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If you think as a cartoonist I am not qualified to write on spiritual matters, then you may be equally concerned today this son of a logger is writing about the environment. 

Loggers are demonized as timber terrorists by those tree hugging sorts who believe trees are people too. Truth be told Loggers are about timber management, and not about destroying the resource they depend on. 

But that is not up for discussion today as the topic will be going GREEN with moments and lessons from the Bible.

Let's start with the fact God is the creator of this incredible world (The Original Earth Day). I guess that makes Him an environmentalist. 

From the beginning with the Garden of Eden through today, this is a world of beauty and nature that takes my breath away. Creation is not happenstance of a 'random big bang', nor the outcome of abungling creator fumbling with his new chemistry set for deities. 

Creation is the amazing process where all things have their place and the complexities of every tree, flower, animal, man, and the rest of our Earth AND UNIVERSE is just a 7 day project for Omniscient and Omnipotent God.

Meanwhile in the Garden of Eden man and woman were kicked out not because Adam cut down the tree of knowledge of good and evil with a chain saw, but because they disobeyed God and ate of it's fruit.

Their son Cain was the original PETA/Go Green Guy who was outraged at his brother Able's animal sacrifice to God. Why was his meat lovers sacrifice accepted while his 'Vegan' Sacrifice was rejected. So as a case of extreme overreaction he killed his brother.

Later on in the Old Testament we read God creates a shade tree for Jonah ( Go Green ) to sit under, but Jonah continues his pity party until God sends some sort of logger worm to cut clear cut his shade and get his attention.

Next on to the Gospels Jesus calms storms and walks on water. proving nature and Jesus are best buds.

But in the last week of Jesus life on Earth Jesus curses a fig tree that was not bearing fruit .. and the TTH ( Temple Tree Huggers ) were aghast.

I am sure there is much more Go-Green moments in the Bible but these were a few that came to mind.

Finally in Revelations 7:1 we read that a angel blows his trumpet and hail, fire, and blood fall on the Earth. NOT GREEN.. This we will call.. BAD EARTH DAY

So on this Earth Day let's enjoy and appreciate God's creation. It is April 22nd, 2013 and we still have snow in MinneSNOWta as our worries of Global Warming have shifted to our new environmental threat.. The New Ice Age. Viva La Ice & Snow!

May God bless and use each of you this day in ways that are beyond your dreams. This world is a wonderful creation and we all need to be good stewards of this planet.

Jeff (Having a Green Day in the Back Pew) Larson

P. S. GREEN NOTE: Go Green.. Bay Packers!! 

BIRTH.. ONE MAN'S PERSPECTIVE

 Back in 1984 my wife and I were anxious parents-2-be expecting our first. We had already made a few typical false alarm trips to the hospital (aka Braxton Hicks practice contractions), but on February 13th, 1986 it was the real deal and life would NEVER be the same.

 READY SET GO.. At 12:30 a.m. on February 13th 1986 my wife and I had just headed off to bed for a long winter’s nap. About midnight I arrived home from working the evening shift at my job and was off to bed with my fully 9 months pregnant wife Mary. Before I could even fade into sleep Mary exclaims “My water broke, or I just peed the bed.” So off to the races we headed for the birth of our child #1. 

but first.. We had to stop for gas as I had not planned on this midnight run to the hospital all while Mary’s contractions were kicking in to gear.
note to self: Keep gas tank full when babies are near due date.

So we arrive at the hospital ( I ran a few red lights just for added high drama) and the nurses get us settled into our room and notify our doctor. Mary is then hooked up all sorts of monitors including this cool baby monitors that measures the strength of her contractions. COOL.. something for me to watch since there was no TV in the room.

OVER THE NEXT HOURS.. The contractions come and go.. the doctor visits and early on is able to give Mary the drugs of choice to calm the pains. I remember after several of the contractions where Mary seemed to be hurting especially bad I said to her.. “That one was not really that bad it was only a 4 on the monitor.” Shortly later I found out the monitor strap had come loose and was not measuring accurately. 

note to self: keep stupid comments inside head.

BIRTH CLASS IN ACTION: Mary and I had attended the birthing classes, so I knew to hold her hand and to coach her breathing. Problem was Mary preferred to hold the nurses hands because they were cooler to the touch, and at one point during my breathing she said.. “Quit breathing in my face.” 
note to self: Quit breathing??

MORE DRUGS .. PLEASE: So the hours move along and it is early morning around 4:30 when Mary pleads with her doctor for more drugs.. but the doc says nope.. too late.. no more drugs for you. At least I was smart enough at this point to not repeat the doctor’s words. I just sat quietly supportive. 
note to self: Plead Mary’s case for drugs as a sign of being supportive, and ask for some for self as my back is killing me.

THING ARE GETTING INTENSE: Around 8 a.m. the pains are strong, but the process seems to have stalled a bit. So while Mary is in her ‘painful’ holding pattern, the morning breakfast cart rolls around. They peek in and ask sheepishly.. “Breakfast anyone?” There is a momentary silence.. then I finally say.. “Yes, I think I could eat something.”
note to self: Next time shout, can’t you see my wife is in labor, and then meet cart in hallway for a secret snack under the guise of chewing them out. 

So the process continues as I eat breakfast and between bites of food call to my wife with my mouth full.. “push”.. and “remember your breathing.”

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN: Finally around 10:00 a.m. a child is born and they shall call his name .. Curtis Walter Larson. He is healthy but a bit cone headed but a keeper. After the usual initial checks and I get to cut the cord from mothership Mary and we head back to our private room where the three of us mom, dad, and new baby Curt.. all lying in the same bed. And around 12:30pm early that afternoon, baby Curt is asleep, I am asleep (and snoring) while Mary lies wide awake with the adrenaline rush of her life.
note to self: I don't know what Mary thinks BUT.. this giving birth thingy is exhausting!

So there you have it, BIRTH FROM ONE MAN’S PERSPECTIVE. Now it is many since this blessed day and we have a son Curtis Walter Larson who has given us both our share of joys and exasperations. 

note to self: God is good, Mary is wonderful, and Curtis is a son to be proud of. - Jeff