Dear Church Family,

My family is just coming off of one of the craziest and hardest summers I ever remember. We have faced deep hurts and losses, deeper than anything in the recent past. We have personally struggled through a potentially serious illness. We have faced intense stress which has affected us physically such as not being able to sleep and I personally developed a painful rash on my scalp that was attributed to nothing more than stress. We have had to cancel our summer vacation plans because of life-events and are considering canceling another one because of other unanticipated happenings. It has been a hard summer!

This summer has been hard on our family but it has also been hard for many of you, as you also experienced large hurts this summer. You were crying out to God for answers and felt like He was silent in your pain. You were angry, confused, and hurt.

As a church, we have been beat down. I recognize this and acknowledge this as your pastor. It has been a hard summer! In times like this the best thing we can do is remember the truths of Scripture.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 30:5b Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

John 16:20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

The truth is, this world and everything in it, including pain, is temporary. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Revelation 21:4 states, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” This place is short-lived. Eternity is forever and eternity is pain free! In the middle of this hard time and all yet to come, like Job we should say, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth!” (Job 19:25).

I don’t care how hard it gets. God will always be good. God will never die. God will someday stand on this earth and say, “Enough!” For these reasons I praise Him and I invite you to join me, no matter how much you hurt.

I love you all, Pastor Daniel