The Thursday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

Being a fantastic father in the world today is hard and our identity is under a severe attack.  With all due respect to the very real challenges that women face, men are facing stiff challenges that we never have before.  Masculinity is under a massive assault everywhere.  Culture increasingly tries to restrict men from leading their family, from acting differently than women through the myth of androgyny, and from doing what God called us to do— namely to protect and provide for our family.

Yes, there are men who have painted a pretty sorry picture of manhood, but there are many men who want what’s best for their family, their community, and the world.  Men who are devoted to Jesus are at the top of the list, and we don’t want to (and even won’t) accept these attacks to our identity.  For those of us in this camp, that’s a good thing.

As we approach Father’s Day on Sunday, we will honor every man in our church during part of our service.  We will also have some special treats for everyone including a Lugia’s Ice Cream truck and some nice classic cars in our back parking lot.  We want to celebrate manhood and fatherhood because our Father in heaven does.

So if you want to be affirmed and built up men, be at church with your family as we celebrate you for who you are as men.

Thanks guys for standing up for manhood and for being great men, fathers, and husbands.  We support and stand with you!

Warmly,

Vince

Lakeshore Friends—

Have you ever had someone tell you something about yourself that came as a total surprise, in a good way?  Maybe they told you that you are a really thoughtful person, and you never “thought” you were.  Perhaps they said that you’re a giving person, and you just assumed everyone was that way.  Or it could be that they told you that you’re such a loving person, and it just overwhelmed you with joy.

It’s pretty amazing to discover something positive about yourself that you didn’t fully realize or appreciate.  It can change how you live for the better and give your life the lift that it needs.

Over the next two Sundays, that’s what we’re going to look at, except that it will not be how others see us, but how God sees us through His eyes.  We will discover 10 things that can transform our identity so powerfully that it can give us the purpose, meaning, and joy for living that God intended from the beginning.

Want to know how God sees every single Christian?  Join us on Sunday and find out!

Warmly,

Vince

Lakeshore friends—

I trust that you all had a reflective and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  It’s hard to imagine where our country would be without the sacrifice made by the men and women of our military. 

Sue and I were in Washington D.C. for a few days to see the red carpet opening of the documentary, “Never Fight Alone.”  It was a great evening to both support Chad Robichaux and his Mighty Oaks Ministry (Chad has been at Lakeshore twice), and to see how they help our veterans adjust to life after the trauma of the battlefield.

I’m really excited to be back this Sunday as we continue our Identity Crisis series looking at how we can be “Mugged By The Mirror.”  We’ll look at four common ways the mirror can “mug” our identity and how we can look beyond the mirror to the biblical truth of God to combat these threats.  In this world where looks too often reign supreme in vain and destructive ways that make all of us feel unworthy in appearance, we’ll go back to God for the truth to overcome it.

Warmly,
Vince