Tag: scripture

Whisper of Heaven

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I decided to write a brief few words even as my belly growls for lunch here – I’ll use my hunger to drive me on to pen my thoughts before giving in and going downstairs for a sandwich. At Books and Beans right now this cold and rainy day and delighting in the warmth and light inside here as I’ve been relaxing this morning(now afternoon!). Been reading a bit, as well as doing some miscellaneous computer and internet errands and soon enough, time to brave the wet city and hop over to Rosie and David’s for Rosie’s birthday tea…and then later this afternoon, Chris and Jo and I are off to see the Hobbit again!! Of course me and Maryanne and Mom already saw it, but it will be awesome to be with Chris and Jo and just enjoy the beauty of Middle Earth once again…

And I feel like I should be writing more than this, because really – this is a rather short update thus far, but what shall I write? Ah, I know – I’ve been reading through Mark lately(such a great book! I think it has some of the most hilarious lines in any of the gospels. Particularly relating to the disciples’ interactions with Jesus…they’re so silly sometimes(Mark 8:16!)…and then I realize they really don’t differ from us at all. We’re all just as weak and dim-witted most of the time, so then it simply comforts me that Jesus still loves us and holds us close to Himself nonetheless(or should I say – all the more!!). Anyways what was I saying? Ah yes, Mark. Anyways, for some reason the past few days I’ve been reading Mark 13 over and over again. If you’ll recall, this is the chapter talking about the Last Days and the return of Christ to this earth in all His glory. I think my heart has been especially yearning for this Day recently…partly as I read my yummy book A Memory of Light as it describes a fictional End of Days and this makes me think of the true Day of the Lord when our Christ comes back to this earth…and it will be dark and glorious and epic and fiery and lo – the end of this present age. And lo – the beginning of the reign of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords! Him who will reign forever, whose kingdom will have no end!

Anyways, let me share a few verses that have struck me recently(all in Mark 13- you can read the whole chapter to see them all in the context of Jesus explaining to His disciples something we should all long to know more about)..

When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be frightened;
those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines.
These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…

…And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’;
or, ‘Behold He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs
and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders,
in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see
the Son of Man
coming in clouds with
great power and glory.
And then He will send forth the angels,
and will gather together His elect from the four winds,
from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven…

And those words do stir my soul – let us all be eagerly looking to the coming of our Lord – let us be on the alert! Let us be longing for this most terrible and most glorious day!!

And now on that awesome note, it is time for a humble lunch. Ham and cheese panini and salad I think? Going to hop downstairs and order that and then maybe read a bit more this morning(er..afternoon I mean). Peace, y’all!

A Memory of Light

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For those of you uninformed and slightly curious, the above title references the book by the same name…the *last* book of the Wheel of Time series – which comes out this next week. I remember starting the series when George Lebo lent me the first book oh so many years ago…(ok, maybe not that long ago – 2008, I think)…anyway, it’s been a good run and I’m a bit sad to see the end come. I will try and slow my usual frenetic reading pace down and savor this last one. I’ll still probably finish it in a week – curse me and my quick reading abilities!! And maybe Laura will hurry up and finish up the preceding books sometime this year so she can read this one! (You know I love you, Laura!!)

Just now, sitting in Books and Beans(for the second time in three days!!) and as my coffee slowly gets cold, I think it’s almost time for lunch, but I wanted to write a little bit first! I’ve been doing my normal Saturday morning routine…reading(Psalms 59-60, Proverbs 5 and some more of 2 Samuel! Absalom is currently being a punk and David is hiding out…may I always have his attitude when persecuted/downtrodden! When Abishai wanted to decapitate the guy that was cursing David, David said, “Let him alone and let him curse…Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”) and also have been having online time(checking on bank accounts and the all-important facebook..as well as trying to find a way to watch the Redskins/Seahawks playoff game Sunday night! Looks like my best bet may be to listen to it on BBC Radio 5…)

And I really am hungry, so I want to get a sandwich. First though…

Time and space and interwoven footprints in the snow,
the young man tilts his head and smiles and ponders,
and thinks of flickering fires and fragrant hot cocoa
and whispers of the violin
and his dream wanders…

Soaring rhythm accompanies lilting steps of heels upon the well-worn tiles
and eyes of sea-swept grey dip and gaze into sparkling eyes of richest caramel
and the dance of the heavens proceeds on unimpeded by the smaller cares,
and the music of the stars dazzles with the bliss of its perfect harmonies,
and sweetness as of raspberries and chocolate and honey swirling in the tea
and beauty as the sun twirling her skirts of cloud into the blue of the sea.

And his thoughts wander
ever towards that whisper of heaven,
and he thinks of cobblestone streets and sun’s gentle warmth
and the strums of that achingly perfect song in his soul,
dreams and well-loved pages and scarf tugged snug in the snow.

Glories upon glories

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O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendour above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes
You have established strength
because of your adversaries,
to make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
what is man that You take thought of him,
and the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
and You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

O LORD our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
-Psalm 8

Simply and blissfully glorious!! Maybe I’ll write more later tonight once work is done for the day, but for now, have a marvelous Thursday, my friends!!

Ruhamah

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Just finished the book of Hosea at church tonight. Can’t express in words how lovely that book is and how it has blessed my soul…just read the below verses and linger in the gorgeous music of the heavens…

Then I saw a new heaven and a
new earth; for the first heaven
and the first earth passed away, and
there is no longer any sea. And I saw
the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down out of heaven from God, made
ready as a bride adorned for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from
the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle
of God is among men, and He
will dwell among them, and they shall
be His people, and
God Himself
will be among them,
and He will wipe away every tear
from their eyes;
and there will no longer be any death;
there will no longer be any mourning,
or crying, or pain;
the first things have passed away.”

And He who sits on the throne said,
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
And He said, “Write, for these words
are faithful and true.”
Then He said to me, “It is done. I am
the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end.
I will give to the one who thirsts
from the spring of the water of life
without cost.
He who overcomes will inherit these things,
and I will be his God
and He will be My son.”
-Revelation 21:1-7

Coffee Time

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And my heart is full this evening as I sip my coffee and slowly prepare for another week to begin. Soon, soon – I must go off to bed and drift away on a tide of dreams so I am not too weary at work tomorrow, but for now…I just sit on my bed and ponder what blessings are mine…in abundance. And my heart longs to exult in words and song and sweet poetry what joy is mine, but alas, I’m not sure if my head is up to the task. Shall I write? Or shall I just rest this night, rejoicing in the purest wonder of knowing my Lord Jesus Christ?

At least, before I go…

For I am convinced that
neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us
from the love of God,
which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.

Spoonful of sweetest coffee,
a pillow laced full of dreams,
liquid eyes gaze heavenward,
and song of love spirals up.

No more writing this night. Just thinking and praying. Peace, y’all.

Music of the Heart

James HoganLeave a comment

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.

Life Eternal

James HoganLeave a comment

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.

Haste the Day

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How blessed is the man
who has made the Lord his trust,
and has not turned to the proud,
nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Many, O Lord my God,
are the wonders
which You have done,
and Your thoughts
toward us;
there is none to compare
with You.
If I would declare
and speak of them,
they would be too numerous to count.
-Psalm 40:4-5

Bliss. (Also, all of Psalm 40…love it so)

Grace Eternal

James HoganLeave a comment

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love which you have for all the saints;
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven,
of which you previously heard in the word of truth,
the gospel which has come to you,
just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing,
even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it
and understood
the grace of God
in truth.

This Mountain

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Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him
shall never thirst;
but the water that I give him will become in him
a well of water springing up to eternal life.
-Jesus Christ

John 4 is one of my favorite passages ever…just saying. You all should read it now – may it enliven your soul as much as it has done mine this morn.