04/20/2026
I have been thinking alot today about change.
People and situations change. God doesn't..ever.
Relationships eventually change. The newness wears off. At some point you date and that changes to engagement and to marriage.
Families change. Children grow up and move out. Someone dies and life changes.
Churches change. Someone resigns, is voted out, passes away or retires. A new Pastor is voted in. That pastor will never be the old pastor. He does not want or need to be. He has his own way, his own church experience. I know....I have had 5 pastors before Michael. Each had a different way of doing things. I hate change in alot of ways. But, I realize sometimes it is necessary. People don't like it but it comes regardless. I have thought about the old times in church alot. There was order in the church, there was love and working together. We sang old hymns and had preaching out of the KJV and the preacher stepped on toes. As I got old enough to understand I was always grateful when they did. That is growth. That is listening and learning. Church started exactly on time. We listened to the pastor, we sang the songs and we loved each other. I love the old ways. I love the altars instead of stages. I love the old songs. I love feeling like a family. There was also the sometimes boring financial reports that were necessary, trusting the pastor to preach God's Word, sitting with family and lunch after church...at home with leftovers for supper.We had Christmas programs on the Sunday night before Christmas and Christmas suppers that were often at our home.I sang in the choir and was Secretary/Treasurer at Ladies Circle meetings. We went to a rest home once a month on Saturdays.I was active in the church and knew what the church stood for.
I was baptized in the church and married in the church. I attended church the Sunday morning of momma's funeral. I viewed my momma and then went to the church for Sunday School and preaching. I can still see her sitting in the pew beside me.
Granny Nettles was an old fashioned,no nonsense grandmother figure. Popeye Clay from the neighborhood played guitar and sang. He was blind but always called me by name when I entered the church. He told me when you don't have one sense others take over. John Elliott was our Treasurer and a deacon. He set the example of what I thought church officers should be. Preacher John preached the word and showed up for a full church or to preach to 1 person. There were no power struggles like you see now, no cell phones and no disrespect of people trying to preach God's Word. People stayed in their seats, remained quiet during the service and respected God's house. Times were good then and a church was a church.
Just walking down memory lane for awhile. Thank you Jesus
