The giant hogweed plant, a noxious weed that resembles a giant Queen Anne’s Lace is spreading rapidly in Ontario and other parts of Canada. Although beautiful on the outside, it can cause burning of the skin or even blindness. People are being warned to stay away from it. As we travel life’s highways, many things are presented to us as desirable and often, when the unsuspecting indulge, they find themselves addicted and unable to stop. The book of Proverbs warns that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”Remember please that the most important area in which we need enlightenment, and to know the difference between right and wrong is that concerning our eternal destiny. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“It’s a beautiful bird and every little life is worth it,” said Laura Evans, a Wild Life technician in British Columbia, speaking about an injured Bullock’s Oriole which landed in Ontario in 2015. Now in good health, the little bird was flown back to B.C. last month. The Bible says that we are of more value than birds and that not even one sparrow is forgotten by God. If our Heavenly Father has concern for the tiny birds, how much greater is His love and concern for us? So, if today you feel that nobody cares about you, think again. God loves us with an endless love. He gave His only Son Jesus, that we might have our sins forgiven and one day be with Him in heaven. John’s gospel says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In 1782, a stone house was erected on a lot which straddled the border between Beebe Plain Vermont and Stanstead Quebec. At that time, it was easy to go from the USA to Canada or the reverse. The house is now up for sale, and it is causing a lot of problems for seller and buyer. Which country is it in? it is even harder to live a life to please God, and at the same time to live for one’s self. In fact, it is impossible. Matthew wisely wrote, “No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” The writer of Hebrews adds to this truth with the words, “…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God is saying “Make up your mind.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The human brain has a memory capacity equal to more than four terabytes on a hard drive. One brain generates more electrical impulses in a day than all the telephones of the world combined. In one’s lifetime, we recall, on average, around one hundred trillion pieces of information. No wonder the Psalmist wrote that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made. “Yet despite our amazing brain, most schools and universities today teach that we, and all creation have come about because of a gigantic accident. Anyone who does not accept this unscientific, unproven theory of evolution is considered ignorant or poorly educated. Yet surely, for the human brain to have such phenomenal qualities, its Maker would need to be an intelligent Designer, as described in the Bible. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In 1959 a gallon of gas was twenty-five cents, a house sold for thirty thousand, the average annual income was five thousand. One hundred dollars in 1959 is worth eight hundred and forty dollars today. Change is inevitable. Henry Francis Lyte, in his famous hymn, “Abide with Me” wrote, “change and decay in all around I see.” But he also recognized God’s unchanging nature writing, “Oh Thou Who changes not, abide with me. In our ever-changing world, we need that which never changes, such as God’s inspired Word, the Bible, and Jesus our Saviour. God has said, “I am the Lord Who changes not.” Our Saviour is described as “Jesus…the same, yesterday and today and forever.” Of Him, Luke, in his gospel wrote, “… there is no other name under given among men by which we must be saved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Last month, a Toronto Police officer purchased a shirt and tie for an alleged shoplifter, after learning the young man needed the clothing for an upcoming job interview. Constable Niran Jeyanesan wanted to show kindness to someone who had fallen on hard times… and “wanted a chance at life.” This beautiful story illustrates God’sgrace to us. Paul wrote “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Like the young man in the story, we have all fallen on hard times. God’s Word says, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And like that good police officer, God offers His grace, with the words, “By grace you are saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” If you want a chance at life, turn to Jesus. He’ll give it to you.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Google’s popular email system was one of the world’s first email programs to scan emails for key words. It then uses those key words to send pertinent advertisements to its users. So, sending a message about your dog may result in your receiving ads for dog food or pet stores. Thankfully, while the Gmail system can search our e-mails, it cannot search our hearts and minds to know what we are thinking. Only God can do that. Jeremiah the Prophet wrote, “I the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways…” Someone may be thinking, “sounds like big brother is watching.” True, He is. But God is merciful, He loves us and only wants our best. When we see our true selves, and reach out to Him, He forgives, cleanses and eventually gives us a home in heaven.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The Toronto Star reported that an off-duty ambulance attendant, walking his St. Bernard dog near a Toronto dock wharf, tripped, hit his head and fell unconscious into the water. Amazingly, his dog jumped in and, holding his master’s head above water, dragged him to the dock ladder. The man came too, called for help and was pulled out. While the dog acted on instinct, its act illustrates the most heroic rescue of all time. Luke, in his gospel, wrote of Jesus, “the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Then Paul was inspired to explain what happens when Jesus finds us, writing, ” God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Remember please that all who sincerely ask, receive from God, forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The following famous men, Bill Clinton, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery and John McCain all had birthdays this month and they are all seniors. Eventually, if we stay healthy, we all become seniors. Psychologist Dr. James Dobson says that as we grow older, we should avoid withdrawing into the four walls of our houses or apartments and becoming cut off from people. Dr. Dobson also believes that it is even more important to have a personal relationship with God, our Maker. When we acknowledge our fallen spiritual nature and our need to allow Christ to have His rightful place in our lives we can say with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” So senior citizen, please avoid isolation. Stay in circulation and enjoy fellowship with your Maker. It’s important to think about this today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Ralph Waldo Emerson was a brilliant American poet, philosopher and essayist. He attended the Boston Latin School and graduated from Harvard University. Although the death of his nineteen-year- old wife caused a crisis in his faith, he later wrote, “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” Emerson’s strong faith is a testimonial to the fact that faith in God need not be limited to the uneducated, or those of average intelligence. Many are convinced that faith in the Bible as the inspired Word of God and trust in Christ is only for the elderly and superstitious. But the testimony of brilliant thoughtful people like Ralph Waldo Emerson should cause honest people to reconsider this kind of thinking. Timothy, in the New Testament reminds us that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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