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.

SAY YES IN 2016

Yes. Such a simple word. Just three little letters.

Yes. A simple word that can change everything.

I have always been so in awe of Mary’s “yes.” By her humble obedience to trust in what God was asking. What faithfulness. And this wasn’t just some simple request. This wasn’t just some small favor. He was asking for her complete trust. He was asking for her all.

She said yes to the call God had for her life. She embraced His plan and said yes to be part of God’s mission on earth.

I don’t know . . . if I were in her sandals, I probably would have been like, “What? Umm, just a minute here. I have a lot of questions!”

Her beautiful and humble response . . let it be.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” {Luke 1:38}

Wow. That is just so inspiring and encouraging to me. I want to respond to His call with the same willingness that Mary had!

It can be too easy to to come up with excuses or brush things off as being unimportant. But God can do anything with anyone who is willing. He is our strength.

We need to remember the truth is that even one person can change history with one yes.

God is at work right now. His plan in our lives is happening right this very moment. We are part of God’s mission here on earth. We just need to be open to God and put our trust in Him.

Say yes everyday.

We need to let God work in us. Let God work through us. Let Him use us as He needs. No questioning all the details. We don’t need to understand everything. We don’t need to see what He is doing with our lives to know we are part of His plan. No list of excuses. No doubting. No thinking we aren’t important enough to make a difference.

Yes. Yes to His call. Yes the whole way through.

Yes with our weaknesses and flaws. Yes with all the bumps and frustrations that might come along. Yes. Let it be.

Will you say yes to His call? Will you say it again and again?

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

Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Hugh & Lily Boyd
Lucy Brooks
Gail Ehler - pain level is still an issue

LaReign Hodges 
Allen Hurst

Betty Hyta
Mary Ireland

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength
Chris Marlow
Carol Smoke - pray for energy
Bob Vouga

Serena Williams

Thera Breteweg just informed us that her dear husband Bob, passed away Nov. 30th. There will be a memorial service for him on January 4th, here at Desert Springs. More information to follow. They were married 39 years. 

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.

Peace is not the absence of storms. Peace is the presence of God.

Friend, behold your Father, in the storm. He is racing you toward shore, and sitting with you, in the rain. He is your peace, when the sky is falling.

You’ll remember a story about another boat, caught in another storm. Once upon a time, Jesus and His friends were on the water. A raging storm dropped from the sky while Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples cried out: “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus got up and spoke to the waves:

“‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” {Mark 4:39}

Today, some of you are under the darkening surprise of a storm. Maybe it’s less of a storm, and more of a relentless drizzle, leaving you chilled to the core. It might feel as if Jesus is asleep on the job. But take heart, Jesus is awake, alive in you. Call out to Him, and listen for His voice, speaking to the storm inside of you.

His words have the power to rebuke storms. And when you dare not look to the menacing skies, afraid of what you’ll see, look at the feet of your Father, kneeling beside you.

Peace, he says. Be still.

Thera Breteweg just informed us that her dear husband Bob, passed away Nov. 30th. There will be a memorial service for him on January 4th, here at Desert Springs. More information to follow. They were married 39 years. 

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

Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Hugh & Lily Boyd
Lucy Brooks
Gail Ehler - pain level is still an issue

LaReign Hodges 

Betty Hyta

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength
Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Serena Williams

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.

DO NOT BE AFRAID.  Today while over 900 Los Angeles Schools were closed because of a "viable threat" it's hard to NOT be afraid. 

"WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN GOD" Psalms 56:3

It doesn’t matter what fear the world’s selling. The only Story that matters keeps repeating it: Do Not Be Afraid.

Do not be afraid of the unknown when you know the One who does the impossible.

Do not be afraid of what could fail when His arms are stronger than any failure & He cannot fail or let you fall.

And do not be afraid of any evil because greater is He who is in the depths of you and breathing the wild courage to love right into your bones.

Do not be afraid to see the face of God in the dark where you did not expect Him.

Do not ever be afraid of suffering because suffering can birth a greater resurrection. Do not be afraid of laying your life down in a thousand ways because this is the only way to ever rise.

Do not be afraid to pack nothing and only pick up your Cross.

"Whoever wants to save his life will lose it.  But whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it." Mathew 16:25

Excerpts from Ann Voskamp

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

Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Hugh & Lily Boyd
Lucy Brooks
Gail Ehler - pain level is still an issue

LaReign Hodges 

Betty Hyta
Mary Ireland

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength
Chris Marlow
Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Serena Williams

Missions Request:

We have received some very heartbreaking news from Heidi & Daniel, the founders and directors of Open Arms Childcare Ministry in La Mision, Baja California Mexico.

In 2014, our mission team helped to build a duplex home for Cindy (whose husband had just been killed by a drunk driver), her daughter Brisa (now 5) and baby Alvaro (now 2). The other part of the duplex was for Rafael (Cindy’s brother) and his three sons, Jesus (now 11), Robert (now 10) and Osbaldo (now 7) and their new step-mom Gladys (now 18) to live in.  Gladys watched the kids, while Cindy & Rafael worked, and she helped us often during the build. On the 2015 mission project, we installed a power line to their home so they could have electricity!  They were using a line from their neighbors, because they could not afford to put a line in and only had electricity a few hours a night. 

The children, as far as we understand, and the moms have given their lives to Jesus but Rafael was still running from Christ. Now, sadly he is in the hospital with 2 types of rare aggressive cancer, he is very ill and unless God touches Rafael he will not live.  His children do not yet know this. Our first request for each of you is to PRAY, pray that Rafael will turn to God and no matter what happens have a sense of peace that passes all understanding knowing he will have eternal life.  Daniel & Heidi are visiting, praying and sharing God’s love and salvation message with him.

Our second request is to ask, if at all possible, to give a financial gift to this family.  We want to be sure they have money for food, and daily necessities.  Gladys will have to look for work in the future, and the children can remain with Open Arms, so they are safe, fed and learning each day about how much God loves them.  But for now, they need help. 

Please pray for Rafael and entire family and if you feel led to give financially, drop a check (made out to Open Arms Childcare Ministry) to me at the church office and we will get it to them.  We will be sure that Daniel & Heidi hold the money in their account and give it to Gladys as needed.  Thank you, my heart is heavy for these families and I know the Lord put them in our lives for a reason.

  

Below is Heidi’s reply to our email to her a few days ago:

“Sorry for the delay on responding. Thank you so much for wanting to help this family. Our hearts are broken over the situation, too- we know your group was very involved and invested in this family, so we can imagine you're also experiencing some of the heartbreak. 

If you would like to make a donation, we would gladly purchase food and make sure they have what they need. Rafael is the main source of income for the family, so any kind of donation would go a long way for them. As far as Christmas commitments go, we have our big Christmas party on Saturday and the kids will receive plenty of gifts that day (shoes, clothes, books, toys, etc.) so that is not a huge need. However, the family will be in need of the basics such as food, filling the propane tank, gas in the car, etc. If you feel led, we think it'd be great to have a fund prepared for them so that when they need these things we can quickly provide them. 

Thank you so much for your care and concern and prayers. We are believing God in this. Please continue to pray with us.

Love and blessings, Heidi”

  

Thank you all for taking time now and praying about how you can help.

Serving Together,

      Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17

“But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:17-18

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.

As the Christmas Season begins I thought this blog below would help remind us all what matters...

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27

Into Our Midst . . .

With lights twinkling and sleigh bells jingling, the sights and sounds of Christmas are here.

It’s a special time of year. Trees sparkle in living room corners. Garlands glisten across fireplace mantles. Candles flicker on Advent wreaths.

Most Christmas traditions include gift-giving of some sort too. Perhaps your family opens presents on Christmas Eve. Or maybe your family waits until Christmas morning.

Our traditions may vary, but we enjoy giving gifts to our loved ones because it’s a way of remembering the greatest Gift ever given to us — Jesus Christ, wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Jesus came. He came to give us joy and hope and peace.

Best of all, He came to give us eternal life in His presence. Jesus doesn’t give as the world gives either. His gifts can never be returned to a store. They can’t ever be taken back.

God’s gifts are eternal because He is eternal.

He is our joy.
He is our hope.
He is our peace.

As we enter this Christmas season — undoubtedly with lots of things on our to-do lists — let’s remember to invite the Giver into our midst, each and every moment.

For He is the reason we celebrate. Because He is Who we celebrate.

by Denise J. Hughes

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

Darlene Atkinson
Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Hugh & Lily Boyd
Gail Ehler

LaReign Hodges & son, Stephen

Betty Hyta

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength
Gordon Richardson
Mike Sassi

Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Serena Williams

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. I f 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.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.”

{1 Chronicles 16:34, HCSB}

A Time to Gather and Remember . . .

‘Tis the week for giving thanks.

For turkey drizzled with cranberry sauce.
For sweet potatoes covered with marshmallows.
For pumpkin pie piled high with whipped cream.

‘Tis the week for making room.

For mismatched chairs sitting close to the table’s edge.
For china plates making their annual appearance.
For linen napkins arranged just so.

‘Tis the week for gathering close.

For grandparents coming over.
For college students returning home.
For cousins congregating together.

‘Tis the week for remembering God’s gifts.

For seeing His hand of provision.
For voicing the gratitude in our hearts.
For naming the wonder of each blessing.

Thanksgiving is a time to gather and remember. He is good when times are good, and He is good when times are not. He is good when our Thanksgiving dinner looks like a Norman Rockwell painting, and He is good when our Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t even come close.

God is good no matter what season we find ourselves in. His love cannot be measured for however much good or ill we see today. God’s love is measured by the sacrifice He’s already made. We have been reconciled unto Him. And that has made all difference. So I will give thanks.

blog by Denise J. Hughes


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

Darlene Atkinson
Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Hugh & Lily Boyd

Karl Brinkman

LaReign Hodges

Betty Hyta

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength
Gordon Richardson
Mike Sassi

Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Serena Williams

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. I f 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.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24

Sounds like an ironclad guarantee to me.

Our speech is often filled with wishy-washy words like maybe and sometimes and might. But the Lord speaks with authority and power: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) and “my words will never pass away (Luke 21:33) and “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). My italics, helping us all get the picture.

Gives me goosebumps. The Lord is that sure. Consider what He says here.

“Until now…” John 16:24 “So far” (GW), says the Lord, or “Hitherto” (ASV), for the English majors among us. Fact is, “You haven’t done this before” (NLT). What haven’t we done? “…you have not asked for anything in my name.” John 16:24

This means more than adding “in Jesus’ name” at the end of our prayers. The Greek word onomati not only means “name,” it also means, “character, fame, reputation, authority.” He means in His name and all that it represents.Jesus wants us to ask for things that glorify His name, proclaim His name, shine a spotlight on His name.

I’m fairly certain the things I’ve prayed for lately don’t qualify. They’re all about me or the people I love. Honestly? Focusing on Jesus doesn’t even factor in.
Please, Lord, ease my brother’s pain.
Please, Lord, provide a new job for my son.
Please, Lord, help me finish this book.

These aren’t bad prayers. Not at all. God is simply calling us to go deeper. To seek after the heart of His Son and listen to what He wants for us (not from us). When our requests are all about honoring Him, we can be very sure of His response. “Ask and you will receive,…” John 16:24 -  Not perhaps. Not might. You will receive.

“…and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24
Ahhh. Joy at last. Jesus guarantees us “the fullest joy possible” (ERV), like “a river overflowing its banks!” (MSG). The kind of “abundant joy” (NLT) that makes us “completely happy” (GW). This is the kind of deep joy, delight, and gladness that comes from knowing Christ and putting Him first. It’s a complete joy, a perfect joy, a joy that never goes away. A joy based not on what we get, but on Who we bless.

Lord Jesus, You have shown us the path to joy. Now help us walk in it, keeping our eyes on You. Give us the courage to ask according to Your will, in Your name, and for Your fame. This sacred season and always, we’re giving thanks for You.
LizCurtisHiggs

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

Darlene Atkinson
Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Hugh & Lily Boyd

Karl Brinkman

LaReign Hodges

Betty Hyta

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength
Gordon Richardson
Mike Sassi

Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Serena Williams

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.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

A Life of Love . . .

Jesus rose from the table, where He had just eaten the Passover meal with friends, and He removed His outer garment. He took a towel and tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to do the work of a lowly servant.

Jesus bent low, before each of the men who had spent three years following Him, and He washed their grimy feet. Jesus knew He had only a few hours left. He knew the cross awaited Him in the morning. So He used this time to impart His last words, while demonstrating the truth of the what He spoke.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

As Jesus uttered these words, He illustrated its core meaning. Love is more than warm feeling. It’s an act of selflessness.

Today, the word disciple has become somewhat antiquated. A disciple is a student — a serious student, learning a specific field or trade.

A disciple of Christ is a student of Him and His ways.

To be a disciple of Christ, we practice spiritual disciplines. But here again, the word discipline means something different than what we typically think of. In this usage, discipline doesn’t mean punishment, it means practice.

The spiritual disciplines are spiritual practices.

Through the discipline of studying God’s Word, we learn more about Him as we fill our minds and hearts with His truth.

Through the discipline of prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to move in our lives as God’s desires become our desires.

We can practice many spiritual disciplines — solitude, gratitude, simplicity, giving, serving — all of which lead us closer to the heart of God.

If these practices become a law, however, something we must check off our to-do list, then these practices can lead to legalism, which leads to death. Yet, if these practices become a time of purpose-filled joy, something we learn to love doing because it draws us closer to God, then these practices will lead to a life of love.

A life in Christ is exemplified by a life of love.

To be a disciple of Christ means that we bend low, just as Jesus once did, and we serve others with a heart filled with His love.

blog by Denise J. Hughes

Missions Update: International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - Nov. 1 & 8

November 1 & 8, believers around the world are taking time to remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted.

Each MONTH:
322 Christians are killed for their faith
214 churches & Christian properties are destroyed
772 forms of violence are committed against Christians

For more information:
www.icommittopray.com
www.gfa.org/idop
www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution

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

Beverly Baughn - strength improving  
Mona Bills - strength improving
Bill & Muriel Beers

Hugh & Lily Boyd
Karl Brinkman

LaReign Hodges

Betty Hyta

Patty Marillo - prayers for strength

Carol Smoke - pray for energy

Serena Williams