When we examine ourselves can we see we are following Christ? Are we walking the path God wants us to be on or do we take detours and walk another way that we think is better? When Moses sent men out to explore the land of Canaan they reported back that the land did flow with milk and honey but the land was inhabited by giants, that the cities were fortified and the people there were stronger than the Israelites. Do we focus on the giants instead of God's promises? While the Israelites were in the wilderness they often did things contrary to what God told them to do. This hardening of their hearts and following the path they thought was best angered God. Do we harden our hearts against God and go our own way? Trees are strengthened by the force from winds and storms. Do trials, God allows us to go through, strengthen us and build our character or do we look for the easy and the short way out of an uncomfortable situation? Do we limit God and prevent the work He can do? Instead of asking how quickly can I get out of this, we should ask what can I learn if I go through it.

Richard Kennebeck

Pastor

Richard's family first learned of God's wonderful truth in the mid-1950s in rural Wisconsin. His family moved to central Florida in the late 1960s where Richard spent many of his teen years and attended the Orlando church. After high school, he attended and graduated from Ambassador College in Pasadena, California. Since then, he has spent most of his working career in the Information Technology industry.

He was ordained in 2012 while living in Cincinnati, Ohio and now serves as pastor of the Orlando and Jacksonville Florida congregations of the United Church of God.