It’s Wednesday. I think. I keep wanting it to be Thursday, but I’m 98% sure it’s not. Is anyone else having as much trouble keeping up with the days of the week?

At least I know for sure that it’s November. Oh wait. It’s October. Dang it!

But I woke up this morning. I enjoyed a roof over my head and more than enough food to sustain me. I had reliable transportation to and from my job.

So there’s that.

I think that qualifies as a pretty good day.

“So they stoned Stephen while he called upon God, and said, ‘Jesus, Lord, receive my spirit!’

Then, on his knees, he cried in ringing tones, ‘Lord, forgive them for this sin.’ And with these words he fell into the sleep of death” (Acts 7:59-60, J. B. Phillips).

The next time you’re finding it difficult to forgive a family member or friend over something done to you, remember that Stephen was able to forgive those who were in the very act of stoning him to death.

Let that sink in.

That’s next level forgiveness.

That’s the kind of forgiveness that doesn’t come with human effort. There’s no amount of strength or willpower you or I could summon up that could bring us to be able to forgive this way.

Think of Jesus, who said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do,” as a prayer for the ones who were in the middle of murdering Him.

I could never forgive like that. But if the Life of Jesus resides in me through the power of the crucifixion and resurrection, if the Spirit of Jesus indwells in me, then the power of next level forgiveness lies in me as well.

That doesn’t mean forgiveness is easy, but it’s possible. Remember no matter how hard it might be to forgive someone, it’s much harder to live under the weight and burden of unforgiveness and bitterness.

Forgive as your Heavenly Father has forgiven you. As you forgive others, so shall the Father forgive you.

It’s almost like a time machine back to 1984.

This book is a diary of sorts of the making of Doctor Who from the very beginning up to the year of publication. That means it covers the first six doctors.

It’s interesting to get some of the behind the scenes tidbits, as well as quotes from some of the actors and producers and writers who made it happen.

All that to say– yes, I’m a big nerd. And I’m proud of it.

In case you haven’t looked at a calendar recently, next Sunday is November 1. It’s also the day that we’re supposed to set our clocks back an hour. I’m not exactly sure why, but I believe it has something to do with farmers back in the days before electricity. Or something like that.

That means that there are a little over 2 months left in 2020. Most of you are probably glad to see this one end. It’s not been the easiest year ever. Or the sanest. Or the most logical.

But in a way I’m a little sad to see it end. Parts of 2020 have been nice. Like less traffic, for one. I also think that I’m more appreciative of community and fellowship than I was before the year started. But I am more than ready to see an end to the pandemic and all things social distancing and COVID.

Everybody gets to set their clocks back either on Saturday night (or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can wait for the actual time change at 2 am on Sunday). I for one plan on setting my clocks back to the 1980s when things made a lot more sense.

I’d only add one thing to this– if you’re not speaking to your parents or to your children, do absolutely everything in your power to make it right.

No matter what the pain they’ve caused you or that you’ve caused them, nothing can ever match the pain of regret, of not ever having the chance to make things right ever again.

That said, call your mom and dad. Call your kids. Let them know you love them. Say the words. Don’t assume they know it, even if you’ve told them a thousand times. Say the words. One day you’ll look back and be willing to give just about anything to go back and say those words one more time.

Let it be today.

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us” (Romans 8:31-39, The Message).

If I had a British accent, I’d probably never shut up.

That said, I have to confess my love for just about all things British.

They know how to make some good drama. After all, they’ve been at it a bit longer than we here across the pond.

I’m learning to appreciate all the different dialects and distinctions between Scottish, Welsh, and Irish. I’ve even learned to distinguish Yorkshire and Cockney and so forth. Anything automatically sounds 50% better in a British accent.

That said, if you can read the above list in a proper Yorkshire accent, you win the prize of the day.

I’m ready for all the pandemic talk to be in the past tense. I’m sick and tired of hearing about COVID-19, coronavirus, social distancing, masks, and anything else related to 2020.

I’m not going to close my eyes and shut my ears and pretend that it doesn’t exist anymore, but I’m ready for it to be truly and completely over. I don’t want anybody else to get sick (and especially I don’t want anyone else to die) from the virus.

I miss seeing people’s faces. I miss normal social interaction. I miss concerts and movies and festivals.

I’m trusting that this too shall pass. No pandemic lasts forever. No sickness, no illness, no virus lasts forever. Lord, may it be soon.

“I love my God, but with no love of mine for I have none to give; I love Thee, Lord, but all that love is Thine, for by Thy life I live. I am as nothing, and rejoice to be emptied and lost and swallowed up in Thee” (Madame Guyon).

“We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, AMP).

Thank you.

I’ll see myself out.