The Thursday Update

MAY 15, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

All of us know what conflict feels like.  It’s really no fun dealing with people whom we disagree with, and who make things difficult to resolve when we do.  Sometimes it’s someone we only know a little bit. Other times, it’s someone we know really well.  Still, other times it’s someone really close to us, maybe even in our own family.  Yes, and sometimes we're the one making things more difficult than they need to be in our conflict.

We all dislike conflict.  The sad truth, however, is that we will never be able to avoid conflict in our lives.  About the time we work through one conflict, another one is lurking around the corner.  That’s because of that ever-present, thorny issue we call sin.  Yet, while we can never avoid conflict, we can learn skills to minimize it to the lowest possible level in our lives, whatever level that may be.  The Apostle Paul talks about that in Philippians 1:27-2:5, the passage I'll teach through on Sunday.  I think you’ll find this to be a really helpful passage.  In fact, this series has been just what God has for our church in this season, if what I am hearing from people is accurate.  I think it is.

Almost as if God ordained it, we will also host one of our supported missionaries from India, Naveen Paul, during both services.  He will share what his ministry in India has been like, including the conflict and even persecution he has faced from those who oppose the gospel. We supported his father, Rufus, as one of our first missionaries just after Lakeshore began in 1995. Naveen's visit will add an element of reality to the message and help you get to know one of the longstanding missionaries we support as a church.

I encourage you to invite friends and family who need some help with conflict minimization in their life to join you on Sunday.  I love how so many of you are doing that, and introducing me to those who join you at church.

Keep using your card holder to hand out invites, and remind yourself of the lessons on finding joy in life with the intention cards you get each week.

Warmly,
Vince