God knew you before you were born – what a mind-boggling thought. Dr. David Jeremiah, in his book Sanctuary reminds us, “…in every cell of your body, there is enough information to recreate your adult person as if no other cells were necessary. He writes, “If the DNA instruction of one cell were written out, it would take a one thousand six hundred page book to put all the information down. And yet, God put this all in a cell so tiny that it cannot be seen without magnification.” In light of this amazing truth about our bodies, how dare we ignore our Creator. Like King David of old, we should all pray, “Search me O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Yes, we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving Creator.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Canadians are becoming heavier, weaker, less flexible and therefore vulnerable to illness, injury and premature frailty. Commenting on that sobering information, one Maritime newspaper wrote “sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.” And it is true. Sometimes it is necessary to appear to be cruel to be kind. Paul the Apostle echoed that truth speaking to folks about serious problems in their lives, who had reacted negatively, He asked, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Often when we are confronted about our spiritual condition and reminded that “all have sinned”, we react in anger and denial. When made aware of our poor physical condition, we need to take action. And how much wiser it is to face up to the facts of our spiritual need and turn to the Lord. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” .

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Dr. Les Dennis from Nova Scotia recently published an insightful article which wisely and accurately summarizes the state of religious belief in our day. Dennis points out that in many circles there is a rejection of absolutes, which has resulted in the concept of no right and no wrong. He states that “our whole sense of morality is skewed.” He adds that in the church which is now emerging, while God is not done away with, doctrine and truth do not matter. He says that proponents of this philosophy are more concerned with personal experience than about whether the message of Christianity is true. He then points out that the difference between this new kind of belief and what Jesus actually taught is that it is the truth that makes us free. And I am reminded of our Savior’s words when He said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship is one of the most popular sports in the USA. But a recent report reveals that approximately 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the United States, with the likelihood of serious consequences increasing with each subsequent head injury. So I ask, “Why would anyone, knowing the serious danger of getting life-altering brain damage, continue in the sport? “ The answer in some cases is that they are in denial. But in most cases – it’s the almighty dollar. But not only participants in the UFC make this choice. Millions, knowing that all of us will ultimately leave this life and enter eternity are in denial and make no preparation whatever. What good advice Isaiah gave us when he said, “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near….return to the Lord ….for He will abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship is one of the most popular sports in the USA. But a recent report reveals that approximately 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the United States, with the likelihood of serious consequences increasing with each subsequent head injury. So I ask, “Why would anyone, knowing the serious danger of getting life-altering brain damage, continue in the sport? “ The answer in some cases is that they are in denial. But in most cases – it’s the almighty dollar. But not only participants in the UFC make this choice. Millions, knowing that all of us will ultimately leave this life and enter eternity are in denial and make no preparation whatever. What good advice Isaiah gave us when he said, “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near….return to the Lord ….for He will abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

For years already, drivers who seek out the latest technology have been able to listen to music, turn up the air conditioner or get direction – with no need for driver inattention by pressing buttons. One car maker now has released a system that recognizes 10,000 different voice commands. What a world! Cars we can talk to, robots to clean our houses, and internet to give us an overload of information. One would think we would now be the happiest people on earth. But are we? Suicide, drunkenness, drug abuse, moral breakdown seem to dominate the news every day. How could it be that with all the materialism, we are still restless and unfulfilled? Could it be that all our toys just don’t satisfy? Jesus gave us His philosophy of life in Matthew’s gospel when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

In 1809 the attention of the whole world was on Napoleon, the small but mighty dictator of France, who swept a victorious trail through Austria. Not many people cared who was born that year, but they should have. Among the newborn list was Alfred Lord Tennyson, William Gladstone, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Edgar Alan Poe and Abraham Lincoln. We sometimes miss the wonderful potential of every person. But David reminded us in one of his psalms that God covered us in our mother’s womb, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God is acquainted with all our ways. And then finishes the psalm with a prayer, “Search me Oh God and know my heart. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” We may not be famous as those men mentioned, but only as we turn our lives over to God will we fulfill our potential.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Recently I heard about a little boy in Children’s hospital, who had a reputation for causing havoc for the staff. A visitor, intending to help, told the boy that if he obeyed the nurses for one week, she would give him a dime when she returned. A week later she was back and asked, “I have not asked the staff, you tell me, ‘Do you deserve the dime?” After a pause, a small voice from under the sheets said, “Gimme a penny.” How like us. When God asks, “Have you obeyed my commandments?” Few would even say, “Give me a penny.” That’s because we tell “white lies”, we misbehave, in many ways. And though the word sin is not popular these days, most are aware that we do sin. Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death.” But he added, for the benefit of honest folks who believe in Jesus and ask for his mercy, ”but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The Executive Director of the PEI Council of People with Disabilities, Marcia Carrol, said recently that as many as 400,000 Canadians are homeless. And the United Nations has identified homelessness in Canada as an urgent crisis, and notes that Canada is “one of the few countries in the world without a national housing strategy.” These statistics are shocking. We who are privileged to have a home should not forget this cross section of vulnerable people. Interestingly, when Jesus was on earth, He had no settled abode, but travelled about constantly meeting people’s needs. When His death was drawing near, He gathered His disciples about Him and reminded them of the heavenly home that awaits all those who trust Him. He said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms….I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.” Even if we have no home on earth, we can have one in heaven.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Bratislav Stojanovic, (Stojanovich), a forty two year old homeless Serb, has been living in a cemetery in Southern Serbia for more than fifteen years. He turned one of the underground tombs into a place of his own. “It is quiet here,” he explained, “I’m not afraid.” His unusual story reminds one of words spoken about Christ, after His death. When some women went to Christ’s tomb, they were perplexed not to find His body. Two angels appeared and asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” While Stovanvich was living amongst the dead, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not remain with the dead. He rose bodily from the grave, is alive today, and able to be our Savior. He once said to believers, “Because I live, you shall live also.” That is the hope of everyone who is trusting in Him alone for forgiveness and eternal life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell