Tuesday, May 31, 2016

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.




“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

When You Think You’re Not Doing Enough

There are so many times I feel like I’m botching things up.

And here I am, feeling like I can’t seem to do enough.

Sometimes I’m tired, sometimes I feel alone in the doing, sometimes I feel lost or confused or overwhelmed.

It means that sometimes we get super wrapped up on all that we’re doing right or wrong and forget to set our minds on the things above, and the things above are sometimes the simplest: Jesus, the Word, and reading His word.

Yes. That’s what I want to do. I want to stop setting my mind on my earthly fears and failures and set my mind on things above — on Jesus and His Word.

As for the other good things, like memorizing Scripture and praying more deeply and all else? It will come. The Holy Spirit will help. Life is an ebb and flow. 

But let’s just take some pressure off, take a deep breath, and get back to the basics.

One day at a time, slow and steady.

Excerts from blog by Sarah Mae

PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST


Health, Wisdom, Strength

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Darlene Atkinson
Beverly Baughn
Bill & Muriel Beers
Lucy Brooks
Ceil Burns
Betty Hyta - continue to pray for her during treatments 
Pete & Fran Kingstons daughter, Deidre
Sandy Marquez - father, Harold Moyer
Carol Smoke - continue to pray for energy
Pam Vouge - hip pain
Serena Williams - back pain severe

Monday, May 23, 2016

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.


PRAYING THROUGH THE HEADLINES
Intercede on behalf of the immediate needs of our countries
Excerpts from Jennifer Schmidt

Instead of reacting on emotion, join me in grabbing a Bible and the newspaper. Let’s open God’s Word and use His truth plumb-line when it comes to the world at large.

What are our weapons? How does our response change when we believe this to be true? {See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5}

How might we react differently when we agree with Jesus about our role? {See Matthew 5:14-16}

What role does slander play in the news? What is tempting about slander? (Especially difficult when it’s presented as news, so pray for discernment.) What does Paul say to do? {See Ephesians 4:31-32}

For whom should we pray? Why? {See Matthew 5:44-45; 1 Timothy 2:1-4}

How can we know what to pray? {See Romans 8:26-27}

What does our heart attitude need to be for effective prayer? {See Isaiah 66:2b}

Consider the following as we pray through the headlines.

1. Pray the truth about God . . . that He is sovereign and loving and able to answer our prayer about this topic. Speak that truth out loud in prayer. God already knows, but it helps us to declare that truth. Who does He say He is?

2. Do a heart check: what attitude do I have about this topic? Do I have anger or pride or some other response about this topic that will get in the way of my prayer? Do I have self-righteous or condemning thoughts? Ask God to forgive that attitude, and help us overcome it.

3. Thank the Holy Spirit for leading us as we pray. Listen for Him to lead us now. (It’s okay to wait a bit as you listen for the Spirit to prompt you. Rest in the silence.)

4. Pray specifically for the people and the situation in the news story . . . for any change that might be needed, for salvation, for healing, for provision, for wisdom, for peace in this situation.

Now when my gut reactions scream frustration and hopelessness, I open His Word. I commit to prayer and not just another “share.” I commit to bringing these news topics before the Lord, knowing that in the end, He is the ultimate authority.

I ask that we continue our prayers in the comments. (No political discussions, just a time to intercede on behalf of the immediate needs of our countries.)


PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST


Health, Wisdom, Strength

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Darlene Atkinson
Beverly Baughn
Bill & Muriel Beers
Lucy Brooks
Ceil Burns
Betty Hyta - continue to pray for her during treatments 
Sandy Marquez - father, Harold Moyer
Carol Smoke - continue to pray for energy
Pam Vouge - hip pain
Serena Williams - back pain severe

Monday, May 16, 2016

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.




How often do you stop, just stop and think of God's awesome majesty? Can you stop long enough to just stand in awe? To give Him all the worship and praise that God so richly deserves? Do that this week, stop and stand in awe.

I STAND IN AWE (Hillsong)


You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you


“LORD, I have heard the report about You; LORD, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive Your work in these years; make it known in these years. In Your wrath remember mercy!” Habakkuk 3:2


PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST

Health, Wisdom, Strength

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Darlene Atkinson
Beverly Baughn
Bill & Muriel Beers
Lucy Brooks
Ceil Burns
Allan Hurst - praying for full recovery 
Betty Hyta - continue to pray for her during treatments 
Sandy Marquez - father, Harold Moyer
Carol Smoke - continue to pray for energy
Pam Vouge - hip pain
Serena Williams - back pain severe

Monday, May 9, 2016

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.


TEN WAYS TO HELP EACH OTHER

Over in the New Testament I discovered a different kind of Top Ten: the One Anothers. They’re all positive, proactive, productive….and yes, possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Imagine what might happen in our homes and churches and communities if we started following this list.

1. “Love one another.” John 13:34
2. “Accept one another.” Romans 15:7
3. “Live in harmony with one another.” Romans 12:16
4. “Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10
5. “Instruct one another.” Romans 15:14
6. “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” Ephesians 4:32
7. “Offer hospitality to one another.” 1 Peter 4:98. “Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
9. “Submit to one another.” Ephesians 5:21
10. “Encourage one another daily.” Hebrews 3:13

Lord Jesus, please write these commandments on the tablets of our hearts. Enable us not only to remember them, but also to do them. Let Your love be our motivation and Your Word be our constant inspiration.

Excerpts from Liz Curtis Higgs


PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST

Health, Wisdom, Strength

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Beverly Baughn
Bill & Muriel Beers
Lucy Brooks
Ceil Burns
Allan Hurst - praying for full recovery 
Betty Hyta - continue to pray for her during treatments 
Sandy Marquez - father, Harold Moyer
Carol Smoke - continue to pray for energy
Pam Vouge - hip pain
Serena Williams - back pain severe