20 tourists and their guides who had been stranded on an ice flow off Baffin Island were airlifted to safety last month. They suddenly realized they needed outside help. And often,we too find ourselves adrift from our moorings. Financial loss, breakdown in health, or a trusted friend disappoints us. Whatever the cause, we find ourselves unable to cope, and in need of rescue. The Psalmist in the old testament offers a wonderful promise with the words, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” And Nahum adds, “ The Lord is good- a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him.” When we turn to the Lord, who is greater than our problems, He will answer. He has promised forgiveness and eternal life to all who will call on Him, acknowledge their spiritual neediness and inability to save themselves. When we have this hope, God becomes the anchor for the soul.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The actions of a nosy culprit – a live beaver, is responsible for the inconvenience of more than 1800 northern New Mexican users were affected by the blackout of their cellphones and internet..Centurylink spokesman David Gonzales told the Associated Press that the beaver chewed through fiber. Contractors who worked to repair the outage made the discovery. That little rascal! And just as these people were surprisingly interrupted by a beaver, similar situations take place in our lives lives when our well laid plans and expectations are interrupted by developments such as accidents, health problems, loss of employment betrayal by friends, or other surprises. It is then good to know that our Heavenly Father is never surprised,never needs to say “oops.” But if we have acknowledged our spiritual poverty- have invited Christ into our lives, whether the events seem positive or negative, it is good to know that “all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a serious problem in many provinces of Canada. The tragic results of such irresponsible actions are often death or serious injuries. Surviving family members are often left with a lifetime of pain. Recently the PEI government, alarmed by an increase in alcohol related accidents, is considering forcing those convicted of driving under the influence to have a front license plate revealing their offense, at least to law officers. The idea has strong opposition and support. God’s attitude toward breaking His laws is different. He does not minimize our sinful nature, warning, “There is none righteous, no not one,” but He reminds us that He sent His Son to be our substitute. Paul wrote of it saying, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And when we accept His payment for our wrong-doing, He assures us with these words, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Who has not experienced fear? I myself am a man who is afraid. All the wise men I know are afraid”. Those are the words of the noted scientist Harold Clayton Urey, an American physical chemist whose pioneering work on isotopes earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1934. Your child snuggles close, whispering “I’m afraid.” It may be fear of the dark, fear of something thought to be lurking in the closet. You reassure the little one, trying to soothe his or her fears. But deep inside, you too have felt fear’s chilling impact. There are irrational fears, but there is also healthy fear, causing one to do something about a problem. Fear of an epidemic may lead to immunization. Fear of a possible fire may lead to purchasing insurance. The wise man of the Bible, Solomon, wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” If we are not in a right relationship with Him, a healthy fear should lead to repentance and faith in Christ. As Amos of old warned, ”Prepare to meet your God.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

As the crowd was entering the auditorium for the concert, they were surprised to hear someone playing chopsticks on the grand piano. One of the mothers in the audience, in horror, realized the pianist as her little son. She hurried to stop him but a man had heard the playing too and got to the piano before the mother. Putting his arms around the little fellow, he whispered, “keep right on playing sonny.” So the lad continued to play on the black keys while the man used the entire keyboard to demonstrate the thrilling possibilities of the piano. Who is it, the people wondered. The answer – Paderewski, the flame-haired virtuoso, the greatest pianist of his time, who was giving the recital that night. This unusual incident illustrates beautifully what God will do, if we let Him. If we allow Him to take over the keys of our lives, He will play a beautiful melody. He will bring forgiveness, peace and hope. His invitation is – “behold I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice, I will come in.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A student flunks out. Who cares? A businessman goes bankrupt. Who cares? A man dies in a traffic accident. Who cares? A tenant in an apartment commits suicide. Who cares? Depersonalization, estrangement, isolation, the lonely crowd – these are the terms that characterize our age. We play the role. We pretend that it doesn’t matter, but inside we are alone, desperately alone. Beneath our thin façade of sophistication we battle disconcerting doubts, haunting fears and crippling anxieties. Silently we cry out for someone who will listen, who will understand, who will care. Sadly many agree with the Psalmist, speaking of his own experience when he wrote, “… there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul…” Is there then, anyone who cares? Yes, God cares. He sent His Son to die for you and me. Peter wrote “cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The City of Summerside is demanding the P.E.I. government get involved in a request to switch several hundred residents from Maritime Electric to Summerside Electric. Electricity is so important. It provides the power to turn on the lights. One of the world’s greatest inventions, the electric light bulb has literally revolutionized civilization. Used the world over and often taken for granted, It was invented on October 19, 1879 by Thomas A. Edison. We have grown to depend on it and it is sorely missed when the electricity goes off. But there is another light, far more important than Edison’s light bulb, which many people also take for granted. It is the light of the gospel of Christ. Paul, referring to it as “…the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ…” He also said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes…”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Is there somebody out there as intelligent, or more so than us? Apparently a number of people think this is a legitimate question and have raised sufficient funds to keep the Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute program running in search of intelligent life in the universe beyond this planet. No human can even begin to understand His greatness and power. Yes, God is there, but He can’t be found by a telescope. The writer of Hebrews made that clear writing- “…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Nor is it through a religious leader.” Timothy was inspired to write, There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.” Jesus came to this earth and became flesh to reveal the heavenly Father. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A young German couple rented a small bungalow in Los Angeles. Shortly after they moved in, the nosy woman who lived next door began peeping in their window in the mornings. So the husband, came up with an innovative solution. He placed a mirror in the window. When the neighbor peered in the window the next time, to her surprise and shock, she saw her own face reflected back at her. No more peeping! God’s Word too, has been described as a mirror. When we honestly look into it, we see a lot of undesirable traits. But let’s not be like the person described in the New Testament book of James, who, after observing his natural face in a mirror, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of a man he was…”- Such a man illustrates someone looking into the Bible, and not liking what is there conveniently forgetting. It is far better, having seen our true self revealed, that we turn to the Lord and ask Him to forgive us, and make the necessary changes.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“They’re so heavenly mind they’re no earthly good.” Those words are based on the presumption that if you believe in life after death, you are not interested in life here on earth. The people of Georgetown Baptist on PEI certainly do not fit that mold. Last month, they put together a team of 30, mainly people from the church, to help the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. Supported by many people in the Georgetown community, through pledges, a car wash and barbecue, the church team called “Cruisin’ for a Cure” raised over $4,000 for the Cancer Society. They were awarded the “most spirited Team” at the Relay for Life event, as well as a given a Bronze award for raising over $3500. These good people “are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” and try to help friends and neighbors get ready for the next life. But they also believe that we “are our brother’s keeper” and want to share God’s love here and now. Now that’s Christianity in action.

Pastor Alex Rockwell