It has been said that our ancestors did without sugar until the 13th century, without coal fires until the 14th century, without butter until the 16th century, without coffee, tea an soap until the 17th century, without gas, matches, electricity or automobiles until the 19th century without radio and T.V. until the 20th century. Now our society has as its highest goal, more and more possessions. But money and materialism cannot satisfy the longings of our souls. Jesus asked “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? The Psalmist tells us that God Himself “satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” A gospel song says it beautifully, “Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. And only he can change your heart and make you whole. He’ll give you peace you never knew, love and joy and heaven too, for only Jesus can satisfy the soul.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A yellowed letter, written by Violet Collier on November 15, 1919 in the town of Vulcan Alberta, has turned up 94 years later in Australia. Tim Lacey bought an ancient trunk in Balaklava, Australia a few years ago, found the letter, and decided to return it to the writer’s family. The writer’s grandson, Dave Collier, now 70, surprised by the tone of the letter said that the negative comments revealed a very different side to his grandmother. So often uncomplimentary records of past show up, and especially now, in this technological age. But even when skeletons come out of our closets, we can seek God’s forgiveness for past transgressions. The Psalmist wrote, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. ”And the prophet Micah, reflected that God, "will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." What a promise!

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Blood, it’s in you to sell: why Canadians give and get blood for free” was the title of a discussion last month in Charlottetown about the history of blood in Canada. It was led by Dr. Sarah Glassford, an assistant professor of history at UPEI. They talked about free blood transfusions available in Canada, while in other countries, blood is sold. The Bible too, has much to say about blood, specifically the blood of Christ. The book of Hebrews affirmed, “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.” Paul declared that those who accept Christ’s sacrifice for us, “ have been justified by His blood.” Those who invite Christ into their lives are ” justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Free life-giving transfusions in Canada are great. But it’s even greater to have eternal life, given to us freely through Jesus’ blood, shed on Calvary.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Well known author Max Lucado went to a Portland Maine airport to catch a flight to Boston. After checking his bag he got his ticket and went to the gate, past security, took a seat and waited and waited and waited for the flight to be called. Finally, when he inquired, the attendant informed him “You are at the wrong gate Mr. Lucado.” This sounds like many of us when we think about how to get to heaven. We check in at the gate of good works, church attendance and so on, but no call for our destination comes. We are at the wrong gate. Since nobody can be good enough to earn his or her way to heaven, Jesus reminds us, “Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. That is because Jesus is the only gate. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A cosmetic company put out a new product designed, in their words “to boost eyelash health with daily use.” The release says that “ in one month you can expect lashes that are fuller, stronger and more abundant.” The constant bombardment of advertising for hair color, weight loss, stronger abs or in this case a cure all for eye lashes, means advertisers know that many are obsessed with the outward appearance. But how much attention is being give to inward traits – as honesty, compassion for others, or unselfishness? It’s important to remember that “man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart.” He describes us on the inside with words such as “all we like sheep have gone astray”, and “there is none righteous, no not one.” We can look good outwardly, but not inwardly. But God offers us an option. He invites us “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A small card came to my mailbox. In it were the words, “There is only one bridge to PEI.” Then it added, “there is only one who has bridged the way to heaven.” Interested, I read on. Then the note continued, ”For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” As I looked at that little card, I smiled, realizing that whoever sent it has it right- there is only One who bridged the way from earth to Heaven- Jesus.. A verse in John’s gospel, gives His own words, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” The Confederation isn’t the only way to PEI. But there definitely are no other ways to heaven. We don’t get there by doing good deeds, being baptized or going to church. It is, as the Bible says, “not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.” The only way to heaven is a person-Jesus.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Abigail Van Buren, writes the column Dear Abbey. In a recent article, she gave the heart-touching story of Robert Test, who, knowing he was dying, expressed his wish that his death would give life to others. He detailed his desire for the donating of his eyes, heart, blood, kidneys and other body parts to others, to give them a new chance at life. Robert Test was, indeed, a selfless, generous thoughtful man. And his life and death are pictures of, the Lord Jesus Christ. When we were born, we were born to live. But Jesus, unlike anyone else, was born to die so we could have life, eternal life. Paul told us “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” To make that gift happen, “Christ died for our sins. ”That’s what He meant when He said, “I have come that they (mankind) may have life.” What a gift! Have you received it?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“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