It is said that Robert Powell auditioned for a lesser part in the film Jesus of Nazareth, but was chosen for the main one because of his eyes. On the right is a picture of Jesus, drawn by another dear (but wayward) friend, also with special eyes. Look into them if you dare, because Jesus can see right to your heart.

My words Look into your heart already convey something that you have to grasp. In talking Religion we have to talk poetically because we are dealing with something mysterious. Obviously, from a scientific point of view, there is nothing much in your heart except blood. We mean into your most innermost secret thoughts.

So, Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Palestine and the Church later designated that as year 1. They got it slightly wrong but that did not stop us celebrating the New Millennium. The Church also gave Him an official birthday on December 25th, on which we celebrate Christmas. There are two Christmas Stories in The Bible, one gives us the story of the Shepherds coming to worship the Baby in a Manger, the other tells of the Wise Men bringing Gold Frankincense and Myrrh when Jesus was perhaps nearly two years old. We do not know much about Jesus' childhood but I do have a Chapel devoted to it.

When Jesus was about 30 He began His preaching Ministry and His message was Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent means turn around and stop doing what you know to be wrong (Oh yes you do!). The Kingdom of God is not a particular place but anywhere where God is recognised as King, including (yes) the Heart.

But WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ? For those who follow Jesus, He is the Father that Jesus frequently refers to, speaks to and obeys completely (Click on GOD for more thoughts). Speaking to (or rather with) God is called Prayer. Jesus' most famous prayer is well known but not necessarily well understood. Have a look at the paraphrase by Saint Francis.

Jesus ended his ministry on Earth by dying on a Roman Cross, a fact we commemorate on Good Friday. This occurred after a trial for blasphemy, because He said He was the Son of God. On Easter Sunday, which follows it, we celebrate the belief that although Jesus died, He rose from the dead and appeared to those who followed Him, finally ascending into Heaven some forty days later (Ascension day). Do you have to believe that? Yes you do, but remember that the claim is not that Jesus regained mortal (human) life, rather that He demonstrated His immortality and is therefore available now as our friend in Heaven, with God.

Why did He have to die? As an inevitable consequence of the way He lived, perfect in every way, yet harshly judging hypocrisy. After the event, His followers and especially one who was converted by a vision of Jesus, the one whom we now call Saint Paul, came to understand that is some mysterious way Jesus died as a ransom for everyone, taking all that is bad about us upon Himself and redeeming it so that we might also inherit immortality (or Eternal Life). The Church has been trying to explain that for 2000 years. You will have to wrestle with it, like everyone else. But this might help! 

Just before Jesus went to the Cross, He promised His disciples that He would send another Counsellor to guide them into all truth. This person we call The Holy Spirit and we celebrate His coming at Pentecost otherwise known as Whitsun. (So called because it was a traditional time for Confirmation  when those to be confirmed wore white)

God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are, we believe, different manifestations of one Almighty God.

You could begin with the Christian Enquiry Agency who will send you a free Gospel with no strings.
Or you could take a click journey around my Temple of Patience.
Or explore some of the writings of my Guest Preacher
Or even my papers for Thoughtful Christians
Or you could Email me with a question, which I shall try to answer as helpfully as possible