His little face flushed and streaked with sweat, the young boy tugged at the stone, which wouldn’t budge. His father asked, “Are you doing your best?” “Of course I am” the boy replied. “It’s a big stone.” “But are you sure you are doing your best? You haven’t asked me to help you and I am big enough to lift the stone.” Like this little boy, we often struggle, trying to become Christians by our best efforts. But we fail because the Bible, the final authority on the Christian life, says, “By grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not by works lest anyone should boast.” And in addition, we are told that becoming a Christian is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but it is according to God’s mercy He saves us.” We cannot become Christians by turning over a new leaf or doing good deeds. We need to turn to Jesus Christ, Who, speaking of our salvation as He died on the cross, cried out, “It is finished.” He did everything necessary to forgive us and prepare us for heaven.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“You won’t amount to anything, you’ll never earn a university degree.” Those words were spoken to Toronto high school dropout Toni Morgan by her Vice-Principal. Toni, was for four years a homeless person., living in shelters. Then, she settled into the YWCA and saw “ a chance to turn her life around.” A grad of Ryerson University with a B.A., she has now been accepted into prestigious Harvard University. Needing tuition fees, as she studies for a Masters of Education degree, Tonika raised more than $60,000 through an online campaign. And the same God, Who helped her, has plans for our success in the future too. He told Jeremiah to write, “…I know the thoughts I think toward you… to give you a future and a hope.” How does this happen? – “…call upon me …and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find me when you search for Me with all your heart.” As in Toni’s case, with God’s help, You have “a chance to have your life turned around.” Ready to accept the challenge?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Last month our daughter-in-law, May, rolled her car. A pickup truck following her closely, left the scene of the accident without stopping.. For a while she was unable to get out of her car, which landed on the driver’s side.. But a good man living across the road from where the accident occurred, saw it, helped her out of the car and called 911. An ambulance was soon on the way, and she received appropriate medical care. The event reminds one of the parable of the good Samaritan in the Bible, where a man was injured, and left on the side of a road. Two men passed him by. without helping. But another man, known as the good Samaritan, found him, had compassion and tended to his wounds. Those men who helped another person, both then and now, in that way are like our Lord. On one occasion, Jesus came upon some people in trouble. When He saw them, He was “moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. “ If you are in trouble today, reach out to the Saviour. He’ll help you!

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Many parts of the Maritimes, especially in rural areas do not have the same access to ambulance and hospital services as those who live in towns and cities. With this in mind, a Cavendish PEI couple have purchased an automatic External Defibrillator, a device used to restart the heart following cardiac arrest. They are also willing to share the life saving machine with others in their area should the need arise. This couple obviously believes in preparedness, an admirable and prudent characteristic. But while we all commend this thoughtful couple and have nothing but praise for them, many drift through life with no thought given to the next life. To such, James in the New Testament advised, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will[a] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 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. Remember –we are going to live somewhere forever.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Dr. Vanessa Brown, in her recent book “Cool Shades: The History and Meaning of Sun Glasses,” makes some interesting observations: Referring to sunglasses, she writes, “ In a fashion context, they draw attention to the eyes but render them unreadable, hence the mystique and “cool” factor. Then Ms. Brown adds, “No matter who’s looking, shades are the difference between being seen and being known.” It is true that people can only see us externally, when we wear sunglasses that shade our eyes, and they cannot really know us on the inside. But what is true of us, is not true of our Maker. David the Psalmist makes this clear, writing, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me…You understand my thought afar off…and are acquainted with all my ways.” As He looks into our hearts He sees much that displeases Him. But when we seek Him and call upon Him He has promised that He will “abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Last month it was reported that the south coast of Haida Gwai is the likely epicenter of a future large earthquake and tsunami in British Columbia. Thomas James of the Geological Survey of Canada has studied the second biggest earthquake in Canadian history in 2012. He is convinced that the pressures that produce changes in the earth’s crust raise the possibility of future earthquakes and tsunamis in the region. His predictions follow a provincial government report which concluded that because of 20 years of staff cutbacks, B.C.s earthquake preparedness is inadequate. Not being prepared for the future possible disasters is a very serious condition. But not being prepared for the next life, which is a sure thing for all of us, is even more serious. Isaiah advised, us to “ seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near…for He will abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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There is much talk today about “brain fitness.” Doctors tell us that our brains don’t grow old from working too hard, but rather from lack of exercise. Mindless hours in front of TV, avoiding mental stimulation can result in shrinking of the mind’s capacity. So they recommend thoughtful reading, rational thinking, intelligent analysis and conversation. And we should add another dimension- God’s Word, the Bible gives some excellent advice. Timothy urged, “Study (that is exert yourself mentally) to show yourself approved unto God. “Paul also put in his contribution, writing, “set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” When we learn about the God who made our brains, He has promised that He will renew our minds so that we no longer need to conform to the pattern of this world, but can be transformed by His power.” That’s because, as the writer of Hebrews says, “ The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Misao Okawa, died last month after observing her 117th birthday. Born in Osaka Japan on March 5,1898 Okawa was recognized as the world’s oldest living person by the Guinness Book of Records. Whether we have few, or many years on this earth, we have been given this time to do what Amos of old advised,- “prepare to meet your God.” The news of the long life and death of this lady gives us much to ponder. No matter how long or short our lives, each one of us has a rendezvous with the grim reaper, like it or not. Because of that, it is wise to heed the invitation in the Bible to “seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near,” and to take advantage of the truth that Our savior is “willing to save to the uttermost, all who come to God by Him.” Songwriter Ira Stanphill reminds us, “There’s room at the cross for you, There’s room at the cross for you. Though millions have come, there is still room for one, There is room at the cross for you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Ray Hinton, 58 of Alabama, who served 30 years in prison for a murder he did not commit is free. As he was leaving Birmingham Jail, he was heard to say, “Thank-you Jesus.” Think of it- a wrongful conviction because of human error or worse cost this man 30 years of his life. How different it is with the Heavenly Father. One old Testament writer asked the rhetorical question, “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?” The answer is that He always does right. But there is another interesting fact that is in stark contrast to the sad story of innocent Ray Hinton’s release. He got the freedom He deserved and should have had long ago. I refer to the fact that all of us are guilty of wrong-doing before God, just like the two thieves on the Cross. Not one of us can claim that we are not sinners by nature and by choice. But because Jesus died on that Cross, He has made freedom for the guilty possible. Peter, himself forgiven, wrote, of Jesus, “He died the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God.” Though we are guilty, Jesus offers to make us free.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Right? Wrong! New research has found that daily apple eaters had as many doctor visits as others who ate fewer of no apples at all. So much for a quick fix by eating an apple a day for a healthy diet. But just as our physical bodies need a balanced diet for optimal health, so our spiritual needs require us to follow the only reliable rule book- the Bible- God’s inspired Word. Many, attempting to be pleasing to God, try the quick fixes of turning over a new leaf, giving to charities, attending church regularly or even being baptized. But God’s Rule Book tells us that self effort will never bring the desired result. How do I know that? The Book tells us that ”without faith it is impossible to please God.” He tells us that “there is none righteous, no not one.” And He tells us that when it comes to forgiveness and a home in heaven, “it is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy that He saves us.” That’s what the Good Book says.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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