Yesterday was the anniversary of my coming to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It was 1999, and my search of 40 years for the Messiah had come to a close and the beginning of my walk with Him was about to begin. I could never have written a fiction story which would have rivaled the non-fiction journey of these past nineteen years. A Jewish man coming to a faith in a Jewish man who lived 2000 years ago, who came to bring the Jewish people of the First Century to a closer and more personal relationship with the God of the Universe.
It would be hard to put into a blog-length narrative, what these past nineteen years have been like. There have high highs and low lows, but then again the past 72 years have been a series of high highs and low lows. Life has not gotten harder or easier because life is always hard or easy depending on the attitude we have toward what we are presently experiencing. But life is simpler when we know that there is always Someone with us to guide us through (not around) the highs and lows. When our focus is on a better tomorrow and an eternal hope, life is easier to navigate and endure. An attitude of thankfulness and gratitude for what Jesus did, does and promises to do on our behalf, is what gets us to the next step on the journey, and one step closer to the final "well done" we so eagerly look forward to. Thank You, Lord, for the past 19. The Best is yet to come.
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Thursday, June 28, 2018
Monday, June 25, 2018
June 25, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Sleep Deprived
I have always been able to function with less than the "normal" 8 hours of sleep. I'm not saying that I have been able to function well with less than 8 hours of sleep, but I have never been a late into the morning sleeper, and I have very rarely been a napper. For the past six plus years, I have been using a CPAP machine to help me get more air into my system during sleep and have not missed a single night using the machine.
I do average between six and seven hours of sleep per day, but do fall asleep in my chair while I am sewing, watching TV, or blogging, and there are days when I am definitely tired and drag through the day. One of my doctors at the VA said many of my health issues are related to being sleep deprived, but he has advised that I get my sleep in one "dose" at night and avoid napping during the day. Many of the people my age are firm believers in an afternoon nap to make up for sleep lost overnight. Since I have been fighting a "summer cold" the past few weeks, and am still getting up about 5:30 each morning, I have been really dragged out and with the four day performance schedule, I have really been pooped out from the long hours awake.
Yesterday I got up early, did my early morning reading and went back to sleep. I got up at 11:15 and felt pretty rested. Today I was up early again, did my normal tasks until noon, and took a nap from noon to 3pm. I feel pretty good and even though my schedule only gives me "nap" opportunities on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday until the end of July, I think I will see if I can use the nap times to get my strength back. Wednesday I will have my Iron checked at the VA to see if my tired blood isn't as tired as it was in mid-April.
Maybe, the naps helped. I stayed awake the whole blog time today.
Sent from my iPad
I do average between six and seven hours of sleep per day, but do fall asleep in my chair while I am sewing, watching TV, or blogging, and there are days when I am definitely tired and drag through the day. One of my doctors at the VA said many of my health issues are related to being sleep deprived, but he has advised that I get my sleep in one "dose" at night and avoid napping during the day. Many of the people my age are firm believers in an afternoon nap to make up for sleep lost overnight. Since I have been fighting a "summer cold" the past few weeks, and am still getting up about 5:30 each morning, I have been really dragged out and with the four day performance schedule, I have really been pooped out from the long hours awake.
Yesterday I got up early, did my early morning reading and went back to sleep. I got up at 11:15 and felt pretty rested. Today I was up early again, did my normal tasks until noon, and took a nap from noon to 3pm. I feel pretty good and even though my schedule only gives me "nap" opportunities on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday until the end of July, I think I will see if I can use the nap times to get my strength back. Wednesday I will have my Iron checked at the VA to see if my tired blood isn't as tired as it was in mid-April.
Maybe, the naps helped. I stayed awake the whole blog time today.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, June 22, 2018
June 22, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Time
I've said it many times. Karen and I are fortunate to be able to live as we do, to serve God as we do and have a freedom which many people we know, do not have. We're not specially gifted with a trust fund, unlimited wealth or the power to tell others what to do or how to live their lives. We're not limited by pets, children, grandchildren, jobs which require a set work schedule or by responsibilities which require us to live by a fixed routine or tells us when we can take time off for vacations or travel. We have been blessed with enough financial means and the places we have chosen to serve God, which allow us to pretty much live as we want to.
We still must adhere to schedules, adjust our travel and volunteer service times, medical appointments, shopping trips and many other activities to times that others set for us, but it's amazing how easy that can be when we just do a little planning, communicate effectively and adjust our lives to get done what needs to be done when we can find ways to fit into others' available time for us.
In the big picture, God controls time, provides sufficient time for each of us to get things done, helps us appropriate time in such a way that we get multiple things accomplished at the same time, gives us time to rest, sleep and get where we need on time and with sufficient time to complete the needed task. One day, time will be a thing of the past. In Eternity, time will not matter, everything will be accomplished when it needs to be, there will be no such thing as being late or tardy, calendars will be unnecessary and we will not be rushed or be restricted by speed limits or the victim of a radar gun on the highway. We will always be on time, no matter how late or early we arrive, and we will not need watches, clocks, cell phones, GPS or Metamucil to keep us "regular". What a wonderful day that will be.
As for this blog.........time's up.
Sent from my iPad
We still must adhere to schedules, adjust our travel and volunteer service times, medical appointments, shopping trips and many other activities to times that others set for us, but it's amazing how easy that can be when we just do a little planning, communicate effectively and adjust our lives to get done what needs to be done when we can find ways to fit into others' available time for us.
In the big picture, God controls time, provides sufficient time for each of us to get things done, helps us appropriate time in such a way that we get multiple things accomplished at the same time, gives us time to rest, sleep and get where we need on time and with sufficient time to complete the needed task. One day, time will be a thing of the past. In Eternity, time will not matter, everything will be accomplished when it needs to be, there will be no such thing as being late or tardy, calendars will be unnecessary and we will not be rushed or be restricted by speed limits or the victim of a radar gun on the highway. We will always be on time, no matter how late or early we arrive, and we will not need watches, clocks, cell phones, GPS or Metamucil to keep us "regular". What a wonderful day that will be.
As for this blog.........time's up.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
June 19, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. ......Like Riding a Bicycle......
.......a skill once learned, is not soon forgotten. A phrase we hear people say about not losing the ability to do something we have done before and did fairly well when we did do it. Thirty five years ago I was a pretty good bicycle rider/racer. I never kept a log of the miles I rode and raced, but in 1983, I would estimate that I was on a bicycle more than 10,000 miles.
Yesterday, I decided to borrow a mountain bike and helmet and ride the off-road trails which have been constructed earlier this year on the Passion Play property. I tested out the shifting mechanism, brakes and handling characteristics on as level a place as I could find and then started off through the woods on the five mile Genesis trail. I was not an off-road cyclist in "the day", so I was very content to ride slowly in a moderate gear with my hands firmly attached to the front and rear brakes. The trail was well constructed and fairly wide, but it was soon apparent that there were a lot of whooptie-dos with some steep ups and downs, as well as a severe drop-off on the left side of the trail and the trail became progressively narrower as it went along.
I was able to keep on the trail, shift to the proper gear for the uphills, but also realized that this was a lot different than my competitive riding in the '80's and that the extra 35 years and 35 pounds I have gained since then, were not assets in my present situation. About three miles into the ride I felt like something wasn't right, and realized that my rear tire had gone flat. With a sigh of relief, I dismounted in a place where I could get on a paved road and made my way back to the starting point.
My curiosity about the trail had been satisfied. I was sweating profusely with an elevated heart rate, glad my experience had not been" like falling off a bicycle" and was thrilled to wake up this morning with no bruises, road rash, broken bones or other damage like I had in 1987 when I last rode a bike and came out on the losing side of an encounter with an automobile.
Karen, just shook her head when I told her what I had been up to. In all my miles of riding, this might have been the first time I was ever grateful for a flat tire. No telling what might have happened if I had ridden those last two miles.
As always........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday, I decided to borrow a mountain bike and helmet and ride the off-road trails which have been constructed earlier this year on the Passion Play property. I tested out the shifting mechanism, brakes and handling characteristics on as level a place as I could find and then started off through the woods on the five mile Genesis trail. I was not an off-road cyclist in "the day", so I was very content to ride slowly in a moderate gear with my hands firmly attached to the front and rear brakes. The trail was well constructed and fairly wide, but it was soon apparent that there were a lot of whooptie-dos with some steep ups and downs, as well as a severe drop-off on the left side of the trail and the trail became progressively narrower as it went along.
I was able to keep on the trail, shift to the proper gear for the uphills, but also realized that this was a lot different than my competitive riding in the '80's and that the extra 35 years and 35 pounds I have gained since then, were not assets in my present situation. About three miles into the ride I felt like something wasn't right, and realized that my rear tire had gone flat. With a sigh of relief, I dismounted in a place where I could get on a paved road and made my way back to the starting point.
My curiosity about the trail had been satisfied. I was sweating profusely with an elevated heart rate, glad my experience had not been" like falling off a bicycle" and was thrilled to wake up this morning with no bruises, road rash, broken bones or other damage like I had in 1987 when I last rode a bike and came out on the losing side of an encounter with an automobile.
Karen, just shook her head when I told her what I had been up to. In all my miles of riding, this might have been the first time I was ever grateful for a flat tire. No telling what might have happened if I had ridden those last two miles.
As always........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, June 16, 2018
June 16, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. My Yiddisha Momma?
As one of only two people here at the Passion Play born and raised as a Jew, I get asked a lot of interesting questions. The other Jew, Dick (90 years old) was raised by an Orthodox Jewish father and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior 72 years ago at the age of 18. I am 72 years old and accepted Jesus 19 years ago on June 27, 1999. Dick and I lead an Old Testament teaching at the Tabernacle of Moses in our Holy Land every performance day, and are usually asked what Tribe we belong to and if we were born in Israel or have ever been there. Dick tells them he is from the Tribe of Dan and that he has been to Israel as a tourist.
I tell people that I was born where all American Jews are born, Brooklyn NY, raised in Poughkeepsie and Schenectady, places only Spelling Bee contestants are able to correctly spell and waiting for the New Jerusalem to visit Israel. Our teaching approach is to give our guests a different "angle" to their Christian upbringing, exposing them to a new and different way to look at The Bible and the foundation of their faith in God and Jesus Christ.
I know a little about our family history back to our great-grandparents, but it would be interesting to go back further, if that is possible. I have given a DNA sample to be analyzed, to see if the results jibe with what my brother and I know about our lineage. I have always joked that I was really a Vanderbilt, given up for adoption at birth and not really the son of Morris and Pauline, but named after my grandfather, Harold Vanderbilt, the railroad magnate from up the road in Hyde Park, NY. Harold is not a Yiddisha (Jewish) name, after all. Thus, I await the DNA results. Am I Polish/Russian or Dutch/English? And maybe buried in the DNA somewhere it will tell me what Tribe I belong to. Being born in New York I may even be an Iroquois, Seneca, Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga or Tuscarora from my Camp Nooteeming Boy Scout days. Wrong Tribe; but stranger things have happened.
In any event, Thank You, Lord for the opportunity to find out more about You, about our history and our earthly roots, and .........for a sense of humor. It's important to see the lighter side of life amidst all the trials and difficulties we face. It's good to know You, and know You love and care for us thru it all.
Sent from my iPad
I tell people that I was born where all American Jews are born, Brooklyn NY, raised in Poughkeepsie and Schenectady, places only Spelling Bee contestants are able to correctly spell and waiting for the New Jerusalem to visit Israel. Our teaching approach is to give our guests a different "angle" to their Christian upbringing, exposing them to a new and different way to look at The Bible and the foundation of their faith in God and Jesus Christ.
I know a little about our family history back to our great-grandparents, but it would be interesting to go back further, if that is possible. I have given a DNA sample to be analyzed, to see if the results jibe with what my brother and I know about our lineage. I have always joked that I was really a Vanderbilt, given up for adoption at birth and not really the son of Morris and Pauline, but named after my grandfather, Harold Vanderbilt, the railroad magnate from up the road in Hyde Park, NY. Harold is not a Yiddisha (Jewish) name, after all. Thus, I await the DNA results. Am I Polish/Russian or Dutch/English? And maybe buried in the DNA somewhere it will tell me what Tribe I belong to. Being born in New York I may even be an Iroquois, Seneca, Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga or Tuscarora from my Camp Nooteeming Boy Scout days. Wrong Tribe; but stranger things have happened.
In any event, Thank You, Lord for the opportunity to find out more about You, about our history and our earthly roots, and .........for a sense of humor. It's important to see the lighter side of life amidst all the trials and difficulties we face. It's good to know You, and know You love and care for us thru it all.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
June 13, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Still Hot.....And Dry
I just finished two paragraphs about the hot and dry June weather we are experiencing, and woke up to find that I must have had my finger on the back-arrow since my two paragraphs had disappeared. May was very July-like and June is following the same pattern. Yesterday I awoke to rumbling and a radar map which promised two hours of green, blue, yellow and red, but the end result was a few sprinkles, no measurable precipitation and another day of 90's and feels-like over 100.
With the prospect for the rest of the week being more of the same, with little chance of moisture we will endure our upcoming three performance days and look forward to the late night shower in the shower stall of our motor home. Not much we can do, but drink a lot of water, find shade during the day and throw our Play costumes in the daily wash and do it all over again the next day. The whole country is hot, with many severe wildfires out west adding to the discomfort factor there.
I've enjoyed my shower for the day. Better wrap up this blog because I keep dozing off and don't want to wake up again to a blank page. I know this hasn't been the newsiest or "deepest" blog I have ever posted, but it is what it is. Maybe the heat is getting to me more than I first thought when I sat down to write over an hour ago. See you Saturday........zzzzzzzzzzz.
Sent from my iPad
With the prospect for the rest of the week being more of the same, with little chance of moisture we will endure our upcoming three performance days and look forward to the late night shower in the shower stall of our motor home. Not much we can do, but drink a lot of water, find shade during the day and throw our Play costumes in the daily wash and do it all over again the next day. The whole country is hot, with many severe wildfires out west adding to the discomfort factor there.
I've enjoyed my shower for the day. Better wrap up this blog because I keep dozing off and don't want to wake up again to a blank page. I know this hasn't been the newsiest or "deepest" blog I have ever posted, but it is what it is. Maybe the heat is getting to me more than I first thought when I sat down to write over an hour ago. See you Saturday........zzzzzzzzzzz.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, June 10, 2018
June 10, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Sight and Sound
One of the perks of volunteering at the Passion Play is having the opportunity to see shows in Branson, MO. on a comp basis, meaning we see the shows for free. With ticket prices over $50 for some shows, that is a nice benefit. With the busy schedule we have, it's often difficult to get away, but over the past two weeks we have been able to see the presentation of Samson at the Sight and Sound Theater twice.
In past years we have seen Moses (3 times) and Jonah (2 times). The shows premiere at the S&S Theater in Lancaster, PA, stay there for two years and then come to Branson. The productions are very professionally done, have wonderful high-tech scenery, sound and lighting effects and always bring a "Jesus message" to the Old Testament stories. Each time we attend, we are awed by what they are able to accomplish with a cast of about 43 stage performers, a host of well-trained animals and technical elements which are pretty spectacular. I'm sure we will see Samson again this year when we have friends visit us at TGPP and we can take them to Branson as our guest.
The production now on stage in Pennsylvania, is "Jesus", and there is already a lot of anticipation in Branson that "Jesus" will be in Branson in two years. I'm not being flip or disrespectful, but I hope, as many other Believers do, that the real Jesus will come, or rather, Return, before the stage production comes here. With all the turmoil in our world, I'm sure there are many who would agree with me. As Scripture says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus. Amen and Amen.
Sent from my iPad
In past years we have seen Moses (3 times) and Jonah (2 times). The shows premiere at the S&S Theater in Lancaster, PA, stay there for two years and then come to Branson. The productions are very professionally done, have wonderful high-tech scenery, sound and lighting effects and always bring a "Jesus message" to the Old Testament stories. Each time we attend, we are awed by what they are able to accomplish with a cast of about 43 stage performers, a host of well-trained animals and technical elements which are pretty spectacular. I'm sure we will see Samson again this year when we have friends visit us at TGPP and we can take them to Branson as our guest.
The production now on stage in Pennsylvania, is "Jesus", and there is already a lot of anticipation in Branson that "Jesus" will be in Branson in two years. I'm not being flip or disrespectful, but I hope, as many other Believers do, that the real Jesus will come, or rather, Return, before the stage production comes here. With all the turmoil in our world, I'm sure there are many who would agree with me. As Scripture says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus. Amen and Amen.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, June 7, 2018
June 7, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks
When I completed my "formal" education in 1972, I never had the desire to continue with classroom learning or pursue any more degrees or letters after my name. I was already a BA, JD, and Esq. That was more than enough, and while I took various courses in the pursuit of higher positions at my places of employment, I was content to not burden my already burdened mind with more technical, mechanical or specialized knowledge. As a result I didn't advance up the skill ladder or the management ladder very far and did not have what might be called a successful work career.
I have done a lot of things in my 72 years, and on the surface it appears impressive, but I'm finding that when we have the right attitude about what we can do and what we think we can do.......we can do a lot of things we never thought we could do. Does that make sense? What I'm saying, is that knowledge is more than degrees or book learning, it is being willing to step out of our comfort zone, find something which challenges us, and step out in confidence that I CAN DO IT. We may need a mentor to follow. We may need to read a how-to book or watch a You Tube video. We may just have to trial-and-error our way through the problem. But the result is often.....you can teach an old dog new tricks.......and it is actually......fun.
I can't believe how much I am learning every day, and how many things which once intimidated me are not really rocket science after all. As someone who never thought of myself as a "teacher", I find that I have become one. And when I am asked a question I can't answer, I now search out the answer and realize that there is so much more to learn and pass on to others. My Scripture reading has uncovered so many things I missed in my 20 prior journeys through the Bible and it is exciting to know that it truly is God's "Living" Word.
New tricks......I Love It. Try it yourself. You might be surprised at the results.
Sent from my iPad
I have done a lot of things in my 72 years, and on the surface it appears impressive, but I'm finding that when we have the right attitude about what we can do and what we think we can do.......we can do a lot of things we never thought we could do. Does that make sense? What I'm saying, is that knowledge is more than degrees or book learning, it is being willing to step out of our comfort zone, find something which challenges us, and step out in confidence that I CAN DO IT. We may need a mentor to follow. We may need to read a how-to book or watch a You Tube video. We may just have to trial-and-error our way through the problem. But the result is often.....you can teach an old dog new tricks.......and it is actually......fun.
I can't believe how much I am learning every day, and how many things which once intimidated me are not really rocket science after all. As someone who never thought of myself as a "teacher", I find that I have become one. And when I am asked a question I can't answer, I now search out the answer and realize that there is so much more to learn and pass on to others. My Scripture reading has uncovered so many things I missed in my 20 prior journeys through the Bible and it is exciting to know that it truly is God's "Living" Word.
New tricks......I Love It. Try it yourself. You might be surprised at the results.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, June 4, 2018
June 4, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Summer
May was hot and humid. There wasn't really any Springtime in Eureka Springs. We went for Winter to Summer, so maybe Summer will actually be Spring this year. This week we do begin our busy performance schedule with a Play Day every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday for all of June and July.
We also begin our busy times for church groups, Team Effort Youth Groups and other volunteers to come and help us with many of the "have to be done but no time or people to do it" chores. And so began that added activity today. We have a youth group from New Mexico and Team Effort groups from Illinois and Nebraska helping with groundskeeping, plant and tree watering, painting, leaf raking, and other activities and will also be cast members in the Play later in the week. Some of these young people have not been on a "mission trip" like this and some are not sure what the word "work" means. We try to keep them busy, give them a variety of tasks to choose from and let them know that work doesn't have to be tedious but can actually be fun.
Tomorrow most of them will get to experience the Holy Land, visit the Museums and see the pre-Play presentations and the Play itself. Hopefully the week will be a good experience and memory for them. For those of us here for the full season, we have some relief from the usual Spring and late Summer routine and can have some extra rest to give our "all" on the four-a-week" performance schedule.
Karen and I had friends visit last week and we will have friends from Colorado here for the next three days. It is fun to show our friends and family how we have been spending the past five years serving The Lord here at The Great Passion Play. It has been quite a journey, but one we wouldn't want to have missed. It's far more than work or a job, but rather........telling a story of the past, living it every day and growing in faith, hope and love for what the future hold for us. How blessed and thankful we are to have a part in it all.
Sent from my iPad
We also begin our busy times for church groups, Team Effort Youth Groups and other volunteers to come and help us with many of the "have to be done but no time or people to do it" chores. And so began that added activity today. We have a youth group from New Mexico and Team Effort groups from Illinois and Nebraska helping with groundskeeping, plant and tree watering, painting, leaf raking, and other activities and will also be cast members in the Play later in the week. Some of these young people have not been on a "mission trip" like this and some are not sure what the word "work" means. We try to keep them busy, give them a variety of tasks to choose from and let them know that work doesn't have to be tedious but can actually be fun.
Tomorrow most of them will get to experience the Holy Land, visit the Museums and see the pre-Play presentations and the Play itself. Hopefully the week will be a good experience and memory for them. For those of us here for the full season, we have some relief from the usual Spring and late Summer routine and can have some extra rest to give our "all" on the four-a-week" performance schedule.
Karen and I had friends visit last week and we will have friends from Colorado here for the next three days. It is fun to show our friends and family how we have been spending the past five years serving The Lord here at The Great Passion Play. It has been quite a journey, but one we wouldn't want to have missed. It's far more than work or a job, but rather........telling a story of the past, living it every day and growing in faith, hope and love for what the future hold for us. How blessed and thankful we are to have a part in it all.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, June 1, 2018
June 1, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Grin And Bear It
When life gets tough; when weather gets too hot or too cold; when money gets tight and the bills seem to get larger and more unpayable; when people seem to criticize everything you do and argue with everything you say.......what are you supposed to do. There are just as many answers. Suck it up; get over it; be a man; go find someone who cares; just grin and bear it.
No matter what we do to fill our time; no matter what our job may be; no matter what we buy as necessities; or how we try to meet our basic needs.......there are always issues to be faced which are out of our control and make us subject to the whims of nature; under the influence of the person in a position of leadership or authority ; subject to the uncertainties of life in general.......all we can do is take it as it comes; quit complaining; hide our head in the sand; take a deep breath; just grin and bear it.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.........laugh at life; keep the faith; give it to God and leave it there; it could have been worse; tomorrow is going to be a new and better day; look on the bright side.............just grin and bear it..............and THANK YOU LORD.
Sent from my iPad
No matter what we do to fill our time; no matter what our job may be; no matter what we buy as necessities; or how we try to meet our basic needs.......there are always issues to be faced which are out of our control and make us subject to the whims of nature; under the influence of the person in a position of leadership or authority ; subject to the uncertainties of life in general.......all we can do is take it as it comes; quit complaining; hide our head in the sand; take a deep breath; just grin and bear it.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.........laugh at life; keep the faith; give it to God and leave it there; it could have been worse; tomorrow is going to be a new and better day; look on the bright side.............just grin and bear it..............and THANK YOU LORD.
Sent from my iPad
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