GO! Team

This week at Desert Springs we announced the formation of a new vehicle for Outreach and Service Projects: The GO! Team.
The most exciting aspect of this team, I feel, is the opportunity it provides us in the Life Groups Ministry to put feet to the gospel in new ways!

As of today, all of our Life Group Leaders are on the contact list for the GO! Team, which means they will each receive an e-mail when a new outreach or service opportunity is available. My goal here is to see every one of our Life Groups get out there and participate in one or more outreach or service projects per year.

Some of the plans already lined up include helping with a meal at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission; giving blood at an upcoming Blood Drive with the Community Blood Bank; or distributing food with Meals on Wheels at the Joslyn Center.

IF YOU would like to get involved, contact Laura Keener (lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org) today! She'd also love some suggestions for future projects.

Many more opportunities will come in the future, and I know that this is a great direction for Desert Springs to be going!

Remain

John 15:4 says, "Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

An interesting choice of words, to be sure. Jesus instructs us to remain; some translations use the term abide, or dwell. These terms all appear somewhat passive, which would seem to contradict the busy, frantic pace of doing that many believers (yours truly included) fill their days and nights with.

As I read this passage today, the question had to be asked: Am I remaining in Christ? I feel as though much of my Christian life has been spent reaching for Jesus, striving to be like Him, rushing to do more for Him, pressing forward to get closer, etc. But here, Jesus explains that only by remaining, abiding, dwelling in Him will we live a life that results in fruit.

Could it be that we've had it backwards? Is all of the doing, pushing, striving, working, telling, going... pointless? It sure looks that way, if we aren't remaining in Him. The Psalmist wrote, "Cease striving and know that I am God." I cannot accomplish anything for His kingdom by working hard first, then giving Him my attention 'when I have the time'. Not only am I not too busy each day to do so, but I cannot afford to miss it, if I am to do His will.

Praise God for this powerful reminder! I need first to abide, to dwell, to live in Him, and then the fruit will follow. He will reveal to me what He wants me to accomplish, even as I sit quietly and wait for His instruction, reading and thinking about scripture, praying and asking Him to speak.

How about you? Are you remaining in Him? Do you dwell often in His presence? Are you making excuses not to?

Deep-end-ence

As I drove to the church early yesterday morning, I was feeling pretty tired. We'd had family in town for the weekend, and that meant lots of 'adventures' with our kids and their cousins. Good times, but definitely enough to wear this middle-aged dad out!

In addition to our busy weekend, I had difficulty sleeping on Saturday night, so I headed into work on Sunday morning running on fumes. I began to pray, "Lord, help me; I really need You this morning." Then, I stopped myself short.

See, I realized halfway through my opening sentence that I was about to express a misguided idea that I've carried around for many years. My need of God, my dependence on Him, is not momentary, circumstantial or changing. It's only my perception of that need that shifts.

Now, I realize that God knows my heart and understands my intentions when I pray "I really need You", but those words still belie a way of thinking that I believe I need to change. I ought to be praying every morning, "Lord, help me; I really need You. I need to overcome sin today. I need to face fears. I need to reach out to others. I need to die to myself. I need to do Your will. I need to breathe, to eat, to sleep, and I can do none of those without You."

Realizing this, I'm making it a personal goal to tell God every day how much I depend on Him.

How about you? Have you recognized your need before God today? Maybe you need to do it right now; take a moment and recognize your total and desperate need for Him. You'll be glad you did!

What Is Love?

This week we celebrate Valentine's Day and I think that creates the perfect opportunity for Life Groups to do something special! Here are a couple of ideas:

1. ENCOURAGEMENT TIME - I know I've shared this one before, but it's especially appropriate here. Find an item you can pass around the room, which will designate who is being encouraged at that moment (for fun, make it something Valentine's related, like a heart-shaped pillow, box of candy, etc.) Then give the group a few minutes to share something encouraging or affirming about that person. IMPORTANT: make sure they address the individual, rather than make statements about them to the group (example: Joe, I think you have a great attitude! NOT: I feel that Joe has a great attitude)

2. CARDS OF LOVE - Have each person in your group bring a blank Valentine's Day card, preferably something appropriate for a friend, putting their own name on the envelope. While you fellowship, pass the cards and envelopes around to everyone in the group, allowing time for each person to write something kind or encouraging to the person who brought that card. BONUS OPTION: When all the cards have returned to their owners, have each person select one or two sentiments from inside that they especially liked and share them with the group!

3. PRAYER CHAIN - Just spend time hearing prayer needs and praises from each person individually and then praying for them as a group! Go around the circle and take more time than usual for this if you like - make it the centerpiece of the evening!

4. LOVE IS... Pass out 3x5 index cards to everyone in your group. Then allow time for them all to write on their cards, finishing the statement, "Love Is..." Encourage them to write Bible verses, 'One Another' statements or even Worship song lyrics. down in addition to their own thoughts, then share with the group when you are done.

These are just a few ideas of my own - mix it up, be creative and above all - love one another!

Ministry Update

We've had a very successful round of sign ups in the past four weeks, and I'd like to share the results:

Total number in groups: 158
Number of groups: 14
Percentage of average weekly attendance: 34.5

We are VERY close to reaching our participation goal for the year, and in fact there are two or three groups that still have a fair amount of room to add new people!

Pray for the following:

1. Young couples to join the Medinas group on Tuesdays in Palm Desert. This group offers childcare and is located within a couple of miles of the church!

2. Mid-life folks to join the Andersons group on Mondays in La Quinta. They still have room for about 4 to 6 more people.

3. Ron Rowell is a new leader whom I'm connecting with this week; we will be talking about who his group would best suit, so pray that we can fill it up soon!

God is definitely moving - He deserves all of the praise!