uber early(to beat the heat, etc. Oh Houston) and ran my long run(10 mi). After I was halfway through, body was feeling great and so I was thinking I might push it to 13…but sadly my lack of hydration caught up with me about the 8 mile mark and so I most struggled those last couple miles. I decided not to be foolish and just finished my normal run. Anyway, once I hydrated, I felt great(albeit quite sore rest of day. And day after. And day after…) and I got to enjoy a nice coffee and reading morning at home. Eventually I went out, did various errands that needed doing(and buying books for people in Aberdeen, hurrah! I shall not name them here, just in case they’re reading this. Which is probably doubtful). Then I popped over to Starbucks for some online and writing time(which was very unsuccessful – I’m struggling with current story sadly). At this point, it was about 2pm and I realised I was very faint and dizzy and getting a headache. I wondered why. And then I remembered that I had sort of forgotten to eat anything all day. Even after my run. Oops? So I went to Trader Joe’s, got some hatch chile mac’n’cheese(which was quite good!) and then ate that at home while watching college football(which has returned! Houston beat Oklahoma and Texas A&M beat UCLA and Texas beat ND…so all is well in the state of Texas today).

And wow, this entry is a bit ridiculous – I am rambling overmuch and I would apologise, but I’m not done yet. I shall try to quicken the pace though, as I do need to start work soon. So where was I? Saturday? Oh yes. Right. So, after watching a bit of college football, I had plans with Jared to hang out and watch a movie at my place. Sadly, he had to cancel because of some family plans that came up…but since I have awesome friends that invited me to something else(thanks Lea and Marianna!), my evening did not go wasted. Went to the Miller Outdoor Theatre and enjoyed some quality baroque music and some even more quality conversation with the aforementioned Lea and Marianna. I got home at some point and promptly fell into bed. Sunday! Sunday was the day of days. Church(which was marvelous and encouraging and God exalting!), then missions prayer time, then had some good sushi with Jonathan and Julian for lunch. Afterwards when I was back at my place, invited Julie over for tea and reading time, but sadly(not really!) we got no reading done and just had a great time talking and talking and talking instead. She is such an encouraging and dear friend! After that…Jared came over and we had some dinner and watched the Texas-ND game(instead of movie, because who needs a movie when you have football?). And unsurprisingly, while we watched the game, the best part was just talking about life. And thus ended my Sunday, in which I got approximately one hour to myself. And I am not complaining one bit.

And…er, I really need to cut this off here, even though I haven’t even talked about yesterday(Labor Day) yet. Oh well – just know that it was good and God blessed. As always. I must simply praise my God for always blessing me oh so much. Of course, there are some parts of life that are sorrowful and so we must grieve. But when I am enjoying life, I must recognize that it is God my Father who has blessed me so – and I thank Him and Him alone.

This morning, I heartily enjoyed listening to my newest mix CD…it is maybe my best yet. It is all hymns(do not laugh!) and it is beautiful. It is very unoriginally entitled HymnSing and it contains pretty much all my favourite hymns. Singing them in the car this morning as I thought about the love of God…oh what tears, oh what joy. When someday God grants that I may return to Him(oh come that day!), I do hope that some of these songs are sung. Oh how wondrous it is, to think that the blood of Jesus has paid for all my sins. That is my theme, my song. I will at some point post the track-list, but now I shall simply end this very very long entry(my apologies, dear friends) and leave you with this…

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine?

A Hint of Cinnamon

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Hello friends!! It’s a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon here in Houston – I currently sit in Starbucks, as is my custom many a Saturday. I have been doing random things of an internet nature and have spent far too much time on crafting my next two mix CDs. One is a standard indie/alt/folk mix…still doesn’t quite flow right, but it’s getting there. Lots of Oh Hellos, Josh Garrels and Beach House!! The second CD is a dance mix…something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but just haven’t got around to it. I’m not quite sure who else will like it besides me, but it’s coming together nicely. David Guetta, deadmau5, Laura Izibor…it’s a very interesting and peppy mix thus far!

Anyways, I’m also looking at random flights to Aberdeen…I really don’t know if I should travel there, but I miss people and I’m very tempted and the prices are actually decently reasonable. So we’ll see. Would flying out there in September be too rash of a decision?? Don’t answer that.

I’m also feeling rather tired and sick lately(not fun)…not sure if it’s allergy related or just some other random sickness, but I’m just extremely low on energy lately. Hence today, after having breakfast with Brandon and Chase, came back to my place and almost fell asleep again on my couch!! Well, today’s going to be a quiet day, so hopefully I regain some of my energy. Have leftover lasagna in the fridge…thinking I’ll have that with a fresh tomato salad for dinner. If anything will cheer me up, that’ll do it!

Now I really wanted to write something creative and inspiring today, but I’m really not feeling it now. Sadly. Even with multiple cups of coffee today. Alas, my muse, why do you leave me all alone??

I’m going to sign off and drink the rest of my coffee and just sit and think and pray here. Maybe I shall write something else too, maybe not. But whatever I do, thanking the Lord my God for who He is and what He has done for me – I owe all to Him. He is my Lord. He is my God!!!

Heart of Chambers

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I am at peace.

A most beautiful afternoon comes to an end(indeed, a beautiful day!!). I write this from my apartment in Houston, just having woken up from a lovely ten minute nap so pardon me if my words are slightly sleepy sounding. But I simply must chronicle today so that I always remember the goodness of my God to me. This morning, worshiped God at church with my fellow brothers and sisters, reveling in the revelation of our Lord we have been granted! “Holy holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty”…our voices rose up to heaven in praise, accompanied by the skillfully played organ. Let us never forget the majesty and undeniable beauty and mercy and might that belong to the God of the universe, this God we serve. Singing these words of praise..oh how I long for the days to come when we in heaven will join the chorus of every created thing! O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise!!

And how do I follow that up? Well, I cannot, surely. Yet I enjoyed a delightful afternoon with Julie at the sports bar watching the Euro final, Portugal v France. Sadly, despite our great hope(and Julie’s cheering in French!!), Portugal grabbed the 1-0 victory and title of 2016 Euro Champions. Despite my disappointment, it was fun to see them all happy and dancing as they celebrated!! And of course, during the ever-more-nervous-making game watching, Julie and I had some lovely talking time – as always!!

Then, made my way to the store and then home…And I brewed some coffee, put some classic Beach House on the record player, and then enjoyed some luscious minutes reading Owen on the satisfactory death of Christ, and what it means for us. Christ died to save sinners. I read those five words and I am blown away. What stunning mercy. What beautiful love. And so now I sit, at peace and and at rest. Peace, my friends. I love you all ever so much.

Now, I will make my turkey burgers for dinner, and also am planning to read some more Owen. I will finish his Volume II tonight, I think. Only eight pages to go. It’s only taken me a year!!! But first. Dinnertime.

Peace and love.

Sun Streaked

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Morning, dear friends!! I’m listening to my favorite Rachmaninoff concertos No. 2 & 3 as I start work this morning…with the ubiquitous peppermint mocha in hand. The rain came pouring down this morning in startling fashion, but the clouds seem to finally be fleeing the area as the day truly begins to dawn. I’m confident of a good day ahead, for this is indeed the day the Lord has made. Have a wonderful love-soaked day, my friends. As for me, it is time to begin work! (And to enjoy listening to some gorgeous music as I do so…)