Monday, July 27, 2015

A HAPPY FAMILY

        Our son was married this past Saturday in a joyful, busy and loving week filled with friends and relatives, food and activities that left us and many others weary but happy. Brian and Kersta were classmates but barely knew each other in high school. They met again at their 20th Class Reunion and met a third time via Facebook to begin the romance that brought them to the altar. There 150 friends and family heard them speak their vows to each other on a lovely summer morning.
        Brian asked that I be his Best Man, something a father rarely is asked to do. Officiating for their ceremony was another cherished honor. The women of Epiphany Lutheran labored for days to give us a fine reception. Brian and Kersta are committed Christians and both know that good spouses can make each other better.
        Brian’s brother and his family were there and took part in the wedding. Kersta’s two children now raises the number of our grandchildren to five. Grandpa and Grandma Tasler are happy people today. We know the meaning of Psalm 127:3: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.”
        Pastors are often privileged to preside over their children’s baptisms, confirmations and weddings, and if God grants, those of their grandchildren, too. Being surrounded by fellow believers raises these ordinary events into the extraordinary. I wish everyone could know the exceptional blessings of being a Believer. You cannot buy, borrow or earn what Jesus freely offers us by faith in Him. The love of God knits one’s whole life together.

May you all know the peace of God through faith in Jesus.

Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com

Sunday, July 19, 2015

I'LL FLY AWAY!

        Last week I visited a pastor friend and his wife in Texas. The trip from Denver to Dallas-Ft. Worth was great. After the scheduled layover at DFW, we boarded a small CJR 200 jet ("flying hotdog") to finish the trip as planned. Only it didn't quite go as planned.
        The first plane kept us sweating in the gate an hour and a half before the pilot said air conditioning problems forced a change of planes. A long while later we boarded another CJR 200, and after finding and loading luggage, we departed. Twenty minutes into the flight the pilot announced apologetically that a "malfunctioning auto-pilot" forced us to turn back. The half dozen emergency vehicles, lights a-flashing, that followed us to the gate made me wonder what the real problem was.
        At 10:00 PM and with no other flights to San Angelo, we waited patiently until they brought us a third plane of the same variety. After another wait to locate and load luggage, we backed out of the gate, sat there a half hour, and then pulled back into the gate. The pilot announced more unnamed problems was canceling the flight. By then some of us were on a first name basis with other passengers and had all but exchanged phone numbers.
        The desk scheduled us on a flight the next morning and gave us vouchers to a very nice Fairfield Inn for the night where we checked in at midnight. I slept like a log. The next morning we boarded a fourth CJF 200 and quickly flew to San Angelo. As we landed I noticed at least thirty identical planes in mothballs nearby parked like little red, white and blue toys. I joked loudly maybe those were left from other cancelled flights. No one laughed.
        After a lovely but all-too-short visit, I was pleased to return to DIA the next day at midnight. I was very civil in my email to the airline, but I am unsure how or if I will use the Courtesy Voucher they sent me.
        Lessons learned? 1) Sometimes after years with no problems, they all come at once. 2) Good pilots don't take off when they're unsure if the plane will fly. And finally, 3) God was watching over us, so why gripe? There are other airlines to fly.

“Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away. (Psalm 55:6)

Rev. Bob Tasler
ww.bobtasler.com

Monday, July 13, 2015

REMEMBERING DAYS OF YOUTH

       After several decades of happy marriage, a man realized he had never shown his wife the old farm in another state where he grew up. So they planned a summer road trip that included a drive past the old place.
        During the trip he described to her the old house and barn as well as the garden his mother tended, the orchard and huge trees around the north and west sides of the farmstead. He also told her of the views of the surrounding farms, and the stream that flowed under a bridge through a corner of their land where he had often fished and swam.
        Imagine, then, the man's shock when they rounded a corner by the old home place and found everything was gone! The house, buildings, trees, garden and even the farmyard were nowhere in sight. In fact, over that entire place the new owners had planted a field of corn.
        Disheartened, the man drove to the old lane, now an just approach into the cornfield, and got out to look. Realizing his emotions his wife said, "Look, there's the stream and the bridge." Yes, they were still there, as well as a neighbor's farm and the open view to the north. He also saw a familiar clump of trees in the old pasture, now a field of soy beans. And to the west was the familiar grove of trees of another neighbor. "I still dream about this," he said, "the house, barn and windmill." The farmstead was gone, but the stream was still there, and the view around his home was still stunning.
        "In my dream I see the house and the barn and sometimes even hear my parents talking in the kitchen as she baked fresh bread." His wife listened patiently as the man described his happy youth, his godly parents and his family life there on a road past the old home of his memory.
        Disappointment can almost shatter our lives until we realize there is something greater than the memories of our youth. In Psalm 77, the writer speaks of a difficult time when he felt overwhelmed with memories. But in the midst of his emotions he shifted his focus and said, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." (Psalm 77:11-12)
        In dealing with disappointment, we can either focus on our loss or on God Himself. The Lord invites us to look to Him and see His eternal presence in our lives, a presence and love that encompasses all of life, including the days of youth and the joys of present life.

Remembering God's goodness helps keep our hope alive today.

Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

THE HELP WE NEED EACH DAY

      Most of us awake each morning with a plan of what we wish to do. But first we start with a certain ritual that will includes washing, dressing and making our bodies ready for the day. Women will put on make-up and men will shave. We may include time for some exercise, reading the paper and hopefully having coffee with a little breakfast. Then we grab our wallet or purse, start up the car, and out we go to face the day ahead!
        Most of this shows we cannot get along without having some help. We clothe ourselves for modesty and warmth. We eat for bodily nourishment and groom ourselves so we appear suitable to others. Some add things to help us get by for the day: glasses for seeing, aids for our hearing and pills to make sure our body is healthy and strong. We take a wallet or purse for money, ID cards and essentials, including a cell phone to keep connected with loved ones.
        The days are long past when we woke up, left our cave, and went looking for food to kill, but maybe the ritual is similar. We are not self-sufficient; we will always need some things to help us through each day. Even the caveman needed a club to kill his food. Since the beginning of time, people have known they cannot live in isolation. We need companionship and the support of others.
        People also seek help from God. Of the seven billion people in the world, three-fourths of us acknowledge the existence of God. We know in our hearts the world and universe did not happen by chance, so we seek help from the One who is greater than ourselves.
        As Christians, we believe that One to be the God of the Bible, the Creator Father, the Redeemer Son and the Holy Spirit who gives faith. He is the one true God who cares for His creation and wants His creatures to depend on Him. There is nothing weak about trusting God and praying to Him. Folded hands and bowed heads are a far greater sign of strength then self-reliant heads held high.

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name.” (Psalm 8:1)
(From my new daily devotional, DAY BY DAY WITH JESUS)
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com