Tag: thanksgiving

A Sign of Things to Come

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, all! I write this at an odd time for me…Sunday morning. You may wonder why I’m not at church…well…as much as I’d like to go, decided to stay here at home and further recover from recent wisdom teeth extraction(hurrah – they are gone forever!). I had a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee and now I’m sitting here on the couch with both my laptops out(work laptop for work emails and this laptop for…writing this entry?) as I listen to Rachmaninoff’s symphony no. 2 on the big screen. Truly wondrous thing, technology. Working off two laptops “just because” and then having beautiful music playing on the TV here in the flat!! Love it.

Well what more shall I write? I don’t think I have that much more to say. Need to go switch my laundry to dryer in a second and then I think I shall get a bit of reading done. ’til next time!

Eschatos

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello all!! I have a few spare moments…as I sit here in the family room at home in Tampa! I just finished laying mulch on the rose bushes out back and now before I shower figured…might as well update briefly! Am nearing the tail end(oh no…) of a simply wonderful mini-vacation here with the fam. I may write in more detail at a later date, but for now, suffice it to say I am much blessed and I am ever so relaxed right now! Being at home is always encouraging, but I feel like this time has been even more so. Hanging out with Dad and Mom and Laura…so many good times at the church(Prophecy Conference at our church – with Alan Kurschner and Marv Rosenthal and Dad speaking…wonderful, beautiful biblical truth being taught and gorgeous, enlivening worship songs being sung and oh such encouraging fellowship with my fellow brethren, reminding me of the day we shall all one day be in the presence of God Himself, worshiping Him forever and ever – “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!”)

And…I did say I wouldn’t get into the details, but let this just be a reminder to you all(and myself) of how much God blesses us. As much pain and sorrow is on this earth – and yes, we are a party to so much of it! – God grants us such peace and grace as we abide in Him and seek His face and cry out to Him, resting in the comfort of His Spirit and the joy of being redeemed through Christ Himself – oh glory to His Name! So that grace and peace is filling my heart and I know not why the struggles and cares of this world should give me any pause at all.

May your souls be warmed by the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. He who died for us will surely continue to work in us until we are fully sanctified and consequently wondrously glorified at the day of Christ Jesus. Peace and love, dear friends.

A Lighter Shade of Violet

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends…it is Monday and currently dark outside. Thus does another week begin. I wish I had something profound to write this morn, but alas my mind is sleepy and I don’t think I have the energy to write, though I do have the desire to! Briefly shall I describe the weekend? Or yesterday at least, as that is freshest! It was a calm, normal Sunday…a wonderful time at church, hearing Dr. Sullivan expound on Romans 14 in Sunday school. Then worshiping God in the sanctuary with my fellow saints…beautiful. Following, had a good lunch at MODs with friends – yummy pizza and good chat – how can you go wrong with that? Me and Jonathan had a good time talking about various subjects…how blessed am I by his friendship! Afterwards – was about to go home and get started on my study, but ended up meeting Julie for coffee instead. She had some things she needed to talk about, so we spent some good hours discussing life together. Totally not what I’d planned for my afternoon, but it was a deeply encouraging chat and so no complaints here! At some point that evening, finally got home, finished my study for 1 Peter…and then dinner and hang-out with John time. And thus was my Sunday. A day blessed by God…as indeed all my days are! Now, it is work time here and I shall go forth and get things done. Hopefully. Have a most lovely day, my friends.

Oh So Spartan

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Sunday, friends!! Shan’t write long, just thought I may as well write a few words this rare moment I have my laptop on and humming away. I sit here on the comfy chair as the afternoon wanes away, having enjoyed a lovely day of rest. And no, it is not over yet! Was able to attend church today and be heartily encouraged – by the preaching of God’s Word, singing songs of praise and talking with dear friends. And then…had a nice salad for lunch, hanging out with John…took a quick nap then a quick workout then a not-quite-as-quick chat with Maryanne! All in all…a good day.

And now I watch the Kansas/Michigan State basketball game and read a bit more of my book…and even though I feel sleepy and in a bit of a contemplative mood at the moment, I will thank God for what He has granted me this day and I shall rest in the joy that is my salvation – fixing my hope completely at the grace to be brought to me at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Love you, my friends.

Crown Him

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“And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say,
‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after
believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying,
“Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

What glorious words from Acts 11 – are they not?? As I read them this morning, I could not help but thank God that indeed this wondrous gospel has been offered to one such as I – indeed, this salvation is not restricted to one culture or people group…this free gift of God is offered to all who repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And I am full of the Holy Spirit. It gives me chills writing those words, that one such as I am blessed so. I am a child of my Father and I am loved.

Justified

James HoganLeave a comment

So many good chats with dear friends today, so many reminders of how I am blessed.

And now, about to enjoy a wonderful evening of rest. A much anticipated dinner of steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus. A lovely relaxing night that my God has blessed me with. Again, little things. But blessed of God am I, this I cannot deny. I bow my head in thanks to my Father, my Lord, my God.

A White Horse on Field of Green

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, it is a Monday morning and it is beautiful. You ever have one of those mornings where you feel supremely encouraged and oh so aware of the love of God? That is today for me and oh is it wonderful!! Firstly, I resolve to go to bed earlier from now on…as a full night’s sleep is just fantastic. Right!? I was in bed before 9 last night(albeit…reading for a while after that, but still!) So when my alarm went off this morning at 3:45…I somehow was almost instantly awake and alert, which is most abnormal. I did the decent thing and didn’t actually rise until about 4…but that set the tone for my whole morning. I had loads of time to do all my normal morning tasks…and then almost 45 minutes for a leisurely reading and coffee time. Oh bliss. And so I read Psalms 97 & 98 and Proverbs 6 and Jeremiah 38-41 and Acts 6-7…and I had time to meditate and pray on these words of Scripture. I was particularly struck by the end of Acts 7 – on Stephen’s powerful testimony and subsequent vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Oh might I be full of the Holy Spirit to such an extent as Stephen was – oh that I might behold a glimpse of the glory of God! And so pondering these words, I finally left for work…where I was able to listen to my favorite Lord of the Rings Symphony, enjoying the gorgeous music contained therein. And as I stopped by Starbucks for my Monday peppermint mocha…for some reason their machine wasn’t working, so I received my drink complimentary. And I just thought to myself, “Lord – why have you granted me so many little blessings this morn?” And so I thank my God this day for how He has granted me these gifts. Now of course – I set course for a day full of work and likely stresses and annoyances. But I shall not fret nor complain. It is well with my soul.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

James HoganLeave a comment

Enjoying my chicken parm leftovers and a fresh tomato salad this lovely Sunday afternoon. And I shan’t write more than a couple sentences here – need to get back to my dinner and football(Giants v Packers playoff game), of course! But just wanted to take this chance to say how wonderful today has been. A day in which I was able to worship God with all my heart as I stood amongst my fellow brothers and sisters in church this morning. What a wondrous thing it is to be loved by God. What a beautiful thing it is to be known by God. We are blessed e’er so much, my dear friends.

Always

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon, friends…and Happy New Year. Thus begins the year of our Lord 2017. May this year be blessed – and so it shall be!

I shan’t write long now(mostly because I have a bandaged finger that makes it somewhat awkward to type – resulting from me mistaking my finger for a potato during potato peeling time yesterday. Not advisable).

Anyways!! Just wanted to write a few words – maybe more later this week when I have full use of my fingers! – as we enter this grand new year. 2016 was a year in which God worked mightily in my life – even the times I was not always aware of such! And I want to offer my praise and thanksgiving to Him this day – for who He is – God Almighty! – and for all of His great works.

And what else shall I say? I suppose I will say how precious yesterday was…a day where I decided to stay at home and make a nice roast beef dinner and enjoy a quiet night in. A day that turned in to a relaxing time over at Camille and Erin’s with John, reading and eating fine food and watching far too many episodes of Sherlock! And a quiet night – one spent with good friends, finally eating my roast beef dinner and ringing in the new year sitting on this couch, reading a bit of A Wise Man’s Fear and sipping on my Hungarian wine. A wonderful, relaxing and joy inspiring day, all in all. And now, as I sit here on the couch and lift my eyes to the heavens, I ponder anew the goodness and love of my God. May I never cease to think on these things.

Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

Sunshine State

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! I have a couple quick minutes here before me and Maryanne go off to meet Mom for lunch(her work break!). I’m definitely a little more awake than the last time I posted here a few days ago…it definitely helps that it’s not almost midnight! We’ve been staying up late pretty much every night I’ve been here, but that is entirely proper and not a bad thing at all! Last night(Christmas night!) following our epic dinner of burgers, oven-roasted potatoes, asparagus and the remnants of the sweet red wine…we watched another episode of Jack as we enjoyed ice cream(with Dad’s honey-based chocolate sauce!)…then even though I think we meant to get ready for bed after that, we got distracted watching a 60 Minutes feature on Hamilton and I of course couldn’t say no to that. Hearing Miranda talk about his emotions and inspiration behind writing the musical – and seeing clips of it! – was well worth staying up a little later! Then…did we go to bed? Nah. Me and Dad and Maryanne stayed up even later watching the end of the Broncos/Chiefs game! Good times.

And I probably should describe more of Christmas day, but I shall not now. It was indeed sad that Laura and Caisson couldn’t be with us…we missed them dearly. But thank God for the miracles of technology – namely, the cellular phone – that enabled us to chat to Laura anyway!!

Now – I need to fly off to meet Mom…and then shortly I shall literally fly off to Houston. Sad day. I always get a little depressed on my leaving day, especially as I know not when I shall return. But now, I simply thank my God for giving me such precious times here in Florida with my wonderful most favorite family in the world…being here and having such lovely times talking with Dad and Mom and Maryanne…I cannot express all that is in my heart. And even above that joy…the peace and love that fills my heart as I think on the gift of God to me. The precious gift of salvation – eternal peace and unbounded joy and unsought for love and bliss indescribable. Oh Lord my God, I love you so – my light, my song, my salvation. Be near to me, God I pray – let me ne’er forget all You have done for me. My words are feeble, my eyes dim, yet I shall offer all I have in worship to my God.

What more can I say? Peace and love, dear friends.