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 COLONEL RICHARD ZUBER

Lois Zuber, a long time Desert Springs church member, informed us that her husband, Colonel Richard Zuber passed away peacefully in his sleep on Valentine's Day, February 14th.  Richard served our country as an Air Force Pilot and will be dearly missed.  Services are planned in San Diego.

   




 CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR  LAREIGN HODGES

On February 10th our sweet friend and sister in the Lord, LaReign Hodges, went home to her Savior. After years of battling cancer and severe health issues, she recently shared with her loving husband Tom that it was time for her to go to heaven.                                      
Tom was at her side every minute and was a wonderful caretaker, really beyond expectations. LaReign's children, grandchildren and friends will miss her dearly but we understand she is no longer suffering; she's in the arms of Jesus now, complete and whole.

Tom and their family would like to extend an invitation to all of her Desert Springs Church family to attend the Celebration of Life service on Saturday, April 9th at 10:00 am.   

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Philippians 3:20-21

LOVE IS SOMETHING WE DO, NOT FEEL

Try to read the following words as if you’re seeing them for the very first time. Try.

Love . . .

is patient and kind

does not envy or boast

isn’t arrogant or rude

doesn’t insist on its own way

isn’t irritable or resentful

doesn’t rejoice at wrongdoing

rejoices with the truth

bears all things

believes all things

hopes all things

endures all things

Love never ends . . .

{1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV}

Throughout the entire chapter, love is seen through the lens of demonstrable action, not emotion.

Love is something we do, not feel.

This is a game changer. In 1 Corinthians, Paul provides a beautiful way for the church to love others when we’ve been wronged or wounded.

Love, when companioned by emotional attachment, affectionate connection, and deep feeling is a precious thing. It’s what first draws us to our mate. It’s what binds us to our children. It’s the thread that knits together the most special of friendships.

It’s rare and at times elusive.

But at all times — and regardless of circumstances — we’re called to love others {see John 13:34-35 and 1 John 4:7-21}. And not just others, we’re called to love our enemies {see Matthew 5:43-48}!

How loving do you feel when your teenage children defy and disobey you? When a friend betrays your confidence? When a co-worker undermines your decisions? When your spouse leaves your marriage and your family in shambles?

How can you love then?

There is a way to love and that’s following The Way and how He loved.

I don’t know if Jesus felt love for the people who failed Him and treated Him horrifically, but we do have a glimpse into how He demonstrated His love —

“. . . but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” {Romans 5:8}

Who in your life is making it difficult for you to love them? Can I ask you to try something? Re-read 1 Corinthians 13 and practice the ways you can show love to the hurtful people in your life.

When you don’t feel love, you can be patient and kind. You can be humble and deferent and enduring. I know it isn’t easy, but it is simple; “love” is spelled out for us in a list of 15 things we can either do or restrain ourselves from doing. Of course, 1 Corinthians 13 isn’t the only Scripture that teaches us about love, but it’s revolutionary once we begin practicing what Paul is preaching.

Who have you been withholding love from because you don’t feel love toward that person? (I can think of a few in my own life.) Thanks be to our Lord who loves us enough, not just to command us to love others, but to make a way for us to love people, and in doing so, live out the Gospel.

February 24, 2016 01:20 AM CST | Robin Dance

PRAYING FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS

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

Carol Anderson
Leta Benefiel
Lucy Brooks
Robert Burgess
Janet Damron
Roxanne Huebscher
Betty Hyta  

Larry Largent - lung exrays
Annie Leonovich
Patty Marillo - praises - cancer free
Joan Rohm

Carol Smoke - continue to pray for energy
Barbara Storkersen

Serena Williams - back pain severe