Terra Nova

People are laughing at me! The reason? I have become hooked on Fox's new series Terra Nova. Ok, I admit that this digitally driven fantasy show is simply Jurassic Park for TV, but there is something about a dying world given the chance for new life that resonates with me.

The premise? The year is 2149 and the earth is dying because of man's environmental and technological abuse. A pathway is found to the prehistoric past where a selected few might give humanity a new start by joining a colony called Terra Nova. Though all arrive with high expectations and a renewed vision for life, trouble still lurks (enter man's sinful nature in the form of greed, corruption, and power, as well as some pretty nasty dinos!). These colonist (exemplified by the Shannon family who has all the baggage of a modern day family, including the intricacies of parenting teenagers) seek to forge a new life in a new world with some age old problems.

In some ways I guess this show reminds me of what it means to be a Christ-Follower in a fallen world. Though we, as those who have come to know Jesus in a personal way, have been rescued from a dying world, and have been brought into a new Kingdom, get a new chance to do life over, we still live in a dangerous and imperfect world. We are learning how to navigate this new life we have in Christ amongst those who give no credence to the Kingdom of God and are still dead in their sins. Yet our mission in this new life is more than just survival, but colonization. Colonization became a dirty word in relation to Christianity during the age of discovery from the 15th to 17th centuries, with politics and religion working together for the subjugation of indigenous peoples, but that is not the kind I am talking about here.

We, as believers, are in the business of colonizing Terra Nova, or "New Earth". And it is this new earth that is promised in scripture for those who believe.

The Apostle John speaks of this new earth in Revelation 21:1. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." This future new earth is reserved for those who have come into a faith relationship with the God of the universe through His Son Jesus Christ. As followers of His, we are called to share the good news of His kingdom so that others, marred and dying in a fallen world might find the pathway to new life in Him, and, to this eternal place of rest and relationship with our Savior.

So, Christian, what are you doing today to help others find the pathway to eternal life? Are you looking to share the good news of Jesus with those who need a new beginning? Are you helping them find Terra Nova?

Christmas Time

Well, it is Christmastime in the City. As we celebrate with family and friends this week, may remember how precious the gift of the Incarnate One and his call to influence others for His glory and fame. May the celebration of His birth usher in new life in the lives of many. God bless this Christmas time.

Final Day in London

What an incredible week. I am blessed to have been apart of it. I have traced steps I have always heard and read about, and relived history by visiting the places it happened.

So what does this mean regarding leadership (the purpose of my PhD)? First, it reminds me that leadership is not a new concept and seeking leadership lessons from the past is critical for leading in the future. Second, leadership is costly as decisions made may affect generations to come. Third, leadership does not exist in a vacuum, but is a living breathing discipline requiring wisdom, flexibility, and faith.

I have enjoyed my time in the UK, but on this Independence Day am reminded of the blessing it is to live in America. I am looking forward to getting home (albeit a short respite before Brazil) and sleep in my own bed, talk to my family for under .99 per minute, and eat something that is fried. God bless the USA! Cherri-o.

P.S.- Posted are some pictures from John Wesley's Chapel, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the British Museum. Stay tuned for the Brazil '09 blog starting on July 9th. Thanks for following me this week.

The Queen is Home!

Windsor Castle. What a sight. All English and British monarchs have lived in this castle since William the Conquerer. And today one was on sight. The Queen was in residence today at Windsor. We, of course, did not see her, and was not invited up for tea, but her standard flew above the castle indicating her presence. What a grand idea. Royalty dwelling close! (see Philippians 2).

We were able to experience the changing of the guard. What a wonderful experience. The guard band actually played several traditional pieces along with the theme to "Austin Powers". Everybody enjoyed!

Went to the Trout Inn for dinner, a local haunt for C.S. Lewis when he was at Oxford. Wonderful meal celebrating my friend Mark's 30th Birthday. I actually had a pint (of lemonade that is!). Beautiful day, wonderful friends, and a gracious God. What more could you ask for?

Back to London tomorrow. Then home on Sunday.

Cambridge

Journeyed to Cambridge today to see the University of Cambridge. Seems silly that we think we are an old country when this "upstart" university is celebrating their 800 year anniversary this year. Makes 250 years seem like nothing.

On our way we stopped by the American Cemetery at Cambridge. Almost 4,000 American sailors and airmen are buried here. They primarily served in the North Atlantic Theatre during World War II, though some from the African Theatre are here also. The University of Cambridge donated the land for the cemetery in 1944. Being the my uncle, though I obviously never knew him, was killed in the European Theater (The Battle of the Bulge), this visit had a special meaning to me. It again highlighted the significant price many paid and still pay for our freedom.

Had a fine time in Cambridge. Saw the chapel at King's College. Very impressive.

I am having US withdrawls. Went to get a strawberry shake at Burger King tonight.

On to Windsor Castle tomorrow.

Here's what I learned in "Crazy Love" today. "God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through." Isaiah 58:2-14. Blessings!

A Wicked Adventure

Yesterday was an adventure to remember. After a morning of seminar, we took a tour surrounding the lives of the "Inklings", the literary group comprised of C.S. Lews, J.R.R. Tolkien, Warnie Lewis, and others. We traced their steps from pubs to colleges and saw where The Hobbit was written.

That evening four of us ventured from the safe confines of Oxford into the London nightlife to attend the theatre to see the production of "Wicked". As the Brits say, "Brilliant!". We started the adventure by getting on the wrong train (we got on the slow one and not the express), and then took a harrowing cab ride through the streets of London.

Needless to say, it was all worth it as the performance was the best I have seen. Well, off to Cambridge today. Cherri-0.

A Birthday in London

Well, it only took me 40 years, but I made it to London. What a wonderful day (sans the traffic). I had a blast celebrating my birthday with good friends in a city I have always wanted to visit. Word of the celebration of my birth must have spread, because they had bands playing at Buckingham Palace. The Queen herself was in town, and today, history was made as a military unity just returned from Afghanistan was allowed into Parliament (no, really, this is the first time in British history that such an event has occurred, and British history is considerably longer than ours).

All kidding aside, I am humbled and grateful for so many family and friends who have sent well wishes today. I love you very much.

May God be more glorified in my life in the days to come.

P.S.- The shot of Big Ben is for my girls and the nondescript building at the top is for all Bond fans (Hint: It's MI-6).