Cartoonist/Illustrator - Jeff Larson
Minnesota
 Persecution for my faith? I think the closest thing I encounter to persecution for my faith is going to church on a miserable cold MinneFROZEta Sunday morning while 'Old Man Winter' mocks me for leaving my warm home to worship with the frozen faithful. Or maybe the fact that I am a Green Bay Packer fan living in the state of Minnesota Viking fans. Besides that.. persecution is a little on the light side in my life. No Christians being fed to literal lions these days.  Persecution 2000 years ago looked much different. After the first Christian movement begins at Pentecost in Acts 2 the church grows. In response the religious establishment of the day is outraged and fights them for the next 26 chapters of Acts. This first century church perseveres through REAL PERSECUTIONS that make my 'Minnesota Winter Windchill' feel like a warm summer breeze.
 Now fast forward to today .. I am sitting in my warm home in a country that has allowed me freedom to worship. While the outside temperature may go below zero in the Minnesota winter months I have my gas fireplace warming me as I type.
But.. is Persecution on the rise? I do see a disturbing trend in the news that alarms me where traditional Christian values are under attack.
As Christians we should be unwavering and unapologetic of the gospel message. If we really believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Jesus. Jo 14:6, then shame on us as believers when we are silent. We are so careful to not call wrong wrong (even in love) in fear that society will label us the religous alt-right hate group of the month. Our words and actions should be the evidence we are living out God's two greatest commandments. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and care for others in need and love them as ourselves. May God find us all faithful and full of His Love, and in all things we do. I pray God's people do not live to please man but instead to honor God. To God be the Glory! Blessings, Jeff (Chick-fil-A eating) Larson 4/15/2019 Jesus Temper in the Temple As the final week of Jesus continues, we find Jesus frustrated with more than just a case of the Mondays. This special Monday he enters the temple where it was reduced from being God's House of Worship to a first century Holy Land Mini Mall. Of course in my Back Pew way of looking at things I have imagined and illustrated a few of these temple violators. There were The Temple ..
All these and more turned the temple into as Jesus called it "a true den of thieves". So I guess frustrated was a true understatement as I will call Jesus state of mind The Temper in the Temple.
After turning over a few tables Jesus left the temple not in the mood for encountering a 'fig-free-fig-tree' which he promptly cursed. This was a lesson NOT LOST on his disciples.
It is not fair to assume the mind of Christ, but from my human perspective I imagine Jesus did feel the elation of his triumphant entry that first Palm Sunday. This followed by his frustration of this broken world where on Monday the Temple was shameful, and the fig tree bore no fruit.  Simple emotions for someone like me but deeper and more complex for our Savior as his foretold arrest and crucifixion were only days away.
While my cartoons are a smirky look at very real biblical events my prayer is we remember the Holy Week. Remember and honor the amazing truth of salvation realized between that first Palm Sunday and that first Easter morning. Blessings Jeff  The author of the book of Hebrews does not mince words when he wrote .. it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of NOT LISTENING! ... You ought to be teachers by now, yet here you are needing someone to go over the basics on God.. AGAIN! You need MILK, and Milk is for BABIES! Hebrews 5:11-14 (MSG). BUT then again.. there are plenty of meaningful scriptures exhorting us to have the the faith of a child. Mt 9:14 (LIV) Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me! Never send them away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting as these little children’s. and how about...  Mt 18:2-4 (lIV) Jesus said, “Unless you turn to God from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. and then Jesus continues.. Therefore anyone who humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. even Max Lucado chimes in when he wrote in one of his books.. "Play hard, laugh loud and leave the worries to the Father." Ok God so which is it? Be like a child or grow up? Drink Milk and eat my Wonder Bread, or grill me a T-Bone Steak?  Before God answers that burning question let me take time for some Introspection..
 They say When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Then by my reasoning.. if I have a glass of milk.. make a Milkshake? There you have it.. I am neither profound nor insightful all in one simple 'Jeffism'. Seriously, I know God wants me to trust and love Him like as a child I did my own mom & dad. Also God wants me to grow up, and not end up a spiritual baby or even a lazy spiritual teen living in my Heavenly Father's basement playing video games while this hurting world is in need of spiritual grown ups (men & women of God). Love God with all their heart soul and mind and others as themselves. Spending time in God's word daily and in a constant attitude of prayer/conversation with God is the two step formula in becoming a spiritual grown up. May God bless each of you in your faith journeys. Trust in God with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6  Jeff (Vanilla Milk Shake Drinking in the Back Pew) Larson
4/9/2019 The Lord's Prayer Prologue lyThe Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen!  These are the perfectly chosen words of Jesus covering everything we should pray for. .. EXCEPT when my busy mind and my eyes are on me and not primarily on God. All of sudden I have added a Prologue using an extra small font, then emphatically use ALL CAPS, bold and underlined fonts to emphasize the compromised (self) attitude of my heart. I cringe as I have turned The Lord's Prayer into something that more resembles a ransom letter then it does a humble loving prayer to my creator. Lord's Prayer Prologue Our Father who is in Heaven hallowed (whatever hallowed is) is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. (NOW 'MY' REAL PRAYER STARTS) GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD!! (and.. the other stuff I WANT) FORGIVE MY SINS (and THE MESS I MAKE OF LIFE), as we forgive those who sin against us. and lead me not into temptation, but DELIVER ME FROM EVIL (aka keep me out of trouble even when I am looking for trouble). For yours is the power and glory forever (YOU CAN DO IT!) AMEN!  My point is to remind myself that The Lord's Prayer is short, but so powerful. It opens the doors of our lives and gives them to God, and if anything we should get stuck on the beginning of the Lord's Prayer as we find ourselves in awe of our loving creator. Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed (GREAT) is your name! Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth (in my life, in my family, your church, our nation) as it is in Heaven. Also, The Lord's Prayer expands easily to cover the miriad of moments and issues that need God's attention. My family, my attitude, health issues, our nation, where I put my hope, where I put my trust (God), and the choices I make. Also confession of and prayers for help regarding areas of temptation and compromise I entertain. And don't forget to be forgiving of others! But all of this and more are covered in the Lord's Prayer.  This is my prayer for each of you. May we all pray to Him in a way that is God centered not self centered. There is no greater call than to be a servant of God. Think of it, the creator of the world. Like the old Navy recruitment slogan 'It is not just a job (to serve God), it is an adventure.'
Blessings on your Adventure Jeff 3/5/2019 Look at those Waves I live in the beautiful state of Minnesota, and one of my favorite places here is on the North Shore of Lake Superior. I can sit on the rocky coastline and listen to and watch the peaceful waves as they roll in. So soothing to my mind and spirit and in stark contrast to the rush hour pace of life back in the city. But there are other times where the winds and waves are stormy. Just last October 2018 there were strong winds and spectacular waves crashing into the shoreline. I did not have time to venture North for the 3 hour drive to see this example of nature on display, but the news and social media shared many pictures like the one on the right->  My fascination with waves is ironic since I don't like the waves in my life. Of course the waves in my life are a ripple in my kiddy pool existence compared to others, but still they are real, and they affect me. The answer of course is Jesus who calmed the literal stormy seas with three words "Peace be Still". There was the other time when Jesus walked to his disciples on the sea, and Peter following Jesus instructions stepped out of the boat on to the waves defying physics and walked on the water too, UNTIL he put his focus on the very real real waves instead of Jesus who both walks on the waves and calms the storms.  So I need to remember any financial, family, or health crisis I may face is not greater than our Jesus who calms the literal and figurative seas. Even when the waves are from our own mistakes, Jesus is still the answer. Impossible situations do not exist for the creator of all things and master of the seas. Jesus does not look at any circumstance and think .. "Hmm, this one is going to be a challenge."  Personally, I am an alcoholic (sober now for about 5 years) but there were about 15 years where drink compromised my life. I thank God for grabbing my hand while I was sinking like Peter into my stormy sea. From here I found God's Grace, and a path for restoration. That's just one piece of my story, but I know everyone has their own story filled with ups and downs and waves. Some waves we are to enjoy as part of God's creation like the peaceful waves rolling in on the North Shore of Lake Superior, while other waves we need the master of the waves close by. In these stormy waves, and when you feel you are sinking know God is with you. Be prayerful, dillegent in your obedience to God, and focused on Jesus knowing He is your safety in all circumstances.  My prayer today is God bless and use each of you to find peace even out on the waves.
Jeff (water wings) Larson 2/15/2019 Birth .. one man's perspective Most every year around this time I like to share the story of the birth of our first born. The birth of each of our children have their own special story, but my son Curtis just had a birthday on February 13th so it is his turn to be remembered in this birth blog. Thirty three years ago my wife and I were anxious parents-2-be expecting our first. We had already made a few typical false alarm trips to the hospital (aka Braxton Hicks practice contractions), but on February 13th, 1986 it was the real deal and life would NEVER be the same.  READY SET GO.. At 12:30 a.m. on February 13th 1986 my wife and I had just headed off to bed for a long winter’s nap. About midnight I arrived home from working the evening shift at my job and was off to bed with my fully 9 months pregnant wife Mary. Before I could even fade into sleep Mary exclaims “My water broke, or I just peed the bed.” So off to the races we headed for the birth of our child #1. BUT FIRST.. We had to stop was for gas as I had not planned on this midnight run to the hospital all while Mary’s contractions were kicking in to gear. NOTE TO SELF: Keep gas tank full when babies are near due date. So we arrive at the hospital ( I ran a few red lights just for added high drama) and the nurses get us settled into our room and notify our doctor. Mary is then hooked up all sorts of monitors including this cool baby monitors that measures the strength of her contractions. COOL..something for me to watch over the next hours. OVER THE NEXT HOURS.. The contractions come and go.. the doctor visits and early on is able to give Mary the drugs of choice to calm the pains. I remember after several of the contractions where Mary seemed to be hurting especially bad I said to her.. “That one was not really that bad it was only a 4 on the monitor.” Shortly later I found out the monitor strap had come loose and was not measuring accurately. NOTE TO SELF: Do not think 'out-loud'. BIRTH CLASS IN ACTION: Mary and I had attended the birthing classes, so I knew to hold her hand and to coach her breathing. Problem was Mary preferred to hold the nurses hands because they were cooler to the touch, and at one point during my breathing she said.. “Quit breathing in my face.” NOTE TO SELF: Quit breathing?? MORE DRUGS .. PLEASE: So the hours move along and it is early morning around 4:30 when Mary pleads with her doctor for more drugs.. but the doc says nope.. too late.. no more drugs for you. At least I was smart enough at this point to not repeat the doctor’s words. I just sat quietly supportive. NOTE TO SELF: Plead Mary’s case for drugs as a sign of being supportive, and ask for some for self as my back is killing me.  THING ARE GETTING INTENSE: Around 8 a.m. the pains are strong, but the process seems to have stalled a bit. So while Mary is in her ‘painful’ holding pattern, the morning breakfast cart rolls around. They peek in and ask sheepishly.. “Breakfast anyone?” There is a momentary silence.. then I finally say.. “Yes, I think I could eat something.” NOTE TO SELF: Next time shout, can’t you see my wife is in labor, and then meet cart in hallway for a secret snack under the guise of chewing them out. So the process continues as I eat breakfast and between bites of food call to my wife with my mouth full.. “push”.. and “remember your breathing.”  FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN: Finally around 10:00 a.m. a child is born and they shall call his name .. Curtis Walter Larson. He is healthy, a bit cone headed but a keeper. After the usual initial checks and I get to cut the cord from 'mothership' Mary we head back to our private room where the three of us mom, dad, and new baby Curt.. all lying in the same bed. And around 12:30 early that afternoon, baby Curt is asleep, I am asleep (and snoring) while Mary lies wide awake with the adrenaline rush of her life.
NOTE TO SELF: I don't know what Mary thinks BUT.. this giving birth thingy is exhausting! So there you have it, BIRTH FROM ONE MAN’S PERSPECTIVE. Now 33 years later we have a son Curtis Walter Larson who has given us both our share of joys and exasperation. NOTE TO SELF: God is good, Mary is wonderful, and Curtis is a son to be proud of. Jeff 2/11/2019 Forgiven and Forgiving? Think about it.. Our Heavenly Father, creator of Heavens and Earth is our personal God, and He forgives our sins and remembers them no more. We are Forgiven, and He is Forgiving. I like how this whole forgiven thing works out for me. Now I am pretty forgiving kinda guy when it comes to family member, and my friends. I even forgive my dog.. most of the time. BUT THEN as obvious as a rogue adult acne is on my 60 year old nose is the truth, I AM NOT always so forgiving for those who wrong me and are not in my inner circle of friends... especially those who don't want forgiveness, and/or don't even like me. DON'T LIKE ME? I am aghast! Truth be told I have one particular incident that I have a hard time letting go.. as my employer let me go.  It was January 2018 when I was working in a job that I did not enjoy, and I did not appreciate or respect my manager and supervisor. So much was wrong at this company (IMO), with ongoing management and respect issues all the way up to the day I was terminated. Well let's just I was more than a bit indignant about being let go. My disdain for my former employer peaked to the point where when I was letting my mind spin until (embarrassing to admit) I would imagine a paraphrase of Psalms for my former employer. No not the Psalms 23 kind of Psalms, though I thought my existence was in the Valley of the Shadow of my former employer. Instead. More of a Psalms 18:37-42. (please insert 'former employer' everywhere this Psalm refers to enemy) 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them. --- to the Lord, but he did not answer. 42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. Ok, I exaggerate a bit, but I know I was far from forgiving about my termination. I needed to let it go, and truly forgive. No I don't get to destroy them, beat them into fine dust, or trample them. I mean good grief I lost a job ( I did not like), they did not raid and pillage my townhome.  So the moral of the story is.. The older I get, the more lessons I get to learn. Lucky me! Forgiven by God is priceless, and forgiving of others pretty close to priceless too. I don't know if I can completely realize forgivness without being forgiving too. Anger and indignation (righteous or not) does not look pretty on any of us, especially those of us who have been forgiven much.
May God bless each of you today with the realization of God's Grace and forgivness, and fill your hearts with forgiveness for others. Blessings Jeff (praying 'good' Psalms at ya) Larson 2/6/2019 When Life Imitates Art Ok, in my case .. life imitates a cartoon EXHIBIT A: In early December here in Minnesota it rained, followed by 6" of snow, and finally freezing cold temps. You don't have to ask Bill Nye the Science Guy to know our streets were glare ice. This inspired me to sketch a cartoon called 'Dog Walking in a Winter Wonderland' featuring some poor guy who ended up on his back with his dog looking at his master wondering 'why are you laying down',, and watch out for the doggie doo under you' This cartoon was left unfinished until a new winter recipe like the one in December. Warm (above freezing) temps where the snow was melting, add a dash of misty rain, then let mixture set for 8 hours with temps again BELOW zero... and viola' Minnesota streets, sidewalks, and steps were a glistening ice rink again. So I step outside (without my ice skates) to walk my dog Cooper slipped on the front steps, fell on my back on the front steps with the brunt of the fall was my ribcage on my right side. I lay there in pain for several minutes while Cooper gave me that dog look I mentioned above. So here where life imitates art/cartoon with Your classic bad news good news scenario. Bad news is I have bruised and/or cracked ribs, but the good news is I did not land in any dog doo-doo.  EXIBIT B: How about that well meaning resolution to read through your Bible in the upcoming year. You start out great with Genesis in the morning, a Psalm or Proverb at midday, and the Gospel of Matthew in the evening. You are enjoying God's word as He speaks truth into your life even in passages you have read before. Word of God speak, won't you fall down like rain, washing my eyes to see your majesty - Mercy Me lyrics .. and then comes LEVITICUS.. with laws that are difficult to comprehend in our modern world. Chapter 11 includes a dietplan of sorts.. Don't eat bats, rats, vultures, weasels, storks, and many more items I was NOT thinking about eating to begin with. Chapter 18 we are set down to have the sex talk... Leviticus style. When a man loves a woman she better not be your aunt, half sister, daughter in law, sister in law, daughter, granddaughter, sister in law, a woman having her period, neighbors wife, and.. no gay sex, or sex with an animal. While all these sex no-nos I agree with, I have to say these were no areas of temptation in my life. Maybe in Hollywood, but not in my Minnesota suburb.  So if you are reading through your Bible this year. I did it last year and highly recommend it.. know that Leviticus is coming, Deuteronomy is also a hoot (insert eye roll here), along with the begats in 1 Chronicles, BUT these are just part of the complete Bible story.
Don't worry, when you get to Heaven God will not quiz you on your understanding of Leviticus. But there is great value in the Bible as a whole and each book has it's purpose and I believe is the very word and power of God. What our God does desire is for us to be faithful in our walk with Him. The path may not be easy some days, and maybe icey. But we do have God's word as a lamp unto our feet. God bless you all on this journey.. STAY IN THE LIGHT, and be careful not to step in the Devil's doo-doo. Jeff (hurts when I breath) Larson 12/2/2018 The Wow FactorThe Wow Factor, I would paraphrase as an experience and/or observation that grabs your attention and holds it.. big time.  When I was young I was a decent athlete, and fell in love with sports. The speed, power, finesse, strategy, and teamwork of great athletes and teams playing to win the game. The thrill of victory and agony of defeat was the catch phrase for the old Wild World of Sports show, and this all makes me go.. WOW!  It also goes without saying (though I am saying it) I love Art. Ok, not true art.. I love cartoons, and have doodled cartoons ever since age five. You will never catch me wandering into an art gallery pondering the works of Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, or Leonardo de Vinci, BUT.. I save my WOWs for Gary Larson - The FarSide, Berke Breathed - Bloom County, Bill Watterson - Calvin & Hobbes, and Jim Unger - Herman. In fact one of my favorite Christmas presents of all time my wife bought me The Complete Farside collection (3 volumes) in hardcover. For most folks this is a waste of time and $$, but for me.. WOW!  Others are enthralled by the world of beautiful music. Personally I enjoy listening to music ranging from Jazz to Rock & Roll, Hymns to modern Worship. But.. I don't sing so good, can't clap my hands to a beat, or even play a Kazoo. Music is that Wow for many.. but for me I am sorry but I am checking my TV for a game while drawing Back Pew cartoons.  Now as we travel further from the center of my universe we find many looking up at the night sky mesmerized by the stars while our planet orbits around a blazing ball of burning gas and realizing we are only one planet in one galaxy in an ever expanding universe all with order and functioning with more science and math that you could shake a stick at (real old saying that means ALOT) .. and the collective scientific community responds in one voice.. WOW! <-- note this was an 83 word runon sentence.  Did I choose your WOW tirgger? Well no matter if it is science, music, art, sports, or watching the Wheel of Fortune ( big fan of the wheel) realize all WOWs come from our creator. Our Wow moments are real and there is no need to apologize for shouting wow (unless you are in church, or during a funeral).. BUT step out further to realize our God is the source of all things WOW.
If we don't we miss the point of this big ol' Beautiful world. Life is not about me, life is not about my passions and hobbies.. LIFE IS ABOUT OUR GOD, and the worship and adoration he deserves. How great is our God! WOW!
Thank you God for your amazing creation that is your handiwork, and thank you for your love and grace in this life, and the promise of eternity with you our wonderful creator. Blessings Jeff 11/18/2018 Deer Hunting and Deer Pants? I grew up in 'rural' Wisconsin where deer (but no antelope) played until.. that appointed time each November when the good men and women of the northwoods dress all in orange expressed their 2nd Ammendment rights. note: If you are a deer reading this blog.. NOW is a good time to choose a good hiding place.  Now let me segue from the above mentioned dangerous Wisconsin venue to Psalms 42:1. As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, my God. Of course my cartoonist brain pictures deer pants (aka waders) for water so their little hoofies down get pruny. Or.. Bucky Boucher.. along the lines of Bobby Boucher 'aka Waterboy' (or in this case Waterbuck.. who knows quality H2o when he sees it. Now let me safely but 'awkwardly' segue BACK with dry hoofies to the important truth of Psalms 42:1. As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, my God.  What does it look like to desire the Lord that way? How do I become a Godly man desiring the Lord when I am so tired from my work, responsibilities, and this or that crisis and/or percieved crisis? I could lie, but.. while I pant for water I find myself often pounding down a Mega-Monster energy drink.
It takes a conserted effort to focus in the clutter of this rush hour distracted world. Truth and reality is blurred while we binge watch our favorite TV shows, consume 24/7 news propaganda, browse the web and monitor our twitter feeds and fantasy football teams only 'armed' with our two thumbs and our smartphones. So I must slow down and reflect and appreciate our creator. I mean C'MON.. Why is the world fascinated by the Cosmos, but not the creator of the Cosmos? What is wrong with this picture? So I pray my life would seek out Lord as poetically described in Psalms 42:1. As a deer pants for water so my soul pants for you my God. There is a popular Christian song now 'Reckless Love'. Please take a moment to reflect on their lyrics below.. Better yet listen to it > HERE Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me You have been so, so kind to me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me You have been so, so good to me When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me You have been so, so kind to me And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah If that does not make us all Psalms 42:1 Thirsty I do not know what will. May God bless each of you in your pursuit of Him. There is no greater lifelong pursuit than our creator. Come thirsty, and stay.. satisfied. Jeff (panting not hunting) Larson |
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4/25/2019
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