|
Looking Back
by Leonard Granger We hear people tell us we should never look back at how things were, but only look forward. They may say.... "With all the changes in our lifestyle and priorities in our lives, the days of the past should be forgotten. They may not have lived through the great depression and the World War as us old seniors experienced in our lifetimes. We learned from our parents, even in the times of trials and tribulations, that looking to God in prayer and reading His Word the Bible would give us strength. We could face the future with the guidance and protection from our gracious and loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I obtained, from the internet, a copy of the my hometown Waterloo, Iowa newspaper's Religious Page dated Sep 9, 1948, when I was in high school. The people were still recovering and rebuilding their families from some of worst times in our nation's history. This city of 45,000 people had 34 churches of all denominations and each week the churches were filled with the congregations giving thanks to the many blessings that God had given them. The church my family attended seated 1500 and if we were late we would sit in the overflow folding chairs. The people in those days praised and worshiped the Lord and as the Bible tells us in 1... John 3:23 " And whatsoever we ask. we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight...." The newspaper told about one church holding "Tent Revival Meetings " with many of the churches participating. Another story tells of a new pastor arriving and some 200 area pastors and church members greeting him with a potluck dinner. Yes, the people were all Christians first and worshiped the Lord together in the church of their choice. As a teenager, we played on our church team in a softball league made of a many churches. I recall praying with both team's members before the first ball was thrown to start the game. Win or lose, we had a great time with other Christian teens and experienced a part of living the wonderful life the Lord had for his servants. Each week the local business firms, both large and small, had a large advertisement " Attend Church This Sunday.......And Every Sunday ". The column in this days paper showed a lady looking at a church and had the thought for the day. It was titled: "Come To Me And You Will Not Be Lonely" "Many of us go through life alone and lonely. Life seems futile because we have no true friends to confide in ......to go for understanding and guidance. Even those with a family and friends sometimes find themselves overwhelmed buy a sense of desolation and loneliness. Yet this is unnecessary, for we all have access to a Friend who is patiently waiting to give us love and spiritual strength we need for a full and happy existence. Once you commune with Him, you will cease feeling like a solitary wanderer treading in life's path aimlessly. Come today to His "Home" and begin a friendship that will endure beyond time .....that will be a source of constant joy and inspiration ... that will dispel the heartache of loneliness. You need the church .....and the church needs you." It was followed by; This is one of a series of Church Messages underwritten by the following.......Some thirty business , banks, railroads. large chains Sears, and individuals where listed. Looking Back, having a life blessing the Lord and attending church was the norm of the day. As the Lord tells us in Matthew28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, A-men. Trust we will all be in the church of our choice this Sunday singing and worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God Bless America No Copyright. Website TipTopWebsite.com/LensLines Christian Newspaper Writer in California [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |