“I forgive this murderer because of my faith in God and in Jesus Christ.” Those were the words of Las Vegas boxing coach Arturo Martinez as he stood with his two young sons beside him and made that incredibly emotional statement to reporters. Nearly three months earlier, he’d been nearly bludgeoned to death in a home invasion, during which his wife and daughter were killed. His words were powerful and remarkable. They remind one of the words of the Lord Jesus. From the cross He cried out, “Father forgive them…” And He was not speaking of just one person who had wronged Him, but of every person ever born into this world. John, speaking of Christ’s death, said it was “not for our sin only, but for the whole world.” Paul the Apostle added, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” While clearly all will not accept Christ as Savior, surely His forgiveness is available to everyone who will receive it. That’s an offer I couldn’t refuse. Can you?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

In 1958, Bill Teitleff stole two hydrangea plants from Centennial Park in Nashville Tennessee. But every time he walked through the park, he felt guilty. It bothered him so much that recently, after more than 50 years, he returned the plants from the root system of the flowers. Someone may say “what a trivial thing to be concerned about.” But is it? The book of Proverbs reminds us that ”The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of the heart.” In other words, that disturbing still small voice within that speaks to us when we have done wrong, the conscience, is often the Lord talking to us and steering us away from wrong-doing. While our conscience is not a true guide, unless it has been conditioned by the truth of God’s Word it is a gift from God. It produces healthy guilt within, it reveals our need of a Savior who came to free us from the power of evil and guilt . The good news is – though “the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

There was a small shark flopping around on the 12th tee of the San Juan Hills Golf Club in California. It dropped from the sky. It had puncture marks where it appeared a bird of prey had snagged it from the Pacific Ocean, about five miles away. The small leopard shark weighed just two kilograms. It was rushed to the ocean where it was still for a few seconds and then speedily swam away to freedom. Talk about a second chance. It reminds one of the fact that our heavenly Father is the ultimate giver of a second chances. No matter how many times we fail, or stubbornly make foolish choices, God is willing to forgive us and give us another chance. Perhaps today you have really messed up your life and feel that your case is hopeless. Maybe you’re even thinking that life is not worth living. Please wait. Our kind and loving Savior went to Calvary to give you and me a second chance. If you are ready to take that second chance, I urge you to cry out to our Lord today. He will not turn you down – guaranteed!

Pastor Alex Rockwell

It is New Years Day 2013. What awaits us? The future it seems is big business. Amazingly,people are spending more than a billion dollars annually on clairvoyants, gypsies, seers, astrologers all claiming to know what’s coming. Before you turn to these unreliable sources please check out the most authentic book of all times, the Bible. It reveals that Jesus Christ, the Son of God promised, “I will come again.” He’s coming back to this earth to set up His kingdom. Though none of us knows when, Christ never once made a promise He did not keep. Case in point- Centuries ago, God inspired Old Testament writers to prophesy that the Jewish people, scattered worldwide, would one day return to the land of Palestine. Many scoffed. But in May of 1948, the nation of Israel was re-born exactly as promised right on schedule. At the beginning of 2013, are you prepared for the day when Christ keeps His promise to return? When we have a personal relationship with Christ, by faith, as His children, we can say, C’mon 2013, I’m ready for ya. Pastor Alex Rockwell

At midnight, we will be in 2013. It will bring with us many different philosophies, attitudes, concerns, fears, expectations and even dread. Our outlook on the New Year is conditioned by our recent experiences. For some, 2012 has been kind and leaves good memories. For others, 2012 has brought unpleasant events which have brought fear for the future. But we all have one thing in common – we do not know what the future holds. Only God does. Songwriter Ira Stanphill wrote the following thoughtful words. “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from it sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray. I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said, and today, I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead. Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know He holds my hand.” Great advice for the New Year before us.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

2013 is almost upon us. Our world is in deep trouble morally, spiritually and economically.. But there is hope. We can learn from history. England, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, was in a moral quagmire and a spiritual cesspool. Thomas Carlyle, historian and teacher during the Victorian era described the country’s condition as “Stomach well alive, soul extinct.” Drunkenness was rampant; gambling was so extensive that one historian described England as “one vast casino.” Then George Whitefield and John Wesley began to preach the gospel to the masses. The result was a great revival that cut across denominational lines, touching every class of society. Historians believe the revival probably saved England from the kind of revolution that took place in France. And if we turn back to the Bible, to Godly principles, the simple unvarnished gospel, we can make a difference, one person at a time, in 2013.

Boxing day 2012. The gifts have been opened, and are now being enjoyed. I hope you got something useful. Do you ever think about the gifts that remain in your memory from when you were young? I remember one year my parents gave me a hockey stick. I even remember that the price was still on it – one dollar and ten cents. I had never owned a new stick, always hand me downs. I enjoyed that hockey stick on the open air rinks where we played. I thought, as a young boy, it was the best gift I had ever received – but I was wrong, because at the tender age of 17, I was given the greatest gift of all. Not from my wonderful parents or any other human, but from God. It was the free gift of eternal life. Someone showed me that being a Christian was not going to church or being baptized, but it was entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then I learned that though “the wages of sin is death, the gift of God eternal life, in Jesus Christ our Lord.” And that gift is available to every single person, including you. Pastor Alex Rockwell

It is Christmas Eve, 2012, a magical time of year, isn’t it. I read recently of a small child, a recent refugee, being shown the wonders of a large toy department store by his foster parents. His eyes grew wide with wonderment at first, but gradually an expression of disappointment clouded his face. He began to search up and down the aisles. At last he burst out “But where is the child?” Then an alert and sensitive store official ordered a Christmas crib, complete with a replica of the Christ Child. It was set up in a prominent place. Seeing it, the young boy smiled with delight. In his childish way, he was saying, Jesus is indeed the reason for the season. Whether he knew it or not, he was reminding elders of the words spoken by the angel at Jesus’ birth, “behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For there is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Merry Christmas.

In just a few days it will be Christmas 2012. I am confident that each gift will be accepted. Under the tree in most homes, there will be some gifts. Hopefully nobody will be left out. It is unlikely that many of the gifts will be unclaimed. I am reminded that on the first Christmas, about 2,000 years ago, there was a gift for each of us left by Him whose birthday we celebrate. The gift was withheld from none. Sadly, some have left it unclaimed, while others have accepted it and even carry it around but never remove the wrappings. They do not look inside to discover the hidden splendor. The packages are all alike: In each is a scroll on which is written the words, “The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Have you accepted the greatest gift you could possibly receive? It is the gift of God’s Son, presented to you by the Heavenly Father wrapped up in His love. Or is that gift still waiting for you?

It is almost Christmas, 2012 and you don’t have all your gifts for your loved ones yet? What to get her? Him? Them? Author Charles Swindoll, in his book “Seasons of Life” has some different but interesting suggestions. Here are a few – Encouragement to an older person. Write a long overdue love note to someone dear. Release someone from a grudge. Share a smile. Find the time to keep a promise. Forgive an enemy. Give an apology if you were wrong. Offer to babysit for a tired mother. Turn the television off and talk to someone. Seek out a forgotten friend. Gladden the heart of some child. Yes, Christmas is a time for giving. Remember, however, that it’s possible to give without loving, but it’s not possible to love without giving. Often the greatest gifts cannot be bought, as they involve giving yourself. God so loved that He gave His Son, because he loved the people of this old world. And Jesus, God’s gift, gave Himself on the cross to open the door to heaven for you and me. What a gift! Have you accepted it?