​
Cartoonist/Illustrator - Jeff Larson
Minnesota
SUPPORT
BP
  • HOME
  • BIBLE
    • OLD TESTAMENT >
      • LAW >
        • Genesis >
          • Genesis - Garden of Eden
          • Genesis after the Garden
          • Noah
          • Abraham
          • Isaac, Jacob, and Esau
          • Joseph
        • Exodus >
          • Exodus - text & toon
        • Leviticus
        • Numbers
        • Deuteronomy
      • HISTORY >
        • Joshua and Judges
        • 1 Samuel
        • 1 Samuel - David and Goliath
        • I & II Kings
        • Nehemiah
      • POETRY >
        • Job
        • Psalms
        • Proverbs
        • Ecclesiastes
        • Song of Solomon
      • PROPHETS >
        • MAJOR PROPHETS >
          • ISAIAH
          • Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Lamentations
        • MINOR PROPHETS (ie Jonah)
    • NEW TESTAMENT >
      • GOSPELS
      • Acts
      • EPISTLES OF PAUL >
        • Romans
        • 1st Corinthians
        • 2nd Corinthians
        • Galatians
        • Ephesians
        • Philippians
        • Colossians, Thessalonias, Timothy, Titus, Philemon
      • GENERAL LETTERS >
        • Hebrews
        • James
        • 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
      • Revelations
  • CHURCH & FAMILY
    • CHURCH >
      • Preachers & Pastors
      • Worship
      • Church People
      • Baptism
      • Communion
      • Offerings, Giving & Tithing
      • Church Potluck
      • Coffee
      • The Church Body
      • Theology & Church History
      • Sunday School & Kids Ministry
    • FAMILY >
      • Dating & Marriage
      • Parents - Moms & Dads
      • Senior Citizens
  • FAITH WALK
    • PERSONAL >
      • BIBLE Reading
      • PRAYER
      • PRAISE
      • PURSUIT of God
      • Diet & Exercise
      • MONEY & Budget
    • SERVING - God & Others
    • SHARING - the gospel
    • The Christian Battle
    • ANGER v PEACE
    • Worry - stress, anxiety, etc
    • Faith
    • Forgiveness
    • Honesty
    • Temptation
    • The Holy Spirit - Gifts & Fruit
  • MISC.
    • ANIMALS >
      • HOUSE PETS >
        • Dogs
        • Cat
      • FARM ANIMALS >
        • Cows
        • Horse & Donkey & Camels?
        • Pigs & Hogs
        • POULTRY - Turkeys & Chickens
        • Sheep
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • WILDLIFE - deer, moose, bears, etc
      • Mosquito
      • Reptile - snakes, turtles, etc
    • TECHNOLOGY >
      • Computer
      • Smartphones & telephony
      • SCIENCE - math, cosmology, etc
      • TV - audio & video
    • Minnesota >
      • Snowman
    • Canada
    • Cars & Driving
    • Dear Crabby
    • Fashion
    • Politics and Elections
    • Redneck
    • Schools & Teachers cartoons
    • SICKNESS >
      • COVID-19 cartoons aka Coronavirus cartoons
  • HOLIDAYS
    • New Years Day
    • Valentines Day
    • St Patrick's Day
    • April Fools Day
    • Tax Day
    • Earth Day
    • Holy Week >
      • Palm Sunday
      • Last Supper & Gethsemane
      • Good Friday
      • EASTER
    • Mothers Day
    • Fathers Day
    • Memorial Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Veterens Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • CHRISTMAS - JESUS
    • CHRISTMAS - Santa >
      • Stocking Stuffers
  • SPORTS
    • OUTDOOR Sports >
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hunting
    • TEAM Sports >
      • Baseball & Softball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • ( FOOTBALL ) Packers & Vikings
      • Soccer
    • Running
    • Fighting
    • OTHER sports
  • ETERNITY
    • Heaven is home
    • Hell
  • More
    • USING CARTOONS
    • SUPPORT
    • Comments Welcome
  • BLOG
  • HOME
  • BIBLE
    • OLD TESTAMENT >
      • LAW >
        • Genesis >
          • Genesis - Garden of Eden
          • Genesis after the Garden
          • Noah
          • Abraham
          • Isaac, Jacob, and Esau
          • Joseph
        • Exodus >
          • Exodus - text & toon
        • Leviticus
        • Numbers
        • Deuteronomy
      • HISTORY >
        • Joshua and Judges
        • 1 Samuel
        • 1 Samuel - David and Goliath
        • I & II Kings
        • Nehemiah
      • POETRY >
        • Job
        • Psalms
        • Proverbs
        • Ecclesiastes
        • Song of Solomon
      • PROPHETS >
        • MAJOR PROPHETS >
          • ISAIAH
          • Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Lamentations
        • MINOR PROPHETS (ie Jonah)
    • NEW TESTAMENT >
      • GOSPELS
      • Acts
      • EPISTLES OF PAUL >
        • Romans
        • 1st Corinthians
        • 2nd Corinthians
        • Galatians
        • Ephesians
        • Philippians
        • Colossians, Thessalonias, Timothy, Titus, Philemon
      • GENERAL LETTERS >
        • Hebrews
        • James
        • 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
      • Revelations
  • CHURCH & FAMILY
    • CHURCH >
      • Preachers & Pastors
      • Worship
      • Church People
      • Baptism
      • Communion
      • Offerings, Giving & Tithing
      • Church Potluck
      • Coffee
      • The Church Body
      • Theology & Church History
      • Sunday School & Kids Ministry
    • FAMILY >
      • Dating & Marriage
      • Parents - Moms & Dads
      • Senior Citizens
  • FAITH WALK
    • PERSONAL >
      • BIBLE Reading
      • PRAYER
      • PRAISE
      • PURSUIT of God
      • Diet & Exercise
      • MONEY & Budget
    • SERVING - God & Others
    • SHARING - the gospel
    • The Christian Battle
    • ANGER v PEACE
    • Worry - stress, anxiety, etc
    • Faith
    • Forgiveness
    • Honesty
    • Temptation
    • The Holy Spirit - Gifts & Fruit
  • MISC.
    • ANIMALS >
      • HOUSE PETS >
        • Dogs
        • Cat
      • FARM ANIMALS >
        • Cows
        • Horse & Donkey & Camels?
        • Pigs & Hogs
        • POULTRY - Turkeys & Chickens
        • Sheep
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • WILDLIFE - deer, moose, bears, etc
      • Mosquito
      • Reptile - snakes, turtles, etc
    • TECHNOLOGY >
      • Computer
      • Smartphones & telephony
      • SCIENCE - math, cosmology, etc
      • TV - audio & video
    • Minnesota >
      • Snowman
    • Canada
    • Cars & Driving
    • Dear Crabby
    • Fashion
    • Politics and Elections
    • Redneck
    • Schools & Teachers cartoons
    • SICKNESS >
      • COVID-19 cartoons aka Coronavirus cartoons
  • HOLIDAYS
    • New Years Day
    • Valentines Day
    • St Patrick's Day
    • April Fools Day
    • Tax Day
    • Earth Day
    • Holy Week >
      • Palm Sunday
      • Last Supper & Gethsemane
      • Good Friday
      • EASTER
    • Mothers Day
    • Fathers Day
    • Memorial Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Veterens Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • CHRISTMAS - JESUS
    • CHRISTMAS - Santa >
      • Stocking Stuffers
  • SPORTS
    • OUTDOOR Sports >
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hunting
    • TEAM Sports >
      • Baseball & Softball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • ( FOOTBALL ) Packers & Vikings
      • Soccer
    • Running
    • Fighting
    • OTHER sports
  • ETERNITY
    • Heaven is home
    • Hell
  • More
    • USING CARTOONS
    • SUPPORT
    • Comments Welcome
  • BLOG
Picture

4/15/2019

1 Comment

Jesus Temper in the Temple

 
Picture
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 ..
  • Money Changers ... Were these ATMs?
  • A Temple Bird Salesman, the ...
  • Slinkee and Pet Rocks table, and the 'standard'
  • Bible Bobblehead vendors 

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.

Picture
Picture
Picture
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.
Picture
Picture
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.  

​
Picture
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

1 Comment

1/1/2018

3 Comments

Go ahead '2018' make my day!

 
Picture
Happy New Year wishes from The Back Pew! I hope your holiday season was merry and bright, AND.. I pray you live in a warmer state than Minnesota. - Amen!

​Since around 9pm on Friday December 29th through 7am January 2nd I am writing this we have had one hour where the air temperature was above zero at a sweltering ONE DEGREE. 
​

But I digress.. because today is not about the 'new' Ice Age, it is about Resolutions!

Picture
So without further adieu let me present the all new '2018 Jeff Larson Resolutions'.  Oh they may resemble last year's resolutions.. but these 2018 Resolutions aspire to at least to never run out of gas ..aka broken resolutions.  

1. Diet - My four year old granddaughter asked me the other week why my stomach was round.  I considered the comeback "Shut up.. your'e short and you spell like a preschooler." but.. i restrained myself as I know exactly why it is round, and she is adorable.

2. Exercise - My once trim athletic physique now resembles a butter sculpture.. in the sun.  Nuff said on the 'E' word.
3. Budget - My wife and I have plans to move this year looking for possibly a town-home..  and rumor has it moving costs money.
4. Time for God - The chaos of this world (much of it void of God) as reported on the 24/7 News 'SHOWS' affect me adversely. So it goes without saying more time focusing on God in his word, and in prayer is so much better time spent in front of the aptly named boob tube where brain cells fall to the wayside with every moment in front of my HD TV.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Then again if you ask my wife Mary, she would be happy just to add her Honey-Do list to my 2018 Resolutions, but she fears that would doom her list to certain failure. ​
Picture
But all smirking aside, no matter if I lose weight, get fit, win the lottery in 2018, and find the fountain of youth, or even fountain of middle age..  what matters most is my heart and attitude towards God.  Love God care for others.. the rest is by comparison trivial pursuit.

At church on Sunday I heard a great New Year Resolution sermon from Colossians 3. A call to 'Put on the New Self' . 
3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ... 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: 
... take time to read the whole chapter as it is so simple yet so complete in the call to a better way. Dare I say, A Happy New Year.


So I do pray that I would love God in word and deed, and my heart be sensitive to others in need like never before. I pray my mind is on things above and not stuck in the muck of the evening news, and my below zero Minnesota.

Picture
So 2018, I am as ready as I will ever be.  To God be the glory in all things.

​May God bless and use each of you in 2018 and beyond in ways that are BEYOND YOUR DREAMS.


​Jeff

ps : Of course no New Year Resolution list would be complete without a list from my dog Cooper.  Just like his master, he is a work in progress.

3 Comments

1/2/2017

5 Comments

2017 To Infinity and Beyond!

 
Picture
I watched a sermon video a recently by Brother Buzz LIght Year.  It was an uplifting sermon where the sky is the limit, his exact words were TO INFINITY & BEYOND and I was challenged to not hold back in neither my pursuit or zest for life.  
<insert puzzled expression here>

Now that I think about it I was actually watching the movie Toy Story with the grandkids, but it was still a powerful message of family, and friendship all while accepting my place in this expansive Universe.
<insert 2nd puzzled expression here>

Picture
Ok, I guess I have not blogged in a while (11/11/16 was my last post) and it appears my thoughts are meandering a bit.

2016 did end for me in a bitter sweet way as my mom passed away at age 88 between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This did occupy my time and mind as you can imagine.

But now I am rested and ready and looking forward to the New Year.  In 2017 I plan to blog more and in these posts be less scattered in sharing my thoughts and now and then actually MAKE A POINT.  I am blessed by God with a good life with the 3 Fs (Faith, family, and friends) and look forward to a great year. ​So with this awkward segue let me move onward and forward into 2017 with  my very simple list of Resolutions.

Picture
MY 2017 RESOLUTIONS
1. Pursue God like never before
2. Serve God like never before
3. Trust in God like never before
4. Love God like never before
5. Care for others like never before
6. Believe in the power of prayer like never before
7. Trust in God's timing like never before.
8. Show kindness like never before
..
234. Don't post snarky political views on Facebook
235. Pray for a Geen Back Packer Super Bowl
236. Lose 15 pounds
..
437. Say something nice about the Minnesota Vikings

I do wish each of you a great 2017 blessed and used by God in ways that are beyond your dreams. May you pursue him and love him with all your heart and serve and care for others in need all to the glory of God. 

Happy New Years Blessings!

​Jeff
5 Comments

11/24/2015

1 Comment

the true thanksgiving day miracle

 
thanksgiving cartoons, christian cartoons
Simply Amazing.. or a True Miracle?
Though the amount of food I consume on Thanksgiving is impressive it cannot be not classified as a miracle.  But after the meal, after watching football and fitting in a Thanksgiving Day tryptophan induced nap, I return to the kitchen to find LEFTOVERS!  So many leftovers! How can there be so much food in my kitchen considering all my family consumed just a few hours before?  So many leftovers that I ponder could Jesus have fed the 5,000 with one turkey and a few side dishes instead of the bread and fish menu recorded in the gospels?

crossing the red sea cartoons, bible cartoons
It's a miracle!  Ok.. maybe not a miracle but it is a really really good illusion leaving my mind and stomach full through the middle of December.

My more serious assessment on miracles is..  I believe God answers prayer. Sometimes he may part the Red Sea and other times it is the subtle tweak of circumstances but I believe God answers all prayers with the heart of a loving Father. These are the true miracles found every day of the year. God's loving interraction with his children alterting our attitudes, and possibly the outcome of very real circumstances. This supernatural intervention is personal and never arbitrary.   

May God bless and use each of you in ways that are beyond your dreams. I pray your Thanksgiving Day is blessed with faith, family, friends, and the subtle miracle of LEFTOVERS. 
​

Jeff (stuffed in the Back Pew) Larson

1 Comment

12/27/2014

3 Comments

my spiritual education/resolution

 
cartoons, computers, preachers, greek, geek
I must confess I never finished college.  I have about 3 years of college in along with a 1 year computer technology certification.  I then used this education to gain me opportunities in the business world that combined with hard work landed me several nice positions in the world of computers.
Of course that is now in my rear view mirror as I moved away from the white collar world of computers to a profession where I wear stripped shirts accessorized with a referee whistle.  No regrets really, in fact I am thankful for the career opportunities God has allowed me over the years to support my family.

bible reading, cartoons, read through bible in a year plan
But now let me segue to my SPIRITUAL EDUCATION.  I have been reflecting lately on how little time I still spend on my spiritual education all while I desire a more intimate relationship with  the God of the universe.   Educationally speaking I believe I have accomplished a spiritual 2 year associates degree CRAMMED into my 57 years of life on Earth.
So here comes another new year right around the corner.  Time for a New Years resolution for intimacy with God that I do not break like a bad fad diet.  What if in 2015 I became a spiritual success story.  What if in 2015 I understand the spirit of God better, understood His word better, listened to Him when I prayed, and was more generous in my service of Him?  WHAT IF?
What if more important than losing a few pounds was a deeper relationship with God?

new years resolutions, cartoons, dogs
There are New Years Resolution success stories where people do lose weight and keep it off.. so why can't I be a spiritual success story becoming more sensitive to His will by spending more REAL time with Him.  Even at my grand 'old' age of 57.
This is my prayer, this is my resolution.
May God bless each of you on your spiritual journey.  May His will for your life in 2015 be more than a continuation of an underachieving spiritual education.  AND.. may this education be more than head knowledge but instead a blessing of your heart and soul in ways that are BEYOND YOUR DREAMS.

Jeff

3 Comments

12/22/2014

0 Comments

the christmas odd couple

 
Christmas, cartoons, shepherds, angels, fear not, Luke 2:10
Before Felix and Oscar in Neil Simon’s ‘The Odd Couple’ there were the Shepherds and Angels that first Christmas Night. Never has there been a starker contrast between major players in any significant moment in history. Not since Almighty God himself walked through the Garden of Eden with the under-dressed for the occasion fig leaf clad Adam & Eve have there been such high society folk mixing with blue collar / red necked Joe and Joe-ette.

Think of it…

Christmas, cartoons, angels from the realms of glory
The Angels from the Realms of Glory wing their flight over all the Earth, while 
the shepherds snack on ‘sheep jerky’ playing pull my finger jokes around the camp fire dressed and smelling like.. sheep. 

The Angel Choirs sing Hark.. and Glory to the new born king, while 
The Shepherds are in need of a SHEEP-PS (sheep positioning system) just to find this same baby Jesus. 

Even Floyd ‘The Least’ looked high society in comparison to this motley crew of sheep flock watchers.

Christmas, cartoons, shepherds, sheep, Luke 2, Bethlehem
Of course that was then.. this is now. Meaning, CHURCH is still such a strange collection of odd couples. 

Pentecostals, Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, and ... those like me who ‘claim’ to be non-denominational.. aka denominational mutts.

So if Angels and Shepherds could unite in worship 2000+ years ago that first Christmas night, I think all Christians from the Holy Rollers to Baptists in need of Bran should worship the birth of Jesus this year.

marriage, cartoons, husband fixed by wife
If you are a high church kind of guy or gal, or if you call dressing up wearing a clip on tie on your best flannel shirt. If you raise your hands in worship, dance in the aisles, speak in tongues, baptize in an ocean, have bingo in the church basement.. we are all a part of the same church body. 

May we unite our intentions and energies to bring Glory be to God this Christmas season! Love God, and care for others this Christmas.. the rest is just details.

Christmas Blessings

Jeff

0 Comments

12/17/2014

1 Comment

mistletoe mahem?

 
mistletoe, cartoons, Luke 2, shepherds, manger, Jesus is born
I wonder if that first Christmas there was any mistletoe growing wild by the stable where Jesus was born.

Probably not, but today's Christmas season has parties, homes, and offices decorated with Christmas trees, garland, and maybe a chunk-a-hunk-a-burnin-love-mistletoe in a doorway or two. 

Each year in the Larson home we do hang our very own little plastic mistletoe in a doorway as part of our Christmas decorations though not much kissing goes on.. that I am aware of.

I don’t know much about Mistletoe except that if you wander under it with someone else you should kiss... RISKY BUSINESS for sure. So without further delay let me share a few 'risky mistletoe moments'  from a Back Pew perspective.

  • Mistletoe used in a Church Christmas Card..
  • Mistletoe complicates choices of those who are both hungry, and lonely.
  • There is the ol' Mistletoe Hat Move
  • Mistletoe border problems were found between Minnesota and Wisconsin
  • Mistletoe.. either Kiss under it.. or smoke it

mistletoe, cartoons, church Christmas card
mistletoe, cartoons, Song of Solomon 1:2, kiss
mistletoe, cartoons, 2 Corinthians 13:12
mistletoe, cartoons, smoke or kiss
mistletoe, cartoons, packer and viking, Minnesota and Wisconsin
With these images now implanted in your brains let me conclude the following mistletoe advice shared in the lyrics by Stephen Stills.

And if you can't be with the one you love, honey Love the one you're with!

Of course while these sentiments seem like something we might 'sorta' read in Song of Solomon, but... they are neither biblical, appropriate, or in any way wise. With regards to mistletoe kiss and love they are to be shared ONLY with your spouse. Stephen Stills advice is from a lonely rock star on the road and probably on drugs which does NOT make him credible, and King Solomon had 700 wives, and so he is 'I guess' may be an exception to the mistletoe rule. BUT I DIGRESS!

Merry Christmas wishes from The Back Pew

Jeff
1 Comment

12/4/2014

0 Comments

I’m Dreaming of a 'Secular-Humanist' Christmas

 
Picture
Like an ugly ornament that I cannot bear to throw away is the following retelling of a Christmas Concert from just a few years ago. 

In December of 2007 my wife and I went on a Christmas date to get the season started off right, but I am not sure it was anything depicted by Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. 

Dinner..
We started the evening off with a nice dinner at a local steak house in front of a roaring (gas/fake) fireplace as the temperature outside was moving down down down that Minnesota winter night. After dinner we were off to downtown Minneapolis to the Pantages Theatre to listen to an A Cappella group called the Blenders for their Christmas concert. 


Picture
The Weather Outside? frightful & freezing..
Did I mention it was cold out? It was as my protestant friends would put it.. “BLESSED COLD!” and parking was not a simple task. There was a downtown Christmas parade in progress so after driving in a slow moving automotive circle/parade consisting of a series of one-way right hand turns for about 30 minutes we completed what was in affect a 360 degree oblong circle where we parked about 4 blocks from the theatre.

The Walk..
Then.. we began our Frozen Mecca to the Pantages Theatre walking into the wind. Air temp was about 2 below zero and wind chill we heard (and felt) was about 14 below. I was not wearing a hat, and my coat was was not a great coat for MinneFROZEta. So the weather outside was as the ol Christmas song goes.. FRIGHTFUL.

Along our walk we passed by several downtown establishments.One was a gay bar and then we passed a club advertising topless girls, with the words.. hot, hot, hot over the topless ad. 

Now this is where I was tempted.. not to see topless girls.. but I asked my wife since they were hot maybe we could go in for a moment and warm ourselves by the heat. Ok, honestly there was no temptation here for me, just an excuse for me to share another bad pun with my wife so she could roll her now frozen eyes at me. 


Picture
Pantages here we go.. 
We arrive about 15 minutes before the concert began. Shivering and frozen we bought a $3 cup of coffee from the cash barin the lobby which my wife and I took turns holding it to keep warm. When another couple entered the theatre and sat next to us visibly cold too, I offered to let them hold my coffee for $1 apiece. They both laughed, but I did not see what was so funny.

Let the Show Begin..
So inside we go and the concert begins. The Blenders are very good and for me, one evening with an A Cappella group is enough. The Blenders are 4 guys I would guess their mid to late 30s in suits with choreographed movements like four Caucasian Temptations. 

Picture
professionals on parade..
To add to the atmosphere there was a group of well dressed professional looking people taking up a large block of seats in front of us. I am guessing they were part of a company holiday party. That was fine.. I GUESS.. but this brought back bad memories of when I was part of a now defunct consulting firm that liked the look & style as only young professionals can. All in suits and dresses looking and ACTING the part of Type-A schmoozers without their ritalin. PLEASE PASS THE BUCKET. Ooops, sorry.. I guess I wrote that.. OUT LOUD. 

Anyways..
Being what I would describe as a blue collar person trapped for years in a white collar job I find that I loathe this kind of behavior. Shallow, notice me people that stood at intermission in front of my wife and I til I found myself again appreciating my departure from corporate America to my world of people wearing stripped shirts (not prison inmates, but referees) 

For those of you in corporate America.. let me offer both my apologies for my biased views, and my condolences for you being a part of it.

Let's have a drink.. NOT
Then to add to their festive corporate schooze, was the booze. Besides the cash bar in the lobby there was one young good looking guy dressed and acting the part of this corporate love fest passing a flask with something that I am pretty sure was stronger than 7-Up. 

My Night in a Nutshell..
So here is my big Christmas night out with my wife.


  • Dinner in front of a fake fire,
  • downtown traffic jams,
  • parking ramps,
  • snow, ice,
  • topless & gay bars,
  • corporate America on parade, and the entertainment .. Minnesota Night with the Pips?.. 
AGAIN.. I don’t think this is what Bing Crosby dreamt about or sang about in White Christmas.

I may make fun of my Friday evening out, but that is what I do. I am Christian who SMIRKS. I did have a good time with my wife.. I was cold.. but to be with the woman I love and to take time to be with her and appreciate her was a great way to start Christmas.

Picture
The next night..
was more low key as we spent it with our son Nate and his then girlfriend Kendra, and our daughter Erin with her boyfriend. We listened to Christmas music, made gingerbread cookies, and played the protestant approved game of cards.. Rook. It was a great evening which included a mini-fight with flour while making cookies. 

IF.. IF by chance anyone from that corporate America party in 2007 reads this email about my great Saturday night making cookies you can thank God instead for your night out schmoozing sipping from your flask, with NO gingerbread cookies, flour prints on your $300 suit, or gingerbread crumbs stuck in your cleavage while donning a black backless & low cut dress that you bought special for this occasion and certainly NOT from the local JC Penney. 

Merry Christmas to all of you TOO who were on display at the Pantages Theatre Saturday night BLOCKING MY ‘BLESSED’ VIEW OF THE BLENDERS!!!!

Blessings

Jeff (frozen in the back pew) Larson

0 Comments

12/3/2014

0 Comments

the buzz around the coffee maker

 
Picture
Every year during the Christmas season I take out and share this Christmas story like I do other Christmas decorations. I pray you enjoy.

I am not in the traditional workplace anymore, but I remember the coffee maker was the gathering point for socializing with coworkers. While pouring a refill there was talk about family, upcoming vacations, sports, or the ever popular grumbling in hushed tones about the boss.

So imagine.. the buzz around the coffee maker in Heaven a little over 2000 years ago when God’s plan for saving mankind was 'leaked out' around Heaven's coffee maker where Betty and Larry the angels meet to fill their morning cup of Heaven's finest brew. <pause> I am talking COFFEE not BEER just to be clear.

Betty: “Hey Larry, did you hear about the plan the 'boss' has for saving the world?”
Larry: “No, so what’s the scoop?”
Betty: “Well rumor has it, God's son Jesus will come to earth as a child born of a virgin in a barn and sleeps in a feeding trough for animals. His birth will not be proclaimed to the world to kings but to .. get this.. shepherds.“


Picture
Larry: “Shepherds?.” 
Betty: “No really it’s true. , and Jesus will be raised by a common carpenter and his wife” and for the next almost 30 years in rural Israel. 
Larry: “ Good one Betty, and so being a carpenter.. I suppose he will then build his father’s kingdom?” LOL! 
Betty: “I know this sounds bizarre, but I heard it all from a very reliable source. And THAT'S NOT ALL. Next, Jesus will choose 12 men to assist him as key members of his kingdom movement.”
Larry: “You mean like a presidential cabinet of sorts comprised of priests, rabbis, maybe a few influential politicians, and seasoned military leaders would seem reasonable selections.
Betty: “No, .. they are mostly fishermen.”
Larry: “I see.. fishermen… So far we have Jesus born in a barn in obscurity except to shepherds, his critical years of development to be the King and Savior are spent as a carpenter instead of seminary? Yes, yes.. this makes ‘boat loads’ of sense…. NOT!”
Betty: “I know, I know.. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL... Next Jesus takes on the established religious community. He will challenge, and mock their rules and motives.. which of course flies like a politically and religiously incorrect Lead Balloon.“

Larry: “Now who is it you said you heard this all from? You were not talking to Cliffy from the mail room again were you? I know this is Heaven, but Cliff is full of it.”
Betty: “No .. it was not Cliff, it was from a very reliable source. Now be quiet for a minute and let me finish.. then you can let your jaw drop to the floor… because THERE IS MORE!” 

Larry: - [ Larry motions that he is zipping his lip and smiles.. in silence ]

Betty: “All of this leads to a final week when the salvation message is realized. Jesus in this unconventional plan lulls the leaders of the day into .. falsely arresting him, mocking him, he is beaten and whipped to the point of death.  Then to a jeering crowd he is lead up to a hill where he is ultimately crucified as a common criminal while he is rejected by the people he came to save… JUST THE WAY HE PLANNED IT ALL ALONG.”


Picture
Betty: Of course Jesus will not stay dead, but is RISEN from the dead, but not everyone will witness this.. and so believing in Jesus, and accepting his free gift of salvation will still be a matter of choice and requires a personal faith in things not seen or every fully understood.

Larry: [still silent, Larry stands with his arms crossed]

Betty the Angel: “That’s it Larry, believe me or not.. this is the God’s honest truth (no pun intended).”<pause> “Ok, now you can speak.”

Larry: I don’t know who put you up to this.. but I would NOT tell these wild tales to anyone else… This is all CRAZY TALK.. and I have better things to do with my time. Next time you have anymore ’Revelations’ .. get it in writing on God’s very own BLESSED executive stationary!! Next time consider your sources before swallowing a whopper like this one hook line and sinker. You are just soooo gullable.”

[Larry then walks back to work leaving Betty looking exasperated]

Ok maybe it was not quite like this, but I don’t think this is a story line embraced in Hollywood. Kings, great rulers, and most certainly saviors would be scripted to be spectacular and not born in a barn, surrounded by sheep, raised as a poor carpenters boy to be the ONE challenging the motives ot the established church, stirring the hearts of the people, who is ultimately crucified as a criminal, but rises again our savior.. Then again.. Hollywood’s vision of drama is Law & Order reruns and ’passion’ is a steamy Hollywood 'love' story.

I thank God for the beauty of his plan. God's ways are not our ways, and his thought are higher than our thoughts Is 55:8-9. 
What a perfect and loving plan to save the world. Just like the wisemen when Jesus was born I pray we all seek to find the Messiah.

May God bless each of you with a great day and may the great news of hope and salvation shared around Heaven's coffee maker over 2000 years ago be realized in each of our lives.

Jeff


0 Comments

11/28/2014

0 Comments

thankful on a black friday

 
  Black Friday the day for all great sales NEVER to be seen again has come and is pretty much gone.  Technically Black Friday started as early as 6pm on 'Thursday' with many stores in our area opening their doors to us 'poor and needy' shoppers in search of a big screen TV, or coffee maker.  LOL
   My wife and I have participated in past years in this shopping mayhem, but not this year.  In fact it has been MANY years since I have given in to the urge to fight the lines and madness found on Black Friday.
   In contrast our Thanksgiving was peaceful  with not even a food line to our Turkey day dinner.
   Thanksgiving was truly a great day in the Larson home. Good family, good laughs, and good food as we ate our fill of turkey, side dishes, and deserts.
   We then watched some football, played with the grandkids, colored turkeys, and took time to celebrate my mom's 86th birthday.
   It was a great day and I am thankful especially this year for God's protection on my life this year, and for his grace and forgiveness allowing this prodigal 57 year old son to be his child again.
    I am truly blessed beyond my dreams with food, water, 'toys', and shelter just like my big brown dog Baylie.  I too am a blessed old dog with all that I need.

Life is good, God is great, and I am thankful. 

- Jeff
Thanksgiving, cartoons, Thanksgiving leftovers, full
prodigal son, cartoons, Luke 15:11-32
Blessed, cartoons, happy dog, Psalms 23, Matthew 7:11
0 Comments
Previous

    Author

    The mutterings on life and faith by cartoonist Jeff Larson

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    4th Of July
    Abraham
    Addiction
    Adoption
    Alcohol
    Angels
    Anger
    Animals
    Anniversary
    Anxiety
    Apostle Paul
    Armor Of God
    Assurance
    Attitude
    Awkward
    Baby
    Bible
    Bible Reading
    Big Bang
    Birth
    Blessings
    Boredom
    Cell Phones
    Christians
    Christmas
    Church
    Coffee
    Cold
    Computers
    Creation
    Creed
    Darkness
    Dating
    Death
    Despair
    Devil
    Diet
    Dogs
    Donkey
    Drinking
    Driving
    Easter
    Education
    Ego
    Elections
    Entertainment
    Eternity
    Evil
    Evolution
    Excuses
    Faith
    Faithful
    Family
    Fathers
    Fear
    Fight
    Fishing
    Follow
    Food And Coffee
    Free Will
    Friends
    Full Armor Of God
    Gender
    Genesis
    Gifts
    God
    God's Love
    God's Word
    Good Friday
    Gospel
    Grace And Forgiveness
    Happiness
    Health
    Heaven
    Heaven And Hell
    Heritage
    Holidays
    Holiness
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Week
    Honesty
    Hope
    Humlity
    Hunting
    Insurance
    Intolerance
    Jesus
    Jesus Loves Me
    Joy
    Judas
    Judgement
    Justice
    Kindness
    Life
    Light
    Love
    LOVE GOD
    Loving God
    Marriage
    Meditation
    Microagression
    Miracles
    Misc
    Missions
    Moderation
    Money
    Mother
    Music
    NARCISSISM
    New-year
    New Year Resolutions
    Noah
    Obedience
    Obedient
    Old Testament
    Opinions
    Other
    Pain
    Palm Sunday
    Patriotism
    Peace
    Pets
    Politics
    Poor
    Pouting
    Power
    Prayer
    Preachers
    Pregnancy
    Presents
    Prodigal
    Profanity
    Psalms
    Purpose
    Pursuit Of God
    Quiet
    Redeemed
    Redneck
    Repentance
    Rescue
    Resolutions
    Respect
    Ressurection
    Resurrection
    Revival
    Rich
    Right And Wrong
    Running
    Rush Hour
    Safety
    Salvation
    Santa Claus
    School
    Science
    Seat Belts
    Secular
    Seeking God
    Selfish
    Senior Citizens
    Serving
    Serving God
    Sin
    Small Town
    Society
    Spirit Of God
    Sports
    St Patricks Day
    Suffering
    Tax Day
    Technology
    Temple
    Thanksgiving
    Tradition
    Trust
    Trusting God
    Truth
    TV
    Victory
    Video Games
    Voting
    Walk The Talk
    Wealth
    Weary
    Weather
    Winter
    Witness
    Women
    Work
    Worry
    Worship
    Worship God
    Wrong

    RSS Feed

Back Pew - Draw Close to God
116 pages of cartoons of 'Clean Humor & God's Truth'

CRITICS ARE SAYING..
  • The Back Pew (vol 1) offers spiritual insights rarely found in 'most' coloring books.
  • On a good day The Back Pew is.. Gary Larson's The Farside goes to church!
  • On a bad day The Back Pew (vol 1) is still useful under the leg of an uneven coffee table.
Laughter is just a CLICK away
-click- HAHAHAHA! 

$9.99
christian cartoons, the back pew
PERMISSIONS
COMMENTS
DONATE
©2019 Jeff Larson - All Rights Reserved