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9/30/2018

The 'evolution' of EVOLUTION?

The 'evolution' of EVOLUTION?

While I do not believe in the monkey ancestor kind of evolution I do believe life certainly evolves.

Let me share 'my' scientific findings from my exhaustive study here at the Back Pew Institute for Common Sense.

Exhibit A (Valentines Day)
THEN: On February 14, 1984 I bought my wife an engagement ring, flowers and proposed marriage. Good news for me Mary was very excited about spending the rest of her life with ME! Til death do us part.. thank you very much.
NOW: On February 13th 2016 my wife informed me she was going to pick up some flowers for my 86 year old mom for Valentines Day. I replied "Great, and while you're at it, pick up something nice for yourself from me.. cuz I like ya."

Exhibit B (Romance)
THEN: Mary and I were married in August 1984. The newlywed excitement of starting our lives together, holding hands, the excitement of the kiss, and all the other 'fringe benefits' of being married were truly wonderful.
NOW: Just the few years ago I remember trying to kiss my wife Mary on the lips before I headed out the door to work. But she turned her head at the last moment offering me only to her cheek to kiss. So I said to my bride "I noticed you turned away", and she replied matter of factly.. "yes I did not want you to wreck my lips." Wreck her lips? I was her husband wanting a simple kiss, not a zombie wanting to eat her lips.

Exhibit C (Sports)
THEN: March Madness Year 1 was a simple game where dunking was not possible as the hunched over Neanderthal players had little to no vertical jump compounded by using a ball which technically was a medium sized boulder.
NOW: The game now is fast, the players tall and athletic, the action is high flying and the courts are free of dinosaur droppings.

Exhibit D (Me)
THEN: When I was a kid I could spend hours drawing cartoons.
NOW: Hmmm, never mind that is still what I like to do.

Exhibits E-Z (God)
THEN & NOW: Outside of all the above 'very scientific' examples of evolution and in the spiritual realm let's be clar.. our God does not evolve nor does He need to. God is timeless, and so are his truths.

It appears society has chosen to travel down a progressive road of self-enlightenment at 90mph in a Woodstock like hippy van mind set. Ironically the world judges Christians as.. judgmental, and God's timeless loving truths (The Bible) are questioned or outright dismissed.

This truth of our 'never-needing-to-evolve creator' and His perfect love and grace is the compass and solid rock we can count on. Please share this often with this ever changing/evolving tumultuous doubting world.

Blessings

Jeff

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9/24/2018

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Truth.. Can you handle it?

Q: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God? <pause> A: Hmmm, maybe. What are we talking about, I mean I need some context here before I swear.

Ok, I do not believe this type of answer would fly well in a court of law. Truth is truth, and I should not be afraid of the truth. Right? Or can't I handle the Truth?

How about outside the court of law where I do not have to swear on a bible? Can I fudge or tweak the truth so it does not look so blessed incriminating? I mean to say.. that check is really in the mail.. almost. :)

What if a wife asks her hubby: "Are these pants too tight?" In this case, be truthful.. BUT choose your words wisely so they are not your LAST.

On the flip side if a husband asks: "How do I look?" There is a better than 75% chance the hubby will receive the whole truth and nothing but the unfiltered truth.

For all of the above and more truth in love is a beautiful thing. Truth is not always convenient, and it may sting a little or A LOT, but avoiding the truth will not make it go away.

Also the church (we are the church) are called to share the good news (THE TRUTH) of Jesus Christ. To not share this gospel message of salvation would be unloving.

Think about it,, If there is ONE WAY to Heaven through Jesus Christ then we must preach Christ always in our words and deeds. Do not apologize for this truth! If you believe in Heaven and Hell then as family, friend, neighbor, and/or citizen we cannot remain silent when the Truth of Jesus is eternally important.

While this subject of deep down nook and crannies of our lives truth feels a bit intrusive it must be a cornerstone to our faith. We should embrace truth in love for ourselves and others, and share the truth the only way to Heaven is Jesus Christ.

My prayer today is for us all to be truthful and loving in word and deed. Remember, 1 Corinthians 13 shares all is meaningless (including Truth) without love. In all things, To God be the glory.

Blessings

Jeff (mostly-honest) Larson

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9/22/2018

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Back (Pew) to School

School Days, School Days.. Dear old Golden Rule days
' Reading and 'riting and 'rithmetic
Taught to the tune of the hick'ry stick'
hick’ry stick?

So NOT politically correct! and.. I like it!

Back to school begins traditionally the day after Labor day in America. Parents, students, and teachers transition from vacations, picnics, and the beach to a world of chalk dust, text books, report cards, and a possible trip to the principle's office.

CHALK DUST bites the DUST
Of course chalk dust is becoming a part of old school urban legend. I-Pads and smart phones are the tools of today's student. They say.. You are only as smart as your smartphone.

Then the timeless excuse 'My dog ate my homework" has been upgraded for our high speed high tech society with.. "my wi-fi was down", or "a computer virus ate my homework". Also, Notes passed between students has been replaced by texting, browsing the web, and/or social media posts.

My wife Mary is a school teacher who has taught for 10+ in the public schools before moving to a small Christian school these last 3 years. A teacher is truly how God wired by wife as you can tell by the hours she spends prepping or talking teacher talk with her other teacher peeps.

God bless all of you gifted educators in the public school systems, but for my wife she could not be happier where she is now still teaching the 3 Rs, but blending this with a Christian world view, prayer, and worship of the God of our Bibles. Truth be told it has become as much of a ministry as an occupation as evidenced by her paycut moving from public school system.

My Prayer of Blessing for all you dedicated educators (public & private, primary & secondary) that Jesus be first and formost in your lives. May your faith and God's truth guide your words and deeds. Kindness, compassion, and loving discipline are the marks of a Godly educator.

My Prayer of Concern for public schools is for the language and tone not minimize or apologize for our nation's Christian heritage. Public Schools in their determined quest to remain NEUTRAL in matters of faith have instead become NEUTERED in respect to our Christian heritage. While there is no question we are all to respect the differing faiths of others but it's a MISTAKE to become so SECULARIZED that we are void of God.

The Pledge and Patriotism
And while we are at it, I pledge alleagence to the flag and the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation UNDER GOD.. This pledge needs to be in schools. Patriotism and honoring our country (flaws and all) needs to be an integral part of education. AND Christians should not be alarmed the pledge puts God and Country on the same plain. The pledge clearly states one nation UNDER GOD.

Along this same vein, I am serioulsly miffed at a movement in the 'progressive' Christian community that has a problem with God and Nation. Again, read the pledge.. one nation UNDER God.

OBTW, please don't kneel during the Star Spangled Banner .. this is NOT the time or place to protest any patriotic misgivings you may have.

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord Psalms 33:12,.. and so it goes without saying blessed is the SCHOOL whose God is the Lord.

May God bless all of you educators this coming year. Be faithful and sensitive to God in your lives as He leads you. Good Teachers are a true blessing to the foundation of our country!

Jeff (semi-educated) Larson

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9/8/2018

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Caught between The ROCK and a HARD world

I have a growing concern for the American Church that we find ourselves caught between THE ROCK and a HARD WORLD.

This world claims Christians are mostly judgmental hypocrites. Weak minded, Insensitive, pious hymn singers who naivly believe in Noah's Ark and other fairy tales. And they LOL believe the Bible is the inherrent word of God.

In response we claim our ROCK is Jesus... and sing 'A Mighty Fortress is our God', but our knees shake as we become instrospective through the world's judging lens instead of God's loving truth.

We apologize and/or hide our views when God's unchanging truths do not fit nicely with our secular humanistic society. We go mostly silent as not to stir the anti-Christian hornet's nest world view. We don't like people to call us names.. who would. So we become like a deer caught in society's pious headlights and honking horns.

This HARD WORLD has a compromised view of life equally cynical of Christians and mocking of our God.

I believe A.W. Tozer once said "The Church is more afraid of offending the world than offending God". I believe that is true.

So the choice is ours. Serve God or appease man. Stand up for God's Truth or attend a Sunday Social club we call church and live our lives as Christians in name only.

Only one life 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last. - Charles Studd

There I go again.. another not funny blog by a cartoonist. Next time I promise to write about the plight of unicorns who did not RSVP to Noah.

Truth is all is not lost... not in the Church, not in the world. God cares deeply both for his church and for a world that does not know him. This is our opportunity to make a difference not just attending church but being involved as best we can where we can.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17

Oh we will stumble but get back up again where Jesus is our Rock while living in this Hard World.

I pray as always His church (we the people) turn daily to God, seek Him first,.. love HIm with our lives, serve Him in all that we do, and love and care others like Jesus did. May God find us all faithful. May He bless and use us all in ways that are beyond our dreams and for His Glory only.

Blessings

Jeff

ps, another quick Tozer post that was a good barameter for me to pay attention to.

“Rules for Self Discovery:
1. What we want most;
2. What we think about most;
3. How we use our money;
4. What we do with our leisure time;
5. The company we enjoy;
6. Who and what we admire;
7. What we laugh at.”
― A. W. Tozer

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The 'evolution' of EVOLUTION?

Truth.. Can you handle it?

Back (Pew) to School

Caught between The ROCK and a HARD world

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