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.

I saw a post recently that bothered me. It was an article about an allegation of misconduct brought up against someone I used to know way back when. I don’t want to name names or go into the gory details, but I’m praying for two things: repentance and restoration.

I honestly don’t know if these allegations are true. I don’t know (and don’t want to know) any of the sordid details of the story. I just know the person accused had a good influence on me and helped me along the road to better understanding the grace of God.

I do know that God loves sinners. I know that Jesus expressly stated that He came not for the well but for the sick. I know that forgiveness is available to even the worst of the worst. Just ask the Apostle Paul and the thief on the cross next to Jesus.

Above all, I know what I am apart from the grace of God. I know that there’s nothing too evil or too depraved or too dark that I could not do apart from the love and saving grace of God. If the tables were turned and I were the one being accused, I hope he would show me the same mercy as I hope to show him.

People, even those who call themselves Christians, talk all the time about Karma and how certain people will certainly get what they deserve. I for one am hoping with every ounce of my being for grace and holding out that I don’t get what I deserve, because I know what that is apart from God’s lovingkindness.

I’m praying for the truth to win out. But more than that, I’m praying that mercy triumphs over judgment and that grace will have the last word.

What a long, strange year it’s been. I think I saw where today marked the 5th year that we’ve been stuck in 2020. And think of this– Halloween is two weeks away.

Now we’re getting to my favorite time of the year. That time when Halloween rolls into Thanksgiving, then into Christmas. Or in the retail world, it’s known as Hallowthanksmas.

I love that the weather is finally reflecting the season for once. It won’t be like years past where people were handing out candy and sweating in shorts and sandals. Of course, there will probably be no handing out of candy this year, but at least people can comfortably wear flannel if they want.

I plan to watch a scary movie or two. I also hope to catch the iconic Charlie Brown Halloween special. I may or may not eat my weight in candy (preferably chocolate) this time around.

I’m just glad that it’s fall.