This is the who, what, when, where, why and how page.
Here we will try to answer some questions for you.
We are Phil and Barbara Greenwood. We live in Clevedon, North Somerset in the UK, and we are both Christians. To find out more about us, click here.
A Christian is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. Just because a person believes in God, doesn't automatically make them a Christian - hey even Satan believes in God! Unless a person has admitted they are a sinner and asked for forgiveness, and then invited Jesus into their lives, they are not a Christian.
A lot of people think being a Christian is boring, and that there are a lot of 'you shall not do' things. It is a very misleading idea. The only things God doesn't want us to do are things that are bad for us. For example, a person wouldn't want their child to put their hand in a fire. Most of it is common-sense stuff like that example.
Who is this Jesus character anyway?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He walked on this earth about two thousand years ago. He came as a baby (he's the REAL reason for Christmas). For about three years he travelled through Israel as a rabbi, explaining the truth behind the scriptures (the Old Testament), which didn't go down very well with the religious leaders of the time. He was put to death as a criminal, although no-one could specify a crime against him. Three days after he died, he rose again and appeared to over five hundred people over the next few days. He has not been back to earth in person since, but he has promised that he will return. There is a lot more to this story than what we've put here, but there is proof that he existed, and that he was seen after his death in surviving Roman records. A bible will tell you more of what he did, how he died etc. The name Christian means "Follower of Christ." and was originally used by the Romans as a derogatory term for the "Followers of the Way"
What's it like, being a Christian?
It's different. It's fun. It's exciting. The gap that many people try to fill with thrills, danger and excitement is instead filled with God. Each person's experience of what being a Christian is like is subtley different, because we are all unique. God changes us and turns us around. Everyone has free-will, and so some people will choose to serve God in more ways than others might. That doesn't mean we are supposed to work our way to Heaven by doing good deeds. As Christians we know there is no way that we could work our way into Heaven. None of us could ever hope to become good enough - it is only by God's grace that we can get there. For anyone who is a mere mortal, that has got to be good news.
When do I have to go to church? Every week?
No, but imagine this. If your life revolves around alcohol, you'd want to go to the pub on a regular basis, to see your friends there, and have a few drinks. Now apply this to God. If your life revolves around Him, you'd want to go to church, to see your friends there, and learn more about Him. OK so each church is different. Some are lively, others are quiet. It is important to find a church that suits you. We prefer a very lively, active church, but for some people, a more traditional service is their thing. The only way to find out what's best for each individual, is to go and try it. It is also a lot easier if you do go to church, because it is a lot harder to remain a Christian if you are isolated.
It's as easy as ABC. Admit that you have sinned (done wrong). Believe that Jesus Christ died for you (by His death, he wiped your slate clean of all the sin in your life). Confess your sin, and turn from it. A point to note - you don't have to recount every little thing you have ever done wrong in your life - most of us can't remember half the things we have done wrong. It is enough that you say you are sorry, and mean it.
This is simply the first step on a journey. There will be lots of questions you will want answers to, and by going to church, as well as reading the Bible, some of these will be answered. A good place to start, is to try and get on an Alpha course. These courses are designed for new Christians, and answer some common questions, but they are not compulsory. They are just something that might be of use.
Why aren't we ramming Christianity down your throat on every page?
Because we don't work like that. The last thing a non-Christian wants or needs is a bible-bashing. But as God plays a large part in our lives, we aren't going to deliberately avoid talking about Him either. After all, if you have a very special friend who has shared some good news with you, you wouldn't be ashamed to share it with others would you?
For several reasons.
Originally, we were asked to find mainstream music, which has Christain content, and / or where members of the group / band or the singers were Christians. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well, believe me it's not. Whilst trying to find appropriate material, we have found loads of bands, but they don't quite fit in the above category. If you know a band that fits, PLEASE e-mail us at Philip.Greenwood@btinternet.com . Your help would be much appreciated.
Then we thought we would try and provide links to sites which have lots of links to other Christian bands, as we are already hunting around, as it's not any extra work to put them together in one place.
Since then though, we have had so many ideas with what we could do with the site, that is has grown. We want the site to be welcoming to everyone, and have shared some of our interests, our beliefs and activities in the hope that whether you are a Christian or not, that there is something here for you.