Steve’s Swedish Heritage. My Swedish grandfather on my father’s side was David George Larson, born to Johann and Selma Larson in Borgstena, Sweden, in 1889. He was one of ten children, and they lived on a farm. It’s no wonder they had to send David away as a seventeen-year-old to America to look for a …
Oh, the Places We’ve Lived – The Life Itinerary for the Larson Family. “On the road again, just can’t wait to get on the road again. Goin’ places that we’ve never been; seeing things that we may never see again. And I can’t wait to get on the road again. Like a band of gypsies …
The Larson Family’s Faith Journey. “As believers we should do our best to meet together, to assemble in worship, instead of pulling away from each other as some continue to do. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage each other, urging us onward as we anticipate that Day dawning.” (Hebrews 10:25). …
When God is Human: A Meditation on the Christ of Sinai Icon. As I gaze through your face, I recall a line from the Te Deum prayer: You did not shun the virgin’s womb. First a fertilized egg, then a floating fetus God in survival mode with a fragile cord of wonder and food …
My Vow to Humanize Others. “God spoke: ‘Let Us make human beings in Our image, reflecting Our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and yes, earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of the earth.’ God created human beings; …
[NOTE: I wrote this family survey in November of 2018, sent it to our adult children, and received very interesting comments from all of them.] Hello to you wonderful adult children, I’d like to take a family survey. Please think about this and respond after you’ve had some time to reflect on these matters. My hope …
Goofy Dad Stories (13): Skinned Face. My senior year at Wheaton College. Basketball season. Freezing temperatures on the morning of a game that night. I was running late to class. It was really cold, and there was ice on all the sidewalks. I had forgotten to wear my gloves, so as I ran I put my …
Goofy Dad Stories (12): Stumped By Glass. A few years ago, the staff at Reality Ministries was invited to a beautifully restored old warehouse in downtown warehouse for a staff workshop. Red brick everywhere. Exposed wood beams. The interior decoration was stylish and creative, with lots of glass and exposed brick and rustic wood beams everywhere. …
New Work in Newark. A Memoir by Steve Larson, July 19, 2020. I was a freshman in college, 52 years ago, at Wheaton College in the spring of 1968. I was sitting in daily chapel, wondering what I was going to do for the summer. I was typical in many ways… I was broke, and …
The Bible and Me: Eleven Observations “I read my Bible often; I try to read it right. Least to my understandin’, it’s nothing but a burning light.” Blind Willie Johnson, What is the Soul of a Man. Scripture is in my bones. I received my first Bible as a Christmas gift from my mom and …
A Rabbi Looks at Faith and Justice. I have been drawn to social activism for most of my life, especially as I started to see things more widely in the world in college. I have focused on racial reconciliation, civil rights, and pro-life activities for the most part. Rabbi Heschel has meant a lot to …
Steve’s Morning Prayer. (Please read this slowly, meditatively, thoughtfully. Every phrase is rich and significant.) Open my lips, O Lord, And my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (from Ps. 51). Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, Heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you for …