This volunteer stuff is a lot of work. Both Karen and I put in way more than the 15 hours per person per week required for our free RV hookup here at TGPP. We enjoy where we are, enjoy the work and say yes to almost everything we are asked to do. We get along with the employees and the few other volunteers, are told how much we are appreciated and needed. But, sometimes it's nice and necessary to just say no and realize that we need a break from the work, the heat and the daily routine of this ministry.
We have yet to get to Branson for the free shows we are allowed to see by virtue of the reciprocal agreements with TGPP, have only been to Garfield once for the giant ice cream cones at the Shortstop, and have not explored the area attractions other than the Berryville Walmart and Dollar Tree. Yet, we are content with our situation, having spent a number of Monday evenings with Isy and James our newest PP family, sharing a common faith and love for root beer floats. As I have mentioned, our performance schedule will lighten up during August, so the break opportunities will increase and the chance to relax increase as well.
When we see what other people's schedules look like with full time jobs, family responsibilities, volunteer and church commitments, financial concerns, and the cares of "doing life", Karen and I are beyond blessed: we are BLESSED. God never gives anyone who trusts and believes in Him more than he or she can handle, and while we have been through a lot, we know that God has us covered. All is well as long as we are obedient and take the breaks as they come, when they come. Thank You, Lord.
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Friday, July 31, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
July 28, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. It's Downhill From Here
We've passed the half way point of the 2015 Great Passion Play season. In a few days it will be dark when the Play begins at 8:30 and this is the last 4-day performance week until the middle of October. It's clear that the tendency for some is to look at upcoming family vacation trips before school begins, to the start of high school football season, going off to college or a host of other "future" plans and forget that we still have more than 40 performance days still ahead of us and that our "job" as ministers, witnesses and walkers of the talk is not over 'til it's over.
We must be cognizant of the fact that many who come to see the Passion Play are coming for the first time, many are not believers or have not fully surrendered their lives to Jesus. Our role here, and in every ministry, is no less important now than it was when we started this "season" or whatever "season of ministry" we have been involved in. Our enthusiasm should never wane and our desire to preach Jesus never diminish just because the time is getting short or the end of the current assignment is in sight. It may be downhill, but we should never think we can coast. We owe it to the lost, to God and to ourselves never to get to the "end" without having done our very best every day and every moment along the way. Granted, it's not an easy task, and we often fall short, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't always try to do our best. Run the race, with perseverance, with joy and with the knowledge that it gets better as we get closer, and each day has the prospect of being the best yet.
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We must be cognizant of the fact that many who come to see the Passion Play are coming for the first time, many are not believers or have not fully surrendered their lives to Jesus. Our role here, and in every ministry, is no less important now than it was when we started this "season" or whatever "season of ministry" we have been involved in. Our enthusiasm should never wane and our desire to preach Jesus never diminish just because the time is getting short or the end of the current assignment is in sight. It may be downhill, but we should never think we can coast. We owe it to the lost, to God and to ourselves never to get to the "end" without having done our very best every day and every moment along the way. Granted, it's not an easy task, and we often fall short, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't always try to do our best. Run the race, with perseverance, with joy and with the knowledge that it gets better as we get closer, and each day has the prospect of being the best yet.
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Friday, July 24, 2015
July 24, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. Lost and Found
Last August, I wrote a blog about a key and a lock lost in two separate places on the Passion Play grounds, found on the same day, only to discover that the key and lock were a working set when reunited. I have told the story of the key and lock many times and always carried the key and lock with me until I misplaced them about two weeks ago. About that same time I lost a pocket cross I have carried with me for the past four years. I've lost the cross a number of times only to find it when I retrace my steps that day or the next. But this time I felt the cross was really lost as well as the key and lock.
But I didn't abandon hope and two days ago the key and lock showed up in the pocket of a pair of cargo shorts which had been washed twice since the key and lock disappeared and when I told Karen about finding them and about the cross also missing, I told her I just needed to pray for the cross's return and would need to keep my eyes on the ground before me. This sounds like fiction, but I opened the motor home door, looked down and there next to the front step was the pocket cross. How many times had I come in and gone out, without noticing the cross right under my feet. I'm not surprised, but always amazed, how prayers big or small are answered and some almost before the "in Jesus' name" is uttered. God wants us to know that He hears our prayers, wants us to ask for our needs and the needs of others to be met and that He is with us and for us all the time.
Yesterday as I walked across the parking lot, I looked down and saw another shiny object. I now have a second smaller pocket cross, an added "found" blessing from the God of abundance and grace, who provides and provides and provides. Thank You, Lord
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But I didn't abandon hope and two days ago the key and lock showed up in the pocket of a pair of cargo shorts which had been washed twice since the key and lock disappeared and when I told Karen about finding them and about the cross also missing, I told her I just needed to pray for the cross's return and would need to keep my eyes on the ground before me. This sounds like fiction, but I opened the motor home door, looked down and there next to the front step was the pocket cross. How many times had I come in and gone out, without noticing the cross right under my feet. I'm not surprised, but always amazed, how prayers big or small are answered and some almost before the "in Jesus' name" is uttered. God wants us to know that He hears our prayers, wants us to ask for our needs and the needs of others to be met and that He is with us and for us all the time.
Yesterday as I walked across the parking lot, I looked down and saw another shiny object. I now have a second smaller pocket cross, an added "found" blessing from the God of abundance and grace, who provides and provides and provides. Thank You, Lord
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Tuesday, July 21, 2015
July 21, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. Season
The word "season" is interesting because it has so many uses in our language, and a very important presence in God's Word. We talk about the seasons of the year, which elicits many images of weather change, the cycle of planting, tending and harvesting crops, seasoning of those harvested crops to bring forth their flavor and nutritional value, and then the season when the ground is fallow and unproductive. We use the word season to denote periods of our life where we learn a profession, pursue that profession and retire from that profession after our interest or physical ability wanes or our employer can no longer use our services. Relationships have seasons lasting from a moment to years, to decades to a lifetime, and scripture calls for us to be ready to reprove, rebuke and exhort in season and out of season what and why we believe what we do. We are to be salt (a seasoning) and light by what we say and how we act so that others may know Jesus Christ through us.
We never want to wish our time away, but there are times in life when we wish a season would end so another can begin or when we wish a season could continue when it is obvious that it has run its course. We need to realize and accept the reality that time is not in our control and that the seasons, whatever they may be, are in God's plan and not ours to regulate or direct.
Above all we need to be obedient to the call on our time and our talents, be obedient to the call on our resources and the One who provides them to us and in every way give back to God what He has given us that others may know Who He Is and Who we serve and honor.
> Many will not know what the next sentence means, but to those who do, they will understand the season we have have been through the past few months here at TGPP. Go with God, Alena, and thank you for the season Karen and I and so many others had with you here in Arkansas. You have been a blessing to many and a true servant. We will see you again
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We never want to wish our time away, but there are times in life when we wish a season would end so another can begin or when we wish a season could continue when it is obvious that it has run its course. We need to realize and accept the reality that time is not in our control and that the seasons, whatever they may be, are in God's plan and not ours to regulate or direct.
Above all we need to be obedient to the call on our time and our talents, be obedient to the call on our resources and the One who provides them to us and in every way give back to God what He has given us that others may know Who He Is and Who we serve and honor.
> Many will not know what the next sentence means, but to those who do, they will understand the season we have have been through the past few months here at TGPP. Go with God, Alena, and thank you for the season Karen and I and so many others had with you here in Arkansas. You have been a blessing to many and a true servant. We will see you again
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, July 18, 2015
July 18, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. It's Hot
After the wet, wet, wet, wet spring and early summer we are in a two week stretch of hot, hot, hot, dry, dry, dry weather. The heat index has been as high as 110 and always in the high ninety's and low 100's, with the play being performed in oven-like conditions. As disciples, we don't feel much compassion for the Roman soldiers, temple guards, Pharisee's or other religious leaders as the characters they portray, but as fellow cast members, we feel for them because of the cumbersome costumes they have to wear at each performance. The laundry people also have our gratitude for the volumes of costumes needing to be washed each morning for that night's performance.
Many of us who do "up top" jobs such as lawn care, maintenance, Holy Land presentations or transportation don't get to escape the heat for long on play days or non-play days either and it is a blessing to be able to take time in the air-conditioned buildings or our motor home for a quick break from the outside. The first week of August we change to a three day performance schedule for two weeks and then to just Friday and Saturday for the last two weeks of August when it really gets hot. Then on to September and October and the issue of smaller casts, cooler nights and all the end of season "complaints". But for the moment, it is HOT.
Part of the lesson here is that it's not always easy to do ministry work, but then again, it wasn't easy for The Son of Man to do what He did for us. Our discomfort and our "manna and quail-type" griping are small change compared to all that Jesus and the early disciples and many Christians today go through to practice and advance their faith and the benefits we reap from their efforts. We are blessed beyond measure and it's appropriate for us to acknowledge that by enduring the heat (or rain, or cold), keeping a smile on our face and living in joy for what we have now and what is promised to us in the future. All for our good and His glory. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Many of us who do "up top" jobs such as lawn care, maintenance, Holy Land presentations or transportation don't get to escape the heat for long on play days or non-play days either and it is a blessing to be able to take time in the air-conditioned buildings or our motor home for a quick break from the outside. The first week of August we change to a three day performance schedule for two weeks and then to just Friday and Saturday for the last two weeks of August when it really gets hot. Then on to September and October and the issue of smaller casts, cooler nights and all the end of season "complaints". But for the moment, it is HOT.
Part of the lesson here is that it's not always easy to do ministry work, but then again, it wasn't easy for The Son of Man to do what He did for us. Our discomfort and our "manna and quail-type" griping are small change compared to all that Jesus and the early disciples and many Christians today go through to practice and advance their faith and the benefits we reap from their efforts. We are blessed beyond measure and it's appropriate for us to acknowledge that by enduring the heat (or rain, or cold), keeping a smile on our face and living in joy for what we have now and what is promised to us in the future. All for our good and His glory. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
July 15, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. Happy Anniversry
The Great Passion Play celebrated its 47th Anniversary today, by not having a "play day", but it certainly was a work day. We had a group of Texas Team Effort kids for the third day this week and after watching the Play last night they were enthusiastic about the tasks we had for them to do. It was the hottest day of the year with a heat index in the 110's. It was a good day, and after I wrote a one line blog late last night about there not being any small parts, and it not sending for some reason, I realized again today that most of the tasks we do are pretty mundane and seemingly unimportant, but each one is essential for the "whole" to operate. Whether it's having a minor role in the Play, painting lines in the parking lot, picking up trash in the amphitheater, painting picnic tables, cleaning rest rooms, mowing, weeding or a host of other physical or mechanical tasks, they all contribute to the message we are trying to convey through this ministry.
These are not the most favorable times for many Christian ministries, for individual believers and churches facing doctrinal issues because of the secular climate in many of our communities and the nation at large. We need to stand up for Jesus, for the Gospel message and the standards which led to the formation of our country and the principles on which it functioned for so many years. We need to defend our beliefs, be proud of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, and celebrate our past, live each day with joy and rest in the assurance of our future destination. Happy Anniversary, GPP, and to God be the glory, honor and praise.
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These are not the most favorable times for many Christian ministries, for individual believers and churches facing doctrinal issues because of the secular climate in many of our communities and the nation at large. We need to stand up for Jesus, for the Gospel message and the standards which led to the formation of our country and the principles on which it functioned for so many years. We need to defend our beliefs, be proud of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, and celebrate our past, live each day with joy and rest in the assurance of our future destination. Happy Anniversary, GPP, and to God be the glory, honor and praise.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
July 14, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. There Are No Small Parts
Too late to write tonight. Will blog tomorrow. Rest in The Lord.
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Sent from my iPad
Saturday, July 11, 2015
July 11, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. Just Wait Ten Minutes.........
I think I've already written about hearing the phrase, "if you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes and it will change" in almost every place we have travelled, I had never heard that expression until I moved to Colorado in 1972, and from what I encountered there I believed it was a condition unique to that state. But with our exposure to so many places over the past 40 plus years we have heard the expression and witnessed its implementation constantly. Colorado is not unique in its changing and changeable weather.
Arkansas has its own pattern because of its position in the bullseye of fronts from the west and moisture from the south. This week we have encountered almost everything but outright winter weather. On Tuesday we "played" in a downpour and had intermittent showers until yesterday when it turned hot and humid-er with the forecast for high 90's and virtually no chance of rain for the upcoming week. I have been fighting a cough and cold and between the hot outside, the air-conditioning inside and wet clothing from either rain or perspiration, it has been a chore to keep from getting sick. But, like battling the critters, I am determined to overcome this obstacle as well. The television is full of reports of flooded roads, washed out bridges, flash-flood warnings and even a tornado to the west of us. Time for another pill and then out of the air conditioned comfort of our coach to the feels like 93 outside. We'll see what it's like ten minutes from now.
Sent from my iPad
Arkansas has its own pattern because of its position in the bullseye of fronts from the west and moisture from the south. This week we have encountered almost everything but outright winter weather. On Tuesday we "played" in a downpour and had intermittent showers until yesterday when it turned hot and humid-er with the forecast for high 90's and virtually no chance of rain for the upcoming week. I have been fighting a cough and cold and between the hot outside, the air-conditioning inside and wet clothing from either rain or perspiration, it has been a chore to keep from getting sick. But, like battling the critters, I am determined to overcome this obstacle as well. The television is full of reports of flooded roads, washed out bridges, flash-flood warnings and even a tornado to the west of us. Time for another pill and then out of the air conditioned comfort of our coach to the feels like 93 outside. We'll see what it's like ten minutes from now.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
July 8, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. Sorry Mickey
Jesus told us to love our enemies, but I don't think He was talking about mice. He also told us to turn the other cheek, but I'm sure He didn't want us to let mice invade our kitchen utensil drawers and have free reign on our plastic tongs and leave droppings in places where we cook and prepare our food and not do something to thwart their activities.
Well, the battle was on and I wasn't going to be satisfied with second place. By Monday night we had set up our defensive hedge and went on the offensive. With Trapper Max Glue Traps at strategic places on the roof, in areas we felt mice might enter or leave the RV, or had already left their poop-prints, d-Con bait pellets outside to deter reinforcements from attacking and the Ultrasonic Pestchaser Rodent Repeller plugged into 110V-AC outlet, we were only lacking nuclear weapons to complete the package. Tuesday morning I woke to the sight of a captured Mickey-wanna-be on a glue trap near the refrigerator. He was still wiggling but didn't put up a fight as I delivered him to the dumpster and a soon to be ride to the landfill. Sorry, Mickey. We didn't start it, but we are determined to finish it. Hopefully the defense we now have in place will keep us rodent-proof and allow us to return our utensils to their normal place. We do plan to increase our supply of plastic storage containers for food items and increase our use of steel wool at vulnerable ingress locations. We haven't declared total victory yet. I'm sure Mickey's family doesn't look too kindly on us and won't easily give up the fight, but it sure would be nice if they put up the white flag and just stayed away.
Sent from my iPad
Well, the battle was on and I wasn't going to be satisfied with second place. By Monday night we had set up our defensive hedge and went on the offensive. With Trapper Max Glue Traps at strategic places on the roof, in areas we felt mice might enter or leave the RV, or had already left their poop-prints, d-Con bait pellets outside to deter reinforcements from attacking and the Ultrasonic Pestchaser Rodent Repeller plugged into 110V-AC outlet, we were only lacking nuclear weapons to complete the package. Tuesday morning I woke to the sight of a captured Mickey-wanna-be on a glue trap near the refrigerator. He was still wiggling but didn't put up a fight as I delivered him to the dumpster and a soon to be ride to the landfill. Sorry, Mickey. We didn't start it, but we are determined to finish it. Hopefully the defense we now have in place will keep us rodent-proof and allow us to return our utensils to their normal place. We do plan to increase our supply of plastic storage containers for food items and increase our use of steel wool at vulnerable ingress locations. We haven't declared total victory yet. I'm sure Mickey's family doesn't look too kindly on us and won't easily give up the fight, but it sure would be nice if they put up the white flag and just stayed away.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, July 5, 2015
July 5, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. A New Critter
I'm still battling the dreaded invisible chiggers and the welts and infernal itching they inflict, and now comes a new pest or horde of pests..........mice. The past three nights we have heard their activity on our roof, in our air conditioning units and then realized by their little black droppings in places they have no right to be, that they had invaded our stove top, our oven and run pell mell across our counters and sink area. The little varmints haven't compromised our food supplies, but the question remains; how did they get in and more importantly how do we get rid of him or them?
Like fighting chiggers, there are a lot of home remedies, never-fail options and opinions galore. We have placed drier sheets in every cabinet, spread d-con near potential entry points, put out sticky traps one of which Karen stepped on and had a horrible time extricating her shoe from. Thankfully she didn't step on it barefoot or we might have had to make a "kidney stone-type" run to the emergency room. The battle is on and we will see who comes out on top. We didn't have a mouse problem last year here In Arkansas, but that may be because Hugh and LaVon and Earl were feeding the feral cats, who may have repaid the favor by controlling the mouse population. The volunteers, as well as the cats have not returned and with the wetter weather the mice may be more plentiful. We will keep searching the Internet, look for tiny holes to plug with steel wool and seek out locals who have faced this problem, and in the end..........we will overcome.
Another question to put on the list of things we will have to ask when we get There.......God, what were you thinking when you created........THAT?
Sent from my iPad
Like fighting chiggers, there are a lot of home remedies, never-fail options and opinions galore. We have placed drier sheets in every cabinet, spread d-con near potential entry points, put out sticky traps one of which Karen stepped on and had a horrible time extricating her shoe from. Thankfully she didn't step on it barefoot or we might have had to make a "kidney stone-type" run to the emergency room. The battle is on and we will see who comes out on top. We didn't have a mouse problem last year here In Arkansas, but that may be because Hugh and LaVon and Earl were feeding the feral cats, who may have repaid the favor by controlling the mouse population. The volunteers, as well as the cats have not returned and with the wetter weather the mice may be more plentiful. We will keep searching the Internet, look for tiny holes to plug with steel wool and seek out locals who have faced this problem, and in the end..........we will overcome.
Another question to put on the list of things we will have to ask when we get There.......God, what were you thinking when you created........THAT?
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, July 2, 2015
July 2, 2015. Eureka Springs, AR. It Was A Dark and Stormy Night........
The wise and prolific writer, Snoopy, begins all his literary efforts with the classic opening line first written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1830 novel, "Paul Clifford". I've never read the E B-L novel, but I am a big Snoopy fan and always enjoy his take on the affairs of the day and his approach to life.
When Karen and I lived in Tulsa from 1974 to 1977, I needed surgery on my right foot and Karen, knowing my feelings about Snoopy, gave me a stuffed Snoopy which has been a constant and prized companion ever since. Snoop has travelled the country with us from the Tulsa days, has resided on the dashboard of our car, motor home and when in our house, on the nightstand next to my side of the bed. He was lost briefly in California in 1983 when we participated in the Race Across America, but found his way back and was reunited, never to be separated again. He has weathered many a dark and stormy night, including a brief episode last night, and we have enjoyed nearly 40 years together. Thanks, Snoop, for enduring the journey with us and allowing me to write about you on our website. It's been a great ride.
Sent from my iPad
When Karen and I lived in Tulsa from 1974 to 1977, I needed surgery on my right foot and Karen, knowing my feelings about Snoopy, gave me a stuffed Snoopy which has been a constant and prized companion ever since. Snoop has travelled the country with us from the Tulsa days, has resided on the dashboard of our car, motor home and when in our house, on the nightstand next to my side of the bed. He was lost briefly in California in 1983 when we participated in the Race Across America, but found his way back and was reunited, never to be separated again. He has weathered many a dark and stormy night, including a brief episode last night, and we have enjoyed nearly 40 years together. Thanks, Snoop, for enduring the journey with us and allowing me to write about you on our website. It's been a great ride.
Sent from my iPad
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