Hidden within the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Gardens is the Physic Garden, a spot that is similar to the gardens that were found in medieval Europe near monasteries. Some plants with familiar names grow there, such as Digitalis Purpurea, used in the heart medication Digitalis, and Atropha belladonna, used to treat slow heart rate. These healing gardens were preserved and used to help people. The Bible also talks of gardens such as the Garden of Eden, and also the garden of the tomb. Jesus’ body was laid there, after His death on the Cross for the sins of the world. But He did not stay there. He arose from the dead, as He had promised His disciples. His resurrection assured the resurrection of all true believers. He said, “Because I live, you shall live also.” Later, Paul explained this more fully, writing “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In the early 1960s,the drug Thalidomide prescribed for pregnant women produced an epidemic of very serious birth defects around the world. But a young Canadian doctor, Frances Kelsey, a novice medical examiner working for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration insisted on scientific evidence of Thalidomide’s safety. Her vigilance helped spare women in the United States from one of the worst drug disasters in history. Doctor Kelsey died last month. What a reminder of the danger of endorsing something, just because it seems that almost everybody says it’s okay. For example- it’s popular to reject faith in the Bible as God’s inspired Word, when no Book in history has so much evidence for being accurate. But perhaps the greatest danger of all is the acceptance of the erroneous idea that we get to heaven by being good, or being religious, The Bible clearly states that it is “by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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On October 19th, there will be a General election in Canada. Political parties are fiercely competing to become the next government. Canadian voters will make their choice. It is a wonderful thing to have the freedom to choose, as we do in our democratic society, but which is not available in countries ruled by dictators. And the Bible tells us that God, the Creator of the universe offers all of us the freedom to choose regarding things eternal. In the Old testament, our Lord inspired Moses to write, “…I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life, that you…may live…” He also inspired Joshua to write, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” In the New Testament we find Paul offering all a choice, with the invitation, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Reputation Institute, based on environmental, political and economic factors, ranked Canada as the most reputable, and the “most admired” country in the world. Some would disagree, but Canada is a good place to live. Jesus, speaking of the place where His children go in the next life, said, “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.” He was referring to the heavenly home for those who have come into a personal relationship with Christ by faith. Then He explained how we could go to that heavenly home, making clear that it is not by being religious, or doing good deeds, but by a connection to Him, with these words, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Paul added, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

China is experiencing a financial crisis. Ninety million Chinese private investors have lost an average of 67,000 dollars each in the last few weeks on the Chinese stock markets. About four trillions in paper values have been wiped out. The circumstances regarding the economy of China is really a mirror of what is true of life in general. Even if we are healthy, financially secure, and surrounded by loved ones, we never know what’s coming for us. We all live in a world of uncertainty and change. That’s why it is so wonderful to learn that our heavenly Father says, “… I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed…” and to know that our Savior is “the same, yesterday and today and forever.” When we are in a relationship with Him, we can say with the hymn writer, “With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm.”
Pastor Alex Rockwell

Newspaper columnist, Dr. W. Gifford Jones, noted a surprising report from the Food and Drug Administration. It stated, “Certain drugs, used to prevent osteoporosis, can actually result in an increase in fractures.” This report underlines the importance of knowing all the facts, whether in regards to our physical or spiritual health. It is dangerous to accept every theory, philosophy or idea that comes along, claiming to be truth. Another physician, Dr. Luke, writing in the book of Acts told the story of the Philippian jailer. This honest man asked, “what must I do to be saved?” The Apostle Paul answered with the whole truth, telling him, , “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Through the centuries, millions have done that and had their lives transformed by the power of the gospel. It still happens to all sincere seekers today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Last month, two women who had never met before, were recovering from surgery in a Maritime hospital. Both experienced significant pain. We’ll call them Jane and Linda (not their real names) Linda, especially, was having a very bad night, her pain meds were long overdue. In the wee hours of the morning, she felt a refreshing cool washcloth on her hot forehead. Opening her eyes, she saw her roommate, Jane, herself in pain standing by her bed. Then Jane took Linda’s hand and prayed with her. Linda was deeply moved, as Jane exemplified Her Savior, illustrated in Matthew’s gospel – “…when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them.” And Paul wrote, “…God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The caring “Janes” of this world are a blessing. But only the caring Savior is able to change our lives.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

U.S. Presidential hopeful, Donald Trump announced last month that he is worth a whopping ten billion dollars. Cecil Rhodes who lived from 1853 to 1902 was probably one the world’s richest men of his day. A friend, General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army once asked him – “Rhodes, are you a happy man?” “Me happy? good heavens no.” Sadly it is true that often, as people’s Bank accounts increase, their souls shrivel. Like Solomon, Cecil Rhodes had discovered that rich men can be very poor. Jesus once asked-“What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul? We all have a rendezvous with death. The question is, are we ready? We can be, since while true that the wages of sin is death, for those who have Christ in their lives, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. “

Pastor Alex Rockwell

For those who question the authenticity and inspiration of the Bible, a special program on PBS and TBN, is cause for serious reflection by honest skeptics. One of the most dramatic records of divine intervention in history, is the account of the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt and the drowning of the Egyptian army. Over the years, divers had searched the Gulf of Suez in vain for artifacts to verify the Biblical account. But now repeated dives have discovered Egyptian chariot parts, including wheels, human and horse bones scattered across the sea bed. This is mute witness to the miraculous crossing of the sea by the Hebrews more than 3500 years ago, exactly as the Bible says, further proof that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God…” We can trust the Bible, and the Savior’s offer of forgiveness and assurance of eternal life for sincere seekers.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Fridjof Nansen, the Norwegian explorer, oceanographer and scientist made his first voyage to the Arctic in 1881. Trying to determine the depth of the ocean, measuring with a long line, he couldn’t touch bottom. Finally tying all his lines together and letting them down, they still did not touch bottom. His record states, “Deeper than that.” This reminds one that no matter how greatly we have done wrong, God’s love is so broad, so deep it is always deeper than our transgressions. The prophet Micah described this part of God’s character, writing,” God delights in mercy…He will cast all of our sins into the depths of the sea.” And Frederick Lehman in his famous hymn echoes this truth, wrote, “O Love of God, how rich and pure, How measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure, the saints’ and angel’s’ song.” Yes, God’s love is deeper than that!

Pastor Alex Rockwell