JANUARY 2, 2025

Lakeshore Friends—

Happy New Year to you all! With the new year, it’s really common for people to do two things:

First, we assess the past year. Like a highlight video, we recall things that happened in 2024, both good and bad, and learn lessons from both. The other thing we tend to do is get ambitious with new goals for the new year. We dream about how things could be over what things are like right now. It could be related to our relationships, family life, finances, physical fitness, spiritual growth, or walk with God. We long for things to be better in the year ahead.

In a phrase, we yearn to “take new territory” in some areas of our life where we really want to see progress.

That’s what we began talking about last Sunday in our new series, “Taking New Territory.” Based on Numbers 13-14, we looked at God’s offer to give Israel His beautiful and prosperous promised land. Most of the people were too afraid to enter into this land, while Joshua and Caleb were too excited to not enter it. From this contrast, we looked at four things successful people do that unsuccessful people don’t, can’t, or won’t do. If you missed it, watch it here.

We’ll continue this series on Sunday because we want to help you take new territory in your life this year. Do you want to see that happen in your life? If so, join us on Sunday and get your new year started on the right foot.

Warmly,
Vince

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

What have we done with Jesus at Christmas?

When we look around, we rarely see Him anywhere. Most home decorations don’t include Him, but they do include other characters like Santa, reindeer, the Grinch, and snowmen. Lots of conversations exclude Him, but we hear a lot about having a happy holiday instead of Merry Christmas. News shows talk a lot about shopping and sales numbers, but not much about the real reason for the season (which isn’t really about money). I could go on and on, but I think you would agree that Jesus has been lost in all the activity. God’s Son has been pushed aside for cheap substitutes.

As I said on Sunday, if one of those mysterious drones flying around our airspace was to land on earth and some intelligent life walked out of it and tried to figure out what all they observed was all about, it’s unlikely they would conclude that it was all a reflection and celebration of the birth of the God who became man, Jesus Christ. There’s just so little around us to indicate what Christmas is truly all about.

That’s where we come into play. God calls us to “be Jesus” to the people we engage with. We can help them see Him, and the Christmas season is one of the best times to do it.

I hope you’ll help others see Jesus through how you live and what you share with them. One of the opportunities you have available right now is to invite friends and family to church on Sunday and Christmas Eve. People need Him and we can help them see the Jesus that so few people really think much about.

What will you do with Jesus at Christmas?

Warmly,
Vince

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

We’re in the Christmas season.  Lights are all around us, parties are being planned, gifts are being purchased, and despite all the activities surrounding Christmas, so little of it is actually focused on what Christmas actually is or really means.  I wish it weren’t true, but it is.

Many people know some of the basic facts surrounding Christmas, even if for some it's a limited knowledge at best.  We know that it was the day that Jesus was born, that He was laid in a manger because there was no other place for Him to lay, it was in the winter, and Mary and Joseph were His parents.  What many don’t know or fail to appreciate about Christmas is a deeper understanding of this incredible, history-changing event and all that was involved with it. 

What a mystery that Jesus would leave heaven and come to earth in the miraculous and unusual way that He did! 

In this new series, The Mystery of Christmas, we'll explore some of the more incredibly mysterious and fascinating aspects of Christ’s arrival at Christmas, including the mystery of how God became a man, the mystery of what He has done and will do in the future, and the mystery of His choice of time in coming to earth over 2,000 years ago during the winter of 5/4 B.C. 

"What a mystery that Jesus would leave heaven and come to earth..."

Our goal is to help everyone go beyond a casual appreciation of Christmas so we can help you enjoy the birth of Jesus in a deeper and more significant way.

This is a great time to invite friends and family to join you!  I hope you’ll invite as many people as you can; don't underestimate what God can do through a simple invitation this Christmas.

Warmly,
Vince