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

In 1914, twenty-nine men set sail from England to Antarctica to become the first adventurers to cross the Antarctic Continent on foot. Five months into their voyage, the ship became entrapped in an ice pack and sank. The leader of the group, Sir Ernest Shackleton left his men, and with five others set out to cross the Antarctic sea in a lifeboat to bring back rescuers. Frank Wild, who was left in charge of the camp encouraged the men. Each day he would say, “Get your things ready boys, the Boss may come today.” Miraculously, one hundred and five days later, Shackleton returned and the crew was rescued. And did you know that our great Leader, the Lord Jesus Christ has promised one day to return to this earth to rescue us? John records Jesus’ own words , “ Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me ….I go and prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself…” Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Are you prepared?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Cyber-bullying has become a household word almost overnight. Have we opened a Pandora’s box? Intimate damaging photos posted on the internet have led to a rash of tragic, unnecessary suicides of young people. Present day technology is available to a society that rejects the idea of a personal God in most educational institutions. When this is combined with the idea that there is no right or wrong, no absolutes, we reap what we sow. Paul the Apostle warned, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” But it is not too late! God is not dead. He is alive and still invites every one of us to turn away from godless lifestyles. When people, young and old understand and accept the hope offered in Jesus, change takes place, lives are transformed. Peter wrote, “…The Lord is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The majestic powerful eagle is falling victim to lead poisoning. Hunters who use lead bullets on small wildlife are contaminating the food chain of the mighty eagle. The Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown recently rescued a sick eagle and after 11 months of treatment released it into the air- free to fly again. A heart-warming story indeed. But like that hurting eagle, there are – so many broken people in our world today, needing to know the healing love of God. Perhaps you are one of them The Prophet Isaiah, gives us these wonderful promises from God. He wrote, “ Have you not heard? The Lord God is the everlasting God…He gives strength to the weary…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles.” When you enter into a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, you too will be free and able to soar above the problems and difficulties of earth.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Admiral Thomas Williams, in command of a ship crossing the Atlantic ocean on September 8, 1799 , felt a surprising and unexplained urge to steer toward the uninhabited Ascension island. It seemed there was no reason to do so. But he ordered a change of course. His crew did so reluctantly. Approaching the island, a sailor spotted a while flag. On the island they found more than a dozen shipwrecked men, destitute and near starvation. They had been praying for a miracle- someone to rescue them in the nick of time. It reminds one of the circumstance surrounding the coming of Christ into the world. Paul, wrote in the New Testament book of Galatians, “…when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son….to redeem those who were under the law that we might receive the adoption…” As Admiral Williams rescued those lost shipwrecked men, Christ came “in the nick of time”, to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell