27
Jul 11

Loving what He loves

Jon Larson Gardening 1 Comment

I have been spending a lot of time outdoors lately. No, not going on some big hikes or visiting state parks, just hanging out in the backyard. We have spend the last 8 years planting trees, shrubs,and gardens and I just enjoy going out and seeing how everything is doing as well as seeing what all this has attracted. We have seen more, varied wildlife in the past few years than we ever have.

I not only love being out there, but I love when my wife comes out there with me and is interested in all of those things as well. It is much better sharing it with someone that you love. I connect more with her because she loves what I love. Pretty cool.

Maybe that is why I feel closer to God in the yard and garden. Because He is sharing something that He loves, that He created, with me! I can connect more with God just by the fact that I love what he loves! Maybe that is a way we can know Him better. Find out what He loves and love that too. You will find the heart of God that way.

I am constantly amazed by the beauty of observing the everyday when I am out there. The variety, the complexity, the simple, all conspire to create a orchestra of beautifully played music that I love to watch and hear. This may not be some big revelation, but I don’t think connecting with God has to be this big complex, step 1,2,3 process. The simple joy we can find in the everyday is there for anyone who wants to take the time to slow down and look for it.

Genesis 1:31, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and indeed it was very good”

09
Apr 09

Burnt Toast

Jon Larson Life 0 Comments

Toast, slightly burnt, a little smokey and that certain smell. That’s the way I feel on certain days. I little over done and not pleasant for anyone. Other day’s, the bread is just lightly browned and oh so good. How do I get more of those days? Once you have reached the point of being overdone, there is not much you can do but through away the bread and start over. I guess the challenge is not get to the point of being overdone.

I recently ventured into making maple syrup for the first time. After you collect the sap, you need to start boiling it down. It takes a long time, like 10 hours. The first nine and a half not much happens, but after that you need to watch it. We take the temperature of the sap and when it gets to 7 degrees above boiling, it is syrup. From 212 degrees to 215 it is fairly slow, but from 215 to 219 degrees it is fairly quick. If you do not watch it, it is easy to get overdone, burn and then be ruined.

Well, that is how it has been for me lately. Too many things inputting and competing for my time, then when I am not paying close enough attention, overload. For me, I have had more things being funneled into the hopper lately and I have not done a good enough job of controlling the flow into my life. So there it is, problem identified. Now what?

For me, it is realizing that I am not effective in what I do, by adjusting my output, to the input provided. I need to maintain a balanced pace regardless of how fast things are coming at me. There is always going to be something else to do, something else screaming for my attention. I am at my best when I take the time to do some self reflection and make the necessary adjustments to run at peak performance before I become burnt toast. For me, it is a slower, more deliberate pace. If I am not paying attention, it is over. So, may you take the time to reflect on the pace you are running and fine tune yourself to run at peak performance on a consistent basis.

02
Apr 09

Multitude of Counsel

Jon Larson Church 0 Comments

I have been in the middle of change in this period of my life at work and at home. The changes are requiring me to make decisions that impact the lives of many others. At times, I am overwhelmed and partially paralyzed by so many choices that lay before me. I would continue to drift in that direction if I was not purposeful in sorting out these issues. It seems as if I cannot make some of those decisions fast enough, others require me to wait on the decisions of others, and yet others take considerable more time to sort out.

The ones that take longer to sort out require me to weigh multiple options. Many times, I am choosing between a good option and another good option and I need more information to help make the right choice. The right choice isn’t necessarily the expedient one. I love to get the perspective of others. I seek the insights of others and try to look at the issue from their side of the fence. I am a feedback junkie. In the Bible it states: Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Being out there on your own is a very dangerous place to be.

After getting all that input, the ability to stop and slow down completes this process. It is when I am in those quiet times that I am able to hear that still small voice of God. Following that peace helps to confirm and solidify those tough decisions that need to take place. I am thankful for His peace that is a guidepost in my life. May you take the time to slow down and listen to Him and follow the direction that He can only give.