Monday, December 24, 2018

THE GOOD INKEEPER

(From my Day By Day With Jesus, Dec. 24 devotion)
        Grace Ditmanson Adams is a retired nurse who wrote an interesting little work titled, “ASK Childhood Experience and Health.” ASK stands for American School Kikungshan, which was one of the major schools for foreign children in China and which was especially well-attended by children of American Lutheran missionaries in central China. The school operated between 1914 and 1951.
         As a young girl Grace travelled with her parents in the late 1920s through inland China. She wrote about the crowded conditions in some of the places they stayed overnight. They were very unhealthy accommodations filled with people coughing, sneezing and smoking. Additionally, babies were crying and children complaining, so her family had to be content to put their bedrolls on the board beds in a large room with all the rest of the people.
        One very snowy night they came to an inn that was full. The innkeeper expressed regret of having no room, but then said, “Please, follow me.” He led them to a side room used to store straw and farm equipment, and there they slept peacefully in a quiet place of their own.
        Nurse Adams later wrote that whenever she read about Mary bringing forth her firstborn son and wrapping Him in clothes and placing Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn, she saw the experience quite differently. The innkeeper was not uncaring, and having a place in the inn would have been a much poorer accommodation, especially if Mary had given birth there. The privacy they had in the stable was surely far better than the crowded inn would have been.
        Inns at that time were often segregated, one for men and one for women. Knowing of her coming delivery, Joseph could not have allowed Mary to stay in such a place. Even though it was among animals, God provided for them a far better place. We, too, would do well to see how He provides for us in better ways than we might think.

“She laid him in a manger, because the inn was full.” (Luke 2:7)

A very merry and blessed Christmas to you all,

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, December 17, 2018

SINGING CAROLS AT CHRISTMAS


        Last night my wife and I joined a dozen of our friends to sing Christmas Carols at two dozen homes in our park where we’d been told people might need cheering up. Caroling is something I’ve done over sixty years, and it’s always been enjoyable.
        God’s people developed the Christmas festival during the Middle Ages as a reminder of His great gift to us in the Christchild, and they chose December 25, replacing the pagan festival of Saturnalia which also featured evergreens and gifts, parties and singing.
        Christians have sung God’s praises since the First Century and have written songs of His son’s birth since the Seventh century. English Christmas Carols appeared around the Twelfth Century and have captivated the hearts both singers and listeners ever since.
        Last night we sang the first verse of 3-4 carols at each home, concluding with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and heading off to the next. Sometimes we’ve given Christmas sweets, but if there are many places to visit, we keep moving till we’ve stopped at each one.
        Due to our long list, last night we divided into two groups, visiting 12-16 homes each and riding in golf carts. Singers may also walk or ride in cars, and one memorable year we rode around town on a decorated flatbed pulled by a team of Clydesdales. The frost on the trees that afternoon made the event magical.
        Caroling is done to bring Christmas joy to those who listen, as well as to those who sing. Psalm 96:1 says, “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.” The quality of our singing doesn’t matter. The point of it all is to share God’s message of forgiveness and love. If you have a chance to sing Christmas carols to others this year, join in. You’ll be glad you did.

“For this I will sing praises to Your name, Oh Lord.” (2 Sam. 22:50)

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, December 10, 2018

CEILING AND VIEW UNLIMITED


        Death has a way of stopping things. It stops a life, of course, but it also stops the normalcy of life by creating a pause in the activities of the living. When President George H. W. Bush died last week, most Americans briefly paused their planning and pandering, their business and bickering, to pay respects to a fine former leader. When the funeral was over, politicians, pundits and ordinary people were quick to return to their normal pursuits. Life doesn’t stop, it’s only changed.
        Life may seem normal, but it’s a new normal. Individuals and families may adjust schedules for a time, but soon they are going about life as before, though in their hearts they are not the same. 
        Most older Christians have considered their own passing, the effects it will make on those we leave behind and the future that will be for ourselves. Believers in Jesus know that all of life is in God’s hands, and we trust each day will have its new morning and fresh horizon to view.
        During the Bush memorial service at the National Cathedral, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney told of visiting Pres. Bush and seeing a sign by his house with four letters on it - C.A.V.U., which Bush said meant “CEILING AND VIEW UNLIMITED”. It meant perfect flying weather was ahead. With Jesus as Lord, it is possible to have C.A.V.U. each day. By giving His life for us, Jesus promised new life with Him as we live each day into eternity. By trusting Him, His new life is ours.
         In John 5:24, Jesus told His disciples (and us), “Whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life.” Death may seem to stop things, but not the one thing we need most - God's love for us in Jesus. Faith in Jesus takes us from this life into an eternity in the presence of God.Jesus takes us from this life into an eternity in the presence of God.

“CEILING AND VIEW UNLIMITED” is ours through Jesus.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Sunday, December 2, 2018

WHATEVER!


        While shopping, an older couple encountered some young adults in a store engaged in loud banter that included profanity. The older man stopped and said to them, “Nice that you are having a good time, but please watch your language. I am sure others wish you’d not use such words.”  A young man looked at him and said, “Whatever, old man, whatever!”
        “Whatever” has usually meant a lack of restriction (i.e. “Take whatever is needed”), but it can also be a response of irritation or reluctance to change. Today it’s also a word of indifference or exasperation (“Whatever, old man, whatever!”) Then it’s meant to push back and contradict what has been said. 
        I’ve even seen this word on a bumper stickers. Years ago I first heard “whatever” mumbled by a youth in my classroom. While it’s usually meant to stop discussion, in that student’s case he discovered the discussion had only begun.
        But this is not at all what Apostle Paul had in mind in his letter to the Philippians. “Finally, brothers, WHATEVER is true, WHATEVER is honorable, WHATEVER is just, WHATEVER is pure, WHATEVER is lovely, WHATEVER is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8) 
        Paul was urging Christians to be respectful and helpful since what is said reflects directly on how others perceive us. He urges us to rejoice in the Lord and show respect to others. While we may feel justified at being angered or offended by what we hear or see around us, Paul urges an honorable and prudent response.
        There is much anger blazing around in our world today, with so much useless talk. Whether privately or publicly, people feel they have a right to say anything and get offended by the least inappropriate word, even making threats if they don’t get their way. 
        Satan loves it when we fight each other and use our tongues to light fires that burn and destroy. But God’s Word urges us to speak and think on WHATEVER is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely or commendable. 
        We are all sinful, as our conversation certainly shows. But our Lord Jesus has forgiven us with His death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit will give us strength to change our anger into respect and encouragement. 

That’s why Paul says, “Think about these things…”

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Sunday, November 25, 2018

HOW TO HELP THOSE IN THE FIRE


        This time of year I usually tell you of an urgent need to which you can contribute your helping funds. We all know of the terrible “Camp Fire” in California which has burned 150,000 acres, consuming nearly 14,000 structures and killing at least 85 persons. We praise God the fire has now been contained, and I urge your help for its many victims.
        The fire’s devastation includes at least one Lutheran church. Rev. Brandon Merrick, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Paradise, CA, reports the total loss of both the church building where he serves and its parsonage where he and his family live. Amazingly, the church’s front cross still stands tall in the midst of the ashes. Seeing it, Pastor Merrick wrote his members: 
        “This fire is a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen to the things and people of this world, but the cross shows our one true hope in the midst of tragedy that cannot be destroyed by anything. God is with us. He wants nothing more for us than to see Him through the cross where He draws us to the only place His mercy and forgiveness are found. In the cross we see both the ultimate consequence of our sin and death, and the new life we have with Jesus.”  
        Our prayers and gifts are needed for both God’s House and Pastor’s Home to be speedily rebuilt. Our prayers are also sought that people will turn to Jesus for comfort, assurance and hope in this tragedy. May those who are serving there see Jesus and His cross amid the work left to be done. 
        Our Savior Lutheran Church is part of the Cal-Nevada-Hawaii District. You can donate to help them rebuild, because insurance never covers it all. Consider giving your gift now at: http://www.cnh-lcms.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=428790. Or you may send your gift check to CNH Disaster Relief, 2772 Constitution Drive, Suite A, Livermore, CA, 94551. God bless you for your kindness.

May God richly grant His blessings on all those who suffer loss in this fire.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, November 19, 2018

HOW TO BE REALLY THANKFUL


        Have you ever wondered why you are so greatly blessed? With Thanksgiving Day coming up, I’ve been wondering how best a person can show thankfulness. I’ve heard it said we could divide all Americans into three groups, based on how they show their thankfulness. 
        1. The first group rarely if ever, say thanks, and if they do, it’s just a formality. To them, Thanksgiving Day is little more than ‘Turkey Day.’
        2. The second group says thank you and knows it’s the right thing to do. Thanksgiving Day for them is a time to remember blessings, give thanks for them and share them with others.
        3. The third group of people is genuinely thankful because it is a part of their character because they know they are are unworthy of all their blessings. Thanksgiving Day is a time to praise God for what they have and try to live their thankfulness each day.
         Giving God thanks should be more than mere action or words. It can be a lifestyle, a grateful attitude of the heart that expresses genuine thankfulness for blessings received. A Bible lesson often heard on Thanksgiving Day is from Luke 17 about the Ten Lepers Jesus healed. It goes like this: 
        Traveling through southern Galilee, Jesus encounters ten persons considered untouchable due to their disease who ask for His help. Jesus has compassion but doesn’t touch or heal them on the spot. Rather, He tells them to go see the priests, which they all do. As they go, they realize they are healed and run quickly to get a clean bill of health. 
        But one first turns to thank Jesus and praise God for his healing. Jesus asks a question that might also be our own: Where the others? Why didn’t they also thank Him right away? Why did only this fellow do it? Perhaps because he, a Samaritan, recognized his unworthiness. He was doubly untouchable, a religious and a social outcast in the same person, but he'd been healed- Praise God!
        Jesus owed this man nothing, yet He gave him great blessings, physical and spiritual healing. The Samaritans felt God cared little for them, but this man knew God did. King David felt the same kind of unworthiness as he sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, Oh Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?” (2 Samuel 7:18) God genuinely loves us and that’s enough to merit our heartfelt thanks.

May we also realize we are unworthy for all the blessings God gives us.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, November 12, 2018

SHE GAVE HER MOST PRIZED POSSESSION


        At Sunday worship yesterday, we heard again the beloved story of the Widow's Mite in which Jesus told His disciples the significance of the poor woman’s gift gave as she entered the Temple. “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4)
        Yesterday, November 11, 2018, was also the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, so it is time to hear how another woman, Mary Babnik Brown (1907–1991), gave a significant gift to her country in wartime. A daughter of Slovenian descent living in Pueblo, Colorado, Brown had left school at age 12 to help support her family. At age 13 was hired at the National Broom Factory at 75 cents a day, and she worked there for the next 42 years.
         In 1943, this 37 year-old housewife saw a newspaper advertisement looking for blond hair at least 22 inches long which had never been treated with chemicals or hot irons. As her most prized possession, Brown’s hair had never been cut. It measured 34 inches and was worn in a braid wrapped on top of her head. She was known as the “Lady With the Crown.” 
        The government offered to buy her hair with war stamps, but seeing it as her duty to help the war effort, she took no payment. Losing her hair was traumatic, but she adjusted with help from her supportive family and friends. Brown remained a lifelong Pueblo resident, active in society, politics and Colorado's State Federation of Labor. 
        Mary Babnik Brown had no idea how her hair had been used until 1987 when President Ronald Reagan wrote to thank on her 80th birthday, and revealed to her its use. A highly secret military program had used her hair to make crosshairs inside Norden bombsights used in the highly successful B-24, B-29 and B-17 aircraft. Her gift had helped win World War Two. In 1991, Brown received a special achievement award at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. She died later that year.
        Our Lord gave His supreme sacrifice for us on Calvary’s cross. His death and resurrection won the war against the evils of Satan. Evil may still seem to prevail in our world, but it cannot separate us from the love of God which is ours in Christ Jesus our Savior.

Thank you Mary, and all who have served to give us our freedoms

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, November 5, 2018

REASONS WHY I'VE QUIT ATTENDING SPORTING EVENTS


1.  The Coach never came to visit me.
2.  Every time I went, they asked for money.
3.  The people sitting in my row didn’t seem very friendly.
4.  The seats were hard.
5.  The referees made decisions I didn’t agree with.
6.  I was sitting with hypocrites - they only came to see what others were wearing.
7.  Some games went into overtime and I was late getting home.
8.  The band played songs I’d never heard before.
9.  The games are scheduled on my only day to sleep in and run errands.
10.  My parents took me to to too many games when I was growing up.
11.  I’ve read a book on sports, so I feel I know as much or more then the coaches.
12.  I don’t take my children because I want them to choose the sport they like best.
Do you suppose we could use this list for other reasons?  (At least this isn’t about the midterm elections.)

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! (Psalm 95:6) 

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 29, 2018

THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE


        In just over a week America will complete its long-awaited midterm elections. It’s the time when citizens choose some of their leaders from among candidates who have made promises to make life better for everyone. It’s also being called the most important election EVER! So we must all vote CORRECTLY so those we elect can make things better!
        However, having come off a week of meaningless bomb threats and senseless church killings, and a hailstorm of half-truths, one must ask how any candidate or party can possibly make things better.
        Who, really, has the power or authority to bring healing to a society so torn apart by hatred and mistrust as ours? What party could ever have the right solutions or deliver on its promises? How could their promises make a helpful difference anyway? Do candidates really believe they can make lives better for all of us, or just better for themselves? Where can we find truth or hope?
        In our current times, the search for hope may seem fruitless and futile, but they’ve always been this way. They were worse in Luther’s day, and even worse when Jesus walked the earth. Life is worse when people are enslaved by a foreign power. It is especially worse when that power is the church. To find a solution, we must look outside ourselves, outside of government and even outside of religion. We must look to God Himself and to His Son Jesus Christ.
        Yesterday’s Gospel was the familiar words of Jesus in John 8:31-32, “If you continue in My Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Yes, truth can have the power to set us free from our selfishness, our cruelty and our blindness, but it must be the real truth, the whole truth, the Supreme Truth of Jesus in His Word. We will never find the freedom we need in the precepts of mankind or political philosophy.
        Cast your vote for the persons and in the manner you choose, but don’t think it will solve everything. Only Jesus Christ our Lord can bring us freedom from our chains of sin. Only He can give us peace for today and hope for the future.

Lord Jesus, forgive us and set us free!

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com




 

Monday, October 22, 2018

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS


        Fences and walls can be useful and they can also be a problem. They can define ownership, give us privacy and protect us from enemies or danger. Throughout history, walled cities were a practical method of helping people be more safe and secure. Jerusalem had its walls broken by war, so Nehemiah and other leaders had to rebuild its city walls to give residents hope and security. (Nehemiah 1-5)
        I once lived in a condo community where everyone’s small backyard was separated by walls which offered protection from aggressive pets, and gave residents privacy. But our walls also kept us from seeing some really ugly backyards. One neighbor’s weeds and trash resulted in a visit from officials and his eventual eviction. Yes, fences can be helpful. They are often the only way people can be kept safe. As poet Robert Frost wrote, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
        But walls can also be a problem if they needlessly exist between people. For three decades the Berlin Wall separated neighborhoods and even families in a failed attempt to isolate people on one side from the rest of the world. Those were joyful days when that terrible wall finally was removed. 
        God’s original plan was for people to need no walls. His gift of perfection in the Garden of Eden allowed mankind to enjoy a peaceful life without barriers. But when those privileged first people ignored God’s Word, and sin came into the world, they tried fixing things by building walls. They sought covering from God and eventually made weapons. They thought they could somehow wall themselves off from God’s justice and mercy. Isaiah 59:2 says it plainly, “Your sins… have cut you off from God.” 
        Sin causes separation - from people, from nature and especially from God. Separation from God is the most deadly result of all. For us to live, the walls between us and God must be torn down.
        Praise be to God He sent His only Son to do that, to reconcile us to Himself and to each other. Because Jesus took our sins to Calvary’s cross, all who trust Him are forgiven, and the barrier of sin can be removed. Galatians 3:28 says, “We are all one in Christ Jesus.” May we remove those barriers that hurt and needlessly isolate us.

But may we also respect those walls that protect us.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 15, 2018

FLYING WITHOUT DIRECTION


        When we want to get somewhere most quickly, we usually take an airplane. We’ve become accustomed to the routine of flying: buying a ticket, getting to the airport, going through security, waiting for our flight to be called, finding our seat, enduring the flight, and finally landing at our new location. All in all, flying is the fastest, easiest and safest way to travel, especially over long distances.
        One of the most dangerous aspects of flying is landing. I read somewhere a humorous note that said, “Landings Must Equal Take-offs,” but rarely do we think of the people it takes to make that happen: ticket agents, pilots, mechanics, and especially the Air Traffic Controller. A friend
        Approaching the airport, the pilot of his fully loaded aircraft radioed ahead and received no answer. It was discovered that the Air Traffic Controller had fallen asleep! The good news was that the plane landed safely. The person at the airport woke up in time! 
        The Good News for us each day is that we all have an ultimate Air Traffic Controller, our God who never sleeps. Psalm 121:3-4, assures us, My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth …Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” In our travels by flight, we rarely think of the essential person who directs air traffic, but we can be assured he or she is there, making sure we will land safely. 
        Even more surely, we have a Divine Life Controller helps us live the best way. We can count on God. He knows the dangers we face each day and will tirelessly direct our life for our good and His glory. God sent His only Son Jesus to make sure we have an escort to direct us on our journey of life. Following Jesus, we will safely arrive where God wants us to be.

“The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.” (Psalm 121:7)

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 8, 2018

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

        Have you ever had someone ask, “Would you please answer a brief survey about how we did”? We’ve all heard that. Whether it’s an item bought, a service rendered or a conversation on the phone, we’re asked to complete a survey for almost everything. I rarely answer these requests. There are too many of them.
        We live in an age dominated by public opinion polls. Merchants who sell, professionals who serve, and politicians in government can’t seem to make a decision without asking what the crowd thinks. Some surveys may help make wiser decisions, but most of the time they are merely annoying.
        Information gleaned can help people shape their decision-making, but public opinion polls are not as important as those who make them think they are. As one pollster said about his work, “Public opinion? Some think it is the voice of God.”  Not hardly!
        Truth cannot be determined merely by public opinion. There is a higher authority to which we must turn to know truth, and that is the Word of God. Near the end of His ministry, Jesus was with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi, when He asked them a public opinion question: “Who do people say that I am?“ His disciples gave a few answers, but when he asked them to answer, Peter got it right: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
        Public opinion can help answer some questions, but not the one that will determine our eternal destiny. Whom do we say Jesus is? If we agree with what Peter said in the Bible and place our trust in Jesus, God promises us eternal life. It doesn’t matter what the crowd believes. What matters most is whether we believe God’s Word about our Lord Jesus. In Him, we will know the truth, and the Truth will set us free.
Jesus is the answer to our biggest question.
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 1, 2018

REPAIR OR REPLACE?


        When there’s been damage, do you repair or replace? I guess it depends on what the damage is. Our lovely old juniper hedge was nearly all dead after last winter, the result of voles (field mice) using it for their winter residence and food pantry. 
        One guy said to remove and replace it would cost $1,000, but another guy (myself) said cut out the dead stuff, water it often and see if it would come back. I was sure they’d grow back, and my price was much better. I eventually came to my senses and replaced the hedge with new plants. It was a lost cause.
        Things can be replaced, but people can’t, not unless God is involved. When the world’s first people went bad, God decided to replace them in the flood, but that was a one-time thing. After that, God promised a Savior who would repair people, not replace them. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:1) His rainbow was the symbol of his promise.
        Jesus Himself is our replacement for death caused by sin. Because He lived a perfect life in our stead, we are given a new relationship with God. Instead of deserving God’s wrath for our sins, we are given a new life. Jesus didn’t just forgive us, He recreated us!

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving us a new life!

Rev. Bob Tasler

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

ONE IS ENOUGH



        Sometimes all it takes is one: one point, one mistake, one person, one answer or one day late. Just one can make it all bad, or one can make it all good. It all depends on which one.
        A week ago, my two teams showed the importance of one. On the same day, September 16, the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders by one point, 20-19, and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants by one run, 3-2. Today’s games were very different. The Broncos lost by 13, and the Rockies won by 2, but sometimes all it takes is one.
        God’s Word tells us it took one sin to rebel against God, and that one sin turned into many more, enough to condemn the whole world. Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, broke their covenant with God with just one sin. What people did as a result of that one sin, destroyed a perfect world and brought death to all.
        Centuries later, God gave the world a solution. His one and only Son Jesus would sacrifice His one life for the sins of all others. Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome, “For if many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.” (Romans 5:15)
        One sin by one man brought death to the world. But one perfect life sacrificed once on the cross of Calvary brought life to all who believe that this one resurrected man, Jesus, is the Son of God.
        What one thing or person has changed your life the most? What one has made your life the best? It doesn’t usually take many things, just the One which is right. God’s gift to us in Jesus is the one that is always best.

With Jesus as our Savior, “One is Enough.”

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com