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.

Three Reasons We Need Rest and Solitude

1. God made rest a priority

He rested after He worked. Jesus sought solitude and so should we.

2. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness

When we take time to rest and seek God, we are acknowledging that we need His help. We weren’t meant to carry the weight of the world, but we often don’t realize how badly we need rest until we take it.

3. Respite gives us the opportunity to hear God

More than anything, I want to hear God. But in order to lean in and listen close, I have to be still and quiet.

How are you resting? Do you carve out times of solitude to be alone with God?

by Kristen Welch of We are THAT family blog and founder of Mercy House

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

Darlene Atkinson
Bill & Muriel Beers
Hugh & Lily Boyd
LaReign Hodges
Betty HytaWalter Rohm
Robin Ott
Carol Smoke  

MISSIONS UPDATE - Young Life Desert Cities

Thank you for your monthly support and prayers for Young Life. New ministries have started, kids’ lives are being changed; they are finding hope that comes through a relationship with the Lord! Weekly club meetings continue to grow as do the discipleship programs called the Campaigners. Additionally a new outreach called YoungLives (a ministry to teen moms and their children) is getting ready to start in our valley. This is a direct result of your prayers and support. Thank you, again, for being a blessing to Young Life!

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.

This week our dear brother in Christ, John Ott, husband of Robin Ott, went to be with the Lord.  It was quite sudden and Robin is still "in shock".  When speaking to Robin I was not sure what to say but then recalled an article I read. I have posted it below. I hope it helps you too when you are struggling for the "right words to say".

Ten things that are good to say and do. 

1. “I love you.”
   Short, simple, profound. We can never say — or hear — it often enough.
2. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
   This is the heartbeat of sympathy: shared sorrow.
3. “I’ll be praying for you.”
   Even better, be specific: “I’ll pray for you every morning at nine on my way to work.” Not only will your promise comfort them each morning, it also opens a door for you to call and check on them: “What can I be praying about this week?”
4. “Here’s something I really appreciated about your loved one.”
   If you have a brief story or memory to add to their collection, they’ll be grateful to hear your words and will cherish them for years to come.
5. Show up. Be there. Visit.
   At the viewing. At the funeral. At their door, if and when it’s appropriate. Flowers are nice, but hugs are better.
6. Weep with those who weep {Romans 12:15}.
   Not everyone has a ministry of tears, but if you do, bring tissues.
7. Listen.
   Save your questions and suggestions for another time. Concentrate on making eye contact and nodding.
8. Provide food.
   Bring a meal. Do their grocery shopping. When they’re ready, take them to a restaurant. People in mourning may forget to eat. Help them remember.
9. Keep in touch.
   Send a sympathy card or note a month later, when their mailbox is empty.
10. Include them in your life.
    Invite them over to watch a movie or play board games or bake cookies or whatever’s happening at your house. The less fuss, the better. Think family, not company.

The day will come when your friends will be ready to put aside their heartache and rejoin the land of the living. If you’ve walked that hard road with them, then you’ve lived out His truth: “A friend loves at all times” {Proverbs 17:17}. 


WE ARE 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

Darlene Atkinson
Bill & Muriel Beers
Hugh & Lily Boyd
LaReign Hodges
Betty Hyta
Kristen Largen
Walter Rohm
Robin Ott
Carol Smoke  

MISSIONS UPDATE - Hungry Persecuted Christian Families

OpenDoors is needing help to feed the thousands upon thousands of persecuted Christians forced to leave their homes due to the Islamic State.  If you can help with a donation to feed Christian families ...please go to their website www.opendoorsusa.org and donate.  These are our brothers and sister in Christ whom we are commanded to care for and help in any way we can.  This is a real issue that we can do something about. Just $50 a month will provide a family with a food kit - enough to feed an entire family for one month! Please pray for these families and provide for them. 

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.

HARD TO ADMIT .... this is me, if I'm  honest. Maybe it's how you feel....if you are honest.  

But there is hope, read on....Laura

Times of Refreshing

August 10, 2015 01:20 AM CST | Karina Allen

I’m tired . . . really tired. It’s the kind of tired that can become crippling. My brain is tired. My heart is tired. My emotions are tired. 

Honestly, my faith is tired. I’ve experienced hard friendships, hard church transitions, and a slew of financial hardships. And so, I am tired.

This summer has left me with a bit of whiplash. Literally, one thing after another has come against me. I am at a loss in many ways and don’t know what to do. If you are in this place, know that God wants to bring us direction.

I don’t want to be tired and the Lord doesn’t want me to be tired. And He doesn’t want you to be tired either. His desire is for us to learn the rhythms of life and to learn how to navigate them with grace, endurance, trust, and hope.

I look through the Scriptures and I look at the life of Christ. He was busy. He was persecuted. He felt every emotion there is and faced every temptation imaginable, and yet, I don’t believe He lived tired. In those hard times, I believe He discovered how to find times of refreshing.

I have come realize that I was missing those times: Refreshing. Rested. Energy. Doesn’t that sound so good? Doesn’t that just fill you with the deepest sense of peace?

In recognizing that we are in a season when we need refreshing is exactly where He wants us. So, how do we lean into this refreshing?

Intentionally Give God Our Weariness

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” {Matthew 11:28-29}

This verse couldn’t be any clearer. We are weak and frail. Life can be overwhelmingly difficult. In our own strength, we will fail and be overcome by adversities. But in Christ’s strength, we will stand firm and push past every obstacle that opposes us. He willingly and gladly wants to lighten our load. But it’s our choice whether or not we intentionally lay our burdens at His feet. My soul needs rest. This rest only comes when my heart’s affection and my mind’s attention are fully fixed on the work of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Intentionally Confess Our Sin

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” {Acts 3:19}

Now, Jesus didn’t have a need to repent because He was without sin, but He always spoke this need into those He came in contact with. We are human. We falter and miss the mark. No one likes to admit their sin. No one likes to admit they have fallen short of God’s standards. But this is where He can bring His deepest refreshing . . . when we admit our need for Him to work in our spirits. Our confession opens a door for lasting restoration.

Intentionally Refresh Others

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” {Proverbs 11:27}

This one is a favorite! Refresh and be refreshed. It’s that simple. “Others” is always a calling in our lives. Let’s be generous with our time, our resources, and our encouragement, and the Lord will meet us in our greatest need. He will heal every hurt and speak life into dry places. When our faith is shaky, He will uphold us. He will place people in our paths who will believe in us and believe for us.

WE ARE 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

Bill & Muriel Beers
Hugh & Lily Boyd
Chris Burks daughter
Ed & Carol Ann Burns family
Pat Collins daughter & son-in-law
LaReign Hodges
Betty Hyta
Kristen Largent
Walter Rohm
Carol Smoke  

MISSIONS UPDATE

 

Last Sunday, August 9th we had the honor to have one of our Desert Springs missionaries, Adam Hussey speak. He spoke on finishing well, staying obedient and faithful.  We felt the Holy Spirit speaking through Adam and reminding us to stay the course.  I ask that you pray for Adam & Alei Hussey everyday, be faithful in that.  Our prayers hold them up as they serve with Action International in Manila, Philippines,

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.

 
I saw this picture and thought...isn't God awesome, the beauty he created for us to enjoy. Then I read the blog below and had to share with you. 

“God looked over everything He had made; it was good, so very good!”

{Genesis 1:31, MSG}

He Calls Us Good . . .

With a word, God made the world.

He simply uttered, “Let there be light.” And there was light.

Day and night.
Moon and stars.
Land and sky.

He spoke the universe into being. And it was good.

With each new word He breathed, the whole earth sprang to life. Creatures of every kind crawled and climbed. Wings took flight.

God’s very words — imbued with the power to create — showered the earth with new color. Yet, this was merely the overture of the symphony to come.

God spoke again and created man. Then He looked over everything He had made, His symphony of creation swelling with crescendo, and you know what He said? He said it is good, so very good.

That’s what He thinks of His creation. That’s what He thinks of you and me.

He calls us good, so very good.

Lord, help us to remember that we are Your workmanship.
Your love reaches beyond our imagination. Your sacrifice covers beyond our comprehension.
We are good because You called us so. We thank You for the light and life You bring.
For You are good. And You alone are worthy of our praise.

We celebrate God’s goodness even as we await the final encore of His symphony. For we know that one day Christ will return and restore — once and for all — all that is lost and broken. And until that day comes, He invites us to be with Him in sweet communion.

Whatever hurt or sorrow we carry, we can carry it to Him in prayer. We can cover each other in prayer too. And here at (in)courage, we consider it our greatest privilege to come alongside you in prayer.

How can we pray for you today?
As you leave a prayer request in the comments, be sure to pray also for the person just before you.
You can click on “Sort by Newest” to see the most recent prayer request.
Click on “Load More Posts” to be able to see everything.
If you log in to Disqus, you’ll then be able to receive all the responses to your prayer request directly to your inbox.


by Denise J. Hughes

WE ARE 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

Hugh & Lily Boyd
Beverly Baughn
Carol Ann Burns
LaReign Hodges
Betty Hyta
Kristen Largent
Walter Rohm
Carol Smoke  

MISSIONS UPDATE

 

This Sunday, August 9th we have the honor to have one of our Desert Springs missionaries, Adam Hussey speaking.  Adam & Alei Hussey serve with Action International in Manila, Philippines.
They minister through a Street Children's Outreach, Youth Discipleship, Video Production and Feeding Program to help the needy.  Keep Adam & Alei in your prayers each day. They are precious servants of Christ.

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.

A quiet life?  What is that, no really...what is that? 

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life,

minding your own business and working with your hands,

just as we instructed you before. Then people

who are not believers will respect the way you live,

and you will not need to depend on others.” 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT  

A quiet life seems impossible. I'm just saying, we are not accustomed to the quiet. We’re used to a backdrop of noise. It’s constant. Rings, dings, chimes, chatter, talk shows, music playing, radio news, video games, dogs barking, children asking, family meals, parents needs, weather reports, emergency alerts, debates, discussions, traffic noise, construction hammers, motorcycles revving, teens playing, babies crying...see what I mean? 

But God gave us a goal to live a quiet life BECAUSE:

• In the quiet, we can’t say anything we shouldn’t be saying. 
• In the quiet, we listen better.
• In the quiet, we understand better.
• In the quiet, we can hear His still small voice better.

And it’s in this place of soul-quiet, His peace comes.  May I encourage you to find a quiet place, to make it your goal to live a quiet life? 

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, STRENGTH & WISDOM !

Hugh & Lily Boyd * Beverly Baughn * Carol Ann Burns * LaReign Hodges * Betty Hyta * Kristen Largent* Walter Rohm  * Barbra Smith * Carol Smoke  

MISSION UPDATE 

Evangeline Byrnes-St. Clair left this week for a 5 month mission trip to her home town in Tacloban, Philippines.  She wants to thank all of you who donated Ziplock bags to be used to fill with food and handed out to the hungry.  

Evangeline was overwhelmed by the number of bags we donated, it literally brought her to tears.  How precious is our sister? Continue to pray for the Lord to grant her wisdom, strength, health and direction as she ministers and serves Him in so many different ways. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10  

• The UTAP church
• The Kids & Youth Outreach Programs
• Women's Bible Studies
• Prison Ministry 
• Feeding the Hungry & Poor
• Construction & Rebuilding of the Church grounds (after the 2013 typhoon)

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.



I love reading blogs that inspire me and sometime reprimand me for getting off course.  This is one of those times I needed both.... Laura Keener

Let's Be People Who See One Another

July 15, 2015 01:20 AM CST | Angela Nazworth

YOU ARE NOT ALONE....

1. You are seen and you are never alone.

You’re not invisible to God and you’re not invisible to His people. Maybe you’re in a season of loneliness. I’ve been there and understand that ache of loneliness is heavier and more oppressive than a steaming hot, muggy day. Feeling as if all your motions and emotions slink by unnoticed hurts and rubs a heart thin. But regardless of how you feel, here’s the truth straight from the Word of God: You are not alone.

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” {Joshua 3:7}

And, chances are great that someone you never even noticed saw you and is praying for you, because God moves in our hearts even if we’re too afraid to respond in the moment.

2. When you notice someone, let them know you see them.

The pace of life is fast and often uncomfortable. We sometimes look through people instead of really noticing them.

Here’s a challenge for both you and me: Instead of rushing through our days and/or brushing off encounters that could be awkward, what would happen if we asked God to tug at our hearts so we can see and respond to His people?

Let’s be people who refuse to avert our eyes when we pass a homeless man on the street. Let’s be people who smile and say hello to the woman in the wheelchair. Let’s be people who grab flowers at the grocery store to give to the mom whose toddler just had a massive meltdown in aisle three. Let’s be people who see each other, celebrate each other, and pray for each other.
Let’s be people who say, “God sees you, I see you, and you’re beautiful. You matter.”

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, 

STRENGTH &  WISDOM 

Hugh & Lily Boyd * Beverly Baughn * LaReign Hodges * Betty Hyta * Howie & Chevile Johnson * Mike Kunkle * John Ott * Walter Rohm  & Carol Smoke  

MISSION UPDATE 

Evangeline Byrnes-St. Clair is leaving this week for a 5 month mission trip to her home town in Tacloban, Philippines.  She needs the Lord to grant her wisdom, strength, health and direction as she ministers and serves Him in so many different ways. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10  

• The UTAP church
• The Kids & Youth Outreach Programs
• Women's Bible Studies
• Prison Ministry 
• Feeding the Hungry & Poor
• Construction & Rebuilding of the Church grounds (after the 2013 typhoon)

Please remember to pray for our Evangeline and her ministry each day. And lift her husband Michael up in prayer too; as he remains home to continue his responsibilities for their lives here in the desert.    

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.

A Celebration of Life service is confirmed for Saturday, July 11 at 11:00am, here at Desert Springs.  You are warmly invited and thank you for spreading the word about this important date. 

Steve Freese, a friend, Desert Springs board member and part of our church family went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 20th.  Please pray for his wife of 51 years, Gwenda, their children, grandchildren, family & friends to find comfort knowing Steve is now with the Lord.  No more health issues, nor pain, nor tears for he is living in the light of the risen Lamb.

No more night. No more pain. No more tears. Never crying again. 

And praises to the great "I AM." We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See over there, there's a mansion, oh that's prepared just for me,

where I will live with my savior eternally.

No more night. No more pain. No more tears. Never crying again. 

And praises to the great "I AM." We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, 
STRENGTH &  WISDOM 

Hugh & Lily Boyd * Beverly Baughn * LaReign Hodges * Mike Kunkle * Dave Metzler * John Ott * Walter Rohm * Carol Smoke * Jack & Joan Washburn, comfort for loss of their son, Steven .

Belated Happy 4th of July!

“Praise the Lord, all nations everywhere.

Praise Him, all the peoples of the earth. For He loves us very dearly.”

{Psalm 117:1-2, TLB}

To Be Free . . .

From the islands of Hawaii to the peninsula of Florida, we gather this weekend to celebrate freedom — to remember the independence this nation sought through the declaration of the inalienable right to be free.

But the irony of freedom is that it’s never free.

Freedom was declared with words but bought with blood. So we honor those who have made the greatest sacrifice, those who have given their lives so that we could be free.

The Fourth of July is more than picnics and parades. It’s more than strawberry shortcake and blueberry pie. It’s a day to remember the many sacrifices that made our freedom possible. It’s a day to say “Thank you.”

To the soldiers and the families of soldiers, we thank you. We know these words alone are not enough to express our sincerest thanks, but we want you to know we see you, and we are so deeply grateful for you.

And if there’s any way we could pray for you, we would consider it an honor.

Many of us might not know, firsthand, the cost of freedom. But we serve a Father who knows what it means to lose a Son so that others can be free.

Our souls can know freedom because of the blood of Jesus.
Our futures can have hope because of the blood of Jesus.
Our lives can speak love because of the blood of Jesus.

So we’ll never stop praising the One who loves us so dearly that He gave His own life.

blog by Denise J. Hughes