Owl City - A Bit Forward?

Before you read the rest of this post, follow this link, read and listen to what you find...

http://owlcitymusic.com/vday/

It's essentially the guy aka Owl City taking Taylor Swift's song, 'Enchanted' and doing his own version of it but directed at her, and using her name within the song.

Rael James Mason pointed this out to me - most likely because I have self-professed an interest towards Taylor Swift's music. Therefore, of course, I would listen to it.

It was quite an interesting listen - I do enjoy listening to his music. But whenever he used her name in the song, it did make me cringe. The letter on the website he writes to her is evidence enough that it is directed at her - it is a romantic gesture, but is it a bit too corny?

The song sung by Taylor is alright for her to sing. It suits her style of music and lyric...but just a guy singing some of the lines that are maybe a bit girly, just doesn't quite sit right. They're still lyrics I like...but I think that (if I were in Taylor's shoes) I would have preferred to hear an original song by him instead of words I wrote towards another guy in my life.

Throughout the song, I was wondering if there was anything else to it...or whether he just really liked his meet with Taylor. I listened and right up until the last line, it wasn't too forward for an internet gesture...then came the line...'Taylor, I was so in love with you.'

Hello, there!

Forward much? Yes. Quite somewhat.

Not sure what you make of this whole debacle...probably not much, which is understandable. But who knows? A romance in the air? Can we predict the guy in one of Taylor's songs on her next album? Most likely...

The King's Speech and the Oscars.

After many people telling me that I had to watch this film...and that it would be a total waste if I didn't. I gave in, and watched it.

I'd seen the trailer, and I wasn't *that* enthralled by it. The trailer itself: the music; the cinematography; the direction reminded me of one film, 'The Queen'. And I didn't like 'The Queen'...

But I sat and watched it - and loved the cast. Absolutely loved the cast. Usually I stay away from Colin Firth as the lead role because he plays the same character, and to be honest, he played the same character again...just with a stammer. No idea how he does it, it might just be his monotonous voice but thankfully Helena Bonham-Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Derek Jacobi and Guy Pearce were there to keep the standard of the film high. They're all very good, and with the exception of Derek Jacobi, the cast were able to step out of their usual roles into their respective roles. Helena BC usually opts to join her partner, Tim Burton, in his strange, sometimes gothic, dark films...and she can get into any role and do it very well and make the role her own. Derek Jacobi does these films all the time, but again, he's still very good. Geoffrey Rush went for the more subtle comedic role in this, and pulled it off perfectly, he has a great persona to carry it off...sometimes I did see a bit of Captain Barbossa in him when he was playing with his kids, but that added to the role, as he was only like that for that one part - it showed his diversity within one role. Brilliant. Guy Pearce is incredible, he was in Christopher Nolan's 'Memento' (watch it if you have time, and want to have your mind put to the test!) and he was also in a favourite of mine, 'The Count of Monte Cristo' as Fernand Mondego. He's great, and despite playing a character with quite a sinister undertone, more a seedy undertone - he does it well. I was a little upset that his sunken cheeks have now gone due to him getting older and putting on some weight...but it didn't take away from his performance.

Essentially, the film is about a guy losing his stammer. That is the premise of the film...you can argue, but the whole film is about this problematic stammer. Somehow they managed to stretch it out to almost 2 hours. I love history, and always have - and I loved being able to link the film's characters to the history knowledge that I had already. I do this with many history films and get annoyed if it's selling itself as an accurate representation, and it blatantly isn't...but this film does well to keep its accuracy and not go off on some fictitious tangent.

As an avid film watcher, I like to think I know what elements of a film are needed to please the general public, and then what pleases the Oscars. I'll tell you right now...the Oscars LOVE films about real people, who overcome a struggle or a problem. And that is seen in the nominations within the best actor or best picture categories...guaranteed.

Proof...here it is.

Last year, 2009. Sandra Bullock won best actress for 'The Blind Side'. A real person who overcame everyone in order to adopt this black teenage boy.

In 2008, Angelina Jolie was nominated for best actress for her role in 'Changeling' - one which I think she deserved to have won but Kate Winslet finally won an Oscar. In the same year, 'Frost/Nixon' and 'Milk' were nominated for best picture...again, about real events. Sean Penn won best actor for his role as Harvey Milk, in 'Milk'.

In 2007, virtually unknown (at the time) Marion Cotillard won best actress for 'La Vie en Rose'

2006 gave nominations to 'Letters from Iwo Jima', and 'The Queen'. Helen Mirren won for her role as Queen Elizabeth, and Forest Whitaker won best actor for his performance as Idi Amin in 'The Last King of Scotland'.

What a shocking year 2005 was. Everyone thought 'Brokeback Mountain' would win...but 'Crash' was the surprise winner. Others nominations were 'Capote' and 'Munich'. This was my favourite year of the Academy Awards as Reese Witherspoon won for her role as June Carter in 'Walk the Line', Joaquin Phoenix was nominated too for his performance as Johnny Cash but was beaten by worthy winner, Philip Seymour Hoffman in 'Capote'.

Other notable mentions are Hilary Swank...who has two best actress awards to show for 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Boys Don't Cry' - these are incredible films about real women. Charlize Theron for 'Monster'. Nicole Kidman for 'The Hours' and Julia Roberts for 'Erin Brockovich'. 'Million Dollar Baby' also won Best Picture in 2004, and 'A Beautiful Mind' in 2001.

This year, there are 10 films nominated for Best Picture, out of these 10. Three are real adaptations. '127 Hours', 'The King's Speech' and 'The Social Network'. Now, I'd love to see 'Inception' win...but I doubt it will. 'The King's Speech' has more of an Oscar feel to it than the others, but who knows, 'The Social Network' did win a surprise Best Picture at the Golden Globes. Who knows?

This year in the Best Actress category, there are no "real" stories...so I'll go with Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan' - she's won everything else. And in the Best Actor category, we have three nominations. Colin Firth, James Franco, and Jesse Eisenberg... Colin Firth has been around the Oscars longer, everyone knows him, he's well known in the Academy Awards side of the Hollywood industry...this is why it'll be unlikely if James Franco or Jesse Eisenberg win. Despite the fact that I thought '127 Hours' shows more of a physical struggle as Aaron Ralston actually has to cut his arm off to survive, than what 'The King's Speech' provides. But I really really hope Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham-Carter win for their performances. I think they will.

'The King's Speech' is good, but is way over hyped... I enjoyed it, but won't be buying it when it hits the shelves....sorry kids.

Grilled Cheesus - Glee

Thought I'd make some comments on today's Glee episode, 'Grilled Cheesus'.

I'll set the scene for you. Finn (lead guy) makes a grilled sandwich, and it burns and makes the face of Jesus on the side of the sandwich. Finn is amazed that He has seen the face of God, and begins to pray and asks this sandwich for three things:

1. To win the first game of the season

2. To get to second base with his girlfriend

3. To become the quarterback

All these things happen.

He wants to praise Jesus in Glee club by singing songs, and celebrating Jesus. A few characters are all for it, the Catholic cheerleader, Quinn... spiritual Tina (I have no idea what denomination)...Jewish Rachel and Mercedes, a girl who attends a local black church (I have to describe it in this way, as the programme depicts it as the stereotypical black church - gospel choir, dancing around etc). Some are not against it, but would rather not sing spiritual songs, so Jewish ladies man who has bedded most of the girls at the school, Puck. And there is one character who is completely set against it, Kurt, who is the only openly gay person at his school.

Kurt's dad has a heart attack...which makes him even more set against the idea that there is a God. And Sue (the cheerleading coach) whose sister has Downs Syndrome, and does not believe that a loving God would have her sister made in this way.

And the show continues...

Kurt's opinion is that 'God is a Santa Claus for adults', and how you can''t prove there is a God. And he says that you can't prove that a weird alien thing that could live on the dark side of the moon who shoots lightning bolts out of his boobs...but it's pretty unrealistic. Yes, Kurt. You are right in thinking the weird alien thing is unrealistic. However, you can't deny that there is God by just looking for the thing itself - God is a supernatural being...we can't see Him but we can see His creation and God's fingerprints are in the wonderful creation in which we can say day after day after day.

He continues to say that the church do not look too kindly on 'gays, and women, and science'. Another misconception. As Christians we want to serve God, and live by Jesus' example by being loving to everyone and hating the sin, loving the sinner. So the church not looking too kindly on gay people isn't true, the Bible speaks of homosexual relationships being unnatural...but this isn't a rule to spoil the fun for those who want a relationship with the same sex, but it's for our wellbeing. God *protects* us by saying these things as well as providing humans with the ultimate pleasure...keeping sex within marriage is the height of pleasure, and is the best when between a married man and a woman. STDs would not have spread so amazingly fast if sex was kept within marriage and you keep your sex life with that one person...this is a clear sign that God is trying to protect us and provide us with this gift of sex...and it's up to us to decide whether or not we go along with it. And the thing about women and science is untrue too...yes, women are different - we are made differently to men, and it is not just a matter of different body parts. Women are wired differently, and can cope with different situations better than that of a man. But a man can cope differently than a woman can...this is not a bad thing that we are wired differently because we're all equal! And Christians believe science...where would we be without it? Science, without going into much detail, is helpful...but it is constantly changing with the times...God never changes.

Sue explains that when she was little, she prayed really really hard that God would cure her sister of Downs. And she concluded that it wasn't that she wasn't praying hard enough, but because no one was listening. If you pray, God always listens, and always answers...Yes, No, or Not Yet. We have to be praying for God's will to come, and if it is in His plan...it will happen. God can do the impossible - He created everything from speaking...nothing is impossible with Him. However, God works within the realms of reality for us...He defied reality and logic when Jesus performed miracles and ultimately died and rose again! Jesus didn't die, rise again and die again...but he rose again and is still alive in Heaven! We have been given the Bible, which is the word of God. Nature and reality were bent as Jesus performed miracles before people's very eyes, and yet they still did not believe - it would be the same today...therefore, God can cure people and has done...but does not perform signs for people who want them, as if He did, people would still reject Him as they always have.

She goes onto say that it is not very Christian or very nice to tell good, honest, open hearted people that they're going to Hell. This is under the view that we're all worthy enough to be let into Heaven...not the view that we're being given the chance of being rescued as none of us are worthy enough to be saved. Every single one of us has told a lie, guaranteed...every single one of us has had hateful, lustful, envious, proud thoughts - and one blemish makes imperfect. We are all born sinners, and we have a heart default to reject God and to be sinful. Doing these good works, being a nice person, would be giving the impression that doing good things can earn our way into Heaven...but we're sinful...and we have to be held accountable, and the punishment for rejecting God and rebelling against Him is death. God will judge everybody, He is a just God and will hold everyone to account for their sins. But God is also a loving God, and sent His only Son to Earth to live as a man, who committed no sin...and was the perfect atoning sacrifice. Only a perfect sacrifice could be used to pay for us, and Jesus paid our price on the cross. He took our sins, and took them on his shoulders. He paid the ultimate price and died, but he rose again three days later defeating death. And we have this amazing chance to come to Him, who has authority over everything...even death!! He offers us new life, freely...and everyone can come to Him...and we don't have to earn our way into Heaven as Jesus has restored our relationship with God...we can't do anything to earn or buy our way into Heaven as we're still sinful people - but saved by the grace of God!

It was interesting for Emma, the guidance counsellor to step in and to almost set things straight...not using the gospel, unfortunately, but certainly giving people things to think about. She tells Finn that it wasn't God who made his team win their game, it wasn't God who allowed him to touch his girlfriend's boobs but that it was his girlfriend, and that it was the brute of a footballer who dislocated the original quarterback's shoulder, which resulted in the giving the position to Finn. She says that God works in mysterious ways, in ways that we cannot imagine -and this is true...but that God does not just give us everything we ask for. This is true - God has a sovereign plan, which is the best plan for us all - and we have to pray that His will would be done. We may bring our requests to God, but again, He'll answer us yes, no or not yet - and if it is in His plan, it will happen. She tells Finn that these big questions are big because they're hard - and yes they are - and that everyone has to deal with them. Very true.

Finally, Sue meets up with her sister and tells her why she doesn't believe in God. Her reason is that as a girl she saw her sister as perfect, and that she grew up watching the world be cruel to her. This is not an indicator of God being absent, but that sin is very much present. Downs is a mutation of the genes, and the cruelty of people is the sin in people's hearts. Her sister comes back with one sentence, 'God never makes mistakes.' - this was very profound for Glee. God never makes mistakes, and you are perfect to God...no matter what you look like. I heard a similar experience when my sister and I were discussing this topic a few years ago, my sister was born with a cleft lip and palate, and despite this, she is still perfect in God's eyes. And, this part in Glee really struck me as it reminded me of that conversation with my sister, and reminded me that we are perfect in God's eyes no matter how we look, or what conditions we have...as one day, we will have perfect Heavenly bodies without blemish. And Sue's sister just ends the scene asking Sue if she would like praying for, and Sue humbly accepts. It's just a wonderful scene.

Oh, and the final final song of it is called, 'If God Was One of Us'. Here's the first verse and pre chorus...

If God had a name, what would it be
And would you call it to his face
If you were faced with him in all his glory
What would you ask if you had just one question

And yeah yeah God is great yeah yeah God is good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What questions, hey? If God were in the room with us physically, would we say a prayer to Him or would we talk to Him?

Anyway, these are my thoughts on today's Glee. Despite the 'Oh no, how is this going to play out' beginning...it ended up being quite a thought provoking episode. If you want to have a conversation with a non-Christian friend who watches Glee...watch this episode, it's a pretty good conversation starter!

30 Reasons Why Vinyl is Great

Ok, considering I barely know anything about the technology behind vinyl or anything apart from what it looks like...I have been challenged to, therefore I shall come up with my own reasons why vinyl is awesome.

1. It has the old time cracking sounds to make it sound like a real classic - none of the auto tuning, and echo adding...but pure class.

2. You can play vinyl on a vinyl player, or an old school gramophone! A gramophone!

3. The dog from the HMV logo loves a gramophone.

See...the gramophone is clearly the best way of listening to music from this picture. Loud! so everyone around can hear it!

4. You can make a vinyl record into a clock - just stick some numbers on it, and a little mechanism and there you have it, a new clock.

5. Get loads of them, and make a piece of artwork.

6. DJs use them sometimes, and if they get the right action then makes a great addition to the track.

7. Makes a good frisbee.

8. Get three of them, and learn to juggle with them.

9.Practice your steering techniques to help you in your driving.

10. Would make a good mobile for a baby if you wanted them to be musical when they're older.

11. Tim McGraw opts for vinyl in his song, 'Back When'.

'I love my records. Black, shiny vinyl. Clicks and pops and white noise. Man, they sounded fine.'

12. Homer Simpson and his band have vinyl records.

13. They are mentioned in 'Allo 'Allo...

Herr Flick: I have an excellent gramophone and many old records of Hitler's speeches. They are quite amusing.
Helga: Hitler's speeches quite amusing?
Herr Flick: Played at double speed, he sounds like Donald Duck.

14. 'The Shawshank Redemption' - one of my favourite scenes.

15. Use them as coasters.

16. Might be useful as a handy plate.

17. It is large enough to use if it starts raining.

18. If you find yourself being attacked, it would be a handy weapon...you could use it like the bowler hat wearing bad guy from James Bond!

or, with thanks to Rael Mason....this from 'Shaun of the Dead'...

19. Would make some nice bling - could tie a chain around it and wear it as a medallion.

20. Have you ever tried balancing a vinyl record on your head? Try it.

21. You can have a collection of something that people would actually be interested in looking at.

22. Look at this dish!

23. Rebecca and Michael from 'Neighbours' bond over their love of vinyl records.

Can you see? Just between them is a corner of an LP record. True love.

24. Vinyl records are bigger than CDs. Therefore, would be better according to Top Trumps.

25. The is a Vinyl Record Day - which is on the 12th August. http://www.vinylrecordday.com/

26. They'd make great Pat Butcher earrings.

27. You could get a tattoo showing your love of them.

28. Beyonce and Cheryl Cole like the design of them

29. They are quite the fashion

30. This is what a vinyl record looks like x1000 magnified!

That's it - my brain is fried now with all this. 30 reasons why vinyl is great!

Stu hope you liked your request!

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.

Who Am I?

I haven't written a blog post in a while...and now I have internet and I'm back. BUT, wanting to write a more meaningful post.

After listening to Casting Crown's 'Who Am I' - it made me think. Who am I? Why am I in Preston? Why am I so different to how I was 10 years ago? I know why...and I thought I'd share.

This is why....

I was born back in June 1990 to Christian parents. I had an older sister and an older brother, and was taken to church every Sunday. I grew up with the Bible stories, and assumed because my parents were Christians and I went to church and knew all the answers in Sunday school - I was too. How I was mistaken. When I was about 4-5 years old, I remember watching my sister at the front of church, giving her testimony, and being baptised. And I realised that being a Christian meant a whole lot more than getting a 'Parents pay, children go free' pass. It was an individual choice.

Years went by and I would have my ups and downs. I would have moments where I'd ask my parents how to become a Christian, and what it meant, and others where I'd struggle with it.

One easter in 2004, I went to a conference in Pwllheli, and at one of the meetings, I was told that Jesus died for our sins, my sins - and that when God looks at us, he sees us as alive and sees Jesus, or dead as ourselves. I didn't want to be dead, I wanted Jesus to come into my heart and change me. I didn't like my life of rebelling against God. I didn't like knowing I was upsetting him. I didn't like knowing God saw me as dead, despite the fact that Jesus had died for me. I gave my life to Jesus as soon as I returned home.

However, it seemed knowing God had suddenly restricted my freedom, and stopped me from having fun. Not being able to go to friends' parties on a Sunday afternoon, I had to reject playing in adult county badminton competitions because they played on Sundays. This annoyed me. High school did not help me feel any better...everyone knew me as the token Christian. I was bullied...for this, and for other things. Bullied from year 7 to year 11 by the same people. And I always wondered why God would do these things to me. I backslid. I got angry, I refused to go to any evening services, and I wanted to do things my own way. Then we changed church, and again, I was wondering why God would do such a thing...I had friends at my home church, and I knew no one at this new one which was 30 minutes drive away.

Two years later, I had been involved with the new church as little as possible. I refused to go to evening services still and had refused any offers of meeting new people at the youth club. Until the church week away came about. My parents had booked us up, and I was being thrust into hanging out with these people for a whole week! After the week, I was talking to more people, making friends, having fun. When we got home, my brother had told me that the youth club was going away on their week away so I phoned up the leader and asked if I could come, and the answer was yes. I spent another week hanging out with my friends, and there, I spent more time learning about the Bible and having that relationship with God. I remembered that I had given my life to Jesus, and that he hadn't moved...I had.

I spent the next two years going along to the evening services, and to the youth club. I loved socialising there, but I also loved learning more about my God. These two years also had the exodus of the school bullies, leaving me with some of the best friends ever in the two years of 6th form. I still hadn't told my parents about me becoming a Christian and that I was loving it - even 4 years on. My youth leader and I had conversations about this, I wanted to be baptised, but I had to tell my parents! But I was nervous about them making a huge deal out of it! I prayed for the opportune moment. Then came uni open days. My dad drove me up to Preston, and we looked around, saw a little display of the CU, and saw some church leaflets - and I loved the uni and city. As we were returning home, my dad asked me where I was church wise. I knew this was that opportune moment. I told dad everything. I cried...I was so happy that he knew. I told my mum when I got back - and they took it well! They had told me they had noticed differences in my character, such as not being so angry, being more laid back, thinking of others, just generally being nicer to hang out with. This wasn't me...this was Jesus in me. I'm a sinner saved by grace, and I was so happy. My parents knew...now I had to pluck the courage to tell my pastor. Three months later, I prayed for the opportune moment again so when he was on his own, and I look around just after my prayer and what did I see? Yes, my pastor on his own. I got up and told him. Suddenly there was a date, time and I was finally publicly displaying my relationship with God.

This was in May 2008. I moved to uni soon after - and since then God has been so gracious to me by providing me with amazing friends, an amazing church and an amazing CU, and a pretty good course! Since being bullied, I have found it so difficult to meet new people...but somehow I was able to abandon those restrictions and meet people - and I'm glad I did. The church has provided me with amazing teaching, which has been making me grow and grow deeper in my relationship with God. The Bible studies have been great, and being able to link the Old Testament to the New, and being able to see that the Old Testament points to Jesus! It's all about Jesus, and everything I do is for his glory. I struggle with this often...I wake up and think of myself, I go to sleep and think of myself...and everything in between, I think of myself. Thankfully, in His great mercy - when God sees me, he sees His son, Jesus...the perfect, spotless, sinless heir. My sins have been taken by Jesus...and they have been paid for. Jesus bore the wrath of God for those sins, and he still loves me. More than my parents could ever. In church this evening, the Bible speaks of how sinners can provide good gifts for their children - but what about God?? He loves us so much more, and can give us so much more. He gives us his Spirit, he lives in us! This was a great reminder of how gracious God is. He is a just God, and he loves me so much. And I will continue to live and speak for Him.

Looking back I can see why God had planned the change in church. My new church led me back to Him with a new found passion and vigour. I can see why God made Preston look so great...being involved with CU and All Saints had led me into a deeper relationship with my Father. And I can see how different I was before I was a Christian...and it's not my own doing, it's the result of Jesus coming into my life and transforming me...my repentance and turning away from the sinful life I had been living. And being involved in these two new churches has helped me stay on this path.

Please pray for me to be reminded of this day by day. Today might be the day Jesus returns.