Last night I tuned into the first episode of the new BBC drama serial "Life On Mars", it was touch and go because I was tempted to watch The Matrix on Channel 5. Dad wanted to watch the BBC drama as well however, so I decided to watch it with him. I'm glad I did, I was not disappointed.
Life On Mars is one of those "sore thumb" dramas that centres around an individual who finds him/herself in an unusual situation, where everybody else fits in except for them. Films/programmes with similar themes would include Back to the Future, Quantum Leap and Groundhog Day (I would say Buck Rogers as well but it's too cheesy).
Indeed, I would describe Life on Mars as a blend of ideas/influences that include Groundhog Day, The Sweeney, Back to the Future and Open Your Eyes/Vanilla Sky, and possibly Quantum Leap.
The hero of the story is DCI/DI Sam Tyler, a detective who after a bizarre car accident finds himself in what appears to be 1973. I say appears, because there is still a possibility (and this is made quite clear), that it is all a fantasy world that he has become trapped in while he lies in a coma in the 21st century. While he tries to figure out what is ACTUALLY going on, he finds himself becoming involved in solving the crimes of the day (the first one of which is directly linked to a crime he was working on in the 21st century - one with very personal high stakes, his girlfriend was kidnapped by a murderer following the same pattern. Along with this he has to cope with the culture clash (sexism is rife, the M6 motorway does not exist, mobiles phones do not exist ( a source for at least two jokes in the script), vinyl is the only available music format, the dawn of modern forensics and the computer age is yet to radicalise policework and most shockingly of all, diet coke is not yet available in local pubs.
At the end of the first episode, we are left wondering what is going on. Sam has interacted with at least one person in the 70's who he has met 30 years later, however we clearly see and hear glimpses of hospital activity which suggest he is in a coma. The logical conclusion for me at the moment is that both must be true. He has been transported back to the real 1970's, while he also lies in a coma in the 21st century. I do not think he will wake up until he has achieved what he was put in his abnormal situation to do (ala Groundhog Day and Quantum Leap).
The production values, script writing and acting are all of a high standard. Costumes and props all mirror the 70's era perfectly. I expect the programme to be a success because it contains elements of comedy, drama, suspense, science fiction and pure nostalgia - it has a very wide net to catch people with.
I wasn't born in 1973, I didn't make my debut on planet Earth until the following year, but I do have a few early memories of the seventies and I sincerely enjoyed this programme. Life on Mars continues at 9pm Monday on BBC 1.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Sunday, January 08, 2006
On the Edge
I am totally annoyed at the moment.
Just as I seem to have become accustomed once more to waiting on God and acquiring his wisdom, the enemy plays a joker.
Just as I seem to have become accustomed once more to waiting on God and acquiring his wisdom, the enemy plays a joker.
I have known for some time, that a colleague of mine claims to have psychic ability*. I try to pay this little heed as possible... as I am in the workplace, it is important to try and get along with your workmates. Unfortunately as of last week I wasn't afforded the usual luxury of doing that.
I was told that by them that they had a gut feeling about the time of July, that I would find something substantial in the area of relationships (this distressed me greatly because I will see someone who I have been keen on around this time). "Oh Great!" I thought, "Now if anything does come along around that time, I will have to dismiss it!" For that would be my normal tactical response. I am that focussed on doing the right thing by my faith, that I would scupper any attempt to enter something that might seem to endorse a practice I am spiritually opposed to.
My mother is annoyingly superstitious. There was a time several years ago, where purely to spite the notion of Friday the 13th being unlucky... I asked a girl out on that fateful night.
That turned out really well.
6 ½ years later I emerged, bruised, battered and largely scathed form a relationship that did nothing positive for me as a person. So I'm learning that it is dangerous to make bold swooping gestures with your life... just to make minor theological points.
Back to my current situation and I found myself a little stressed by it. So I took it to God. He knows that I am having to wait on him in that situation and he also knows how fragile I am in doing that.
A scripture was put on my heart:
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:1-5
I feel that God is really encouraging me to not jump to any decisions. I feel he is saying that if I do ANYTHING either positive or negative regarding that information, I am giving it power. It doesn't matter if my intentions are honourable or not. You see, it's not good enough for us as Christians to run away from that which we know is not from God... it is far more important that we learn to follow the direction that God gives us as well.
I feel God is saying I should just ignore what I was told completely and not act either way according to it, becaue if I do I'm not responding to his voice. It may be that he also chooses that time to bless me, but I am to listen for his voice and trust him to make it known clearly to me. He may come earlier, he may come later... but I have to hear his voice in this.
Do you know what? Maybe that's why I require the wisdom I spoke of two days ago. Maybe in this area of my life I am not wise enough to pick up on God's direction and I need to train myself to hear him better.
If I can master this, life will be so much better. I am so tired of having to flit around trying to please God by relying too heavily on my intuition. It will be a release to be at a point where I just chill and don't think too much about the consequence of every possible outcome and evantuality. I think maybe I'm loading myself down unnecessarily and am missing out on the enjoyment in life that God seeks to give. The more you lean on God, the more you find that the following is true:
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."" Isaiah 30:21
That is the strength we all require and that is the strength I seek in this area of my life. My prayer is that I can achieve this.
For those of you who pray, I ask that you pray for help to forget that which does not help me.
May God bless you with the strength to rest.
N
*Brief Update as of 9th January. I felt it was important to point out that I don't have an issue with the person who made this statement - only what was said, because it runs contrary to my personal beliefs and moral code.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Wisdom is the Way
A few days ago I promised to explain a revelation I had about wisdom. However, first I need to take you back to the Proverbs quote that had been giving me trouble last year:
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
Over the past few nights, I have been having dreams that took me back to the time I was suffering emotionally and struggling with that verse. Unsurpringly because of this, I found it was hard going for a week or so.
Now, on New Year's Day I have a tradition of finding a quiet moment to comit the coming year to God. This year, I chose to do that in the church I attend - while nobody else was there.
I spent time talking over the things that had bothered me with God. I felt compelled to read up on the life of Isaac. It quickly became apparent to me that Isaac's life as recorded in Genesis; was one of waiting on God. He didn't go after a wife, God brought a wife to him. When the going got rough in Canaan, he didn't head for Egypt; he waited because God said he would bless him in the land he was in.
This is something God laid on my heart. That I don't need to strive to earn or achieve the things and blessings he has for me. What is required of me is that I spend time deepening my experience of and relationship with The Lord.
Waiting is something that doesn't come naturally to me. When things go quiet I'm always guessing the figures and pulling the puzzles apart. In a true sense, that's not waiting, that's keeping yourself occupied to avoid waiting. I spoke the other day about Jesus valuing Mary's resting in his presence over Martha's labouring in the kitchen. I need to rest in God's presence and spend the time resting in him.
I can either see the time I have now as a prison sentence or an opportunity. Up until recently I had been seeing it as a sentence - that every door I had tried was shut and barred, no matter which way I turned. However, I believe God will open those doors when the time is right. I also believe the correct thing for me to do now is to get wisdom. The Bible describes wisdom as being supreme... and worth more than rubies. King Solomon asked God for it... and God honoured that request by blessing him in more conventional ways too.
In Church that day, I found another verse which backs up what I have been saying and which also responds to the Proverb I have struggled with:
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
Over the past few nights, I have been having dreams that took me back to the time I was suffering emotionally and struggling with that verse. Unsurpringly because of this, I found it was hard going for a week or so.
Now, on New Year's Day I have a tradition of finding a quiet moment to comit the coming year to God. This year, I chose to do that in the church I attend - while nobody else was there.
I spent time talking over the things that had bothered me with God. I felt compelled to read up on the life of Isaac. It quickly became apparent to me that Isaac's life as recorded in Genesis; was one of waiting on God. He didn't go after a wife, God brought a wife to him. When the going got rough in Canaan, he didn't head for Egypt; he waited because God said he would bless him in the land he was in.
This is something God laid on my heart. That I don't need to strive to earn or achieve the things and blessings he has for me. What is required of me is that I spend time deepening my experience of and relationship with The Lord.
Waiting is something that doesn't come naturally to me. When things go quiet I'm always guessing the figures and pulling the puzzles apart. In a true sense, that's not waiting, that's keeping yourself occupied to avoid waiting. I spoke the other day about Jesus valuing Mary's resting in his presence over Martha's labouring in the kitchen. I need to rest in God's presence and spend the time resting in him.
I can either see the time I have now as a prison sentence or an opportunity. Up until recently I had been seeing it as a sentence - that every door I had tried was shut and barred, no matter which way I turned. However, I believe God will open those doors when the time is right. I also believe the correct thing for me to do now is to get wisdom. The Bible describes wisdom as being supreme... and worth more than rubies. King Solomon asked God for it... and God honoured that request by blessing him in more conventional ways too.
In Church that day, I found another verse which backs up what I have been saying and which also responds to the Proverb I have struggled with:
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed."
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed."
(Proverbs 3:13-18)
See that last bit? Compare that to the Proverbs 13 scripture!
Finally, there is an old saying:
When the idea is not right, God says "No."
When the time is not right, God says "slow."
When you are not right, God says "Grow."
When all is right, God says "Go."
Though I've often grown tired of waiting, God has only deferred my hope not cancelled it - his reasons are his own. The place where I looked the above words up also had the following note:
Gods delays are not God's denials.
I wish to leave you with that thought and with one final bit of wisdom from the Psalms:
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Year, New Bible, New Age
I know what you probably thought when you read that but no, I'm not putting all my beliefs in a cosmic blender together with eastern mysticism.
What I meant was that I actually have managed to replace my NIV Study Bible, the one that I "lost" in Coventry Cathedral. I hope that one finds a new home with someone who needs it and can make use of the verses I emphasised. It's funny you know, up until recently I had viewed the loss of my Bible as a negative thing to me personally... that particular book had been with me a pretty long time; I was familiar with it and it was like an old friend. However, t I've come around to looking at the situation quite differently.
I'm one of those Christians who attacks his Bible with a highglighter pen; I highlight verses of personal importance to both myself individually and the currrent Church generation generically. I feel that God is using this as another opportunity to remind me of how different I am to the person and even the Christian I had been up until a couple of years ago. I think he is saying that I am learning completely different lessons now, and I have new promises and blessings to receive... new frontiers to explore. My old Bible was one of the last links I had to my past faith, the time when I was as spiritually bruised, battered and broken as that Bible had become.
Now I start afresh.
Many verses I highlight now, will be different to the ones from before. Some of the old ones might not be highlighted this time around.
Recently I was reminded about King Arthur. A lot of people mistakenly assume that he had Excalibur from the very beginning. In fact, the sword in the stone was the Sword of Britain. It was only when the Sword of Britain was lost to him, that Merlin took him To the Lady of the Lake to receive Excalibur. This new Bible shall be like Excalibur to me.
It's another step along the freshly provided path and it comes at a time when I believe God is challenging me to grow. Wisdom is the Way. I will explain when I have more time... but for now, I leave you with that thought...
Wisdom is The Way.
What I meant was that I actually have managed to replace my NIV Study Bible, the one that I "lost" in Coventry Cathedral. I hope that one finds a new home with someone who needs it and can make use of the verses I emphasised. It's funny you know, up until recently I had viewed the loss of my Bible as a negative thing to me personally... that particular book had been with me a pretty long time; I was familiar with it and it was like an old friend. However, t I've come around to looking at the situation quite differently.
I'm one of those Christians who attacks his Bible with a highglighter pen; I highlight verses of personal importance to both myself individually and the currrent Church generation generically. I feel that God is using this as another opportunity to remind me of how different I am to the person and even the Christian I had been up until a couple of years ago. I think he is saying that I am learning completely different lessons now, and I have new promises and blessings to receive... new frontiers to explore. My old Bible was one of the last links I had to my past faith, the time when I was as spiritually bruised, battered and broken as that Bible had become.
Now I start afresh.
Many verses I highlight now, will be different to the ones from before. Some of the old ones might not be highlighted this time around.
Recently I was reminded about King Arthur. A lot of people mistakenly assume that he had Excalibur from the very beginning. In fact, the sword in the stone was the Sword of Britain. It was only when the Sword of Britain was lost to him, that Merlin took him To the Lady of the Lake to receive Excalibur. This new Bible shall be like Excalibur to me.
It's another step along the freshly provided path and it comes at a time when I believe God is challenging me to grow. Wisdom is the Way. I will explain when I have more time... but for now, I leave you with that thought...
Wisdom is The Way.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year
So Happy New Year! You made it into 2006, congratulations. By now if you are lucky you will be receiving phone calls , text messages or e-mails wishing you well for the next run of 365 days.
Whenever we enter a new year I am always reminded of the lyrics to the U2 song "New Year's Day":
Whenever we enter a new year I am always reminded of the lyrics to the U2 song "New Year's Day":
All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspapers says, says
Say it's true it's true...
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one
I...I will begin again
I...I will begin again
Oh...Maybe the time is right
Oh...maybe tonight...
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
And so we're told this is the golden age
And gold is the reason for the wars we wage
Though I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes
On New Year's Day
For me that song is all about the anticipation of Jesus' second coming. The tentative waiting, the endless hope that maybe tonight... Jesus will come back again. You might think it's all hocus pocus... that's your perogative. You might think we have never had it so good and that we are living in a golden age. I believe Jesus will return one day, more than this I believe he longs to be with you in in your heart now. We live in a world of immense beauty, but it is also a world full of violence, pain and sorrow. Thankfully it won't always be so.The Bible's "New Year" begins with Jesus' return. In it we are promised:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. (Revelation 21:3-6)
The great thing is, you don't have to wait till then to experience some of this. God longs to be with you, be with you night and day. The question for you this New Year's Day is... will nothing change?
You have a chance to make your own world in white get underway.
So Happy New Year to you, in every context I can express. May God bless you in 2006. May he wipe away any tears of 2005, or perhaps longer. May joy find a place in your heart from this day forth. May you prosper and find friendship with God and man alike.
Happy New Year... Happy New Year.
N
You have a chance to make your own world in white get underway.
So Happy New Year to you, in every context I can express. May God bless you in 2006. May he wipe away any tears of 2005, or perhaps longer. May joy find a place in your heart from this day forth. May you prosper and find friendship with God and man alike.
Happy New Year... Happy New Year.
N
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)