JUNE 1, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

Have you noticed how we live in an age of rage?  Nationally, in place of logical discussions and civil debate, we now often experience irrational yelling and violent outbursts between people who disagree.  Locally, when we drive our cars, we can sometimes see and feel anger in the form of road rage when we do something another driver doesn’t like.  Personally, at work, in our neighborhood, or even at home, we may experience someone’s wrath when things don’t go how they want.

Yes, sometimes we can even be the one who expresses anger in these situations. 

Anger is a confusing subject where people have misconceptions about what it is and how it works.  What is anger?  What can we do to learn to manage our anger and respond to the anger of others?  Is anger always bad?  How can we control it?  How and when should we express it?  We’ll answer these questions and more in our new series, Anger Management. We'll survey the over 200 verses in the Bible on this timely subject.

We’ll also celebrate 13 baptisms on Sunday, something no one should be angry about!

This should be a fun Sunday!  With warmer weather ahead, it’s a great time to invite friends, family, and coworkers to join you this Sunday.  I think they’ll be glad they came if you do.

Warmly,
Vince

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