Tag: verse

That Old Story

James HoganLeave a comment

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up in life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

Bondservant

James HoganLeave a comment

…the gospel of God,
which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,
concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,
who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead,
according to the Spirit of holiness,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
through whom we have received grace and apostleship
to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles
for His name’s sake,
among whom you also
are the called
of Jesus Christ.
-Romans 1:1-6

Icing

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Saturday, friends!! I’m just going to write a few words….currently sitting on the floor at home, drinking my afternoon coffee(fifth cup of the day? Not bad for a Saturday!), snacking on pineapple and watching some Capitals/Islanders hockey playoff action(go Caps!!). Woke up a little earlier than normal, so have to confess I’m feeling a little sleepy now. Me and Ernie got breakfast and then went up to the Woodlands to check out the programs offered by Dallas Theological Seminary(they were having a special event there today). I may or may not be considering taking a few classes there in the fall…praying for wisdom on that, believe me. I sometimes feel it may be too much, trying to work full-time and take extra classes, but I would truly love to be in a place where I can be learning even more about our glorious God. So! We shall see where the Lord leads, and now it just comforts me to know that my future is in the hands of my God. I’ve been talking with an old friend that I haven’t spoken to in many many years, and she shared a verse that’s encouraged me deeply:

“For My thoughts are
not your thoughts,
nor are your ways
My ways,”
declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens
are higher
than the earth,
so are My ways
higher than your ways
and My thoughts
than your thoughts.

For as the rain and
the snow come down
from heaven,
and do not return there
without watering
the earth and
making it bear and sprout,
and furnishing seed to the sower
and bread to the eater;
so will My word be
which goes forth
from My mouth;
it will not return to Me empty,
without accomplishing what I desire,
and without succeeding
in the matter for which
I sent it.”
-Isaiah 55:8-11

Amen. And Amen. Have a most wonderful Saturday evening, dear friends!!!

Grey Velvet

James HoganLeave a comment

Quick early-morning-before-work post! Spent this morning having a lovely drive to work in the slowly falling rain…listening to my favorite music ever – Handel’s Messiah and sipping on my peppermint mocha…

Surely our griefs He himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

-Isaiah 53:4-6

Sons of Levi

James HoganLeave a comment

Evening!! I realised I haven’t written in here…in quite some time. So considered that remedied! Besides that, I really don’t have too much to say. It’s been a long Wednesday at work…and I’ve now made my tomato salad and I’m waiting for my fish-fillet-and-french-fry dinner to come out of the oven. It will be delicious – I so declare. Also going to watch a little ’24’, because sadly, never got to finish Season 3 when I was home for Christmas! (Of course, the parents finished it long ago) Therefore, this is a simple night of supper and Jack Bauer. Can’t really complain there. Then I just might have some coffee and read as I contemplate the goodness of our Lord. Yes. Yes, I think that sounds totally lovely. Peace!!

They will not hurt or destroy in
all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full
of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
Then in that day
The nations will resort to
the root of Jesse,
Who will stand as a signal
for the peoples;
And His resting place will be
glorious.

-Isaiah 11:9-10

Three to the Power of Three

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello my friends!!! I shan’t write too much now, for the hour is late. But I thought I’m required to write a few words, for today I celebrate my twenty seventh birthday. Yes, truly!! And though now I am slightly sleepy, I wanted to chronicle the day. (Shall I chronicle the year? I shudder at the thought!)

But enough rambling. Today’s been beautiful, mostly because it hasn’t been about me. I had a perfectly awesome time at church this morning, worshiping God along with my dear church family. Some quality songs were sung in adoration and praise to God(“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, “Be Thou My Vision”, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”…and “Bless the Lord, Oh my soul…”). A beautiful sermon was preached on the primacy and importance and clarity and power of God’s Word. And then got to eat lunch and talk with lots of people…I have been given many good friends. I am oh so grateful for the goodness of the Lord to me.

And afterwards, Chase was insistent that I come over to his house for Halo goodness! And I couldn’t really say no, so the afternoon was spent in epic Halo battling with Chase and others!! I must say, I think I almost hit my limit for Halo in one day! But it was awesome…I may have even placed second a few times. (No one touches Chase. No one) We ordered pizza for dinner and it was fantastic just being with people.

And then I drove home, talked to Mom and Dad for a bit on the phone(may have been third time of the day I got to talk to Dad!!) and just had lovely chat…again – I am blessed beyond measure for being given parents such as they. Truly.

And now I sit here and reflect(slightly sleepily, I confess!) on the day and the year and on all that God my Father has given me. I think of a year ago, in which I spent my birthday in Aberdeen with dear friends, friends who I treasure. Friends who I miss. I still think back on that brunch at Ruth and Zara’s with fondness, of the time I spent with John and Chris and Jo and Alec and Pip and Ruth and Zara…and we talked and we laughed and it was beautiful. How I was blessed.

And now, I’m living in Houston, and while I do indeed miss my friends, I am here now for a reason, and God has blessed me much here. He has given me friends and true brothers and sisters here, and I cannot doubt my God’s faithfulness to me. Never never. I spent today in the company of such dear people. I have been given much.

And I think of the most precious gift of all, that God has blessed me with salvation through His one and only Son. Who died and shed His blood for the forgiveness of my sins. And who was raised to life on the third day, triumphantly, eternally! I died with Christ. And I have been raised with Him. And so I have been given much. I have been given everything. How can I but love? How can I but offer my being – my very heart – to the One who is Lord of all, God of heaven and earth. I am known by Him. He is my Shepherd. And I follow Him. He knows me. And He loves me. And it is beautiful.

Now to Him who is able
to do exceeding abundantly
beyond all that we ask
or think, according
to the power that works
within us, to Him
be the glory in the
church and in Christ
Jesus to all generations
forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21