The Alpha course was founded by Charles Marnham at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in 1977, then was significantly developed and popularized globally by Anglican priest Nicky Gumbel, who took over in 1990.
It is a course run by local churches that seek to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions that are not threatening or pressured.
It is described by its organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life".
To learn more about Alpha please click here.
Have you ever questioned your existence? How you got here, why we are here, what's the meaning and purpose if any?.
Have you considered what awaits us when we die?
What if there is more to life?
In the 'Questioning Christianity' podcast series Tim Keller explores questions around faith and proof: How do we decide what to believe? How do faith and reason relate? Can you believe something that you can’t prove?
If this interests you, I invite you to listen to Tim Keller here.
Reasons to Believe (RTB) was established in 1986 by world-renowned Christian astrophysicist, Dr. Hugh Ross. Initially a skeptic, Dr. Ross was later convinced by evidence that words of the Bible are trustworthy.
RTB invite people seeking answers to questions about the Bible and its relationship to science to explore our resources. Many of these resources answer theological and philosophical questions, too.
To learn more about why there are Reasons to Believe, please click here.
All through recorded history people have predicted life after death. But only now, with modern resuscitation methods, are we beginning to see "Beyond Death's Door." Does death represent the end of this life or the beginning of another? Does anyone know what happens after death? Has anyone been there? What does it feel like?
Is there evidence to support the biblical descriptions of hell? Anyone who has ever pondered these important questions will find new, fascinating food for thought in "Beyond Death's Door," a significant book by a leading heart specialist the recounts the experiences of individuals who have survived clinical death and returned to tell us about it.
To locate a copy of this book click here
Based on the New York Times bestseller Imagine Heaven with over 1 million copies sold | 1 out of 25 Americans has had a Near Death Experience. Do these reveal the Heaven of the Bible? Join John Burke as he shares video interviews and commentary after studying 1000+ near-death experiences for the past 35 years.
To see these interviews click here
If you have decided that the existence of God is most likely, and are ready to read the Bible for yourself, I suggest starting from the new testament. This is the second half of the Bible and starts with John and read through to Revelation.
You can come back and read Matthew, Mark & Luke later as they are the same as John, but from a different perspective.
The best translation to start with is the New Living Translation, (NLT).
At the end of each reading ask God for greater understanding and to reveal Himself through your daily life.
To order a bible online click here or download the yourVersion Holy Bible from the app store.
Hospice staff who work with the dying observe extraordiary events, and there is a significant increase of Near Death Experiences, and Crossing Over Visions, however careful consideration needs to be given to all accounts, as not all experiences are favourable and only the first stage is reported in this environment.
From the information I have reviewed, there are several phases of crossing over;
1. The first phase being visions into the next realm, while still alive. A dying patient still sees the normal environmnent, but is completely distracted by seeing loved ones in the next environment. This is usually reported as safe, loving and reassuring and can happen intermittently over weeks leading up to death.
2. The next phase is flatlining, patients report an out of body experience and being able to observe their own body and those gathered around it. This stage is more visible to emergency staff who sometimes receive reports from patients.
3. A third phase is leaving the room or being drawn away involuntarily from all that is familiar, at what is reported to be like the speed of light. In this phase a battle ground appears to exist or at least become more prominent. Some report favourable experiences, being met by those they love or or knew on earth, often outside a final point of no return. This is the stage where people often report an interaction with Jesus.
Those that return to their bodies report a final stage that if they crossed over would be a point of no return. This stage is often accompanied by the message "It's not your time yet, you must go back".
This outer stage however, also has reports of bad experiences. Some report leaving their bodies and being either met by beings that call them into a direction of outer darkness and grief, or being pulled directly there.
In desperation, some have called out to Jesus to save them, and then found that they change course toward the favourable experience. Others have experienced what they call Hell, and are grateful to the doctors who bring them back.
There are therefore many reports of near death experiences, some good, some terrifying, and all need to be considered for a balanced view on what we must do to ensure 'it is safe to die'. For this reason it is not logical nor wise to simply accept the message of "Nothing to Fear" from hospice observers or those who have experienced the first phase only.
For a balanced sample and account of NDEs I recommend the book 'Beyond Deaths' Door" by Maurice Rawlings, (see above).
If you are at a stage where you would like to reach out to God for assurance of salvation in the next life, then its important to know that there is only one way to Him. Jesus said; "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV).
Please take time to pray the following prayer to Jesus, He accepts you as you are, and directly into relationship with Him.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.
I believe You are the Son of God and that You rose from the dead.
I open the door of my life and receive You as my personal Savior and Lord.
Take control of my life and make me the person You want me to be.
Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
If you prayed this prayer and meant it, you need not fear death. God will become more obvious to you now, and you will experience Him in your daily life. Your journey will transform from what you believe is most likely, to certainty based on your personal experience with Him.
When doubt creeps in, always remember the Christmas message: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16.