Recently it was announced that Swiss audiologists have developed a new hearing chip that restores speech comprehension, particularly with hearing loss in the high frequency range. It is important, because the number of people who can hear well, but can’t understand what’s being said, is increasing. The dilemma is that people with hearing loss in that high frequency range do not consider themselves to have a hearing problem. Very interesting! And the Bible too has much to say about the importance of proper hearing and understanding. For example, John wrote, –“ He that is of God hears God’s words…” A little later, he wrote, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…”And Paul explained, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”Dr. Luke warned in his gospel, “Take heed how you hear…” The wise will hear the Word of God, but will always compare scripture with scripture, always interpret it in context, and not accept biased interpretations. We need to take heed how we hear.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Rembrandt, the famous Dutch artist, painted a picture of the crucifixion of Christ. Vividly, he portrayed the agony Jesus suffered on the cross. He depicted the various attitudes of those who stood about the cross watching Jesus’ suffering. Apart from the realistic facial expression of Christ, the most significant thing about the painting was Rembrandt’s painting of himself, standing on the edge of the onlookers. It was his way of saying, “I was there too. My sin helped to crucify the savior.” And it is only when we realize that we are part of a fallen race of sinners that we will see our need to turn to Jesus for forgiveness, salvation and a heavenly home some day. Paul wrote, “there is none righteous, no, not one.” And Jesus said, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Since there are none who are righteous in God’s eyes before we become properly related to Him, that means that every single one of us, myself included, need to humble ourselves and invite Christ to make us His children.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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People around the globe are spending more than a billion dollars a year on clairvoyants, gypsies, faith healers, seers and those calling themselves prophets. Many college students are obsessed by vibrations, spirits, and séances. The world beyond beckons our imaginations. What does the future hold for us? If only these curious folks would check the most authentic book of all times- the Bible. There they can learn that Jesus Christ, the Son of God never changes. He “is the same, yesterday and today and forever.” He promised to return to earth to set up His kingdom someday.. Israel is proof that He keeps His promises and fulfills His predictions. He inspired Old Testament prophets to prophesy that Israel, dispersed from their land for centuries, would one day return and become a nation again. Many scoffed, but in May of 1948, that unlikely event took place when Israel was re- born. God keeps His Word, and we can trust Him when He promises, “come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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March 20th was the first day of Spring, 2015. It will take a while for us to adjust. Many road signs show the affects of the severe winter.. It is important for these signs to give proper direction to travelers. And just as battered and broken signs fail to give proper direction, so people on life’s highways can be misled and given wrong information. Some claiming to be experts in their field tell us that there is no such thing as original sin, so all we need is better education and social assistance, and things will turn out okay. They ignore the Biblical teaching that “all have sinned,” and that “there is none righteous, no not one. “Others tells us that man is basically good, so has the ability to be pleasing to His Maker. But we do not have the ability to please God on our own. That’s why Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Signs that tell the truth are vital.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In 1901, the Nova Scotia town of New Glasgow commissioned a massive bell to be installed in a tower on the town’s post office and custom house. It was rung to announce fires for fifty years until it was replaced by a horn system. The clapper has been removed so the bell does not ring any more. It is now housed in an attractive steel and wood pagoda- an historic artifact. And the Bible, too, for centuries has sounded out its message of hope and sometimes warnings. Through the ages, attempts have been made unsuccessfully, to remove its clapper. Still today- in 2015, its message is clear. First- all of us are sinners by nature and by choice- “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Second- None of us has the ability to forgive and save one’s self. Because “it is by grace we are saved, through faith, and not of ourselves lest anyone should boast” Third- Only Christ can redeem “- There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The prudent will heed these warnings and act.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Please accept the fact that you are not going to change your father. Change has to come from within.” I read those wise words in a newspaper advice column recently. They were in response to a letter from a woman whose father was making life difficult for her. She wrote, “ He is ill-informed, opinionated, and verbally abusive. yet convinced he is right- not willing to forgive anyone who hurts him.” In her response, the columnist , whether she realized it or not, was actually giving advice that is taught in the Bible. We cannot change someone else, and true change must come from within. Matthew wrote in his gospel that “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…” And Dr. Luke, in his gospel adds, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” So the problem is within. We have heart trouble. But thankfully, Paul gives us the answer to our inner problem, writing, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Using only the power of the sun, Bertrand Piccard and his partner Andre Borschberg are now planning to become the only people to fly around the world in a solar-powered plane. They will see amazing sights in our awesome world from above. With busy lives, it is easy to forget how truly incredible this earth is. For example, the area of the earth is almost 200 Million square miles, and travels through space at 66,700 miles per hour. The earth’s ocean are an average of two miles deep. In the 119th Psalm, we are reminded, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” John, in his gospel, wrote, about Christ, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” Later in that same chapter, John was inspired to write, “to all who received Him….who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” Just think- by faith, you and I can know the Creator of this wonderful earth and universe and have Him in our lives!

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“We often focus too much on the look of the produce rather than the taste.” Those are the words of Ian Gordon, a senior vice president, of Loblaw Brands as part of an announcement that Loblaws are going to begin selling misshapen apples and potatoes at a 30 per cent discount at Superstores and No Frills in Ontario, Maxi stores in Quebec., and eventually nationwide. This is fascinating marketing- inviting folks to look past the outward appearance and see what’s on the inside. Samuel, in the Old Testament stated that “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” Apparently He looks past our physique, our financial resources, our education and sees the real you and me. And whether or not we look attractive to others, He sees the potential of every human being. As we acknowledge our spiritual needs, for “all have sinned, ” and open the door to our inner being, Jesus says, “I will come in…” Then He can make “something beautiful” of our lives, even if outwardly unattractive.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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An old fable tells of a slender brown reed growing by a forest. It was always sad because it could not utter music like the brook, the birds and the wind. One day a young boy cut the reed and fashioned it to his liking. When he breathed through it, beautiful music floated through the forest, more lovely than anything that had been heard before. So often we too are unable to make music. We seem powerless to change and live our Days, trying, yet unable to do better. But when we invite the Lord Jesus into our lives, He changes everything. We are set free from the bondage of bad habits and a new song is given to us. God sees in each of our, our true worth. Though without Him, are unable to realize our potential, when we allow Him, to move into our lives, He forgives our sins, gives us a new life and makes something beautiful of our lives. The Psalmist describes this experience writing,- “I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry…He has put a new song in my mouth-praise to our God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Greater efforts have been made to destroy the Bible than any other book in history. Criticism assails it, ridicule derides it, people claiming to represent philosophy and science try to discredit it. But it remains amazing and trustworthy It’s not an account of man’s effort to reach God, but God’s revelation of Himself to man The human authors, inspired by God, were lawgivers, fishermen, farmers, artisans and scholars. Yet in spite of this diversity, there is complete harmony and unity of the message. Millions believe this is God’s Word, and not merely man’s. But the supreme reason is that they have come to know the Author. They have come to God on His terms , acknowledging that they have done wrongs for which they needed to be forgiven. This powerful, indestructible Book says to us all, “Prepare to meet your God.” But it also tells us how to do that, in Paul’s words, “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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