Dr. W. Gifford Jones, in his newspaper column asks the question- “what can be done to make 2014 a more relaxing year?” Then he makes some interesting suggestions: “1. Learn to live within your means. 2. Learn to separate the possible from the impossible. 3. Practice patience with a problem until the right solution comes along.” To these excellent suggestions, I’ like to add one more. 4 Become rightly related to God through faith in His Son Jesus, our Savior. Then you will learn that money doesn’t satisfy, and that while things may seem impossible to us, “With God all things are possible.” In problem solving, God says “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who give to all liberally…” Some stress is necessary in every life, but with God’s help we can learn how to react to it properly.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Early in December of last year a commuter train derailed in the Bronx New York. The engineer/motorman William Rockefeller, at the controls, caught himself nodding off too late to avoid the accident which killed four people and injured over sixty. Unfortunately, like this tragic situation, many find themselves “asleep at the switch” of their lives. They intend to give attention to important matters such as the next life, but put it off. King Agrippa, whose story is told in the New Testament, heard an appeal from Paul the Apostle to turn to Christ, but replied, “almost you persuade me to become a Christian.” God’s inspired Word, the bible reminds us “now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time.” Consider this solemn question in an old gospel song- “What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be. Some day your heart will be asking, what will He do with me?”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Last month, 16 cars derailed about five kilometers outside of Plaster Rock, N.B. Since the major rail disaster at Lac-Megantic Quebec last summer, there have been at least five significant railway accidents in North America. Transportation Canada approved new safety rules on Boxing Day. Sometimes our lives too can go “off the rails” resulting in personal disaster and pain. When this happens, intervention is necessary. King David experienced many “off the rails” troubles in his life. On one occasion he prayed this beautiful prayer- “Be gracious to me O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until the destruction passes by.” Perhaps you have had bad news and are going through personal trials. If so, I remind you that God loves you, is able and willing to help. I invite you to call on Him. He is waiting.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Author Max Lucado, in his book ‘Outlive Your Life tells the amusing story of his three year old nephew Lawson, who wanted to play some basketball. The basketball was too large and the basket too high. So Lucado lowered the basket and held Lawson high enough so he could roll the ball over the rim. Then the little fellow in his excitement, held his hands high and shouted, “All by myself. All by myself.” It was a bit of an overstatement. But so like many of us – God gave us this beautiful world, air to breathe, food to eat, a brain to function and best of all, He provided, through His Son , the way to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the Life.” But we, in our foolish pride and self-righteousness shout- “all by myself- all by myself.” But it isn’t, for though Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, the same verse adds, “ No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

All too frequently we hear of tragic results, and loss of life from automobile accidents. But last month we learned of the heart-warming story of Steve Jones, from Sturgeon PEI. He survived a life threatening accident, thanks to the intervention of another Islander, Scott Jackson from Murray Harbor. Details of the accident, and frightening plight of Jones were highly publicized. It is a story of Mr. Jackson’s acting on instinct and his going back and finding Mr. Jones. It resulted in the life-saving action of the Montague Volunteer Fire Department. It is a beautiful story that illustrates the loving action of our Savior, Who, came to earth to rescue us, by dying on the Old Rugged Cross in our place and in our stead. Paul described it in the words, “Christ died for our sins.” Steve Jones calls Scott Jackson his “Guardian Angel.” We can call Jesus Christ our wonderful Savior.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Alberta, is billions of dollars in debt. Unemployment is high in Canada. PEI has the largest rate of unemployment in the nation, around 11 percent. Everywhere, people are in economic trouble. Frequently we hear of countries whose national debt has increased. Provinces are finding red the color of reality. And we are being urged to reduce our personal debt. But there is one personal debt we can never pay. I refer to the sin debt. God’s Word states flatly, “all of us like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way.” (that’s why the world is in such a mess) Thankfully there is a way out of this debt. Although we have gone astray, that same verse says “but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. “ Jesus, by dying on the cross, took our place and paid our debt. However, He does not force forgiveness on us, we have to ask for it.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

When did you first become conscious of yourself as a child? Dr. Taghi Modaressi, a professor at the University of Maryland, designed a study to find a definite point of self recognition. His research concluded that children under ten months did not seem to notice the difference between an accurate reflection or a distorted one. By ages 2-5, the child had developed a definite self image, running away from the distorted one. The bible, which has been likened to a mirror, gives us a true picture of ourselves, as God sees us. We are described as sheep that have gone a stray- “all we like sheep have done astray, we have turned everyone to his own way.” It tells us that “all have sinned…” Unfortunately, many prefer their own distorted image of themselves and rest in their own self-righteousness. God lovingly invites us to accept reality, call on Him. He is willing to forgive and cleanse us.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Abraham Lincoln’s nephew failed at faming in Illinois, so he planned to sell his farm and move to another farm in Missouri. Wise Abe Lincoln inquired, “Is the soil any better in Missouri than it is in Illinois? Is the climate any better in Missouri than it is in Illinois? You do not need a change of location to succeed as a farmer, what you need is a change of heart.” That advice applies to us all. There is overwhelming proof for the biblical claim that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and we were born with a sinful nature, causing us to leave God out of our lives. Once. Evangelist Billy Graham was approached by a young man after a crusade. Saying, “Dr. Graham, according to your message, I was born wrong.” Graham replied, “That’s right son, you need to be born again.” We all need a change of heart. It comes when we receive Christ into our lives by faith.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Last month the Canadian Space Agency announced that an intense burst of energy from the sun was heading towards earth and was expected to make for spectacular conditions to see the northern lights across Canada. Many living in rural areas enjoy the splendor of the milky way and the celestial wonders above. unfortunately people who live in the large urban areas are not so privileged. Artificial lights distract and make it difficult to see the night sky. It is similar with our lives. Often the cares of this life, our ambitions, goals, careers and other things distract us so that we do not look up. Jesus once said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” I urge you to look up. A gospel songs suggests, “turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

30 year old Tanya St. Arnauld sustained terrible scars from injuries in an acid attack during the summer of 2012. In spite of skin grafts, rounds of burn treatments and rehabilitation, the damage remained severe. Then Dr. Jill Waibel of Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute in Florida learned of St. Arnauld’s plight and St. Arnauld was offered a free course of laser treatments. Tanya burst into tears of joy at the news. Now she says, “I look like I never had an accident.” But as wonderful the news was for Tanya, there is even more wonderful news that all our sin scars, our guilt and misery can be erased by Jesus, the Son of God. The Psalmist David was inspired to write, a prayer we can all pray, “create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” If we sincerely pray that prayer, God will remove our spiritual and emotional scars.

Pastor Alex Rockwell