YOUR HEAVENLY UPGRADE

Today my computer told me there were several software updates awaiting installation. All I had to do was hit the right button and new things would come from somewhere out there in space to make my clever and useful gadget even more clever and useful. 

One thing we learn quickly from our electronics - there is always something better out there for us. No matter how good the machine or software, there is always room for improvement. 

That's how it is in life also. No matter how hard we try, there is always room for improvement. That might seem discouraging, but it should give even more reason to give thanks to God that our eternal life depends on Him, not on us. How could we ever get everything so correct that God would accept us into heaven based on our effort, no matter how much we have improved?

I like my computer, but it is four years old already. Apple has introduced two newer versions since I bought mine in 2010, and there are rumors all laptops will be replaced with new "touch technology" in a few years, some new concept I can't comprehend.

 

This year's "new and improved" model already has a newer version being developed. Our technology is obsolete the moment it is out of the box. And all this is to help us store, display, manipulate and create information, much of which we don't need for anything other than learn how to run our new equipment. 

Ten days ago I officiated at the burial of a former member who was also an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and Viet Nam veteran. His family told me his favorite Scripture was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." My message was titled, "The New Old Gospel." It was great to share with them God's simple plan of salvation, that it all depends on Jesus. He paid the price for our sins and lays salvation in our hands as a gift. We merely receive His new life in Christ by faith. 

Jesus said, in Revelation 21:5, "Behold, I am making all things new." How much newness do we really need in life? The world tells us we must continually upgrade. We must "download our updates" lest we be left behind. Perhaps my sainted parents asked this question when everyone they knew finally had push-button telephones and color TV. 

The Bible tells us heaven will not be complicated at all. There will be no more overload, no more pain,or anger, suffering, tears or discontent. We'll be in the presence of our loving God experiencing eternal joy, peace and contentment. Sound boring? Not to me. I long for it to come.

Are you ready for your heavenly upgrade?

TRUST GOD, DO YOUR BEST!

In 1880 Richard was a young telegrapher in a northern Minnesota train station when a large crate arrived from the East. The crate contained dozens of pocket watches, and because no one came to claim it, Richard telegraphed the manufacturer, offering to sell the watches for half the profits. They agreed.

His station was not a busy place, so Richard had an idea and decided to try it. He sent a wire to every train station agent in the system asking them if they wanted a good pocket watch cheap. He was surprised when he quickly sold every one of watches at a handsome profit.

He ordered more watches and encouraged his fellow telegraphers to set up a display case in their station offering high quality watches for a low price. Word spread and before long both travelers and local people came to the train station to buy watches.

Richard rented a building, hired a man named Alvah to help him with the orders and added dry goods and other items for sale. Richard and Alvah did so well that they left their jobs and moved their company to Chicago where it still is in operation today, a hundred thirty-three years later.

It was all started when Richard Sears decided to leave his job as a telegrapher and take a chance selling watches, and Alvah Roebuck decided to leave his job repairing watches and go to work for Richard. We know their place as Sears, Roebuck and Company.

Sometimes we may look back and realize we missed a great opportunity. Maybe we really wanted to try a certain thing, but never felt courageous enough to do it. Maybe it meant leaving our job for another, but we didn't want to take the risk.

No one should feel guilty for not taking such a chance. Not everyone has the vision of Richard Sears or the skills of Alvah Roebuck. Let's not feel bad about what we didn't do. Life is not long enough to try all things, and not all things are worth trying.

Rather, let us trust in God for all things in life, give Him thanks for what He's done for us, and then do the best we can in life as we are able. Like the writer of Proverbs said, "Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way." (Proverbs 3:6, Good News Version)

Trusting in God might mean stepping out in faith to try something you never thought you could do. But it also might mean staying right where you are, as a loyal worker, a faithful spouse, a creative church member or a caring friend.

Whatever you decide to do, trust God, give Him thanks, and then do something good with the time you have left.

For some people, this is their life's motto, and they don't even know it.

-- 

Rev. Robert L. Tasler

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

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PREMIER MEMBERSHIP

"What are the advantages? What's in it for us?" People will ask this as they hear a salesman urging them to make a purchase, join a group or donate to a cause. "What do you get out of it? You will have special privileges as a Premier Member," says the announcer. "But will the advantages be worth the cost?" we ask as we decide what to do. There is always a membership cost to joining a group, unless that group is the Church, Family of God. 

Today on Facebook, I enjoyed seeing several baptismal photos of a little girl born to a young Christian couple I know. They were so proud and pleased to show their friends their tiny baby who had just received great eternal blessings as she was ushered into the Kingdom of God through the waters of Holy Baptism. 

Those pictures brought back memories of several baptisms when I was sponsor (Godparent) to children of family or friends. I thought of the host of little ones I had held as I sprinkled water on their little heads during Baptism in my ministry. I remembered especially the times I baptized my two sons, and later my three grandchildren. 

"What are the advantages of Baptism?" I was asked in an adult instruction class. The man had a good question. I could sense that if it was a mere formality for him, that he wasn't sure he wanted it. But when I told him that God provides eternal blessings of forgiveness, life and salvation through the water and Word, he became interested.

 

"Do I have to be baptized to be saved?" Another good question. "No," I said. "Faith in Jesus is what saves you, and not a holy ceremony. But if you trust Jesus as your Savior as you have said, would you want to do what He asks?" "Yes, of course," he said, "Remember that Jesus commands us to baptize all nations, and that includes you and me. The advantages of Baptism are eternal."

When a person is baptized, (s)he has special privileges as a Premier Member of the Family of God. The advantages of being in Gods Family far outweigh other costs. And your cost has already been paid. Jesus' death on the cross was the cost required for you and me to become members. Nothing more is required than what Jesus has already done for us. "Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) 

Welcome to your Premier Membership in Jesus!

JUST BEING THERE

Despite the casualness of the age in which we live, many feel people must say the right thing or suffer the consequences, so they choose not say anything at all. This can be true when someone dies. 

I once conducted a funeral for a popular church member and only half as many people attended as was expected. When I asked one member why he hadn't come, he said he didn't attend funerals often because he wasn't sure what to say. Rather than saying the wrong thing and possibly making the family feel worse, he avoided funerals all together. 

This is unfortunate. In times of loss, mourners will rarely remember what you may say, but they will remember that you were there. Attendance at funerals is declining, and I wish it were not the case. Just your being present is more important than whether you say the right thing. 

My first wife died in an auto accident when we were young, and many people attended her funerals, one in the congregation where I was serving and the other in her hometown. People there spoke words of comfort but I don't remember what they said. Someone afterwards said he heard awkward and inappropriate things spoken, but I didn't remember them. I just remember all the people who came. That's what really helped me and the boys.

In times of distress people rarely remember what we say, but they will remember that we were there. Family, friends and even strangers offer strength and comfort for our feelings of loss and loneliness. Their words may be appropriate or not, but their real gift is their presence.

Jesus didn't preach a sermon or raise the dead every time He attended a funeral. He helped people by His presence and even wept with the mourners (John 11:36, "See how He loved him.") In our losses, Jesus is always there with His comforting presence. Likewise, we can share our compassion simply by the gift of our presence. 

The next time you hear of a friend who has passed from this life, don't worry about whether your words to the survivors will be exactly what others think they should be. Just express them. Call the loved ones, write them or tell them your words of comfort in person. By doing so, you are being an ambassador for Christ to that person who needs to know His presence through you.

Your being there, even if you say nothing, says a lot!

A FAVORITE ALBUM

This week's Sunday newspaper contained its usual fare of articles, ads and funnies, as well as a clip with the birthdays of notable people. In it I learned that songwriter/musician Paul Simon was seventy-two, and as I sat there with my coffee cup, my mind wandered back to my college days.

In the 1960s, I joined the Columbia Record Club and proudly received my initial albums for a few pennies. A couple of LPs were classical, but most were by pop groups protesting the Viet Nam war, promoting distrust of older generations, or proclaiming what a good society we'd have if we followed the songwriter's philosophy. 

I was in my twenties at the time, and one memorable album was called, "Bookends." It was performed by Paul Simon and Art Garfunckel and contained songs like "Mrs. Robinson," "At the Zoo," and "Save the Life of My Child." I can still remember the words to some of those songs.

Their signature number, "Bookends," had a haunting melody that I practiced repeatedly on my guitar but never quite mastered its chordal sequences. Some of its words were: "Old friends sat on their park bench like bookends... Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sun... Can you imagine us years from today, sharing a park bench quietly? How terribly strange to be seventy... Preserve your memories - they're all that's left you." 

Now Paul Simon is past seventy, and I wonder if he thinks about those words he wrote fifty years ago. I wonder if he would know that I and many others really do try to preserve our memories with photos and writings. And I would hope by now he realizes that memories are not "all that's left you."

We leave behind who we are, the life examples we've lived, and the faith in God we've come to believe. We leave behind our influences on the young, the aspirations that have moved us, and the challenges we've left for future generations. We Christians leave behind the mark our faith in God has made on us.

We also look forward to a new life with God, a complete life we can only fully know when it comes, an eternal life that comes to us by faith in Jesus. Whatever we may have experienced in life, the most precious thing we can leave or take with us from this life is our faith in Jesus. Without Him, all the rest is only memories that will fade and die.

Thanks be to God we have a living hope, a faith that will not let us down, for it is guaranteed by our Lord Himself. As St. Paul wrote, "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Do you have a special memory of a song? Were its words helpful?

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KILLING JESUS

(Check out my new website: http://www.bobtasler.com. BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!)

I've just finished reading KILLING JESUS by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. It is quite good in its historical and factual narrative, as well as its respect for the Lord Jesus. I read a lot of material these days, but only what's enjoyable. If I don't like a book, I don't feel the need to finish it. But this new book, as well as their others, KILLING LINCOLN and KILLING KENNEDY, held my attention well.

The authors treat Jesus and His times reasonably factually and use more biblical references than I expected. O'Reilly has been criticized for saying that he felt inspired to write this work. Others were upset because he didn't state Jesus was the Messiah and treated Him as merely a historical figure. But that wasn't the book's purpose.

This book is neither theology nor exhaustive history. It is a presention of their simple findings for the public to examine. I believe readers will benefit by seeing the circumstances surrounding Jesus' lifetime, as well as what He endured at the hands of those jealous of His influence. Books that honor Jesus help people, whether they agree with Him or not.

What we say outlasts us. Someone asked me if I found enjoyment in writing my e-books and paperbacks these past few years. She wanted to know what my purpose was in writing, and I appreciated that question. People write for a reason, whether to inform, to entertain, to express personal views, or to leave something of themselves behind.

I would add a fifth reason - enjoyment. Some people like to write. It gives me pleasure to craft words into sentences that express my thoughts. Someone asked if I made much money writing, and I chuckled. Between expenses and the books I give away, I am glad if there's any pocket change leftover.

I read so much online or even in the newspapers that hasn't been well thought out, especially articles that contain spelling or grammatical errors. All writers make their share of mistakes, but I enjoy reading what others write and hope others will enjoy my writings as well.

I encourage you to write, if you feel so inclined. Amazon's "CreateSpace" offers simple and cost-free guidelines for new writers, and people need not worry that the world is getting too cluttered with books. It's nice to know some of your thoughts may be passed on to people today or future generations tomorrow.

One would think with all the emails I send out during the year, my writings would sell well. But new authors rarely have great success, and that's to be expected. Knowing I've written a few worthwhile things for the public is reward enough.

I urge you to read books, whether they are in print electronically or on paper. KILLING JESUS is a good book, and worth your time. God's Holy Bible is the best book of all, as Psalm 119:105 tells us, "Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light to guide me."

Give thanks we still have freedom of speech in our nation!

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

Last Sunday we enjoyed a fine worship service by a young new pastor, and it lasted 90 minutes! That's a long time for a bunch of old Lutheran folks to worship, even when the sermon, liturgy and prayers are presented so well.

Someone wrote me last summer that some of my WEEKLY MESSAGEs were "getting rather long." He wanted me to make them "short and sweet." He didn't say, but maybe some of them had gotten too "long and sour!"

We live in an age of getting things quickly, with instant gratification in our technology and fast foods in our diet. More and more people would rather read a summary version than the book itself. Or maybe they'll until the book is made into a movie. Or maybe they'll read an electronic version of the book, that is, if they want to read at all.

Instant gratification can carry over into our Christian faith. Services lasting two or three hours were commonplace a hundred years ago, but they are the subject of jokes today. And sitting on hard, unpadded pews! How could they stand it? It is difficult for people to sit and wait so long, even for the blessings of God.

But even Jesus summarized things. In Matthew 22, some Pharisees asked Jesus “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment." 

Instead of listing just one commandment of the Ten, Jesus gave them the summary of the First Three Commandments, "Love God above all things." Short and sweet! Jesus knew the modern mind even long ago. 

This summary is first given in Deuteronomy 6:5 by Moses, the aged Israelite leader, who spent his last days reminding the people of God's blessings by delivering them from Egyptian slavery. Their delivery was miraculous, he said, so the people should "Love God above all things." Nothing is more important than that, whether in Moses' day or our own. 

How can we show that we love God above all things in our life? Maybe by slowing down a little when we're in the presence of God. What does it mean to love God? There are several kinds of love. Which kind of love does God show us each day?

Dear Father, thank You for delivering us from slavery to sin. Help us love and serve You, amen.

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

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