The best way to quit smoking is to do it suddenly, or cold turkey because cutting down gradually may only prolong the agony of withdrawal symptoms. Researchers at the University of California at los Angeles compared the physiological and psychological symptoms of twenty people who quit cold turkey and twenty who cut back slowly. They found that withdrawal symptoms decreased more sharply for those who quit smoking suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms are the main reasons three of every four smokers do not succeed in their efforts to quit. There is an important lesson in this “cold turkey” method of stopping smoking a dangerous weed called tobacco. Many people plan one day to quit smoking but they just don’t get around to it and similarly, many plan one day to have a change of life and to be prepared for the next life. One person told me many years ago that he was working his way into it gradually, and that in a few years time, he would complete the cycle and become a Christian. To date that has not happened. God’s word the bible tells us that conversion is instantaneous. Rather than edging your way sideways into the Christian life, it would be far better to take the plunge quickly, acknowledging yourself a sinner and inviting the lord Jesus Christ into your life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The dictionary defines “discovery” as “to bring to light, to learn, to find or see for the first time.” The desire to discover seems to be an innate part of man’s nature. From the dawn of human history the challenge of discovering new worlds, new ideas and new frontiers, has captivated every generation. There have been so many thrilling discoveries that it seems almost impossible to label which is the greatest of all. For example, consider anesthesia – the artificially induced insensibility to pain. What a huge difference that discovery has made in the lives of millions who go through operations. Sir James Simpson discovered the use of chloroform as an anesthetic. The brilliant man was once asked, “what is your greatest discovery?” Without hesitation he replied, “that I am a sinner and that Jesus Christ is my Savior.” Are you more clever than sir James Simpson? Have you ever made that discovery that you too are a sinner in need of a savior?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

One summer day in Nova Scotia, a while back, an elderly woman walked down to the ocean drowned herself. This followed a series of unsuccessful attempts to commit suicide. Doctor Seymour Perlin, a US Psychiatrist says that the high rate of suicide among the elderly is a reflection of societies’ attitude toward the aging. The older suicide victim usually lives alone or is terminally ill and either cannot face going to the hospital or does not want to be a medical expense to the family. And according to Ricardo Galvis, director of a mental health center in the District of Columbia, the best method of treatment for these people is to show the individual that someone cares. Perhaps today I am speaking to someone at this very moment who feels that no one really cares for you. May I remind you that there is someone who does care. Jesus cares. Today, I invite you to reach out the hand of faith in prayer, and receive Christ into your life. When you do, you will find a new reason for living and a real purpose for your life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The future, it seems, is big business. People around the world are spending more than a billion dollars a year on clairvoyants, gypsies, faith healers seers and prophets. Many college students are obsessed by vibrations, spirits, seances. And many are turning to spiritualism for the answer. The world beyond fascinates us and beckons our imaginations. Where are we going? What does the future hold? May i suggest that before you turn to your stars today for the answer, check on the most authentic book of all times, the bible. There you will learn that Jesus Christ, the son of God is coming back to this earth to set up his kingdom. Though none of us knows the day nor the hour, he has promised to return, and history proves that he never once made a promise which he did not keep. For example, old testament prophets were inspired to prophesy the return of Israel to the land of Palestine. In 1948 that happened on schedule, when the nation of Israel was born. Are you prepared for the next great event in the history of the future when Christ returns? The only way to be ready is to turn to Christ now and receive his forgiveness.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

If a product is labeled certified organic, this ensures that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has inspected and passed it. Unfortunately many products have the label organic or natural, but do not meet the appropriate standards. It is the same when it comes to being a genuine Christian. God certifies us as genuine Christians when three steps have been taken: 1 – When we have sincerely acknowledged our sinful condition and spiritual poverty, 2 – when we have believed with the heart the Lord Jesus Christ and in His death and resurrection and 3 – when we have publicly confessed Him as Savior, we are true Christians in His sight. So, as important as it is when looking for organic food to make sure it is certified, it is much more important to make sure, that we are certified by God and His Word. John was inspired to write, “…. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God does not have life. ….these things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

On August 6, many innocent people lost their lives in the train wreck, explosion and fire in Lac Megantic, Quebec. Now someone in our area, concerned about a possible similar disaster here, asks, “Are we are as safe as we think we are? Well, the future is unpredictable and uncertain. We do not know what is around the next corner any more than the victims in the Quebec disaster. Because of this, some take the attitude, “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Others believe that nothing could ever happen to them. It is the wise person who prepares for the unexpected and unpreventable by making one’s peace with God, and trusting Him for whatever the future may hold. With Jesus in our lives, we can pray the prayer of King-, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” That Rock is Jesus Christ. An old gospel song put it this way. “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand. “

Pastor Alex Rockwell

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Well, the excitement, anticipation and hype have come and gone. Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge have a beautiful baby boy. His official name has been announced. George Alexander Louis will be known as “His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.” Over 2,000 years ago, a baby was born and, as befitted a royal birth, He was given multiple names. Among them, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Immanuel – which means God with us. But perhaps we know Him best by the name- Jesus, which means “He shall save His people from their sin.” God’s inspired Word, the Bible, tells us that one day “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.” How important it is to be rightly related to God’s Son, our Savior. Pilate’s question asked just before Christ went to the Cross was, “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” What is your answer to that important question?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The driver was on the phone and apparently looking at a document as his train barreled ahead at 95 miles an hour. Suddenly the notorious curve was upon him. He hit the brakes- too late- resulting in the deaths of at least 79 people. This recent tragedy in Spain reminds us how deadly inattention can be. Many of us rush through life thinking there will be lots of time to think about spiritual matters. Our attention is caught by our careers, families, education or hobbies, all legitimate. But if we neglect the most important issue of the next life, we are making a tragic mistake. Suddenly curves can come our way. The prophet Amos gave sound advice many years ago when he said to his contemporaries- “prepare to meet your God.” That meeting is inevitable for us all. If you check the obituary page, you’ll note that folks of any age can be taken from us.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“If a person doesn’t think there is a God to be accountable to, then- what’s the point of trying to modify your behavior to keep it within acceptable ranges? That’s how I thought anyway. I always believed the theory of evolution as truth, that we all just came from the slime. When we died, you know, that was it, there is nothing…” Those are the words of Jeffery Dahmer, in an interview with Stone Phillips, Dateline NBC. Dahmer, was an American serial killer and sex offender. Most who hold to this unscientific, unproven theory are not guilty of Dahmer’s crimes. But there’s no denying his conclusion that if one does not believe there is a God to whom we are accountable, it has a major influence on modifying behavior to keep it within acceptable ranges. The Psalmist wisely declared, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” And Paul warned, “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Let me summarize my views on what modern evolutionary biology tells us loud and clear…there are not gods, no purposes, no goal directed forces of any kind. There is no life after death. When I die, I am absolutely certain that I am going to be dead. That’s the end for me. There is no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning to life, and no free will for humans, either. “ No those are not my words, they are the words of Dr. William B. Provine, Professor of Biological Sciences Cornell University. Well, all I can say is what a sad, hopeless philosophy of life. And if that is what is being taught to our young people who attend our universities, it is no wonder we are in the moral and spiritual mess we are in today. Jesus gave us a correct philosophy of life , describing a proper balance between time and eternity, when He said, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell