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Due to the virus and recommendations in place, we will suspend in-person church service at this time. Please check back for updated information as time goes on. We hope and pray to be able to worship in person soon; until then, consider calling to check in on one another and spend time in prayer together.
As we all experience this difficult time in our history together, we pray you know the Lord as your Father, Provider and Comforter. And may the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior, be upon you. We invite you to go to http://www.cmalliance.org/ for an important word from our President, John Stumbo. "As a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8 family, we continue to rest in His great and precious promises as we join hands and hearts to complete the unfinished work He has invited us into." I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.Psalm 121:1–2 
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Dear Duluth Alliance Church Family,
We are certainly living in amazing days, aren’t we? Our Governor has just issued a “Stay-at-Home” order for all of us in Minnesota. And I’m guessing some of you are feeling a bit—or a LOT—of anxiety. Please don’t. Our God has all of this under control. I know this because He tells us this over and over again in the Bible. We have countless accounts of people in more dire straits then we are in right now, finding God faithful to meet their every need. Even the disciples who walked around with Jesus found themselves, from time to time, in situations where they felt incredible anxiety. Here’s one of those moments found in Luke 8:22-25, “One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So, they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped and all was calm! 25 Then he asked them, "Where is your faith?" The disciples were terrified and amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!" (NLT) It was supposed to be just another boat ride across a lake. This boat was filled with seasoned fishermen, sailors if you will. But without warning, “a fierce storm” started pummeling them all with howling wind, pouring rain and waves crashing into the boat. The disciples were sure they were going to die! And they had Jesus right next to them in the boat. Well, okay, he was sleeping in the boat, but he was actually with them. And still they were filled with fear. But in an instant, Jesus wakes up, and with a mouthful of words, he calms the storm, and all are saved. The COVID-19 virus has come raging into our lives just as unexpectedly. Just a few weeks ago we were living our ordinary lives. My worry list ranged from having a road filled with ruts, to running low on a favorite cereal. Then SUDDENLY, the COVID-19 storm hit and I found myself wondering if I, or someone I loved, would get this dreadful virus. Store shelves became empty for the first time ever in my lifetime. In a matter of days everything I took for granted suddenly became more distant. And it’s easier for me to understand how the disciples felt that day, on that lake, in that storm. I’m not in control. If the COVID-19 virus has taught me anything, it’s that I have never REALLY been in control. But God IS in control. The same Jesus who was sleeping in the back of that boat now resides in my spirit by way of the Holy Spirit. And He’s not sleeping. He knows my every need. He knows my every concern for my kids and grandkids. He knows about my physical needs. He knows! And He cares. In these days of uncertainty please join me in calling out to Jesus whenever you feel anxiety crawling up your spine. Turn your eyes away from the storm and turn them to Jesus through prayer. And know this, with a word He can calm any storm you are experiencing right now. Believe in this dark time what you know to be true in the light. God is faithful! I want to close with Ps 126. I think it puts everything we’re going through into perspective. “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the Lord has done for them." 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” (NLT) Judy sends her love your way too. We can’t wait until we are together with you again down the road. I look forward to hearing your stories of how God calmed your personal storms during the COVID-19 outbreak. God bless, and remember, we love you guys. P.S. If you have any prayer requests feel free to send them along to Judy and me at: pat@smileagainministries.com Also, I’ve told Jeff Cadwell that I’m going to try to send along other notes while we’re isolated from one another. If there’s a particular subject you’d like me to talk about send that my way too. I’ll do my best to answer questions you might have. |
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