Where are you heading for in life?

Have you seen the film “The Matrix”?

           Well, I have, and I loved it. Talk about hitting the mark in terms of story, action, originality and visual splendour (especially on DVD). Anyway, I mention the film because for me it is quite a good illustration of what this site is about. Having a Christian perspective, putting it very basically, we feel that if you know God, through having a relationship with a person called Jesus, who lived about 2,000 years ago, then you can be free from a type of Matrix. Similar to the film - but not a computer simulation of life, we believe that until you know Jesus and are able to live your life in a good way, in a truthful way, you are a captive to universal attitudes in the world. These attitudes can be summed up in, “I live for myself, but anyway, how ever I live, I don’t recognise or live for this Jesus”. In our opinion, if you just accept this attitude without a second thought, then you are “choosing the blue pill”, to draw from the film. If you would like to take the red pill (a real one, we feel; we’re talking about real life here - not films!), then read on......

       Welcome to the site. This page is just an introduction to explain the background to the site. You can also find information in the page “Vision/ Funding” (see the side bar). The site is “Christian”, in the sense that it is approaching helping people with their problems from the perspective that God is a real force in the world, through whom is the only way to true personal wholeness, or “healing”, and a truly meaningful life. This idea is centred on Jesus Christ, who is seen as a genuinely historical figure. More about this perspective is below, including links to other sites which explain this idea more. Please feel free to enjoy and receive whatever you can from the site, whatever your religious beliefs or otherwise. As we have said on the home page - there is no exclusion here. We are happy if we can help people in any way, and have a positive impact on them - whether they are open to, or agree to our Christian message or not. Apart from this, we would just like to say that it is our experience and opinion that with God, and through relationship with Jesus, comes a true personal wholeness and meaning to life, that cannot be obtained in any other way. So, if you will, “welcome to the real world” (Matrix quote if you have not seen it).

More about the Christian message

        There are many different religions in the world, and you may be reading and thinking that Christianity is just one of many, and nothing special in itself. Perhaps you have already dismissed it as irrelevant, outdated or just plain misguided. Well, perhaps fair enough. Perhaps you have genuinely done some research into Christianity, and looked at some other philosophies and beliefs to make comparisons. However, if you have not, then why not? Certainly, obviously, the choice is yours. It’s your time, and it’s your life. In any case, here is the very essentials of what we at the site believe, which we are also sure represents the broad, basic beliefs of Christianity.

        We believe that Jesus was a real man, who was also God. He was unique among anyone who has ever lived in that he was perfect - he did not make moral mistakes. As so much historical evidence tells us, we believe he died on a cross in order for our mistakes (or sins), for example - hating people or lieing, to be paid for. Rather than us experience the consequence of our mistakes, which is to be separated from God now and eternally, we can have real meaning in our lives. This is better now, as we can know what are life is really about. It is also better for us in the future when we die - as we will not have to experience the utter darkness that must occur when people are completely cut off from God after they have died.

         We can have relationship with God, and we can have this because Jesus took our punishment through his suffering on the cross. A simple illustration of this is that Jesus can pay the fine we owe for our mistakes for us - even though we committed the crime to receive the fine. It does not seem fair that an innocent person should be able to pay for us, as we get off scot free. However, God is both loving and forgiving. If you want to know God in a personal way, and be free of the guilt of all of your mistakes, just talk to him - pray to him. Ask him for help with your problems and to forgive your mistakes (or “sins”). The Bible is clear that all our mistakes can be forgiven if we show remorse to God - please see the book 1 John chapter 1, verses 8-10 in the Bible. Commit yourself to a relationship with Jesus - living a life of truth. Read the Bible - particularly the New Testament, and perhaps one of the Gospels such as John.

         Even if you do not feel a change or are not sure whether any of it is really true - give it a go - check it out, see if it helps. And persevere with it. For some reason, sometimes we have to persevere and seek after God. In my experience, you will find the one true God if you really seek him. And he is there is listen to you, listening to you talking to him about your problems, or whatever you want to talk about. Praying helps when you have the hope that there is - or even just that there may be, a God who can answer your prayers. To experience the feeling that at least someone knows and understands your situation, can be a real source of comfort and hope in life. If you are desperate - don’t give up. There are people known to us at this site who have been tempted to do this - and who have never regretted gritting their teeth and persevering. Despite facing what seemed an empty, painful and confused life, they turned to God for strength and help. As Psalm 18:16 in the Bible says, God “reached down from on high, and took hold (of them). He drew (them) out of deep waters.”

         Our aim is in no sense to religiously manipulate anyone when they are in a vulnerable personal position, be it suffering from depression or loneliness, or whatever. Although our perspective in life is a Christian one, we do not intend to pressurise people to make a commitment to God. However, we would like to offer the simple prayer below for anyone to repeat if they want to know forgiveness for all of the mistakes they have made in their life, and who want to have a lifelong relationship with Jesus.

A Prayer to become a Christian.

Dear God,

          Thank you that you are real, and that you did bring Jesus into the world to die for all of my mistakes and evil actions. I pray that you would forgive me for the wrong things that I have done, thought and said. I also pray that you would teach me more about who you are, and how I can know you. I commit myself to living only for you, and to living a life or morality and truth, as the Bible describes. Amen.

         If you have said this pray, and have made the commitment to become a Christian, then welcome to the Family of God! Tell other people about the decision you have made, and why. Please also tell us, just click here to send us an e-mail. We share in your joy. In Jesus, you have found a true friend.

         Find a Church that is near to you, where you feel that people really are experiencing God in their lives, and living lives which reflect the moral and spiritual teaching of the Bible. If you don’t find this in the first Church you walk into, keep on going into different Churches every Sunday until you do find a Church which will help you to get closer to God. No person is perfect, and no Church is either, but I do hope you can find a Church which you can enjoy and participate in, and which you are able to reach geographically.

         We hope you can learn more about the Christian message from this site, as our problems and their solutions are all seen in the light of the reality of God and the significance of his presence in our lives. Meanwhile, please feel free to check out the links below for more about the message of Christianity. There are also some links to Christian chat rooms, where you should be able to chat with other Christians and ask any questions that you might have about being a Christian.

Links to Other Christian Sites

Christian Chat Rooms, - www.gtm.org/cyberchurch/chat.htm, www.conline.net/interactive/chat/, also search www.tripod.com and www.talkcity.com for Christian chat rooms.

www.gideons.org/your_invitation.html - this link takes you straight to a page on the Gideons International site. It explains the essential elements of being a Christian, and gives you a further opportunity to receive Jesus as your saviour from sin. If you browse the site, you can learn a lot about the Bible’s teaching, and what it means to be a Christian.

www.alphacourse.org.uk. This site contains information about how to find a Church near to you which is running a special informal chat-based course on investigating the Christian faith (UK).

www.Church.co.uk - an interesting, relevant and interactive site for people interested in the Church.

www.cidir.org - Christian Internet Directory. Click on “About Jesus” to learn more about Christianity.

www.debate.org.uk - Christian apologetics, especially examining Islam’s teaching compared to Christianity.

www.christian-truth.com - free courses and information about Christianity.