Reflections By Rev. Dan Bogre

DearChurch Family and Friends,

I hope and pray that all of you have recovered from the storms of August 6. As you know, a tornado touched down. It started in Avon Lake and made its way into Rocky River. As I write this Circuit Rider article, I and many others are still without power six days removed from the day of the storm. Hopefully, by the time you get this, power will have been restored to all in the area.

There is always evidence of God moving in those difficult moments. I watched neighbors helping neighbors cut up fallen trees, share generators, share power strips at Panera to charge their phones and computers, and people just out walking around because their TVs and air conditioners were not working.

My God moment was that I got to work sideby-side with my wife for a whole day at the Rocky River Panera because we did not have power at the house. I have been married 20 years and that is the first time we both worked at our “jobs” side-by-side. The thing that made that happen was a tornado.

In Romans 8:28, Paul says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I watched God work for good in the midst of a very difficult time for many people. It has reminded me to not only be aware that God brings the most incredible miracles out of difficult situations, but to search for the miracles in those situations.

Even more so, God is calling me to be one of those miracles to others for the glory of God when times are tough. The next time the waves of life are crashing in from every direction and it seems as though a tornado is on the horizon, seek out the miracles and movements of God who is working His goodness in the midst of it. May God bless you and keep you now and forevermore.

Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Dan