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.

In Memory of Jim Leonovich, our dear brother, missionary to the Ukraine and man of God. 

A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 PM. 

Please keep Annie, his beautiful wife and the love of his life, in your prayers. 

Laura’s Reflection:  Trust or Truth

This Friday my husband Fred has his appointment with Dr. Mozaffer at the UC Irvine Research Department of Medicine for ALS & Neuromuscular Disease. Dr. Mozaffer is a leader in research and treatment and we’re so thankful we were able to get an appointment. Fred and I know that God helped us clear all the red tape and opened that door. But … now that we are just days away from this 7 month journey, here is what I am struggling with. Will I really TRUST, no matter what TRUTH we eventually find out about Fred’s disease, that I will be able to hold on to the TRUTH that GOD is in control and has everything in His hands? Will I be strong and stand firm in my faith that whatever road we go down, God will be with us?

If I’m brutally honest with you (as I normally am) I think because a friend died so suddenly and now his wife is left reeling with this reality it has brought out some new fears. I’m just being truthful with you. I know God understands my feeble human mind that seems to falter, allowing the “what ifs?” to pop in and out. Instead of pondering those thoughts I should be meditating on TRUTH “My HELP comes from the LORD, the MAKER of HEAVEN and EARTH” not the Doctors, not the tests, the medicine or prescriptions. Our HELP comes from the LORD.  And what do you think was in my devotional reading this very morning, Psalm 121.

PSALM 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

He will NOT let your foot slip; He who WATCHES over you will NOT slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over YOU, the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep YOU from all harm, He will watch over YOUR life;

The Lord will watch over YOUR coming and going both now and forevermore.

As I finish typing out this beautiful Psalm, I begin to weep. How can I NOT trust HIM? How can I allow fear to creep in again? Do I not believe the Lord watches over me, over my precious husband? Both now and forevermore? Lord, forgive me. My trust is in YOU, the author and finisher of my faith.

Under His Watch!

Laura

Laura Keener

Frontline Director, Desert Springs Church

lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org

760-568-3646  

PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST

Comfort, 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

Tom Anderson * Marlene Black * Bill Beers * Lucy Brooks * Marie Bryant * Rick & Kathy Diedrich *Dorothy Ferro* Barbara Groneck * Jay & Vernessa Hartland* Mary Ireland * Chevelle Johnson * Fred Keener * Mary Ireland *Walter & Joan Rohm * Violet O'Leary *Serena Williams 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.

Laura’s Reflection: Faithful Friends

Lately I have found myself reflecting on how important friendships are in my life. Long, enduring friendships.  Having the kind of friends that are with you in the good times and the ugly (ugly times you don’t even want to recall). When I have found myself in the hard seasons, my closest friends hear from God because they are praying for me and He enables them to meet whatever need I am facing.  They are encouragers and offer a place to unfurl without judgement.

Do you have friends who stood by you through an unexpected, painful divorce; cried with you over a wayward child; helped you through financial ruin or nursed you through sickness?  Remember, these kind of friends are rare and chosen for you; blessings in your life directly from GOD. He put them in your path, He guided them into your life. God did not create us to be lonely or to miss out on ALL the beauty of Christ community.

“And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken” Ecclesiastes 4:12

BUT, this doesn’t mean they won’t in love, in time, in Godly wisdom offer correction, training or even rebuking.  Only a holy God friend can do this with no agenda but to guide you back to God’s truths:

• He is Faithful.
• He forgives you.
• He is your Father.
• You are His child.

“My children listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me. I have given them eternal life, they shall never parish. No one can pluck them out of my hand.”  John 10:27-28

I pray you have friends like this in your life…if not, ask God to open your eyes and your heart to people around you.  You won’t be sorry, this I promise you.

Your Friend!

Laura

Laura Keener

Frontline Director, Desert Springs Church

lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org

760-568-3646 

 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

Tom Anderson * Marlene Black * Bill Beers*Lucy Brooks * Marie Bryant * Rick & Kathy Diedrich * Michael & Sherri Gagliardi* Barbara Groneck * Jay & Vernessa Hartland* Chevelle Johnson Fred Keener * Mary Ireland *Walter & Joan Rohm * Violet O'Leary *Serena Williams 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.

Laura’s Reflections: Chance or Chosen

Here’s the thing, what is the chance that three of my dearest friends (friends for over 25-50 years) are all going through tough severe cancers & treatments at the same time, while my husband is battling with his own disease? One friend lives near Seattle, the other two are in the Los Angeles area. Between all the doctor appointments, surgeries, radiation and treatments we can’t even manage to travel to see each.

To be honest, I was a bit upset about this; telling God (yes, I tell God – can you believe the nerve I have?) that this is not fair and too hard on all of us. We need to be with each other…for a hug, a cry, to remember fun times, share our fears and to hold on to each other as we pray. But for now, all I can do is chat on the phone, text, send a note and email. It’s not the same. And then, as I am advising God what I need, He sweetly whispers…”NO Laura, you NEED ME and that is enough.”

There are times as I look to the future the terror of the why’s drowns out my trust. If I believe God is with me, is with us—then the future isn’t something to fear, but something to celebrate. He has the plan in His hands.

So once again LAURA (speak truth to myself), it all boils down to this…

1. Live like we believe God is all we need. “My God will supply ALL your needs, according to HIS riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

2. Trust the Lord, He is for us. ”Trust the Lord with ALL your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 

3. Keep our hopes up and let go of worry. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

4. Give God the glory for the things He has done and will continue to do. “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:3

5. Recall His faithfulness. “So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.”             Isaiah 30:8

When I believe these truths in my heart, soul and mind I understand that it’s not “by chance” but that I “was chosen” for this time to be the care giver, encourager and prayer warrior for my precious husband and for my sweet friends. However I can and whenever I can. What an honor I have been bestowed; to pray and believe and hope for the loves of my life. I am CHOSEN by God for such a time as this. 

Thank you Lord.

Chosen by God,

    Laura

Laura Keener

Frontline Director, Desert Springs Church

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

Tom Anderson * Marlene Black * Lucy Brooks * Marie Bryant * Rick & Kathy Diedrich * Shirley French * Michael & Sherri Gagliardi* Barbara Groneck * Jay & Vernessa Hartland* Fred Keener * Mary Ireland *Violet O'Leary *Serena Williams son-in-law Steven