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Flawed Folk Fellowship (rr)

5/17/2018

Let me start today with a good ol' Protestant Brag.
I have attended church my whole life, and not just Sunday mornings, I often go on Wednesdays too. I accepted Jesus into my heart at age 6, was baptized at age 14, and have been married to a wonderful Christian woman for almost 34 years!

Besides going to church, I go to work, pay my bills, and drive in rush hour traffic that would test Mother Theresa's inner goodness. I aspire to be like Jesus and so I am a pretty pretty good guy, BUT.. (NEWS FLASH) I am not so perfect. I am not really any better (or worse) than those who never darken the door of a local church. Let's just say I am a lifelong member of the 'Flawed Folk Fellowship'.

The friendly members of 'Flawed Folk Fellowship' are known for their welcoming slogan 'No Perfect People Allowed' but this also could serve as a disclaimer much like you hear at the end of one of those prescription med ads on TV. CURElanta may be right for you. <pause> BUT.. some taking CURElanta "may experience tingling toes, a bloody nose, itchy ears, swollen rear, and.. in extreme cases DEATH or worse.
Our Flawed Folk disclaimer could be .. In some cases those attending Flawed Folk Fellowship experience involuntary hand raising, amen vocalizations and often the compulsive utterance of a hallelujah. On other Sundays sermon snoring may occur.

All silliness aside.. there are common themes you hear regarding us Flawed (so-called) Christians.

Why are Christians such hypocrites? To the extent Christians struggle with the same issues of those of non-Christians and our human nature is not to have our failures found out.. hypocrisy does happen.
Christians are not perfect, just forgiven. This is much more than a clever bumper sticker. Amazing Grace, and God's great love is the hope for mankind.

Truth be told I am glad to be a part of the Flawed Folk Fellowship. There is no better place to worship & give thanks to our God for the blessings 'and trials' of this life. A place to share and bring our prayers to our loving Father who cares. To become a community of other flawed believers in our sincere attempt to be a church family.. aka the body of Christ.

My prayer for each of you today is to find your own Flawed Folk Fellowship. To share, and support each other in our struggles, and to worship together the one true God of our Bibles is priceless.

Jeff

2 Comments

I wanna go back to.. EGYPT!

5/16/2018

7 Comments

2018 has started out with many challenges/opportunities for my life.

My employment status has become a bit 'spotty', though I am thankful to start a new job next week once my background check comes back. LOL, what kind of dirt can this background check uncover on a 60 year old, church attending, non drinking, Scandinavian who has been married to the same wonderful woman for almost 34 years, and regularly is seen with his grandchildren? Hmmm.. maybe this is all a front for the Minnesota Mob.. most likely NOT!
Also, my wife and I just bought a Town home near our grown kids and their families. This is a wonderful change but also like any move has come with plenty of work as we settle in.

I add in my penchant for looking back at mistakes in my life including a season where drink was on it's way to ruining all that I had. These regrets are mixed with thankfulness for God's protection and restoration through my bumbles and stumbles.

So sometimes.. like the children of Israel in Exodus.. I want to go back to Egypt. Ok, in my case it would be rural Wisconsin, but the point is I want to go back to a place and time where it was simpler and a chance to redo all that I should NOT HAVE done.

This 'Exodus' from Egypt was filled with miracles, signs, and wonders by the very hand of God was lost on them when their stomachs were heard growling in the wilderness. Their faces were long, stomachs empty, and their memories short. Oh sure God parted the Red Sea so we would not be killed, BUT what has he done for us lately?

When I was younger reading this story of God's deliverance I sometimes shook my head thinking how sad they had such little faith, and such short memories. I would NEVER be so ungrateful, BUT.. upon further review.. I think I sadly would have been among friends.

I would like to say I would be Moses right hand man, I more likely would have been the guy crossing the Red Sea wearing water wings, and a flotation device nabbed back at the Nile YMCA.

I'm so tired but I have too much to do. My trees from the forest vantage point tells me foolishly life will NEVER be better again. I am getting older, my eyesight, hearing, aches and pains, and the grey in my beard remind me of that daily.

I can't do it.. I don't want to do it. Where is God? Can't he see I am unhappy? Can't he see my pouty face? Just ask my wife, my pouty face is hard to miss.

WRITE IT ON A ROCK..
Years ago I heard a sermon at church where our pastor gave the instruction.. To take note of when God answers your prayers in both big and small ways... and WRITE IT ON A ROCK. Meaning make a permanent record of God's providence in our lives to remind us when we are in 'trees from forest mode.'

and finally ..
Trust God with all our hearts and lean not in our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. Pr 3:5-6.

May God bless each of you with his promise of provision even when you cry out "My God my God why have you forsaken me". Wait patiently, remain faithful, stay the course, don't live in the past, and .. cancel that ticket to Egypt.

Blessings

Jeff

7 Comments

Just a Glimpse..

5/14/2018

2 Comments

A ‘Glimpse of God’ is like the sun peeking thru the clouds on an overcast day. For a moment I see the sun and feel it’s warmth, but then the clouds return. Lord I pray for more glimpses of you.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Cor 13:12
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is 55:8-9

I am one of those strange people who likes a cool rainy day. There is a certain quiet and peacefulness to grey clouds and when the rain falls. But today is not one of those days. Today I want to see the sun, even a glimpse where the clouds part for a moment is a welcome.

This glimpse of the sun is my analogy regarding my pursuit of God, and Is 55:9, and 1 Cor 13:12 speak to this truth.

In this life I can only in part understand the ways of my creator, but.. now and then the clouds part, and I see a glimpse of God like the sun through the clouds on a grey day. This glimpse of God's truth, and love speak to me like the warmth of the sun. My shoulders relax, there is sudden clarity and perspective .. until the clouds (our modern world) return and this glimpse is gone.

So I pursue another glimpse. I quiet myself and focus on God's Truth found in the pages of my Bible, spend time in prayer, listen to worship music, spend time with other believers, and take time to help and serve others. In these moments this glimpse of God returns.

Most weeks I find this glimpse of God during Sunday morning worship at church. The words, the atmosphere, the spirit speaks to me and for this 20-30 minutes each week the world fades away, the worries/clouds of my week, and this broken world part and I experience the peace of God that passes all understanding Phil 4:8

So no matter how cloudy your day is in this broken world of sickness, conflicts, family issues, greed, racism, and/or POLITICS (please pass the bucket).. pray for Glimpses (and more) of God and His purpose and perspective.

Get a glimpse of the Lord as your Shepherd in Psalm 23, and the live out Phil 4:8 dwelling on and pursuing what is good.

May God bless each of you this day with Glimpses of Him that pierce the clouds in your life and rest in the promise of what He will reveal to us fully someday.

Jeff

Note: The Apostle Paul given a tad more than a glimpse of the sun/Son on that road to Damascus.

2 Comments

Hello my name is..

5/3/2018

3 Comments

This is the name of a great song from Matthew West with words of truth and perspective for those traveling through life's 'valley of the shadow of death' (Psalms 23).

Below is an excerpt of lyrics from this song. Note: A link to the video is at the end of this email.

Hello, my name is regret .. I’m pretty sure we have met .. Every single day of your life I’m the whisper inside That won’t let you forget.

Hello, my name is defeat .. I know you recognize me .. Just when you think you can win I’ll drag you right back down again ‘Til you’ve lost all belief

Oh, these are the voices. Oh, these are the lies. And I have believed them for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King. I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free. "Amazing Grace" is the song I sing. Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am no longer defined .. By all the wreckage behind ..The one who makes all things new Has proven it’s true Just take a look at my life
..
I am a child of the one true King
Video of Hello My Name is .. by Matthew West

Like most folk, I have regrets for a number of missteps, and fall on my face moments.

But for these past faux pas and for the ones ahead of me that I will still make God's Amazing Grace and perfect love relaxes my shoulders and perspective returns to me with a smile.

I am a child of the one true King.

And so are you.

Blessings

Jeff

3 Comments

The Good Wife..

5/2/2018

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The Good Wife was a popular TV show that my good wife and I got hooked on. Each week white lies, big lies, corruption, infedelities, indescretions, scandals, deceipt and other naughtiness found in politics, marriage, and in the court of law are crammed into one 60 minute Sunday night broadcast.

The Good Wife was just a TV show weaving together much of what is wrong with society for our entertainment value (not to mention they all drink A LOT A LOT) and not a model for a happy society. In contrast my wife is the Truly Good Wife!

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Proverbs 31:10

My 'very Good Wife' Mary in contrast may be armed with a honey do list and a disapproving glance at my Sunday choice of clothes, but her honey do list does prod me from my computer chair and I confess I sometimes need her help regarding my wardrobe.

Mary is all about her faith, family and friends with special focus and love reserved for our children, and grandchildren. She also loves and affirms me no matter our circumstance. Her joy and laughter for life is infectious. I am blessed.

I would encourage everyone to read all of Proverbs 31:10-31.
Hymn to a Good Wife (Msg)10-31 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

Your wife may shop at Walmart instead of making her own clothes, and wear jeans instead of fine linens. Your wife may work outside the home and not just exist as solely as the happy homemaker, but this proverb paints a great picture of A Good Wife who loves God, family, friends, and cares for those in need. And it goes without saying was NOT a scripture passage referenced in creating a TV show called The Good Wife.

Ha!.. Tell that to Julianna Margulies!

May God bless all of you good wives out there. I would add a blessing for you guys but.. let's explain again.. your wives are your blessing.

Jeff

note: 'Important Stuff' I have learned from watching the TV show The Good Wife

The myth of horrific traffic and commutes in Chicago are busted. Each week all the important players navigate between courtrooms, law offices, airports, the homes of Chicago, and chili dog vendors quicker than I can go through a McDonald's drive through for a Happy Meal one mile from my house. AMAZING.
All cases in court go back and forth between winning and losing like a game of tennis, or more accurately PONG. No exceptions.
There is no reasons for any case in America (even the OJ trial) to drag on for months. On The Good Wife trials from beginning to end can be completed in one 60 minute show. Ok, not 60 minutes as tv shows are like 'dog years' so this would translate out to all cases in the court of law can be resolved in a couple days, or one week max.

* Some say television is just wasting time and turns our brains to mush, but look at what I have learned. :)

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High Speed Truth (rr)

5/1/2018

3 Comments

As a Cartoon Curmudgeon I often lament this glass half empty 24/7 ENTERAIN/TEMPT me society compromises my values.

SIN is just a mouse or tv remote click away. BUT then I realize my glass is also HALF FULL, Jesus is everywhere!

In this world of countless ways to go to 'heck in a handbasket' I realize I am also presented with a 24/7 FILL/BLESS me self indulgence for the spirit. Just a click away are Bibles, studies, prayers, sermons, support groups, ministries, and worship music serving up God's Truth in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

What the Internet meant for evil against me; God meant for good, to bring God's Truth to this high tech, high speed world. Genesis 50:20 (paraphrased for all you browsers of the web).

I love using Google to enter a scripture phrase or topic and I am just a mouse click away from the links, references, and/or rescources I was seeking. This is priceless for my spirit and in turn supports my involvement in church and community.

Also I have my Bible and all the other internet resources with me pretty much 24/7 in the wonder of my smartphone. And what would it look like if Facebook and social media shared the gospel message and supported the Christian journey more instead of inundating us with political ads, personal gripes, and i love my cat videos.

So take a look for yourself. Jesus and the gospel message of salvation is everywhere. Even in the glass half empty (void of God) world of technology there is a glass half full where God's Truth is shared to a world that needs Jesus.

May God bless your life journey and your browsing habits. May you find God's truth and personal growth 'even' in the wonders of this modern world.

Jeff

3 Comments

You can't make Milkshakes without Milk

4/26/2018

1 Comment

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..

I accepted Jesus into my heart at the age of six while sitting in the Back Pew (both true & ironic) of my home church during Summer Bible School. Score one for faith of a child. BAM!
I was baptized at the age of 14. Score one for the faith of a.. skinny teenager?
I graduated High School and for the next 40 years I wandered like one of the Children of Israel living a life that fell somewhere between becoming the next Billy Graham, and a life of crime. Score one for wandering?

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

1 Comment

Always Winter, never Christmas

4/17/2018

6 Comments

- JEOPARDY-
Contestant1: "I'll take COLD for $500"
Alex Trebec: “It is winter, and has been for ever so long…. always winter, but never Christmas.”
- beep, beep!
Contestant1: "What is Narnia?"
Alex Trebec: "I'm sorry, that is not the answer we were looking for."
beep, beep!
Contestant2: "What is April 2018 in Minnesota."
Alex Trebec: "That is CORRECT!"

My wife and I recently bought a townhome on March 29, 2018. That first evening the deck was clear of snow, and the ground was finally looking like after a long cold bitter Winter.. Spring may be around the corner.

Well that joke was on us as two days later (March 31) while we were busy with painting, removing wallpaper and tearing out old carpet. We were hit with first a freezing rain, then a heavy wet snow.

As a winter encore the following weekend April 6th when we started loading our moving truck it was 8 degrees! Not 58, 48, 38, or even 28.. just 8. EIGHT!

Thankfully friends and family with warm hearts and strong backs made the move a success

Over the next week as we were unloading boxes and arranging rooms, the snow was melting and again Spring seemed right around the corner.

Well actually around that corner we found Mother Nature spewing out more winter rage starting on April/Friday the 13th where we transitioned from freezing rain to a full blown blizzard resulting in 18 inches of snow and the winds were I believe 25-30mph. Yeah Spring?

So again, what is always winter, but never Christmas. April in Minnesota!

Ok I do realize Spring will come eventually. In fact my wife Mary told me last night the forcast is for the temperature to be in the 60s all next week. That would be nice, and I trust my wife, but.. Mother Nature? Not so much.

I know sometimes in everyones lives it feels like 'always winter but never Christmas'. Not the go sledding, or skiing kind, but a cold, dark existence where literal and figurative storms rage threatening to destroy everything.

The loss of a job, marriage tensions, divorce, sickness, death, depression, anxiety, and a host of other factors in our lives that are more threatening than an April blizzard. The answer to all these storms and more is the Jesus who calms the seas.

My wife and I have both learned that the pursuit of God through quiet times reading our bibles, a good Christian book, and/or time spent in prayer is where Jesus calms these storm in our lives.

We call it doing our magic.. I know, I know magic may be a bad Christian analogy, but being close to God, and focusing my eyes on Him instead of any raging storm gives us peace all while the waves may remain high and the winds whistling. It is not magic, but instead the Spirit of God opening our eyes and giving us hope.

One last thing about always winter, but never Christmas. This world appears to be always winter and never Christmas.. even in the deserts of the Middle East.

Chaos reigns in this world of natural disasters, and even more so in the hearts of men who do not know God. For this too, I pray to Jesus for revival in the heart of men in women in America and throughout the world.

Only with Jesus will this world experience hope in the storms that threaten to consume us.

May God bless each of your lives today. You may live in sunny Florida where it feels like always winter and never Christmas in your heart and/or circumstance, but our God can give you the peace that passes all understanding and/or storm.

Know that God is so good and with you even in the storms and trials of this broken world.

Blessings

Jeff (Ready4Spring) Larson

6 Comments

It is not good for man to be alone, unless..

4/12/2018

2 Comments

It is not good for man to be alone. God decided this before the second chapter of Genesis was over. Genesis 2:18

Adam's socks were all over the Garden. Dirty dishes were everywhere, and all man did was sit around watching ball games on TV telling knock knock jokes.. to himself. Besides, Adam was not even using that rib.

So it was clear then and is now it was not good for man to be alone UNLESS his only choice is a NAG Proverbs 21:19.. then God advises..

get a room on the second floor of a one story home. The view is spectacular and the quiet is so welcome. :)

Of course there is much more to be said about God's Gender Odd Couple (man & wife). Both common sense and God's word make this abundantly clear.

One of my favorite verses to take out of context is Ephesians 5:22 Wives SUBMIT to your husbands.

This is an annoying verse to my wife Mary when I take too long to pause and ponder this 'great' scripture without continuing to read the next 11 verses. I even try to convince her that there are only 22 verses in Ephesians 5. She is not amused.

But when I get serious and take time to read Ephesians 5:21-33 in a modern translation like The Message (MSG) my smirky bell-ringing stereotype of 5:22 goes silent.

21 Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.
22-24 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The Husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.
25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.
29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

There you have it, just like when Jesus taught us how to pray in 5 short verses (Mt 6:9-13), now Paul shares how to have a happy marriage in 13 short verses (Eph 5:21-33).

This scripture of a good marriage does inspire me to love, cherish and appreciate my wife, BUT I also do see in verse 32 Paul admits.. This is a huge mystery and I don't pretend to understand. Well Paul, welcome to my Marriage Mystery Club with a membership of about a BA-ZILLION!

Marriage truly is a beautiful mystery though our different emotional and processing 'wiring' often do create a few sparks. Just know even in the best of marriages you can count on your share of misunderstandings, hurt feelings, disagreements, a few tears, and if looks could kill..

I WOULD BE DEAD 1000 times over!

In the end most days most of us both love our spouse to death, and are scratching our heads wondering what planet your spouse is from.

May God bless each of you that are married with spouses that are described in Eph 5:21-33, and not Proverbs 21:19.

Jeff

2 Comments

Shortcuts.. can get you lost

4/5/2018

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We once took a shortcut across a mountain in Colorado.. This was back before the days of GPS, and while vacationing in Colorado along with my wife and kids. My wife Mary pulled out the good ol' paper (folded 50 times) map and found a 'shortcut' that would cut off miles on our quest to reach the Royal Gorge.

Well, we ended up Royal Lost driving where a minivan passed Sherpas .. mountain goats.. and the body of George Mallory until we back tracked to civilization.

In the end our 'shortcut' added an extra 1 1/2 half hours to reach the 'Royal Hole in the Ground'. My lesson learned was beware of shortcuts when driving to the Royal Gorge, and as my mind wanders.. also.. there are no CliffsNotes for Intimacy with God.

I am from time to time prone to FITTING GOD IN rather than making time with God a priority. This scheduled time does not discount the importance of communing with him through out the day but by making time for prayer and devotions in the morning as a discipline demonstrates respect and a time that God honors.

God did not honor Cain's shortcut sacrifice back in Genesis when he showed up with a lovely garden salad and neither does He want us to take shortcuts in honoring God with our time, and our worship.

My point is by making time with God a priority I am investing in the most important relationship any of usan pursue, and this time is God honoring and pleasing to Him.

I don't have the magic formula for intimacy with God, but my prayer is that we all take time to make time with God in prayers and devotions. It does not have to be in the morning or any specific length of time. It does not have to be a bible study but it needs to be in my mind a time of reading, reflection and prayer. How else could we dream of tapping into any glimpse of the Almighty God without quiet moments alone pursuing him.

I believe God will honor and grow these efforts and make our relationship with the creator of this world more personal and pleasing.

Truth be told I continue to be a work in progress regarding this important discipline in my life. BUT.. I KNOW the difference it makes in my day when I take the time to be with God EVEN WHEN life is crazy busy.

Blessings,

Jeff (Back Pew) Larson

note: Think and Live out the Lord's Prayer Mt 6:9-13 “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

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