The Thursday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

Is there anything better than warm days in May?  It is so exciting to get a taste of the new life in the air.  People are nicer (okay, a tiny bit nicer in some cases), are in a better mood (okay, most people), and all we have to look forward to is more warm weather for at least a few months.

When it comes to our identity, we can experience that same excitement when we learn how to base our identity in the God who loves us more than we have or could love ourselves— Jesus Christ!  He is a warm, sunny, May day every day in our lives; and he makes us nicer, better, and excited about the future.

So as you enjoy the weather, remember that God can do the same for your identity issues, so that you win over every crisis you face.

Warmly,

Vince

Lakeshore friends—

Being in ministry has its highs and its lows.  Sunday comes every seven days (whether you’re ready or not), and at times it can be a grind to do all that we do to prepare for each week.  Don’t misunderstand, the staff love what we do, but like any job it can require a lot out of us.  That can be tiring.

But there is one thing that I never get tired of: life change!

Other than trying to bring more glory to God, seeing people changed by Him is what fuels me more than anything else.  Seeing a person grasp the grace of God extended through the sacrifice made by His Son Jesus Christ is what gets me out of bed each day.  Seeing them then grow and use their time as they attend church each week, their talents as they serve on a ministry team, and their treasure as they discover the true joy in giving to God is equally as energizing.

This Sunday, 11 people will be getting baptized to demonstrate their new changed lives in Christ.  It will be an energizing service for anyone who loves seeing lives changed like we do.

So if you’re like me and never get tired of lives changing, you’ll be filled up this Sunday!

Warmly,
Vince

Lakeshore friends—

On Sunday, we will celebrate Mother’s Day.  Our heart at Lakeshore, and my heart as an individual, is to simply say, “Thank you mom!” to all of you.

This will be the second Mother’s Day in my life that I will be without my mother, but I constantly think about all that she did for me as I grew up.  She helped me discern right and wrong.  She worked really hard to provide for our family.  She attended as many of my wrestling matches in High School as she could.  And she always told me that the happiest day of her life was the day I was born (which always made me wonder what she told my brother.  Hmm…).

I’m not sure how close or distant you are from your mom (whether physically or relationally) but I hope that you will thank God for everything that you can for her.  And that you will also thank her if you can.  And even more so if she is a woman whose faith in Jesus guided her.

Thank you ladies for the great and important role that you play in our lives and in our world.  We love you!