A while back, Dr. John Grebe, one time Director of both Nuclear and Basic Research at Dow Chemical in Midland Michigan made an unusual offer. He would give anyone $1,000 who could prove an error in the Bible. Although the offer was made in 27 different countries, the money is still uncollected. Nobody has been able to collect, and if courts and judges do their jobs honestly and properly and fairly, it will never happen. That’s because the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is the inspired word of God and has been preserved from error through the centuries. You and I can trust and depend on the Bible, God’s Word. I hope you will read it, because there you will learn the answers to life’s most important questions, learn our true nature, and best of all, learn of the Savior, who came to forgive, cleanse and fit us for heaven. Please don’t judge this book by its cover. Read it and it will change your life forever.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Recently thousands of people were told that personal information about them, held by the government, has gone missing. Letters were sent out notifying them of this privacy breach and what steps should be taken. Understandably, many of them are very upset. We all value our privacy. Many have secrets which, if revealed, would be very embarrassing. But the truth is that there is One from whom it is impossible to keep secrets. The Heavenly Father is all knowing. The Psalmist wrote, “He knows the secrets of the heart.” The writer of Hebrews wrote, “…all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” That can be scary or comforting. If we have no relationship with Him it is scary. But when we have invited Christ into our lives by faith, we have nothing to fear, even when He looks into the privacy of our hearts.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Jean Tremblay, the Mayor of Saguenay Quebec, is in court fighting for the right to open city Council meetings with prayer. His arguments are based on the first words of the 1982 Constitution Act, which states, “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law….” Mr. Tremblay is trying to reverse a decision banning prayers before meetings. Whoever wins, one thing is certain – any individual who sincerely turns to God in prayer will never be turned away. God has promised in His Word, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” I do not know why Mayor Tremblay wants prayer, and I don’t know why his Council is against it, but I do know that prayer is the greatest source of power and strength in the world. English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson correctly wrote, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” God is only a prayer away.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Someone stole a cell phone, put it up for sale for $300 on Kijiji. An alert employee of the store from which it was stolen saw the ad, and confirmed that it was the stolen cell phone. A police officer then made contact with the would-be seller, arranged to see the phone at a Tim Horton’s, and an arrest was made. The fine was $1,000, plus an additional $150 for the victims of crime fund. That was an expensive cell phone! Let’s hope the individual has learned a lesson. Although we often think we can get away with wrong doing, eventually every action has a consequence. If we abuse our bodies we will have to deal with the results, bad health and in some cases physical death. If we ignore His Word, the Bible, and neglect His offer of forgiveness and cleansing, we will face unpleasant consequences. But no matter how much we play mind games, God is real and His love is extended to all who will receive His invitation to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“Even after Canadians are diagnosed with a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes, they rarely make lifestyle changes that could prolong their lives.” That is the surprising finding of a recent Statistics Canada report. It seems that, even to maintain good health, it is difficult for us to change our ways. I heard somebody say once, “I can quit smoking any time I want to. I’ve quit 14 times already.” When it comes to our spiritual health, it is a different matter. Our best efforts – self-reformation, good works, getting religion or similar actions, cannot effect permanent change. The good news is that when it comes to making a permanent change in our lives, and being prepared for the next life, it is “By grace, through faith and not of ourselves; it is the gift of God.” For our physical health, we need to do something. But for our souls, it has already been done for us. All we need to do is humbly accept that gift by faith.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“It is very shocking.” That was the reaction of Summerside PEI Fire Chief Jim Peters, upon learning that less than 25% of homes in his city have properly working smoke detectors. Mr. Peters added, “It is still the best firefighting tool we have.” Smoke detectors sound the warning, and neglecting them costs the lives of many people in Canada and the US every year. And just as neglect can affect our physical safety, so neglecting warning signs concerning our spiritual state can be disastrous. The New Testament writer of Hebrews asked, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?” The answer is obvious – we won’t escape. As important as it is to have a properly working smoke detector in your home, it is far more important to make sure that you are at peace with God. How can that happen? That peace has already been made by our Savior at Calvary. He said, “Having been justified by faith, we then have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A 56 year old man is grieved and tormented and asking advice. Should he confess that he stole from a close family member 30 years ago to pay for a drug habit? Well AA, or Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization that helps many, has a 12 step program for recovering alcoholics. One of those steps is to make amends to the people you have hurt. Sadly, some of those people will remain angry and unforgiving. But regardless of the response, it is still important to sincerely apologize for wrong-doing. However, I am glad that there is One whom all of us have hurt by our actions and unbelief, who never turns His back on us. When we come to him with sincere and humble hearts, admit our failures and sins, He opens wide His arms and forgives and forgets. How do I know that? It’s in the Bible, where Jesus invites all, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…and you will find rest for your souls.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A friend of mine has a neurological disorder which causes one of his hands to tremble. He said that a small girl of 8 or 9 was telling him a story. As she spoke, she noted that his hand had a tremor. Without asking him why, or in any way embarrassing him, the little child quietly took his hand between her hands, stopped the tremor, and continued her story. My friend has never forgotten that “random act of kindness.” It reminded me of the kindness of another. Matthew’s gospel records that on one occasion, Jesus was travelling about all the cities and villages. Then it says, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd.” That child illustrates the compassion of Jesus. Whoever you are, whatever your situation, please always remember that when Jesus sees us, He is “moved with compassion.” Today, reach out to Jesus. He’s reaching out to you.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

The Family Herald and Weekly Star was a paper in operation until September 1968, after almost a century of operation. Many of its readers wrote interesting letter to the editor. One, a farmer, announced that he was an atheist, and that in his community, most of the farmers were Christians. He wrote that his lifestyle was decidedly non-Christian. He believed the Christian farmers were wasting their time denying themselves certain pleasures he enjoyed. He poked fun at their church going. Then, as proof of the correctness of his godless position, he announced “this October my crops were the largest of any in the community.” The editor’s classic response, short and to the point was “Dear sir, God does not s settle all of His accounts in October.” That atheist should have heeded the Apostle Paul’s warning, “boast not yourself of tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.” Let’s hope the famer followed the advice of the prophet Amos’ warning, “Prepare to meet your God.” Good advice for us all.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

I read a cute story recently about a little guy who woke up about 4 o’clock in the morning, unable to sleep. He went to his father’s room and asked for a drink. Receiving it, he lay quietly for a while. All was quiet for a while, and then, in the darkened room, the boy asked, “Daddy have you got your face turned toward me? “Yes, son” was the reply. Comforted, the small boy fell asleep. Sometimes life is like the darkness that frightened that little boy. But like him, we can be sure that our Heavenly Father’s face is turned toward us. In one Old Testament book of the Bible we read, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” When we are God’s children, even in the dark times of life, we can know that He is watching over us. And we become His children by inviting His Son into our lives. Open your life – He’s waiting to come in.

Pastor Alex Rockwell