MAY 2, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

As parents, we know there are moments when we wonder how effectively our parenting is working.  This is really evident when our kids have gone “prodigal” in some way.  Maybe they have run away from home, or they have rejected our values.  Maybe they have even rejected faith in Jesus.

Few things are as disheartening.  But I want to say this to those of us who feel this way: never lose hope!  How can I say that?  Here are a few reasons:

1. God is in control. The Bible is loaded with verses about how God can redirect people’s lives.  Perhaps the most incredible example is Paul’s radical conversion from a Christian hater to a Christian leader (Acts 9:1-19).  Trust Him to be in control of your child’s life and to change them.

2. God still answers prayer. James 5:16 reminds us that effectual and fervent prayer offered by righteous people is powerful.  Keep praying fervently for your children every day.

3. God is at work in us. God never allows us to hurt without something being helpful along with it.  God may be doing all He is doing through our children to help us grow in some critically important way (Romans 8:28-29).

I’m so glad that God is always in charge of life, and He is at work in the lives of those who love Him.  Sometimes that’s the only hope we can cling to.  The good news is that it’s the ultimate hope we need so that we never give up.

Warmly,
Vince

APRIL 25, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

Some things we do as parents should be written in pen and be permanent.  We should always say that honesty is good and lying is wrong.  We should teach that love is the best answer to hate from others.  We should always stand on the fact that God wants a relationship with us, and that it is only offered through faith in Jesus Christ.  I never want to communicate anything different than those truths. 

But there are other things we do as parents that should be written in pencil.  Those are the times we try to do what’s best as parents, but we can’t really be sure they are what’s best.  The good thing about pencils is that they have erasers on the other end.  Make a mistake and all you do is recognize it and then erase it away.  I always want to be humble enough to admit my mistakes.

The best parents have the courage to know when they are parenting in pen and when a pencil is more appropriate.  That’s because we all make mistakes as parents.

That’s a little bit of what I shared last Sunday and I just wanted us to think about this a little deeper, especially in the way we parent children as well as the way we treat others (in a broader sense).  To help you think through this, I thought I’d toss out a few questions for you to consider— with your pen and pencil handy:

1. Are you willing to forgive your parents (or others) for the things they did to you by using your “eraser” to remove their “pencil-like” mistakes against you? Honoring your parents is one of God’s ten commandments, and if you will forgive them (even if they don’t deserve it) God promises to bless your life (Ephesians 6:2-3). 

2. Are you careful about what you write in permanent ink as you teach your children right and wrong? Know what truths you’re willing to die for and what ones you’re not.  Focus your parenting on the former, not the latter.

3. Do you let your kids write with “pencils” and allow them to use their “erasers” when needed? Allow your kids to make safe mistakes and learn from life on their own.  Give them room to try, to succeed, and yes, even to fail.  Give them gradual but controlled measures of independence as they grow up.

Parenting will humble us.  So will relationships with all kinds of people.  The more we stand on what is right (by using our “pens”) and extend grace where we can (by using our “pencils”) with our kids and with others, the more we will be successful in dealing with both.

Warmly,
Vince

APRIL 18, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

This past Tuesday, as we mentioned in services last Sunday, Lakeshore celebrated its 29^th birthday.  I love to tell the story of our very first service.  Looking back, April 16, 1995 was such an amazing day in our history!  

The weather was nice but chilly.  After three practice services the previous Sundays, and after 14,464 direct mailers were sent out to all homeowners 54 years old and younger (I was only 33 years old back then), Lakeshore held its first public service...  In a bar...  At the Marriott hotel...  That held 75 adults comfortably...  The rest had to sit in a booth and watch the service...   Seated sideways (you paid a price for being late back then).  On that day, 112 people showed up and three people became Christians in the somewhat beer-scented bar.  It was an exciting day for our family and many others.  Lakeshore Church was born. 

God has done amazing things since then:

» 795 people have been baptized

» About 1,300 people have professed a first-time faith in Christ

» Just over half of our attenders are involved in serving somewhere in the church

» We’ve given away about $1.3 million dollars to world missions to impact our world for Jesus

We are still just as passionate about reaching people in Rochester as we were 29 years ago!  That’s not the norm for churches, because most gradually turn inward and focus on their own needs.  I am convinced that our best days are still ahead of us.  I hope you are too.

Thank you for your part in helping Lakeshore fulfill God’s mission in the world.  Sue and I thank God for you!  After God, you’re the reason why we’re still helping people discover and develop a growing relationship with Jesus.

And next year, for our 30^th anniversary, we will be celebrating in style with a great event for which plans are already in the works. Save the date: Friday, March 28, 2025!

Happy birthday to you, to us!

Warmly,
Vince