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.

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER...

This week the Holy Spirit has been prompting me to contact a woman who lost her husband recently. She doesn't have family in the desert and just a few friends here. Why it has taken me a week to do so, I can't tell you.  I get distracted, I get busy, or I say to myself "I'll call her tomorrow" but God asked me to do this.  I am being disobedient to Him.

I asked God for forgiveness for not being prompt to His call. What could be more important? Are you being prompted to encourage someone? May I encourage you to do so TODAY?

We  know that Scripture calls us to encourage one another.

• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.             (1 Thessalonians 5:11), 

Care for each other.

• If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)  

Think of ways to motivate one another.

• And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.       (Hebrews 10:24)  

Accept one another.

• Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.    (Romans 15:7). 

Don't put it off.....make the call!

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 * Marlene Black  
Lucy Brooks * Ceil Burns * Rick Diedrich * Bill & Shirley French 
Bob Horn * Betty Hyta * Fred Keener * Lora Marullo
Serena Williams & her son-in-law Steven

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.

What God Says About Getting Older

Imagine celebrating your birthday like you’re 10 years old again. Full of joy, excited for the year ahead, doing something you love with the ones who make you smile.

Why do so many of us stop celebrating as the years pass? Birthdays come and go – maybe there’s a dinner involved, a few cards, some well wishes online. We move up one number, and it’s business as usual.

What would it look like to really celebrate our years again – to begin shifting our focus from the fear of aging, to the rich, full lives God is calling us into as the years pass?

This is not an easy task in a culture that fears growing old. Every day we’re bombarded with anti-aging messages. Remember this popular skincare commercial from the 80’s?

“Why grow old gracefully?” Says a beautiful, wrinkle-free woman, ”I intend to fight it every step of the way!”

But what does God say about it all? If we listen to the One Who created us, we will hear all about grace and goodness; not fear and resistance.

He reminds us more than once in His Word that growing older is an honor. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor…” (Proverbs 16:31 NIV). The more years we live, the more experiences we’re given to learn from, and the more wisdom and perspective we gain to see life in new and beautiful ways. When we see someone in their later years (or when we look in the mirror and it’s us!) lets remember what a gift that is.

And while the media leads us to believe that youth somehow has more value, the truth is, we are treasured by God at every age. Not only that, but He gives us specific gifts to share with the world in every season of our lives. In Titus 2:3-5, Paul reminds the older women of their great purpose – that by living reverent lives of love, self-control, purity and kindness, they will bless and nurture the hearts of the younger women and their families. The generations to come depend on our willingness to share what God has given us.

Some of us also fear growing older for physical reasons. Aging is often seen as a loss of control. Maybe our bodies aren’t able to do what they once could; our memories aren’t as sharp; we begin to need more help than we used to. As the years pass, our fear of the unknown may grow stronger.

But the truth is, we’ve never been in control anyway! From the moment we were created - whether we’ve realized it or not - we’ve relied on our Creator for every breath. Growing older helps us to shed that illusion of control more and more, and to rest in the promises of our loving God. Whether we’re 9 or 90, He vows to be with us every step of the way:

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)

How can we lean into God as we age, trusting that every day matters, from our first to our last?

Claim His Promises - Sit with a journal and your Bible, and interview yourself about growing older. Am I afraid of aging? And if so, why? Once you’ve recorded your thoughts, find specific promises in God’s Word that will help bring you peace and assurance.

Make Healthy Choices - While the human body is not intended to live forever, we can still honor our Creator by making choices that bring us health and strength each day. We are here at this time for a reason – let’s not miss the opportunities to help guide and encourage those around us!

Celebrate Life Every Day - Whether you’re celebrating your birthday or that of someone you love, remember that every day in every life matters. Don’t wait for a milestone to make it extra special. Look in the mirror and cherish your laugh lines; remember how they are created. Smile at the grays; God says they are splendid. Laugh at the future; remember Who’s holding it all.

by Paige @ DaySpring July 28, 2016

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 * Marlene Black  
Lucy Brooks * Ceil Burns * Rick Diedrich * Bill & Shirley French 
Bob Horn * Betty Hyta * Fred Keener * Lora Marullo
Serena Williams & her son-in-law Steven

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.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

Content in Christ.....

When focused on the stuff of earth discontentment festered. I always felt I needed more.

I loved my family, but often walked into our small apartment disgruntled. I wanted a house. A large house adorned with beautiful new furniture and no hand-me-downs. I also tired of counting pennies at the grocery store and dreamed that one day I would fill my kitchen with fine wines, cheeses, and gourmet ingredients. Only the best.

My wants multiplied daily and in my ignorance, I deemed each one justified. For example, I rationalized that a large home with fine foods would enable me to demonstrate hospitality toward others. But when I sat in awe of my Savior instead of the bounty in His creation, I realized that more joy comes from less.

Less stuff. Less drama. Less schedule management. Less worrying about whether or not I measure up to the standards of others. Less time spent agonizing over how others (ahem) *make* me feel. Less of trying to have the perfect life. Less conforming. Less wanting. Less of me.

Less.

I want less of anything that does not begin from knowing God and wanting what He wants for me.

I want less of this world, of my own silly, fickle heart so that I can brim with Jesus.

How have you learned to be content in Christ?
(Partial blog by Angela Nazworth)

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
Marlene Black
Lucy Brooks
Ceil Burns
Rick Diedrich
Betty Hyta
Fred Keener
Lora Marullo
Carol Smoke  

Serena Williams & her son-in-law Steven

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.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE

BILL LOVELL

MONDAY, AUGUST 8 @ 11AM 

Please join us at the Celebration of Life Service for our dear brother Bill Lovell. Bill went to be the Lord on July 31st. He and his lovely wife Sandi are part of our family here at Desert Springs. 

Bill had pancreatic cancer and lived just 6 months after the diagnosis.  Though are hearts are saddened and grief is heavy for family and friends, we rejoice knowing we will be with him again in heaven.  He is in Jesus arms now....no more pain, no more tears. 

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
Marlene Black
Lucy Brooks
Ceil Burns
Rick Diedrich
Betty Hyta
Fred Keener
Lora Marullo
Carol Smoke  

Serena Williams & her son-in-law Steven