MAY 25, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

This Sunday, as we celebrate and remember those who have given their lives for all of us in service to our country, we’re going to wrap up our Marriage Matters series by looking at the three most challenging issues married couples face.  These three challenges can sometimes become so significant that it causes some people who are married to ask, “Did I marry the wrong person?”

It happens in most marriages at some point, to some degree, in some unique ways.  The real issue is how we handle these challenging times and who we look to for help.  I’ve seen people handle it well and have a great marriage as a result.  In fact, it can even be a turning point that creates an even stronger marriage than if it had never happened, just like Romans 8:28 tells us.  Unfortunately, I’ve seen people ignore or just pretend there is no problem only to find out that their marriage is on life-support.  Left unchecked, their marriage is likely to end in divorce.  It’s one of the biggest tragedies to witness when it does.

The good news is that God is greater than all of our problems, including marriage problems.  When both spouses fight for their marriage and seek God for His help and wisdom, they can find strength and resolve.  So much so, they can change their situation to the point that they now declare, “I KNOW I married the right person!”

I hope you’ll be here to learn what these three challenges are and how God can help you overcome them.

Warmly,
Vince

MAY 18, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

Marriages are a lot like a race.  It takes a lot of work to finish them well and to reach the end of it on top.  But what kind of race would best describe marriage? 

I don’t think that it’s best characterized by a 100-meter sprint.  I think the better way to think of it is as a full marathon— one loaded with many ups and downs, twists and turns, and one that requires endurance and perseverance to complete.  If you want to have one of these “Marathon Marriages”, it will take two people willing to “go the extra mile” to reach the finish line victorious.

So what does it take to have a marriage like this?  Well, just like a long race requires different strategies throughout its duration, marriages that last will require at least four critical “training techniques” that begin even before marriage occurs and continue throughout your marriage until the very end.  We’ll share these four on Sunday as we continue our Marriage Matters series.

"...THE BETTER WAY TO THINK OF IT IS AS A FULL MARATHON— ONE LOADED WITH MANY UPS AND DOWNS, TWISTS AND TURNS..."

I realize that marriage is not easy and not everyone has had one (or has one) that has turned out as hoped for.  It can really hurt.  We live in a fallen world.  My aim is to simply help everyone regardless of if they will be married, are married, or were married to see what God tells us we should do in all of these stages.

We appreciate you all more than you know!  And please know that no matter what stage of life you’re in, all of us at Lakeshore are cheering you on in your pursuit of Jesus and His will for your life in marriage and in singleness.

Warmly,
Vince

MAY 11, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and we can’t wait to spoil all the women on Sunday with a service that we hope will be a high point in your day.  After all, you deserve it!

Motherhood is a hard endeavor.  Carrying each child in your body for three-quarters of a year, giving birth to them, recovering all while feeding them at all hours of the day, and then spending 216 months of your life building into them is a difficult and strenuous task!  And no one can do it with the tenderness and thoroughness like our mothers.

While being a mom is hard, the rewards are as amazing as virtually any other endeavor.  You get to build into children so that they love God, love people, contribute to society, and glorify God as His image bearers.  Can you think of any accomplishment that is greater than this?  I can’t.

I also realize that Mother’s Day isn’t the same for everyone.  Maybe your mother is no longer here, or your relationship with her was not the best, or something else causes you to see this day as something less than a banner day.  If that’s you, you’re not alone.  There are others who feel this way.

We’re here to help.  More importantly, God is available to help.  He is an ever-present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1).

Regardless of if you are a mother, will be a mother, or were just born to one, we hope to start your day off right on Sunday.

Warmly,
Vince