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

Recently, I read the creed of a famous movie actor as it was given to a newspaper. In his own words, he summed up his philosophy of life. He said, “ I’m going to do as I please. I don’t need anybody in the world. I did it myself.” How said. Tragically, that is the unspoken creed of all to many people. They consider themselves self-made individuals who worship their supposed creator- themselves. This comes from pride and arrogance. But it is a foolish philosopohy of life. We have been created by God, and we are only alive because He allows it. If we have any gifts or talents, it is because he has bestowed them even our preparation for the next life in His hands. He has said, “By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God, lest anyone should boast.” Everyone of us has a philosophy of life, whether we realize it or not. What is yours? Is it that of the famous but foolish actor, or held with eternities values in view?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The card came to me by regular mail, saying “there is only bridge to PEI.” Then the card said, there is only One Who has bridged the way to Heaven. My attention caught, I read on- “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” It was an invitation to attend old fashioned gospel tent meetings. These good people have it exactly correct. There is, indeed only One who bridged the way to heaven-the Lord Jesus, who said in John’s gospel, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Now you can reach PEI, by boat, plane or even swimming, but there definitely are no other ways to heaven, such as good works, sincerity, being baptized, joining a church, or sincerely believing in falsehood. The only authentic source for spiritual direction- the Bible, makes it clear. Nobody has ever, or will ever make it into heaven except through faith in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

”Most people tend to avoid looking ahead to their end of days.” Those were the words of a newspaper commentator. The writer was correct. It is a very common habit to put off the making of important decisions regarding the future. It’s as though we think we have plenty of time, we’ll always be young and healthy, or that we will never die. Sickness, some muse, only happens to others. And many have the philosophy, “ why think of tomorrow, just live for today.” But the reality is that we all get older, all will have health issues, and we will eventually pass from this life. The question is, have I made preparations? In an Annapolis Valley cemetery, there is an interesting grave stone. On it is written the person’s name, time of birth and death, and then, the Bible text, “Prepare to meet thy God.” Excellent advice. And to prepare, we need to put our faith in Jesus , who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

You may have recently had a similar experience to a High school Teacher. He had been married for 27 years. when told by his wife, “ I want to go it alone.” She was leaving him. He was in shock. Is anything in life more crushing than rejection? How do you cope when it slams into your life? First, it’s important to admit to yourself that you are hurt. And don’t be ashamed to shed tears. Healing can’t begin until you admit that a problem exists. Remember emotional wounds won’t heal over night. It may take a long time to live through a rejection until you come to accept it. Above all, talk to God about your rejection. After all, He knows how it feels when friends turn away. He felt the sting of Thomas’ doubt and Peter’s denial. Yet the risen Christ offers strength to cope with rejection when you invite Him to come into your life and become your personal Savior and Lord.

Pastor Alex Rockwell