The Thursday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

When it comes to love, sex and romance, the cultural norms have made a very significant shift in our country over the past 60 years.  You could even say a radical shift has taken place in just a few short years.

The “make love, not war” movement of the hippie era in the 1960’s began a tidal wave of so called “free sex” where people connected in very prematurely intimate ways.  Marriage was no longer the standard for determining when people made intimate, physical connections.  The trend has only gotten stronger since then.  So, what has that produced?  10 million single-parent homes (24% or about 1 in 4) in America with over 80% led by single mothers.  And fewer than half of all homes in America (47%) were headed up by a married couple, down from 66% of all homes just 50 years ago.

This is not a knock on people who are in these household circumstances because we don’t know why anyone is in this situation.  Neither are we trying to judge anyone here because there may be reasons beyond their control for some people.  Rather, this is a warning of what can happen when we don’t engage in love and romance in God’s biblically ordained way.

So, what’s the solution?  It starts with our proper understanding of love, sex and romance from the God who created them.  And it ends with living by them faithfully.

We’re beginning a new series on Sunday called, “Love, Sex And Romance” where we will look at:

--A biblical framework for finding the right person in your life to date and marry (this Sunday!).

--How to know the difference between true love and temporary infatuation.

--Learning how to sort out the difference between love and sex, and why it makes a difference. 

The ways of our culture and the world have failed many people, leaving increasing numbers of people hurting and lacking in the kind of abundant life that God intended for them to live.  We need to come back to the pattern God established for love, sex and romance if we want to find the satisfaction that God promises us.

No matter your situation in life, this series will help you live with the opposite sex— from singleness to long-time married couples— in amazing ways.

Warmly,

Vince