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7/28/2022

Bryan's FOUR Principals for Life

My very good friend Bryan Anderson is a Biology professor at Bethel University. He is a smart guy from my home town of Cable Wisconsin population 280ish. Bryan lives the good life with his family now in the Twin Cities faithful to God, family, and friends.

I repost this blog about once a year around his birthday on July 28th and this year he is like 448 years old in DOG years. And he certainly is an old dog.

Bryan was the best man in my wedding, and I have known him since I was 6 or 7 years old. It is a good thing to have such a good friend, but note while we are good friends, and I love him like a brother BUT we never HUG. That would be creepy weird.

Anyways, like I said Bryan is my very good friend, and we meet for lunch often, and when we meet he has shared with me his secrets for a happy life. I have summed up his secrets in what I would call..

THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF BRYAN.

CELL PHONES are from the Devil - Bryan resisted for the first 57 years having his own a cell phone. He only recently purchased one at the insistence of his very wise wife Laura. I guess putting a little bell on him was not an effective once he wandered outside of ear shot.
EMAIL is electronic clutter - Bryan is a college professor who hates email. Don't know how that works for him, but he brags to me on how many unread emails have stacked up in his inbox. Bryan's preferred modes of inter-office communication are carrier pigeon, and Pony Express. note: If there was a 5th principle he would add NO SOCIAL MEDIA.
Thou shalt NOT wear a SEAT BELT. I know, I know.. being labeled a smart guy now comes into serious question. No one knows why Bryan won't wear a seat belt, but when I get to Heaven some day I will ask God. I believe God will reply with a Holy Smirk.. "That's what happens when ya give 'free will' to a country boy."
and finally..
There are simply too many SIGNS- Bryan is very very bothered by our modern world and the overuse of SIGNS. Signs are here, signs are there, there are signs everywhere about everything. Simply put Bryan believes common sense should be our guide instead those signs that inform us of the obvious. Those needing such signs for the obvious would be simply eliminated by the natural order of selection.

Also Bryan reinforces his sign concerns by quoting Jesus in Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a SIGN, but none will be given it. AMEN & AMEN

After all Bryan is a Biology professor, a man of science,.. he knows.. STUFF

For myself, I cheerfully own a cell phone, read email, and wear a seat belt.. but I believe Bryan is on to something regarding this 'sign happy world'. Also, I do social media.. and Bryan is right, I should just say NO.

So there you have The Four Principles of Bryan (aka 4PB) for a world looking ironically for a sign? Not sure the 4PB will have the same impact as let's say.. The Four Spiritual Laws by Bill Bright, but there are four of em'.

So my advice to this unprincipled world.. consider the 4 Principles of Bryan, it will change your life. For remaining 95% of society may God bless you with a fully charged smartphone, a manageable email inbox, seat belts in your cars, a life uncluttered by excessive 'signage'... and good friends to be used as blog fodder.

Jeff (SIGNing off for now) Larson

Final (Bryan) note: I met for lunch with Bryan recently on his birthday (I paid) and he just came from working on restoring his old classic car. He washed his hands (I think), but there was still engine grease under his nails and he has a good tan from being outdoors this summer. Me, on the other hand.. (insert hand pun here) have the hands as white as a ghost.. or.. JOE BIDEN (the whitest man in America).

His hands were calloused and his fingers have marks of healed cuts from working and being busy in the sun. My hands in contrast are the hands of a man who is recovering slowly from 2 recent back surgeries while drawing cartoons and blogging in his air conditioned home. My hands no longer soft like a baby, but maybe soft and white like new printer paper. I have attached a picture of our hands to prove my point.

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7/19/2022

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Those Waves are .. REAL!

Most of us remember the story of Jesus telling Peter to walk on water, but as 'Pete' noticed the VERY REAL waves about him and as the seeming nonsense of walking on water began to sink in.. so did Peter.

When I was younger I thought “Oh Pete of little faith, I would have done cartwheels on the sea with my perfect faith of Jesus intact”. But now after wading around in the seas of life’s experience.. I see the waves in my life are just as real as those literal waves Peter faced 2000 years or so ago, and at best I look like Gilligan hollering for SKIPPER!..

but of course this analogy falls flat as I am not comparing the Skipper with Jesus... and I am too 'husky' to be Gilligan... BUT I DIGRESS!

So with my assessment that my faith is often at best an undersized mustard seed as I choose to get out of the boat and trust God. I may sink at times like Peter but.. the same Jesus who calmed the seas, healed the sick, fed the multitudes, walked on water, and rose from the grave is my answer to life’s figurative (but VERY REAL) waves of health, finance, family, or fear.

I could expound on this fact, as like many of you I experience seasons of waves, and tests that put my trust in God to the test.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart soul and mind and lean not unto your own understanding .. in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Pr 3:5-6

EASY WORDS to say.. DIFFICULT WORDS to comprehend just like walking on water MAKES NO SENSE.. but I choose to believe both to be true.

May God bless each of you this day in your journey. May we all learn to trust God when life is great, when life is difficult, or when all seems lost.

Trust in the Lord as your providence, Trust in the Lord as your source for answers, Trust in the Lord for blessings, and Trust in the Lord for perspective that is beyond the limits of any circumstance.. so even when the waves swell and the storms rage.. we can give the triumphant shout..

SURFS UP Blessings!

Jeff

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7/18/2022

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Too Much in 2022

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:5-7

I live in America where moderation is not the modus operandi. We like big, more, and we supersize whenever possible. Too much for us often is not enough.

May God will bless, lead, and use us all for His glory (not ours) in ways that are beyond your dreams. I pray we keep in mind Phil 4:5-7, Mt 5:3, and Mi 6:8 as a guide for our lives.

Jeff (slightly supersized) LarsonWhile I am not saying having nice home, car, etc are bad things at all, but modesty and moderation does not come easy to Americans.

But what if we temper our lives with those 3 verses in Philippians? What if we were known for our moderation, prayerful, and thankful to our God? Then the peace of God that does pass all understanding is there for each of us no matter if we are living check to check or encumbered with the trappings of wealth.

Let me leave you with a couple more scriptures of perspective in a world and even some in the church where moderation does NOT come easy.

Be poor in Spirit (humble) Matthew. 5:3 , faithful to our God and caring of others in the moments that make up your day. Then this whole moderation concept should take care of itself.
Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God Micah 6:8

May God bless, lead, and use us all for His glory (not our pleasure & leisure) in ways that are beyond your dreams.

I pray we keep in mind Phil 4:5-7, Mt 5:3, and Mi 6:8 as a guide for our lives.

Jeff (slightly supersized) Larson

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7/13/2022

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I.. dunno!

I Dunno = I Don't know

You would think the older I get and loner I have been a Christian the less questions I have regarding my faith. Well, it's not working out that way. In fact I have more questions than ever before.

Let me very clear though.. questions are not necessarily doubts. In the same way for example I have questions on how my high speed wireless internet connection works does not mean I doubt it work.. in fact I put my browsing faith in this not seen nor really understood wi-fi wonder. In a similar way I am ok with unanswered faith questions as I trust in the goodness of my God much more than my wi-fi connection. NO BRAINER THERE.

So back to matters of faith.. Here's a dozen doozey faith questions of mine. My questions may be your questions, or not.

Q: Was the world created in a literal 7 days, or a figurative 7 days which may be much longer?
Q: On the 7th day did God set aside Sunday for rest only.. or rest and football?
Q: Where do the dinosaurs fit in? Did Adam name them or Fred Flintstone?
Q: Where did Cain's wife come from?
Q: Should I believe in an old earth, or young earth?
Q: Evolution, does it fit in with the creation story?
Q: Sewing together fig leaves.. how did Eve keep them from bunching up on her Singer Sewing machine?
Q: How old is too old for building an Ark? Noah was over 600 years old while his sons were still spry 100 year old. How did the local desert OSHA balance the obvious concerns regarding safe Ark building guidelines without appearing discriminatory towards these VERY senior citizens builders.

Q: How did Noah board all the animals let alone herd two cats? And what do we mean by ALL the animals? Other of my boarding concerns are self evident when it was time to board Lions, Tigers, and Bears.. OH MY!.. and Crocodiles.
Q: Old Abraham and Old Sarah being the proud parents of .. the entire nation of ISRAEL? REALLY?
Q: Jacob marries the wrong sister? Was Jacob outrageously nearsighted, or outrageously buzzed by like 50 light beers before he said I do.
Q: Solomon has 700 wives? Seems like God would have nudged Solomon gently telling him he was over the marriage limit by about 699. And after how many marriages did Solomon have to give up his wisest man in the land title?
Q: Jonah in the belly of the fish? Sounds like a whopper of a fish story to me.
Q: The story of Job? No, wait I can relate to that one.
Q: Jesus feeds the 5,000 with a few loaves and a couple fish. I believe it, but like a magic trick I would like to watch Jesus hands closely to see how he did it.

Now finally my big question outside of Bible stories..

Q: Do only those who believe in Jesus go to Heaven? This is what I have always been raised to believe and I know the gospel is the great news that we must share.. BUT what about Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Of course as I often do.. I mix real questions of mine along with 'silly' questions (and images) of mine, and you might think they are all silly. Oh Jeff of little faith.. BUT no matter our questions I believe all answers are only obvious to our creator.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For your ways are not my ways, or your thoughts my thought says the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways than your ways, and my thoughts than yours.

I love that scripture.. it gives me peace (not a copout) for my questions. Also there is a worship song 'Good Good Father' by Chris Tomlin which shares the message of God's perfect love in balance with God's all knowing ways described in Isaiah 55:8-9.

"Good Good Father" <-- click here to listen
Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased ... And that I'm never alone

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Cause you are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still [x3]
Into love, love, love

[x3:]
You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
You're a Good, Good Father
(You are perfect in all of your ways)
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
(You are perfect in all of your ways)
It's who I am, it's who I am it's who I am

Never ever be afraid of your honest faith questions, but I also want to encourage each of you to not let your unanswered questions injure your faith. Pursue God, pursue answers, study God's word, research apologetics, and prayerfully seek truth.

In the end realize whatever you choose to believe will require faith and .. faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. May God bless you on this journey to know him better.

Jeff

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7/9/2022

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24/7 EVIL!

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only 'evil all the time'. Genesis 6:5

This was in the comment section of mankind's first report card. Just before God commanded Noah to build an ark he mailed out the letter grade for having your every inclinations of mankind's heart being evil all the time. It was big ol' fat F!

Think of it, just a few chapters after God created all things in six days declaring it good.. Mankind botched it up by rarely showing up for class or opening a book (figuratively speaking).

Another way of looking at it.. If this was mankind's Genesis 6:5 job review.. They were getting the boot.

Mankind did much worse than taking a highlighter and a notepad home for personal use. They were too often no shows in attitude, and effort... and maybe mixed in a little embezzling. aka Evil all the Time!

There were no extenuating circumstances to consider. They were outside of God's favor, and Noah's big boat. AND..in desperate need of a good flood insurance policy.

Evil all the time.. what does that even look like.?
I would guess there would be your garden variety envy, greed, racism, and hatred fueled by a self indulgent 'hell bent' looking for the next high' attitude in drink, sex, and/or any other means imaginable. Evil all the time.. folk are gluttons for all forms of pleasure with no boundaries. Their motto was .. 'What happens in Genesis 6:5, stays in Genesis 6:5.' Hmm, that slogan sounds familiar.

Now fast forward to our modern lives. I cannot imagine a society where evil all the time is there every inclination. <insert reflective pause> Unless.. I turn on the evening news. Then I might declare .. 'whoomp there it is.'

Is 'evil all the time' is an unfair assessment life today? I know there is good in this world and good people.. but there is a powerful Godless 24/7 stimulus smorgasbord for the senses ready to be indulged that does not play well with any true worship of God.

But what about the church? I could not say evil all the time is not a good description of the church and God's people, but compromise all the time maybe is. Too often 'The Church' the church is in a comfortable compromise with the world. They think they are in a Jacuzzi of peace with the world, but are unaware they are more like the 'frog in the boiling pot' willing to compromise God's timeless truths under the guise of being inclusive.

Insert REVIVAL here!

Is there an answer?
BUT.. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I know 2 Chronicles 7:14 was written a long time ago to the nation of Israel, but the promise to restore and heal our lands of the repentant heart I believer are true today. True for any rebellious nation, compromised church, or the individual who has lost his way.

God's Grace is that big.

May God bless each of you today in your pursuit of God and for a revival that changes the world.

Jeff

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7/8/2022

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Bible Dust v Paper Cuts

The word of God is sharper than a two edged sword, it penetrates even to the soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I claim this scripture anew today.. BUT.. I observe even those of us in the church too often spend too little time reading, studying or fully living the truths taught in God's word. Any bible resemblance to a sword in America is sadly reduced to a plastic butter knife found at any church potluck... or a 'spork'

One of my favorite gifts EVER was a Bible presented to me by my wife on Christmas 2000. I truly love my Bible and it is precious to me.. but in the harried pace of life I sometimes don't spend the time reading God's word as I should.

It truly is a trick of the devil and my cluttered mind that I do not spend more time in the book I believe is the inspired word of God

As I write this email we are still a bit all things Covid-19 where our country and this world are on high alert to the health risks associated with this new variant of the flu.

Another health risk maybe not covered by my annual flu shot is the risk of inhaling DUST from a seldom used bible.

Our country needs to blow the dust off these Bibles risking Bible Dust Lung, and open them risking Paper cuts that are sharper than any two-edged sword to find TRUTH which is our ONLY WAY back to God.

I do confess .. the Bible includes more than its fair share of arduous facts, BUT it is much more than Church trivia, and is NOT a collection of fairy tales and/or folk lore.

Our Bibles contain the timeless truths of God and Chronicles the history of His providence for mankind.

Simply by reading our bibles we can begin to grasp His greatness, love, and Amazing Grace for mankind both from the Garden through today.

Next, let's address a couple age old EXCUSES for not reading my Bible.

I am sooooo busy!
- my current levels of TV watching begs to differ.
Bible reading is as tedious and laborous as a root canal.
- Hmmm, I have no problem scouring over the baseball box scores to find which overpaid, pampered, steroid injected, ballplayer had a big game, so I am embarrassed ever to complain again about any difficult to understand Levitical Laws

My prayer is that finding your Bible on Sunday morning is not as easy as looking for in the back seat of your car where you left it last Sunday.

If you are guilty of underachieving Bible reader moments, there is no better time to start a Bible Resolution than today. Don't wait for the New Year. Also, note.. Some time is better than NO time. Meaning 5 minutes is better than ZERO minutes, and I believe God blesses our efforts to know Him better in ways that are BEYOND OUR DREAMS. I have found the more I read the more I want to read.

May God find His followers faithfully seeking Him with His Word. May this knowledge of God's word unite us not divide us, and may we experience His love for us and in return share this love with this angry hurting world.

Blessings

Jeff

note: If you are worried about Bible dust lung put on your slightly dusty favorite Covid mask from 2020, and if you are worried about paper cuts.. band aids are in the medicine cabinet. In both cases you will live to tell the tale.

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7/7/2022

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A Speck on a Blue Ball

I have this prayer prep that I use when my mind is busy and unfocused. I slow my mind to take a glimpse of my place in this Universe.

Specifically, I am a speck on a blue ball (Earth) that spins at 1000 mph orbiting around our sun in our Solar System of 8 (or 9) planets, which is one of countess galaxies in our infinite Universe. ..

AND this existence.. my existence is just a microscopic blip on the timeline of .. eternity!

So while I admit I should lose like 25 (or so) pounds I also am feeling very small. Then to think of the intricacies of the human body, the human condition, that I have a free will, and I believe His spirit makes me a very special speck on this blue dot.

While I attempt to grasp this perspective of significance.. I pray Psalms 8:4 Who am I that you are mindful of me? .. and I am in awe of creation and more importantly our creator and His inexplicable love for each of us. Better yet, y'all best read all of Psalms 8

Now .. I am ready to pray as the world slows down.. I am an awe of God, and thankful for this day (even the bad ones), and pray that my life, my family, my friends, church, community, state, nation, and world come to realize the significance, purpose, and place as their own speck like roles on this blue dot.

Love God, love others and all glory to God on this day! Cuz ya know, the rest is speck on a blue ball trivia by comparison.

Blessings!

Jeff (Big Speck) Larson

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7/6/2022

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The Gospel Paradox 2022

I wrote a while back about GETTING WHAT I DESERVE from God. I shared in this somewhat controversial blurb I deserve God's Grace, I deserve His Love because (and only because) I am a child of God and my Heavenly Father is the perfect parent, and even as an imperfect parent myself I would always forgive and forget and strive to be patient and graceful towards my kids no matter their mistakes.

This GETTING WHAT I DESERVE writing was met with mixed reviews as some shared Grace is a gift we do not deserve, and our goodness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) in comparison to our Creator. TRUTH!

Here in lies for me the PARADOX as both seemingly contradictory statements are true. We are all God's children, and He desires each one of us choose Him, BUT I know first hand my weaknesses my failures, my selfish desires are sometimes far from the heart of God... aka filthy rags.

I could ramble on about this topic and may do so another day, but today I will use the PRODIGAL SON as a great story of this paradox. This rebellious son chose his own way with his own free will and was allowed by the father to separate his life and choices totally from the father. During this time he was still the son and was loved, but far removed from doing anything remotely obedient or loving.

Once the prodigal son hit bottom, he grieved his poor decisions and with his same free will CHOSE to return to the father who welcomed him NOT with scolding words of disappointment BUT with open arms and love and a celebration exclaiming "My son was lost but now is found."

This prodigal son was both selfish, sinful, rebellious, and also loved beyond description by his Father. Both aspects of the son were true.. he was a walking talking (smelling like a pig pen) paradox... and so are we.

Our very best is NOTHING compared to our Heavenly Father. He deserves and desires our love and appreciation but we have the choice to reject Him. Isn't it great to be loved like this. Unconditional love that welcomes us back when we blow it.

Of course you may be like the other son who has NOT wandered far from home and was good, BUT please take on the heart of the father when those who have suffered prodigal moments have returned. We should celebrate the return of a brother or sister, and not EVER shake our heads comparing our relative goodness.

Note Again: The very best of any of us is still truly filthy rags compared to our Father. Not shaming anyone, but the very best virtuous, moral, giving, talented, gifted orators are clanging cymbals without God's love. So be thankful, stay humble, and rejoice with others and with the Father always.

This PARADOX is the heart of the gospel. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Two seemingly contradictory statements that are both beautifully true.

May God bless and use you today no matter if you are the good rule following child of God OR.. the prodigal who has wandered away YET AGAIN. Both of you are His children and you are loved, and you DESERVE HIS GRACE if you choose it.. because that is what perfect love does. Take in this beautiful paradox from God.

Jeff (A Paradox sitting in The Back Pew) Larson

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Bryan's FOUR Principals for Life

Those Waves are .. REAL!

Too Much in 2022

I.. dunno!

24/7 EVIL!

Bible Dust v Paper Cuts

A Speck on a Blue Ball

The Gospel Paradox 2022

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