Over the past 150 years many of Antrim's historic sites have been preserved.

Going back in time to 18th century life in Pogue's Entry we would see huge changes between then and now. Jamie and Anna Irvine lived there with their large family. In his book “My Lady of the Chimney Corner'', their ninth child, Dr Alexander Irvine, described the tender love of his mother amidst the poverty of the times.

Today we are thankful for the many ways that life in Antrim has changed for the better.

We need a change too - a personal change on our lives. In the Holy Bible Jesus told one the the leading religious figures of his day, a man called Nicodemus, about a change he required: “Jesus said unto him, you must be born again” Gospel of John chapter 3 verse 7 . This change is vital since we are sinners in our own hearts and lives, and before a holy God.

Many changes in Antrim have been brought about by hard work and expense. But the change God wants to make in our lives can only be received by faith - faith in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

All the work needed for our salvation was carried out when He shed His blood and bore our sins, as He gave Himself as the sinless sacrifice for us on the Cross at Calvary 2000 years ago - "Christ died for our sins... was buried.. and rose again the third day '' 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 3.

The love that Anna and Jamie Irvine had for each other and for their large family was known, appreciated and recorded in Alexander's book. However, their love cannot be compared with God's great love for us. We can experience the changing power of God's love in our lives, and the certainty of personal salvation, when we receive His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our own personal Lord and Saviour.  

To refuse and reject love’s God’s free offer of salvation in Jesus Christ is to remain unchanged, unsaved and without hope for eternity.

"If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new” 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17