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

John Ruskin was a brilliant writer, patron of the arts and art critic of the Victorian era is said to have had a beautiful stone paperweight. On it was carved a single word – TODAY. Someone has said, “we may learn from the past, anticipate the future, but today is a special gift which will never come again. It is only in today that we have the ability to act. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” And the Psalmist wrote, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Wise counsel for all. So many times we hear of people who suddenly are taken from us, dying some would say, “before their time.” It is so important to be ready for the next life, and the only one who can prepare us for that next life is Jesus, who said, “….I am the way…no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A recent CBC poll asked, “should the word ‘God’ be in Canada’s national anthem?” 86 % said yes. Only 14% said take it out – no. This is surprising in view of the fact that according to the General Social Survey, in 2005, only 21% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported they attended a religious service at least once a week. So 86 % of respondents want the word ‘God’ in the national anthem, but less than 25% of all Canadians even attend church. It is one thing to mouth mental assent to something, quite another to really believe it When comes to one’s relationship to God, it is more serious. Paul spoke of this mental dichotomy, writing “…if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

In 1999,Daniel Miller, a geo morphologist, who studies land formation and the changes that occur, warned that there was a potential for a catastrophic landslide near Arlington Washington. He cautioned about the safety of building houses in the area. Unfortunately, his warning was not heeded and the mudslide in March took many innocent lives. It’s easy to shrug and say, “It can’t happen to me.” This “head in the sand” approach is also often taken about our spiritual welfare. Well it doesn’t change anything by saying, “I don’t believe in that stuff. ” Jeremiah wrote – “I have been watching, declares the Lord. I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen, you did not answer.” Happily, God’s invites all to, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near… return to the Lord, And He will have mercy… He will abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell