Dean Smith, who built the University of North Carolina basketball team into a national power, died last month. He was a member of Basketball’s Hall of Fame. Speaking of Smith’s passing, Michael Jordan, one of basketball’s most famous players said, “He was more than a coach, he was a mentor, my teacher, my second father, who taught me not only basketball, but the game of life.” While physical exercise is important to our health, the decisions we make in this life are vital, not only to our present physical life, but also the life to come. Paul the Apostle exhorted readers to remember that “… bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Amos, in the Old Testament spoke of the most important spiritual exercise you and I can possibly perform when he wrote, “prepare to meet your God.” It is prudent in the game of life to always live with eternity’s values in view.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Famous American agnostic, Robert G. Ingersoll in a letter to his brother reflected somberly on his life, writing, “in youth, we woo the future, in age we denounce her as a fair and beautiful liar and wonder at the ease with which we were duped. Pursuing that which eludes, hoping for the impossible, regretting that which is, fearing that which must be, and with nothing worth having save love, but knowing this too cannot last. “ In stark contrast with Ingersoll’s hopelessness, Paul the Apostle, wrote of his impending death, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me…” Because those who come to Christ, can face the future with confidence rather than fear. Paul explained further,“ I am convinced that neither life nor death…nor anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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On June 2, 1995 Captain Scott O’Grady a former United States Air Force fighter pilot was shot down over Bosnia and forced to eject from his F-16C into hostile territory. After nearly a week of evading the Serbs, a faint message was picked up from his radio. As soon as it was known that he was alive, all the resources for a daring rescue were set in motion. He was eventually snatched up by the US Marines in a helicopter. Newsweek magazine reported at the time that the cost of weapons, personnel and machinery for the rescue were valued at 6 billion dollars. The US military placed great value on one person’s life. And similarly, we know that God puts great value on our souls because He gave His only son, Jesus, to die for our sins and prepare us for divine rescue. So Peter was inspired to write that those who trust in Christ are “… not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Police quickly tracking two assault suspects in Holland Township arrived at a residence just as Codi Antoneillo was starting to shave his head to alter his appearance. Antoniello’s now famous mug shot shows him with a full head of hair, minus a strip on top shaved by clippers. His efforts at disguise had failed miserably and he was brought to justice. We smile at this humorous incident, but in reality, many try to hide their misdeeds and wrongdoings from God, often with self-righteous acts. But God easily sees through our disguises. The Bible in the book of Proverbs reminds us that “the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch.” King David knew t his when he prayed, “Search me o God and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” That honest prayer, offered long ago is still relevant and is a good model for anyone of us today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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In 1902, Jeanie Greenough, author of A Year of Beautiful Thoughts, wrote “ I am only one, but I still am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do” This comment, still has relevance in 2015 and reminds us of the importance of little things, small acts of random kindness. It may be a word of encouragement, a token of appreciation, a visit to a lonely person, or it could be just a short phone call to say thank-you. And it is important for all of us, who profess to be children of God, to recognize that each one of us has responsibility to demonstrate our faith, not just by preaching at someone, but by giving a helping hand from time to time. When we help someone to come to Christ, God takes over and the Bible tells us that “if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation. Old thing have passed away, behold all things have become new.” Remember please, that ”little is much when God is in it.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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After a terrorist bombing in Bali, Indonesia in 2002, one man reacted by giving up travelling. Three years later, he finally returned to Bali with his family, only to be caught in a suicide bombing on Jimbaran Beach. Terrorism has become so widespread now in 2015, that it is hard to find a newscast without mention of it somewhere in the world. It has even reached Canada. Threats, beheadings, and bombings derive their success by creating and exporting fear. But whether we are beset by fears of terrorism, sickness, death, or personal failure, when we trust in Christ, as our personal Saviour, we can say with confidence, “Fear is on every side…but I trust in You O Lord…my times are in Your hands.” Yes, Jesus reassures us in this troubled world, promising “peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you…let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. “ Born again believers can claim God’s promise, that He “ has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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If today, you have an aching heart, or have just received bad news, please listen. The next minute is for you. Catharine Marshall, an American author, who wrote A Man Called Peter, the biography of her famous husband tells of a king who offered a prize for the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Two pictures made it to the finals. One was a calm lake mirroring the tall mountains surrounding it.The other showed rugged mountains topped by an angry stormy sky. Down the mountain side tumbled a turbulent waterfall. But looking carefully, the king saw a bush growing out of a crevice, and in the bush was a little bird’s nest. That picture won. All face storms. But peace is not the absence of storms, it is the assurance that God is with us in the storms. Jesus once said, “peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid.” How do we get this peace? Paul explained, “…being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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The world’s longest bridge is the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China. It opened in June 2011, and spans 102.4 miles, 165 kilometers. China constructed the bridge at an estimated cost of 8.5 billion dollars. Well, it may be the world’s longest bridge, but there is a longer one. I refer to the bridge that Jesus built to make it possible for us to go from earth to heaven. Many try to build a bridge of good works and religious practices, but it’s impossible, because “our sins have separated us from God” , and “it is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.” The the Saviour said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There is no toll charge for that wonderful bridge. Access is gained by accepting Christ as personal Saviour, inviting Him into our lives for cleansing and forgiveness. And amazingly, it is open to all. As Paul puts it, “Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Mary Ann Evans known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She once made the statement, “It’s never too late to become what you might have been. “ Many people feel that having reached a certain age, it’s too late to change. But God’s grace extends to all ages-to all people. Often, some, when looking back on their lives will think, “Oh, if only I could start over again .” While it is impossible to live this life over again, it is possible to be “born again.” Jesus once said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my Word and believes on Him who sent me, has eternal life and will not come into judgment, he has passed from death to life.” That is how we are spiritually re- born. Remember too please, our Lord’s words to Nicodemus, who was looking for a new start in life. He said, “ You must be born again.” As long as we are alive, “It is never too late to become what you might have been.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Recently I heard about a man who overslept almost every morning. But one morning He awoke even later than usual. Then he bolted out of bed, splashed water on his face, grabbed his briefcase, gave his wife a kiss and ran to catch the bus. As it began to pull away, he looked around and breathlessly blurted out, “where is this bus going anyway?” And many, caught up in the rush and pressures of this age, sometimes wake up wondering “where is my life going anyway?” The timeless, always relevant and contemporary Bible tells us that there is “a way that seems right” to us, but its ends lead us in the wrong direction. When we trust only in our own ideas we end up having accomplished nothing lasting beyond this life, and unprepared for the next. But we don’t have to. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “With Him in our lives, we are sure to be on the right road and sure to end up in the right place when this life is over

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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