July 14, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. A Time For Miracles

When I last blogged on May 31, we had just finished our Memorial Day re-opening for the 2022 season. Since then we have had eighteen performance days; very dry, hot and humid weather and a resurgence of Covid in our area. Karen and I have stayed Covid-free, but a number of our friends, coworkers and church members have been impacted. The Play has had decent attendance, but with all the fluctuation in fuel costs and the uptick in health concerns, we're unsure of the impact on us as we go forward.
In the part of the Passion Play where Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are presented as Pharisees petitioning that Jesus receive a fair trial and as Jesus is denigrated and sent off to Pilate for trial, Joseph remarks that it is "a time for prayer, my friend," and Nicodemus {the character I portray) responds, "Joseph, a time for miracles". Both these statements apply not only to the time of Jesus, but also to the present time as well.
Our country and world are facing major issues and emotions are high on both sides of every issue. It is a time for all of us to be in prayer and to ask God for a miraculous intercession on our behalf, that His will be done and His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. We seek Your presence among us, Lord, and Your continued favor on The Passion Play, our friends and family and all those we come in contact with on a daily basis. Praise You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit now and forever. You alone are our hope.

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May 31, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Off and Running

The fifty-fourth season of The Great Passion Play has officially begun. With three performance days over Memorial Day weekend, we are off and running. The crowds were smaller than anticipated, but the numbers are not really the story. The story is telling the story of Jesus to all who come to hear it, even if that number is as small as one. When we tell the story it honors Jesus, Father God, and the Holy Spirit and plants a seed which may grow into a whole community who hear the story and pass it along.
We keep a count of those who have seen the Play and that number is approaching eight million over the more than fifty years we have been telling the story in Eureka Springs. Many have been impacted as visitors, volunteer workers and paid staff, and our prayer is that God continues to bless all involved and strengthen us in our efforts to serve Him as He has called us.
After this coming weekend, we will be be presenting the Play, Holy Land, and our three museums every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday until the end of October. The Bible Museum, Holy Land tour and Christ of the Ozarks statue are available on non- performance days as well. Come and visit us even if you have been here before. The story is the same, but the experience is new because God's Living Word is new every day. For allowing us to serve………..Thank You, Lord.

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May 26, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Long Time No See

There was a time when I would blog every third day, and there was no lack of topics or words to convey my thoughts. It's been three weeks since I last blogged and it seems like the time just zips by and the words to convey are less fluent for me. I don't know why I haven't had the "urge" to write or express my views on the events of the day, but hopefully those who have been faithful to read will be faithful to keep checking for new entries.
Tomorrow we reopen the Passion Play after a six week hiatus after Easter weekend and with all the rain we have had in that period, the foliage is filled in and the grass and trees are fully in bloom. We expect a dry and warm weekend, so we won't have the moist cool weather to contend with. A three day performance schedule will test our stamina, but everyone seems eager to get back into the routine and tell the story of Jesus to those who will be attending. Karen and I both have full schedules for Friday, Saturday and Sunday and are eager to be back to it. Thanks for coming back to the website, hopefully with a more regular routine on my part.
Pray for the Passion Play and our impact on those who come to participate as volunteers, paid staff or visitors and guests. We seek God's presence and favor on our efforts to serve Him and His Kingdom. Fifty-fourth season for the Play and ninth season for Karen and me. Time sure does scurry by. Thank You, Lord.

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May 5, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. I’ve Heard Enough

I turn on the television to be entertained or informed, but am finding that I am achieving neither. I watch sports to enjoy the physical abilities of highly trained athletes not to root for any particular team or individual. I get tired of the offensive commercials, the political bickering, the biased reporting on most of the major channels and the "panel" type shows where everyone is upbeat and perky and everyone talks at the same time
What is my current "peeve"? It's Fox News airing the Depp v Heard defamation trial. Why in the world they are choosing to air a "he said-she said" trial between two highly overpaid actors is beyond me. I turn on Fox News when I'm home during the day to learn what is happening in Ukraine, in Congress, in the status of the important issues of the day, not to see who is going to be awarded the best actor or best actress Emmy for daytime drama. I'd rather watch reruns of old game shows on Buzzer or Opie and Andy or M.A.S.H. on METV.
The world is a mess and with mid-term elections coming up, the "official" Supreme Court decision on the Mississippi abortion case due in June, we have enough serious matters to "tune out" without having to endure "Hollywood on Trial". Lord help us…..PLEASE.



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April 25, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Azaleas

One day we had buds, then the rain came and now we have Azaleas in our front flower bed.  Even the hummingbirds are back for the season.  God's handiwork is awesome.  

April 16, 2022. Eureka Springs, AR. Happy Easter

April 11, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Out of the Off Season

Tomorrow we have dress rehearsal and Friday and Saturday the first performance days of the 2022 Passion Play Season. It has been quite an off season with upgrades made in lighting and sound in the amphitheater, a number of Tabernacle and Holy Land projects and waiting to see the status of our cast and crew for the play and personnel changes in other areas of the play including Buffet, Gift Shop and Administration, animal care and security.
It's always a (pardon the expression), "crap shoot", but then again, even when we are well into the season, there are changes which crop up and test our ability to keep the wheels moving ahead and the message being delivered. God always brings the right people at the right time for the right assignments and we just take it as a given that He is in control and provides all we need to do what needs to be done.
Thank You, Lord, for getting us to this "season" and forYour continuing favor on the Passion Play and all who are impacted by it. It is truly a joy to serve You and be part of Your Kingdom, now and forever. Amen and Amen.

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