“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8 
 

Dear Friends in Christ,

Jesus Christ is the only one that we can count on to always be there for us.  He is the one that never changes.  Jesus' love is always there for us.   We may change but Jesus never does.

Just think of how your life has changed over the years.  I remember going to Grandma and Grandpa Morris' house to watch the Rose Parade because they had a COLOR TV. 

I remember watching reunion shows on TV.  As I watched with my mom and dad and sisters, I would make sure no one could see my eyes because I always had tears in them.   The emotion was strong as brothers and sisters who hadn't seen each other for years were reunited.  Their extreme joy always touched me and brought tears to my eyes.

I was able to experience such a reunion.  For more years than I care to recall, there was a hole in my life. My dad has three brothers and I hadn't seen one of them for over 45 years.  I remember that he was nice to me.  But for 45 years, I hadn't seen him or talked to him and neither had my dad or his brothers.  THEN….the CHANGE took place…

He showed up for Dan's graduation!  I was able to see my uncle again!  What was truly amazing was witnessing the reunion of my dad and his brother after 45 years!  Jesus Christ is the only one that doesn't change; He is also the one who works change in our lives.

I have shared this great news of my uncle's return to the family.  Some people have responded by saying, “We have never had that in our family.”  I am glad that they haven't had to experience that separation.  I can tell you it isn't pleasant.  People also want to know why?  Why did it happen? I asked that same question for 45 years.  There never was a good answer.  When the reunion took place after 45 years, I didn't need an answer to that question. I was simply rejoicing that he was back!

Reunions are awesome!  Especially after 45 years of absence!  There was a change that had to be worked and God accomplished it in His time.

What follows is a little different change brought about in my life by my daughter.  I should have listened to my daughter sooner.  There I said it.  She is the one I have bantered with over the changing technology.  “Jess why are you texting why don't you just pick up the phone and call them?”  And then after what probably seemed like years to her (maybe it was) I am texting. 

And then there was Facebook.  “Dad , you should get on facebook.”   “Why? What do I need Facebook for?”  “Dad you should get on Facebook!”  Then finally I gave in.  “Go ahead and make me a page.” She was more than happy to do just that and now I am on Facebook. 

Now here is the really hard part.  I am GLAD I am on Facebook.  I have reconnected with cousins I haven't seen for over 40 years.  We are writing back and forth and laughing about memories and looking at pictures of our childhood.  One photo has over 150 comments.  It is like a family reunion on line.

I hear the comments all the time and even say them sometimes, “Why don't kids go out and play like we did when we were growing up?” We think that our kids should do the same things we did.  Well, I have to remind myself the world has changed and it isn't the same world I grew up in.  In some ways, that makes me sad; in others it brings me great joy.  

Life is relational.  It is about people.  Facebook at least for today is the way people of all ages communicate.  It does me no good to wish people still interacted the way they did years ago.  Times have changed and either I change with the times or I will be left behind.

My daughter would often say, “Even grandma is on facebook dad!”

So do we force people to communicate the way we think they should or do we communicate with people the way they chose to? 

Can we use technology to proclaim Jesus?  Yes.  The church has been doing that for a number of years; printing press, radio, TV, and now internet.  One avenue is Facebook.  Many churches are using it.

We also have screens in our sanctuary and soon projectors so we can utilize the latest in technology to focus on Jesus and the Gospel.  Through using picture and sound, we will present the Love of God to lost mankind.   Why wouldn't we want to use all we have at our disposal to proclaim Jesus? 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and tomorrow.  His Love for us never changes.  We are securely wrapped in His love.  We can proclaim that love using all sorts of technology not as an end in itself but simply as a vehicle to present the greatest story ever told.  What could be greater than, “Your sins are forgiven…go in peace.” 
 

Changed by Jesus, (and Jess)

Pastor Bill Morris

Pastor Bill Morris