Call us a fast society, an efficient society, but don’t call us a personal society. We communicate via email, and text messages, gas up with credit cards, make deposits online and buy over the internet. We can cycle through a day and never say “hello.” We are set up for isolation.” Those are the words of author Max Lucado, in his book “Outlive your Life.” Happily, that is not so when it comes to communicating with our Heavenly Father. He says, “Call unto me and I will answer you.” And when we do call on the Lord, John, in the New Testament reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He….will forgive us our sins.” It is also good to know that we will never be bothered by an automated response from Heaven, telling us that God is too busy to talk to us. And when anyone calls on the Lord for His forgiveness, and desires to become His child, this simple prayer is all we need- “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

This has been one of the coldest, snowiest winters in Canada for a long, long time. On boxing day alone, over 100,000 people were without power. Thousands of people in several provinces waited in the dark for power to be restored after each vicious storm. it has been a very uncomfortable time for Canadians. The only thing that dispels darkness is light. Light and darkness do not co-exist. As serious and unpleasant as it is to stumble around in physical darkness, it is worse for those who stumble around in spiritual darkness. Their lives are confused and they don’t know which way to turn. Thankfully, there is hope, and there is light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We don’t have to go to church to receive this “ light of life.” It is available to all, for the asking.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Researchers at McMaster University found that some people carelessly heed the health advice of famous people, even when it is contradicted by medical professionals.. Steven Hoffman, a health policy professor at McMaster said, “This can be dangerous when celebrities promote something that is not backed up by science.” When considering others’ advice, there is nothing more critical than advice about our spiritual health. Paul the Apostle speaking of this, wrote of wise people who “… received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Please remember, when studying a passage in your Bible to always read what comes before and what comes after. Jesus warned “… take heed what you hear,” and promised that “ if anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know if the teaching is of God…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Do you remember when ‘grass" was mowed,’ "coke" was a cold drink, ‘ "pot" was something your mother cooked in and’ "rock music" was your grandmother’s lullaby.’ "Aids" were helpers in the Principal’s office,’ "chip" meant a piece of wood, ‘hardware" was found in a hardware store and ‘ "software" wasn’t even a word. The English language has always been in a state of change, words changing their meanings, new words added regularly. So it is refreshing to find certain essentials which never change. For example- God never changes. Truth never changes. Jesus, the Savior never changes, and the way to heaven never changes. Jesus said- “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He also said, “ I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

As the judge sentenced a young man who cashed stolen checks and committed other petty crimes, he also gave him some wise advice. He told the 25 year old, his “ past wasn’t great, but there was no reason his future couldn’t be different.” Hopefully the words of the judge will be taken seriously and will have a major impact on his life. And in a similar fashion, the words of wisdom from the Bible can transform a person’s life for time and eternity, if we listen and heed. One New Testament passage says, “the word of God is quick and powerful…” and an Old Testament verse adds, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, ….” God’s purpose is to forgive, cleanse and transform those who hear and obey.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Israel, a relatively small country is constantly in the news. The official position of the government of Canada regarding Israel says, in part, “Canada supports Israel’s right to live in peace and recognizes Israel’s right to assure its own security. Mark Twain once wrote, speaking of the Jews, “ ….His contributions to the world’s list of great names …are away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.” But the greatest of all names which have come out of Israel is the One of whom it was written, “you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” Thankfully He came for all people. We read, “whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And today, in 2014, Jesus still invites all , saying “behold I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Students at the university of California in Los Angeles were asked to submit a short statement that was to be read when they received their degrees. One student, Christiana Popa’s statement read in part, “I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” But the student affairs advisor for the department objected to the reference to Jesus, and asked her to substitute it with “I want to thank God.” When Ms. Popa protested, the administrator told her the only other option would be to forgo any statement. But later, the decision was reversed and Christina was able to thank Jesus. I salute this courageous young lady for standing up for her Savior. May her numbers increase. It was important to her because she knew that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A police officer in a small town noticed a number of bulls eyes painted here and there. Right in the middle of every one was a bullet hole. Learning the identity of the shooter, the officer commented that it must have taken hours of practice to shoot so accurately. But the young man said, “No, actually it was quite easy. I shoot first, then draw the circle later.” And some act like that covering up dishonesty, immorality or unfaithfulness Attempting to avoid feeling guilt, they excuse themselves by “drawing the circle” afterwards like the shooter in this story. Often they call their actions “preferences” or “my way of doing things.” But it is still sin, the game at which nobody wins. And God still says, “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. “ The only response to wrong-doing is genuine repentance and turning to God for forgiveness. If we mean it-He gives it.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The Salvation Army, began its work in Canada in 1882. It described itself as a Christian movement that would reach out to the unloved and disadvantaged in society. An example of the selfless and godly people who make up its numbers took place on May 29,1914 when the Empress of Ireland sank in the St. Lawrence river near Rimouski Quebec. One thousand and 14 passengers and crew were lost. Among those who perished were one hundred and twenty-nine Salvation Army Officers. Survivors told how these servants of God, when informed there were not enough life preservers to go around, removed theirs and gave them to people they felt were not prepared to meet the Lord. They exemplified their Savior, of whom we read, “… God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Now that is love!

Pastor Alex Rockwell