In my childhood home my parents, especially my mother, discouraged us from hating. It was good advice, since hatred must be rightfully and carefully doled out and always in small amounts. Today, however, some people and even whole cultures seem to revel in hatred and even feed off it. Others have over-used the word until it has little or no meaning left.
To hate means to have an extreme feeling of dislike towards something or someone. It is an intense feeling of revulsion, usually derived from fear or the possibility of injury. Modern usage, however, has expanded use of the word beyond this accepted definition.
A “hate crime” is done against someone based on their race, religion or other beliefs. “Hate speech” is expressing hateful attitude toward a person or group with whom a person disagrees. “Hate mail” can come from those who disagree with an organization’s policies. To hate a person’s views, or to hate a vicious act, and even to hate ice cream all seem to carry the same value. Such uses dilute the meaning of hatred and equates all hatred as being equal in contempt.
Such over-use of a more rightful feeling of hatred towards those who embody evil, such as the wicked tyrant, the violent murderer or the abuser of the innocent, no longer has meaning for which the word was intended.
The Muslim extremist hates others with whom he disagrees enough to blow up themselves (or others they force to carry bombs) and the people around them, whether in the market, police station or religious ceremony. Those who have felt this violence can well come to hate the extremist.
Hatred should be reserved for the heinous act, but not the perpetrator. Jesus urges us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44). By this He meant for us to care for people, but not the evil acts they may do. God hates sin, especially that which is carried out against the weak and vulnerable. Yet He also cares for His people, and He will have mercy on the contrite person who seeks mercy. Such grace may, however, still cost the perpetrator rightful consequences.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” our Lord said from the cross (Luke 23:34). Those words apply as much to the heinous criminal as to the arrogant, the self-righteous, the selfish, or the foolish sinner. We all need His forgiveness. But we also need an intense revulsion towards those acts that destroy humanity and fracture our relationship with God.
Father, forgive us when we hate sinner, rather than just the sin.
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
HOW'S YOUR MILEAGE?
Is there a graduation gift you’ve purchased for someone this spring? Allen Swift (1908–2010) of Springfield, Massachusetts, received a remarkable gift from his father for his college graduation when he was just twenty years old. It was a brand new car. Many a man at that time wished he would have gotten such a graduation gift, but no one would have considered keeping and driving that car for the rest of his life.
But that’s just what Allen Swift did. His gift was a new 1928 Rolls Royce Piccadilly-P1 Roadster, and he achieved the remarkable feat of continuing to drive it right up until his death in 2010 at the age of 102. He was the oldest living owner of a car that had been purchased new. His 1928 Rolls is a marvel of craftsmanship.
When it was donated by his family to a Springfield auto museum after his death, the odometer showed 1,070,000 miles on it. That’s 13,000 miles per year, or 1,100 miles per month. It still ran very well, almost like a Swiss watch, its engine quiet at most speeds and body in near-perfect condition even though it had been built 82 years before. They certainly don’t make them like this anymore, do they?
How many miles does your odometer show, the odometer on your life? How many years have you held up, and how are you running? God wants us to take care of our bodies, but He doesn’t give us all the same kind. Men and women all have body types that vary. I’ve seen people at 85 who are in better condition than others at 65, and no matter how carefully some people take care to eat and exercise properly, their body deteriorates as fast as someone who doesn’t care for his as much.
A car body certainly isn’t like a human body. God has given us the miracle of human life for a determined span on this incredible planet. When our time comes to leave, we then will all know what it will be like on the “other side.” Praise God that He promises eternal glory in His presence to all who believe and have faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
Give God thanks for the miles on your life’s odometer!
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
But that’s just what Allen Swift did. His gift was a new 1928 Rolls Royce Piccadilly-P1 Roadster, and he achieved the remarkable feat of continuing to drive it right up until his death in 2010 at the age of 102. He was the oldest living owner of a car that had been purchased new. His 1928 Rolls is a marvel of craftsmanship.
When it was donated by his family to a Springfield auto museum after his death, the odometer showed 1,070,000 miles on it. That’s 13,000 miles per year, or 1,100 miles per month. It still ran very well, almost like a Swiss watch, its engine quiet at most speeds and body in near-perfect condition even though it had been built 82 years before. They certainly don’t make them like this anymore, do they?
How many miles does your odometer show, the odometer on your life? How many years have you held up, and how are you running? God wants us to take care of our bodies, but He doesn’t give us all the same kind. Men and women all have body types that vary. I’ve seen people at 85 who are in better condition than others at 65, and no matter how carefully some people take care to eat and exercise properly, their body deteriorates as fast as someone who doesn’t care for his as much.
A car body certainly isn’t like a human body. God has given us the miracle of human life for a determined span on this incredible planet. When our time comes to leave, we then will all know what it will be like on the “other side.” Praise God that He promises eternal glory in His presence to all who believe and have faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
Give God thanks for the miles on your life’s odometer!
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Monday, May 2, 2016
A USED BAR OF SOAP
Yesterday I replaced my bar of Irish Spring shower soap and put the old one in a box with a half dozen other used bars I can’t seem to toss out. Some people use their expensive soap bar down to a sliver, but mine is so cheap I feel I can get a new one it when it gets that small. But it can still be used, so I save it in a box. It just doesn’t seem right to toss them out if they’re still usable. And they don’t melt together like some brands. Tried that once.
This partly comes from my upbringing not to waste things. I also turn off the lights when I leave a room, including some I’m told use more electricity starting up than to leave them on all day. And I always make sure the outside doors are tightly closed. But there’s another reason about soap.
A dozen or more years ago I watched a program about an American who rented a boat rowed by an African man for a trip to a village down river. He talked with the African and discovered the man earned only about $30 a month to feed his family of five. This $10 trip was quite valuable to him.
Not wanting to embarrass the man by commenting on such a small amount, the American asked, “If you had an extra $10, what would be the first thing you would buy with it.” “Soap for bathing,” the man said without hesitation. “We rarely have enough for soap and it would keep my family more healthy.” That comment often comes to mind when my bar of soap gets small.
I have a pastor friend who has developed and operated a mission on the El Paso/Mexico border for over four decades. At church conferences Pastor Karl Heimer of Isleta Mission often reminds the people of a box in the back of the room where people can put their partly used bars of soap or extra shampoo which he will take to the people served by his mission. “They will all be used gratefully.” he says. I think that’s where I’ll take my used bars this fall.
Jesus once said, “If you did it [something good] for the least of these, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40) That probably includes even giving away a used soap.
It’s what is in our heart that counts, not the size of our gift. Of course, we who are richly blessed cannot excuse tiny gifts with that sentiment. Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:48, “From whom much is given, will much be required.”
I hope you don’t have a guilt trip every time you toss something usable. But even a used soap bar can have value to the right person.
I wonder if that American tipped the man an extra $10 at the end of the trip...
Rev. Bob Tasler
Your gifts gratefully received by: Ysleta Lutheran Mission, 301 S. Schutz Dr., El Paso, TX 79907
This partly comes from my upbringing not to waste things. I also turn off the lights when I leave a room, including some I’m told use more electricity starting up than to leave them on all day. And I always make sure the outside doors are tightly closed. But there’s another reason about soap.
A dozen or more years ago I watched a program about an American who rented a boat rowed by an African man for a trip to a village down river. He talked with the African and discovered the man earned only about $30 a month to feed his family of five. This $10 trip was quite valuable to him.
Not wanting to embarrass the man by commenting on such a small amount, the American asked, “If you had an extra $10, what would be the first thing you would buy with it.” “Soap for bathing,” the man said without hesitation. “We rarely have enough for soap and it would keep my family more healthy.” That comment often comes to mind when my bar of soap gets small.
I have a pastor friend who has developed and operated a mission on the El Paso/Mexico border for over four decades. At church conferences Pastor Karl Heimer of Isleta Mission often reminds the people of a box in the back of the room where people can put their partly used bars of soap or extra shampoo which he will take to the people served by his mission. “They will all be used gratefully.” he says. I think that’s where I’ll take my used bars this fall.
Jesus once said, “If you did it [something good] for the least of these, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40) That probably includes even giving away a used soap.
It’s what is in our heart that counts, not the size of our gift. Of course, we who are richly blessed cannot excuse tiny gifts with that sentiment. Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:48, “From whom much is given, will much be required.”
I hope you don’t have a guilt trip every time you toss something usable. But even a used soap bar can have value to the right person.
I wonder if that American tipped the man an extra $10 at the end of the trip...
Rev. Bob Tasler
Your gifts gratefully received by: Ysleta Lutheran Mission, 301 S. Schutz Dr., El Paso, TX 79907
Monday, April 25, 2016
ALONE OR TOGETHER?
Carol and I recently watched “The Good Lie”, a movie about four young Sudanese who came to America after seeing their families killed in war. The children walked nearly 800 miles to a refugee camp and spent 15 years there. A fifth older boy had allowed himself to be taken by soldiers so the other four could escape. Later when the fifth was found alive in a Kenyan camp, his brother went back and switched identities so the brother who had saved them could come to America. As the younger said to the older, “Yes, this is a lie, but it is a good lie.” The younger man then stayed and worked in the camp hospital while his brother lived a new life.
The movie showed the courage people are willing to make, as well as enormous difficulties and sacrifices when terrorized by war, packed for years in a refugee camp and finally brought to begin life a new and foreign land.
It was a very emotional movie for me to watch. From 1978 to 2005, I assisted my churches to help relocate dozens of refugees: Christians from from Laos and Ethiopia, Jews from Russia, atheists from Czech Republic and Muslims from Bosnia. I wanted to do this because I am a child of immigrants.
I remember many of the first immigrants we helped, and some of the last ones still live in the Denver area. The young have now grown up, attended school, married and have moved away. Some adults have already passed on, as noted from obituaries I found online, and others continue to live their new life.
An African proverb in the movie struck me: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” God’s Word says in Psalm 68:6, “God puts the lonely into families.” Going through life alone can be risky, but being with others helps. Both of our sons are now married with families, and they will go far because they are going together, together with loved ones and together with the Lord.
From the beginning God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) Whether in families, congregations, RV parks or other communities, we go far when we go together. It is God’s blessing of togetherness.
Praise God He helps us come together with Him to eternal life in Jesus.
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
The movie showed the courage people are willing to make, as well as enormous difficulties and sacrifices when terrorized by war, packed for years in a refugee camp and finally brought to begin life a new and foreign land.
It was a very emotional movie for me to watch. From 1978 to 2005, I assisted my churches to help relocate dozens of refugees: Christians from from Laos and Ethiopia, Jews from Russia, atheists from Czech Republic and Muslims from Bosnia. I wanted to do this because I am a child of immigrants.
I remember many of the first immigrants we helped, and some of the last ones still live in the Denver area. The young have now grown up, attended school, married and have moved away. Some adults have already passed on, as noted from obituaries I found online, and others continue to live their new life.
An African proverb in the movie struck me: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” God’s Word says in Psalm 68:6, “God puts the lonely into families.” Going through life alone can be risky, but being with others helps. Both of our sons are now married with families, and they will go far because they are going together, together with loved ones and together with the Lord.
From the beginning God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) Whether in families, congregations, RV parks or other communities, we go far when we go together. It is God’s blessing of togetherness.
Praise God He helps us come together with Him to eternal life in Jesus.
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Sunday, April 17, 2016
JEHOVAH AND ALLAH THE SAME? ARE YOU KIDDING?
The National Geographic channel is carrying a new series, “The Story of God”, hosted by Morgan Freeman, a popular actor who has played a god role in one of his movies, “Bruce Almighty.” I have watched the series’ shows and found them somewhat interesting, and, of course, very inclusive. Surely we want people to think all religions are basically the same, even if one demands the death of "infidels" who believe otherwise.
Surprisingly I didn’t mind this inclusivity until this week’s show about monotheism. There Freeman said that the three major monotheistic religions - Islam, Judaism and Christianity - all believe in the same God. What rubbish! They may all believe in the concept of there being only one God, but to say they all worship the same god is both inaccurate and insulting to all three religions.
Monotheistic religions believe in the concept of there being only one god, but to say they all believe in the same god with merely different names is like saying three husbands are all married to the same wife. All three married men may believe in the concept of marriage, but they are surely not all married to the same woman with different names.
Freeman is, however, echoing what the secular media believes to be the truth, that differing religions all worship the same god. Such a demeaning idea may well be a major presupposition behind the series. Despite the series’ supposed neutrality, it is heavily loaded towards the idea that all religions are pathetic human attempts to help people deal with rough times.
Jehovah of the Old Testament said it plainly in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Again He said in Isaiah 45, “I am God, and there is no other.” There is no equating Jehovah with Allah, no matter who says so.
Praise be to the one, true God that His Son Jesus has shown us the way to God when He said plainly in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Surprisingly I didn’t mind this inclusivity until this week’s show about monotheism. There Freeman said that the three major monotheistic religions - Islam, Judaism and Christianity - all believe in the same God. What rubbish! They may all believe in the concept of there being only one God, but to say they all worship the same god is both inaccurate and insulting to all three religions.
Monotheistic religions believe in the concept of there being only one god, but to say they all believe in the same god with merely different names is like saying three husbands are all married to the same wife. All three married men may believe in the concept of marriage, but they are surely not all married to the same woman with different names.
Freeman is, however, echoing what the secular media believes to be the truth, that differing religions all worship the same god. Such a demeaning idea may well be a major presupposition behind the series. Despite the series’ supposed neutrality, it is heavily loaded towards the idea that all religions are pathetic human attempts to help people deal with rough times.
Jehovah of the Old Testament said it plainly in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Again He said in Isaiah 45, “I am God, and there is no other.” There is no equating Jehovah with Allah, no matter who says so.
Praise be to the one, true God that His Son Jesus has shown us the way to God when He said plainly in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Monday, April 11, 2016
REPLACE OR REPAIR?
Dear friends,
When something around the house gets old, do you replace it or repair it? This month I decided to replace our scratched and worn Arizona bathroom and kitchen sinks. I did it myself, and without leaks. Amazing! I was also planning to replace our aging mini-blinds that were covered with desert dust, but before calling for an estimate I thought I’d try cleaning one. It was messy, but it turned out well enough that I decided it would be easier to clean rather than replace them all. After that first one I developed a method I thought I’d share with you.
CLEANING DIRTY MINI-BLINDS: 1) Get a sprayer attachment for your shower head. 2) One at a time, take an extended blind into your bathtub. 3) Spray with spot remover and rinse with hot water, one side at a time. 4) Drain the blind and hang it outside to dry. 5) Clean the next blind, then put the dried blind back on its window. 6) Repeat cleaning and drying each mini-blind until done. (Warning: Husbands who do this may be nominated for sainthood.)
God also faces decisions whether to repair or replace. The Bible tells us twice in history God saw so much sin and dirt among His people that He wanted to replace them. With all the evil before the Great Flood (Genesis 6-9), He did just that and started over with Noah’s family. The second time (Exodus 32), God was so disgusted with the Israelites’ worshipping the Golden Calf that He said to Moses, “Let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, that I may consume them; but I will make of you a great nation.”
Moses objected, and God listened to his pleas for mercy and changed His mind. Instead of replacing them, He repaired them by making them drink “golden” water containing ground bits of their idol. The resulting mass stomach aches may have made the people wish He would have consumed them.
Ever since the Garden of Eden, people have always found ways to dirty and ruin themselves through sin. God knew replacing mankind would have become an endless process, so He chose to repair His people, once and for all, through forgiveness in the death and resurrection of His Son. The Holy Spirit continually works for our repair by giving us saving faith and moving us to do good works.
Praise God that He chose repair of humanity rather than total replacement.
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
When something around the house gets old, do you replace it or repair it? This month I decided to replace our scratched and worn Arizona bathroom and kitchen sinks. I did it myself, and without leaks. Amazing! I was also planning to replace our aging mini-blinds that were covered with desert dust, but before calling for an estimate I thought I’d try cleaning one. It was messy, but it turned out well enough that I decided it would be easier to clean rather than replace them all. After that first one I developed a method I thought I’d share with you.
CLEANING DIRTY MINI-BLINDS: 1) Get a sprayer attachment for your shower head. 2) One at a time, take an extended blind into your bathtub. 3) Spray with spot remover and rinse with hot water, one side at a time. 4) Drain the blind and hang it outside to dry. 5) Clean the next blind, then put the dried blind back on its window. 6) Repeat cleaning and drying each mini-blind until done. (Warning: Husbands who do this may be nominated for sainthood.)
God also faces decisions whether to repair or replace. The Bible tells us twice in history God saw so much sin and dirt among His people that He wanted to replace them. With all the evil before the Great Flood (Genesis 6-9), He did just that and started over with Noah’s family. The second time (Exodus 32), God was so disgusted with the Israelites’ worshipping the Golden Calf that He said to Moses, “Let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, that I may consume them; but I will make of you a great nation.”
Moses objected, and God listened to his pleas for mercy and changed His mind. Instead of replacing them, He repaired them by making them drink “golden” water containing ground bits of their idol. The resulting mass stomach aches may have made the people wish He would have consumed them.
Ever since the Garden of Eden, people have always found ways to dirty and ruin themselves through sin. God knew replacing mankind would have become an endless process, so He chose to repair His people, once and for all, through forgiveness in the death and resurrection of His Son. The Holy Spirit continually works for our repair by giving us saving faith and moving us to do good works.
Praise God that He chose repair of humanity rather than total replacement.
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Monday, April 4, 2016
RUNNING ON EMPTY
During the first week of April here in Arizona, the RV parks empty out. During the last days of March the mass migration begins as people pack up and return to their other homes in the midwest, northwest, east or west, or straight north to Canada. Our Palm Creek is home to 500-600 “permanent” residents who live here the year-round, but the other 3,000 winter residents stay only for the season. When they leave the park quickly empties out.
Have you ever felt like you’re emptying out, or running on empty? I once forgot to check my car’s gas gauge and ran out of fuel ten miles from home. I flagged down a ride into town and brought back a can with a few gallons for the tank. The car didn’t start right away (the one and only diesel I’ve ever owned) but with some coaxing it finally ran again. I felt a whole lot better when my car was running than when it was empty.
But what happens when your heart is running on empty? Or your soul? What will fill you up again? Who will help you get back on the road of life?
There is so much that empties us out in our modern world. With all our work and fun, we may think we are living a fulfilling life. But then something happens - bad medical report, bad relationship, bad job, bad spending - and we realize we’re actually running on empty. And we usually don’t get started right away, but need a lot of coaxing to get our life going again.
Jesus can help with this. In Matthew 11:28, He said, “Come to me, all you who are tired and weary, and I will give you rest.” When we’re running on empty, coming to Jesus in prayer, confession and in worship is the first thing we need. But service helps, too. You’d be surprised how helping others fill their tanks will help fill your own.
We empty ourselves the fastest when we spend our money, time and energy only on ourselves. Giving it away is how God helps us get it back. Keeping it all will guarantee our running dry.
Coming to Jesus helps you get refilled. Try it - it works!
Have you ever felt like you’re emptying out, or running on empty? I once forgot to check my car’s gas gauge and ran out of fuel ten miles from home. I flagged down a ride into town and brought back a can with a few gallons for the tank. The car didn’t start right away (the one and only diesel I’ve ever owned) but with some coaxing it finally ran again. I felt a whole lot better when my car was running than when it was empty.
But what happens when your heart is running on empty? Or your soul? What will fill you up again? Who will help you get back on the road of life?
There is so much that empties us out in our modern world. With all our work and fun, we may think we are living a fulfilling life. But then something happens - bad medical report, bad relationship, bad job, bad spending - and we realize we’re actually running on empty. And we usually don’t get started right away, but need a lot of coaxing to get our life going again.
Jesus can help with this. In Matthew 11:28, He said, “Come to me, all you who are tired and weary, and I will give you rest.” When we’re running on empty, coming to Jesus in prayer, confession and in worship is the first thing we need. But service helps, too. You’d be surprised how helping others fill their tanks will help fill your own.
We empty ourselves the fastest when we spend our money, time and energy only on ourselves. Giving it away is how God helps us get it back. Keeping it all will guarantee our running dry.
Coming to Jesus helps you get refilled. Try it - it works!
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