Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation, are the children of baby boomers. They were born from the late 1970s, or from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. At 80 million strong, they are the largest age group in American history. They have been characterized as the “me, me, me” generation because of their perceived self-centered and materialistic tendencies. They have the highest rate of materialism and technology addiction to date. Of course these are generalities, and many born during that time do not have those traits. Jesus taught the opposite to self-absorption. He said that the way up was the way down. He taught self-denial, asking the rhetorical question, “What shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul.” Whether we are from the boomer, generation, the X generation or the Y generation- we are all spiritual paupers and need Jesus Christ to come into our lives, forgive our sins, help us to live useful productive caring lives, and prepare us for heaven.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Many hearts go out to two women who are experiencing heartache. I’ll call the first one Laura (not her real name). She lost one husband in his forties. then later she lost a second husband in his sixties. Now her son, in his forties has a serious heart condition. She is distressed, and seeking peace, which she does not have. The second woman, whom I’ll call Sarah (not her real name) is young, in her 30s, the mother of four young children, recently widowed. She and her husband had a close personal relationship with Christ, and though sadly missing her life mate, and in mourning, she has peace with God and accepts what has happened. Why the difference? The older widow is still seeking peace. The young widow has peace. She experiences what Paul spoke of, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Are you burdened, by your circumstances? You too can have peace with God.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“A perfect diamond commands a perfect price.” That’s how a spokesman for Christie’s Auction House said described a huge diamond, unearthed in Botswana which brought an incredible price of 26.7 million dollars recently. It was the record sale price for the largest flawless diamond ever offered at auction.. But a much greater price was paid when Jesus, the sinless Son of God took on Himself the sins of the world. He paid the ultimate price, giving His life, as payment for our sin. Paul described it with these eloquent words, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.” What God offers is of greater value than any diamond. But He does not force it upon us. May I suggest that you reach out to Him today for this priceless gift? Acceptance for those who humbly, sincerely call is guaranteed!

Pastor Alex Rockwell

New research from the University of California at Berkley suggests that listening to sad music provides comfort for broken hearts. Even though more pleasant alternatives are available, they discovered that people find comfort in tunes that reflect negative moods. Life is full of disappointments and sadness. One old hymn reminds us, that God “… understands our sorrows, He sees the falling tear.” Jesus is described in the Bible as a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” and one who has “borne our grief’s and carried our sorrows”. So our Savior invites us with the words, “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden., and I will give you rest.” And we are also promised that when darkness comes, and we are hurting “He gives us songs in the night.” So if you are down, you don’t have to listen to sad music to feel better. Peter invites, us to be “casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares….”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A message in a bottle, apparently from Nova Scotia, has made its way to the shoreline of Croatia. In 28 years, it has passed through the Atlantic, ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic sea. It was a letter from Jonathan to Mary, expressing the this that they could keep in touch. Now that gives a new meaning to snail mail. A more direct message is available to all of us. I refer to the Bible, God’s inspired Word. It gives us direct communication from God to man. It’s wonderful message can be capsulized in two verses- the famous John three 16 and seventeen. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “ I hope you’ll think about that today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The London Daily Telegraph, reports that an 11 month old Tibetan mastiff male puppy sold to a millionaire in China, is the world’s most expensive dog. It sold for 1.5 million US. Kathryn Hay, who breeds and sells the large dogs says, “In China it is like the national symbol, everybody knows what the breed is and the history…dogs from the top Chinese breeders are highly prized because they are seen as more prestigious.” What a sad commentary on materialistic values- paying a million and a half dollars for one dog, to gain prestige, in a world where millions starve, are homeless, or lack medical care. Jesus’ urged us to have a different set of values. He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy….but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Someone has said, “Only one life, t’will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A while back, while having coffee with a friend, Dean, we were discussing some of the best gifts we had ever received. Dean remembered when he was just a teen that he often looked longingly at a motorcycle for sale by a nearby neighbor that he could not afford, but wished he could. Then one day, his father surprised him by buying that motorcycle for him. Up to that time, it was the best gift he had ever received. Later in life though, he recognized his need for forgiveness and a home in heaven. He learned of a better gift- and the Bible verse that said, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” and the truth fully dawned on him that “the gift of God is eternal life.” When he gladly accepted that gift, it was again from his Father, but this time from his heavenly Father, and like the first gift of the motorcycle, it was also free, paid for by Someone else, Jesus Christ, on the cross.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

We live in an ever-changing world. One example of this is Canada Post, and the use of postal services. Several factors are in play: A dramatic decline in mail volume, E-commerce boosting demand for parcel delivery, households sending fewer letters, businesses encouraging electronic bills, governments moving to direct deposit, and advertising is moving to the Internet. Clearly, we face change in every facet of life, including health care, communication, and lifestyles. So it is natural to ask, “Is there no hope for stability a? Does everything we care about have to change? The answer is yes. God does not change. He said, “I am the Lord, I change not. “ Jesus does not change, He is “the same, yesterday, and today and forever.” And the way to become a true Christian, the way to get to heaven has not changed-. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“By and by, almost everyone is disillusioned, frustrated and overwhelmed,” according to Julie MacFarlane, a law professor from the University of Windsor speaking of her recent study of people who try to represent themselves in court. She added “I was really horrified by the social emotional and psychological consequences of this on many people.” But while it is difficult to represent one’s self in an earthly court, it is impossible for us to plead his or our case in the court of heaven. A righteous God has declared, “the soul that sins shall die.” And since we are all sinners, by nature, we all stand condemned. Thankfully, though we are unable to represent ourselves, by God’s mercy, we have a mediator and an advocate available. Timothy wrote, “.. there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” And John wrote, “ …if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A few weeks ago, the world was shocked by the story of the collapse of a garment factory building in Bangladesh. Over 1,000 died. But amazingly, 17 days after the tragedy, Reshma Begum, a 19 year old seamstress was pulled alive from the wreckage. She was in good condition, but trapped and unable to free herself. She heard the voices of rescue workers and tried everything she could to attract attention. Finally, she was found and rescued. So many times in life, people find themselves trapped, needing outside help. For deliverance. Jesus, explaining His reason for coming into this world said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” When you and I recognize our spiritual poverty and inability to save ourselves, we can call out to the Lord Jesus who said, “…”if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. “ If you are in need of moral and spiritual freedom, it is available in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Alex Rockwell