First Star Disappearing

     It's not every day a fairy tale comes to life. In all honesty, the happy endings and princess stories always felt a little far fetched. But I still fully believe in them and that's where my story really begins. Let me back up. My name is Keira Calhart and I am in love with a Lost Boy from the land of Forgeame. Confused yet? Don't worry. I'll explain a bit more. When I graduated from high school, I headed off to University in the town I grew up in. However, university seemed to be the beginning of the end for me. All my friends had fled the town to go to their respected schools in the far off reaches of the world and I was stuck in the role of home town girl. It didn't matter how many times my parents told me God had a plan and he knew what he was doing, I was still determined to be miserable. How was I supposed to have fun when none of my friends were there? I was shy and quiet. What if I failed? What if I couldn't find any of my classes?  What if I couldn't make friends? What if I found out that I actually just sucked at life in general? 
    But God did in fact have a plan. When I got to University, something amazing happened. There was a guy there who basically changed my world. Now before you judge me entirely, I was never one of those girls who defined herself by guys. I never dated in high school. I could hardly even speak around the ones who I thought were cute and I was interested in. It was all white noise in my head when I was in front of them and nothing would get through. Yet Peter Augustus Pan managed to make it through. But Peter wasn't normal. He lived First Star to the Left and Straight onto Dusk in the land of Forgeame. Think Neverland but different, much different. It's a land filled with Pirates and Mermaids but it's also filled with Trivilics, Zonkas, Elephbests, Elves, Unicorns and Centaurs.
      When I had met Peter and his best friend, Arthur Dodger, they were so secretive about their past until I was ready. After all, if he had come up to me the first day I saw him in Math class with his disheveled blonde hair and bright blue eyes and told me he was from a magical land in the stars and that he could fly, I think I probably would have found him insane because it does sound insane. But he pursued me carefully and patiently. Yet I was waiting for adventure. I craved adventure so the idea of flying off into the stars with a Lost Boy was incredible. He took me to Forgeame where he grew up with other Lost Children in which we had an otherworldly battle against the Trivilics and the evil elves, Aragun and Havelen for the good of Forgeame. I also got to ride a dragon named Firenze. I was officially a rock star.
     But today all the adventures of Forgeame seem a lifetime ago. It's been six years since I met Peter and his best friend, Dodger. Both guys turned my world upside down in different ways. Dodger became my protector and Peter, my best friend. As a surprise to no one, after we graduated University, Peter asked me to marry him with my parents' blessing, of course. I'll admit my parents don't know everything about Peter's past. There were some small things invented about him. How would they have felt about knowing that their daughter was marrying someone from another world? But being from Seattle sounded legit and they've always accepted that as truth.
      It's been a full year since we were married. We decided to move down to Seattle just to see how things would go. Peter got an internship with a Marketing Company and has done really well. Me? Well, I got a job working with a Theatre company just working in the box office. Now, I realize that it doesn't sound amazingly exciting but I'm hoping to help with their advertising department soon. Besides, Peter and I get to see all the free shows that we want.
     But enough of the past. Friday had come, finally. I walked into the house after a long week of work, ready to crash into my comfy clothes and chill out for the evening. I found Peter already home, lounging on the couch dressed in black dress pants, blue dress shirt and tie. Seeing me, he bounced out of his seat and grabbed a package off the table and tossed it over to me.
     "What's this?" I asked.
      "Just open it," he said with a grin.
       I was wary. I mean, I'm all for free gifts but why he was all dressed up when I was ready for a night in was at the least confusing. Opening the package, I found a super refined and pretty black dress. I glanced up at him confused as he sauntered over to me, light shining in his eyes.
      "I know we said a quiet night in but I was thinking we could try out the new restaurant on Fifth Avenue."
     I looked up at him skeptically.
     "No strings attached, just a nice night. We have reservations at eight," he said before he gave me a kiss and plopped himself back onto the couch.
     I gave him a look before I looked over the dress again.
     "It's beautiful. Thanks, Peter. I'll go try it on," I said as I walked into our room.
     Naturally, it fit perfectly. One thing I appreciated about the Lost Boys is that they had been trained in many wonderful ways of being a gentleman that Earth boys should probably learn.
     When I came back out of the room, Peter was quite pleased as he grabbed my hand and we headed out the door. So much for the relaxing night at home I had been hoping for. But I knew the night wouldn't be boring. Life with Peter was never boring. He always had something up his sleeve. But as we got in the car, Peter's phone went off. It was a text from his best friend and fellow Lost Boy, Dodger. We hadn't heard from him in ages. He and his fiancé, Lana, had graduated the same time as Peter and I but instead of getting married right away, Dodger decided to move to California with Lana where she grew up to get to know her family better. It was admirable and like everything Dodger did, he did it intensely and with loads of purpose.
     "What is it, Peter?" I asked.
      Peter shook his head and shrugged.
      "It's a bit cryptic. It's just the password to the fortress followed by the name Sawyer."
    I was confused as well. Sawyer had been the leader of the Lost Boys before he headed off to Earth to pursue an Australian girl and Dodger took over as the leader.
      "It's probably just an idea of a Dodger joke. He's probably just bored."
      I nodded and let it slide. Peter was probably right. It would be like Dodger just to send something random over text to say hi. He was the least sentimental of our lot.
     That night, Peter and I had a fabulous dinner at the new Italian restaurant in downtown and enjoyed the cool autumn night as we walked down to Pike's Place. But something was stirring. Both of us could feel it in the air. As we looked up at the night sky, Peter's face clouded with concern. I prodded him a bit.
     "I can't see it," he said.
      "See what?"
      "The star."
      "It's probably just because of the city air."
      "Maybe," he said putting his arm around me.
      Nothing more was said that night but I could tell that Peter still felt uneasy. It was a rarity that he mentioned anything about Forgeame and the ability to travel to his childhood home. But after the text from Dodger, I kind of understood.
      Getting ready for bed that night, I came out of the bathroom only to see Peter flying around the room. Something he hadn't done for a few months now.
      "What the heck are you doing?"
      He looked at me with concern in his eyes.
      "Can you still do it as well?"
     Silly question. Of course I could. To prove it, I lifted off the ground just a few inches which seemed to calm him just a bit.
     "Okay, just checking."
      I smiled as we both got into bed. I could feel Peter still tense next to me.
      "Peter, seriously, stop the freaking out. I'm sure everything's fine. Just a Dodger joke. Flying still works. You are fine."
     Peter nodded, still deep in thought. I gave him a kiss before I turned over and went to sleep rather quickly. When I opened my eyes much later and very sleepily, something was wrong. Something was definitely different. Our bed felt different. Looking at the night stand, my clock and lamp had changed. The wall wasn't right. In fact, the room wasn't right. I turned over to wake up Peter. But turning over, I gasped and nearly screamed. My gasp woke him up. Followed by absolute terror on his face. Next to me was not my husband. It was one of his best friends, Oliver. We both stared at each other for a moment.
     "Keira?"
      "Hi, Oliver. Any idea how I got here?"
      "No idea. Any idea where my wife is?"
      I shook my head. I think Peter was right. Something was going on in the realm of Forgeame and somehow it had transported me across the Atlantic to London and into the house of Oliver and his wife Lucy. What the heck?!!!

The lessons I learned from the Doctor

The Doctor: I wanted to be ginger! I've never been ginger. And you, Rose Tyler! Fat lot of good you were. You gave up on me! Oo! That's rude. Is that the sort of man I am now? Am I rude? Rude and not ginger.
Sycorax Leader: Who exactly are you?
The Doctor: Well, that's the question. I don't know! See that's the thing. I'm the Doctor. But beyond that I just don't know. I literally do not know who I am. It's all untested. Am I funny? Am I sarcastic? Sexy? Right old misery? Life and soul? Right-handed, left-handed? A gambler, a fighter, a coward, a traitor, a liar, a nervous wreck? I mean judging by the evidence I've certainly got a gob.

     What I love most about television, books, and movies is how often God uses those things to teach me about him, about myself, about my faith, and other important life lessons. I've been known quite often to use Lord of the Rings in all sorts of ways from classroom presentations to faith lessons. But Lord of the Rings isn't the only thing he has used. As cheesy as perhaps it may sound, God has shown up in Doctor Who quite a few times. Here are the five lessons I've learned about the regeneration of the Spirit from one of the most iconic British Shows of the last fifty years. For those who aren't familiar with Doctor Who, he's a time traveler who travels around in a blue police box called a Tardis. When he gets wounded or close to death, he can regenerate and essentially becomes a brand new person.

Lesson Number One: Regeneration is painful but brings so much freedom
     In the show, as the picture shows, the Doctor regenerates. He leaves behind his old face, his old mannerisms, and sometimes his old friends as well. When we become Christians, God also works a process of regeneration in our lives. The thing of it is the Doctor never really wants to go. He knows what is going to happen; that he will become a new man. Even though he knows he must go, it's still a fight. In much the same way, we know we must let God perform that regeneration in our lives. It may been a painful process. It may mean giving up things we don't really want to give up, it could mean all sorts of things but the thing is, once we've given those things over, there is so much more freedom that comes. We become a new person, a freer person, and a person who is able to see the world in a new God centered way.

Lesson Number Two: Regeneration must be complete
     We must let God do a full work on our hearts. If we only regenerate a hand or a foot, what good would that do? If the Doctor only regenerated part way, then he would be carrying those bits of him that are still unclean, that are still wretched, and that are still sick. We need to let God work fully in our lives. If we want to change and become the person we need to be in Christ, we must let the regeneration work all the way through to every part of us.

Lesson Number Three: Regeneration is a choice
      There was an episode during the David Tennant years that he has a choice whether to go through the whole regeneration process or not. If he is not near his time machine (the Tardis), then if he did come to the point of death, he would die. He has a choice in that moment whether to regenerate or just die. In the same way, we also have a choice. We can chose whether we let God work in our hearts or we harden our hearts and choose not to. But again, if we choose to let God do what he needs to, then the results will be beautiful. We will be healed and given a greater sense of freedom in the process.

Lesson Number Four: We must be plugged in to the source for any work to be done.
     As mentioned in Lesson Number Three, the Doctor without the Tardis, means nada on the regeneration and transformation. But with the Tardis, he can survive. In the same way, we must be plugged into our source. We cannot do it in our own strength. If we try, we will absolutely fail. Nothing in our power allows us to do anything. We can try to change but our change may last for an hour or until the next hardship or the next person annoys us or does something we don't like. But if we are plugged into the power source, then that source can change, mold, and reshape us into who we need to be.

Lesson Number Five: We will receive a new identity.
    Referring to the quote, the Doctor having newly regenerated, isn't sure who he is. His identity is called into question. But the thing is when God regenerates us, our identity is not ours. God gives us his identity. We are his children, his workmanship, and his heirs. So therefore, he shows us who we are. He gives us a new identity, a Christ centered identity. Our reputation is his. It's amazing! He shows us who we are in Christ. We no longer have to question our identity and who we are but the more we walk with him, the more he will show up and show us exactly who he has made us to be.

    Alas, I admit that pulling deep lessons of faith from Doctor Who may seem a little silly to some people but the truth of the matter is God has given us a new identity when he regenerates us. We must choose to accept and walk in the newness of what God has given us. If we shun that moment, in all honesty, we are quite silly. Regeneration, brokenness and renewal brings freedom. God calls us to walk in it and find out exactly who we are. So let us as the Doctor regenerates, let us also allow the source to regenerate our souls and truly make a difference in our lives.

From the Depression to the Depression

   My grandmother lived through the Depression, World War II, the 1950's and every other world event since then. The Depression and the War defined her young adult life. She traveled from Canada to England when she was nineteen years old, a trip that took her five days by boat. Soon after, World War II began. When Grandma was growing up, televisions were not in every room, the internet didn't exist, snail mail was normal and air travel was still in its very early stages.
    Flash forward to my mother who lived through the Kennedy Assassination, MLK Jr, Assassination, The First Moon Walk, and the Vietnam War, and every other world event since. Telephones and televisions were slowly making their way into homes. Women's fashion was advancing from dresses and skirts to trousers. The Beatles were a very popular thing and the Hippie Movement was sweeping the States.
     Then I came along. I've lived through the death of Princess Diana, three very different presidents in Clinton, Bush, and Obama, 9/11 and all the subsequent wars. We now have mobile phones instead of landlines, email and internet are our main ways of communication  and social media is a way of life, and we're still in so many wars.
      What my grandmother, my mother, and I have all experienced in our lifetimes is vastly different. We've also experienced different collective world events as well which have shaped our lives and the way we see the world. My grandmother has seen communication and travel change vastly. My mother has seen so many wars in her time. I have watched as the art of conversation has slowly declined to simply Facebook statuses.
     It's an amazing thing to talk with my grandmother and my mother about how they see the world. My grandmother never finished high school but was successful and driven. She worked in many different industries but she succeeded in what she did. My mother went to university and has had one real career since she graduated. I went to university, eventually found a big girl job that really wasn't in what I majored in, but decided to leave that job for a time to do missions. I've traveled Europe, Australia, and most of North America. My mother has seen a lot of North America and my grandmother the same.
     We've also experienced different waves of Christianity as well. My grandmother grew up in a time of strict religiosity. There was no dancing and there was no card playing. You dressed up for church and it was a priority.  My mother went through the no dancing thing but also there was no drinking at all either. The Jesus movement was a very real thing for her. My generation has floundered around a bit, questioning the idea of religion and we've moved toward the belief that being in the world and not of the world is better so we dance and we may have a glass of wine as long as we don't get too crazy.
     But the thing is each of our experiences and the world events that we have witnessed and lived through have shaped the values we live by. My grandmother is 98. The way she was raised through the Depression and WWII has brought her to a point of intense generosity but also a place where appearance is important as well. My mother is a product of the baby boom so they've been taught that security is in their retirement and they must retire at the proper age and then move to a warmer climate. To be honest, my generation? We are the questioning generation and the most impatient generation. We question the media, we question authority, and we question religion. We want things immediately and are not willing to wait for much.
     So what of it? Well, there are lessons to be learned. I love my grandmother and my mother so much. They provide me with much wisdom and they bring a different perspective to my life. I seek advice from them because they have lived so much life before me. But at the same time, I must realize where they've come from and what God has brought them through. There have been many changes in my life and in the life of my parents and grandparents. What my brother and I have done and decided is vastly different from the ideals and expectations that my parents were told to live up to. We've broken structures whereas they were forced into them. My grandparents fought to have a good life, my parents kept the good life, and we move beyond it. It's incredible and it's amazing what a generation can do but it's also beautiful. Each of us have lived through such profound and unique things and they have defined us and how we live our lives. We may see the world and the plans that we want to accomplish differently but the things we can learn from each other are awesome. So take the time to talk. Do not let the art of conversation and the curiosity die.
     Ask the questions, find out the stories, and see what the generations before us have lived through. Stories are worth telling. Some mistakes should not be repeated. But we can only learn if we ask. Put on a pot of coffee, grab your parents and your grandparents and start a dialogue. What you will learn could be astounding.   

In and Not Of

    Have an eternal perspective . . . .we hear it all the time as Christians. We need to keep our eyes off of the world and off of the things that are of the world. In other words, we must be in the world and not of the world. The first time I heard this phrase was on the Avalon album "Testify to Love". The song literally was called "In and not of". As an eleven year old, I understood I was called to be different. I knew that when my friends lied to their parents or used "bad words", I was supposed to stand up against that and say it was wrong. Not only that, I was not supposed to participate in that at all.
     But it's not always an easy thing to do. You face rejection, you face being made fun of, you face being excluded. No one wants that. No one wants to be on the outside looking in. So how do we do what we are called to do while not feeling like we must live in Siberia?
     I could give the "church" answer. I could say all the things like we just need to pray and God will help. That God is all you need so who needs friends? But reality is we do need friends. We do need fellowship. So how do we live in the world, not participating in those things that break God's heart but not staying in our Christian bubbles? It can be so dangerous just to live amongst Christians and only interact with Christians. When we do this, we forget there are people who are lost and do need us to speak truth to them. There are people who do not know Christ and who need us to be the light of the world. Jesus calls us to be the light of the world and salt of the earth. It may sound a little funny but to be the salt of the earth means that we add taste to the world. We add the seasoning to the bland darkness overshadowing the world. So we must be in the world. We must live in it but we must not be of it. We must rise above the corruption and against the strongholds holding the world back.
     But how? How do we keep that perspective and not alienate people? How do we do that and not just stay in our Christian bubbles? We become real people. We become real people with real faults, real problems, and real trials. We reach out to those who are lost and we let them know that we too struggle. We don't stay in our Christian bubbles pretending everything is awesome but instead we step out into the world as God has called us to do. We pour into Christ and he will give us the strength to walk in the world and not fall. We can never do it on our own strength but only with the help of Jesus. For as it says in Jude 1:24: "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory majesty dominion and authority before all time and now and forever."
     Indeed we must live with an eternal perspective but that eternal perspective must keep us in the world. We must walk in such a way that's real and that draws people to Christ. If we do not do that, then we have failed in what we are called to do. Yes, I am excited to one day step into eternity and see Jesus face to face but while I'm here, I want to glorify him in everything I do and live in a way that makes him proud. I want to be in and not of.

I hide me far away from trouble
The world outside me grows darker by the day
So I promise to stay here close beside You
Surely God would want His children safe

Then in reading, how my eyes were opened
I find that He is leading us out into the world
Into the middle of fallen saints and sinners
Where a little grace is needed most

Come take the light to darker parts
Share His truth with hardened hearts
We are not like the world, but we can love it
Come bring the hope to hopeless men
Until the lost are found in Him

"In and not Of" Avalon -- Songwriters Grant Cunningham, Nickolas Gonzales