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

It’s called “21st Century learning” in B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia schools. But Margaret Wente, writing in the Globe and Mail describes this kind of learning as a fad that downplays factual knowledge, grades and testing, and emphasizes creativity, innovations and something called digital literacies. To date there is no evidence it brings better results. Not surprising, for we have already thrown out absolutes, embraced materialism, deified man and ignored God, in much of our education. Even some churches are attempting to “re-invent” the gospel. Some would have us believe that God will adjust His program to suit our whims. Not so. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And, “I the Lord do not change.” Yes, there is room for creative thinking, innovative methods in education, but truth and principles never change. Not even in the 21st century.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, and several other prominent individuals are in favor of legalizing non-medical use of marijuana. But according to scientific studies, marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more cancer-causing substances than tobacco smoke. And one major research study reported that a single cannabis joint could cause as much damage to the lungs as up to five regular cigarettes smoked one after another. So why are so many attracted to this health destroying drug? One possibility- it enables users to hide from the real world, elude reality and enter a make believe world. But the Bible calls such habits “the passing pleasures of sin “and sooner or later we must return to the real world, where we can have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Psalmist describes that relationship as follows: “You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Health Canada studies indicate that most of us are consuming too much sodium. And that spells danger to our health and well being. And while it is important that we watch our diet and attempt to live healthy lifestyles, it is even more important to consider our inner man, known as soul and spirit. After all you and I are going to live somewhere forever. Jesus once said “that which enters the mouth does not make a man unclean, for it is soon passed from the body. But what comes out of a man’s heart, evil thoughts, murder, greed, adultery, arrogance, that’s what makes man unclean. We have a heart disease. King David realized his sinful nature, and prayed, “Have mercy on me Oh God…blot out my transgressions, wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Health Canada is correct in warning about too much But God is also correct when warning of that which is already within- our sinful nature. And only He can cleanse us and make us whole again

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Some believe that the cost of prescription drugs used by millions of people every day is about to plummet. Reportedly, between now and 2016 there will be a wave of expiring drug patents which will allow Generic drugs to flood the market. Doctors hope the lower prices will reduce the number of people going without the medicine they really need. While generics will improve the situation, they are not entirely free. But how good to know that there is one remedy that is entirely free. I refer to the remedy for our souls’ disease. Paul wrote of this, saying that though the “wages of sin is death” he was inspired to add the wonderful truth that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” How is this possible? Jesus died to pay for the entire debt for our sins. The apostle Peter speaking of Jesus’ act wrote,” who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree….that we might live.” This marvelous, free gift is available to all!

Pastor Alex Rockwell