CNN’s Breanna Hare says “Online, you can project whatever identity you like. But for some people, it’s easier to have no identity at all.” She reports that “A new social networking site caters to those who prefer anonymity . The site’s creator, not surprisingly identified only as M.K., says such people “don’t have to worry who’s going to read it or what’s going to happen.” Well it may appear attractive to people who want to vent anonymously, but in the real world everyone is responsible for what they say and do. That includes responsibility to our Maker for our decisions. And the most important decision any of us can make in this life is whether or not to accept the gift of eternal life, offered freely by our kind heavenly Father. Jesus once said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Through Jesus Christ, everyone can have a proper relationship with God.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Probably the last gas pump in Canada to issue fuel by the gallon was at Carritt’s Eckville Super Service in Alberta. In 1970, Canada had begun converting the country to metric. But the Eckville station continued to sell by the gallon. In 1984 the “metric police” came to shut them down. It didn’t happen, and the Carritt family continued to sell gas by the gallon. Eventually the underground tank had to be replaced, and the change was made. It reminds one that enforced change often brings resistance. Only when we change on the inside can effective results come about. That’s true in marriage, and also concerning our attitude toward the Heavenly Father. When we’ve done wrong and are genuinely sorry for it, it always involves changing on the inside. Paul the Apostle put it this way – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” Need a heart change?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Recently, horsemeat has found its way into the food chain in Great Britain. Burgers have been removed from shop shelves after testing revealed horse DNA in the burgers. This meat was flying under false colors, not having been properly labeled. It seems we have to be very careful what we eat these days. And likewise, it’s a good idea to be vigilant, what material we read and view. A lot of falsehood is “masquerading” under the guise of truth. The Psalmist of old reminds us that “truth endures to all generations.” Yes, some may believe that truth is only subjective, not objective – and that it depends on one’s perspective. But that would mean there is no horsemeat in our burgers if we are unaware of it, or that there is no moon unless we can see it. No, truth is truth, error is error. To suggest there are no absolutes can lead only to chaos in our thinking and what we believe.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The Canadian news headlines proclaimed, “Metis and Non-Status Indians declared ‘Indians’ under Constitution Act: Court. Up until now many non-status or Metis people have been denied access to many rights – such as funding for post-secondary education services because of their parentage. By a judicial act, the courts have said these people have now been “declared” Indians, with all the added rights and privileges. And that beautifully illustrates an even greater declaration made by God for Christians, when He says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This Justification, for those who have received Christ as Savior, is the legal act whereby God declares us to be innocent of our wrong-doing. We are not now sinless, but we are "declared" sinless in God’s eyes because of Christ’s death for us on the Cross. What wonderful news.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A news report says that an orchid that unfurls its petals at night and loses its flowers by day has been found on an island near Papua, New Guinea. Flowers that open at night are found in only a few plant species. That’s a remarkable flower. That news clip reminds us of the dark times that come into our lives. We wonder why, and sometimes even blame God for our loss and pain. If instead, we would turn to Him for comfort, He could make a beautiful flower unfurl in our darkness. Perhaps today you are going through a dark time in your life. Maybe you’ve lost someone dear to you, or you’ve had a bitter disappointment. Jesus once said, “He that follows me shall not walk in darkness.” And He invites us in those dark, painful lonely times; “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. He can turn our darkness into light.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

George Dryden, who bears a striking resemblance to former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, has been is trying to prove he is Diefenbaker’s son. But the latest exhaustive DNA tests have proved inconclusive. Even though some markers matched, it was impossible to come up with a definitive profile. I hope Mr. Dryden’s quest to prove his paternity succeeds. In the same manner, lots of people claim to be Christians. They may resemble Christians, do some of the things Christians do, but unless the spiritual DNA matches the Bible’s definition of a Christian, they cannot rightly claim God as their Father. John’s gospel tells us “…as many as received Him (Jesus) to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Then John added, “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” It is essential to know our spiritual paternity in this life. Do you know who your spiritual father is?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“We will fix what your husband fixed,” was the sign on an auto repair shop. Those of us who have tried to fix something ourselves and messed it up will appreciate that. Lesson learned – when a problem arises, it’s often best put it in the hands of a professional. And it becomes more serious when we’ve tried again and again to fix our broken lives, but failed. When it comes to living a clean, productive and useful life, we all need help. And God is the only one who can make us whole. Jesus once said, “Without me you can do nothing.” But Paul wrote, after his life- changing encounter with the Lord on the Damascus road, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Are you tired of the rat race where the rats always win? Are you tired of trying and failing to overcome bad habits and addictions? Then I urge you to turn to the Master. Jesus Christ can turn our lives around. We don’t have to try to “fix it” ourselves.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Have you ever heard the story of events that supposedly happened in Alabama the night that Nat King Cole passed away? For years it was reported that his wife had a happy encounter with a kindly driver who helped when her car broke down, enabling her to get to the hospital before her dying husband passed away. But the truth is that Nat King Cole passed away in a hospital in Los Angeles, not Alabama, with his wife by his bedside. This fictitious tale reinforces the importance of knowing the difference between fact and fiction, and especially in the most important area of all – preparing for the next life. There is only one authentic source – the Bible. It reveals the true spiritual condition of all – “There is none righteous, no, not one.” And it shows way to a proper relationship with the Heavenly Father, as seen in Jesus’ words: “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Even in all that mess, the ring looked just beautiful…” Those were the words of Mildred Fello of Miami Beach. She had accidentally discarded her four thousand dollar diamond ring in a plastic laundry bag. She realized what had happened minutes after the garbage men had picked it up. Miss Fello then went to the dumping center and sorted through the refuse. Together with the garbage crew, she finally came upon the blue bag with the diamond intact. Her relief and joy are understandable – and her searching and finding of that valuable diamond reminds me of an even greater search. Dr. Luke, human author of the Gospel bearing His name, speaking of the coming of our Savior into this world, wrote, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” As valuable and desirable as a diamond is, it does not compare with the value of a soul. As Jesus once asked, rhetorically, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

World famous cyclist Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France seven straight years. Over the years he was accused of doping – which he vigorously denied – even as his accusers and evidence against him mounted. But last year he was stripped of those titles, and banned for life from competitive cycling. Although he never admitted to the use of performance-enhancing drugs until recently, he had a change of heart and admitted that he cheated, deceived and denied but now has admitted his wrong-doing. In a way, all of us act in a similar manner, albeit not as famously. Equipped with a conscience, we know our own weaknesses, failures, and yes, let’s say it, sins. But often try to deny it, even to ourselves. Then we realize that our lives are an open book to our Maker. Denial is fruitless. Isaiah has a word for all: “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near….He will have mercy…He will abundantly pardon.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell