“You have so much detail completed already. Let’s see if we can think of a way to fix it…when you make a mistake, make something good out of it..“ That was the response of Art Teacher Marianne Hamilton, after one of her new students said to her, “Mrs. Hamilton, I need a new piece of paper. I don’t like my drawing! I drew the house too small,” Good advice in many situations. But unfortunately, there are times when we can’t fix the mess we’ve made of our lives as a result of bad choices and wrong-doing. We need God help. Jesus said, “come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” A poem tells how it can happen- “I came to the throne with a trembling heart; the day was done. “Have you a new day for me, dear Master? I’ve spoiled this one. “He took my day, all soiled and blotted and gave me a new one all unspotted. And into my tired heart he cried, “Do better now, my child.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Mom and Dad, I’m coming home, but I would like to bring a friend with me. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg.” Those were the words of a young soldier, returning from a tour of duty. The parents told him that it would be impossible for them to accommodate a handicapped person. It would be too great a burden. They heard nothing more until they were informed that their son was dead, after falling from a building – an apparent suicide. When the grief-stricken parents went to identify their son and were shocked when they discovered something they did not know. Their son had only one arm and one leg. Thankfully, though we are broken spiritually, as the soldier was physically, God loves us unconditionally. Paul wrote, “God commends His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Nobody is too bad for the Lord to forgive and receive into His family.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

An employee in British Columbia has been fired in for making some unflattering comments about a supervisor on Facebook. Communication is much in vogue these days. But it can bring with it some unpleasant consequences. In these days of twitter, Facebook, the tube and Iphones, many users often divulge some stuff they should not. It is important to be aware that social networking can cost you. Avoid being judgmental, don’t badmouth employers and don’t reveal anything you don’t want the whole world to know. Someone said that you can fool some of the people part of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. And none of us can fool God. He knows our thoughts and intents. We are open books to him. Paul wrote of this, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” But happily, there is mercy and forgiveness for the asking.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Of course common sense doesn’t allow you to get something from nothing. …. It’s got to be interesting in order to give rise to the universe at all. Something pretty mysterious had to give rise to the origin of the universe.” Those are the words of. Professor Richard Dawkins, a well known English biologist, outspoken atheist evolutionist and writer, musing about the origin of everything. Evolution teaches that the universe is a huge accident – that created itself out of nothing. Something very mysterious did happen Doctor Hawkins. There has never been a natural event that could create an ordered universe. An intelligent Designer is required. Genesis tells us, clearly, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. “And Isaiah wrote, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” And one day, you and I will give account to Him.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Shirley Temple Black died in February at the age of 85.She was a much loved American film and television actress, singer, and public servant, most famous as a child star in the 1930s. After retiring from acting at age 22, she went on to hold several successful diplomatic posts. Though a success on many fronts, she said that her greatest role was as a wife, mother and grandmother. She once said, “there’s nothing like love, real love, nothing.” How true! But there’s no love on earth as great as God’s love. He loved so much that He gave Jesus, His Son to provide forgiveness and cleansing all who sincerely ask,. John wrote-.” This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Or, as the gospel song says,- “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Zafir, a young radical, who was consumed with hate and murder, became a terrorist. His aim was to overthrow the government he believed was keeping his people from restoring their sacred identity. At his terrorist training camp, there was an ancient book that attracted his attention. As he read it, a hunger began stirring within, revealing a deep desire for something he couldn’t identify. Sent to a camp in another country, he begin suicide-bomber-training. Still, every chance Zafir got, he read the ancient book. The book was the Bible, “living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword.” When his commander was killed, his camp was disbanded. He returned home, found a church, and came to personal faith in Jesus Christ. Today he helps his people escape the hatred and vengeance he once believe in. Zafir is living proof that “if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. Old things have passed away, all things have become new.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

If you were to walk twice around the world, you would have covered the same distance as the miles of arteries and veins in the human body. But there is only one place where we can see the blood vessels and that is in the retina at the back of the eye. Increasingly, doctors are able to diagnose diseases such as the hardening of narrowing of blood vessels, small clots and other problems by retinal examination. As the Psalmist, speaking for us all said that God “formed my inward parts …covered me in my mother’s womb…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” And He has also diagnosed our spiritual and moral problem. Sin separates us from God. But there is a cure. “Christ died for our sins.” He became the perfect Substitute. By acknowledging our spiritual bankruptcy and accepting His sacrifice, we can become children of God. Have you accepted the diagnosis and cure?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The winter of 2013 and 2014 will be long remembered for its storms, snow and cold temperatures. But many are already well into plans for their gardens as they anticipate warmer weather. The Charlottetown Farm Center Association is celebrating this special year, 2014, by creating a beautiful functional garden landscape in a small section of the Experimental Farm. They hope to re-establish the tradition of celebrating farming on PEI. Many people find gardening energizing and exciting. Did you know that God made a promise many years ago regarding seasons, He said,“ While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night shall not cease.” And God has kept that promise, He always does. And He also promised, “If you seek the Lord your God, you shall find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

She has a serious life-threatening disease. He has lost his job. They are arranging the funeral of a dear family member. We never know what is ahead. Recently I read the following – “I pulled my blanket tighter around my shoulders and snuggled in the warmth of my family, my job, my education, my good health, my financial security. But …the cold of the future pierced my cover and I shivered.. Is that you ? If so, please listen to that same person a little later. “Suddenly my blanket was ripped from my grasp and I stood exposed in all my fears. Then I looked up to Him….. He said, ‘Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” “I was warm.” Afraid of the future? Gene MacLellan’s song advises, “put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the water. That Man is Jesus, the God Man – He holds our future in His hands.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

An external examination had not revealed the reason for a Charlottetown area woman’s severe pain. So an X-ray was ordered. Certain tests and procedures enable health professionals to see what is going on inside the body, not visible on the outside. When Jesse the father of King David was surprised that his young son was chosen to be King of Israel, the Lord explained ” do not look at his appearance….for the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” We cannot see outwardly what X-rays reveal, or see into each other’s hearts, but God can. And the prophet Jeremiah gave the results, that describe us all- “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked…” Doctors cannot always fix what X-rays reveal. But God, can fix our spiritual heart problem when we are connected by faith to Jesus.

Pastor Alex Rockwell