On October 14th, 1947 a high flying plane flew faster than 758 miles per hour and created a resounding sonic boom. Headlines announced, the sound barrier had been broken. Of course it is now broken regularly. But it caused great excitement when it happened in 1947. Because of the limited technology of that day, it had been largely believed that the sound barrier would never be broken. But with technological advances the sound barrier was broken. And it reminds one of another barrier which many believe could never be broken- the sin barrier. Since we are all sinners by nature and by choice, “all have sinned” nobody can keep the ten commandments, and since God is holy just and righteous, it is reasoned, “how could lost fellowship ever be restored?” The answer is Calvary. Where “Christ died for our sins.” When He did, He broke the sin barrier. The Bible says, “He became the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

An acquaintance of mine, who thought he was in a good marriage, was shocked when his wife of over 25 years informed him that she was leaving him and longer wanted to be in his life. He was devastated. A little later, the well educated talented schoolteacher daughter of friends of mine was unceremoniously released from her high school teaching position. In spite of all efforts, no credible reason was given for her dismissal. She has been unable to get a new teaching position in her province, with a traumatic impact on the young woman. Few actions are more crushing than rejection? How do you cope when it slams into your life? When responding, it is important to admit to yourself that you are hurt. Don’t be ashamed of shedding tears. Healing can’t really begin until we admit a problem exists. If you’re hurting today, listen to Peter the Apostle, as he advises, us to be “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” He’s there for us.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“It has happened to many of us. We’re comfortable in our job when suddenly change hits-the company is downsizing and we’re left feeling helpless and insecure.” So says Leah Eichler in her article “How I learned to love uncertainty.” Bob Miglani, ins his book “Embrace the Chaos” says “It’s easy to get lost trying to figure out what the future holds. We cannot control the chaos but we can control our emotions and actions.” Good advice! A story in the New Testament tells of Jesus and His disciples caught in a bad storm on the sea of Galilee. The disciples, fearing for their lives, took action. They called out to Jesus, “Lord save us, we are perishing.” The Savior responded. He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” When times of uncertainty strike, we can’t control the circumstances, but we can call on our loving all powerful Savior, who can give peace in every storm. Reach out to Him today,

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A Spanish newspaper reported when Mario Gonzales’ home was foreclosed on. But 16 years later, it showed up on Google. Mr. Gonzales appealed for the “right to be forgotten” and Europe’s highest court ordered that he had a right to be free from information that is no longer relevant. Predictably Google is now being besieged by many others, asking for part of their history to be forgotten. We may be able to erase unpleasant things from our record here on earth, but God knows all about us. King David, writing in Psalm 139 says, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thought afar off… ‘where can I flee from your presence?’ Obviously no one can hide from the God of the universe. Sensibly, then, David prays, a prayer we should all consider praying- “Search me O God and know heart. Try me and know my anxieties. And see if there is any wicked way in me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Remember Linus thecharacter in the comic strip Peanuts? He always had his security blanket! Perhaps with him in mind, somebody wrote the following- “I pulled my blanket around my shoulders and snuggled in the warmth of my family, my job, my good health, my financial security. But the winds of change whipped at the corners; Suddenly my blanket was ripped from my grasp and I stood exposed in all my fears. Then I looked up to Him. Slowly I was enveloped with certainty. The Son of God said, “My peace I give to you, don’t be troubled or afraid.”I was warm. “Is this how you feel today? Have you recently lost your job? Has your health or that of a loved one failed? How will it be if our security blanket t is ripped from us? The only way to have true security it to become properly related to the One who holds all our tomorrows in His hand. His name is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He never changes. He is “ the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Those who visit Madame Tussaud’s wax works museum have noticed a change. Previously many of the figures of famous people were protected by velvet ropes and glass cages. Now that has all been removed and visitors are free to “touch” the celebrities and pose with them for pictures. People seem to have an insatiable interest in famous people, stars, and royalty. Of course it is only an artificial closeness. It is not very often that ordinary people or commoners get to hob nob with the rich and famous. But when the Lord Jesus was on earth, He made Himself available to all. He spent time with the sick, the poor and the needy. Matthew wrote of Him, “when he saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” You can only get close to the make believe wax celebrities, in a museum, but you can get close to the real Lord anytime. His arms are always open.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Debt, both public and private remains a ball and chain to Canadians. But a b it of good news- MacLean’s magazine reports that Alberta is back in the black with a 755 million dollar surplus. Debts are paid in full! One debt that we all owe and are unable to pay is our personal sin debt. When God’s Son, the Lord Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, He paid the sin debt for us all. He rose from the dead, a victor over sin and death and offers to anyone who will accept, His “paid in full” assurance of His forgiveness and eternal life. And yet sadly many of us keep trying by good works to pile up enough righteousness to impress God. But that is Mission impossible. For the Bible plainly tells us, that it it’s “not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.” And Paul in Ephesians adds, Ephesians “By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Recently I read of a husky soldier who fainted just before he was to get a needle.. He was experiencing what is known as “Belone phobia” a fear of needles This fear is especially troublesome if the person is a diabetic. But there are needles as short as 4 millimeters and as fine as a 32 guage, called “needles to take the fear away.” They must be a comfort to people so afflicted. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a needle to take away all fear such as fear of failure, ill health, the future and other concerns? Well it is not a needle, but our Heavenly Father promises to remove our fears? He said in the book of Isaiah, “Fear not, for Iamwith you; Be not dismayed, for IamyourGod. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand..” When we have Christ in our lives, we find as John later wrote, that “perfect love casts out fear.” Or as the old gospel song puts it, “take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A magazine article entitled Canada >From Above, a series of aerial photos, showed cars that looked like toys, fish below the surface of the water and the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and PEI that looked like a miniature. But God sees not only Canada from above. but our whole planet. The Psalmist describes our spiritual condition, as seen by God, with the words, , “God looks down from heaven upon the children of men. To see if there are any who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside…There is none who does good, no not one.” But thought He does not see us as righteous people, He has made a way to make us righteous. And John’s gospel put it so well in the famous John 3:16, “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A fisherman pulled an old beer bottle out of the Baltic off the northern city of Kiel last month. Inside was a scribbled message on a postcard requesting the finder return it to the writer’s home address in Berlin. The bottle was tossed in the sea in Germany 101 years ago. It is believed to be the world’s oldest ever found. Researchers were able to identify the author and managed to track down his 62-year-old granddaughter Angela Erdmann, who lives in Berlin. Erdmann said with tears, “That was a pretty moving moment.” And it is a very moving moment when we hear about the message that was delivered to this world 2,000 years ago. That message says, “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” That means that no matter who we are, no matter how bad we have been, because of Jesus’ death at Calvary, forgiveness and eternal life is available to all.

Pastor Alex Rockwell