Answer to original question :

Alpha Course. Non threatening, free meal, a chance to ask the difficult questions – if it's not for you then okay but the invitation is there all the same and it could change you life for the better.

I'd rather be nothing than be bored

For me, a God who created all the natural wonders we have (not to mention life itself) is very unlikely to have made Heaven boring.

as heaven sounds ghastly

Mmm let me see now – eternal life or death – yep, I think I know which I'd choose and it's not death! 🙂

samuri – – well what if I were to put it this way….

if I try and live my life according to what I believe to be true i.e. try and be a true Christian and when I die I find it was all a con, then the worst that's happened is I've hopefully led a good life – however, the flip-side is that if the Bible teaching is correct and it is the case that Heaven and Hell does exist and that a decision is required which can't be made after death then I wouldn't want to have not made an informed choice.

But that's not the whole story because, personally, I know that having a faith has made a huge difference to my life and I know this is going to open me up to a right ol' flaming, but to have the knowledge and experience of God's love and forgiveness is breathtaking.

Trampus – there's no obligation just an invitation

samuri – according to the Bible God will forgive you anytime if you're sincere while you're alive but if you die refusing to accept God's forgiveness then you won't go to Heaven. That said, accepting God's forgiveness through Jesus' death and resurrection is much, much more than just a ticket to Heaven – it's a complete change in your life for the best.
Once again, if you raised your point at an Alpha meeting I'm sure you wouldn't be alone but there would be the chance to discuss it.

This is the one bit of advice that paid off for me when I was unemployed due to redundancy this year…over 50% of the jobs that are out there aren't advertised!!

It was through "cold-calling" that I had the best successes and through friends also.

Keep on going, it's tough but it will happen.

The old Dr Pepper ads used to use the slogan "What's the worst that could happen?"… and in the same way you could also apply this to going along to an Alpha Course. Non threatening, free meal, a chance to ask the difficult questions – if it's not for you then okay but the invitation is there all the same and it could change you life for the better.

Personally I hope and pray that many of you will go.

You've got to treat it like a woman – swisstony 🙂

Its also fair to point out that Atheists have to stoop a little to argue with such widespread and ridiculously accepted belief system

Ah, be careful. Some wise person once said pride goes before a fool fall! You're already stooping I notice! 🙂

Maybe it's worth going to after all 🙂

You've been warned 🙂

I'll still keep praying for you 🙂

Psalm 14:1

Best stay well clear IMO

Shhh Mr Woppit, we're here just quietly praying for you all 🙂

I wonder where morals come from?

Ah thanks sfb!

jahwomble – sounds like a nice place where you work!

surfer – I can tell you're very proud of your qualifications. 🙂

surfer – Do you know anyone who has done a Theology degree and do you know what's involved? Personally I would never "dis" anyone's qualification.

sfb –

I wish – were I able to believe I could marry my g/f. Unfortunately it would require a lobotomy

One of my best friends is a lecturer with and Physics degree and a Theology degree and he believes the same as me as a Christian. You don't kiss your brain away by taking a step of faith.

sfb – your questions would be typical of those being raised at an Alpha course – I reckon you could do worse than try it!

As for me, well to believe in a God means also believing in a Devil and I also believe in The Trinity of God – but once again, these are the questions being raised on Alpha.

Actually it was about Adam and Eve's disobedience and it was a fruit – it doesn't mention an apple.

You can't make someone love you so God gave us free-will so we could choose.

You're either for Him or against Him but the offers there (until you die). Truth of the matter is that God loves you.

Alpha is a good course and very non-threatening. There's no harm in just asking questions (but maybe there are some on here who are afraid of the answers).

Just reading a book about the SR-71 at the moment – incredible plane!

clubber – I just took exception to Mr Woppit's remark. 🙂

sfb – Shadowlands is a fav of mine too.

TMH – I reckon the Narnia Chronicals, Out of the Silent Planet trilogy and his theological books make him a great writer to a great many.

Blackburn Buccaneer

Mr Woppit

By the way, C. S. Lewis was a pompous half-wit who couldn't write for toffee.

I disagree. It might be your opinion but you state it as a fact which is not true.

Tiboy – Always great to know another Christian 🙂

Okay thanks – any recommendations for bike gear?

I might ride in my work clothes as 3.5 miles isn't enough for me to really warm up although a change of clothes would be better I'm thinking. This is all new to me 🙂

It's because you have a plastic bumper 🙂

Here's the Vulcan – enjoy!

Vulcan

This is a fun clip too

Clicky

Happy Birthday Sir Stirling

Clicky

Tails feel free to send it to me if you want to:- tyger@talk21.com

iDave – yes, sorry LOL!

YGM!

I've helped a few folk on here already so it's no problem.

Hi Dave, I've just come out of my first ever redundancy which lasted since April.

I have a very sound CV now but it took quite a lot of honing. I start my new job in October but I was sending out between 4 – 6 CVs per day.

There are some points which may help on the applying front and these days it's all about skills and results. A letter of introduction is also a must (again needs to be honed and tailored for every application) plus any recommendations you can add (these are not references). Another tip is to save and send these as pdf files not Word docs as different MS Word versions can change the layout (I can point you in the direction of a free pdf converter).

One other point to remember is that HR have the power to say "No" but not to say "Yes" so avoid them if you can.

Contact me on tyger@talk21.com and I'll proof-read your CV and give you some advise if you want.

Paul

Just a word of advice – go self employed and you wave goodbye to any Job Seekers Allowance if things should go wrong – be warned!

This is the reality as I've just been through this.

I got the vibe that redundancy was around the corner and Post Office Lifestyle was the best insurance at the time (£40 per month, with £1000 per month pay out for 12 months).

I took out the policy and it said in the small print that you must have been in employment for 60 days from the start date of the policy.

Fortunately I qualified although only just!

There is a 1 month delay before payment but they did honour the policy.

The pain is that when you sign on (usually every 2 weeks) you must make a separate appointment to get your ABI-1 forms filled out and signed for at the job centre, however, you don't send the form off until you've done this twice as it's a monthly payment – if you get this wrong it's a real hassle. They'll also want to see evidence of you trying to get work too.

I had £500 for my mortgage and £1000 protection (for 12 months) plus Job Seekers Allowance (only for 6 months) in the end which was really helpful.

So my advice is go for the Post Office option ASAP (I think it's now £60 per month) and hope that you're not made redundant before the set qualifying time.

Any questions please contact me.

Harry you might like this site:-

Clicky[/url]