The saying goes: Change is inevitable except from a vending machine. Our world is changing. Our nation and society are in the midst of great change; Nov 8 just around corner what change will the election of a new president bring? President John F. Kennedy once called change the Law of Life. Sometimes it's only a bump in the road. Sometimes it's a category 4 hurricane. Sometimes it's gradual, other times moment by moment. But whether it's your health, family, or income inevitably everything will change. But not God . . . God never changes.

At the very end of the Old Testament we read, I the LORD do not change. He continues to condemn sin, but His mercy also endures forever. And whatever change life in this world may bring He promises to work in all things for our good. Knowing that, we better understand what Jesus meant when He said, Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on the rock. When the storms of change (expected and unexpected) come along the house stands firm!

Long ago the president received a letter. As you may know Mr. President, railroad trains are moving at the enormous speed of 15 mph. In addition to endangering passenger's life and limb they roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening our women and children. The almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed! Martin Van Buren, Governor of NY, 1829.

Change is inevitable; from the days of infancy through adolescence to adulthood to the slowing of life when we look back and realize how quickly the years have flown by. Speaking of change, next year is Zion's 170th anniversary. An important part of our celebration will be retelling our story, how far we've come since 1847! The story of Zion includes amazing events of change; growth, expansion, wartime (Civil, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam) and peace, great depressions, times of plenty and need, times of loss and gain. The pioneers who built Zion endured many hard times through which they worshipped, prayed, sacrificed, grieved and rejoiced and took refuge in the God who does not change. Just as Moses wrote, O LORD you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Through it all we have a firm foundation.

The LORD is our Rock.