A compelling story shared can give us hope, and/or inspire us.  But over time doubts may creep in and we ponder is this story truth or a fable? This will require some investigative work to bolster our faith. And the most compelling story we can ever investigate is to know God and trust in His love.

Every year my wife and I like to assemble a 500 or maybe 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  We start by turning all the pieces face up, then locating and assembling the edge pieces.  Next we group pieces by colors, patterns, and shapes.

​This is not an exact jigsaw puzzle science but it is how we roll. ​

​These friends of Bugs (bunny) crisscrossed our yard constantly.  We don't have a garden so they are harmless and cute.. I guess... but what goes on in their little minds as they scamper from here to there and back again.  All this is done of course as they travel their literal bunny trails.  

​Then I wonder.. are there 'BAD BUNNIES'.. you know, with tattoos hanging out the street corner smoking cigs and.. sorry, I guess my mind just went on its own bunny trail.

There you have it.. all that is important shared economically in just 5 verses, BUT..

• what about climbing the corporate ladder,
• keeping up with the Jones's, and HEY..  
• Netlix is not gonna watch itself.
• Maybe you have traveled down the traditional wine, women, and song path, or
• have become lost on bunny trail of self-doubt spinning in place lacking direction or purpose. 

​
All of the above can be definite bunny trails that have nothing to do with Js 1:27 and/or Mt 22:37-40. 

Our Father who is in Heaven, GREAT is your name.. Your kingdom come, YOUR WILL be done ON EARTH as it is in Heaven.

As many of you know this is the start of the Lord's Prayer (Mt 6:9-13), and is what is not a part of this prayer to gloss over.

Your Will on Earth? So how is that working out?

• I turn on the evening news (SHOW) I doubt I hear mention of God or His will. 
• In Washington DC there is a lot of MY WILL BE DONE attitudes legislated in their 'swampy' ways, while intentionally disregarding God's ways.
• So I check out Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) where censorship of Christians and traditional family values are anything but God's will.
• And even in our Churches I find progressive 'self-enlightened' 'Christians' focused on social justice, & CRT doctrines rather than God's word.  This  also is so NOT God's will.

Truth is (insert light bulb moment for me here) The prayer "Lord what is your will for my life?" should be more specifically.. "Lord how can I serve you today, show me what I can do for your kingdom." "How can I be that part in the Lord's Prayer helping God's Will be Done?

What would that look like if God's will was being done by those of us in the church?  What if we were faithful in the moments that make up our days?  What if we truly worshipped God in words and deeds with our eyes first on God then on the needs  of others?  What would that look like.

There you have it.. My Back Pew list of Ponderings.  One part resolutions, one part repentance, and all parts pondering this world, the church, and each one of us.

I pray sincerely we are not conformed to this world as prayerful, obedient children of God FIRST and foremost. Let's be known for being kind and understanding of others in and outside the church and not for snarky Facebook posts (guilty). I pray we are unwavering from His Truth (our Bibles), and obedient to share God's Truth in a world that will call us judgmental hypocrites.  Never apologize for sharing God's Truth because these words (even when hated) are real love.

Blessings as you ponder

Jeff (the wandering ponderer) Larson

I am 63, and now wear hearing aides.  Boo, hiss..I don't like to wear them but just like my bi-focaled glasses they do help. I now hear sounds (especially high pitch sounds) that I otherwise miss. 

And now in 2020 with our Covid masks I miss the facial expressions and the sounds of the voice of those speaking are muffled, and so when not wearing my hearing aides communication is a bit muted and frustrating.  

Like this, when I pray.. but am not still or quiet to hear his voice what I hear from God is also muted. 

Muted at times by my own busy mind and compromised/selfish motives. God speaks, but do I hear His voice. 

The point is.. we need more QUIET and less NOISE.. to seek intentional quiet times where we turn off our 24/7 media blitz on the senses. Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10

Oh it's easy to be pulled down stream by the current of societies raging information river.  I love all modern gadgets, and the ease of communication, and the instant resource of Google searches... But lost in this is the QUIET.  How can I hear the Voice of God over the 'DIN' of our society? 

I pray what I have shared makes sense.  There is no greater pursuit than to know the creator of this world. 

• Set your minds on things above Col 3:1,  
• where the peace that passes all understanding is our promise. Phil 4:7   knowing
• We will soar like Eagles, we will run and not faint. Is 40:31

in contrast if you set your mind on the things of this world.. you will be frustrated, empty, and most likely have a chronic headache that Excedrin won't touch.
​
May God bless each of you on your journey to hear God's voice.

Jeff (hearing aides in) Larson

Let's start with SUNDAYS:  
Football - You can spend the afternoon sitting on the 50 yard line cheering your team as they play their hated rivals on a beautiful fall day doubly blessed with vendors who for a few dollars deliver to you your favorite snacks and beverages.
or..
Church - ​You could spend Sunday sitting on a hard wooden pew in Church singing a hymn or EIGHT, listening to a sermon where the vendors are replaced with ushers who also take your money but there will be no food for you!.. Advantage.. FOOTBALL

THE MORAL OF TODAY'S BLOG?

• Neglect your TEETH.. they become ugly, painful, and will eventually rot leaving you with an empty mouth.
• Neglect GOD.. then life will become ugly, painful, and will leave you empty like the above toothless mouth.
• Neglect your Teeth and/or God for life and there may be either physical or spiritual weeping and gnashing of teeth... or is it gumming of gums?

 

​More 'minty fresh' scriptures below

If I remember correctly, today (August 8th) is the birthday of my good Richard (Dick) Ludzack, and Dick was 6 days my senior as I was born on August 14th. He was a lifelong friend as we grew up in the same home town and attended the same church, played sports together, and both participated in each other's weddings.  Dick passed away suddenly a number of years ago, and at that time I wrote my own memorial of his life.  I would like to share it again today about a life well lived.

THE ONLY CHOICE THAT MATTERS 10/12/2003
I traveled home yesterday to visit my mom and was greeted by the news that a life long friend of mine was killed the day before in a work related accident. This friend was Dick Ludzack, and his dad Karl Ludzack also passed away last January. Please pray for Dick’s wife Tammy, his kids, and for his 10 other brothers and sisters, and mom. It is kind of news that knocks the wind out of his many friends, and hits even much closer to home for his family.

Dick was a great guy, and though we have not talked all that often in the last few years.. I consider him a true friend. He was a good man who loved God and his family.

Dick was one of the guys that as a youth I sat with in the Back Pew of the church. He was also one of us guys that could not sing. NONE OF US COULD. We called it the sin of our parents. You know, when the people asked Jesus why a certain man was blind.. was it because of his own sin or the sin of his parents?? Well there was a core group of guys in our church, and NONE were blessed with the ability to sing. Some of us sang… but we pushed THE JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD concept to it’s limits. So the joke among a few of us guys was.. Jesus was it our own sins, or the sin of our parents why we can’t sing? The answer we have concluded.. was.. IT MUST BE OUR PARENTS. Lol

So back to the serious sobering point of these days. Dick was a good man, a good family man, and faithful to God. Though he will be missed.. Dick’s life was a success. Never to trivialize the loss to his family, and friends, but Dick lived his life right.. he loved the Lord, and is in Heaven now.  Dick who lived only to be 46 (same age as me) was faithful with the time he had on Earth.

None of us know how long we have here in this world that is a blend of joy and pain. Where there is so much good, and so much tragedy.. so in the end it ETERNALLY makes a difference the choices you make in life. Dick chose wisely.

I pray we are faithful in making the same decision. May the Lord protect each of you.. may he give us all the perspective that is only his.. may his comfort and love be felt by us all, and may we all know Jesus. 

Blessings!!
​
Jeff

​My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”  James 2:2-3

 James 2:2-3 This is how it looks for me in Minnesota-->