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

Centuries ago, Portuguese settlers built an enormous cathedral on the south coast of China, with a massive bronze cross on its front wall. A few years later, a typhoon destroyed the structure, leaving only the wall and the huge cross standing. Centuries later, there was a tragic shipwreck. Many perished, but one man, clinging to a piece of wreckage survived. Although disoriented, he was guided to land by keeping the cross in view. His name was Sir John Bowring and later, remembering that cross that helped save his life, he wrote the much loved old hymn, “In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time.” On this sea of life, it is easy to become disoriented and despair. But the cross of Christ still points the way, for on that cross, Jesus died for all mankind. Peter wrote, “Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” The way of the cross leads home.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Entrepreneur Bas Lansdorp has an unusual space project. He calls it Mars One, and he is looking for people willing to travel to Mars – but it would be a one-way ticket. The space travelers would have to be willing to die on Mars, because the technology to bring them back to earth does not exist. The cost per traveler would be about a billion and a half – I pass. I prefer the offer of the Jesus. He said, in John’s gospel, “In my house are many mansions….I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am there you may be also.” Oh, and by the way, there is no charge for the trip Jesus offers. It is a gift. He has promised, “… the gift of God is eternal life…” So how does one sign up for this wonderful trip to heaven? You simply ask for it. Paul explained, to a jail keeper, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” And God promises that no sincere person will ever be refused.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A while back, radar triggered speed signs were installed in different places on PEI, similar to the ones you see upon entering the Confederation Bridge. As you approach, the device starts flashing your speed. It works, and probably it has saved some from serious accidents, or large fines. Perhaps sickness, financial reverses, problems in the home or business have caught your attention lately, and caused you to assess your direction in life. It may be God’s warning signals. It can be a positive thing, if acted upon. There are many flashing signals in the Bible. One Old Testament writer put it this way, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord that He may have compassion on Him, for He will abundantly pardon.” Has God been trying to get through to you lately?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“You can see anything that’s going on from anywhere in the world.” That’s the promise of the latest security system technology. It’s good news to a family member, whose basement was flooded last month, leaving a mess. He is now purchasing technology which will tell him if there is a water problem in his home, or allow him to see if intruders enter his residence when he and his family are away. Let’s hope homes will be safer because of these devices. But did you know that God has always been able to monitor our lives? He sees everything we do and even knows our thoughts. The Psalmist wrote of the all-seeing eyes of God, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar and are acquainted with all my ways.” What a great heavenly monitoring system. It is a comfort to those who are properly related to our Lord Jesus by faith, and sincerely walking in His ways. .

Pastor Alex Rockwell