Cartoonist/Illustrator - Jeff Larson
Minnesota
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I am lamenting the last couple of days where I find myself HELD CAPTIVE by CIRCUMSTANCES outside my control. I have listed a few of these circumstances mostly outside of my control, but there are more... many many more. Below is my Reader's Digest abbreviated version... The circumstances of a corrupt government that is at best cordial to Christians but more times hostile. The circumstances of a corrupt/greedy Health Care system that is out of control hellbent on $$ and becoming government controlled. Q. When has government control of ANYTHING been a good idea? The circumstances of a world of war, hate, and distrust.  Then in our culture... The circumstances of this a culture where we have a PRIDE MONTH celebrating sin. The circumstances of a society that cannot even tell you 'What is a Woman', and feels the urgency to declare its pronouns. The circumstances where biological men (identifying as women) compete against biological women to the ruin of women's sports. The circumstances of GREED where our desires for more are fueled by envy and the lust for pleasures of all kind.  Then in the church... The circumstances of a 'Christian' church culture is divided over secondary issues and refuses to unite on the primary issues of loving God and caring for others. The circumstances of a 'Christian' church culture that is more afraid of offending the ways of our pagan culture than offending our Creator. The circumstances where 'Christians' on social media declare heresy constantly like the boy who cried wolf.  and finally in my heart... The circumstances where I do not see the trees from the forest in my spiritual journey. Where the above distractions and more block me from feeling the warmth of God's presence. SO... this was my morning. This world's circumstances clouded my vision and my struggling spirit with angst strained joy from me.  But as I discussed my circumstance-beaten spirit with my wonderful wife Mary. We stopped and prayed for all of the above and more and for specifics in our lives and with our friends and family and their circumstances. We said amen, and for all we know none of our circumstances miraculously changed. But my spirit changed to where His Spirit impressed on me that cares for us outside above and through any circumstance of this broken world. THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE. So no deep thoughts of course in this post, but I want to encourage any of you burdened that our God knows and cares for us. May God bless each of your lives where you daily seek His presence in His word, and in prayer. Pray not only for your circumstances but let's be still and listen. For we know... OUR GOD IS ENOUGH Blessings, Jeff 8/8/2022 Just a Glimpse in 2022 Just a Glimpse please! There are those grey overcast days where I think the sun will never shine again. Maybe a little foggy, drizzling still morning but then a spot on the clouds glows and just moments later the sun peeks out. I now see the sun and feel it’s warmth. Amazing how that feels especially on that cool grey day, but sometimes as quick as the sun appears the clouds return and the sun is gone and so is it's warmth.  This glimpse of the sun describes often my pursuit of God. I read, and pray and the story of God and the Gospel message makes sense. This time of clarity is beyond refreshing until.. circumstances and the world distract me, along with my inconsistent pursuit of God until my perspective is clouded and poof my moment of clarity is gone. Does that sound familiar, or am I the only one? A simple check on Twitter and Facebook and the social media posts of Christians and I will conclude this line looking for Glimpses is a very long line. I am among friends. In my defense I find Isaiah 55:9, and 1 Corinthians 13:12 . I feel like Winnie the Pooh, a Bear of very little brain creator of cartoons attempting to grasp Almighty God creator of the Universe. Advantage God
It does not seem fair to have only glimpses. I even have my share of questions about God and scriptures I do not understand. note: While I have questions, I want to be clear I place my trust and hope in Him and the answers found in His Word. There is a big difference between having questions and doubting. So while I realize in this life I cannot and will not fully understand many things, but when those clouds part that glimpse of God like the sun through the clouds on a grey day is priceless. 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. Lord I pray for more glimpses, and prolonged glimpses found by quieting myself, reading God's Word, praying without ceasing, listening to worship music, spending time with other believers, and serving others. In contrast I quickly can lose sight of God when I focus on the waves of this post-Christian culture instead of Jesus. 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. Find peace in knowing the Lord as your Shepherd 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 more than glimpses of Him that pierce the clouds in your life and this DARK world. And.. rest in the promise of what He will reveal to us fully someday.
Jeff (glimpse chaser) Larson Note: The Apostle Paul given a tad more than a glimpse of the sun/Son on that road to Damascus. So on your Damascus Road.. wear SUNBLOCK. 10/28/2021 What I really really.. WANTHa ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want So tell me what you want, what you really, really want I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want So tell me what you want, what you really, really want I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna really, really, really wanna .. - Spice Girls Worship Band? note: Just so you don't worry more about me I do know the above song lyrics are neither deep, or a worship song with a catchy tune.  I am at a crossroads of sorts in my life. Looking for how to segue into the semi-retirment years of my life, as my wife and I are settling into the stage in our lives. So in discussing our future the phrase "what I really want" seemed to come up often.. and my caffeinated brain 'logically' jumped into the lyrics from the 1996 song 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls. Not that I was a fan of the Spice Girls, but it was a catchy tune. But I also know it is OK to talk to God about what I want what I really want because He cares about what I want what I really really want. So I tell Him what I want what I really really want. Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! -- Psalm 66:16-20 (ESV)  Our God is better than any Genie in a Lamp where our every wish/prayer is granted. Our God is our personal loving Heavenly Father hears our cry and desires what is best for each of us. So to be clear I can count on God wanting his best for me, and even better yet He KNOWS what is best for me. Not so many years ago we were house shopping and made offers on three homes but each time the offer of another potential buyer was chosen. The last offer we were the runner up to the buyer who was chosen. I guess we were like the Miss Congeniality of home buyers.. and were still disappointed. But after this moment (ok, it was a half a day) of disappointment. We turned back to trusting God in this process an actually excited about it realizing God really wants what He really really wants is our best. We now live in a home that is close to our kids and grandkids and we feel God's care and blessing in this home. I believe He is personally involved with our lives and this home buying process. This is what I believe and where my hope is.  No matter if you are buying a home, single and looking for Mr or Mrs Right, choosing a career path, or the church you attend I pray you put your trust in the God who loves you. He is not indifferent, he is not detached. So pray to God and tell Him what you want.
Psalm 139:7-8 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. So one last time.. Tell God what you want, what you really really want.. and seek His will. The best is yet to come. Jeff (really really wanting a donut right now) Larson |
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6/28/2023
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