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:
Our dear Sister, Placent Delia, who went to heaven Monday, October 16th. It was very unexpected and we will miss her sweet spirit and having her as a powerful prayer warrior. Pray that her dear husband of 40 years, Gino, will feel the peace of God during this great loss. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24 at 1 PM in the Worship Center. 

Also, the following Celebration of Life Services have now been confirmed to be held here at Desert Springs:
Lucy Brooks: October 21 @ 1 PM
Glen Smith: November 11 @ 1 PM
Ron Mayle: November 18 @ 11 AM
                                                                                
Laura’s Reflection: Proud to be an American in Jesus

I’m sure, like me, you have “had it up to here” with the unpatriotic display from athletes, actors, authors, singers, politicians and perhaps relatives and neighbors. I am deeply ashamed at how “Americans” living in a land blessed by GOD are insulting HIM, our FLAG and our LEADERS.  God commands us to be respectful, love our enemies and to pray for our country and leaders. 

Romans 13:1

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

What has happened to make these “Americans” so terribly unkind? The answer is … they don’t know who JESUS is. 

Scott Sauls, Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville and author said this:

• In America, credentials qualify a person to lead. In Jesus, the chief qualification is character.
• In America, what matters most are the results we produce. In Jesus, what matters most is the kind of people we are becoming.
• In America, success is measured by material accumulation, power, and the positions that we hold. In Jesus, success is measured by material generosity, humility, and the people whom we serve.
• In America, it is shameful to come in last and laudable to come in first. In Jesus, the first will be last and the last will be first.
• In America, leaders make a name for themselves to become famous and sometimes treat Jesus as a means to that end. In Jesus, leaders make His name famous and treat their own positions, abilities, and influence as a means to that end.
• In America, leaders crave recognition and credit. In Jesus, leaders think less of themselves and give credit to others.
• In America, leaders compare and compete so they will flourish. In Jesus, leaders sacrifice and serve so others will flourish.
• In America, leadership often means “My glory and happiness at your expense.” In Jesus, leadership always means “Your growth and wholeness at my expense.”
• In America, the strong and powerful rise to the top. In Jesus, the meek inherit the earth.

I say to all those who are ungrateful, unthankful, unkind, unjust … hear and understand:

Jeremiah 27:5
“I the LORD have made the earth, the men and the beasts which are on the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and I will give it to the one who is pleasing in My sight.”.

Lamentations 3:38-42

Is it from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways ad test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven and say: “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven.”

Let us do our part; be thankful, pray continually and be BOLD in sharing about our God, the maker of heaven and earth.

A Proud American in Jesus!

  Laura

Laura Keener

Frontline Director, Desert Springs Church

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

Ron Coffee * Rick Diederich * Eddie Hernandez * Mary Ireland * Fred Keener * Annie Leonovich* Theo Nichols * Neil Riordan * Walter & Joan Rohm 

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:
Our dear brother, Glen Smith, went to heaven last week. It was very unexpected and we will miss his sweet spirit. Pray that his precious wife Barbara will feel the peace of God during this great loss. We will keep you posted if and when a Celebration of Life service is scheduled.
                                                                                

Laura's Reflection: Each day is a gift…

Waking up Monday morning to the terrible news of the Las Vegas massacre literally made me sick to my stomach.  I thought so much about the 50+ who thought they were attending a night of great country music and it ended up a night that they either met their Savior or not.  It was like a time bomb went off in my heart prompting me to get with it! Tell those you love, you love them. Tell those who don’t know Jesus, about Jesus! Don’t wait, it could be their last day or yours. I don’t want this to sound ominous but it’s reality.  In just one week there were killings in Paris, Canada & Vegas.  Time to wake up and use these tragedies to grow our belief in the sovereign will of God and strengthen our relationship with Him.  There is a wonderful book “Daring to Hope” by Katie Davis Majors and in it she says:

“He loves me and SO He allows me to feel pain that draws me to Him. And in the midst of the pain, He weeps with me for a world that is not as He intended, for sorrow that He did not design.

I can sing because I know what is coming.

I can hope because I know who is coming.

In the dark of the night, I have seen His face.

I want to be brave enough to hold out the hope of the Gospel to a world that is hurting and alone and afraid.

Not a hope rooted in the absence of pain or heartache or suffering.

Not optimism that looks for the best-case scenario or happy ending.

A true hope that rises from the full assurance that our Savior is on His way.

It’s not light yet, but I know Him, the One who is the Light.

And so in the dark, I will sing.”

Katie said what’s on my heart, so no more words are needed except the Word of God …

Psalm 90: 12 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the works of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Our Hope is in Him,

Laura

Laura Keener

Frontline Director, Desert Springs Church

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

Ron Coffee * Rick Diederich * Eddie Hernandez * Mary Ireland * Fred Keener * Annie Leonovich* Theo Nichols * Neil Riordan * Walter & Joan Rohm * Jim & Curtis Zeilenga