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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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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