The Wednesday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

Research shows that an overwhelming majority of people believe in prayer.  In fact, about 85% of Americans believe in some form of prayer and 44% pray every day.  We humans seem to know in our heart that there is something more to this life than what we can see.  Sadly, not everyone who prays actually prays to the one true God of the Bible.

For those who do pray to God, we know that God wants us to pray.  He asks us to tell Him what’s on our hearts.  He invites us to ask for anything according to His will so that He can answer us.  He even tells us that the fervent prayers of righteous people can accomplish much!

If that is the case, then why doesn’t He answer all of our prayers?  Why doesn’t God do the things we ask, which seem so good to us as we pray, but which go undone?  It can be confusing at best and even deeply discouraging at worst.  People today have shared with me how God didn’t answer their prayers and as a result they no longer believe in Him.  How unfortunate!

Why does God answer some of our prayers and not other ones?  We’ll look at that on Sunday as we continue our, “Can You Relate?” series by looking at this important relationship we have with God through prayer.

Invite people you know who could use some help on this topic.  We’ll do our best to help them and you.

Warmly,

Vince

Lakeshore Friends—

In our Sunday series in 1 Thessalonians, “Can You Relate?”, we’ve learned how great relationships are formed, how they go deeper, and how they avoid potential landmines from the incredible relationship that the Apostle Paul had with the Christians at Thessalonica.  These lessons have helped me grow in my relational abilities with others and I hope they are doing the same for you.

As these first three weeks have progressed and built on each other, they raise an important question: how do we know that we have worked to develop a great relationship with someone?  The kind of relationship that really is going deeper,  the kind of relationship where you can be confident that your closeness is real and not just temporary?  The kind of relationship that can weather the storms of life?

The answer is found in the lessons we will look at on Sunday in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8.  Without giving you the outline in this post, let me share the big picture answer: every great relationship that truly is going deeper will pass the tough tests it faces.  In fact, the very tests that actually work to build beautiful relational depth are like a caterpillar who works to escape its cocoon and become a beautiful butterfly.  Tests let us know where we stand in life, and it’s all the more true when it comes to relational tests.

I hope you will be here on Sunday as I share the five tests that Paul and the Thessalonians passed and how they can help us assess our own relationships.

Warmly,

Vince

Lakeshore Friends—

This is Jill, your friendly Children’s Director, coming to you this week. Pastor Vince is letting me hijack his usual blog spot. I wanted to do so for a very special reason. Back in August, you all completely surprised me by celebrating my 20^th Anniversary as Lakeshore’s Children’s Director. I was deeply touched by your recognition and your very kind words.

Twenty years is a long time; it has passed by in the blink of an eye. There are more memories than I could ever count- multiple locations (yes, I was part of those “build a church every Sunday” days), thousands of lessons planned and prepared, hundreds of teammates over the years – so many who became and remain dear friends, and the kids... every single one of them. Watching kids grow in their faith from infancy to young adulthood has been a tremendous joy in my life. Walking through devastating circumstances with kids and their families has allowed me to see God working in the incredible ways only He can. Getting to experience Lakeshore’s growth over the years has continually grown my own faith as well. 

And then, last week, I received a check from my Lakeshore family. I knew it was coming (my hearing is still pretty good) but I could not have imagined the very generous amount! And yet, why am I surprised?! I’ve been doing life with so many of you for so long. I’ve experienced your love, kindness, and generosity for years. With all of my heart, I’m saying THANK YOU for blessing me so generously and I’m thanking our God for allowing me to be in this place at this time.

While I cherish every memory behind us, I am just as excited to see what God has in store for the generations of children and families still to come.

Looking forward to seeing what God will do through all of us together,

Jill