GETTING A "GOD-RESET"

        Carol and I received a special blessing yesterday. A plumber came to our home after church Sunday, fixed our water heater and charged us nothing. How about that! Of course, there’s a little more behind this story. Eric, a master plumber and owner of “Doctor Plumber”, was my confirmation student 25 years ago.
        He was a bright young fella, too. He wrote his confirmation essay on a little-known topic of “Double Predestination.” It’s a rationalist idea that since God predestines believers to heaven, He must also predestine unbelievers to hell. Eric had argued against this idea with an uncle, so he asked if he would write his essay about it. He did a good job of proving Double Predestination false, based on the Bible.
        Eric’s a good plumber too. Instead of replacing our non-working relatively new water heater, he found a way to fix it. Its Honeywell gas control unit got its electronics messed up, and all it took was a few turns of a dial in the right directions to reset it to heating water again. I took notes in case it happens again.
        So many of our electronics today need a periodic “reset” - routers, computers, even TVs. Wouldn’t it be great if we sinful people could get a “reset” for our sins? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if instead of being replaced, we could be forgiven and righteous again?
        Friends, that’s what Easter is all about! God knew that without forgiveness we sinful people would perish, so He sent His Son to forgive us our sins by dying on the cross. I’m hopeful the apostle John won’t mind if I rewrite his beloved John 3:16 like this:
        “God loved this messed up world so much that He made a “forgiveness reset” for us all. Now whoever has faith in what Jesus did on Calvary and the open grave is forgiven and has eternal life.” (John 3:16 PBV)
        Yes, Jesus died, but He is risen indeed - hallelujah! With faith in Him our lives are forgiven, “reset” for heaven!
        And how nice it is that our home has hot water again, thanks to Eric, who knows what he’s doing (for your plumbing needs, call 720-276-3000). But especially, thanks be to God for what He did for us. In Jesus, we need not be in “hot water” for our sins any more. 

Cool way of thinking about it, right?

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

WHY BE PART OF A CHRISTIAN CHURCH?

        Why do people attend a Christian church? Why take time to worship, volunteer, give gifts or even spend a lifetime of service as a church worker? While the harpies of modernism chant their mantras for secularism and the “evils” of religion all around, why do millions still go to God’s House for worship?

        Palm Sunday is this coming weekend. It recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, hailed by onlookers with palm branches, declaring Him to be the Messiah promised by God long ago. Although it is a joyful Sunday, it ironically begins the week during which Jesus was arrested, tried, crucified, died and was buried. 

        Last year on Palm Sunday, Carol and I gathered with our son and his family at Christ Lutheran Church, Phoenix, to stand with their eldest child before the congregation as he confessed his faith in Jesus in the Rite of Confirmation. It was a memorable time as each of us gave him our personal blessing and love.

        This year it will be his sister’s turn. She will now stand to declare her faith in Jesus, and be given a memory verse to treasure. Her brother’s was John 15:5, of Jesus the Vine and we the branches. Hers will be Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What a great Bible verse to have for one’s life!
        We hear so much today about youth and adults struggling to find an identity, or seek a life’s purpose, or experience the love and acceptance of those around us. But those essentials are part of why there is a church. Being in a Christian congregation which observes the rituals on which we base our faith and life can help youth and adults hold fast to those needed elements of life.
        My Confirmation Day was May 10, 1959, and my memory verse was John 15:5. Relatives and close friends greeted me with congratulations and encouragement after I'd promised to be faithful to Jesus. It was a needed step on my Christian journey. I also remember many classmates, some who have remained friends for life.
        Why attend a Christian church? Why learn of Jesus in the Bible? Because these are things eternal in a world that is fleeting, among people who are falling away. Because in God’s Word we will find what are seeking - identity, purpose, love and acceptance - for eternity.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for giving us the Church and faithful believers.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

JESUS CLEANS UP OUR MESSES

        Joan McCartney, a nurse in the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, posted a story of FaceBook this past weekend that I’d like to share with you. It’s a touching example of how people can be kind and helpful in a time of need. Ms. McCartney wrote:
        “I was at the grocery store this morning and heard a loud crash and something shattering. Being nosy, I walked towards the sound and saw some people whispering and looking back to the end of the next aisle. When I walked down that aisle, I saw an older lady had hit a shelf containing dishes with her cart and many had fallen to the ground and broke. She was kneeling on the floor embarrassed, frantically picking up the shattered pieces, while her husband was peeling off the bar code from each broken dish saying ‘Now we will have to pay for all this!’
        “I felt so bad for her, and everyone was just standing there staring at them!! I went and knelt beside her and told her not to worry and started helping her pick up the broken pieces. After about a minute, the store manager came and knelt beside us and said, ‘Leave it, we will clean this up. Let’s get your information so you can go to the hospital and have that cut on your hand looked at.’
        The lady, totally embarrassed said, ‘I need to pay for all this first.’ The manager smiled, helped her to her feet and said, ‘No ma’am, we have insurance for this, you do not have to pay anything!’” McCartney closed her story saying, “Wherever you are, close your eyes, and imagine God doing the same for you!” 
        Her story has an important point. People will have troubles in our lives and unexpected events that will can trip us, injure us and leave us wondering what to do next. We may think we must “fix” whatever bad things we have done. But God already has in place His grace and mercy to help us in our needs. 
        In our troubled times, Jesus He already has done for us what we need. God’s Word tells us, “On the cross of Calvary, My Son Jesus has already forgiven you, and that takes care of everything.” As Apostle Paul wrote, "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
        When I last checked, her story had been read by 145,000 people who left 36,000 comments, all positive, I’m sure. Amazing how quickly news can spread! The Good News of Jesus must also be spread so that others may know how He has given His life for us. Knowing this we can live in peace and hope here on earth, and forever with Him in eternity.  

Thank You, Jesus, for taking care of the messes we make in life!

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

HONORING OTHERS

      Carol and I have been University of Iowa fans, cheering for Hawkeye games every chance we get. We do this because Carol is a 1966 Iowa graduate, but also due to the consistent quality of their sports programs. 

      A basketball game this past January gave us a chance to be proud of “our boys” once again, but for more than defeating rival Northwestern. During the game, Iowa point guard Jordan Bohanan had a chance to break his college record of 34 consecutive free throws set by Chris Street in 1993. But Bohanan purposely missed the shot. Why did he do this, when his own name could have been in the U of I history books? 

      Bohanan did it because Chris Street had died in an auto accident the day after setting his record, and Bohanan chose to honor Street’s memory by keeping his record intact. Rather than take the limelight, Bohanan missed the shot and pointed skyward to honor the record of a fellow Hawkeye who died so young.

      The Bible has similar stories that recall selfless acts of God’s people. In 2 Samuel 23, David, leading his army against the Philistines, longed for a drink from the well at Bethlehem, his hometown. Hearing this, three of his soldiers risked their lives, breaking through enemy lines to bring him water from that well. But David instead poured it out as a sacrifice to God. Why? Because he said it would be like drinking the blood of those brave men who had risked their lives for him. 

      In a world where people lie and cheat to get ahead, even fraudulently paying to get their unqualified children into college, it is inspiring to see the sacrifices some will make to honor others. Our deeds that show love, mercy and bravery are far greater than words of personal honor or praise. 

How do our acts reflect our Lord Jesus who gave His life for us?

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE

In 2010, Mitch Miller died and few people even noticed. To those who may not recall who he is, Miller had a popular 1960’s television music program, “Sing Along With Mitch” where his all-male chorus sang beloved, popular songs with the words appearing on the screen so viewers could sing along. Just follow the bouncing ball!

Miller’s chorus was so popular because its singers were so ordinary. Miller once said, “I always made a point of hiring singers who were tall, short, bald, round, fat, however every-day guys looked like.” From such a variety of men came beautiful music in which everyone was invited to participate. I often sang along.

Unity - being together as one – can be a very good thing. Apostle Paul said this was one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith, so he wrote his desire, “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6)  Continuing his letter by citing some Old Testament passages, Paul spoke of Jews and Gentiles being together and singing their praises to God.

That kind of unity has often been considered impossible, or at least unlikely, but God can bring people together, no matter how diverse they may be. We live in a fractured society today, angry and disagreeing on many things. We long for unity, and so we praise God that we can have it in Jesus, His Son and our Lord.

Help us, Jesus, always to agree that You are Lord.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

HURRY UP AND WAIT!

        Modern people are impatient. We buy no-iron clothing, microwave our food, get faster computers, and take things home things on credit. Impatience drives up our blood pressure, waiting irritates us, and standing in lines makes us squirm. Shopping takes too long, so we go online where ten minutes buys it and UPS delivers it, often on the same day. (I actually like Amazon for that.)

        Waiting for winter to be over is difficult, waiting in traffic, waiting for that phone call, waiting for the kids to grow up, and waiting to retire. Why diet when sugar and starch taste so good? Why exercise when we have TV and an easy chair? Why retain old ideas when new ones are so easy to imagine?

        God’s Word says, “Love is patient and kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) And again, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) And again, “Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

        People are impatient and anxious to see the whole picture. But God in His wisdom lets us see things more slowly, quietly and clearly. Jesus came to earth in His time, not ours. He forgives us when we repent and leads us when we let Him. God created the earth one day at a time, and He gives us life the same way.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:7)

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

THANKS FOR THE RAIN!

        Thanks for all your prayers about keeping rain away from last week’s Best Practices in Ministry Conference in Phoenix. God sent rain anyway, which was greatly needed in the desert. About 2,500 hardy souls braved the chilly and soggy 40 degree days to learn new ways and meet new friends in ministry in our congregations, schools and organizations which share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it was all free. The speaker sessions and tons of food cost the attendees nothing. Wow!

        Despite the wet chill, there were many smiles, an abundance of food and much laughter. Nearly all who came said it was better weather than what they’d left back home. But it was chilling being outside for two days. In my younger days, I’d have quickly shaken it off, but it was Sunday noon before I finally warmed up. 

        I commend Pastor Jeff Schrank and the hundreds of volunteers from Christ Church-Lutheran, as well as their church and school staff for all their effort. Their dedication to hosting this event and helping bring new ideas, directions and methods to 2,500 attendees from the hundreds of congregations and organizations they represented. I can attest there were a couple of hundred folks, young and old, who were exhausted from being on their feet and giving aid to all who came.

        It was great to be there among the members of the Body of Christ. St. Paul wrote, “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Again Paul said, “Christ Himself gave the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

        The Body of Christ is a marvelous creation of the Holy Spirit. It’s living parts bring their skills and dedication, energy and faith to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ. There is much news in the world, some of it good and most of it bad. But there’s no better news than Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh who gave His life for us that we might give God’s Good News and hope to a world struggling to find hope and understand its purpose. 

        All of us believers can share the hope we have in Jesus. May we all be encouraged by the hope we also need, as we live out each day.

Thank You, Lord, for all the people and all the rain!

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com