Atlantic Canadians, are noted for their generosity, especially when tragedy or catastrophe strikes their neighbors or others. Food Banks and used clothing stores have become a reality in our day. Donations of food and clothing are always needed and appreciated, and we all should support as we are able. Doctor Luke, in his gospel, was inspired to give Jesus’ words, ““He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Jesus was the greatest example of sharing. Paul explained, writing, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might be made rich.” Jesus did that by His death on the old rugged cross, providing eternal life to all who believe. He left the riches of heaven to make it possible.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Time marches on.” “Time waits for no man.” So go the slogans about time, one of our greatest assets. Every morning, the good Lord gives us 86,400 seconds. We cannot store them for future use, nor retrieve them from yesterday. We must use them in the present or they vanish. Therefore it is important to invest that time well. As we consider this daily gift of time from God, it is well to remember what He has told us. He inspired Hosea to write, “It is time to seek the Lord.” He inspired Paul to warn, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. And He inspired the Psalmist to remind us, “my times are in your hands.” He wants us to use the time we have left to make our peace with Him, by turning to His Son Jesus for forgiveness and peace.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Astounding!” that’s how York University professor Bridget Stutchbury described a tiny bird, the Blackpoll Warbler. Recent studies have proven that the 12 gram bird is capable of completing a non-stop migration over open water for a distance of 2700 kilometers. “We were totally amazed when we found out,” said Ryan Norris, a biologist at the University of Guelph. Job exclaimed, “How great is God? Beyond our understanding.” But we don’t have to understand it to embrace our Creator’s love and kindness. Paul described this amazing power exemplified in the gospel, calling it “the power of God to salvation, to everyone who believes…” Later He explained why and how this is possible with the words, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. No wonder millions sing, “How Great Thou Art”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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A while back, a Rhode Island hospital was fined $150,000 when it had its fifth wrong site surgery. And they are not alone in operating in the wrong place. “Wrong site” surgery is becoming more common, often with tragic results. But hospitals are not the only places where “wrong site” situations occur. Often people try to treat spiritual problems without locating the “seat of the problem.” Education and improved social conditions are very important, but God says that it is our hearts that need changing. Jesus said, “… out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” But thankfully, God gives a wonderful promise, saying, “I will remove your heart of stone…I will put my Spirit in you and I will be your God.” The wise will seek forgiveness and accept God’s gift of eternal life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Psychologist Dr. James Dobson, says, “Loneliness is not only an isolation, but an insulation. Perhaps because of abuse, misunderstanding and hurt, we withdraw from people and though we hide behind a cheerful smile, we are really asking someone to understand, someone to heal our hurts.” The feeling of loneliness is common to the human race. King David, in one of his Psalms, expressed the experience of many, when he wrote “I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.” Jesus Himself was once described as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” John Peterson’s song says, “No one understands like Jesus, He’s a friend beyond compare; Meet Him at the throne of mercy, He is waiting for you there. No one understands like Jesus, When the days are dark and grim; No one is so near, so dear as Jesus, Cast your every care on Him.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In a strange twist, Rachel Dolezal resigned last month as the president of the Spokane chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People. She did so after a furor over her racial identity, when her parents revealed that she has been posing as black when she is actually white. The uproar involved not only racial authenticity, but professional honesty. Many people hide behind false faces and some are never discovered, at least in this world. But Paul the Apostle warned, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man (or woman) sows that he will also reap.” We may fool other people, but we cannot fool God. He knows all our secrets. The Psalmist who declared, ”O Lord, You have searched me and known me…You perceive my thoughts …You are familiar with all my ways.” Adam and Eve tried to fool God. They failed.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Home equity debt is one of the fastest growing in our world today.” That warning was made last month by the Financial Consumer’s Agency, saying , “Don’t borrow more than you can afford.” Debt can easily get out of control and we find ourselves unable to pay. There is a parallel to that pertaining to eternal matters, because we all have a sin debt we are unable to pay. God’s Word states it clearly, “There is none righteous, no not one.” But thankfully, we learn that God has provided a way out of our heavy debt. While informing us that “the wages of sin is death,” (both physical and spiritual) we are also given good news- “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” When we accept His offer of forgiveness, He cancels all of our sin debt. Why would anyone turn down that gracious offer?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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A great horned owl was flying too low when he got entangled in a soccer net recently. His efforts to free himself just wound the netting more securely around him. Fortunately, a caretaker from a nearby school saw him and called a wildlife technician, who cut the netting and set him free. Often we too find ourselves entangled by habits or cares of this life that keep us from giving attention to matters pertaining to the next life. We are bound by what is sometimes called the “tyranny of the immediate.” But God’s Word reminds us that “now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” We are also promised that when we reach out by faith, that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” To those entangled in the bondage of unbelief and a questionable lifestyle, Jesus promised, “ the truth shall set you free.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Many newspapers carry a daily horoscope, and millions of people read them, hoping to find what the “stars” will tell them about their future. Interesting commentary on human nature. The only authentic knowledge of the future comes from God. In the Bible, the Psalmist wrote, “from heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place, He watches all who live on earth.” Our Saviour is known as the “Alpha and Omega,the beginning and the end.” and invites us to trust Him for forgiveness of all our wrong-doing and life everlasting. A song describes what God offers us, with the words, “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray. I don’t know worry ‘o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said. And today I’ll walk beside Him for He knows what is ahead.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Do you want to live long and age well? Here are the latest scientific tips to achieve that. One-daily movement. Two-challenging work. Three-connection to friends. Four-good education, and Five-sense of purpose. The Bible, “the good Book” also, has advice for a full life. ” The Psalmist wrote, “Because He loves me, says the Lord, I will protect him… answer him, be with him in trouble, deliver and honour him, and with long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” That word “salvation” is an interesting one, referring usually to the salvation of our souls. We read, “And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life, and he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” God’s promise of eternal life as a gift doesn’t get any better. Everyone needs it, and it’s available to us all.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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