10 Things I Ponder

As another year in the life of Jeff approaches, I thought I would share my list of what I will call.. 

The Back Pew Pondering a better world. ​

This better world involves ONE PART your garden variety New Year Resolutions, and ONE PART reading Scriptures while drinking Red Bull.  -kidding about the Red Bull, I think-

1. Diet - Yes, I closed out 2020 by 'binge-snacking', and so I know I need to lose a few (if 20 is a few) pounds or more.  I would feel better, and my jeans no longer attempt to choke me out just below my belly button. -nuff-said- 1 Timothy 6:11
2. Exercise - I no longer aspire to be an athlete, but there is a land of activity somewhere between a world cup soccer player and a.. 'house plant' that I do aspire to.  John 3:30
3. TV Watching - If books can expand your mind, I am confident by contrast TV watching may implode them. Matthew 5:29
4. Budget - A land of dollars and cents where Dave Ramsey and Donald Trump create the perfect budget. Matthew 6:19-20
5. Bible Reading - I am reading through my Bible again this year and sincerely I have learned to appreciate Leviticus.  No joke, I really have.
6. Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, TicTok, Instagram,  and all other forms of social media once seem like innocent fun until .. you find yourself in the Social Media equivalent of stomping out a flaming bag of dog poop.  No one ends up happy, and everyone stinks. James 1:5-10
7. Thinking out loud - After 36 years of marriage you would think I have this one down. Speak softly, choose my words carefully, and when in doubt .. JUST BE QUIET. James 1:19
8. Division in the Church - Way back in the book of 1st Century Church when Paul discovered math problems scribbled on the church bulletins he knew DIVISION in the church was no good. Now 2000 years later our disagreements in the church escalate to the willy-nilly declaring of others HERETICS.  1 Corinthians 1:1-17
9. Frog in a Boiling Pot - This describes the American Church perfectly and sadly.  Until we decide collectively to be more concerned with offending God than offending society.. WE WILL DECLINE. Romans 12:1-2
10. Wasted Talents - This parable of Jesus is convicting as it reminds me of my sometimes less than stellar efforts in serving God.  To stall out with good intentions whether in words or deeds is to in effect bury my talents.  Note: Read this parable, wasting our talents is a BIG DEAL to God. Matthew 25:14-30

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There you have it.. My Back Pew list of Ponderings.  One part resolutions, one part repentance, and all parts pondering this world, the church, and each one of us.

I pray sincerely we are not conformed to this world as prayerful, obedient children of God FIRST and foremost. Let's be known for being kind and understanding of others in and outside the church and not for snarky Facebook posts (guilty). I pray we are unwavering from His Truth (our Bibles), and obedient to share God's Truth in a world that will call us judgmental hypocrites.  Never apologize for sharing God's Truth because these words (even when hated) are real love.

Blessings as you ponder

Jeff (the wandering ponderer) Larson

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