Spiritual Regeneration

and Doctor Who

By Guest Blogger: Darrell

Today we have a special treat for you sci-fi fans out there! Darrell wrote this article on spiritual growth and renewal based on the theme of Doctor Who! Enjoy and Thanks, Darrell! –Vinnie

All 13th versions of the Doctor

[Darrell Ellis] In 1963, the BBC in England premiered a new television series called “Doctor Who.”  The program is about a mysterious time traveler who calls himself simply “The Doctor.”  No first or last name, just “The Doctor” which of course begs the question “Doctor who?”  and thus the title of the TV series.

When the first actor who played The Doctor, William Hartnell, became to ill to continue playing the character, producers decided to give the role to another actor named Patrick Troughton.   They knew that children would never buy a new actor taking over the role without a good explanation.  So the show’s writers came up with the idea of “regeneration.”  Whenever The Doctor is about to die, every cell in his body is reborn, and he regenerates into a new doctor (and thus the old actor retires, and a new actor takes his place).  He has a new face, a new personality, but still, retains all his old memories of past adventures. 

The 11 (left) and 10th (right) and mysterious War Doctor (middle)

One of these actors, David Tennant, had a very memorable scene when he left the series to be replaced by Matt Smith.  On David Tennant’s final episode as the 10^th doctor, we see him sacrifice his life to save a friend.  Unfortunately, he knows the radiation he has just absorbed will kill him soon.  So in his last moments on Earth, he goes and revisits some old friends and begins making plans for his demise.  Ultimately, he goes home to his Tardis and in his final moments as the 10^th doctor, a teary-eyed doctor sobs “I don’t want to go!” just before his current body dies, and regenerates into the 11^th doctor, played by Matt Smtih.

A question we might ask though is why The 10th Doctor was so sad?  So upset?  He knew what would happen next.  He’d been there before.  The 10^th doctor had already regenerated ten other times, so he knew what was coming next.  Soon he would have a new body and could go on new adventures, and he would still remember all his old friends and past adventures.   The 10^th doctor had nothing to fear, he knew he wouldn’t actually die but instead would receive a brand new body and a new life.  So why did he cry out “I don’t want to go?”

The Doctor  (Jodie Whittaker is the first female Doctor)

We as humans often do the same thing.   As Christians, we know that as long as we have faith in Jesus, we’ll regenerate.  We too will someday have new bodies; we will regenerate into a perfect body that will never know death again.  If our faith is in Christ, we have nothing to fear.  If you found out tomorrow that you were going to die soon, would you feel the same way the 10^th doctor did?  Would you find yourself saying “I don’t want to go?”

The Apostle Paul called the degenerated self the old self or old man and counseled that we needed to let him go in order the become the new person we are to become (see Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:16-18). The Bible calls this being, “born again.” One of the great lessons we can learn from Doctor Who is that while dying to the old you and being regenerated into a new version is both somewhat scary and even sad in some ways, the truth is the new you is still you but only an improved you. It is amazing how the more the Doctor changes, the more he is still always the Doctor. Growth is scary, and different but is always makes us better versions of what God intended when he envisioned us, “In the beginning.”

The Doctor and Clara.

Fear of the unknown is a normal human response.   And even the doctor admitted to being scared at times.  One of my favorite Doctor Who quotes comes from the 3^rd doctor, Jon Pertwee, who said “Courage isn’t a matter of not being afraid.   Its being afraid, but doing what you have to do anyway.”  And with that same spirit, we should face every day with courage and face the fact that someday we too will meet the end of the road in our current bodies.  When that time comes, we shouldn’t say “I don’t want to go,” but instead look forward to the glorified bodies and eternity with Jesus that God has promised us.

Darrel Ellis, It guy by day, Superhero by night!
Seriously, the biggest Superman fan I know!

Darrell Ellis

is a fun loving I.T. professional. He loves God, Kathrine, Superman, and Doctor Who! Darrell is an accomplished guitarist and country music historian and one of the funniest guys you could ever want to meet!

*Doctor Who and all the images and ideas associated with it are the property of The BBC, and their use in the article is a “fair use” application only. Simplyvinnie.com makes no claim to ownership or property past illustrations purposes.

The famed 10th Doctor Regeneration aka “I don’t wanna go!”

Check out the regenerations of all the Doctors!

Darrell and his future wife Katherine (Kat) meet Jenna Coleman at a convention

The post Guest Blog: Regeneration and Doctor Who appeared first on Simply Vinnie - Unpacking The Complicated.

Keeping A Float With Noah:

Review Of The Noah Movie

By Vinnie MacIsaac

Critics loved it. Fans hated it. Click the image to read reviews for yourself.

Noah opened to great box office success but for many Christian’s it is was no success they could support.  To say it is not Biblical is an understatement. It is full of all kinds of folklore, myths, and eclectic tales of the deluge. Believe it or not, giant rock monsters who were really fallen angels seeking redemption by building the Ark was the least of my objections. Perhaps most troublesome was the fact the Noah was trying to keep people off the Ark not get them on! The truth is that Biblical or not it was overall a mediocre action movie. It was the kind of movie that high minded critics loved but the average moviegoer found it subpar and will not remember much after leaving the show. It promises the sky and gave you the pond.

The Good news is that even while not biblical it is a story the goes out of its way to highlight the following three theological truths that we Christians can celebrate 1) There was a worldwide flood 2) God offers Mankind free choice even when we don’t see it. 3) God is a God of forgiveness and second chances. These three points are made loud and clear and should be celebrated by all Christians watching the movie.

But to all those Christians out there complaining, calling for boycotts, and generally getting all up upset I have to ask; What did you expect? This is Hollywood (and I don’t mean that in a derogatory manner) not your church, or pulpit. If you want a solid biblical retelling of Noah to go to church and ask your, pastor, to preach a sermon on it. But if you go see a movie then expect Hollywood to make a movie that sells and fulfills box office standards not Biblical ones. Hollywood is not known for their robust Christian community that is dedicated to the cause of making Church approved movies. Nor does Hollywood owe Christians any kind of faithfulness to their worldview or understanding. They are about faithfulness to “profits” not “prophets.”

What bothers me even more than the gnostic folklore and eclectic extra-biblical material in this movie is the overt nonsensical negativity of some Christians. Ugh, must we be known always as the people who hate and disapprove of everything? Sigh, seriously guys, get a grip and be positive for once. You don’t have to agree with the movie to use it as a witnessing tool. Instead of telling people, “Noah is a horrible not Biblical movie don’t go!” why not instead say something like, “Hey did you see Noah? What were your thoughts? If you liked it I have a book I can give you that helps give it some more accurate details, but yeah, I am glad you liked it.”

Rock Monsters of Mythology where among the biggest gripes of Christians watching the movie.

While I wish the film had been more biblical, I am still ever so happy that Millions are rushing into theaters and contemplating the possibility of a Flood vs. Evolution. Can’t we find a way to capitalize off that rather than whine?  Keep afloat with Noah and use it to share a biblical account of the flood with someone.

PS. If you are a fan of the book “Patriarch and Prophets” by Ellen White be impressed it was likely to read and used in the making of the movie. There are three points in the movie from that book 1) pre-flood man was more advanced than we first thought 2) Man were originally vegetarian 3) Adam and Eve were surrounded by robes of light in the Garden until they fell.

Re-blogged from 2104 

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The post Keeping A Float With Noah [Movie Review] appeared first on Simply Vinnie - Unpacking The Complicated.

Grammys, Gays, and Grace: An unlikely trio

By Vinnie MacIsaac

[This is a re-blog of commentary on the 2014 Grammys and the selective public outcry.]

If Christ was not too holy for the worst sinners of His generation who do we think we are standing in judgment of our generation? What part of Christ like are we Christians missing?

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. NLT Romans 12:2

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. NLT John 17:15-16

I am not a huge fan of the Grammy’s. I guess I was at one point in time but at the moment life has been focused in other areas, yet it cannot be denied that the event is a huge cultural mega circus of our world. With 28.5 million viewers this year [2014] how can an event like this not impact the world we all live in? It is one thing to not be tuned in to the cultural events of this world, and yet it is a whole other thing to become a public spectacle because of them.

We as Christians living in difficult times cannot ignore the culture around us. The question we face almost daily is how to live in a world that is not our home nor of our making. How do you live in a world devoid of God, passing away, saturated with moral messages we cannot adhere with and yet be those recorded in Jude 23 & 24? And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. (Jude 1:22-23 ESV)

Jude, the brother of James and ergo the brother of Jesus, says we are to live in this world with the type of mercy that extends to those who doubt God, who live contrary to God, who’s sin is like a stained garments yet while hating sin we are at the same time we seek to snatch them out of the fire to come.

Culture Wars are dividing God’s people into an all-new American Civil War and Christians are the big losers.

Excuse me if I step on any toes here but we can’t snatch people from the fire by heating up the flames of hell under their feet. Why are Christians at war with the entertainment industry rather than seeking to bring God’s Grace to it? Is the power of the Cross that weak in our minds and hearts that we don’t believe our God atones for all sin in all places at all levels? The problem is not always with those who live contrary to the Gospel in the world but it is sometimes with those who refuse to extend and proclaim the Gospel to those in this world.  Do we think we are so holy, so far removed from that level of sin,  that we have no need to sink to that level to preach the Word to sinners such as them?

Think about it; 28.5 Million viewers watched the Grammys. Did we have even one Christian there who took to the stage to use the platform to even say one word of Grace to this generation?  Well, we did have Christians there, and they did make a huge impact and splash, not snatching people from the fire but condemning them in it. One walked out and then took to Twitter to slam the sinful behavior of the performers. The other took to Facebook to slam them while promoting his own work as the solution to their sin. And so, 28.5 million people saw no Grace but they are all abuzz about the judgmental nature of Christians now not because of the sin of the Grammy’s but because we walk not like Christ. Wow, is this the message we want to leave the world with?

Katy Perry was once a Christian Contemporary Gospel singer. She grew up with conservative values.

Don’t get me wrong, many sinful actions took place at this event. Gay marriages were performed on stage, people danced around half-naked, and one performer (a former Christian herself) even performed as a Witch surrounding herself with demonic figures and this is all great sin and I do not excuse it; but what did we expect of the world? Did we think they’d be serving Communion crackers at the Grammy’s?

I don’t have a solution. I don’t know how to live in the world and not part take in its sin. What I do

Gay marriages performed at 2014 Grammy’s

know is this; Christ hung out and made best friends with harlots, hookers, extortionists, addicts, blasphemers, liars, and thief’s and He not only did not sin but He extended His Grace to them in non-judgmental ways. He even went as far as to build His church on them! If Christ was not too holy for the worst sinners of His generation who do we think we are standing in judgment of our generation? What part of Christ-like are we Christians missing?

We don’t have to approve of sin, in order to lover sinners. You don’t have to be a second “Holy Spirit” for it is who He convicts the world of sin, not you! But you do need to share the love of God to all those who need to be snatch from the fire. I pray for the day when we send Christians to Hollywood not to judge it, but to love it, pray for it, minister to it, and become heaven ordained missionaries to it. And the first rule all missionaries must learn; is to learn the local culture so you can communicate in it, rather than be excommunicated from it.

I am firmly convinced the Bible presents marriage as between opposite sexes only. Marriage was meant by God to be between a man and a woman. Likewise, the Bible forbids Witchcraft in any manner. As a Christian, I have to accept there are limits on my actions when I accept Christ. While I can sympathize with people of faith who were insulted by the ungodly behavior I also need to remind them that the people performing such actions at the Grammy’s where representing pop culture, not Biblical culture. We’d have reason to be upset if they were claiming that this was a Biblical mandate but the venue is not the church, but the media and we need to accept they are not the same thing. Paul’s culture and the shared culture of all the New Testament writers were clad with all kinds of behaviors they were not permitted for Christians; like homosexuality, Idolatry, and foods offered to idols. Paul spent zero percent of his time seeking to get Rome to change by passing laws and reforming cultural norms. He preached Jesus. Only when people accept Jesus do we have the right to expect them to conform to the mandates of Jesus.

Paul and the Apostles sought to reform Rome by the preaching of the Gospel of Grace not nationalism clad in religion.

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then he bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”
Ministry of Healing, p.143

Sources About The 2014 Grammy’s Controversy 

• Huff Post Reports: Kirk Cameron Thinks Grammys’ Gay Marriages Were An ‘Assault On The Traditional Family’
• BCN Reports Christian Singer Walks Out On Grammy’s 
• CNN Reports: Grammy Awards attracted 28.5 million
• Youtube Katy Perry Performs at 2014 Grammy’s 

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The post Grammy’s, Gays, and Grace: An unlikely trio appeared first on Simply Vinnie - Unpacking The Complicated.

My Top 10 Favorite Holiday TV Lessons!

By Vinnie MacIsaac

MY TOP TEN Favorite TV Holiday Moments And What They Can Teach Us About The Meaning Of the Season.

I am a sucker for hitting the holiday classic TV marathons! Come on admit it, there is nothing more fun in this world than Joey with a turkey on his head! Which oddly enough got me thinking about my all-time favorite TV holiday moments and what they can teach us today about good holiday cheer! So here they are… In order, for you to enjoy.

After each clip keeps reading below to find out what they mean to me and how they can teach us the true meaning of the Holidays.

10) It’s a dog’s world

I love this clip because it seems to me so many people are let down and depressed that something went wrong and that they did not get their “perfect” Christmas. This clip is here for a reason; it reminds us that no one’s Christmas is perfect and that things will always go wrong, even when you think you have it all under control. This year enjoy your time with your family and friends and roll with the punches, imperfections, and even disasters that ensue, and just be glad we have this time of year to remind us to love one another no matter what crazy event goes down.

9) You can’t out give a hug

Hey, we all have a friend who just can’t take a gift without making it even! They always need to outdo you, or match your gift, it is so annoying and even insulting. It is awkward indeed when giving gets to be about not showing love but rather about measuring your intake versus you outtake when it comes to gifts. This funny and meaningful clip teaches us that you can’t out give a hug. And the most special gifts are not gifts of value but rather thoughtful love. If you are still buying gifts this year remember it is not about how much you spend, but rather how much thought about the person in question you put into the gift.

8) Where did you get that tree?

I love Doctor Who too much not to include a clip from him, plus this clip so cracks me up. Never trust a Christmas tree! The cleverly hidden satirical message here seems to be that we can be taken in by the glittering gold of the holidays. The holidays are more than decorations, making merry, and even the tree! Sometimes they crowd out the real sentiment and need to be put to rest to keep the season true in your heart.

7) I am not the man I was!

Bah Humbug you say? I say anyone can change and that is the overall message of Charles Dickens Christmas Carrol; No one is beyond hope! If you’re not in the mood for Christmas cheer I say to you pick up this book or any one of the hosts of movie and TV show adaptations. Last year I think I read this book over three times during the season!

6) No man is a failure 

The Holiday’s are not about riches, not about wealth, and not about gifts. In this era of commercialism with Black Fridays infringing on our Thankful Thursday’s let us remember it is all about friendships not wealth. And no one is a failure with friends because they are the greatest gift of all.

5) A Triple dog dare!

Oh, how I love this clip! The moral lesson is simple here. Never to fooled into a sticky dare. Not even a triple dog dare!

4) The heart that grew 3 sizes

Being a Grinch can be fun for you but it robs the joy of others. Open your heart, and let it grow (even three sizes) and you not only will bring joy to others but to yourself as well. Get out of your bitter stoic typecast self and bring jingles and cheers and your heart will ring louder this year!

3) Like sacks of wet cement

Part two… Classic!

This has got to be the funniest clip in the world. This clip is a classic example as to why classic TV is the best TV!  It is so funny, but not only that, but it also tells us good intentions are not enough. Good intentions can end in disaster so keep your head up and don’t make holiday assumptions!

2) Turkey heads and love

And hold on to your Turkey Hats cuz this is a two-parter! The laughs keep coming! Yak! Yak! Yakya….

ok, It took two clips to beat WKRP but you have to admit it was worthy of a two-parter! So funny!!!  Yes, Joey is funnier in the turkey head but Monica and Chandler remind us even Turkey’s fall in love. The holidays are about telling and showing each other how much you love them. Make it is your practice to tell people what they mean to you this year.

And …… DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!

Number one is a heart-tugging, tear-jerker, all warm and fuzzy…CLASSIC!

1 ) Missing the bus to Waukesha!

Fonzie reminds us that even the most “Coolamundo” among us can be lonely during the holidays. In fact, several reports over the years have shown us that the holidays can be the most depressing time of year for some. We all talk about the holidays being about family, but what about those who have no family? Christmas is not just about our family but it is about looking for people to bring into your family and make them apart from your joy. This year look for those around you, who have to need to be with you, and even if they claim to be ok being alone go the extra mile to include them. Leave no one out of the cheer this year.
And oh, I almost forgot–50 free classic tv kudos points to anyone who posts in the comment section the correct name of the person with the basketball at the Cunningham Christmas in the last clip.

Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year! 

[If you or anyone you know is feeling the blues this holiday season reach out and get help: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255]

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