Charles Schulz the American cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Peanuts once gave a list of questions to consider. Name the following: 1 the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. The last five miss Americas. 3 last 12 Academy Award winners.4. last 10 world series winners. But their applause died. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Now try another quiz. 1. name some teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time.3. name five people who taught you something worthwhile. 4. Name some people who made you feel appreciated and special. The lesson- those who make a difference in our lives aren’t the ones with the most money or awards, but those who cared. And nobody cares for us like Jesus. To the sad and broken hearted, Peter urged, “casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

World wars I and II. Korea, Vietnam, now Syria. On and on the wars come. Victor Hugo, French poet, novelist and dramatist who lived from 1802 to 1885, famous for Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame also wrote of the future. But he and had an unreal view of mankind. He prophesied that “In the 20th century war will be dead, the scaffold will be dead… man will live and possess a great country-the earth. Now, in 2014 as we look back, clearly Hugo’s utopia didn’t come. Sadly, wars are still with us, hatred is alive and well. Man is still a fallen, sinful creature, as the Bible makes clear. However, there is hope. Paul wrote, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Then later he explained, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…” this is a dark world, but Jesus is the light of the world.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“It doesn’t much matter…” the railway man said, when asked by a traveler, where to sit on the train he was hoping to take to Montreal. The official then explained, “ because this train isn’t going to Montreal.” Presumably he got off that wrong train. Sometimes we’re like that man. We ask God, “which car should I get on to go to heaven- giving money to charity? Doing kind deeds to others? Going to church regularly? Baptism? The answer, is “ It doesn’t much matter, because those trains are not going to heaven.” True, those “cars” are important and we should travel on them here on earth, but they’re not going to take us to heaven. That’s because God’s Book tells us, it’s’“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy that He saves us.” And Jesus made it even plainer when He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

It is never too late. That was the view of Doctor Peter Selby in a recent newspaper article. He noted that many smokers who had made a New Year’s resolution to butt out for good, saw the deadline come and go. But he said that National no-smoking week, January 19-25 and Weedless Wednesday offered an encouraging reminder that it is never too late to quit. The doctor is absolutely correct. But in other areas of life as well, it is never too late to make a change in our lives. Perhaps you have planned and had good intentions to turn your life over to God, and begin over. Jesus reminds us that, “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ”That means to be spiritually reborn. Paul adds, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed…all things have become new.” Quitting smoking is never too late. And turning to God is never too late.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Have you ever been on a busy highway and suddenly realize you are heading in the wrong direction? Making a U turn is illegal, so we wait patiently for the next exit ramp and turn the other way we were supposed to be going. Truthfully, we are all speeding along life’s highway. But often we experience such things as sickness, loss of a job, or a disappointment that make us slow down and wonder if we’re headed in the wrong direction. Good news! God allows U-turns. It’s called repentance, and involves us agreeing with God about our spiritual condition and our need of forgiveness and acceptance by Jesus the Savior. When we do make that U-turn, we are back on the proper destination-heaven. One New Testament writer urged,”Turn from darkness to light…that you may receive forgiveness…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Tim Jones, a former teacher and paramedic was a tireless spokesman for safety on Vancouver’s north shore mountains. In January, he suffered a medical emergency on the trail and passed away at the young age of 57.. North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Musatto described his friend with these words, “Tim was a guy you could count on to get you out of trouble.” This good man was diligent, helpful and trust worthy. In his 25 years of work, it is believed that he was involved in at least 1400 rescue operations. In the Bible, we read of a faithful shepherd who sought and found lost sheep. Those lost sheep are pictures of you and me.” All we like sheep have gone astray.” But Matthew, in his gospel writes, “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. “Jesus still seeks us when we have lost our way, and He is willing to forgive and start us on the way to heaven.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Dagwood said to Blondie, that according to a study, hot tea is a healthier beverage than coffee. So Blondie asks, “Do you want to start drinking tea Dear? “ Nope,” says Dagwood,” I like coffee. “I’ll just stick with coffee and wait for a study that I can live with.” And that’s often the way many respond when face with life’s choices. We wait for that which pleases us, we want to do it our own way. But that can be a very poor response, especially when it pertains to things eternal. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived once said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” And Jesus, referring to the next life said,” Enter by the narrow gate; for wideisthe gate and broadisthe way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.Becausenarrowisthe gate and difficultisthe way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

People have been trying to predict the future for thousands of years by using such diverse methods as stars, coffee grounds and computers. Russian para-psychologists have now come up with what they call the information theory. The gist of the theory is that the human brain is a matrix filled with information codes, constantly sending and receiving information. The radiated information recedes into the past and the incoming comes from the future. How far science will progress predicting the future is unknown. One thing we do know is that the Bible, God’s Word is full of prophesies that have been fulfilled in minute detail. For example Isaiah 42:9 states, “Behold the former things are come to pas and new things do I declare before they spring forth. I tell you of them.” Why not trust the inspired Word of God which has been preserved through the ages and will never pass away”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Atheists are standing up for religion.” is the title of a recent article by Mark Mercer who teaches philosophy at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. In the article, Mercer mentions fellow atheists Alain de Botton and Ronald Dworkin .He quotes atheists saying such things as “…religion poisons everything” and ”we non- religious folk think the religious in their ecstasy are hallucinating.” Mercer concludes that some atheists are in favor of religion and others, including himself, aren’t. Though he identifies himself as a “non-religious atheist” I agree with his dismissal of religion, since in reality religion is man’s vain effort to pull himself up to God, by practicing certain acts hoping to please God. Biblical Christianity, affirms it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done”, but “by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works lest anyone should boast.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Isaac Asimov, an American author and professor university professor, told the story of a rough ocean crossing. A kindly steward said to a very seasick passenger, “Remember, no man ever died of seasickness.” The passenger ‘s response was, “Man, don’t say that! It’s only the hope of dying that keeps me alive.” He recovered and did not really want to die, but his words “the hope of dying” are interesting. I have met many godly people, who really had that hope. They were ready and wanting to meet their Maker and loved ones who had gone before. Only those who have assurance of where they’re going in the next life feel that way. John, in the New Testament wrote, “These things have I written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” That assurance comes by receiving Christ as your Savior.

Pastor Alex Rockwell