Last month Halifax Police and the RCMP foiled a planned massacre of innocent people in a shopping centre. This frightening event followed the fatal terrorist attacks in Quebec and Ottawa last Fall. Many Canadians are afraid. The Book of Luke refers to the last days, and “ men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth. “ We live in scary times. But Timothy, in the New Testament, gives the antidote to fear for those who have come into a right relationship with God through faith. in Christ, writing, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. As Part of God’s family, we can say with Paul, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created being shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What assurance and peace!

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Canadians have the right to physician- assisted suicide in certain cases. It is the subject of much controversy. The government of Canada has been given 12 months to pass legislation in line with the ruling. Suicide is an unpleasant subject to contemplate. It is also a matter that came up in the New Testament, but with a happy ending. In the book of Acts there is a story of a jailer who, was on duty when an earthquake took place. The Bible says, “… the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.” Fortunately for him, Paul and Silas, having been falsely accused, were in that very prison. Paul arose to the occasion and stopped him. The keeper then cried out, “What must I do to be saved” to which Paul answered with the life-changing message of the gospel, urging him “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” . That night the jailer’s life and his soul were saved. What a night! And that message is for everyone living today as well.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Statistics Canada says that Canadians are flabby and unfit, based on a comprehensive fitness survey which measured Canadians of all ages. It demonstrated a significant deterioration since 1981, regardless of gender or age. In particular, muscular strength and flexibility have decreased, and all measures of fat have increased. The report concluded that Canadians are becoming heavier, weaker, less flexible and therefore vulnerable to illness, injury and premature frailty. While we may not like the message, denying the facts is not the answer. We need to face reality and do something about it. On one occasion, the Apostle Paul was rebuked for telling the truth about the moral and spiritual character of mankind. He responded with the question, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” And in today’s world, often we shoot the messenger when we don’t like the message. For example, what is your response when you hear, “There is none righteous, no not one.” Or Jesus words, “You must be born again”?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Alec Falkenham, a 27-year-old PhD student at Dalhousie University in Halifax is developing a topical cream that he says will make tattoo ink eventually fade away. The cream will be most effective on tattoos that are two years old or newer. This is very interesting, since from time to time, though not necessarily a health risk, some will want to remove unwanted or embarrassing tattoos from their bodies.. But the treatment reminds us of something that absolutely must be removed from our lives- wrong-doing and the guilt that goes with it. Acccording to the Bible, it can be. John wrote in the New Testament, “…if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Psalmist echoed that truth, writing, that those who turn to God may be assured that “As far as the east is from the West, So far has God removed our transgressions from us. “

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Lorna Dueck, host of Context TV has posed several interesting questions about the human conscience. One- How could young men in Dalhousie University Dentistry School not awaken to the fact that they were denigrating women by their posts on the internet? Two- what is happening to the human conscience? A very wise college president once said, “Your conscience is not your guide unless you have truth for your creed.” The denying of the existence of absolute truth by many today, may be the reason that so many people cannot use their conscience as a guide for their behavior. But it is possible to know the truth, and it is possible to know right from wrong. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” When we come into a personal relationship with Christ by acknowledging our spiritual bankruptcy and inviting Him to take control of our lives, we experience what He meant when He said, “ You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Today, March 17, 2015 many will observe what is known as St. Patrick’s Day. There are many legends about the man who has come to be called St. Patrick. It is known that he was a good man, who performed many deeds of kindness for others .But from his own writings, brief though they were, one little known truth about him is that he humbly acknowledged himself a sinner, in need of a Saviour. He recognized that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And his life’s work illustrates the fact that he was transformed by the gospel, and experienced that of which Paul the Apostle wrote, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, …all things have become new.” The result of that transformation is forgiveness, cleansing, and a home in heaven.. As we observe St. Patrick’s day this year, let’s follow in his steps and become God made saints, as the Bible defines a saint- everyone who has sincerely invited Christ into his or her life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Tomorrow is Saint Patrick’s Day. Irish people around the world revere his name because of the way he helped others with generous acts of kindness during his lifetime, about AD 385-461. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the 17th of March because It is believed that he died on that date. At a young age, he and a large number of others were captured by Irish Raiders and sold as slaves in Ireland. He suffered much from hunger and cold. Later, he wrote, “I was 16 and knew not God. But in that strange land, the Lord opened , my unbelieving eyes and I w as converted.” All of of us too need to have our eyes opened to the reality of our spiritual condition, that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Only God can open our eyes to the truth that Christ alone is sufficient to forgive and cleanse us. Paul explained this eye opening experience when he wrote, , “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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“I’m being driven to distraction!” Those words are often heard in our driven society. Psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell, in 1994, coined the term, “Attention Deficit trait” to describe those who suffer from this pressure-cooker work world. In his book “Driven to Distraction”, he says that causes for this disorder include addiction to electronic devices, distraction by the problems of others, and idea hopping. Dr. Hallowell says we need to re-train ourselves to periods of intense concentration, then allow the mind to drift. Good advice. The Bible also has good advice about dealing with pressure. The Psalmist wrote, “ Be still and know that I am God.” .”Isaiah assure us that “those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. “ And Paul tells us that, when we follow these instruction, “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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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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