Many sincere, educators and politicians believe that the reason for what is happening in the Ukraine, the Middle East, the environment and other world trouble areas lies in a lack of education. They insist that educating the masses would bring peace and stability to our world. But James Burnham, in his book “The Suicide of the West” claims that such an argument overlooks certain fact of history entirely. For example, Germany, long one of the great cultured nations of the world, produced a Hitler and a Himmler, and Nazi Joseph Goebbles earned a Ph.D. Burnham contends that the greed, passions and lust for power of educated people are not eliminated by education. Education is vital, but education is clearly not the answer to the mess this world is in. The Psalmist and Solomon in Proverbs give the answer-. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. “ When godly fear leads to Christ and transformed lives, the world can be changed, one person at a time.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Last month the United States marked the 13th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 tragedy known as 9/11, when an airplane crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York. Almost 3000 people lost their lives. Since that terrible event the families of the deceased have been showered with love and condolences. Millions do what they can. The families and friends of those who perished received comfort from the sincere sympathy of politicians, leaders and others. Perhaps someone listening at this moment has just had a tragedy- bad medical news, or you’ve lost someone dear to you.. In addition to the support from your loved ones and friends, the Bible, God’s Word tells us that our Heavenly Father is “the God of all comfort.” And Peter wrote, “casting all your care on Him (Christ) because He cares for you.” If you are hurting today, I urge you to call out to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Healer of broken hearts.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Isis, Ebola, the Ukraine. Our world is torn by wars, natural disasters, conflict and epidemics. But in spite of all this suffering, or perhaps because of it, people are in a mad pursuit of pleasure. The common philosophy for many is “eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” King Solomon, whose story is told in the Bible, believed in that philosophy and his opportunities were limitless. He had the resources of his kingdom, and enormous harem, and his appetites were unrestrained. But when all the shouting died down, he concluded, “all is vanity.” He found that pleasure did not satisfy him-only God could do that. In the end Solomon recognized that the only sensible course was “Fear God and keep His commandments….for God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” If refuse God’s loving offer of forgiveness, cleansing, welcome into His family and the gift of eternal life now, we will face Him in eternity as our Judge.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Two signboards stand side by side near a superhighway interchange on the outskirts of a large city. Each flashes the time of day and current temperature. But sometimes the information provided is contradictory. The fault is of course in the equipment. These signboards illustrate what is often seen in the lives of many today. Because of a depraved spiritual condition, it is impossible to establish proper guidelines for moral conduct. For example, many who oppose capital punishment of murderers in every case, are curiously in favor of taking innocent lives in other cases. This is caused by a refusal to accept absolute truth and the rejection of man’s depraved sinful nature. But when we accept absolute truth, and acknowledge the fact that we are all sinners by nature and by choice, there is hope. Because God’s Word says, that though “the wages of sin is death,” when we turn to the Savior, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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An advice column, contained a letter from a woman describing her serious indiscretions during her college days, which involved incriminating pictures of her. Although now happily married and having not kept these secrets from her husband she worried that with today’s technology, the pictures could be anywhere. The letter ended with a warning to young people to think before they do something that could follow them all their lives. How sad, yet how true are her words. The good news is that when we admit our mistakes and sins, and humbly confess them to the Lord, while there may be unpleasant implications that result, there is forgiveness. David, who had his own indiscretions, cried out to God, “I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” If you are troubled by past or present indiscretions, turn to the Lord. He will forgive.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Robert Louis Stevenson was a 19th century Scottish writer notable for such novels as Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One night, as a boy, Stevenson watched darkness envelope the city. His nurse urged him to sit down, because he could not see anything outside. Robert replied, “I can see something wonderful. A man is coming down the street making holes in the darkness.” He was referring to the lamp lighter. When light is turned on in a room, darkness vanishes. Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs, “ the way of the wicked is like deep darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble.” True, but how wonderful to learn that Jesus wrote, “I am the light of the world. He that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” When we enter into a personal relationship with Christ, Acknowledging our spiritual darkness, He brings forgiveness and light into our lives.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Last month, Georgetown Town Council discussed the possibility of purchasing a security camera to identify whoever has been sneaking up on the roof of the Town Hall and doing damage. Damage has been done to the outside of the building and it is believed that unidentified youth have been climbing on to the roof at night, so consideration has been given to purchase an infrared camera. Jesus reminded His hearers that “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” “Let’s hope that those doing the damage to the Georgetown Town Hall will have the light shined on them and they’ll be caught, punished, and then make the necessary changes in their lifestyle. And those of us who recognize that we are doing wrong can also have hope because Jesus also said,, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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I read of the following incident recently. When a customer arrived at a cash register in a store, the clerk blurted out, “wouldn’t you like to touch me? I just shook hands with a movie star.” Mentioning his name she continued, “He passed through this very line a few minutes ago.” What a strange world we live in. People get warm and fuzzy, excited because they have touched a movie star. Yet all around us there are men and women we take for granted, people who have fought for their country, brave firemen and police officers, many bearing the very marks of their bravery in their bodies. Sadly, too often they are un-noticed and ignored. They are the real heroes and heroines. They are the ones we should be admiring and wanting to shake hands with. But the greatest hero of all time is the Lord Jesus Christ. Of Him it is written,” …when we were without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. “

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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“Do we care if they’re sleeping or dying?” this headline was followed by an article about homeless people in Vancouver. 25 years before, a photographer had taken a picture of a young girl lying on her back in an alley. It made the front pages of newspapers. Back then a person sleeping on the street was news-now they are merely a nuisance and ignored by many. All around us we see the homeless, addicted, broken and those in despair. Matthew wrote of Jesus our wonderful Savior as follows – “…when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd.“ If your life lies in ruins around you, you may be sure that He understands and loves you. A gospel song says it so well- “No one understands like Jesus. He’s a friend beyond compare. Meet Him at the throne of mercy- He is waiting for you there.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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I recently read the fascinating story of a little boy who loved his Daddy very much and was sad and lonely when his father was away from home. His mother kept a picture of her husband on the wall. Often the little boy would look at his father’s picture and one day he surprised his mother by saying, “Mommy, I wish Daddy would come out of that frame.” Sometimes, when we experience difficult circumstances, we are like that little boy, wishing our Heavenly Father were near at hand. On one occasion, Jesus said to one of His disciples, “ whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Another New Testament writer put it as follows- “In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son…the express image of His person.” If today you are burdened down with problems that are beyond your strength, take comfort from the gospel song that says, , “Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone? Reach out to Jesus, He’s reaching out to you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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