Tag: sermons

A Dream Near Realised

James HoganLeave a comment

A lovely morning. The air is cool(for Texas!), the peppermint mocha is hot and I slowly wake up here at my desk. I much enjoyed my reading this morning…as I read a few chapters in 2 Samuel(the ark being brought into Jerusalem – oh how David celebrated at the glory of His God! And the promise of God that the Davidic kingdom would be…forever. A achingly sweet herald of Christ who is promised). Also read some in one of my favourite books – Hebrews. Oh how wonderful…it stirred my soul. And it reminded me that too often I let myself be distracted and weighed down by things that do not matter. Too often do I seek pleasure and satisfaction in the dregs of this world instead of looking to Him that sits at the right hand of God. Oh why does my passion wax and wane so? If only I could be consistent in my honour and love for Christ. I am weak. But gloriously, wondrously – my God is strong and holds me close. And on my commute – listened to some of one of Dominic’s old sermons on 2 Peter 2(coincidentally – the sermon that was preached the evening service the week Mom and Dad were in Aberdeen with me – what sweet memories I have of that time!!). Listening to Dominic preach on the grave dangers of false teaching and the high regard in which we should hold the truth of God’s revelation to us reminded me yet again how I am most insufficient in and of myself. Do I get angry at the slights that are constantly made against my Lord and God? Do I defend the honour of my Lord in my life with my thoughts, words and deeds? Sadly I must confess I am oh too imperfect. I am most unworthy. But – glory be to Christ – that matters not. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. For me.

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;
and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is
good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods,
through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have
no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood
is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering
for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also,
that He might sanctify the people through His old blood,
suffered outside the gate.

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city,
but we are seeking the city which is to come.
-Hebrews 13:7-14

Final Straw

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, friends!! I’m sipping on my delicious monday morning coffee and about ready to start work here. First – thought I’d dash out a quick few sentences. I have recently been trying to “purge” my music/movie/book collection of any unworthy or undesirable works. Some of this purging is quite painful, but it must be done. I’ve let my collection get alarmingly big and my (somewhat) minimalist self cringes at that. During the music section of the purge(which was entirely unsuccessful as I think I only got rid of 7 CDs!!), I found some stuff that I’d forgotten I had…stuffed it into my car and now I’m enjoying listening to Dominic’s sermons again(oh how I miss Gilc at times!!) and then today listened to one of Snow Patrol’s albums again. Wow I forgot how full of raw emotions their songs are…such a delight to listen to this morning as I drove to work in the dark. And listening to their songs brought back memories of listening to the same music as I drove to work back in Aberdeen…driving along the North Sea and seeing the sun slowly rise over the horizon. The clouds whirling and retreating from the relentless march of morning, the wind dancing through the surf of the sea. And that is enough nostalgia for this day. Ever up and ever in, my friends. Let us grasp hold of this day, remember the hope to which we were called and go forth and conquer. Peace and love.