For the first time a clear connection between cell phone use and higher risk of cancer has been established in a study by Tel Aviv University. In their study, the researchers noted: "Increasing use of mobile phones creates growing concerns regarding harmful effects of radiofrequency nonionizing electromagnetic radiation on human tissues located close to the ear, where phones are commonly held for long periods of time."If these findings are true, and many other studies corroborate them, refusing to believe, or choosing to ignore will not change anything and what we don’t know, or don’t believe can still hurt us. The same is true of the proven truth of God’s Word. We are a fallen race. We cannot earn our way to heaven with good works. And Jesus words are still true, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“I can’t wait for summer to get here.” I heard those words from one woman shopper to another on a cold wintery day a few weeks ago It has indeed, been a very cold, snowy winter. But eventually warm summer days of fresh air and recreation in these beautiful Maritimes will be upon us. It will be a relief from deep seated boredom and fatigue and “cabin fever. The prime minister of Australia, speaking after an election a while back said, “the people want something. I don’t know what it is, but it is not material.” And that’s the truth. What we need to satisfy us is not better forms of leisure and recreation, but deep inner recreation that will change our lives. As we willingly face up to our spiritual needs and look to God, we will discover inner peace that Jesus promised, when He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“I can see much better now” a Maritime senior said recently. He had no cataracts or other eye problems and his lens prescriptions were up to date, But he noticed that for several days, the vision in his left eye was not as clear as it had been. Then, taking off his glasses, he saw a film on the left lens. After trying to clean the film with lens cleaner, then hot water, he finally got rid of the film with soap and water, and could see just as good as ever. And until obstructions that separate us from God are removed from our lives, things related to God make no sense to us. Paul explained why, writing – “…the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” But when Jesus enters our lives, He takes the scales from our eyes, we see and understand His grace and forgiveness.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Paisley Koskie, is a three year old girl, who, like many of her age, is also very tech-savvy She likes taking pictures of herself and sending them to her mother’s iphone. Her mother, Brandi Koskie says sometimes, “there’ll be 90 pictures.” While such activity can help build a healthy self-image, it can also be harmful. Deborah Best, a professor of cognitive developmental psychology at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem North Carolina believes it is going to be difficult later for kids to wait, being accustomed to the instant gratification that these smart phones provide. This selfish craving is one of the very best evidences of our fallen nature. Isaiah wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way…” But thankfully, referring to Christ’s death for us on the Cross, he added, “…the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Some religions come claiming to have all the truth. Others appear on TV promising health and prosperity for a price. Religion can be a real turn off. It is said that there are about 4,200 religions in the world. But there are really only two – The “do” and the “done” religions. All “do” religions teach that by doing good works we can prepare ourselves for the next life. Join a certain church, get baptized, give money to good causes… Do this or Do that, and gain God’s favor. But the Bible says there’s nothing we can do ourselves to please God. We are separated from Him because of our sin. But what we can’t do, Jesus has already done by dying in our place on the Cross. He said, “It is finished!” Paul explained “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast.” Christ has done all we need.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Statistics Canada reports that almost half of every marriage in Canada will end in divorce. In a day when some many marriages fail, how beautiful it is to hear the following words written by a wife shortly before her death. “I am so thankful you are my husband. You have been a Godly example, as a husband, father and grandfather. I thank God for bringing us together. I love you more today than when we were married. Paul in the Bible urged, “husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it.” God loved us so much that He gave His Son. Jesus loved us so much He gave His life. Can we ignore and neglect such love? I hope you’ll think about that today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tabled an interim budget preparing for a February 11 Federal election next year. Prime Minister Stephen Harper expects to balance the budget, or even have a surplus in 2015. The question being pondered across the nation is, who can we trust to govern us-Harper, Mulcair or Trudeau? It is a privilege we have to be able to choose. It is an important decision. But the greatest decision of all time is “what are we trusting in to take us into the next life?” In most cases, it is ourselves, our religion, how we live our lives. But the Bible clearly states that it is “not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.” On election day, we choose a government. In this life, we choose where we will spend eternity. As Joshua urged, “choose you this day whom you will serve.” The choice is ours.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A few months ago, a man was taken to the emergency department of a Maritime hospital. Although in considerable pain and fading in and out of consciousness, he did not see a doctor for four hours. After a hurried examination, the doctor gave a diagnosis and left. Fortunately for the gentleman, another doctor was uneasy about the diagnosis and ordered further investigation. The patient was found to be in a life threatening condition and appropriate steps were taken to save his life. Proper diagnosis is necessary, especially when people are seriously ill. And when we think of our spiritual needs the same holds true. God, in His Word, the Bible gives us a proper diagnosis of our true spiritual condition, telling us that “all have sinned” and that “there is none righteous.” But the heavenly Father loves us and sent His Son, telling us that “Christ died for our sins.” And offering forgiveness.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A business launched in Summerside PEI, BioSpa Cosmeceuticals offers a line of skin care products designed for both professional clinical treatments and home care. Sharon Quan, who is the company president says “I believe in beauty from the inside out. Our natural ingredients help nurture health and well-being- the essence of beauty. “Those who give proper care to their physical bodies are to be commended. But true beauty can only be attained when we have made peace with God by responding to His great love for us and have accepted His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Solomon, in Proverbs reminds us that “charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”Paul tells us how to have this inner beauty, when he wrote, “…being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Hetty Green, who died in 1916, may have been the world’s greatest miser. Inheriting one hundred million dollars when she was 30 years old, she stated that her main interest in life was making money. She then amassed a fortune of four billion dollars, becoming the richest woman in America, earning the name “the witch of Wall Street.” But her obsession with money caused the estrangement of her husband and children. When her son Ned broke his leg, she treated him at home, to save money, eventually resulting in his leg being amputated. Hetty’s story illustrates Timothy’s caution, "… the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith.” Jesus once said, “ Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, but ..in heaven,” Where’s your treasure?

Pastor Alex Rockwell