A swimming instructor tells the following amazing but true story. He said, “One night I could not sleep, so decided to have a swim, hoping this would relax me. I didn’t put the lights on for I knew every inch of the place. The moon was shining brightly and I could see my body clearly outlined on the opposite wall. As I raised my arms for the dive, my shadow made a perfect sign of the cross. I thought of the words of an old hymn ‘he died that I might be forgiven.’ I was not a Christian, but I began to think of the cross of Christ and what it meant. …for some reason, I did not dive. I … made my way to the stairs. As I walked down, my feet touched the bottom of the pool. Unknown to me, the caretaker had drained the pool. The cross on the wall saved my life that night. I knelt in gratitude and asked the Christ of the cross to save my soul.” Quite a story. How good to know that “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us..”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A young boy found a $5 bill on the street one day. From that time on, he never lifted his eyes when walking. He accumulated 29,519 buttons, 54,172 pins, 12 cents, a bent back and a miserly disposition. But he missed the blossoms of trees and flowers in the spring, the blue sky, the rainbow and the smiles of his friends. Someone says, “dumb kid” But when we think about our own lives, it is not true that our time crunch often pushes our desire to get ahead, our often senseless chasing of pleasure also keep us from looking up and seeing the beautiful things of life? In the book of Isaiah, our Lord urged, “Look to me…” and the writer of Hebrews encourage us to be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” The song-writer put it well, with the words, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A University of Manitoba study has found that , Justice is blinded by good looks. Given the choice of attractive or unattractive suspects, people tend to choose the unattractive as the probable culprits. The study found that attorneys and judges could also be swayed in favor of the attractive. Not so with God. How we look, what we wear, our gifts to charities or our Bank account do not impress Him. Because, as the Bible tells us, “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” And when He looks, He sees that we are “desperately wicked.” The good news is that no matter what we look like, or how we dress, God loves all men and women exactly the same. We are told that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…” And this love, forgiveness cleansing and preparation for heaven is available to all who humbly, and sincerely ask for it.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The Ontario Addiction Research Foundation conducted a large scale study of prescriptions for non-hospitalized Toronto residents, and were surprised. They learned that 24% of all prescriptions issued by Toronto doctors annually were for so called mood modifying drugs, such as sedatives, tranquilizers and stimulants. No doubt some of these drugs were for an appropriate short term use and did what they were supposed to do. But certainly not 24%! This is quite a commentary on the inability or unwillingness of many to face up to life as it is. In attempting to escape from reality and unpleasantness, so many choose liquor, illicit sex, drugs, or other negative and destructive substitutes. But these adventures into a make believe world do not provide real or lasting answers to life’s problems. They only add guilt. Christ invites us all, saying, “come to me all you who labor and are are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

British men and women are the most promiscuous of any big western industrial nation in the world. A recent study was conducted in 48 countries. 14,000 people were asked about numbers of partners, one night stands and casual sex. Britain also now has the highest divorce rate in the European Union. Only 15% of British people even attend church. The carnage, broken lives and suffering children as a result of such loose moral standards are evident everywhere. God’s plan has not changed.-one man, one woman united in marriage. We may rationalize, but the fact remains – breaking God’s moral laws causes untold suffering to individuals and ultimately to society. We cannot undo the past, we can chart a new course for the future, and that starts by inviting Jesus Christ to take over in our lives. Paul explained,-“If anyone is in Christ, he,( or she) is a new creation, old things have passed away, all things have become new.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

When a prominent maritime politician had a heart attack, he called it a “life changing moment.” When such an event takes place, many make serious lifestyle changes, involving diet and exercise. And perhaps for the first time, they realize that sooner or later their life is going to end. The brilliant Daniel Webster, when asked what was the greatest thought that had ever crossed his mind, replied, that it was his “personal accountability to his Maker.” Do you wonder how you can be prepared for the next life? The answer is found only in the Bible. First, acknowledge that none of us is equipped to meet God because of our spiritual condition. In God’s eyes, “there is none righteous, no not one.” Second, open your life to Jesus, Who said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” When He comes in, you will then have the greatest possible “life changing moment.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish novelist, was famous for Treasure Island, and Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In failing health, seeking a favorable climate, he chose Samoa, in the South Pacific. Finding that the native chiefs were constantly at war with one another he was gradually able, by kind acts to win their friendship, and resolve their conflicts teaching them to be at peace. To show their gratitude, and to honor him, the Samoans built a highway in his name which they called, “The Road of the Loving Heart.” It still stands today. A plaque explains that the highway was built to please Stevenson because he had brought them joy and peace. Interesting But there is one greater than Robert Louis Stevenson. Jesus, gave His life on the cross bringing eternal peace to troubled hearts everywhere. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians states that Jesus, “made peace by the blood of His cross.” today He offers, “my peace I give to you.”That’s the road of God’s loving heart.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Historically and traditionally, the captain is the last person off a sinking ship . But last month, Captain Lee Joon Seuk, in command of a South Korean ferry that flipped over and sank, was one of the first ones off, as he abandoned the ship early. Hundreds of young students lost their lives. And in January of 2012, Captain Francesco Shettino, in command of the Costa Concordia when it sank off the coast of Tuscany, abandoned ship early. 32 people were killed. But there is one Captain who never abandons His people. It is Jesus our wonderful Saviour. The writer of Hebrews speaking of those who have acknowledge their sin and invited Christ into their lives, calls Jesus the “captain of their salvation.” And says of that Captain, “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” If you are sinking and hopeless, I urge you to allow Christ to become the captain of your life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Every man’s heart one day beats it final beat… And if what that man did in his life make the blood pulse through the body of others… then …, his spirit will be immortalized.” .Those were the words of the Ultimate Warrior, James Hellwig, famous professional wrestler. 24 hours later, the Ultimate Warrior was himself defeated by the grim reaper, at the age of 54. He died of cardiovascular disease. Little did Hellwig know that he himself would fulfill his own words. The Bible says of us all, “It is appointed for men to die but after this the judgment.” The reality is that we are all immortal and we are all going to live somewhere forever. Where that will be depends not on what we do, but on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s Word says, “He who has the Son (Jesus) has life. And he who does not have the Son does not have life.” Hopefully, Mr. Hellwig had made peace with His Maker.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A young Charlottetown man was asking for help with food and rent. Terry Arsenault, from Summerside, decided to help him and tossed some change into the panhandler’s canister. But arriving home, Arsenault discovered that his wedding ring was missing. He quickly concluded that it must have been with the change he had donated. After making inquiries, he located the young man who had saved the ring for him and gladly returned it. His honesty resulted in a happy ending. Jesus told stories of lost items – a lost, coin, a sheep and a son. All were found. Every one of us, spiritually speaking, is lost. Isaiah wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way…” In response, Jesus said, that He “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Through this message, the good Shepherd is reaching out to you today. Are you listening?

Pastor Alex Rockwell