A cancellation stamp seal from the historic site of Lucy Maude Montgomery’s Cavendish home has gone missing. The famous author of Anne of Green Gables had used the seal while working at the local post office in Cavendish. The item had been used at the post office for nearly 200 years. The seal is priceless to the family. The item was being kept in the bookshop museum on the site. We all have items from the past that we view as treasures perhaps because of association with loved ones. Have you ever noticed how crosses are often used as symbols? Although the Roman cross on which Jesus died was not a thing of beauty, but rather an instrument of torture and death , it has become a symbol of love and beauty to those who are Christ followers and believe that “Christ died for our sins” on a cross. One of the most famous hymns of all times put it this way-“And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Recent revelations that the U.S. Prism Surveillance of e-mails, phone calls, social networking and data storage is being viewed with consternation by many. The problem isn’t just what Prism knows, but what they will do with that knowledge. “But I’ve done nothing wrong” you say. Perhaps not, but your innocence will be determined on the basis of the compiled date. And we know there is certainly room for human error in accumulation of date. But one thing is certain. As the Bible reminds us, “The judge of all the earth does right.” When we stand before Him to give account, His records of our lives will be without error. The question will be, “Have you accepted Jesus Christ, God’s Son and His provision of forgiveness and the gift of eternal life? Yes or no? An old hymn asks that question this way, “What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be. Someday your heart will be asking, what will He do with me?”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

After another suicide by a young person, resulting from bullying and inappropriate use of the internet, an insightful editorial in the Charlottetown Guardian posed an interesting question. Have we suddenly stopped teaching our children what is right and wrong, or what is acceptable behavior? In this technological age, the potential is greater than ever for people to harm themselves and others, since the human heart has not changed. The bluntly describes our fallen human nature- “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked…” The only answer to evil is a changed heart. And that is possible only as we stop deceiving ourselves and acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy. When we do, Ezekiel offers hope, writing, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you…” And Paul later explained with the words, “.. if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation old things have passed away, all things become new.” Are you ready for a life change?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Much has been written and spoken about time- how we waste it, how we use it, how to perform more efficiently, how to deal with looming deadlines and the like. most will agree that time is the most valuable asset living people have. However, eventually it does rung out for all of us. Procrastination is the most deadly enemy of productive use of time. The New Testament tells the story of the Apostle Paul, having been arrested, gives his defense before an official named Felix. As Paul ‘reasoned bout righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered,, “Go away now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” There is no record of that “convenient time” ever happening. It was a deadly decision. It is important to remember that “now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” Please don’t let procrastination dull your sense of urgency.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

If you are 50 or more, I’m sure you have been amazed at the changes which have taken place in your lifetime. The computer is a huge factor. But think of the changes which take place in people’s lives when all the children move out, changes resulting from medical problems, changes when folks lose their employment. Then more change when we downsize, or move into a senior’s apartment. Remember the words of the old hymn ”change and decay, in all around I see”. But thankfully, in this world of enormous changes, there is one constant. The God of the Bible never changes. He said, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Our Savior never changes. He is “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday and today and forever.” The way to heaven never changes, Our Lord said, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Blinded by smoke in a burning house, three firemen rescued a trapped woman inside a rural home. The three men are being hailed as heroes. Similar true event such as that occur regularly right here in Atlantic Canada, and indeed all over the world. Firemen, and in some cases firewomen are unsung heroes. Such stories warm the heart and give us insights into selfless behavior. Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Romans with the following words; “One will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ’s death made His disciples sad, and His murderers glad. But God, in His great love for us provided the death of His son to take our punishment for sin. Amazing love! Have you experience it? Remember He has promised, “Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

From time to time people are caught invading the privacy of others with hidden cameras or microphones. But though many Canadians don’t realize it, we are all being watched by the Communications Security Establishment Canada which mines the data associated with the calls, texts and instant message Canadians exchange. The way we spend our money, the things we look at online or share via email, even the stuff we "like" is being tracked, compiled and catalogued by private companies. Unfortunately, the information passed on is often not for our good. But there is good news. We are also constantly under the searchlight of One who has only good intentions and wants the very best for us. Job of old wrote,” His eyes are on the ways of man and He sees all his steps.” And Solomon wrote, “the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” So if we are in a right relationship with Him, we have nothing to fear. If not, Jesus is able to change our situation if we are willing to be changed.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Nik Wallenda said “ I would say the only thing I fear is God.” The Florida based daredevil, acrobat and heir to the famed Flying Wallendas circus family is not afraid to do things most of us would not consider.. He was not afraid when he walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope, or riding a bike on a high wire 80 meters above ground or hanging from a hovering helicopter by his teeth. And Wallenda, a devout Christ follower is on the right track and wise, when he says that he fears the Lord, because the Bible tells us, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil,” and “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Thoughtful people will also fear the Lord for another reason. Luke, a Medical doctor wrote in the book of Acts, “…. anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to him. And “doing what is right” is acknowledging our spiritual poverty, and asking Christ to be our Savior.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A twenty-five hundred year old Egyptian mummy, a gift to the Massachusetts General hospital from the City of Boston in 1823, came out of his coffin recently for cleaning and restoration. But afterward, the mummy will still be a dead man. There are really only two kinds of people in this world- the spiritually alive and the spiritually dead. Those who have entered into a personal relationship with Christ are fully alive. Those who have not are only physically alive. Paul explained this in his letter to the Ephesian church. He described them before they had come to Christ- “…at that time you were without Christ, being aliens….and strangers …having no hope and without God in the world..” Then speaking of the spiritually alive he wrote, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins… But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Are you dead or alive?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

In Sweden, not even a Princess can get away with breaking the traffic laws. Princess Madeleine was recently pulled over and faces a $150 fine for driving in a bus lane. The law is no respecter of persons. God, in His love and mercy has provided one way to heaven. He did that by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to take our place on the Cross, and pay the price we could not afford. If He had declared that we could buy our way to heaven, the rich would have had the advantage. If we could work our way to heaven, only industrious would make it. No, God in His wisdom tells us there is only one way for everyone. We are to confess our spiritual p0overty, admit we are sinners by nature and by choice, by faith receive Jesus, who took the punishment for us, and accept the gift of eternal life. God’s Word informs us that, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell