​​I confess I visit the local coffee shops now and then for a Latte, but if my dad were still alive, he would NOT approve. 

First of all, paying over $7 for a large latte (steamed milk and espresso) would be SO VERY WRONG!  Then to stand in line to order a coffee with a flavor… is also a SIN. 

About once a year, I like to share my tale from the Old Days (1965?). Mid-West, but just like any Clint Eastwood Western, i.e.... The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, or The Unforgiven. This story of Justice with six-shooters blazing begs to be retold.

This brought my mind back to the year 1965 on the mid-Western frontier of Cable Wi (population 280, when I served as an 8-year-old lawman working with my 6-year-old friend deputy David Larson.  It was a time of lawlessness where 'big talk' and 'big guns' (cap & pop alike) were a way of life.

The Christian Bible is a remarkable collection of God's inspired Word, including many of God’s mighty deeds.

The BIG BANG, parting of the RED SEA, NOAH & the Flood, GOLIATH v a Shepherd Boy, and more.

But our GREAT GOD loves us! He leaves the 99 for the one, Mt 18:12-14, He sent his son JESUS to bring us salvation from our sins Jo 3:16. He is my shepherd Psalm 23… and much more. JESUS LOVES ME.

Think of those greydays when it appears the sun will never shine again, but then a spot on the clouds glows and moments later the sun peeks out.  I now see the sun and feel its warmth. 

This glimpse of the sun often describes my pursuit of God.

Well, at least I never…

Ever console yourself regarding your behavior, words, judgments, and/or circumstances that make you look bad by qualifying these moments with the following.... “Well, at least I am not like so-and-so."

Have you ever been chased by a Grizzly Bear? No, well I have.

Back when my kids were young, I went camping with my family and had a heart-stopping moment I’ll never forget. I was walking alone through the forest, just out of sight from our campsite, marveling at the quiet beauty of God’s creation. The serenity broke when…

I spotted a massive grizzly bear—

So let’s Dream Big!

The other day, I had a dream. It was not on the level of Martin Luther King Jr. 's 'I Had a Dream' dream, but it was significant in Jeff's world. 

Note: Pharaoh once had a Dream, too -->

In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore won an Oscar for his documentary, ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ on global warming.  This blog is NOT about Big Al, Global Warming but instead about an even more inconvenient truth.

There is only ONE WAY to Heaven

DEATH.. by Cartoon..  “While there were preexisting conditions, it was THE CARTOON that killed him.” - CDC (Center of Deceased Cartoons) Dr. Foocheese

The ants go marching one by one, hooray! Hooray! And so the marching of the little people is what makes this world work too. 

I have not polled any ants or bees, but what I understand is that they are all about teamwork with the mutual goal of supporting the success of their respective Ant Hill or Bee Hive.

THE WORD OF GOD is sharper than a two-edged sword…

I love Hebrews 4:12. It is one of many verses that express the depth and power of God’s Word beyond the typed ink on a flat white paper page in my Bible. The truths found here are far-reaching and, in context, an incredible tapestry of wisdom, love, and hope that is not found in any other book.

This, to me, is a Gospel Paradox where I am both a sinner, dead in my sins, AND a repentant child of God with the promise I will live forever in Heaven.

God’s Nature is often a beautiful PARADOX where many seemingly contradictory statements are both true. 

IMO God’s Word is a Holy Paradox Treasure Trove.

Today, let me boldly return where no man should.

The Thin Ice Regions of ‘Dating and Marriage world.’ 

Ok, not boldly, but maybe awkwardly cartwheeled onto thin ice to pitch my tent, or auger a fishing hole.

Now, when Josiah became king, he was EIGHT years old!  Josiah was a good king and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord 2 Kings 22:2

One of the great undertakings of Josiah was to cleanout those pesky temple idols.

Bryan is my very good friend, and we often meet for lunch. Over these many years and lunches, he shared his secrets for a happy life with me.  

I have summarized his principles in what I aptly call...

​THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF BRYAN.

I remember back when I was a kid in gym class and didn't want to be the last kid chosen for a team. I don't like to brag, but I wasn't that kid. I was a decent athlete, and even in a game like dodgeball, I was always a solid pick. 

Of course, I may have been that last pick if there had been a robotics team back then in the 1960s.

I am a work in progress, as my blogs attest.

Further evidence of my condition can be found in my thoughts, reflections, fears, and anxieties, as well as the grace God continues to show me.

I live in America, where moderation does not come easily. We like big, more, and we supersize whenever possible.  Even too much is often not enough.

Mankind’s 1st Report Card

 At the time of Noah God issued the 1st Report Card for Mankind. It was a big ol’ F!

with the comments. Mankind is easily distracted, AND every inclination of his heart is evil all the time.

Without good sleep, my perspective is tainted with depression, impatience, maybe anger, and a smidge of hopelessness.