Last month the skies of Eastern Canada displayed the Northern Lights. Others look to the skies for something much different. The town of Rachel Nevada is considered by some to be the “UFO capital of the world,” drawing Sci-Fi fans and visitors from around the world. Interestingly, many believe UFOs exist, even in the absence of proof, while refusing to believe in the best documented book in the world- the Bible. Thinking people look to the heavens and are reminded that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. How good to know that our universe was made by Jesus Christ. We read, “All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. John later wrote, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” A personal relationship with Christ results in eternal life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Over the years, Louis Cyr, from Quebec, set a total of seven world records and earned himself a place in Canada’s sports Hall of Fame. On one occasion he lifted five hundred and fifty two and a half pounds. Quite an accomplishment particularly when you do it with one finger the way Cyr did it. Another time he lifted a three hundred and seventy four pound barrel of cement from the ground to his shoulders without bending his knees. In London, in 1892, 15,000 people watched him win the world weight lifting championship.. But as amazing as those feats of strength, there is someone who has lifted more. I speak of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He lifts the burden of sin, guilt and despair from those who are finding them too much to bear. Of Him, the Bible says,”Who His own self bore our sins in His body on the tree.”And Matthew records Jesus’ promise- “Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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James Garner, Robin Williams, and Joan Rivers, all died in the past few months. Hearing of famous people passing. for just a short while it causes sober thoughts. Time silently passes, hair slowly grays, energy is reduced, wrinkles appear.. These are the signs of the inevitable aging. Yet many live as though death is some nebulous experience that only happens to others, and which for us is way off in the future. But life proves it and the Bible affirms it and like it or not, the ticking of the clock reminds us of it, the changing seasons shout it, the newspaper obituaries thunder it. Death is coming for us all, young and old. Well did the Psalmist write, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” And when we have faced the reality of our mortality and prepared for the future by inviting Christ to give us the gift of eternal life, we can say to the Lord with confidence, as the Psalmist did, the Psalmist, “My times are in your hand.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Carbon Dioxide has been called the “silent killer.” It cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, so death claims the victim who is unaware of the danger. This reminds us that what we don’t know can hurt us. Unfortunately many try to put their heads in the proverbial sand and ignore warnings about eternity. But just because you or I refuse to listen to the teaching of the Bible regarding our responsibility to make our peace with God, that does not change the truth. The writer of Hebrews asked, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation. “ and Jesus, speaking of rejection by the people of His day, of His offer of forgiveness and eternal life said, “‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Today’s technology gives easy access to billions of times as much information as was held in all the libraries on earth 2000 years ago. We live in the golden age of answers, the information age. A recent Time magazine article entitled “The Second Age of Reason” wisely stated, “ Of course information is not knowledge or wisdom.” The key to this sometimes confusing amassing of information is how to ask the right questions- questions with consequences, such as “How can I know God?” and “How do I receive eternal life?” The Bible answers in John’s words, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” And John later added, “… God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life….these things I have written to you that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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“Why aren’t you out there fishing? a rich businessman asked a fisherman relaxing next to his boat on a sunny afternoon. “Because I’ve caught enough fish for the day,” replied the fisherman. The businessman continued, “You could earn more money”… you could…be rich like me.” “Then what would I do?” the fisherman asked. “ You could sit down and enjoy life,” said the rich man. The fisherman asked, “What do you think I’m doing right now?” Wise Solomon warned, “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, Nor he who loves abundance with increase.” Paul cautioned “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Yes, money is needed, but greed for more and more is the problem, especially when it interferes with preparation for the next life. Jesus, speaking to a man who was making that mistake said, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you…So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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If your world feels like it’s getting more complicated- it’s because it is! Focusing on what’s really important is difficult at the best of times. Now we have become even busier with all sorts of new distractions like email, smart phones, texting, Facebook, twitter and more. Baylor University in Texas released a survey recently stating that female undergraduates spend an average of ten hours a day interacting with their phones, while males interact for eight hours a day. Because we are all going to live somewhere forever let’s get our priorities right. Is it not time to heed Paul’s advice to be “redeeming the time” and to “seek those things which are above.”? Jesus admonished us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” YesI phones, smart phones, Facebook, twitter can all be useful for entertainment, communication and business. But let’s not allow them to so control us so much that we neglect the reality of the next life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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One of the ships from the doomed Franklin expedition has been found after more than 160 years. The search team confirmed they found the wreck 11 meters below the surface of the water. It is truly an amazing and remarkable discovery. But there is another even more remarkable and amazing discovery which millions have made, including the man known as "The Great Blasphemer," John Newton. He sank so low at one point that he became a slave trader. But then, in answer to his mother’s prayers, he discovered that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” Realizing that Christ loved him and became a Christian. Later he described his transformation in the hymns Amazing Grace. Millions now sing, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Have you made Newton’s discovery?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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“today is a miraculous day. I am thrilled to be alive…God saved my life.” These words were spoken by Dr. Ken Brantly, who had contracted the deadly disease of Ebola in West Africa. There is no cure for Ebola yet, although research is pointing to hope that there will be. Did you know that there is another far more serious deadly disease that affects the whole human race? It is a disease of the soul-, which the Bible describes with the words, “death spread to all men, because all sinned.” The good news is that although we are unable to cure the sin disease problem ourselves, God has provided a cure and made it available to all who will accept. Jesus, God’s Son, by His death on the Cross, offers forgiveness and eternal life. Paul put it clearly as follows, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Violinist Joshua Bell played to a sold out audience in Boston where seats cost an average of $100 each. But two days later Bell played incognito on a three and a half million dollar Stradivarius violin for forty five minutes before thousands of people at a Metro station in Washington D.C. No one applauded, there was no recognition, and tips of just thirty-two dollars. Why? Nobody recognized this was one of the best musicians in the world playing the best and most intricate music ever written, on one of the most valuable instruments ever made. Are faulty perceptions, questionable tastes and distorted priorities costing us dearly? John, writing of Christ’s coming into the world, said: ”He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” But then John offered hope to all, writing: ”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Are you missing out on a relationship with the greatest person who ever lived

Pastor Alex Rockwell