The vast and growing gap between rich and poor has been laid bare in a new Oxfam report showing that 1% of the population owns more wealth than the other 99% combined. World leaders concerned about the inequality crisis have so far not taken concrete action to ensure that those at the bottom get their fair share of economic growth. The report concludes with the warning, “ In a world where one in nine people goes to bed hungry every night, we cannot afford to carry on giving the richest an even bigger slice of the cake.” Jesus, Who in His day lived below the poverty level, said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust corrupts and where thieves break through and steal.” Then He encouraged us to live with eternity’s values in view, saying, “…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” He also told us how, saying, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Sixteen years ago, his van crashed near the U.S. Mexican border. Since that time, the brain damaged San Diego patient has been called “Garage 66.” Recently, he was identified. What a relief it must be to his family, to at least know what had happened to their loved one. When it seems that nobody knows or cares about us, how reassuring it is, that no matter what our circumstances, there is a kind heavenly Father who knows who we are, and cares what happens to us. God has said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” The Psalmist was inspired to write of our Creator, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me… and are acquainted with all my ways.” He who knows us, loves us, and invites us to trust His Son as our Saviour, for forgiveness. He promises to take us safely into heaven one day.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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The “do it yourself” habit has always been popular. Many were able to do a good job on an auto, an out of order electrical appliance or a plumbing fixture. On the other hand, for some, despite hard work and good intentions, the car did not run, the toaster did not toast, or the bathroom was flooded. An experienced tradesman had to be called in. There are many things we can do for ourselves with varying degrees of success. But there is one thing we cannot do for ourselves. We cannot make ourselves into Christians. Becoming religious, turning over a new leaf, reforming, will not work because Jesus said “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Paul explained that it is “by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works…” Just before He died on the Cross, Jesus cried out “It is finished” indicating that everything necessary for us to become Christians had been done by Him!

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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We are firmly rooted in the technological age. “Connect and Communicate” seem to be the buzz words of the hour. The average North American spends at least eight and a half hours a day in front of a screen. And now the urgency of slowing down, of finding space and time to think, is upon us. This is not new of course. In the 17th century, Blaise Pascal remarked that all of man’s problems come from the inability to sit quietly in a room alone. But before that, the Psalmist, in the Old Testament urged, “Be still and know that I am God.” In the hustle and bustle of our lives, there is a need to be still and let God speak to us through His inspired Word, the Bible. But are we listening, or are we too busy texting and twittering and face-booking. Jesus invited the people of His day, and His invitation is still open today, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In St. Paul’s Cathedral in London England, there hangs a famous painting, entitled “The Light of the World.” It depicts Christ standing outside a closed door, a door all overgrown with weeds, and patiently seeking admission. When the painting was first hung, the critics came to review it. One of them said to the artist, Holman Hunt, “Mr. Hunt, you have painted a magnificent picture, but you have made a terrible mistake. You have painted no handle on the door.” The artist replied, “That is no mistake friend. The handle is on the inside.” Mr. Hunt was not only a brilliant artist, but he also knew his Bible. The only handle to the door of our lives is on the inside. God never forces Himself into anyone’s life. On one occasion, when He was on earth, Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” Remember please, that only you and I can open our hearts and lives to Christ.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Recently three mysterious items of space junk fell from the sky in Northern Viet Nam, believed to be compressed air tanks from a rocket. It is becoming common these days to hear of unexplainable lights in the sky and near earth asteroids. While we are duly impressed by the power of space ships, and rockets and weapons of warfare, let’s not forget that there is a greater power. It is God’s powerful Word, and His powerful gospel message. Of His Word, we read, “the Word of God is quick and powerful…” It is so powerful that when acted upon it transforms lives. Paul explained, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” Of the gospel, Paul said it was so powerful that he was not ashamed of it and that it “is the power of God leading to salvation.” When we trust God’s Word and accept His gospel, thus empowered, we can confidently say with Paul, “ I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Many people have an impressive religious heritage. Their family tree may include missionaries, pastors, deacons, or elders. But God does not have any grandchildren. To be a member of His family, we must personally become a child of God. When we stand before Him, it will not matter whether or not our parents were Christians. It is much more personal than that. John wrote in his gospel, “as many as received Him (Christ) to them He gave the right to become the children of, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” A.B. Simpson’s wrote a song that asks the critical question- “ What will you do with Jesus? Becoming a Christian is not joining a religion, or turning over a new leaf. It is becoming personally and properly related by faith to the Savior, Who said, “I am the way, truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Do you remember the fascinating story of Ringo the duck? Grubbing for food on the bottom of Grenadier pond in Toronto’s High Park, Ringo got a pull ring from a beverage can clamped around her beak. As a result, she could not feed properly and faced starvation when the pond froze over. Concerned people saw her plight and tried various attempts to capture her and remove the ring. The Toronto Humane Society tried a skin diver and a champion duck caller to catch the bird, but all to no avail. Ringo didn’t realize that all these attempts were not to frighten her, but to free her from her plight. Similarly many of us misunderstand that our loving Heavenly Father approaches us not to hurt us, but to free us from whatever has us in bondage. His methods to get our attention may startle, and frighten us, but He only desires to help us.” Jesus’ words to all are, “Come to me…and I will give you rest.” Isn’t it time to stop running from God?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“What do you tell young people who are looking for meaning in life? I’m single, have no childhood memory of my mother ever telling me she loved me. I have no romantic partner, no fulfilling career or passion. I don’t know what I’m doing or what my purpose in life is.” That was part of a letter received by an advice columnist. It was a cry for help. This person needs to be introduced to the best Friend anyone could ever have. The Psalmist wrote, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” This Friend loves unconditionally, loves so much that He gave His life to take the punishment for others’ wrong-doing. Upon acceptance of this Person, the Lord Jesus, into one’s life, He gives meaning, purpose, fulfillment, peace, joy and assurance that He will be us through all of life’s ups and downs. He said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens the door, I will come in. Anyone looking for a Friend like that?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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I read recently of a man who almost lost his life in the Canadian wilderness. Though an experienced woodsman, he tried to take a shortcut to get home, but found himself lost in strange country. For more than eight weeks he struggled to survive and get back to civilization. Finally, he reached a highway and was picked up, near death, by a passing motorist. Sadly, for many who wander from the path, the ending is very different. Isaiah described the spiritual condition of us all, on the journey of life, writing, “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way.” Jesus told of a right road which He called a “narrow gate” when we go God’s way, leading to eternal life. But He also warned of a wrong road when we go our own way, which He called a “broad gate” leading to destruction. But we don’t need to be confused. because He also said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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