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Thursday, May 29, 2014
May 29, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Play Day
When I blogged last Sunday it was our first of only two Play (performance) days for the Passion Play season. It was the middle of Memorial Day weekend, and there was a large crowd all day to tour the grounds and displays and the audience for the evening was the largest of the season. We worked for the Play, played with the crowd, and had a busy, but fun day. Monday we played. No, not at the Passion Play, but in Branson at a couple of shows, the Acrobats of China and Pierce Arrow, a music/comedy show. It played out as a long, entertaining, but fun day. The past two days we got back to the tasks to ready for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday Play day schedule and next week we begin a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday schedule which will lead to 11 Play days in 2 weeks at the end of June and first week of July. A lot of Play and not much play time. This volunteer work is tough, but we are glad to be here and part of it.
When we decided to come to The Great Passion Play, we didn't know how long we would stay. We thought it would be for the month of May and we would then start toward home in Colorado. But while our volunteer force has decreased and will decrease again today, we are still here, working hard, playing hard and on display for God's work in this place; enjoying the tasks, enjoying the people and enjoying the ministry which is reaching out to the saved and the lost and planting seeds which will hopefully grow, mature and prosper and glorify Jesus Christ, the star of our Play and our play. Every day is an adventure. Every day has it challenges and reward, and we wake to scheduled tasks and assignments, but also the interruptions, breakdowns, flat tires and the rain which has just started to fall and the outdoor tasks which will have to wait a while. I'm glad we did most of the gardening and mowing yesterday. Maybe, I'll play solitaire, or pay sudoku or learn some lines from the Play. We are so blessed to be part of God's bigger Play. See you...........? Play on.
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When we decided to come to The Great Passion Play, we didn't know how long we would stay. We thought it would be for the month of May and we would then start toward home in Colorado. But while our volunteer force has decreased and will decrease again today, we are still here, working hard, playing hard and on display for God's work in this place; enjoying the tasks, enjoying the people and enjoying the ministry which is reaching out to the saved and the lost and planting seeds which will hopefully grow, mature and prosper and glorify Jesus Christ, the star of our Play and our play. Every day is an adventure. Every day has it challenges and reward, and we wake to scheduled tasks and assignments, but also the interruptions, breakdowns, flat tires and the rain which has just started to fall and the outdoor tasks which will have to wait a while. I'm glad we did most of the gardening and mowing yesterday. Maybe, I'll play solitaire, or pay sudoku or learn some lines from the Play. We are so blessed to be part of God's bigger Play. See you...........? Play on.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, May 25, 2014
May 25, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Our role in God's Play
I've always thought of God as the Director of "This Is Your Life", but I've never really expressed that idea publicly. Now, as an experienced blogger of nearly half a year, I've put it on paper so that the millions of you reading this post can think about how insightful and deep I have become on this journey. God has really done a number on me and I feel like God has brought us to this place on the mountain to give us a infusion of maturity and a new awareness of His role as Director of our lives and our need to just rest in Him and follow His Son.
Friday, I was introduced to one of the long-time "Jesus figures" in the Passion Play. He is a potter in the Holy Land and plays the Jesus role in the Play from time to time(we saw him in that role on the opening night of this season). We talked about our walk with The Lord and after a time he asked me if I would consider being in the Play in addition to our other volunteer duties at TGPP. That very night I was being issued my Play clothing and told I would be Nathanael, one of The Twelve Disciples. Quite a role for a first time participant. As I followed my guide, Gideon who played the role of Thaddeus, I saw people who had various paid and volunteer jobs during the day, playing roles in The Play. Many of the Play performers have full time day jobs and a number work here on the grounds. Herod mows lawns, Judas is a pastor of the church we attended a few weeks ago, last night's Jesus was a crowd member the night before yelling for that Jesus' crucifixion, Judas on Friday was Peter on Saturday. I was so busy concentrating on my role's responsibilities that all I saw was faces of people I knew in other "roles" playing roles in the Play. Such is life for all of us as Christians. Jesus played many roles in His 33 year life, and as His disciples and followers, He calls us to play a variety of roles as well. How we respond and how obedient to His call translates into how abundant and full our life can be. What a joy it is to be in this place and to be exposed to the wide variety of roles God is opening up for us to play. Be receptive, be willing, be blessed and share that blessing with others. That is the message God is giving me and the message I want to blog on to you. There is joy to be found in every task, no matter how menial or insignificant it may seem. Thank You God for the roles You assign and the example of Your Son that we follow.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, I was introduced to one of the long-time "Jesus figures" in the Passion Play. He is a potter in the Holy Land and plays the Jesus role in the Play from time to time(we saw him in that role on the opening night of this season). We talked about our walk with The Lord and after a time he asked me if I would consider being in the Play in addition to our other volunteer duties at TGPP. That very night I was being issued my Play clothing and told I would be Nathanael, one of The Twelve Disciples. Quite a role for a first time participant. As I followed my guide, Gideon who played the role of Thaddeus, I saw people who had various paid and volunteer jobs during the day, playing roles in The Play. Many of the Play performers have full time day jobs and a number work here on the grounds. Herod mows lawns, Judas is a pastor of the church we attended a few weeks ago, last night's Jesus was a crowd member the night before yelling for that Jesus' crucifixion, Judas on Friday was Peter on Saturday. I was so busy concentrating on my role's responsibilities that all I saw was faces of people I knew in other "roles" playing roles in the Play. Such is life for all of us as Christians. Jesus played many roles in His 33 year life, and as His disciples and followers, He calls us to play a variety of roles as well. How we respond and how obedient to His call translates into how abundant and full our life can be. What a joy it is to be in this place and to be exposed to the wide variety of roles God is opening up for us to play. Be receptive, be willing, be blessed and share that blessing with others. That is the message God is giving me and the message I want to blog on to you. There is joy to be found in every task, no matter how menial or insignificant it may seem. Thank You God for the roles You assign and the example of Your Son that we follow.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, May 23, 2014
May 23, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Oh ye of little faith.
We've all been there. We face a situation which seems impossible and we don't have any idea of what to do or how to resolve the problem. It seems appropriate that the Streams in the Desert devotional for today speaks to that very topic of being at wit's end and seeking The Lord for the help we need. And, then the answer comes, the idea takes shape, or just the person we need comes to the rescue. Yesterday was but one more day of such endless rescues for us here at The Great Passion Play.
One person starts an "all-day" landscaping chore, and after an hour four others show up and without comment take over the job. Two people begin to unload a pallet of animal feed Into a storage barn, and before they even begin, two more show up and without comment pitch in to help. A bulldozer needs to have a track loosened to prevent potential damage and an 85 year old farmer comes along to solve the problem. Two 70 year old women are moving rocks for a display, when a 50 year old woman with amazing strength comes along to finish the task. While going to water a "memorial" bush for a deceased pet, a woman finds a leaking faucet and just then a man comes by and he knows how to fix the leak. A project needs a welder to complete it, and a man who has no reason to even be there at the time says, "I'm a certified welder". A man is passing by with the hope of picking up a ceramic pot he ordered from the Passion Play potter last week, and the conversation turns to the youth group he pastors. Next week he may bring the group to help with a project which needs young muscle to complete. A woman is having a possible health issue and needs some immediate attention. One of our volunteers is EMT trained and steps forward to help.
I can go on and on with instances of "coincidences" which all took place yesterday. God is THE foundation of this ministry. He is the reason we are all here, whether paid staff, volunteer or patron. We come to serve HIM, worship HIM and get closer to HIM. We say "praise God" or "thank You, Lord" a lot and we mean it, and yet, there are still times we get to our wit's end and wonder what WE will do to resolve the problem. (There was been a gap of about 15 minutes). Hugh came to give us his vehicle and tools for the day since he will be in the pit loading dirt for leveling the rv parking area. Once again, we have had our on-site transportation needs met to do the chores which will come our way today. While getting the back loader, Phil and Pop just happened to come by to give us some guidance on fluid levels, sprinkler system valves and controls and other items we needed some educating on. The beat goes on, and we ask another time, "how can we not believe?" Praise God, oh ye of little faith.
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One person starts an "all-day" landscaping chore, and after an hour four others show up and without comment take over the job. Two people begin to unload a pallet of animal feed Into a storage barn, and before they even begin, two more show up and without comment pitch in to help. A bulldozer needs to have a track loosened to prevent potential damage and an 85 year old farmer comes along to solve the problem. Two 70 year old women are moving rocks for a display, when a 50 year old woman with amazing strength comes along to finish the task. While going to water a "memorial" bush for a deceased pet, a woman finds a leaking faucet and just then a man comes by and he knows how to fix the leak. A project needs a welder to complete it, and a man who has no reason to even be there at the time says, "I'm a certified welder". A man is passing by with the hope of picking up a ceramic pot he ordered from the Passion Play potter last week, and the conversation turns to the youth group he pastors. Next week he may bring the group to help with a project which needs young muscle to complete. A woman is having a possible health issue and needs some immediate attention. One of our volunteers is EMT trained and steps forward to help.
I can go on and on with instances of "coincidences" which all took place yesterday. God is THE foundation of this ministry. He is the reason we are all here, whether paid staff, volunteer or patron. We come to serve HIM, worship HIM and get closer to HIM. We say "praise God" or "thank You, Lord" a lot and we mean it, and yet, there are still times we get to our wit's end and wonder what WE will do to resolve the problem. (There was been a gap of about 15 minutes). Hugh came to give us his vehicle and tools for the day since he will be in the pit loading dirt for leveling the rv parking area. Once again, we have had our on-site transportation needs met to do the chores which will come our way today. While getting the back loader, Phil and Pop just happened to come by to give us some guidance on fluid levels, sprinkler system valves and controls and other items we needed some educating on. The beat goes on, and we ask another time, "how can we not believe?" Praise God, oh ye of little faith.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. There's a Peace in this Place
We work hard at the tasks we choose to do or the ones assigned to us by Pop or Danny. We usually work in pairs, although there are times we gather as a larger group to conquer a larger task. At times we work alone and need to be alone. Some days we walk away from the "job" and just enjoy the beautiful scenery or the attractions of the area. There is always someone willing to drive us where we need to go, to offer a hand or suggestion and there is a community here which will soon undergo some changes. Yet in it all, there is a peace in this place.
We've been here at The Great Passion Play for three weeks and the volunteer group has stayed the same. Last night we had a "farewell" dinner for Ray and Janetta who will head out on Wednesday for family in Kansas and Colorado and a work-camping opportunity in Nevada. Ray has been a tremendous asset as a vehicle mechanic and it will be hard to fill his spot. Over the next week or so, others will be leaving; Jerry and Renee, Loren and Dianne. All have specific skills, plumbing, equipment operator, working with the animals, landscaping, food service. Our ranks will thin while the performance schedule increases and the tasks to be performed will grow. We trust God to bring to His harvest those needed for the tasks to be done. We are in the "entertainment business" and as such we are always visiting with people, ministering to their needs, praying for situations they reveal to us and trying to be God's messenger to a hurting world. Yet, in all the activity and chores to be done, there is a peace in this place which somehow drew us here three weeks ago and has a hold on us beyond the many other stops we have had on our ministry journey.
We have no idea what God has set on our plate for today. We have given Him our time and our willingness to step out in faith. We don't have the skills of many of our co-volunteers, or the unlimited resources to "retire in style", but we are willing to learn new skills, step into new experiences and press on as long as God calls us to wherever and whatever He calls us. We are content with what God provides each day and His grace is more than sufficient. He has met every need, blessing us in so many ways. We face today with the assurance of God's love and care for us, the hope we cling to and the Peace in this Place. One day at a time, sweet Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
We've been here at The Great Passion Play for three weeks and the volunteer group has stayed the same. Last night we had a "farewell" dinner for Ray and Janetta who will head out on Wednesday for family in Kansas and Colorado and a work-camping opportunity in Nevada. Ray has been a tremendous asset as a vehicle mechanic and it will be hard to fill his spot. Over the next week or so, others will be leaving; Jerry and Renee, Loren and Dianne. All have specific skills, plumbing, equipment operator, working with the animals, landscaping, food service. Our ranks will thin while the performance schedule increases and the tasks to be performed will grow. We trust God to bring to His harvest those needed for the tasks to be done. We are in the "entertainment business" and as such we are always visiting with people, ministering to their needs, praying for situations they reveal to us and trying to be God's messenger to a hurting world. Yet, in all the activity and chores to be done, there is a peace in this place which somehow drew us here three weeks ago and has a hold on us beyond the many other stops we have had on our ministry journey.
We have no idea what God has set on our plate for today. We have given Him our time and our willingness to step out in faith. We don't have the skills of many of our co-volunteers, or the unlimited resources to "retire in style", but we are willing to learn new skills, step into new experiences and press on as long as God calls us to wherever and whatever He calls us. We are content with what God provides each day and His grace is more than sufficient. He has met every need, blessing us in so many ways. We face today with the assurance of God's love and care for us, the hope we cling to and the Peace in this Place. One day at a time, sweet Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, May 17, 2014
May 17, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Rain, cats and dogs
I've written a number of times about rain and the weather we've encountered as well as the animals we've befriended during our five months on the road. As we settle into our "routine" here at The Great Passion Play, we are very aware of the weather and it's effect on our daily tasks, and the two outdoor performances (Friday and Saturday night for now). Last night it was chilly and the forecast was for rain. The play goes on regardless, and the crowd as it arrived looked like they were preparing for a World Cup Ski race, not the story of The Passion Week. Rain gear, umbrellas, ponchos and warm jackets were the norm, but the mood was extremely upbeat among the spectators. The cast in their sandals and robes seemed to ignore the cold and went about their performance without ski caps or mittens or parkas, although there might have been some long johns hidden underneath. And as God does over and over again, seven minutes after Jesus ascended and the audience cheered and started for their vehicles, it began to rain and the rain persisted well into the early morning hours. The play went on, the plants, grass and trees were nourished and God again answered prayers, told us His story and received the glory. PRAISE THE LORD.
Karen and I have never owned a pet in our 40 years of marriage. We love animals, other than snakes and spiders, but our life style has not been conducive to having a pet of our own. We have tended other peoples' animals and have had great experiences with them. This trip has been no different as a lot of people travel with pets. This week I had some lap time with Earl and some walking time with Gus. Earl is an indoor/outdoor cat and Gus is a mostly outdoor German Shepherd with the most mild and gentle disposition. Gus and I walked the hills to the lagoon the other evening and while the walk down the road was easy, the return trip up the hill required three rest stops, for me, not Gus. He was very patient as I got my wind back, and we returned home to some enthusiastic lapping from the water bucket, for him, not me. It was great to have the time with Earl and Gus and realize the pleasure we can have from God's other-than-human creations.
There is so much joy to be derived from this life, if we just take the time to see beyond the things which seek to take it from us. We were never promised an easy path and some of us have a pretty difficult path to travel from time to time, but God is always by our side, He goes before us, and He protects our back when we seek Him, ask for His favor, and knock on His door and wait for it to open. Thank You Lord for life in all its complexities. Thank you, Lord, for the rain, the cats and the dogs and all You bless us with. We look forward to what You have on the agenda for us today.
Sent from my iPad
Karen and I have never owned a pet in our 40 years of marriage. We love animals, other than snakes and spiders, but our life style has not been conducive to having a pet of our own. We have tended other peoples' animals and have had great experiences with them. This trip has been no different as a lot of people travel with pets. This week I had some lap time with Earl and some walking time with Gus. Earl is an indoor/outdoor cat and Gus is a mostly outdoor German Shepherd with the most mild and gentle disposition. Gus and I walked the hills to the lagoon the other evening and while the walk down the road was easy, the return trip up the hill required three rest stops, for me, not Gus. He was very patient as I got my wind back, and we returned home to some enthusiastic lapping from the water bucket, for him, not me. It was great to have the time with Earl and Gus and realize the pleasure we can have from God's other-than-human creations.
There is so much joy to be derived from this life, if we just take the time to see beyond the things which seek to take it from us. We were never promised an easy path and some of us have a pretty difficult path to travel from time to time, but God is always by our side, He goes before us, and He protects our back when we seek Him, ask for His favor, and knock on His door and wait for it to open. Thank You Lord for life in all its complexities. Thank you, Lord, for the rain, the cats and the dogs and all You bless us with. We look forward to what You have on the agenda for us today.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
May 13, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. The calm of the storm
We are perched on a hill in the Ozarks, not high by Rocky Mountain standards, but high enough to be in the storm when it comes through. A few days before we arrived here, a storm came through and a bolt of lightening hit close enough to destroy a surge protector on a trailer next to where we are now parked. Last evening as we were working on projects, a storm approached and the sky took on that mix of gray, yellow, brown and white that signals a "could get ugly" situation. You begin to count the seconds between light and sound and think of where the solid buildings are and how to get there. This one wasn't that bad and the fix I made to the leaky window held up fine. The grass won't need watering for a few days and Karen and LaVon won't need to water all the flowers and plants they planted the past two weeks. My brief walk this morning revealed a lot of walkways which will need to be "leaf-blowered" when it dries up, but that's the old "cow never stays milked" story we all face in so many areas of life. The storm went its way, left its blessings and its burdens and a calm which let's us know that God is still on His throne, still loves us and has given us a peace and calm to face the new day and the storms which will inevitably come across our hill in the Ozarks or wherever we happen to be.
Yesterday we toiled in the 80's and and right now it's not even 50 degrees. We are not sure yet whether we will work hard or play hard or rest hard today, but in whatever way we are so blessed to be here, to be with people who share the desire to serve God and serve others and to enjoy the storm and the calm it brings before, during and after when we rest in Him and His grace and love. I pray you can find that calm today and even if only for a moment, rest in it and thank God for it. Praise God.
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday we toiled in the 80's and and right now it's not even 50 degrees. We are not sure yet whether we will work hard or play hard or rest hard today, but in whatever way we are so blessed to be here, to be with people who share the desire to serve God and serve others and to enjoy the storm and the calm it brings before, during and after when we rest in Him and His grace and love. I pray you can find that calm today and even if only for a moment, rest in it and thank God for it. Praise God.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, May 10, 2014
May 10, 2014. The Great Passion Play, AR. Thoughts
My head is full. No, not from the pollen which is rampant and covers everything living and dead. My head is full of thoughts about how to right wrongs, make perfect what is a imperfect, how to tell people they did less than their best, and do all this truth-telling with the love God calls us to display. Enough of that, get over it Hal. Remember that blog about Serenity.
Yesterday I was two years younger than Karen. Today I'm three years younger. It's a miracle. Happy birthday, Karen.
Our window which leaked before the repair, leaks worse now, but Ray says it's fixable and we can do it ourselves. Jerry can explain the oil leak and maybe fix the tire problem.
Flowers need to be watered and fertilized or they wither and die. Weeds grow no matter whether they have anything and they can grow out of the smallest crack.
Animals know things before we do and it would be nice sometimes if their "sounds" were intelligible to us "smart" people.
Everyone who owns an RV, camper, fifth-wheel, trailer, boat or other such vehicle has a litany of horror stories, yet they keep at it, some well into their 80's and would have no other life-style. Is there something about broken, breakdown, expensive, lemon, not in stock, leak or lost that we don't understand? Serenity, Hal.
I needed a slider for the zipper of my fleece hoodie and found one while weeding the amphitheater yesterday. God provides what we need. Maybe weeds do serve a purpose.
We are getting close to five months on the road, our bills are paid and we still have money in the bank. God is working in our hearts through our ministry, the ministry of TGPP, the people He has put on our path and those we have taken the time to interact with and do community with. Everywhere we go we see beauty and God's power.
Don't let anyone or anything steal your joy. That was the theme of one of our Fort Collins Passion Play back a number of years. Listen and remember the lesson of that statement.
We are God's creation, free to accept His gift of eternal salvation and heirs with Christ in a Kingdom to be established and anticipated. We have nothing to fear, nothing to gripe or be anxious about and our life can be all we want and a blessing to others when we abide in Christ and He dwells in us by The Holy Spirit. We have the ability to have a good attitude in a tough situation and a confront a world which seeks to demean and degrade us.
Just thought I'd clear my mind and get on with the day God has made and be glad and rejoice in it. I've finished the weeding and Karen and LaVon are still planting and watering flowers. Life is good. I feel better. GOD IS BEST.
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday I was two years younger than Karen. Today I'm three years younger. It's a miracle. Happy birthday, Karen.
Our window which leaked before the repair, leaks worse now, but Ray says it's fixable and we can do it ourselves. Jerry can explain the oil leak and maybe fix the tire problem.
Flowers need to be watered and fertilized or they wither and die. Weeds grow no matter whether they have anything and they can grow out of the smallest crack.
Animals know things before we do and it would be nice sometimes if their "sounds" were intelligible to us "smart" people.
Everyone who owns an RV, camper, fifth-wheel, trailer, boat or other such vehicle has a litany of horror stories, yet they keep at it, some well into their 80's and would have no other life-style. Is there something about broken, breakdown, expensive, lemon, not in stock, leak or lost that we don't understand? Serenity, Hal.
I needed a slider for the zipper of my fleece hoodie and found one while weeding the amphitheater yesterday. God provides what we need. Maybe weeds do serve a purpose.
We are getting close to five months on the road, our bills are paid and we still have money in the bank. God is working in our hearts through our ministry, the ministry of TGPP, the people He has put on our path and those we have taken the time to interact with and do community with. Everywhere we go we see beauty and God's power.
Don't let anyone or anything steal your joy. That was the theme of one of our Fort Collins Passion Play back a number of years. Listen and remember the lesson of that statement.
We are God's creation, free to accept His gift of eternal salvation and heirs with Christ in a Kingdom to be established and anticipated. We have nothing to fear, nothing to gripe or be anxious about and our life can be all we want and a blessing to others when we abide in Christ and He dwells in us by The Holy Spirit. We have the ability to have a good attitude in a tough situation and a confront a world which seeks to demean and degrade us.
Just thought I'd clear my mind and get on with the day God has made and be glad and rejoice in it. I've finished the weeding and Karen and LaVon are still planting and watering flowers. Life is good. I feel better. GOD IS BEST.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
May 7, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. What are the odds?
The more we travel, the more we experience the joy of the unexpected and the improbable. We know from Scripture that "nothing is impossible with God", so why do we act surprised when the impossible becomes reality in our daily routine.
Yesterday was another of those experiences that defy logic, cannot possibly have happened, but happened anyway, and we once again look at a life we cannot explain or control, and have less of a desire to ever want to. Six of us who are volunteering at The Great Passion Play, took the day off to see two shows up the road in Branson. We went to the stage production of Jonah and during the intermission, Karen went to the lobby and as she was returning to her seat she saw someone who looked like our ex-brother-in-law, Larry. We're used to seeing people who look like people we know, and sometimes make a "who does that look like" game of it. But this really was Larry. He and Ellie had travelled from Wisconsin to Branson with some of her relatives, and were at the same show as we were. What are the odds? How can paths cross that precisely to the second. We have encountered similar "coincidences" before and our response is one of amazement and wonder at how such a thing is possible. God has it all under control and there is a reason why these things happen. We may not understand why, but there is a reason why. Perhaps we are just supposed to keep our eyes open, our eyes more aware of what is happening around us and our attention more outward-focused and less focused on ourself.
The stories of such "coincidences" are endless. We all have them and there are more to come by the grace of God. How could we not believe that God has all of this life and all of the next under His control. Face each day with joy and expectancy of what God has in store for us and we can likely say this evening, as we did yesterday, "what are the odds?"
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday was another of those experiences that defy logic, cannot possibly have happened, but happened anyway, and we once again look at a life we cannot explain or control, and have less of a desire to ever want to. Six of us who are volunteering at The Great Passion Play, took the day off to see two shows up the road in Branson. We went to the stage production of Jonah and during the intermission, Karen went to the lobby and as she was returning to her seat she saw someone who looked like our ex-brother-in-law, Larry. We're used to seeing people who look like people we know, and sometimes make a "who does that look like" game of it. But this really was Larry. He and Ellie had travelled from Wisconsin to Branson with some of her relatives, and were at the same show as we were. What are the odds? How can paths cross that precisely to the second. We have encountered similar "coincidences" before and our response is one of amazement and wonder at how such a thing is possible. God has it all under control and there is a reason why these things happen. We may not understand why, but there is a reason why. Perhaps we are just supposed to keep our eyes open, our eyes more aware of what is happening around us and our attention more outward-focused and less focused on ourself.
The stories of such "coincidences" are endless. We all have them and there are more to come by the grace of God. How could we not believe that God has all of this life and all of the next under His control. Face each day with joy and expectancy of what God has in store for us and we can likely say this evening, as we did yesterday, "what are the odds?"
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, May 4, 2014
May 4, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Two down, a bunch more to go
The first weekend of The Great Passion Play is over. The Friday and Saturday performances went well, the Holy Land tours worked with two busses rather than four, David the Shepherd was rusty with his shepherds sling and might have needed all five stones to take care of Goliath, but he taught us a lot about taking care of sheep and being obedient to God. The Potter told us parables as he crafted two clay vessels and spoke passionately about our walk with Jesus, and then played the role of Jesus in the presentation of the last week of His ministry on earth. The Play was marvelous; the outdoor venue in a 4000 seat amphitheater under a starry, sliver-mooned sky was inspiring and the whole experience was thrilling.
To prepare the venue took a lot of people and nearly two months of effort. We were blessed to be here for the final week before opening and as tired as we were from the five days we worked, we know that any more would have been too much for our aging bodies. But we are glad we are here, thrilled that we can be part of this ministry and so grateful for the many people we have met, who have welcomed us and accepted us a a fellow servants for The Lord. We have been able to "do" our ministry, "do" their ministry and know that we are loved and cared for. So many have blessed us by their generosity and encouragement.
Today we attended New Day Fellowship , a Shiloh-like church and felt like we were back in Colorado as we took down the chairs, set up the tables and fellowshipped over a meal after a
message by Pastor Darrell on changing assignments from God. God is so Good. The rest of today we will take care of "housework", try to set up a little more permanently in our site on the edge of the Passion Play parking lot, relax, pet Gus our friendly shepherd-mix neighbor and maybe walk on the Passion Play set and visit the Christ of the Ozark statue at sunset. Tomorrow we will get back to the tasks and work of preparing for next weekend and the visitors who we hope will be blessed by the Sacred Arts Museum, the Bible Museum, and the other venues of TGPP. "One day at a time, sweet Jesus; that's all we're asking from you............"
How blessed we are to be here. How blessed we are to be serving our Lord as He calls us and how blessed we are to be accepted into the family of God in this place and at. this time. We press on to take hold of the prize............ In Jesus.
Sent from my iPad
To prepare the venue took a lot of people and nearly two months of effort. We were blessed to be here for the final week before opening and as tired as we were from the five days we worked, we know that any more would have been too much for our aging bodies. But we are glad we are here, thrilled that we can be part of this ministry and so grateful for the many people we have met, who have welcomed us and accepted us a a fellow servants for The Lord. We have been able to "do" our ministry, "do" their ministry and know that we are loved and cared for. So many have blessed us by their generosity and encouragement.
Today we attended New Day Fellowship , a Shiloh-like church and felt like we were back in Colorado as we took down the chairs, set up the tables and fellowshipped over a meal after a
message by Pastor Darrell on changing assignments from God. God is so Good. The rest of today we will take care of "housework", try to set up a little more permanently in our site on the edge of the Passion Play parking lot, relax, pet Gus our friendly shepherd-mix neighbor and maybe walk on the Passion Play set and visit the Christ of the Ozark statue at sunset. Tomorrow we will get back to the tasks and work of preparing for next weekend and the visitors who we hope will be blessed by the Sacred Arts Museum, the Bible Museum, and the other venues of TGPP. "One day at a time, sweet Jesus; that's all we're asking from you............"
How blessed we are to be here. How blessed we are to be serving our Lord as He calls us and how blessed we are to be accepted into the family of God in this place and at. this time. We press on to take hold of the prize............ In Jesus.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, May 1, 2014
May 1, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. The Great Passion Play
A seed was planted in this very place nearly 40 years ago. While Karen and I lived in Tulsa, OK, we made a trip to Eureka Springs to see the Great Passion Play. I knew nothing about the story of Jesus Christ, but seeing the play touched something inside. I didn't change outwardly, but God had a plan I could never have imagined. We returned to Eureka Springs in 1995, but did not attend TGPP. Other seeds were starting to find fertile soil and in June, 1999, the seeds bore fruit. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Fifteen years later, we find ourselves back in this place. We have come here, in faith, as we have have come to the Ministry of Miles in faith, in anticipation of what God is calling us to do for Him and for His Kingdom.
After the weekend in Branson, we arrived here Monday and have been working with our new Passion Play family preparing for the opening of TGPP season tomorrow. The play, the museums, Holy Land Tour and other venues run through October. While it looked for a time that financial problems might shut this venture down after more than 45 years, it has been given new life and appears to be alive and well. A host of volunteers have stepped forward to help the new owners of TGPP to continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Eureka Springs. We have been brought here to do what God calls us to do. How long will we stay? What role will we play in this venture? God knows and He will guide us as He will and as we are willing to follow. The past few days have been humbling. I have been asked to do jobs I have never done before and Karen, as always, has jumped in with her usual enthusiasm. We are a "good tired" at the end of the day. We are blessed to be here, blessed to be part of an ever-growing family who love and serve Jesus Christ, blessed to be seeds and sowers of seeds. We serve a wonderful and glorious God. Thank You, Jesus.
Sent from my iPad
After the weekend in Branson, we arrived here Monday and have been working with our new Passion Play family preparing for the opening of TGPP season tomorrow. The play, the museums, Holy Land Tour and other venues run through October. While it looked for a time that financial problems might shut this venture down after more than 45 years, it has been given new life and appears to be alive and well. A host of volunteers have stepped forward to help the new owners of TGPP to continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Eureka Springs. We have been brought here to do what God calls us to do. How long will we stay? What role will we play in this venture? God knows and He will guide us as He will and as we are willing to follow. The past few days have been humbling. I have been asked to do jobs I have never done before and Karen, as always, has jumped in with her usual enthusiasm. We are a "good tired" at the end of the day. We are blessed to be here, blessed to be part of an ever-growing family who love and serve Jesus Christ, blessed to be seeds and sowers of seeds. We serve a wonderful and glorious God. Thank You, Jesus.
Sent from my iPad
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