Several years ago, Chicago news media carried the story of a woman who became known as “Garbage Mary.” One day she was found rummaging through trash cans, and questioned by police. Because she was in a confused state of mind, they took her to a psychiatric hospital. Later, stock certificates and bank books found in her apartment revealed that she was in fact a millionaire. Mary, though she had great riches, was living on garbage. How sad! But really, many of us make a worse mistake. Though God is rich in mercy, love and grace, we continue to search in the world’s garbage cans for satisfaction, joy and peace. The Psalmist urges us to “give thanks to the Lord, for His unfailing love, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” And the Psalmist invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” That invitation is open to you, whoever you are, and wherever you are today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Science is the thread of life,” according to Doctor Joe Schwarez of McGill University, in his recent book “Monkeys, Myths and Molecules.” But sometimes though, what passes as scientific fact is not. For example, the mythical Piltdown man embraced by scientists in 1912 as the missing link between men and monkeys, now known to be a hoax. Then there was the embarrassing chicken-dinosaur discovery in China in 1999, trumpeted as proof that birds evolved from dinosaurs.. Later it was proven to be a hoax by a Chinese farmer. Even scientists, it seems can be fooled. Albert Einstein once said, “Two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.” John Milton said, “The end of all learning is to know God.” Jesus, said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. ”He also said, “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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“Live it up man-have fun.” Solomon of old tried that philosophy. He had every opportunity, the resources of his kingdom, an enormous harem and his appetites were unrestrained, his tastes extravagant. Loud music and laughter reverberated through the halls. But this did not satisfy him and he concluded in despair, “All is vanity.” As long as Solomon sought happiness apart from God, he was disappointed. But when he realized his hope for peace and lasting joy was found in God, then he really began to live. What was true for Solomon is also true for us today. Pleasures are temporary, they “ last but for a season.” But when we acknowledge our spiritual need, turn away from man made answers and to Christ, something amazing and life-changing happens. We find, as the Psalmist wrote that ,” In His presence is fullness of joy, at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore. “

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless. It can only be discovered through testing. It is silent and stealthy and can cause serious illness without a person’s knowledge. It’s responsible for 16 per cent of all lung cancer deaths in Canada. A Maritime woman who believes radon caused her husband’s death said, “Most of the public is not aware of the problem.” And many are unaware when quietly over time, as doubts are planted about the truthfulness of the Bible, faith is stolen. Then. by rationalizing and justifying immoral lifestyles our perceptions of right and wrong are dulled. As years slip by we neglect making our peace with God. One New Testament writer asks, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation.” But a gospel song offers hope- “O soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see . There’s life for a look at the Saviour and life more abundant and free.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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A small boy told his mother that he was as tall as the Bible giant Goliath . Investigating why he said this, she learned her son had made his own measuring device- a tiny stick, shorter than a real ruler. We chuckle, but we adults frequently do the same- measuring ourselves by our own standards, and feel quite righteous. We are imitating the Pharisee who prayed “God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.” But when measured by God’s standards, it really doesn’t matter that we might not be guilty of some of the things others are. That’s because God sees us, as we really are and informs us that “there is none righteous, no not one” Thankfully, God has provided help in the person of Jesus. He became our substitute, paid the penalty for our wrong-doing. The old hymn says it well, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Omar Khadr, was released on parole last month, after spending 13 years in prison for killing Sgt. Christopher Speer, a US medic, in Afghanistan, On the day of his release, Khadr said, “There’s nothing I can do about the past, but I hope I can do something about the future.” True- we cannot un-do our past actions. Only a God of love can right the wrongs of yesterday, because Jesus, God’s Son has made it possible for all our wrong-doing to be forgiven and forgotten. Paul wrote, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It is true, that, like Khadr, “there’s nothing we can do about the past. ”But what Jesus, the Savior did in the past makes it possible for all of us to do something about the future. Isaiah invites us to take action now, urging us to “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near…He will have mercy …He will abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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An ancient story tells of a man who joined the orchestra of the Emperor of China under false pretenses. Whenever the orchestra practiced, or performed, he would hold his flute up to his lips pretending to play, not making a sound. One day the Emperor requested a solo from each musician, the flutist panicked and committed suicide. His story may have led to the old saying, “he refused to face the music.” We too sometimes practice self-deception, hoping that our good works will get us into heaven, though the Bible clearly states that it is “not by works of righteousness” that we do.. Paul warned, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” God has made it clear that when we stand before Him, we must acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy and accept Christ’s atoning work on Calvary. When we do, He promises, “he who hears my Word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Today there were break-ins and thefts in many Maritime communities. Most of these criminal acts occurred when there was nobody home. But thanks to new security system technology, including live video feed, you can now monitor everything in your home from hundreds of kilometers away. An ad for one of these security systems says, “You can see anything that’s going on from anywhere in the world.” A homeowner can turn lights on and off, or see everyone who enters a room. Did you know that God has always been able to monitor our lives? Psalm 139, says, that “ He knows” our “ sitting down and… rising up.” And that “He understands our “thought afar off…” and that He is “acquainted with all our ways. This is scary for evil-doers, but comforting for those who have Christ in their lives and know that a kind heavenly Father watches over them.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“It was a panic… it was stressful because even if you have high grades, there’s the fear the letter is going to say “we regret to inform you…” those were the words of Roxey Size, a grade twelve student from North Bay Ontario, speaking of her experience. This time of year, many high school graduates have applied to universities and are waiting to see if they are accepted. It can make for lots of stress and anxiety. Acceptance is important whether for entrance into a university, applying for a new job, or with friends. In these instances, we can’t be sure.. But when we become aware of our need for a proper relationship with God, acknowledge our spiritual need of Him and sincerely ask Christ to take over in our lives, we can be sure of acceptance. Because our Lord promised, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” When we sincerely ask, the Bible says acceptance is assured and we are “Accepted in the beloved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Several years ago my wife and I took Millie, a 70 year old friend, who was ill, to a local medical doctor. We were shocked when he urged us not to bother, saying, “at that age, you just let them die.” We took her to another doctor, and Millie lived another 10 years. In contrast, Dr. Jay Slater, a Vancouver doctor says treating seniors at home is good for the seniors and for the health care system. This old fashioned remedy will still work in our “throw away” world. And something else from the past is also good- the Bible. It’s timeless truth is just as relevant today as when it was written. Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” When we have Christ in our lives, we are given a new heart, a new song, a new name and a new life. The Psalmist urged, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” That invitation is still open.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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