A young refugee child was being shown the wonders of a large toy store by his foster parents. At first his eyes grew wide with wonder, but then an expression of disappointment clouded his face, and he burst out, “But where is the Child?” Somewhere in his past he had learned, “Unto you is born this day…a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord,” and that it is His birthday we celebrate at Christmas. Then, a discerning store official had a Christmas crib with an image of the baby Jesus set up in a prominent place in the store. Seeing it, the little boy smiled with delight. Unknowingly he had taught a lesson on the real meaning of Christmas. “Jesus is the reason for the season.” This Christmas, let’s remember that He is the “indescribable gift.” Will He be in your Christmas this year?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Author Max Lucado, in his book “Outlive Your Life” tells the amusing story of his three-year-old nephew Lawson, who wanted to play some basketball. The basketball was too large and the basket too high. So Lucado lowered the basket and held Lawson high enough so he could roll the ball over the rim. Then the little fellow in his excitement, held his hands high and shouted, “All by myself. All by myself.” It was a bit of an overstatement, but he acted like so many of us. God gave us this beautiful world, air to breathe, food to eat, a brain to think and best of all, He provided, the way to heaven. Jesus once said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, but we, in our self-righteousness shout, “All by myself. All by myself.” Jesus added, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” We need Him.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Chicken Soup for the Soul has a story of a young girl’s concept of love, of meeting the man of her dreams, marriage and the birth of their children. It described how her concept of love changed with the passing of years. She later said, “suddenly forever seems like a perfect amount of time to spend with someone I couldn’t imagine living without.” She is correct, but the most perfect love anyone can know is God’s love for us, and ours for Him. Since we are all on the way to forever, wise people will accept God’s loving offer of mercy and forgiveness and spend forever with Him. John described this relationship with these words, “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.” With Whom are you going to live forever?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Distraction on the part of people driving while using a hand-held instrument is on the increase. Some governments are using increased maximum fines to warn the guilty. God also flashes warning signals to get our attention concerning our relationship with Him. He uses financial reverses, problems in the home or business, and sometimes illness. Paul warned, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” But with these warnings, the good Lord also gives us a way out, and hope, such as Jesus’ invitation, “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” (referring to the door to our lives) He added, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” We need to avoid distractions and slow down. And we need to reflect on the direction of our lives, in light of eternity.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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British men and women are the most promiscuous of any big western nation in the world, according to a study conducted in 48 countries. 14,000 people were asked about numbers of partners, one-night stands and casual sex. Consider this in light of the following. Britain now has the highest divorce rate in Europe. Less than 12 % of British people attend church. The connection is undeniable. The carnage, broken lives and suffering children are evident everywhere. We can’t do wrong and get away with it. God’s plan has not changed. One man one woman united in marriage. But lives, marriages and families can be transformed by inviting Jesus Christ into our lives. Paul, in the New Testament explained, “If anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Anne Donahue wrote recently in the Globe and Mail, about her fascination with November, just past. She said, “It’s a nothing month between the vibrancy of October and the festivities of December. It’s cold, and damp.” She added, “Life is not all celebration. In order to appreciate the full scope of living, we must acknowledge endings, and death.” She is correct. The Bible reminds us that “It is appointed unto man to die, and after this the judgment.” This can be a scary for some, but when we realize the scope of God’s love and provision for us and accept His gift of eternal life, the fear goes away, and life becomes full and vibrant. It is true that “the wages of sin is death.” But it is also true that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He promised, “ the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Scarification, is a form of extreme and permanent body modification, in which one’s skin is cut, etched, burned or branded into a design to create an inkless tattoo-like scar. It is often done to gain status, or for aesthetic reasons. But more serious than physical scarring are the scars within. Many suffer from rejection, abuse, bullying or other forms of emotional trauma. The only permanent solution to this inward hurting is Jesus Christ. He was “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” He understands our scars. Bill Gaither’s song describes what happens when Jesus comes into our lives. “Something beautiful, something good. All my confusion, He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful of my life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Charles Schultz, the American cartoonist known for the comic strip “Peanuts”, once gave two interesting lists of questions to consider. The list said, “Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five Miss Americas. Name the last ten world Series winners. Schultz then said, “Now name some teachers who aided your journey through school. Name three friends who helped you through difficult times. Name five people who taught you something worthwhile. Name five people who made you feel appreciated and special. The lesson—Those who make a difference in our lives aren’t the ones with the most money or awards, but those who cared. And nobody cares like Jesus, the Son of God. To the sad and broken hearted, Peter urged, “Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you.” He really does.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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British Prime Minister Theresa May recently described loneliness as “one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.” She said loneliness is linked to a range of illnesses, including heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The U.K. intends to spend about 2.4 million dollars on an anti-loneliness strategy. God knows about our loneliness. When we become part of His family, a wonderful Person, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our body. Paul explains, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, whom you have from God?” He heals the broken hearted and comforts the lonely. Furthermore, God promises Christians, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” If you are lonely, today, reach out to Jesus

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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During World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her family harbored hundreds of Jews to protect them from arrest by Nazi authorities. Betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen whom she trusted, the entire family was imprisoned, where they suffered unspeakable horrors. While there, she prayed, “Dear Jesus, how foolish of me to call for human help when You are here.” She had previously recognized herself as a sinner, since the Bible teaches “… there is none on earth who does good and never sins.” She invited Christ into her life at an early age. Her attitude and prayer teach us where to turn when the storms of life occur. She was responding to a wonderful promise, written in the book of James, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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