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.

LET'S COME TOGETHER

I find it hard to press through insecurities and discouragement to head out in search of community. But we are called to do it anyway. To be a fully devoted follower of Christ, we have to be willing to surrender our needs, our weakness, our agenda, and our own insecurities so we can remember our purpose to show love to the world and rest in our identity found in Christ.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

This week let’s come together and ask ourselves the following questions: 

1. What if you surrendered that insecurity to God this week and offered yourself fully to His service?
2. What might He ask you to do? What unexpected adventures might He send you on? Will you willingly follow Him, even if it is risky?
3. Who is God calling you to love and why might you be the one He has chosen for the mission?

Our weakness is the very thing God wants to use to show His love in powerful ways to someone else. It’s risky to be vulnerable, but do it anyway!

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT,
STRENGTH & WISDOM

• Pastor Mark  
• Flo Aydelotte 
• Lily Boyd 
• Harry Bryant 
• Ceil Burns 
• LaReign Hodges  
• Alan Hurst 
• Howie Johnson  
• Bonnie Keller
• John Krome's mother, Sheryl 
• Bob Krueger 
• Frank Marra 
• EJ Maxwell
• Mike Kunkle
• Mike Sassi
• Marianne Sinclair
• Carol Smoke
• JoAnn Spears
• Al Stokes
• Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven
• Virgil Webb

MONTHLY MISSIONS UPDATE

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield." Psalm 5:12

Sherry Bernheisel (pictured in cream jacket) has moved for full time mission work in La Mision, Baja Mexico.  Sherry went on our Mexico Mission Trip in June 2014 and felt the Lord calling her to serve there full time.  She will be working with the children at the Open Arms Ministry (www.openarmsmexico.org), the Door of Faith Orphanage (www.dofo.org), and at the Rosarito Beach Christian Church. Sherry has been a big part of our children's ministry here at Desert Springs Church for years and will be extremely missed by all of us and the children. Please pray for Sherry as she will have many cultural changes to adapt to and trusting on the Lord for her every need. We know He is faithful to those He has called according to His purpose.



Evangeline St. Clair Byrnes, also a member of our church family, is getting ready to leave for 4 months for Tacloban, Philippines.  As you know Evangeline was born and raised there and has been a missionary with UTAP for many years.  We are proud to support her both financially and in prayer. Evangeline has asked us to specifically pray for funding and building projects. There is still so much to be done to restore the homes, churches and businesses after the typhoon and many floods.

Our YWAM missionaries Adam & Alei Hussey, serving in Manila, Phillipines, have just requested prayer for their young daughter Eliana, who is having terrible food allergies.  Adam is finishing another video ministry project and asks for prayer for endurance. Additionally, they are getting ready to start two new outreaches for kids that will be focused on getting deeper in God's word.

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.

PURPOSE OF PRAYER 

Can our prayers change our circumstances? Absolutely!

But when our circumstances don’t change, it’s often an indication that God is trying to change us.

The primary purpose of prayer is not to change circumstances; the primary purpose of prayer is to change us! But either way, the objective remains the same: to glorify God in any and every situation.

Sometimes God delivers us from our problems; sometimes God delivers us through our problems.

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT,
STRENGTH & WISDOM

Flo Aydelotte* Lily Boyd * Harry Bryant * Ceil Burns * LaReign Hodges * Alan Hurst * Phyllis Johnson * Bonnie Keller * Bob Krueger * Frank Marra * EJ Maxwell * Mike Kunkle * Marianne Sinclair * Carol Smoke * Al Stokes * Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven * Virgil Webb

MONTHLY MISSIONS UPDATE

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield." Psalm 5:12

Exciting news!  Sherry Bernheisel (pictured in cream jacket) is leaving in a few weeks for full time mission work in La Mision, Baja Mexico.  Sherry went on our Mexico Mission Trip in June 2014 and felt the Lord calling her to serve there full time.  She will be working with the children at the Open Arms Ministry (www.openarmsmexico.org), the Door of Faith Orphanage (www.dofo.org), and at the Rosarito Beach Christian Church. Sherry has been a big part of our children's ministry here at Desert Springs Church for years and will be extremely missed by all of us and the children. Please pray for Sherry as she will have many cultural changes to adapt to and trusting on the Lord for her every need. We know He is faithful to those He has called according to His purpose.



Evangeline St. Clair Byrnes, also a member of our church family, is getting ready to leave for 4 months for Tacloban, Philippines.  As you know Evangeline was born and raised there and has been a missionary with UTAP for many years.  We are proud to support her financially and in prayer. Evangeline has asked us to specifically pray for funding and building projects. There is still so much to be done to restore the homes, churches and businesses after the typhoon and many floods.

Our YWAM missionaries Adam & Alei Hussey, serving in Manila, Phillipines, have just requested prayer for their young daughter Eliana, who is having terrible food allergies.  Adam is finishing another video ministry project and asks for prayer for endurance. Additionally, they are getting ready to start two new outreaches for kids that will be focused on getting deeper in God's word.



OUR PASTORS in GUINEA BISSAU are so thankful for the love offering collected here at DSC a few months ago that will allow them to get the radio tower repaired and back on air soon.

Please continue to pray for SPECIAL COVERING! Guinea Bissau borders Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone where the EBOLA VIRUS outbreak is still critical.





As the UKRAINE continues to crumble, let's lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are standing strong in their faith! Pray for our missionaries Jim & Annie Leonovich who are standing in the gap and planning their next mission visit.

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 FOR HEALING, COMFORT, STRENGTH & WISDOM

Lily Boyd * Harry Bryant * Ceil Burns * Ginny Folkers * LaReign Hodges * Alan Hurst * Phyllis Johnson * Bonnie Keller * Bob Krueger * Frank Marra * EJ Maxwell * Mike Kunkle * Neil & Doreen Riordan * Al Stokes * Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven * Virgil Webb

IN REMEMBRANCE

Last week a dear member of our church family, Douglas Jackson, went to be with his Lord.

His dear wife Beverly would like this message conveyed to all of you...  "It is with a heavy heart, I share with you the grief of the death of my beloved husband, Douglas A. Jackson. He left us to be welcomed into the arms of Jesus on January 6, 2015. We were blessed to share 63 years of marriage and also were blessed with a large family. This was very unexpected and resulted from a chain of events after a car accident on January 2. We are honoring his wonderful life with a viewing at Forest Lawn Mortuary, 69855 E. Ramon Rd. Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760)328-3065. On Friday January 16th, 2015 from 4 to 8 pm. The funeral will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 17th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 81500 Miles Ave. Indio CA 92201. Lunch to follow immediately after. Interment ceremony at Forest Lawn in Cathedral City at 2:30 pm with military honors. All friends and family are welcome.

 REMEMBER OUR MISSIONARIES

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield." Psalm 5:12

Continue to pray for the people in Tacloban, Philippines where our sister Evangeline St. Clair Byrnes was born and serves as our missionary to that area. Evangeline plans to return to Tacloban in February. Please pray for funding and building projects. There is still so much to be done to restore their homes, churches and businesses after the typhoon and floods.




Our missionary Junio Souza has moved his family from Nepal to Thailand and is asking us to pray for his daughter who is having trouble adjusting. Also for the Lord to continue to provide for their new ministry in Thailand as well as in Nepal.






OUR PASTORS in GUINEA BISSAU continue to need SPECIAL PRAYER COVERING! Guinea Bissau borders Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone where the EBOLA VIRUS outbreak is still critical.
Pray also for the radio tower to be restored quickly so that the news of Jesus Christ will continue to spread throughout Guinea Bissau and all of Africa.





As the UKRAINE continues to crumble, let's lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are standing strong in their faith! Pray for our missionaries Jim & Annie Leonovich who are standing in the gap and planning their next mission visit.

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 FOR HEALING, COMFORT, STRENGTH & WISDOM

Lily Boyd * Harry Bryant * Ceil Burns * Ginny Folkers * LaReign Hodges * Trish Hruby's daughter, Judy * Alan Hurst * Phyllis Johnson * Bonnie Keller * Bob Krueger * EJ Maxwell * Jody Moses * Al Stokes * Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven * 

HOSPITALITY IN 2015                                                                  

Hospitality is about saying yes.
Hospitality is about honesty.

Hospitality is not about perfection.
Hospitality is not about fancy food and linens.

A new year for us all and I am thinking about hospitality in 2015. Life can be so busy; it can be easy to miss out on opportunities to demonstrate hospitality. I worry to much about how the house looks, do I have enough bread to even make a piece of toast for breakfast? Is the grass mowed? Windows clean?  But let’s not miss those chances.

My prayer is that I will be one who flings my door open wide and invites others in, no matter the condition of my home or craziness of life.  Because YOU matter more than my floors and I am blessed by God with a home to share! 

 REMEMBER OUR MISSIONARIES

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield." Psalm 5:12

Continue to pray for the people in Tacloban, Philippines where our sister Evangeline St. Clair Byrnes was born and serves as our missionary to that area. Evangeline plans to return to Tacloban in February. Please pray for funding and building projects. There is still so much to be done to restore their homes, churches and businesses after the typhoon and floods.




Our missionary Junio Souza has moved his family from Nepal to Thailand and is asking us to pray for his daughter who is having trouble adjusting. Also for the Lord to continue to provide for their new ministry in Thailand as well as in Nepal.






OUR PASTORS in GUINEA BISSAU continue to need SPECIAL PRAYER COVERING! Guinea Bissau borders Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone where the EBOLA VIRUS outbreak is still critical.
Pray also for the radio tower to be restored quickly so that the news of Jesus Christ will continue to spread throughout Guinea Bissau and all of Africa.





As the UKRAINE continues to crumble, let's lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are standing strong in their faith! Pray for our missionaries Jim & Annie Leonovich who are standing in the gap and planning their next mission visit.

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.

On behalf of all of us here on staff at Desert Springs Church, I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.  May you have time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, time to reflect and time to give thanks for all that you have been given.

ANYTHING BUT A KING

In Bethlehem, the human being who best understood who God was and what He was doing, was a teenage girl in a smelly stable. As Mary looked into the face of the baby, her son, her Lord, His majesty—she couldn’t take her eyes off Him. Somehow Mary knew she was holding God. So this is He. And she remembered the words of the angel when he said, “His kingdom will never end!”

He looked like anything but a King. His cry, though strong and healthy, was still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter. God came near! Luke 1:33 says, “His kingdom will never end!” May you be a part of it.

From In the Manger, Max Lucado

New Year’s Eve Reflection:
Now, because I have some holiday time off, I won't be back to update our blog until after the New Year. But please, join me by taking the time for personal reflection and answering the questions below.

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

5. Pick three words to describe this past year.

6. What were the best books you read this year?

7. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

8. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

9. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

10. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

11. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

12. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

13. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

14. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

15. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

16. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

17. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

18. Create a phrase or statement that describes this past year for you.

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, STRENGTH & WISDOM


Lily Boyd * Harry Bryant * Ceil Burns * Ginny Folkers * LaReign Hodges * Phyllis Johnson * Bonnie Keller * Jody Moses * Al Stokes * Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven





REMEMBER OUR MISSIONARIES

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield." Psalm 5:12

Continue to pray for the people in Tacloban, Philippines where our sister Evangeline St. Clair Byrnes was born and serves as our missionary to that area. There is still so much to be done to restore their homes, churches and businesses after the typhoon and floods.




Our missionary Junio Souza has moved his family from Nepal to Thailand and is asking us to pray for his daughter who is having trouble adjusting. Also for the Lord to continue to provide for their new ministry in Thailand as well as in Nepal.






OUR PASTORS in GUINEA BISSAU continue to need SPECIAL PRAYER COVERING! Guinea Bissau borders Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone where the EBOLA VIRUS outbreak is still critical.
Pray also for the radio tower to be restored quickly so that the news of Jesus Christ will continue to spread throughout Guinea Bissau and all of Africa.





As the UKRAINE continues to crumble, let's lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are standing strong in their faith! Pray for our missionaries Jim & Annie Leonovich who are standing in the gap and planning their next mission visit.

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 Laura Keener, Frontline Diector at 760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! 

IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM!

Sarah Markley blog:

Christmas is a season built for expectation, but we build all of our expectations around the wrong things. When we expect the holidays to be easygoing and full of laughter and peace, yet we schedule ourselves silly, expect our families to act differently than they've always acted, and spend far more than we make, then we are doing this wrong.

I believe God really does want to surprise us. He wants us to have the wonder and the amazement that we want too, but we seem to get in the way of ourselves.

It might be too late this holiday season to create the perfect Christmas, but I do think we can do a few things differently to help our season meet our expectations.

1. Let things go. Just let them roll. I promise, it will be okay. If your pie doesn’t come out, it isn’t the end of the world and your children will survive without everything on their lists.

2. Remember that people are people. Your father-in-law will act as he always acts, your aunt’s house will feel way too far to drive to like it always is but family is about love and grace.

3. Let a few things go off of your schedule. It’s okay if you don’t make the neighbor’s holiday gathering. It’s okay if you can’t get to the school Christmas party on time. You don’t have to see everyone you've ever met in the month of December. You can follow-up with them in January. It’s okay.

4. Let go of what you think Christmas should be. There are a few things that are important, yes, but let your season take you where it will. Maybe your kids don’t decorate cookies this year, maybe they build a fort instead. Maybe you all get the flu (let’s hope not) and spend the holiday just the few of you around your own tree. Maybe things are different this year.

5. Take some time each day to be still. We have to fight against the fury of the world during the holidays and everyone will tell you that you have to keep moving. But they are wrong. Be still.

6. Expect Jesus. The Advent season is about expectation. Expect Jesus today. Expect Him tomorrow. Just expect Him. Let Him surprise you like He wants to.

Let’s wrap our expectations, not around perfection and schedules and accomplishments, but around Jesus. We will never be disappointed. 

Tis the Season for Spiritual Gifts!

• Worship Choir CD's                                           
• Devotionals for Kids & Adults
• Let There Be Food Cookbook
• Inspirational Mugs

We have the perfect Christmas gifts for your family & friends...and they are available at the NOOK at awesome prices!  

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, STRENGTH & WISDOM

 Harry Bryant * Ceil Burns * Ginny Folkers * LaReign Hodges * Phyllis Johnson *  Bonnie Keller * Al Stokes * Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven

DSC Supported Missionaries Prayer Requests

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield."  Psalm 5:12

Continue to pray for the people in Tacloban, Philippines where our sister Evangeline St. Clair Byrnes was born and serves as our missionary to that area.  There is still so much to be done to restore their homes, churches and businesses. 

Our missionary Junio Souza has moved his family from Nepal to Thailand and is asking us to pray for his daughter who is having trouble adjusting.   Also for the Lord to continue to provide for their new ministry in Thailand as well as in Nepal.

OUR PASTORS in GUINEA BISSAU continue to need SPECIAL PRAYER COVERING!  Guinea Bissau borders Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone where the EBOLA VIRUS outbreak is still critical.  

As the UKRAINE continues to crumble, let's lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are standing strong in their faith! Pray for our missionaries Jim & Annie Leonovich who are standing the gap and planning their next mission visit. 

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 Laura Keener, Frontline Diector at 760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! 

IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM!

If stress already threatens your peace this December, remember that you cannot fail at Christmas because it’s not about you, it’s about Him. Slow down, take a deep breath, and make some real memories with your friends and family.  And maybe make some wassail, too!

Holiday Wassail

1 gallon apple cider (buy the fresh kind in a plastic jug in the produce section)

1 cup light brown sugar

1 6-oz. can frozen lemonade

1 6-oz. can frozen orange juice

12 whole cloves

6 whole allspice

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 cinnamon stick

In a large kettle, combine cider, sugar, lemonade, and orange juice. Tie cloves and allspice into a small piece of cloth (cheesecloth works well) and add to cider. Add nutmeg and cinnamon stick; simmer gently for 20 minutes. Heat to steaming, but do not boil. Remove spice bag, discard, and serve hot. Transfer to a slow cooker and float orange or lemon slices on top for a nice presentation. Makes 30 to 35 servings.

Tis the Season for Spiritual Gifts!

• Worship Choir CD's                                           
• Devotionals for Kids & Adults
• Let There Be Food Cookbook
• Inspirational Mugs

We have the perfect Christmas gifts for your family & friends...and they are available at the NOOK at awesome prices!  

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, 

STRENGTH & WISDOM

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 3:11

Darlene Atkinson
Harry Bryant
Ceil Burns
LaReign Hodges 

Phyllis Johnson
 Bonnie Keller
Al Stokes

Jack & Joan Washburn's son, Steven

My peace I leave you.....

DSC Supported Missionaries Prayer Requests

"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield."  Psalm 5:12

Our missionary Junio Souza contracted Hepetitus C and has moved his family from Nepal to Thailand for better treatment of his disease. He will continue his ministry and assist the Youth With A Mission work there.   Please pray for complete healing for Junio and adjustment to the move. 

OUR PASTORS in GUINEA BISSAU need SPECIAL PRAYER COVERING!  Guinea Bissau borders Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone where the EBOLA VIRUS outbreak is critical.  We faithfully and humbly give monthly support to Pastor Marius, Pastor Fona, Pastor Hiskey and Pastor Tony and also to God's Word Church.  

UKRAINE continues to crumble. Lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the Ukraine! Our missionaries Jim & Annie Leonovich are in daily contact with the supported churches and Pastors.  

Evangeline Byrnes-St. Clair is once again praying for the safety of her city Tacloban ( in the Philippines) as another hurricane hit this week.   Evangeline works tirelessly, always giving God the glory and thanking Him for the opportunity to serve Him in her country.