Tag: thanksgiving

A Night Most Treasured

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, friends!!! Just a few words as I soon conclude this wonderful Friday evening. Such a peaceful night of rest and joy!! After a long week…oh how wonderful to come home and have a nice dinner and simply enjoy the gifts my God has given me. I am ever so thankful for the mercies of the Lord. Dinner of a nice thick bean soup and a spinach salad(perfect dinner for this cold weather!!)…then finished up watching “State of the Union”, a remarkable and moving movie – Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn starred. Hepburn was a firebrand, paragon of truth and integrity!!! Loved it so much. And now I’m watching the Buffy Thanksgiving episode(“Pangs”) in honour of soon coming holiday. And yes it is unnecessary for me to chronicle this, yet I simply want to offer all thanks to the Lord my God for the simple pleasures He has granted me this night. My love – my heart – is His.

Peace and love, dear friends. Always.

Wake Me Up

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Happy Friday, all!!! I have approximately 2 minutes to write this entry before I get down to work here, but thought…still worth it, right? I’m drinking my peppermint mocha and enjoying a lovely morning here in Houston! Fall is officially upon us as it was about 64 degrees as I drove in this morning! Shockingly cold. For Houston. So I shall enjoy.

In other news…we had a very not fun day at work yesterday, where four of the eleven people on my team got let go. Times are bad here in the oil and gas industry, and there is no sign of them getting better anytime soon. But who cares about the industry…what really saddens me is these four people – people with wives and kids – that no longer have a job. Saying goodbye to one of them(Will) as he left…I can’t describe it other than to say it was not fun. And who knows when it shall be my turn? I can answer that simply by saying: God knows. And that is that in which I rest, because otherwise it would be oh so easy to stress and mutter and wring my hands over the uncertainty in my future. But I serve a living God, who has purposes for my life that I know not…and I trust in Him. Forever and always.

Now – I must fly, dear friends. Have a most delightful Friday – fueled by the knowledge that we have a most loving and gracious God who watches over us and holds us close to Him.

Appointed

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!!! This fine Thursday evening, just thought I’d write a very few words(truly!). The rice is currently simmering on the stove and once that’s done, I’ll add it to my chicken and pineapple curry and have a fine meal to enjoy!! Besides all that, just wanted to say how wonderful of a day today has been. Did anything special happen? Not particularly, no. I worked all day, went to the store following, came home and did my workout. And now making dinner. A very…normal day, all in all. But I think normal days are to be enjoyed. And we should be thankful to God for them – for carrying me through this day and enlivening my heart as I take each breath. How precious is it to rest in the arms of my Saviour!!! And so does my heart rejoice this day. Be at peace, dear friends. Love, always.

Bohemia

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Happy Sunday, dear friends!! I really need to get some work done this afternoon(and by work, I mean prep for community group on Tuesday night. Ecclesiastes chapter 3…some great words contained therein!). But firstly, as I begin sipping on my peppermint mocha frap(yes, it is one of those very rare occasions I’m actually getting a chilled drink…since summer is stubbornly continuing to exert its influence upon us and it is far too hot outside to even consider drinking a hot drink. And I have to say…a drink made of milk, peppermint syrup, chocolate and espresso is a pretty fine lunch. Just saying), thought I’d write something quickly. This morning, got some quality worship time in. And because the word quality does not quite convey the meaning I wish it to…I suppose I will just say that I was able to stand in church with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and lift my voice in purest song to the God of the universe as I thought on the mercies and lovingkindnesses and grandeur and sovereign power and most perfect wisdom of our God. It was a humbling and most awesome morning – to worship the living God.

And now, while I need to write my study notes(fueled by this beautiful caffeine contained in my mocha!)…I’ll tarry yet a little longer. Yesterday was also a wonderful day, even though I did burn myself out rather too quickly!! I meant to wake up early for a run, but sadly that waking up early part was a distinct failure. Once I did manage to drag my lazy self out of bed though, I went to Buffalo Grille and met Earnie for breakfast!! So a few cups of coffee and a fine egg and hash-browns and beans breakfast later…we had enjoyed a most fine catch up. We hadn’t talked properly since well before my Scotland trip!! It was so good to talk to him…such a dear friend and brother to me. Following that, did a few random errands before making my way down to Sugar Land to meet Lea for lunch! We hadn’t had a proper in person chat in quite some time…and as I knew it would, a most enlivening and encouraging conversation over lunch was had!! Lea…another dear friend – and sister!! Again…I am far too blessed to have such good friends that my God has given me.

Now – I’m going to end this entry and buckle down and actually study for my community group upcoming time. Have a most joyous afternoon, my friends!!!

Peace and love.

Trembling

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And so shall I post once more?? Thought it was best that I let the last two song-heavy updates stand on their own. I also should probably zoom off soon, since I’ve spent quite long enough here at Starbucks! But I still have a little coffee in my cup, so I shall write a little more. Pardon the spaciness of my thoughts…I’m in an intriguingly odd mood lately. Odd as in I’ve spent time in several different countries in the last few days…and this time has left me abundantly encouraged and oh so thankful and I really do not think I can quite put my thoughts to page. But…I shall try, at least a little bit. This morning, me and Julie went to Dish Society for breakfast…because I was craving their food partially, but really so Julie and I could catch up and I could tell her a least a bit of my last week in Scotland. Despite all my many tangents, I think she got a good overview of my adventures! Can I capture that here? Maybe.

Anyways. Today is my first full day back in America for over a week. Yesterday afternoon, my plane touched down in Houston and I was once again in my home country. And how was I feeling? Bittersweet. For truly, it is good to be back here and be able to call Dad and family again on phone and see all my Houston friends again(Reliant K and Switchfoot concert tonight with Peter, et al!). But after such a beautiful week with my friends in Scotland…I must admit to a bit of sadness after leaving them (again!).

Oh this is a nightmare – I have no idea how to properly chronicle this past week…and I may admit defeat and try again tomorrow or Monday. I think I shall just thank the Lord my God for giving me this holiday and blessing it in such a way that I had prayed for but wasn’t quite sure would happen. Being with my dear friends again(Chris, Jo, Joel, Laura, John, Ruth, Jackie, Graham, Tineke, Mark, Rosemary…and more!!) was amazing and I realized I am blessed far beyond I deserve with such good and precious friends. Even after being gone three years, I can still talk and laugh and deeply connect with them. But more than just the fun times with friends(and it was indeed fun!!), I relished the chance to commune with my God. I set aside particular times to get alone with my Father God and these times were blessed be Him, of this I testify! As I walked the cliff side path south of Stonehaven on Monday afternoon and felt the sea spray on my face and looked out and watched the sea meet the sky in a beautiful embrace of grey and blue and white and saw the grass dance in the cold sweet breezes and as I sat upon a rock on the seashore and gazed upon the horizon and thought upon the fact that God has called me His true son and placed His hand upon me in perfect love and as I closed my eyes and prayed to Him, I felt at peace. There are so many things in our lives that we feel ill equipped to handle and so many futures we desire were our own and so many trials and tribulations we wish were not our own! And so to realise that God knows us, heart and soul and eyes brimming with tears and passions…this is gloriously precious. And to remember that God loves us His children with an unending and all encompassing love…this is beautifully divine. And so as I sit here in Starbucks, recalling this past week, how God blessed me with such a time of communion with my God…I rejoice. I sing. My meditations this day are full of the glories of the Lord. My heart this day is a-tremble with the thoughts of my Father. My eyes this day are bright with the passions of my God. Let us pour out our souls before the Lord our God, all ye nations -let us rejoice and sing to Him this day He has made! Amen and amen.

Leaves of Autumn

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Friday, one and all!! I really have negligible time to post this morning, but it is Friday and I am drinking my peppermint mocha, so my Pavlovian reaction is to write a quick entry here!! September has finally begun, and it shall be a month to remember, I do believe! I am excited for this month, to see what God will do!! Now I must fly, but just wanted to encourage you all to enjoy this day – oh so many good things do we have to be thankful for. Let’s remember that, shall we?

Peace and love.

Communion

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What a lovely lovely day. And shall I waste it adding words to the ever growing clouds of data spinning through this world? May it not be so! So briefly….

A day of rest, a day of joy. Finally home with my Bethel church family, loving each other and loving God, lifting our voices in worship sweet and listening to the Word expounded. And lunch with friends(chicken curry is always a quality meal, more so when eaten over good chat and sweet communion with my dear friends). Back at my flat and poring over the Word for community group(Colossians 3:15-17…)…And then vacuuming and a quick workout and then out into glorious brilliant afternoon sunshine reading The Silver Chair by the side of the pool…And back inside and now potato is in the oven and I will soon enjoy it hot and freshly buttered along with some plump turkey burgers and green beans but now I sit on this couch and read a bit of Owen’s Communion With God and while I could say that there is nothing more to be said, suffice it to be said that my heart is full this day. Afternoon sweetly passing by, eyes brighten, lips part, heart sigh. A touch of honey on the bread, one last morsel achingly read, truly nothing more to be said.

Tears of Grace

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! I write this from Starbucks this happy Saturday afternoon and while I shall not write long, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to put a few words to page. Today has been a somewhat productive day so far(got my car’s oil changed, some errands, etc!) and it will continue once I get back home – need to do some cleaning of my apartment! Fun times eh? Now though, just been reading a bit in preparation for Tuesday night’s study(“Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord.” How often do I fail at that. How much do I need to be reminded!) and also sending a few emails out. Also a very nice benefit to having internet access here…downloaded a bunch of Dominic’s sermons from SermonAudio and I shall later on burn these to CDs for commute listening. I am very pleased with my many new sermons and the much encouragement and conviction I’m sure they will provide. Again from Colossians – may the Word of Christ richly dwell within us.

Now, I’m off, mostly because I want to get home and start my chores. Also need to start dinner at some point – tonight’s a chicken parm night…just been craving that this morning, so suppose I shall make it(complete with tomato salad *of course*). I have far more I could write about, but for now, just grateful for a day of rest that my God has granted me. May I spend it pondering the goodness and glories of my God and meditating on the beauties and wonders of knowing Christ. I do not want to waste this day or this life thinking about that which does not matter. Peace and love, my friends – hope you have a beautiful day and are as encouraged as I am!

A Prime Year

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I am overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord.

I shall not write long now, as the evening light fades as this day comes to a sweet closing, but I cannot help but write a scant few words.  This day I turn twenty-nine, not a momentous day in and of itself, but it is indeed a good time to sit and ponder and recall the glorious wonders of my God and the many bounties He has granted me.  And so this day has been a calm one, a normal day of work and a quiet evening now.  But all day today, as I received numerous messages of love and encouragement from my friends, I felt myself a bit taken aback by the far too kind words from my friends and family dear.  I am most unworthy and I feel that it is only the grace of my God and Father that I am who I am this day.  Oh my Father keep me humble and full of love as I walk before You!

And now I am going to have a beautiful and most perfect birthday dinner of lasagna and tomato salad and possibly some chocolate cake!!!  And once again, I offer all thanksgiving to my God and Father who has given me much these past twenty-nine years.  He has given me abundantly more than all I could ask or imagine.  He has forgiven me much.  My God has forgiven me everything.  And in that great beauty and profound love i rejoice! 

Peace, my friends.  Peace and love.  Always.

Land’s End

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! Here at Starbucks just finishing up my coffee and about to head out again pretty soon…needed some internet time(really, mostly just to update my phone apps and write some messages to people that I haven’t talked to in far too long!). Also got some reading time done(Colossians commentary by MacArthur to prepare for next Tuesday community group!) so a most productive coffee place time indeed. I’m feeling a bit weary just now…woke up nice and late(7:30!!) and then went for a run along Buffalo Bayou…didn’t want to run too long since it was getting hot but I got six miles in! I’m going to be feeling it tomorrow though, since I haven’t run in almost two months. Hm. I really need to get back into a routine, but part of the problem is that I prefer to run on Saturday mornings and I’ve unfortunately(or fortunately, depending on your perspective!) been finding myself out of town for many of the past weekends.

Anyways, the rest of today is going to consist of cleaning my place and then cooking a proper dinner(homemade tomato sauce with spicy Italian sausage and peppers and onions, hello!) and having a restful evening. And most possibly reading a good book as well – after an extended break, think it’s high time I get back to reading Owen’s Communion with God. I’m pretty excited. Yes, I’m odd, I realise that! But truly, a relaxing weekend is most needed and I am very grateful that God has given me this time to rest! And some solid time to seek after God and worship Him and enjoy His presence in my life. Truly, to know Christ Jesus my Lord and to understand and immerse myself in His love for me – is there anything greater in this life?? So tonight I mean to meditate on the wonders and glories of Christ my Lord. It shall be beautiful.

Now my friends, I am off into this wondrously bright Houston afternoon. Be well. Peace and love!