Cartoonist/Illustrator - Jeff Larson
Minnesota
 This is the story of my ongoing love/hate relationship with TECHNOLOGY. Technical difficulties beyond our control can land a person in the BERMUDA TRIANGLE of TECHNOLOGY… This is a land where
and in response harsh 'protestant' language is mumbled in the direction of a myriad of inanimate technologies. I know from recent history Technology issues have tested the existence of any spiritual fruit in my life. My patience and self control were compromised by lost passwords, dropped connections, corrupted programs needing to be reinstalled, and the ever present threat of Spyware & Malware.  So what can I do? CALL SUPPORT! Of course there are those technical support calls that start by navigating through a labyrinth of 'press 1 for English, press 2 Spanish, 3 Piglatin' like choicesI and after a couple disconnects, followed by 35 minutes on hold (which includes the repeated recorded message "your call is very important to us, and will be answered in the order it was received and when we FEEL LIKE IT". I am then connected to a support center located 1/2 way around the world In New Delhi by a person whose English is barely their second language going through their list of scripted responses.  Their confusing responses spoken with strong accents that are difficult for me to understand (my problem not theirs) but it only pushes my button until 'maybe' I become sarcastic with words outside of previously mentioned Fruit of God's Spirit .. ie peace, patience, self-control but included in the above mentioned 'harsh protestant' language. So join me today in my ANTI-TRIBUTE to Technology collection 'PROVING' Technology is FROM THE DEVIL 
 OK, while the above are very 'real' (lol) technology issues are maybe true .. I plan to enjoy the blessings of technology as a tool for sharing God's Truth and for building His church.
 Have a great day blessed by God in great ways, and blessed not cursed by technology. It may cause us angst, but it in reality is also an amazing tool God has provided for us. Technology can put us on instant paths of light or darkness. This is a world of great blessing, and great evil where the darkness of pornography exists. PRAYERFULLY CHOOSE WISELY.. stay in the Light.
No matter your GEEK-STATUS let's prayerfully be faithful (up to 5g or maybe 1 Gig speed) in our techie moments just like all other aspects of life. Jeff ( 404 error code) Larson 8/24/2020 The Great FLAME MAIL of 2011 Today, I am remembering the great FLAME MAIL of 2011. let me begin by saying I do not expect everyone to agree with me and in fact I would not advise everyone to agree with me all the time, BUT.. bottom-line I believe God loves everyone, but requires a repentant heart seeking Him.... as outlined in John 3:16. So with all this out there, I want to post the last words from my disgruntled reader from 2011. I am not doing this to mock him but I think it is interesting how upset this man was. I do feel sorry that he was this upset with me, BUT.. what's a cartoonist to do? <pause>.. DRAW! I tried words, the replied to his email with images and comments from the Back Pew. Forgive me if you think this is taunting or mocking.. I do not intend this, but I do want to put this to rest.. as my frustration has subsided, As any reader of the Back Pew realizes, I am not a theologian, I am not a pastor, but instead I am just a guy who 'draws' (cartoon) unto to the Lord so he will draw near to me. note: Twitter & Facebook have now become the home of spiritual flame-throwing. These are places where disagreements escalate into cries of FALSE TEACHER or HERETIC. Maybe many of these tweets are true, but I am not sure Social Media is the best forum for deciding who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell. now without delay.. here is the flaming email from 2011.  -- BEGINNING from the computer of the frowning flamer-- dateline: 1/19/2011, around 3pm CST I continued to write because you are wrong, you are a double-minded man. I continued to write because you cannot defend what you believe. Goodness, you couldn't even answer a few simple verses! I continued to write because I am duty bound as a Christian to do so. You have no idea who Calvin or Luther or Knox or Kennedy or Sproul are. You know you're ignorant. You know you know nothing about theology. You have no training at all, and what you do have, is so off base on even an Arminain or Reformed perspective (you espouse a Universalist theology-- and you are bound for Hell if you persist!) . Yet you will persist. What a two-faced hypocrite. And a scared one at that, writing all those verses and then telling me I couldn't respond. What a joke you are. What kind of man are you, where you can't even defend what you think in any kind of coherent manner? Don't bother writing back. I've unsubbed from your nonsense blurbs, and have blocked your e-mail. You will be in Hell if you continue in your Universalist beliefs (again, look that term up, as you don't even know what it is). -- END from the computer of the frowning flamer-- dateline: 1/19/2011, around 3pm CST  Ouch.. I am a bit slow some times, but .. I don't think this guy likes me. So let me post the same comments with a few Back Pew images inserted as I see fitting. I think in Proverbs it says .. 'If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.. or if you are a cartoonist, draw cartoons'. -- BEGINNING same FLAME w/ BP Rebuttals -- dateline: 1/19/2011, around 3pm CST - I continued to write because you are wrong, you'er a double-minded man. - I continued to write because you cannot defend what you believe. Goodness, you coulnd't even answer a few simple verses! I can't argue this.. I know I struggle with migraines, and I bruise like a peach.  - I continued to write because I am duty bound as a Christian to do so. thanks.. I guess.. but please put down those stones! - You have no idea who Calvin or Luther or Knox or Kennedy or Sproul are. and I know Kennedy was the Catholic president. (well at least I got three right.. didn't I?) No? Really? - You know you're ignorant. (note: if i am ignorant, i probably don't know it.. since isn't that the problem with being ignorant?.. you just don't know) - You know you know nothing about theology. You have no training at all, and what you do have, is so off base on even an Arminain or Reformed perspective (you espouse a Universalist theology-- and you are bound for Hell if you persist!) . Yet you will persist.  Sorry, not a universalist.. I believe in Heaven, and Hell. John 3:16 gives us the great news God loves us.. BUT.. the ball is in our court. We must believe, and we must honor God with our lives... in words and deeds. Very serious stuff.. but very very good. - What a two-faced hypocrite. And a scared one at that, writing all those verses and then telling me I couldn't respond. - What a joke you are. ahhh so you have been reading my emails. I am like everyone.. I need Jesus daily... and I like jokes. <pause> is that what you meant by me being a joke? Maybe not... again.. the above noted ignorance is bliss  - What kind of man are you, where you can't even defend what you think in any kind of coherent manner? but i did pass the pop quiz at our church last Sunday .. so I pay attention sometimes. - Don't bother writing back. I've unsubbed from your nonsense blurbs, and have blocked your e-mail. You will be in Hell if you continue in your Universalist beliefs (again, look that term up, as you don't even know what it is). Well.. On your way out, don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya. -- END same FLAME w/ BP Rebuttals -- dateline: 1/19/2011, around 3pm CST  So again, a cartoon rebuttal is what I do. Most of it is tongue-in-cheek.. I pray today we are kind to each other. That our words are well chosen, and have meaning. As Christians there is a spiritual urgency that is different from our Secular world causing great angst and division.. BUT ALSO.. within the church there is also great angst and division. It is ok (very OK ) to disagree with each other, but I pray we are respectful and kind, and understanding.
May God bless each of you in your pursuit of His truth. Love God with all your heart, and be kind to each other. Jeff (a bit singed) Larson Final note: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 ESV. While I was flamed in the above email, I am reminded and convicted to do better myself. I can be direct, terse, and think skinned at times in my words. I pray for forgiveness and desire to do better. 5/1/2018 High Speed Truth (rr) 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  What has been on TV will become a rerun, what has been watched will be watched again, and there is nothing new to watch on TV.. under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 (If Solomon had Cable TV) It is winter here in Minnefrozeta where the sun is down around 5pm, and outside it is as the saints call it 'blessed' cold. So I hunker down in front of the TV to pass the time. I have cable TV so my selection is about 500 (million) channels of HD nothing new under the sun movies, concerts, game shows, comedies, dramas, horror flicks (no), adventures, thrillers, mob movies, history documentaries, or the dreaded 24/7 news (propaganda) channels as pretend I am being informed. Well, this aint working for me. I guess in hind sight I know TV can be a welcomed diversion, but it is too often NOT a source of satisfaction or time well spent. Our cable provider runs a commercial stating they are the future of awesome. Awesome?.. I would settle for it being pretty good.  Then to complicate this buffet for the senses sameness, there is the mediocre, and sometimes down right bad. Not only bad quality, but bad content and this flies in the face of the scriptures. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8. Hmm, I am pretty sure Paul is not referring anything 'remotely' (insert pun here) to channel surfing.  The simple solution is turn the TV off (gasp), and read a book (double gasp).. maybe even more time reading my bible. (double gasp + clutch heart)
So it is January, and I am attempting to read through my Bible again. Like most worthwhile resolutions I understand the challenge of seeing it through, but so far so good. Actually very good as the Scripture Reading Plan I am using is accompanied by a short devotional that infuses my day with a truly spiritual focus. Of course there are many other worthwhile things to do also. Start or complete a project, enjoy a hobby (unless it is tv watching), spend time with a friend. There are so many better ways to spend with your time than sampling 500 channels of cable while your brain turns to mush. But to be fair, Solomon did also write .. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace... and a time to see what's on the Tele as I am bone tired after a long day at work and just want to Veg Out. - Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 (or so) - Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 or so (again, If Solomon had Cable TV) May God bless each of you as you balance your life with faith, family, and friends without your TV getting in the way. Jeff 10/21/2017 Some call me.. TRON? In this modern world 'good parents' monitor the time their kids play video games, and the content of those games. After all, staring at a screen for hours clicking on buttons living a virtual existence stimulated by role playing, and first person shooter games while never interacting with a real person is not healthy, wealthy, or wise. And let me add my 2 cents. "Hey video playing KID, turn off your Xboox/Playstation/Nintendo game thingy, get outside breath some air, talk to real people. build something, read a book, do something, ANYTHING that does not involve electronic brain manipulation." Kids these days.  Then I settle in after another long work day. I'm tired per usual and plop down in my comfy chair and with one hand I turn on my HD TV to watch the evening (all bad all the time) news, followed by 3 hours of channel surfing. I then order pizza delivery from my smartphone with my other hand while tweeting with my 'peeps'. By my side I have my laptop to browse for any nook or cranny of input my overloaded brain may have missed with my smartphone and HD TV. -gasp- I am like the movie Tron! Then I hear tapping on my window the above mentioned kid who shouts to me.. "Hey OLD MAN, turn off your TV, smartphone, and laptop too. Go outside make some friends that are not on Facebook, and stop tweeting. Build something, read a book, do something, ANYTHING that does not involve electronic brain manipulation". I hate that kid.. "GET OFF MY LAWN."  So for evenings like this I am reminded of Paul writing. whatever is true, .. noble, .. right, .. pure, .. lovely, .. admirable, AND if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—I will think about such things. Phil 4:8.
Well there is no Philippians 4:8 channel on my TV, so (and I hate to say it) it's time to start listening to that kid. Lord I desire to stay informed but pray I am not sucked in by 24/7 gloom and doom fake or baked news. God I thank you for my very REAL family, friends, and a church home that desires to serve you. I even thank you for that smart mouthed kid on my lawn. - Amen - Jeff (not Tron) Larson 4/28/2016 High Speed TRUTH! As the official Christian Cartoon Curmudgeon of the Back Pew I often lament (aka whine) this world where SIN is just a mouse or tv remote click away. This 24/7 ENTERTAIN/TEMPT me self indulgent society often compromises my Christian ideals. BUT.. then I realize.. HEY my glass is actually 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 who browse 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 |
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Back Pew - Draw Close to God
116 pages of cartoons of 'Clean Humor & God's Truth' CRITICS ARE SAYING..
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©2019 Jeff Larson - All Rights Reserved
9/1/2020
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