Life is a succession of events, planned or spontaneous; opportunities, embraced or passed over; temptations, yielded to or escaped; seasons of plenty or seasons of need. Life is a challenge and every day we are in the cross hairs of hundreds, if not thousands of assaults on our time, our money and our allegiances. We all have a role to play and many of us have multiple roles to play at the same time. Just think of all the things which tug at you, and you will understand what I am talking about.
This past week I had a role in the Passion Play at Centennial Baptist Church in Rutledge, GA. I was a Pharisee, a bad guy. I didn't smile a lot, or say very nice things about John the Baptist or Jesus. The only time I could have smiled or shown any satisfaction in my role, the lights were focused on Jesus being hustled out of the Garden of Gethsemane, I was in the shadows with my back to the audience and nobody was looking at me anyway. As Passion Play roles go, it was a juicy one with lots of opportunity to sneer, point fingers, demean people and be a pompous, self-centered know-it-all, kind of what I have been known to be for a good portion of my life. Then, it wasn't a role which won me much respect or "well-dones". A lot of people complemented me on my "performance" the past two nights, but I have been wondering how many people in Jesus' day would have complemented me if I were the one of the Pharisees who condemned Him to His fate on Calvary. While history would judge the Pharisees harshly, at that time they were probably well thought of and applauded. How would we have responded to the events of that day and time? How would we have responded to the message Jesus was delivering? Would we have been disciples or would we have been with the Pharisees?
When the Jesus character in the weekend play was thrown down next to the Cross and voluntarily crawled and laid hImself on that Cross before he was nailed to it, my heart (as a now out-of-costume actor) broke and I was once again convicted of how great a sacrifice Jesus Christ made for me, for you and for everyone past, present and future. What a magnificent role He played and what love He modeled to a world which needed Him so desperately then and needs Him even more desperately now. As we enter Passion Week we should rejoice as Christians and Christ-followers at the magnitude of what He did for us and what He asks us to do for others in gratitude for all we are and have IN HIM. Our role is to share with others what we have so graciously been given. To do anything less would be to not play our role to our utmost ability. Thank You Jesus and Praise You for the role You have given us in Your Kingdom, now and forever.
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Monday, March 30, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
March 27, 2015. Madison, GA. I Remember.........
When I came to The Lord in 1999, it seemed that God was expanding the areas In which I was spending my time into activities I had never been in or activities that I had been involved in many years before. One of the areas was drama. I began participating in the Weekend Drama Ministry, the Passion Play Ministry and the Christian Drama Outreach. Each required learning acting techniques, getting into a character's "motivation" and memorizing lines.
I have never had a great memory and part of the fear of getting up in front of an audience is that all the effort put into learning lines will be lost when stage fright or a lapse in concentration causes the lines to be forgotten or misspoken. After a while it became easier to perform and it was actually fun to play different roles and become another person for a while. But sometime in 2007 or 2008, I can't remember when, my acting career took a definite downturn when I could not learn my lines for a Christmas presentation and needed to be prompted continuously during the entire performance. The joy was gone, fear replaced confidence and I stepped out of the "light" unless I had a written script I could refer to or the lines were flashed on the back wall for me to read.
I did a few made-for-tv episodes, a dvd about the faith of George Bush, the entire 2014 Great Passion Play season, but all were roles where there was no speaking or the lines could be read or "mouthed" from a recorded script. Tomorrow and Sunday I will be part of the Passion Play at Centennial Baptist Church in Rutledge, GA and will have a number of "live" lines as a Pharisee. The one and only rehearsal was this past Wednesday and I had been given the script a week before that. I thought I knew the lines, but I was mistaken and needed to use the back wall crutch extensively. Tomorrow and Sunday night we present the play and although I am more confident, I am not close to being confident. Drama is one of the ways we preach the Gospel to those who don't know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I do remember the joy of the years I spent in drama ministries and I know that this will be another opportunity to feel God's voice coming through my mouth with the correct words and voice inflection for this time of "preaching" Jesus. I look forward to the next two days without wishing away today. Break a leg, everyone.........for The Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I have never had a great memory and part of the fear of getting up in front of an audience is that all the effort put into learning lines will be lost when stage fright or a lapse in concentration causes the lines to be forgotten or misspoken. After a while it became easier to perform and it was actually fun to play different roles and become another person for a while. But sometime in 2007 or 2008, I can't remember when, my acting career took a definite downturn when I could not learn my lines for a Christmas presentation and needed to be prompted continuously during the entire performance. The joy was gone, fear replaced confidence and I stepped out of the "light" unless I had a written script I could refer to or the lines were flashed on the back wall for me to read.
I did a few made-for-tv episodes, a dvd about the faith of George Bush, the entire 2014 Great Passion Play season, but all were roles where there was no speaking or the lines could be read or "mouthed" from a recorded script. Tomorrow and Sunday I will be part of the Passion Play at Centennial Baptist Church in Rutledge, GA and will have a number of "live" lines as a Pharisee. The one and only rehearsal was this past Wednesday and I had been given the script a week before that. I thought I knew the lines, but I was mistaken and needed to use the back wall crutch extensively. Tomorrow and Sunday night we present the play and although I am more confident, I am not close to being confident. Drama is one of the ways we preach the Gospel to those who don't know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I do remember the joy of the years I spent in drama ministries and I know that this will be another opportunity to feel God's voice coming through my mouth with the correct words and voice inflection for this time of "preaching" Jesus. I look forward to the next two days without wishing away today. Break a leg, everyone.........for The Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
March 23, 2015. Madison, GA. Not again........!
I think I jumped the gun on my enthusiasm for Spring springing. Yes, it warmed up and yes, we had to use the air conditioner to cool down the RV and yes, it is good to see the pinks and whites on the trees, and the greening up of the grass. But there is one thing I suffered with last year and yes it has already struck again.........CHIGGERS..........aaaaargh.
The red bumps, the infernal itching and the multiple remedies and suggestions for relief are back. I even sprayed before heading out the door Saturday to clean out ditches, but the beasties are back and my feet, ankles and toes are the victims of the first onslaught. I am washing, applying the various remedies which relieve the itching, and trying to heed Jesus' command to love my chigger-enemies, but this is not a good start to the "I want-to-be-outside" time of year. The best remedy right now of the many at my disposal, is Calmoseptine, which claims to promote healing of skin irritation, with itching being the last item on the list of irritations. My hope is that I don' have to use this remedy for the irritations higher up the list; they are pretty nasty and I won't go into more detail.
For now I'm grateful for the relief, will definitely have to work on my self-control, resist the itch-urge and pray the little critters don't climb higher on my body to the places they did last year where I was really not able to scratch in public and wondered why they would want to invade those places anyway. Yes, Spring has sprung...............help me Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The red bumps, the infernal itching and the multiple remedies and suggestions for relief are back. I even sprayed before heading out the door Saturday to clean out ditches, but the beasties are back and my feet, ankles and toes are the victims of the first onslaught. I am washing, applying the various remedies which relieve the itching, and trying to heed Jesus' command to love my chigger-enemies, but this is not a good start to the "I want-to-be-outside" time of year. The best remedy right now of the many at my disposal, is Calmoseptine, which claims to promote healing of skin irritation, with itching being the last item on the list of irritations. My hope is that I don' have to use this remedy for the irritations higher up the list; they are pretty nasty and I won't go into more detail.
For now I'm grateful for the relief, will definitely have to work on my self-control, resist the itch-urge and pray the little critters don't climb higher on my body to the places they did last year where I was really not able to scratch in public and wondered why they would want to invade those places anyway. Yes, Spring has sprung...............help me Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, March 20, 2015
March 20, 2015. Madison, GA. Spring has Sprung
While the Northeast is still struggling with winter and the West is facing ongoing drought conditions, we are beginning to see trees budding out, ants building mounds and temperatures climbing out of the space-heater range. We spent most of Monday afternoon mowing lawns, cleaning ditches and even planted some grass seed Wednesday before the rains came early Thursday morning? I wore shorts a few times this week and while we weren't as warm as our last few days in Florida, we know it won't be long before Spring will be fully sprung. We may actually have our first winter season without any snow where we have stayed. For Colorado residents that almost qualifies us for excommunication.
We will have an early Easter this year and I have been asked to be one of the Pharisees in the Centennial Baptist Church's Passion Play. There are two presentations next weekend and we will have a rehearsal this Sunday, dress rehearsal Wednesday and then the play. I've been letting my hair and beard grow to be ready for Eureka Springs in May and our return to The Great Passion Play there. This will be the 22nd year for the CBC Passion Play, so we are looking forward to the week ahead and the whole Palm Sunday/ Easter experience in a new locale. God has really broadened our walk during this journey and each day is an opportunity and an adventure. God is so Good and so gracious; I can only marvel at how blessed we are and how much we look forward to each day, the community of believers we are part of and the peace we have in Christ. Happy Spring. I pray this will be an awesome Easter for our family and friends, for our Shiloh Christian Church family in Colorado and for all who seek the God of Peace and the Peace of God. Thank You, and Praise You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
We will have an early Easter this year and I have been asked to be one of the Pharisees in the Centennial Baptist Church's Passion Play. There are two presentations next weekend and we will have a rehearsal this Sunday, dress rehearsal Wednesday and then the play. I've been letting my hair and beard grow to be ready for Eureka Springs in May and our return to The Great Passion Play there. This will be the 22nd year for the CBC Passion Play, so we are looking forward to the week ahead and the whole Palm Sunday/ Easter experience in a new locale. God has really broadened our walk during this journey and each day is an opportunity and an adventure. God is so Good and so gracious; I can only marvel at how blessed we are and how much we look forward to each day, the community of believers we are part of and the peace we have in Christ. Happy Spring. I pray this will be an awesome Easter for our family and friends, for our Shiloh Christian Church family in Colorado and for all who seek the God of Peace and the Peace of God. Thank You, and Praise You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
March 17, 2015. Madison, GA. Work/home
Our time in Florida was intended to give us a time to rest, regain our strength, and have a Sabbath of sorts from the routine of the nine months in Arkansas and Georgia as volunteers. After two work days, Karen and I are wondering why our bones ache and we are dragging around like pooped puppies. Maybe we rested too hard.
But, it's a good tired and we have been welcomed back and told how much we are appreciated and were missed during our absence. It feels like home, and even the donkeys in the field next to us came to the fence to have their foreheads petted and their backs and necks rubbed. Earl remembers his aunt and uncle and Stewart, who heads up the Braille Ministry here, though he cannot see, recognized our voices and the names which went with them.
Yes, it's good to be here, to be part of something so much bigger and impactful than we can really imagine. As we say often, we are blessed, making a difference in lives here and around the world. Thank You, Lord for allowing us to serve You, being patient with us and providing everything we need every day. We will rest tonight and rise tomorrow, God willing, for whatever He calls us to do. All Glory to You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
But, it's a good tired and we have been welcomed back and told how much we are appreciated and were missed during our absence. It feels like home, and even the donkeys in the field next to us came to the fence to have their foreheads petted and their backs and necks rubbed. Earl remembers his aunt and uncle and Stewart, who heads up the Braille Ministry here, though he cannot see, recognized our voices and the names which went with them.
Yes, it's good to be here, to be part of something so much bigger and impactful than we can really imagine. As we say often, we are blessed, making a difference in lives here and around the world. Thank You, Lord for allowing us to serve You, being patient with us and providing everything we need every day. We will rest tonight and rise tomorrow, God willing, for whatever He calls us to do. All Glory to You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, March 14, 2015
March 14, 2015. Back in Madison, GA. In an Instant..........
Today we came back to Madison, GA, after a month in Florida. We enjoyed our month-long rest, did about three hours of "work" during the month, and had a pleasant drive of about six hours from there to here. We were greeted warmly by Ron and Twila's dog Skittles as we pulled onto the Source of Light Mission property. Five hours later, after a fun evening of food and fellowship with our 3-couple-volunteer-family, we were burying Skittles, who had just been hit by a car on the busy road which runs by the Mission. In an instant laughter turned to tears, and a life which had brought joy to many was over. Five years of love and companionship were replaced by a small hole in the ground. A tiny dog wrapped in a blanket put to rest near where had been playing only minutes before.
In an instant it can all change. My last posting on this website struck a somber chord, and this posting, too, speaks to the uncertainty of life and the way our lives can go from one extreme to the other in an instant. We have all lost loved ones, had a roaring success turn into failure without notice, seen a healthy person struck down by illness or accident in the blink of an eye or seen a miracle bring triumph out of tragedy. In an instant it can all change.
I don't know the remedy or solution to the uncertainties of life, other than to trust that there is a bigger plan than we can fathom, that God is in control and can bring good out of any situation and can help us recall the good memories and live with them rather than the sorrow of the moment of loss or let it shake our faith or belief that God is Good and He desires only good for us.
Skittles was loved by a lot of people, and returned that love to all of us who were greeted by him, petted him, or were graced by his snuggling up to us as we sat in "his" recliner. Our memories will last beyond an instant.........God helps us to do that, if we will just let Him
Sent from my iPad
In an instant it can all change. My last posting on this website struck a somber chord, and this posting, too, speaks to the uncertainty of life and the way our lives can go from one extreme to the other in an instant. We have all lost loved ones, had a roaring success turn into failure without notice, seen a healthy person struck down by illness or accident in the blink of an eye or seen a miracle bring triumph out of tragedy. In an instant it can all change.
I don't know the remedy or solution to the uncertainties of life, other than to trust that there is a bigger plan than we can fathom, that God is in control and can bring good out of any situation and can help us recall the good memories and live with them rather than the sorrow of the moment of loss or let it shake our faith or belief that God is Good and He desires only good for us.
Skittles was loved by a lot of people, and returned that love to all of us who were greeted by him, petted him, or were graced by his snuggling up to us as we sat in "his" recliner. Our memories will last beyond an instant.........God helps us to do that, if we will just let Him
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
March 11, 2015. Jacksonville , FL. One Day Closer
A lot of things occur in our life each day. We are bombarded with sound, temptations and the lure of material things, we have family obligations, job responsibilities, household chores, weather variations to contend with and adapt to. There are multiple decisions to make, some minor, and some life-altering. In every second we don't ever know if there will be a second after that of life on this earth, or will our life as we know it end in an instant. The certainty of this moment is set against the total uncertainty of the next.
I'm not trying to negative or fatalistic, just facing the reality of an uncertain life and a certain death. We all were born with one certainty: eventually we will all die and face a future we have the ability to partially determine by the choice of Who we believe in and how we follow Him. Each day that we awake, we are one day closer to the end of our life as we now know it. Scripture tells us that we can make all kinds of plans, decide what WE want to do, but the ultimate decision is not ours, but in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Each decision we make, if guided by The Holy Spirit, honoring and glorifying God and prayed over in the Name of Jesus Christ will make our life more peaceful, more Christ-like and be a blessing to others as well as ourself.
Live each day as if it is our last, treasure what we have been given and who we have as our friends and family, and rest in the God of Peace and the Peace of God. As I realize when I write this blog, I don't really know how many people are reading it, but I am writing words which I pray are making a difference, if not for others, then in my life and how I live it. I've said it many times, but it rings true: look in the mirror, Hal, and what you are "preaching" to others, let it be a lesson for me to hear and be obedient to. And if others are reading, I hope you will hold me to the words I am writing. Thank you, and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I'm not trying to negative or fatalistic, just facing the reality of an uncertain life and a certain death. We all were born with one certainty: eventually we will all die and face a future we have the ability to partially determine by the choice of Who we believe in and how we follow Him. Each day that we awake, we are one day closer to the end of our life as we now know it. Scripture tells us that we can make all kinds of plans, decide what WE want to do, but the ultimate decision is not ours, but in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Each decision we make, if guided by The Holy Spirit, honoring and glorifying God and prayed over in the Name of Jesus Christ will make our life more peaceful, more Christ-like and be a blessing to others as well as ourself.
Live each day as if it is our last, treasure what we have been given and who we have as our friends and family, and rest in the God of Peace and the Peace of God. As I realize when I write this blog, I don't really know how many people are reading it, but I am writing words which I pray are making a difference, if not for others, then in my life and how I live it. I've said it many times, but it rings true: look in the mirror, Hal, and what you are "preaching" to others, let it be a lesson for me to hear and be obedient to. And if others are reading, I hope you will hold me to the words I am writing. Thank you, and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 8, 2015
March 8, 2015. Jacksonville, FL. Thoughts
Spring ahead and lose an hour of sleep, but gain an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. Today was the first day of the new system for the year and my body stayed on the old system. I woke at 6:30 (the old 5:30). My normal waking time without an alarm is 5:30 so my body knew nothing of the change. We had a gorgeous day on which we relaxed with windows open and pleasant temperatures and after our walk to and from the All Saints Chapel on the Navy base, we were content to stay home, enjoy a potpourri'ed pot of soup for supper and wait for the "horns" to sound for the American Flag to be lowered an hour later than it was lowered yesterday. It was a good day
The week ahead is forecast to be a good one for being outdoors, getting some sun on the pale skin and some wogging (walking and jogging) around the base. We'll visit with Phil and Sharon a few times, see our great-niece who lives a few miles down the road and get ready to head back to Madison, GA a week from today. The extra hour of sunlight at the end of each day will mean warmer nights and less need for space heaters and propane.
The critter pictures I have put (or will put) on the website today are proof of the change of seasons ahead and the need for me to get prepared for the invasion of the chiggers again. It was in Jacksonville last year that they first got the upper hand and gave me two episodes of red bumps, itching and a host of remedies which were less than effective. In any event, the extra hour has meant a later blog time than usual and a body ready to be put down for the night. Thanks for reading, following and praying for us. You bless us and encourage us and we are grateful. Our prayers are for God's favor in each of your lives, for joy, peace and contentment today and every day. Praise You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The week ahead is forecast to be a good one for being outdoors, getting some sun on the pale skin and some wogging (walking and jogging) around the base. We'll visit with Phil and Sharon a few times, see our great-niece who lives a few miles down the road and get ready to head back to Madison, GA a week from today. The extra hour of sunlight at the end of each day will mean warmer nights and less need for space heaters and propane.
The critter pictures I have put (or will put) on the website today are proof of the change of seasons ahead and the need for me to get prepared for the invasion of the chiggers again. It was in Jacksonville last year that they first got the upper hand and gave me two episodes of red bumps, itching and a host of remedies which were less than effective. In any event, the extra hour has meant a later blog time than usual and a body ready to be put down for the night. Thanks for reading, following and praying for us. You bless us and encourage us and we are grateful. Our prayers are for God's favor in each of your lives, for joy, peace and contentment today and every day. Praise You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, March 5, 2015
March 5, 2015. Jacksonville, FL. A Bigger Plan
As we try to make sense of our journey through life, it's worthwhile to realize and accept the fact that we are not in control. Our path will always have obstacles, we will always climb hills and be propelled quickly down the other side and we will stumble, make mistakes and have disappointments. But, when we face the reality that GOD IS IN CONTROL and we are not; that our plans may seem perfect and the best ever devised, but that GOD HAS A BIGGER AND BETTER PLAN; when we face that reality, life will be more tolerable, less stressful and infinitely more rewarding.
Yesterday, God brought three couples who met in Arkansas last year and by different routes found their way to Jacksonville, Florida to a Bible Study on John 1:1-5 to teach us how He is in control, always has been and always will be, and that as Father, Son and Holy Spirit there is a bigger plan. And our responsibility - to tell the world of that bigger plan and then let God implement it in each heart, soul and mind. If we know it, and know that we know it, then we need to let others know it as well. If we fail to do that, we fail as followers of Christ and will one day have to explain to God why we didn't follow through on what we as followers of Christ were called to do.
Last week a youth band at Mayport sang Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons". The words ring so true. The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, it's time to sing Your song again, whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes. Bless the Lord, O my soul, worship His holy name.........ten thousand years and then forevermore." Thank You, Lord for speaking to us through Your Word, Your control, Your love and a worship song. Help each of us to know that we know that we know, be witnesses to a world which needs You now, more than ever, and keep "singing" Your praises now, tomorrow and forevermore. Bless You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday, God brought three couples who met in Arkansas last year and by different routes found their way to Jacksonville, Florida to a Bible Study on John 1:1-5 to teach us how He is in control, always has been and always will be, and that as Father, Son and Holy Spirit there is a bigger plan. And our responsibility - to tell the world of that bigger plan and then let God implement it in each heart, soul and mind. If we know it, and know that we know it, then we need to let others know it as well. If we fail to do that, we fail as followers of Christ and will one day have to explain to God why we didn't follow through on what we as followers of Christ were called to do.
Last week a youth band at Mayport sang Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons". The words ring so true. The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, it's time to sing Your song again, whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes. Bless the Lord, O my soul, worship His holy name.........ten thousand years and then forevermore." Thank You, Lord for speaking to us through Your Word, Your control, Your love and a worship song. Help each of us to know that we know that we know, be witnesses to a world which needs You now, more than ever, and keep "singing" Your praises now, tomorrow and forevermore. Bless You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 1, 2015
March 1, 2015. NAS JAX, Jacksonville, FL. Moving Day
This morning the wind was howling off the St Johns (no ') River at Naval Station Mayport and it was misting where yesterday it was raining pretty heavily. We pulled in our "wings", battened down the hatches and headed south and west to our present location on the St Johns, now to the east of us rather than the north. And, there is no wind. The silence is deafening after the noise we had at Mayport for most of our two weeks there. We anticipate there will be the drone of P3's and jet fighters to replace the sound of the wind. For now it sounds pretty good to hear no sounds.
> Our stay at Mayport and now at NAS JAX are the first since last April that we have been on a military base. It's different to be in this environment with a blend of young military people, staying in the RV area with older military retirees, disabled vets or DOD personnel. I have a mix of emotions seeing young people serving our country, their whole lives ahead of them and then realizing that those of us in the RV parks are in our late '60's and beyond, have had either full military careers and/or full civilian careers, yet each impacted physically, emotionally, financially or otherwise by some length of military service. When the bugle sounds on these military posts as the colors are raised in the morning and lowered in the evening, Karen and I stand at attention, in respect for our flag, for our country and for those who serve and have served. To me there is a lot of emotion, as I think of my own time in the Army, my life altered by being drafted into service, remembering those with whom I served and the fact that many are no longer alive.
Yes, today was moving day, but each day is a moving day, as I think of our Ministry of Miles journey and the journey we are on serving our Lord and Savior. A coin I received from the Military Chaplin at Source of Light says it all: "Thousands died for My Freedom.....One died for My Soul." Yes, today has been a reflective, moving, moving day.
Sent from my iPad
> Our stay at Mayport and now at NAS JAX are the first since last April that we have been on a military base. It's different to be in this environment with a blend of young military people, staying in the RV area with older military retirees, disabled vets or DOD personnel. I have a mix of emotions seeing young people serving our country, their whole lives ahead of them and then realizing that those of us in the RV parks are in our late '60's and beyond, have had either full military careers and/or full civilian careers, yet each impacted physically, emotionally, financially or otherwise by some length of military service. When the bugle sounds on these military posts as the colors are raised in the morning and lowered in the evening, Karen and I stand at attention, in respect for our flag, for our country and for those who serve and have served. To me there is a lot of emotion, as I think of my own time in the Army, my life altered by being drafted into service, remembering those with whom I served and the fact that many are no longer alive.
Yes, today was moving day, but each day is a moving day, as I think of our Ministry of Miles journey and the journey we are on serving our Lord and Savior. A coin I received from the Military Chaplin at Source of Light says it all: "Thousands died for My Freedom.....One died for My Soul." Yes, today has been a reflective, moving, moving day.
Sent from my iPad
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