HEIMTAL

MESSENGER

Pastor:                      Rev. Fred Tober

Phone:                      (780) 466 - 2382

Office:                       R. R. 3 S. Edmonton, AB. T6H4N7

Phone                       (780) 955—7305  Office

Fax                            (78) - 955—7988

Email                        heimtal@telus.net

Web                          www.heimtal.com

 

 

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A Monthly Newsletter from the Heimtal Moravian Church         Vol. 9                      No.  7                                       July, 2008

 

From The Pastor:

 

             This past week, June 17-21, Margarete and I had the privilege of visiting my sister and her husband in Port Alberni.  Another sister from Calgary also joined us.  The weather was not the greatest.  Except for Friday afternoon it was windy, rainy and cold most of the time.  One day we never set foot outside the door.  Yet we had a wonderful time being together.  It is amazing how much visiting one can do just by sitting around and talking, reminiscing, looking through reams of photo albums, and discussing various issues.  We also managed to do a little exploring around the wharf area.

             When the weather was nice, such as Friday afternoon, we spent it in the backyard which was abloom with all kinds of flowers, shrubs and trees.  My sister also has about 60 - 70 cacti of various varieties, some of which are about 30 years old.

             For me it also was a time of reflection.

             We were quite a bunch of “youngsters” - ages, 89, 79, 75, 70 and 65, recycled teenagers, if you like.  We all are still and going strong, but looking at pictures from yesteryear, it strikes you how quickly the years have gone.  At this stage you have much to look back to, as well, of course, much to look forward to.  The main thing is to enjoy every stage of life.  Actually, the retirement years are among the best of one’s life as many of the pressures and responsibilities and uncertainties of the younger years are gone.  A person can enjoy life with greater equanimity.

             I always like to do a little theologizing about my experiences, especially in cases where you sit in an airplane, looking down at the ground from about 40,000 feet.  There is nothing between you and the ground 7 miles below except the airplane.  Your safety, your whole life is dependent on the plane and the captain and his crew who fly the plane (plus the whole support system on the ground).

             Once you step on the plane, you are not in control any more.  You are totally dependent on the plane.  You fully and totally entrust yourself to something or someone else.  In effect, flying is a faith experience.

             This, in a way, is similar to our relationship to God.  We are totally dependent upon him for everything.  We are not in control, often confused and lost, yet God sees us through in spite of ourselves.

             All of life comes from God and returns to him.  Life is a gift - our bodies, all our senses, faculties and powers as well, all the things that fill our life come from him.  Yes, we have to work, plan, and manage, but it is he who gives us the power for this.  We are but stewards, managers of all that he gives us.  We are accountable to him.  Ultimately, all goes back to him.

             Life often seems all too ordinary.  Seeing him in our daily experiences changes the common into something special.  Even a little time off can give a renewed perspective on the wonder of the greatness of God in the small, ordinary things of life.

             Have a great summer!

             SHALOM!

             Pastor Fred.