In his column about managing your money, Dick Young says “These days many consumers turn to social media and other electronic sources for information and guidance.” Then he asks, “Are they the best places?” He says “The answer may be no.” We do live in the information age, but when it comes to answers concerning our spiritual needs, the only trustworthy source is the Bible, God’s inspired Word. Its message is clear. There are three great facts all of us need to know, on which the Bible majors. One- We are all wrong-doers in God’s sight because “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Two- Only Jesus has the ultimate power to forgive sin because “who can forgive sin but God alone? “The son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And three- Jesus never turns away a humble repentant person. He said, “he who comes to me I will never cast out.” And Paul wrote, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Two friends were viewing a piece of land for sale. Walter explained what he planned to build on the property when he bought it, and urged his friend Arthur to buy some of the surrounding acreage as he felt it would become increasingly valuable. Arthur thought his friend’s dream had got the better of his common sense. He promised to “ think about it”. “Later will be too late,” cautioned Walter. And so it was that Art Linkletter lost the opportunity to own the land surrounding what became the now famous “Disneyland.” which his friend Walt Disney had told him about. So often we are told about God’s offer of forgiveness, and eternal life, by placing our faith in Christ and becoming a part of God’s family. John explained in his gospel, “As many as received Him (Christ) to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Please give serious consideration to that offer before it’s too late.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The United States is currently choosing candidates from the two main parties to run for President in November. In 1988, at the Republican national convention in New Orleans, retiring President Ronald Reagan, bringing his final message as President, reminded his audience of the accomplishments of the last eight years. As he did so, he endeavored to give support to George Bush who was running for the Republicans. He spoke of the role of Vice President Bush. His words, which may have helped Bush win, were “and George was there.” It reminds one of a greater undeniable truth. No matter what happens in this world, in your life or mine, there is One Who is always there-our Creator. Francis Schaeffer, noted scholar and thinker wrote an amazing book entitled, “The God Who Is There,” demonstrating the assurance that the God Who is there is with us in hard times and good times. Jesus promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Carbon monoxide is a life threatening colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It almost cost a Kamloops British Columbia family their lives. Fortunately a fifteen month old toddler, Celia Ruppel, woke up in the middle of the night crying, alerting her parents. All were treated and are fine. Carbon monoxide poisoning has been called the silent killer. In the spiritual realm there is also a silent killer at work. The Bible calls it sin, stating, “the wages of sin is death.” Many deny its existence, seeing it only as an outdated idea from the past. But that doesn’t change anything. It is a disease which has infected the entire human race. Paul wrote, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In this case of carbon monoxide in Kamloops, a family was alerted, acted and was saved. And when we acknowledge sin, the silent killer, call out to God for forgiveness, we receive “the gift of God … eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The long, hard fought campaign to elect the next president of the United States is fascinating, Along with the anger, the stunning and sometimes shocking comments, there is much to cause reflection. During a television interview, one of the leading candidates was asked his greatest surprise so far. He answered that it was seeing the love that Americans have for America. I think of an even greater love and the surprise that love produces- that God loves you and me, in spite of our unworthiness and waywardness. It is a love so great that He sent His Son to redeem us. A beautiful gospel song says, “There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, the wonder as sunrise I see; but the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul, is the wonder that God loves me.” Those words reflect the great truth of John 3:16 , “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.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Dr. Viktor Frankl, one time professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Vienna, accused modern educators of undermining youths’ enthusiasm because they teach a view of man which reduces him to the level of nothing but an animal. He said, “Man is more than a so-called naked ape… the behaviorists and psychoanalysts forget about man’s humanity. “ Dr. Frankl was absolutely correct. Man did not spring from a common ancestry with the apes. We are not animals. Why do so many accept the unproven theory of evolution refusing to recognize that man was created by a direct act of God? Is it to avoid their accountability, since animals are not accountable to God? The brilliant Daniel Webster once said, “The most important thought that ever occupied my mind is that of my individual responsibility to God.” Paul the Apostle wrote, “Everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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“The greatest cause of unchecked cancer is man’s unflagging belief that it can never happen to him.” Those words were spoken by Dr. Earnest Wynder, of the American Health Foundation. It certainly is true that many of us do play mind games with ourselves, rather than accepting the painful truth and therefore fail to get needed help in time. Although God’s Word the Bible warns repeatedly that “It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment,” so many of us choose to put blinders on and reject the obvious. How much better it is to see the doctor than remain in denial! And how much better it is to accept God’s gracious love and invite the Dear Lord Jesus into our lives. Please remember that John was inspired to write, “…God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the word, but that the world through Him might be saved.” You and I are going to live somewhere forever so the prudent will make appropriate preparation.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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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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