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President's Report to the Districts
A video message from President Debbie Larson Go to the District Convention page to view our 2020 District Convention via video. |
A Message from our Junior Pastoral Counselor, Rev. Gary Pomrenke
I can’t believe that this year has zipped by so quickly. We have experienced the hardest year that I can remember aside from the 9-11 fallout. We have been challenged as Christians at every turn. People have taken positions at opposing ends of so many things. To wear a mask or not wear a mask … cheating in the presidential election or not … Covid-19 isn’t real to those who are so scared that they haven’t left their homes since March. Our world is facing a time that I have never experienced in my lifetime. We all have been very divided on how to react and live amongst this virus. The one thing that we should all be able to agree on is the fact that anxiety and fear will not add a day to any of our lives. Our Christian Nation has let our fear overtake our faith. I want not to admonish you, but rather to encourage you.
I don’t think there was any biblical figure that was more tested by trial than that of Job. Even though he experienced such devastation and trial in his life, he always spoke of hope. In fact, the word hope is mentioned 32 times in the book of Job. He goes from having no hope in his gloomy life to the hope that can only be found in our Lord. Even in his struggles, and they were many, he found solace in the lord. Satan was allowed to strip everything of any worth from Job … His wealth, his family, all of it gone. God knew that he was a great man of faith. After Satan took everything, Job had this to say to him …
20 “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and
worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job
did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Job 1:20-22 (ESV)
If Job could get through the trials that he faced, then we too shall be able to do the same. In facing the challenges that we currently are, we must be able to acknowledge that Our Savior can and will lead us through anything in this world that we may face. He is greater than any disease that we will encounter. He is greater than any trial that we may encounter. He is greater than anything … so let us focus on what we can control. Let’s remember the spirit of Christmas. Let’s remember the path that Mary and Joseph traveled. Let’s look into that manger on Christmas and see the only thing that can save us from our sins and from ourselves … Jesus Christ! Let’s focus on that miracle and our faith and our God will get us through the rest. Amen?
