Surrender is not for Whimps

This week we are going to journey into Part 2 of our study of the Lord's Prayer: "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Jesus, Matthew 6) Surrender is a word associated with weakness for the most part. Yet, in relationship with God surrender can release power, energy, focus, ability, and grace. We become a conduit for God to accomplish far more than we might ever dream. When we open our lives and allow God to plant a dream in our heart we unleash a supernatural power to accomplish things we never thought possible. In order to understand the possibilities of this power we need to open ourselves up to the Lord.

What does surrender mean for us? It means releasing control. It is a shift of our attention to what I want, my own selfish ambition, and overemphasis on my will to God's control of my life, time, and resources. It is a handing over to a supernatural ability that God wants to unleash.

Second, it is about leaning to be content. Philippians 4:11-13 says, I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens...I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength... Happiness and success is so tied to personal contentment and trusting that each moment of your day is under the care of "Our Father" - a loving caring, competent, parent who knows us and loves us.

Third, surrender means to set aside my own selfish plans in exchange for God's more successful design. We get caught up with our own little world and we forget that God has a bigger design. God reveals that in prayer we align ourselves to listen to that plan. Prayer is not like a vending machine where we drop a coin and get what we want - it is more like getting aligned with God's plan.

Fourth, surrender involves trusting our future to God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 So most of the time we want to know, predict, be told what our future is going to turn out to be like. Yet, have that does not allow us to fully live in the present. When we trust God with our future we can really live today. We will be studying this more in this weeks podcast at www.bethanylaporte.org

Live Fully Today,

Pastor Dennis

"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do." Henry Ford

It is time to take action. Discipleship has often been compared to taking a walk with the Lord. How are those walking skills working these days? Do you feel spiritually fit? This fall I am launching a discipleship program for six to ten individuals who want to become more spiritually fit. It will be convenient, in depth, and challenging. It will also be something they can do themselves and with others. It is as old as having a spiritual director. Thomas Merton once wrote: Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real Director — the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul. (Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, USA) It is as new as Spiritual Coaching a new form of disciple making.

You can be one of the first to sign up for an eight to twelve week session where you will do independent reading, phone direction and encouragement, and participate in "call-in" classes with others who are taking this walk. Jesus said, Follow me and I will teach you to fish for people. We will learn the importance of community and of personal satisfaction - they are not mutually exclusive. Take advantage of this new program and you will also receive a free gift for starting out. I will share with you how we will approach this process of energizing growth and spiritual development. You will discover new insights and be a part of a Biblically grounded God directed experience. Sign up begins today! Contact me by calling BLC 219-362-3312 or visiting the web site: www.bethanylaporte.org

I will share more insights on this as the weeks progress. Hope your spiritual walks go well this week.

Troubling Decisions?

Many people have told me that they are bothered by the decision of the ELCA National Assembly in August to allow ordination of pastors who are in an active same gender relationships or that the blessing of a same gender union would be allowed. I wish it had not been a national decision that creates a crisis. I wish there would have been a more grass roots effort from which regions or congregations could move the discussion of Scripture and what it says about culture and relationships forward, but here we are. The decision has been made. How will Bethany respond?

First, we will appoint an independent task force to pray, reflect, study, and recommend what the implications of this decision allows us to consider. What are the options? Next, we must not rush to judgment. Each congregation has the right to implement or not implement the ELCA decision. The conundrum for many people is the association with the ELCA when they disagree strongly with the decision. I did not like the Viet Nam War but I did not stop paying taxes and I did not run off to Canada. It was still my country. In fact my country makes lots of decisions that I disagree with but I love it and want to do the best to preserve it. How can we make dissenting voices heard without exiting the church we love?

Take a look at this news story
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4280

Let's study and reflect prayerfully on what the Gospel teaches us about responding to very difficult situations. Pray for me too as a pastor and leader. I want to do my best in leading Bethany through this time.

Next, I will share an exciting opportunity about Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Coaching that you can participate in yourself. This is a self paced discipleship program that I hope will be a new beginning for several people this fall.

Backpacks for Kids

The children in the photo for this blog remind us that every child should experience the joy of having a backpack filled with supplies for their first day of school.



The Bethany family is helping the LP Jaycees in making that experience a reality for many deserving children in LP elementary schools. Over 70 backpacks and the supplies needed to fill them have been donated... by the Bethany family alone! The willingness to give and show and share God's love through that giving by our church family is INCREDIBLE! With God all things are possible! Many needy children and families will learn that and experience God's love in a very practical way at the start of this school year thanks to these donations.



Packing of the Backpacks:

Thursday, August 20 at 6 pm at Bethany

We are still celebrating freedom and independence but it is not independence from God. The Founders never intended that - in fact it is in our DEPENDENCE on God that we become truly independent, free, and forgiven. Part of our effort this year at Bethany has been to celebrate what God has done for us 365 days a year. We want to give back to the community we live in. One way has been to build a home for a needy Veteran or Veterans family. We had a Harley Road King Raffle that brought in the bulk of the funds needed to accomplish this goal. Here are the winners from the Raffle: Sharon Welty of LaPorte (The Harley); John Cowger of Chesterton ($500); Jeff McShane of LaPorte ($500); Bill Frame of Mishawaka ($100); Dave Tipton of Grant Park, IL ($100); Norma Sabie of LaPorte ($100) and Vic Roden of Walkerton ($100). Thanks to all who volunteered time, effort, salesmanship, and so much more on this part of the effort. You can volunteer to donate toward the cause too. We still need to raise $15,000. We also need people to help build the home next summer. We are also accepting applications for needy veterans or veteran's families up until September. So download an applicaton now. We will announce the recipient on Veteran's Day in November.

Harleys - Vets - Vision

You wouldn't think a motorcycle could do this much good. But combine generous people, Habitat for Humanity, Veterans who have served our country, fun, and Jesus and what do you have? Welcome Home Soldier. The days are running out for an ambitious program to build a home for a deserving vet or vet's family. Our goal was to sell 2500 tickets and we could still do that with people responding with excitement and generosity before the fourth of July.
Did I ever think I would be pushing Harley Raffle Tickets on my 30th Ordination Anniversary? No, but I can not think of a more noble cause. My freedom has been paid for - by my Lord on Calvary and by men and women who have put their lives and futures on the line for me to worship and serve my creator. This is only a small token of gratitude. Jesus wants us to find creative ways to reach the lost and spiritually displaced and normally folks don't think of the church crowd as the Harley crowd - but maybe now they will. I have met some great people and had the chance to share what the Lord is doing through Bethany and Habitat on numerous occasions. What a great adventure this has been. Only a few days left but a lifetime of memories. There is still time to help - join us in serving.

Life is a Journey

It is exciting to hear stories that people are telling me of how they are sharing their faith. The wristbands, the Harley Raffle tickets, the Christmas 365 theme are just vehicles to share the story. This year began as a journey of the heart. I wanted to have others join me in really trying to live out the words of the angels at Christmas. Words spoken to the shepherds. They were ordinary men who received an extraordinary message. "We have good news of great joy which shall be for all people." That was the message. Live out the message of Christmas all year was my dream to inspire others to join me on the journey. Now Easter is just past and people are still wishing me "Merry Christmas." Thank you!

The famous picture here of the Road to Emmaus and the walk where Jesus appeared to some disciples who were depressed from the loss of their master is a good reminder to all of us on the journey. After Jesus left them they said to one another, "Didn't our hearts burn when he opened the words of scripture to us?" People feel the warmth of love, generosity, acts of kindess, and caring when you share - when you love - when you live the good news. Believe me, there are plenty of people who will just go to work, or go to school, or go to the gym, or go to some civic group, and live their life trying to be good or do good. That is not what Jesus was teaching. Jesus was teaching a revolutionary way of living. He was teaching his followers to learn to love as God loves. To be the message - to be the good news - to be Him in the way we approached people.

I spoke with a traffic cop the other day in Chicago and said, "Thank you for doing what you are doing. Some of us are really appreciative of the risks you take and the courage you demonstrate to keep us safe." She said to me, "You know, no one ever says that to us. Thank you for saying something." How easy was that?

When Jesus begins to disciple us, we become the change the world needs. Let Jesus meet you on your Emmaus road and talk with you about His love and power to change human life for the better. He wants you to be a part of it.

Also tell your friends to call us at church, stop by B&J Cafe, ReMax, see Norma Sabie at WLOI office, or stop at I Steet Tavern to pick up tickets for the Welcome Home Soldier Raffle and Habitat project. Live the good news, my friends. Be the Good News. Happy Easter Season and, yes, Merry Christmas too.