It has been called “the goal of the century” and” the most famous emotional goal of the century.” It happened 42 years ago on September 28th 1972 when Paul Henderson scored for Team Canada against the powerhouse Team Russia. One would think this kind of achievement would bring real fulfillment and happiness to Henderson, but it did not. He said, “It was only after I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and started living for Him that I found inner peace and tranquility.” He added, “Being a Christian is vibrant, exciting and gives purpose and meaning to life.” That is exactly what the Bible promises to all who sincerely acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy, sine we are all sinners by nature and by choice, and invite Christ into their lives. Paul the Apostle was inspired to put it this way: ”Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Here is a Chinese proverb worth remembering. “Ifthere is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. Jesus said” “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Bible also says “Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.”Jesus is the pathway to beauty of soul, harmony in the home, order in the nation, peace in the world. But before these blessings can be ours, we need to become properly related to our Lord. His invitation is still open , “Behold I stand at the door (of our hearts) if anyone hears my voice and opensthe door, I will come in.” Do you desire light in your soul, beauty in your person, harmony in your house? Come to Jesus toda

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A mother took her 8 year old son to a recital by the great pianist Paderewski. Before the program began, she w as horrified to see that her little boy had evaded her and run to the piano and started to play chopsticks. At that moment, the virtuoso came to the platform. But to her surprise, Paderewski leaned over the boy’s extended arms, adding a brilliant set of variations. No doubt it was an unforgettable experience for the boy and his Mom. How like our wonderful Lord. When our life sounds like chopsticks, He surrounds us with His arms, whispers His love and forgiveness and makes melody more beautiful than we could ever imagine. Paul explained it well, when he wrote to the Ephesian believers, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Or as Bill Gaither’s song says it, “He made something beautiful of my life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The little guy had done something wrong and was being punished, finding himself in a room with disapproving adults- father, mother and other relatives. Because of what he had done, they all had very sober expressions on their faces, wanting to impress the little boy of the seriousness of his misdemeanor. When he looked at them, one by one, with a tear stained face, he saw no smiles or sings of relenting. Finally, he burst into tears and wailed, “Won’t somebody forgive me? We smile. We’ve been there, done that. But what about our situation? We have all sinned against God in many ways. We are sinners by nature and by choice. “All have sinned.”” There is none righteous, no not one.” But perhaps today you feel like that little boy. Aware that you have done wrong, but wonder if God will forgive you. He will! God inspired Paul to write-In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

In our relatively new home, we have a well and pump. The pressure had always been strong. Then the pressure dropped. When we removed the filter and let the water run in a bucket the amount of water coming did not match the water pressure the pump was showing. Then we found the culprit- a small pebble was blocking things. Removing it, the pressure came back to normal immediately. It illustrates the truth that when we reject Christ because of the sin of unbelief (a seemingly small thing, like a little pebble) it affects our relationship with God. Isaiah explained – “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear. And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.” When unbelief is in our lives, God is not either. But when turn to Christ by faith, acknowledge our unbelief, we become the persons God intended us to be- in fellowship with Him!

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Surprise! Some highly trained pediatricians subscribe to Old Wive’s Tales. In a study led by Dr. Andrew Adesman, himself a Pediatrician, questionnaires were sent to 5,000 Board certified pediatricians, to find out if pediatricians agree with certain incorrect statements such as chicken pox is not contagious before the rash appears, eating chocolate causes acne, Dr. Adesman learned from the study that some do, saying,, “Some of these parenting myths are so prevalent…that even pediatricians endorse them. Rather disconcerting, given the potential implications to small children. And in the area of spiritual truth, myths are also believed. One of the most popular is that if your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, that makes you a Christian and is the doorway to heaven. But the Bible clearly says that is not true. It tells us what is true. “By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God, not by works lest anyone should boast.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Canadians are spending more time soaking up the sun without adequate protection according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Melanoma, skin cancer will account for 6500 new cases and 76,100 non- melanoma skin cancers are expected to be diagnosed in 2014. This is in spite of repeated warnings. Seems like we are getting better at putting our heads in the proverbial sand. But ignoring repeated warnings can have disastrous results. This is true in the spiritual sense also. Proverbs warns” Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” And Paul cautioned, …now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” I hope you will not be like King Agrippa, whose sad story is told in the Book of Acts in the New Testament. After hearing a clear gospel presentation and invitation from Paul the Apostle, Agrippa responded with the words, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Doctors basically rebuilt me” according to Lewis Roberts, from England He feel like a new man. Involved in a serious car accident, he had hip replacement, five fractured vertebrae, a crushed pelvis, and a damaged eye socket. He also had a damaged jaw and head injuries. And he had problems with memory. Quite a story. We are thankful for medical science and trained physicians who can do these wonderful things for the human body. But did you know that God performs such operations every day? Paul wrote about this transformation that’s available to anyone who will turn to Christ? Paul described the transformation with the words, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” How do we get to be “in Christ”?- by admitting your spiritual bankruptcy and inviting Christ to come in, forgive and cleanse and take control of your life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Wikipedia is the most popular online reference tool, but new research shows that it’s not a reliable source for health information. University of North Carolina researchers found significant errors in 9 out of 10 disorders. Yet many though careful about physical health, fail to check the Bible, the only reliable source of information about our spiritual health. God’s inspired Word makes it plain that all are sinners, in God’s sight, which leads to spiritual death. “The wages of sin is death.” But there is only one way to heaven-personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross. “ Christ died for our sins.” Still, many invent their own answers- in philosophy, education good works and religion This is sad and unnecessary, since God has said, “… this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He (or she) who has the Son has life, he or she who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Michael – was chosen by his classmates as president of his class during his junior and senior years and as “Mr. Wonderful” in his senior year. But the Virginia resident at the age of 23 was sentenced for being anything but wonderful. He was convicted of conspiring to distribute more than one million dollars worth of Cocaine, Marijuana and other drugs. The judge in the case, calling him articulate, and educated gave him ten years in prison. Of course Michael is not the only person going around disguised as something he is not. Outwardly many appear as model citizens, perhaps, attending church regularly, giving to charities But the Bible, speaking of our true nature says, “the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things.” It adds, “Man look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” Are you a wolf in sheep’s clothing like Michael ? We you can hide our true character from family and friends, but not from God.

Pastor Alex Rockwell