I read recently of a Pastor who waited in a long lineup to make a purchase on a holiday weekend. Finally after a long wait, he moved forward. The check-out attendant apologized saying, “Sorry about the delay. It seems everybody waits until the last minute.” The Pastor replied, “I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business.” Procrastination is a bad habit in daily living and carries frustrating results. But putting off a decision about our relationship with our Maker can be fatal in its outcome. Because for some, it can be too late- tomorrow may never come. The Bible reminds us, “Now is the accepted time: behold now is the day of salvation.” But today, for all, there is still time to make your peace with God. God’s promise is still-“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Doctors at the American Health Foundation believe that disease is spread by man’s illusion. The claim that the greatest cause of unchecked illness is man’s unflagging belief that it can never happen to him One scientist wrote, “We all suffer from the illusion of immortality.” He is referring to the mistaken idea that of living forever in these bodies, hear on earth. That’ not going to happen. You and I have a rendezvous with our Maker one day, and no matter how good our health may be at this moment, that is an appointment that we will all keep. But that need no frighten us. Jesus, speaking on that subject promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, even though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” None of us has human immortality, but when we have Christ in our lives, we will live forever.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin, and recommended especially in the winter, when we tend to spend less time in the sun than at other seasons. There are also many other dietary supplements folks take, including vitamin C, Vitamin B, garlic and many more. We have become very health conscious and with the proliferation of information about the alleged value of these supplements, it’s no wonder there can be little doubt that some, at least, are helpful. But as important as it is for us to take care of our physical health, it is even more important to look inside and examine our spiritual condition. Remember please, that we are only here on this planet for a relatively short time. We are going to spend somewhere, after this life, forever. Amos, the old testament prophet wisely advised all of us with the words, “prepare to meet your God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Recently I read a fascinating story of a man who, through a microscope, was shown the bacteria in the polluted water which he had been drinking. He did not like to see the tiny organisms wriggling around in his water, so he angrily took a heavy club and smashed the microscope to pieces. “Silly man” we say. But wait- the Bible, God’s Word, reveals the ugliness of sin hidden in our hearts. It says, “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” And how do we respond? Some try to destroy its credibility or ignore its message completely. But we cannot change truth by neglecting, attacking, or refusing to believe it.. Others pretend they are too intelligent to accept the inspired Word of God, often without even examining it. But that does not change the truth, nor excuse them when they stand before their Maker someday. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Finance Guru Gail Vaz-Oxlade in her book “Never too Late” offers guidance for retirement planning. She advises using your money for the sold and secure rather than the bright and shiny, or saving for the future rather than spending for the present. She believes there will always be an excuse for why the time isn’t right to save, so her advice is “start right now.” Good advice for retirement planning, but also for those who have given little or no thought about preparation for the next life. That’s vital , since we are all going to live somewhere forever. Jesus speaking of our future said, “lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. “ He also asked rhetorically, “what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul.” We all need to invest in the “solid and secure” rather than this world’s “bright and shiny” toys.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

According to National Geographic, we carry around a three-pound mass of wrinkly material in our heads that controls every single thing we will ever do. It enables us to think, learn, create, breath, and causes our heart to beat.. This fantastic control center is our brain. It is a structure so amazing that a famous scientist once called it "the most complex thing we have yet discovered in our universe." And as only God can make a tree, only God can make a brain. No wonder the Psalmist praised God, saying, “I am fearfully and Wonderfully made.” The Creator has a claim on each one of us because He made us, but also because He bought us. Paul the Apostle said, we are ”bought with a price.” That price was paid at Calvary, when Jesus died for the sins of the world. So God has a double claim on every one of us He made us, and He redeemed us. Have you considered those claims on your life?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

What do the following have in common? The Bible, Son of God, God’s Not Dead, Heaven Is for Real, Mom’s Night Out ”? They are movies made in recent years that have a connection to God and the Bible? Johanna Schneller writing in the Globe and Mail asks “So why is God so hot right now?” Actress Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond fame (who says she is a Christian), says, “There’s money to be made. That’s the no.1 goal in Hollywood.” But Heaton adds, “There’s clearly a hunger for people wanting some deeper meaning or hope in the world today, where there are a lot of terrible, difficult things going on.” Perhaps your world has been turned upside down recently. Jesus Christ is the answer. He invites, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden …learn from me…for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The Civil war that raged across the United States from 1861-1865 was a terrible event. An estimated 750,000 soldiers, and an undetermined number of civilians were killed. 30% of all white males living in the Confederate states lost their lives. But surprisingly, in the midst of the carnage, some beautiful songs were written. Recently Randall Foster has collected many and published them in Divided and United (songs of the Civil War) Many today, when faced with the reality of war, disaster and disease, ask “why?” We may never know all the answers, but when suffering comes, many turn more to God for comfort. Isaiah the Prophet wrote, referring to our Lord Jesus, wrote, “The Lord has anointed me to … heal the broken hearted…to give comfort to those who mourn.” If you are hurting, reach out to Jesus today. He waits for you to call.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

It was “raining money recently in Sackville NS. Motorists there stopped to retrieve cash, cheques and the wallet from which they had come. A New Brunswick man had left his wallet on top of his car, and driven off, scattering over twenty-five hundred dollars. Fortunately, the motorists behind him turned the money over to the RCMP. In this case, right prevailed. But we all know that within us, there is the inclination to do wrong, to deceive, lie, cheat, gossip and worse. Although we all stand as sinners before a Holy God, there is good news for those who invite Christ into their lives. David the Psalmist reminds us that God “has not dealt with us according to our sins…for as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” That’s God’s answer to our depravity.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Last month we had a royal visit from Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Visits by royalty are enjoyable times for many, and always make the headlines. But there is another visit coming, that is hardly ever mentioned by the media, except as a joke. That, in spite of the fact that this coming Royal visit is mentioned at least 60 times in the NT alone and by all nine New Testament authors. I refer to the return of Christ, the King of Kings, to this earth. When He comes, the Bible says, “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” It will be a command performance. How much better to bow the knee in sincere worship now, accept His offer of forgiveness, cleansing and a home in heaven now and give to Him our full allegiance. Those who do that, receive Him as their Savior, not as their Judge.

Pastor Alex Rockwell