Updated Bucket List

Well, a while back I decided to do my list of things to do before I turn 30...and I thought I'd let you know how I was getting on with it all. To be honest, I'd forgotten the things I'd written and looking back over the points I had made, made me feel that I have made progress!

My list was....

- witness snow on Christmas day
- learn to play an interesting instrument (not just your run of the mill mainstream ones!)
- work in Romania
- pass my degree
- buy a replica sword from The Lord of the Rings
- climb Ben Nevis
- take a shower under a waterfall

First and foremost...there WAS snow on Christmas Day 2010. Yes, this has JUST happened!

Secondly, learn to play an interesting instrument. For Christmas this year, I got under the tree a UKULELE - which I have never played before ever...but have been playing and learning the chords and would consider myself to have completed the basics of the ukulele. Therefore...this has been done! Yes

Third, working in Romania...hmm. This was when I had the idea of learning the language, and being able to work with churches over there. Well, I am very very very bad at learning languages...so this development will not happen unless I can magically learn how to roll my 'R's - I cannot do it. No matter how hard I try...my tongue will not roll. I think it's the same as some people can curl their tongue, others can't...I can curl my tongue...but cannot make it roll to be fluent in this eastern European language.

Fourth! My degree is coming on nicely - I have a little under half a year left before I can successfully say I have finished - then have to wait a bit longer to find out if I have a degree, then a little bit longer to wear a funny hat and cloak and receive a tube, and have an awkward picture taken to go up on the wall... I'm stoked!

Fifth...I think I might take this one out. I can't be bothered. Plus, on the other side, I have bought myself a BB gun which reminds me of one in 'Mr and Mrs Smith'. I'll change it to mean, have something that resembles a piece of film memorabilia. Completed!

Siiiiiiiixth. Climb Ben Nevis. Still want to do this! Just need to find the companions, and the time to do it. Then I'm up there in a flash!

Seventh. Have a shower under a waterfall - ok, can't say I've done this...unless you count getting tripped on in a random Romanian cave we explored...without helmets, without harnesses, without torches...what is health and safety anyway? Who cares? I had fun climbing up a rope tied to a small tree at the top of the cave, and having to climb my way up and if I let go, would plunge to my death. It was so much fun! I'll make a new one: to have fun in a dark, wet, Romanian pit cave - done!

Right, well that's my list updated for you so far...and ones to do for next time are:

- Get my driving licence

- Come up with a decent chant to use at a sports game

- Finish some of the books I'm reading.

These sound a bit like New Year's Resolutions -but they're not. I have a whole 10 years to complete these...bring it on!!!

Response to...

Read this...

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationship/features/21488-emotional-pornography

It has been said that girls find solace in watching rom coms, and getting the mentality that that same storyline could happen in her life - despite the outlandishness of the story. For example, 'PS I Love You', and 'The Notebook'. The female leads in these films meet a man spontaneously...one on a walk in Ireland, and one at a fairground, and they both have whirlwind romances -- these scenarios are so easy to fall for, as yes, it could happen, and yes it has happened...but having that dream scenario in your head and thinking that is the "norm" and this is what you want your life to become is not a thought we should have. We need to recognise what our life is...and recognise that God has a plan for us. Putting our hope and trust in the media to calm our fear about singleness is not a good way to go...we need to put our hope and trust in God and remember that he knows what is best for us!

Glee. I am a fan of the show and do stand up for wrongful criticisms. Therefore, I do need to make this point before continuing. The opinion of the article's author gives you the idea that the writers of the show are alright to be utterly and completely immoral. The writers, in my opinion, don't want you to feel that everyone should cheat on each other...but want the characters to come clean with each other. It shows how lying just leads you down a path of horrible consequences...this I think, should be encouraged in our generation. No cheating actually happens in the relationships he mentions...the main male lead is tempted (which I think the author was referring to and turned off at this point) but instead, he resists the female lead and tells his girlfriend about it later....he comes clean, he doesn't fall to temptation, as he wants his relationship with his girlfriend to work. You want them to work it out, you want everyone to come clean and stay together in their relationship. This is something that the media should be encouraged to do - especially with the demographic that this show appeals to.

The article goes onto mention about 'The Notebook' and 'A Walk to Remember'. These films are famous stumbling blocks to Christian women across the world. For single females, these films shout 'IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!'...and for those in a relationship shout, 'WHY DIDN'T THIS HAPPEN TO ME?!' They provide unrealistic scenarios set in realistic times...which provide women with an idea. This idea grows and develops...this idea takes our eyes away from the happiness that we have in Christ and tells us...that this relationship, this idea...is what we need to be completely happy. Have we not already been given treasures in abundance from God? In Matthew 7:11 it reads,

'If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!'

We have received so much from God, for one, we have received his Spirit. His Spirit lives in us! And he will provide for us...he knows what is best for us, and will give us whatever we need if it is line with his plan. Romans 8:32 reads...

'He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?'

God gave up his Son for us...so that we, each and every one of us, would be forgiven. And despite this, we feel that having our own idea of a sacrificial and loving relationship is better. In 'A Walk to Remember', the male lead sacrifices his reputation...in 'The Notebook', he sacrifices his relationship. The emotions that occur in these films makes us want that same love...which may not be prevalent in our minds at the time of watching...but it does form a part of your subconscious and each film you watch, build up this idea of love that heightens our expectations of men and relationships in general. We expect this perfect relationship to come from men...when we know (deep down) that they cannot provide the perfection we want - we are all sinners, and we all have our flaws. There is only one place that we can find this true love and perfect relationship, and this is in Jesus.

The article provides a spot on application...

'Next time you’re thinking about seeing a movie, be aware of what’s pulling you toward it. If you decide to watch it, recognize the moment when you feel the emotional reinforcement of fake love. And when you walk out, recognize what you now hope for and expect.

There is such a thing as love. There are beautiful moments. But love is about life. And life is about the long haul.'

An application would be to think - why am I watching this movie? It is tough to apply this, and it is very difficult to avoid as the media is so prevalent in our society. I have to hasten to add that watching rom coms is not a bad thing... (some people may say different depending on their genre preference!), but understanding that we need to have a correct view on relationships...that love can happen, that relationships have difficulties amongst the good times, but that the only perfect love exists in our relationship with Jesus.

Tom Cruise tells Renee Zellweger in Jerry Maguire that 'You complete me' - good quote, Tom...but we should really be saying that to God. He completes us...he provides everything we need...he provides all the love we could ever want...he loves us more than anyone could ever love us...he cares for us more than any friend...and he has already made the ultimate sacrifice for us. This is the love we need to remember.