Financial literacy is an important skill for all Canadians, but especially as they navigate their senior years. In this process, many of them need expert support, direction and advice. This should include information on available services as well as warnings about scams. But it seems that many prefer to adopt the philosophy of an old song which says, “The years go by, as quickly as a wink, enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” God wants us to enjoy ourselves, but also to remember that we have a need to prepare not only for our senior years, but also for the life beyond, when this life is over. Jeremiah in the Old Testament reminds us that our Maker has “thoughts of peace and love” for His people and that He wants to “give them a future and a hope.” This hope is through God’s Son, Jesus, who went to Calvary’s cross to take our place and pay the penalty for our wrong-doing. Amos the prophet wisely urged, “prepare to meet your God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The book ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain, published in 2012, became the silent battle cry of introverts. While extroverts are energized by social interaction, introverts are often drained by it. Not everyone is wired to be a belly laugher. Jackie Rose writes in her Globe and Mail article ‘Let’s hear it for Introverts’, We must remember that much of the art, science and philosophy of our time blossoms in solitary minds. “ Most of us need ‘down times’, so it’s interesting that the Bible advises us “Be still and know that I am God.” And elsewhere God invites us to, “Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” John, in his gospel explained, “And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent.” Whether we classify ourselves as introverts or extroverts, that is the highest goal; to know God and His Son, Jesus.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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To curb the unnecessary food waste in Canada, Loblaw Companies Ltd. is selling misshapen apples and potatoes at a 30 per cent discount at some of its stores in Ontario and Quebec. They are recognizing that outward appearances do not necessarily reflect what is going on inside these fruits and vegetables. The unnattractive ones taste just as good as the pretty ones. In so doing they illustrate the attitude of our Maker toward His creatures. He does not just love and favour the famous, attractive, educated, or rich of this world. One Bible passage says, “…the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” In other words, God looks deeply inside of us and regardless of what He sees, He values us and He loves us. He loved us so much that He gave His Son to die on an old rugged cross to pay the penalty for our sins. John wrote, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Recently I read something that seemed like a scene from a horror movie. But it was a very real and horrifying experience for Treina Reykdal. She was awakened by a bat biting her lip. Later testing revealed the creature was rabid, so subsequently, the family and pets receive rabies shots for 28 days. Fortuntely there was treatment available for such a mishap. And did you know that there is a cure available for the universal disease of sin? The truth is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But Jesus provided the cure for that disease at Calvary. Of that life-changing event, we read, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, …might live…” Though original sin is denied by many, there is a world of evidence that every single person, even the best of us, has been born with a natural tendency to do wrong and we all need a Saviour. Jesus is that Saviour who invites us to come to Him for forgiveness.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Last month police in Summerside Prince Edward Island warned about a new scam making the rounds in that city. Residents receiving letters on a fake FedEx letterhead, promising a package waiting for recipients, that contains one and a half million U.S. in connection to a lottery. To get the package, a fee must be paid. Police warned that it’s a fake, to get people to send in the security fee. There is an important lesson here. Always check the source of your information. This is especially vital when it pertains to eternal things. Sadly, some are content to act on information from questionable sources, rather than seeking the truth from the most authentic book in the world, the Bible, where not one genuine error has ever been proven. Timothy explained, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” We can trust the Bible, and the Saviour.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The Museum of Art, in Dallas Texas, is home to a lithograph called “The Belated Return of the Son” by American artist Thomas Hart Benton. It is a haunting view of a prodigal who waited too long to return home. His house is a ramshackle shell, there is no father to welcome him, only the remnants of a ruined home. It is in stark contrast to Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, who repented in time and came home, to be welcomed by the father, who celebrated his return and restored him to his place in his family. That parable describes the love of our Heavenly Father for all, regardless of how we have lived. Paul wrote of it with the words, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…to redeem…” He also explained what the Son did to redeem us, writing, “…God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Since we don’t know about tomorrow, we need to repent and return to the Heavenly Father.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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They perch on cliffs. They pose beside wild animals. They play chicken with oncoming trains. They do it while taking pictures of themselves, called selfies. And sometimes they don’t make it out alive. One of them said, “It’s all about me …when I post a selfie, I’m getting confirmation from other people that I’m awesome…not thinking about the consequences of the action…” Since 2014, 49 people have died while trying to photograph themselves in daring and dangerous positions. Self-absorption seems rampant these days. One Bible passage reminds us of the importance of our inner self, rather than what we look like on the outside. Samuel wrote, “…the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” A wise person suggested, “Perhaps a ‘heart selfie’ is in order” When we see ourselves as God sees us, recognize our need for forgiveness and a Saviour, we’re on the right track.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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If it had not been for his cell phone, Jonathan Hambler would probably not have survived. On a frigid night, he had jumped aboard a freight train to get across town a little quicker than walking, thinking when the train slowed down, he would jump to safety. Instead, it increased its speed. Fortunately, his wild ride ended fairly happily, because he used his cell phone to call 911 and was rescued. Hambler’s story reminds one of so many, who hop on the wrong train along life’s highway. They get into drugs, alcohol and their unholy relatives, only to find themselves trapped and unable to get off. In Jonathan’s case, his cell phone was the instrument that saved him. And when you and I find ourselves on life’s train, going in the wrong direction too quickly, we too can have a direct line to our Maker. He has promised, “Call upon me and I will answer you.” And Jesus promised, “the one who comes to me, I will by no means cast out.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Last month I read the fascinating story of an unfortunate man who made a big mistake because of what he did not know. He came across a copy of the Bible in German. Since he did not know German, he discarded the Bible, saying, “It had this name written in the front- some strange name I’d never heard of. “ Later, the Bible sold for thirty thousand dollars. The signature was that of Martin Luther, the famous reformer. What the man didn’t know hurt him financially. There are also important facts which, if ignored can hurt us very badly. One- You and I are estranged from God. “All we like sheep have gone astray.” Old fashioned, but still true! Two- Jesus died on a cross to make forgiveness possible for everyone who ever lived, no matter what we have done. And three- Jesus is the only way to connect with God. He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” I hope you won’t let what you didn’t know hurt you. You know now!

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The men who signed the US Declaration of Independence consisted of lawyers, farmers, merchants, physicians, ministers and politicians. They knew the penalty of their act was death by hanging. Of the fifty six signers, nine died as a result of the war with England, five were imprisoned, and many lost homes and entire families. Not one defected. That freedom, purchased on July 4th, 1776 came at a high price. But there is One other Who purchased freedom for all mankind at a higher price. Jesus left His place in Heaven, suffered shame on earth, and then died on a cross to pay the debt of sin, so that all may be free. Paul the Apostle was inspired to write in the New Testament book of Romans, the following beautiful description of our Saviour’s act. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Himself said, “If the Son therefore shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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