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: SINNING without Knowing?

My daughter wrote me a very thoughtful and loving note for Mother’s Day. She was over the Friday afternoon before, with her 3 little girls (OUR beautiful, perfect granddaughters) to swim and eat grapes and goldfish crackers! See picture of my tribe in the pool.  I was a bit tired I must admit and not filled with energy that I usually have or at least pretend to have. Oh, I was very happy to have them over and I knew it wasn’t lack of sleep or exhaustion, it was mental weariness. Why did I feel like this? AGAIN. In my daughter’s note she said ” Mom…I’m worried about you. I sense some sorrow or heaviness upon you…”and then she went on to say she is here for me and praying for me.

I’m usually good at masking my aching heart so I don’t trouble my husband, kids, friends. Guess what?  I didn’t do a good job of that on Friday.  I felt ashamed that I allowed things I can’t possibly fix to show outwardly and remove JOY from my heart. We even had some encouraging reports and doctor’s visits for Fred last week; yet I want to see results. I carry my family and friend’s problems too close to my heart. I ache for those battling disease or broken relationships. Face it, I like to fix things. But really? Who do I think I am? GOD?

I have since spent more time in prayer, reading God’s word and asking for help (“Cast your burdens on the Lord, for He will sustain you; He will never let His righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22) and He spoke to me. A truth I didn’t want to hear.

I lost JOY because I was sinning by losing the right focus. My focus should be on my loving relationship with Christ and HIS love, HIS power, HIS faithfulness, HIS plan, thanking HIM in EVERYTHING & in GLORIFYING HIM.  Listen, I don’t believe I was intentionally SINNING, I didn’t even see that.  But focusing on the things of the world and the problems in life is disobedience that robs your JOY.  Scripture commands us to “think on godly things.”

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

So how can we have JOY during trials?

·         Focus on your faith and salvation! “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious JOY, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9

·         Focus on eternity; trials are brief in comparison to eternity. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

·         Focus on God’s sovereignty and purpose in trials.   “Consider it pure joy, when you face various trials; for the testing of your faith produces endurance…” James 1:2-3

·         Focus on our relationship with Christ; trials can bring deep intimacy with Christ. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he WILL receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

Another lesson learned and another trespass forgiven.

  

Focusing on Christ & Eternity!

  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

Lucy Brooks * Rick Diedrich *Dorothy Ferro* Mary Ireland * Chevelle Johnson * Fred Keener * Theo Nichols * Neil Riordan * Walter & Joan Rohm * Violet O'Leary 

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: Missing Mom

It’s only fitting that as we near Mother’s Day we take time to reflect on our mothers. My mom went to heaven just 6 years ago. There’s still a hole in my hearts that aches for her conversation, her wisdom, a warm hug and the taste of her Sunday pot-roast dinner. I walk by a bakery and see lemon meringue pie, mom’s favorite and another memory stirs. It’s these precious memories that we carry for our entire life and I am so thankful for them. I know many of you have been through the sorrow of losing your mom too, so you understand. It never goes away, does it?

Sadly, there are those who never experienced a godly, selfless, mother’s love, care and provision. Perhaps your mom left you for “another” life or battled an evil illness or addiction that stole her from you. If this is the case, I sincerely pray you have forgiven her and found peace in God’s perfect love. For GOD IS LOVE. GOD IS YOUR PROVIDER. GOD IS YOUR COMFORTER. I pray God filled every void you ever felt as you went to Him in prayer and looked to HIS word for direction and wisdom.

When I look back now at my mom, I know that she desired one thing only for me and that was that I walk with the Lord. When I strayed or tested God, and YES I did … I know she was on her knees. And you know the only thing I desire from my children? Is that they walk with the Lord. And if they stray? And they have. I am on my knees. If there is ever a calling for a mother (or father) it’s that … get on your knees and NEVER stop praying for your children (and grandchildren) and hold on to your HOPE. Remember, once they ask for God’s forgiveness, His word comes to pass “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Our children move forward, we move forward. Thank you, mom. Thank you, Lord.

Proverbs 6: 20-23:

My son, keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

 Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.
When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.
For this command is a lamp,
    this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
    are the way to life…

 Walking in His Love,

   Laura

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

Lucy Brooks * Rick Diedrich *Dorothy Ferro* Mary Ireland * Chevelle Johnson * Fred Keener * Sharon Nelson * Neil Riordan * Walter & Joan Rohm * Violet O'Leary *Serena Williams son-in-law Steven