I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a friend for quite a few weeks. I realize it is so much more than just saying “I’m a friend.” It requires a lot out of me to be a true friend. If someone asked you if you were a real friend, what would you say?
Just something to think about. Ivan Dear DBC Family,
You’ve probably heard the term “Super-spreader” sometime over the last 5 months. There is some back story to this term. Mary Mallon was a cook in the early 1900s who happened to be a healthy carrier of typhoid fever and unwittingly gave this disease to many people and many people died from it too. She ended up getting the nickname “Typhoid Mary.” She was a super-spreader. The Book “Deadliest Enemy” by Dr. Michael Osterholm says that Superspreaders "transmit to many more contacts than other cases with the same infection...It’s unclear why superspreaders infect such a large number of those exposed...These super spreaders are not obvious; they are not necessarily sicker, immunocompromised, older or pregnant - all the conditions we normally associate with being more infectious.” This term has got me thinking a lot. Have you ever run into a follower of Jesus that is so contagious and overflowing with Joy and Love that you it is absolutely unmistakable? I would say that that person is a Superspreader of Christ. The sad thing is that if our friends and neighbors were asked if they realized that we were Jesus followers, they might say that they didn’t even know. So much for being super-spreaders. I guess it makes sense because the world is supposed to know we are Christians by our love, but how can they if we aren’t showing it? The ancient church in Thessaloniki was praised for how their faith in God has become known everywhere and that they were a model to all believers. I want to be like them. I want to be a Superspreader of God’s love. How about you? That’s something to think about for sure. Ivan Dear DBC Family,
Has your life resembled “normal” lately? I think that for a number of families in the Chapel, it really has resembled “normal” because with summer brings more time to do things outdoors. But for many others, life has been, shall we say, turbulent and stormy. This is hard because as humans, we thrive on routine and the regular and when so much of our lives are off kilter, we get discouraged. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because I care about each one of you and know that many of you are struggling. I recently watched a short clip about God’s power in the storms of our lives and it’s given me encouragement, at least for this moment. And for the next moment, well God has that one taken care of already. I just have to trust Him. May this video encourage you too. May God not only bless you all, but you also to see His blessings in your lives. Ivan Hello DBC Family,
This Sunday, I will be talking about Saul’s Mistake, which comes from 1 Samuel 13:8-14. Andrew has recorded a Communion message and will also be giving the Communion message during the service. If you are unable to attend, the service can be found on Vimeo, RightNow and our website. We will also be broadcasting the entire service on FM 105.3, if you would like to attend but do so from your car. It sure seems like a mouthful explaining all of the ways that you can come and worship God. God works differently in each heart, but it is important to remember that fellowship is vital for the life of the Body of Christ. When we are off on our own or don’t try to fellowship with one another, it is easier for Satan to get us. If you were to ask an Army soldier about their enemy, they would tell you that it is much easier to take out a target when the target is all alone. Regardless of how you choose to worship God this Sunday, please worship Him will ALL of your heart and remember to keep a strong bond with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Ivan Hello DBC Family,
It is so crazy that the end of June is almost upon us. It seems like only yesterday that it was March. And sometimes it seems like it was years ago that it was March. Time is a very strange phenomena. There are moments when days pass by quickly and we don’t think about it. But there are MANY times that days move so dreadfully slow that we think about everything that is bad in our lives. Grief, sadness, pain, loss, and many other things compound. These things tend to knock our eyes off of God and we lose heart. Because we are humans living on this earth for a time, it is a battle to Keep the Faith. But the awesome thing is that God is still in control and has a plan, even when it seems like life is tumbling all around us. For online worship this Sunday, I have uploaded my message titled "Keep the Faith” and it is found in Exodus 32. Jared’s Communion message is about character during trials. These videos have been uploaded to RightNow, Vimeo and our webpage. As always, we think about you continuously and pray for you. Ivan Order of Service at the Chapel: Welcome and Prayer: Ivan Song: O Worship the King Song: O The Blood Communion: Jared Song: Hosanna Song: Draw Me Close Song: Majesty Message: Keep the Faith Song: The Blessing Hello DBC Family,
Tomorrow, we will be hearing from leader of United Campus Ministry in Fairbanks. I hope that you will be able to join us. Because I am not preaching, we will NOT have a message or Communion uploaded tonight. I will record the Communion and the Message and will upload those to our website and Vimeo by around 2pm Sunday. If you do not feel that you can come into the Chapel, we will have the FM Transmitter on FM 105.3. If you do this, we would be glad to bring Communion elements out to you so you can partake with us (please let one of us elders know). Last week we had over 60 able to fellowship in-person at the Chapel! I want to thank you all for being considerate and loving to your brothers and sisters in regards to masks. It is this mutual love and concern that will define us as Christ’s followers. Again, as elders we ask you to wear masks in the common areas and to your seats and if you want to keep them on, to sit on the Right side and if you want to take them off, to sit on the Left side. We have placed the Communion cups more centrally in the middle. God-willing, I will see you soon, Ivan |
AuthorWe take turns writing when God gives us an idea. The author will be noted. Archives
April 2021
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