Two years ago, August 2, 2014, I wrote a blog entitled "The Key and the Lock", and I have retold that story many times as a testimony to God's influence on every aspect of our life. Well, God has given me a new story, and the setting of the story is the same; the Passion Play amphitheater. The activity is also the same; cleaning up after the previous night's performance. Friday morning as I was walking the rows and picking up "trash", I was remembering 2014 when I had found a number of $20 bills on the property. Whatever money I pick up, whether it is a penny or a twenty, or money I receive as a "tip" goes into the Passion Play donation box. In jest, I said, "Lord, let me find a twenty". Within a few minutes, in the next seating section I found a wallet wedged between the seat and back of a chair, a place I would not normally look.
There was plenty of identification and plenty of money in the wallet (nearly $200). I finished my clean-up and then looked through the wallet for a contact number and did find a cell number. I called, left a message and turned the wallet in at the ticket booth. About an hour later I checked with Ray and he told me the man had just come and picked up the wallet. Kiddingly, I asked Ray if the man had left a $20 donation as a "reward". No, he hadn't. But just then I looked over my shoulder and there was the man coming up to the box office. I recognized him from the picture I had seen on his VA identification card in his wallet. I thanked him for his military service, asked him if the VA was treating him well and we talked for a few more minutes. He explained that he was back at the Passion Play with his wife. They had been married in the chapel on the PP grounds, twenty years ago yesterday and were celebrating their anniversary by coming back to the Play. He thanked us for finding his wallet, handed Ray an envelope and left.
I looked at Ray and the unsealed envelope and said, "I bet there's a twenty in there for the Passion Play". I was wrong. There was a check for $250. God had answered my "prayer" and then some. Praise God for His faithfulness, His humor, and His ever-presence in every aspect and detail of our life, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem at the time. Thank you AWM from Georgia. And, Thank You, Lord, for a new "you're not going to believe this" story. You never cease to amaze me.
By the way, this morning the amphitheater yielded $2.60.
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Sunday, July 31, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
July 28, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Thursday-All Work and No Play
Today is the last Thursday Performance Day, except for October 13th. Our schedule will now have one less "play day" per week, but that means one more work day, a day to work on projects which set the stage for completing the season and making improvements for next year. We also will not have our Team Effort youth volunteers after this week to help us with painting, clean-up and other projects on the property. The season will look different and the heat of August is still to come. School will be getting back in session as we approach September and many of the younger members in our cast will "retire" from the play and the crowd scenes will be less crowded. Hard to believe we are into the second half of the season.
Our third year here has been different, with new responsibilities and a different work load and we feel we have experienced some positive changes which bode well for the future of the Passion Play. Yesterday we were able to make arrangements for my Heart Catheterization Procedure at the VA in Little Rock on August 9 & 10. That may have a profound impact on our roles here at TGPP and later at SLMI where we plan to return in November for our third winter. Not wanting to get too far ahead of ourselves, we just pray for good findings, good results and a good future. God has it all under control and we need to let Him guide us through it to the result He wants.
For now, we get ready for tonight's Play, telling the story of Jesus, and knowing that in all things, the best is yet to come, even if we know that next week we have to work where we once could play. It's all good...........because we work for, play for and serve a Good God.
Sent from my iPad
Our third year here has been different, with new responsibilities and a different work load and we feel we have experienced some positive changes which bode well for the future of the Passion Play. Yesterday we were able to make arrangements for my Heart Catheterization Procedure at the VA in Little Rock on August 9 & 10. That may have a profound impact on our roles here at TGPP and later at SLMI where we plan to return in November for our third winter. Not wanting to get too far ahead of ourselves, we just pray for good findings, good results and a good future. God has it all under control and we need to let Him guide us through it to the result He wants.
For now, we get ready for tonight's Play, telling the story of Jesus, and knowing that in all things, the best is yet to come, even if we know that next week we have to work where we once could play. It's all good...........because we work for, play for and serve a Good God.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, July 25, 2016
July 25, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Half Full, Half Empty
Last week was a hot, humid, no rain, tough week, but it did bring us to the half-way point of the 2016 Passion Play season. Forty-one performances down, forty-one performances to go. Yesterday it poured down rain while the sun was brightly shining; today it is not even 80 degrees and there are storms all around us threatening us with on-and-off rain and cooler temperatures all week. The change will be welcome......I think.
July has been rough weather-wise, and our performances schedule was the busiest month of the season. The crowds this year are up from last year and we have not lost any performance days to rain. Even though we're on the "downward" side of the season we still are optimistic that this year will be a good one, setting the stage for good years to come. Because August is usually the hottest month here, the schedule only calls for 10 performance days, and while that doesn't diminish the other work on the grounds, we do have a lighter performance schedule. That gives us some relief from the late nights and longer work days. There are half full and half empty aspects to everything in life and the Passion Play schedule is no different. Pluses and minuses.....all good and all in God's plan.
Sent from my iPad
July has been rough weather-wise, and our performances schedule was the busiest month of the season. The crowds this year are up from last year and we have not lost any performance days to rain. Even though we're on the "downward" side of the season we still are optimistic that this year will be a good one, setting the stage for good years to come. Because August is usually the hottest month here, the schedule only calls for 10 performance days, and while that doesn't diminish the other work on the grounds, we do have a lighter performance schedule. That gives us some relief from the late nights and longer work days. There are half full and half empty aspects to everything in life and the Passion Play schedule is no different. Pluses and minuses.....all good and all in God's plan.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, July 22, 2016
July 22, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Wandering in the Desert
Moses lived 120 years according to Scripture and 80 of those years he spent in the Deserts of the Sinai Peninsula or in the desert of Midian on the Arabian Peninsula. In either case Moses, after living 40 years in luxury in the palace of Pharoah in Egypt, was a wanderer and a desert-dweller until he died on Mount Nebo east of the Jordan River and short of reaching the Promised Land he had hoped to deliver the children of Israel to.
As I learn more about Moses' life and as we experience very hot and humid weather here in Arkansas, it strikes me that a lot of people are forced to endure very trying living conditions as they make their way through life. We are so fortunate to have the conveniences of modern life, yet are aware that many others live in very austere, uncomfortable and even dangerous conditions. How fortunate we are to live in "the palace" while so many today are wandering in a "desert" far from any form of luxury or comfort. It's sad to realize that we really have little to complain about compared to what most of the world now faces and what people have had to endure throughout history, and yet we find a host of things to gripe, moan and complain about. None of us is immune from self-pity and a woe-is-me mentality and yesterday I found myself joining in with that crowd as I wandered in my own personal desert of discomfort and nay-saying.
Get over it, Hal. Look in the mirror and see a blessed man in every aspect of his life; past, present and a future filled with Hope and the promises of a faithful and trustworthy God. The past has been pretty good......and the best is yet to come........even with a heat index of 110........
out the door and into the desert.
Sent from my iPad
As I learn more about Moses' life and as we experience very hot and humid weather here in Arkansas, it strikes me that a lot of people are forced to endure very trying living conditions as they make their way through life. We are so fortunate to have the conveniences of modern life, yet are aware that many others live in very austere, uncomfortable and even dangerous conditions. How fortunate we are to live in "the palace" while so many today are wandering in a "desert" far from any form of luxury or comfort. It's sad to realize that we really have little to complain about compared to what most of the world now faces and what people have had to endure throughout history, and yet we find a host of things to gripe, moan and complain about. None of us is immune from self-pity and a woe-is-me mentality and yesterday I found myself joining in with that crowd as I wandered in my own personal desert of discomfort and nay-saying.
Get over it, Hal. Look in the mirror and see a blessed man in every aspect of his life; past, present and a future filled with Hope and the promises of a faithful and trustworthy God. The past has been pretty good......and the best is yet to come........even with a heat index of 110........
out the door and into the desert.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
July 19, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. A Bump in the Road
I just haven't felt like everything was okay with me, healthwise. That was the reason for requesting the stress tests from the VA, and we finally have a cardiologist's opinion that I may have some blockage and should undergo a heart catheterization to see if there is a problem and where it may be. We hope to hear from the Little Rock VA in the next few days to schedule the procedure, and get whatever is wrong, fixed. I'm on board with Doctor and know this is the right course of action. God is still on the Throne.
I also need to get back on a regular exercise routine. Sometimes we get so busy with our "work" we don't realize that we are not exercising our heart, but just exercising our "stay busy" muscles. Karen and I are determined to have healthy physical hearts and bodies, as well as healthy spiritual hearts and bodies. There's still stuff to be done, and we need to be in "shape" to do it.
The week ahead is forecast to be very hot and muggy and I'm not talking about the Republican Convention. We need to be in prayer for the outside activities of our week here at the Passion Play as well as the events in our country and world. We seem to have had more than our share of bumps in the road and we need to step back, look at where we are headed with all the violence and contentious words and bring back some sanity to our relationships with each other and with God. We were not created to tear down and divide, but rather to build up and encourage.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for our activities and our well being. We are grateful that we have such good friends and family that we pray for, and who pray for us. We will press on with what God has called us to do and trust Him whole-"heart"-edly for the outcome. God is Good, all the time.
Sent from my iPad
I also need to get back on a regular exercise routine. Sometimes we get so busy with our "work" we don't realize that we are not exercising our heart, but just exercising our "stay busy" muscles. Karen and I are determined to have healthy physical hearts and bodies, as well as healthy spiritual hearts and bodies. There's still stuff to be done, and we need to be in "shape" to do it.
The week ahead is forecast to be very hot and muggy and I'm not talking about the Republican Convention. We need to be in prayer for the outside activities of our week here at the Passion Play as well as the events in our country and world. We seem to have had more than our share of bumps in the road and we need to step back, look at where we are headed with all the violence and contentious words and bring back some sanity to our relationships with each other and with God. We were not created to tear down and divide, but rather to build up and encourage.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for our activities and our well being. We are grateful that we have such good friends and family that we pray for, and who pray for us. We will press on with what God has called us to do and trust Him whole-"heart"-edly for the outcome. God is Good, all the time.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, July 16, 2016
July 16, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Testing What is Said
It's been a great experience being a presenter in The Holy Land here at the Great Passion Play. I have talked about Moses and his ministry of leading the Children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt as recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy by Moses himself. I have told the story as I knew it from my being raised as a Jew, and coming to Jesus at the age of 53. I intertwine my understanding of Judaism with my continuing growth as a Christ-follower, and try to relate to an audience of people who have mostly been raised in the church, know little about Judaism, having had no exposure to Judaism, as I had no exposure to The New Testament as a child.
It's interesting how many people think that because I was raised as a Jew I must have been born and raised in Israel. It's also interesting how much people expect me to know about Judaism and assume that I am a Biblical scholar or expert on the "Old Testament". It surprises them, and me, how often I say "I don't know" or "I don't remember anything like that", or "I'll have to look into that". I've enjoyed reading and re-reading what Moses wrote, exploring commentary on the Bible from both the Christian and Jewish perspective, and learning a lot from the people I have been presenting to. After reading, studying and testing what I have heard from others, I have been able to add some more elements to my presentation and challenged them to test what they hear from me. Scripture should be the final determinant about what is said, what we tell others and what we ultimately believe.
Be flexible, be teachable and be obedient to The Truth of God's Word and in all things be willing to be able to give up "the right to be right" and realize that our journey and growth is ongoing. My journey continues and there is so much more for this "completed Jew" to finish before I get to hear the "well done" I so wish to hear. Thank You, Lord for the journey so far. We press on.
Sent from my iPad
It's interesting how many people think that because I was raised as a Jew I must have been born and raised in Israel. It's also interesting how much people expect me to know about Judaism and assume that I am a Biblical scholar or expert on the "Old Testament". It surprises them, and me, how often I say "I don't know" or "I don't remember anything like that", or "I'll have to look into that". I've enjoyed reading and re-reading what Moses wrote, exploring commentary on the Bible from both the Christian and Jewish perspective, and learning a lot from the people I have been presenting to. After reading, studying and testing what I have heard from others, I have been able to add some more elements to my presentation and challenged them to test what they hear from me. Scripture should be the final determinant about what is said, what we tell others and what we ultimately believe.
Be flexible, be teachable and be obedient to The Truth of God's Word and in all things be willing to be able to give up "the right to be right" and realize that our journey and growth is ongoing. My journey continues and there is so much more for this "completed Jew" to finish before I get to hear the "well done" I so wish to hear. Thank You, Lord for the journey so far. We press on.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
July 13, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. The VA
Karen and I went back to Colorado and Wyoming for our annual medical checkups in late May and early June. There were some questions about my two stress tests and I was unable to get an appointment with a cardiologist while we were there. We were, however, able to get enrolled in the Fayetteville , Arkansas VA so that I could be assigned a primary care doc as well as a cardiologist consult. Today we met my primary care physician, his support staff and will see the cardiologist next Monday.
I can not say enough good things about the way we have been treated by the VA over the past seven years. They have given me exceptional care, all the tests and procedures I have needed, every medication for every condition and all at no cost to us. It's unfortunate that I had to spend 13 1/2 months in Vietnam, be exposed to Agent Orange, have a heart attack and two stents for blockages of 99 and 95 percent, but blessings come in strange packages and I do not look back at these "problems" in anything but a positive way. Our life has been changed by the events of the past seven years, but when we look at so many who have far worse physical, emotional and financial situations than us, we can do nothing but praise God for His provision, His grace and His love. We are abundantly blessed.
I have great respect and empathy for the many veterans we encounter in the VA Medical facilities or as we meet them where we volunteer, in the stores, restaurants or elsewhere, and we always try to make sure they are receiving the care they are entitled to. No one should feel neglected when it comes to the benefits they have earned by their service to America. That's what led us to the Ministry of Miles and all that has resulted from our nearly three year "road trip".
Thank you Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you for your service to those who served us over the years through their military commitments. And, thank You, Lord for a plan so much bigger than any we could have conceived or put into effect. All praise, honor and glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Awesome God........Awesome God.
Sent from my iPad
I can not say enough good things about the way we have been treated by the VA over the past seven years. They have given me exceptional care, all the tests and procedures I have needed, every medication for every condition and all at no cost to us. It's unfortunate that I had to spend 13 1/2 months in Vietnam, be exposed to Agent Orange, have a heart attack and two stents for blockages of 99 and 95 percent, but blessings come in strange packages and I do not look back at these "problems" in anything but a positive way. Our life has been changed by the events of the past seven years, but when we look at so many who have far worse physical, emotional and financial situations than us, we can do nothing but praise God for His provision, His grace and His love. We are abundantly blessed.
I have great respect and empathy for the many veterans we encounter in the VA Medical facilities or as we meet them where we volunteer, in the stores, restaurants or elsewhere, and we always try to make sure they are receiving the care they are entitled to. No one should feel neglected when it comes to the benefits they have earned by their service to America. That's what led us to the Ministry of Miles and all that has resulted from our nearly three year "road trip".
Thank you Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you for your service to those who served us over the years through their military commitments. And, thank You, Lord for a plan so much bigger than any we could have conceived or put into effect. All praise, honor and glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Awesome God........Awesome God.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, July 10, 2016
July 10, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Too Much to Say.........
....and sometimes we say too much. One of my devotionals today spoke to the topic of being careful about the words we use and the message we are conveying with our actions. "Our Daily Bread" tells us that "Our old tongue must go away. The only way to learn the new language of (God's) love is by making Jesus the Lord of our speech. When the Holy Spirit works in us, He gives us self-control to speak words that please the Father." We are to surrender every word to Him, guard our mouth and the words which come out of it.
If I had read yesterday morning what I read today, it would have given me a prediction of what I was going to face yesterday as I gave my Holy Land Tour presentation to the very first group of the day. It's difficult to explain the whole incident in a brief post, but suffice it to say that someone interpreted what I said in a way which led him to make an inappropriate comment to the group of about 50 people. My response was to clarify what I had said, and continue on. No one seemed to be offended or upset. About two hours later, the man who had made the comment, came back past my location, explained why he made the comment he did, apologized for it and hoped I was not offended. I hadn't even thought about the incident after it happened, but it was obvious he felt the need to explain his remark and have some confirmation that there were no "hard feelings" on my part. I think we both are okay with the result of our second meeting.
But the point of all this is that sometimes we speak before we think about the words we are going to use. We react without considering that words are powerful and once spoken are impossible to take back, and those words may lead to unintended consequences.
Uh oh.......I better close this post. We just had a mouse invasion. I went to get the mouse repellent and broke the lock on the storage bin. Karen is beginning the disinfecting procedure of the areas affected...... and we both need to practice what I just wrote about. In all of this.......God is still in control.
Sent from my iPad
If I had read yesterday morning what I read today, it would have given me a prediction of what I was going to face yesterday as I gave my Holy Land Tour presentation to the very first group of the day. It's difficult to explain the whole incident in a brief post, but suffice it to say that someone interpreted what I said in a way which led him to make an inappropriate comment to the group of about 50 people. My response was to clarify what I had said, and continue on. No one seemed to be offended or upset. About two hours later, the man who had made the comment, came back past my location, explained why he made the comment he did, apologized for it and hoped I was not offended. I hadn't even thought about the incident after it happened, but it was obvious he felt the need to explain his remark and have some confirmation that there were no "hard feelings" on my part. I think we both are okay with the result of our second meeting.
But the point of all this is that sometimes we speak before we think about the words we are going to use. We react without considering that words are powerful and once spoken are impossible to take back, and those words may lead to unintended consequences.
Uh oh.......I better close this post. We just had a mouse invasion. I went to get the mouse repellent and broke the lock on the storage bin. Karen is beginning the disinfecting procedure of the areas affected...... and we both need to practice what I just wrote about. In all of this.......God is still in control.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, July 7, 2016
July 7, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Who Do You Believe?
As we approach the political conventions and the upcoming election for President and other public officials, it's also time to reevaluate our entire trust and belief agenda. Which medicine should we take, or have we already taken one that a lawyer on television is urging us to join their class-action suit? Is there one car which really is the best or do they all have defective air-bags, ignition systems and recalls which haven't been communicated to us? Are we supposed to believe the CDC and International Health Organization or do we rely on the Hollywood actress as our medical expert on communicable diseases?
Every day, and at every decision point we have to decide what information is reliable and who we can depend on as our "expert witness". My training in Law School and subsequent non-career as a lawyer gave me a jaundiced view of not only the legal profession, but many aspects of my life and the people I chose to ally myself with. To say I am a skeptic, suspicious and maybe even paranoid is not far from the truth. That I have chosen to be a Christian, believe in Jesus Christ and spend my life in volunteer ministry for the past 17 years, defies logic, would astonish many who knew me "back then", and yet gives me a peace beyond any I have ever known.
Who do I believe? The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, their control of my life and the life I share with Karen, the direction they have taken us and the future they have promised those of us who are obedient to their call. It may not make sense to some, but it makes sense to me.........and that is sufficient. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Every day, and at every decision point we have to decide what information is reliable and who we can depend on as our "expert witness". My training in Law School and subsequent non-career as a lawyer gave me a jaundiced view of not only the legal profession, but many aspects of my life and the people I chose to ally myself with. To say I am a skeptic, suspicious and maybe even paranoid is not far from the truth. That I have chosen to be a Christian, believe in Jesus Christ and spend my life in volunteer ministry for the past 17 years, defies logic, would astonish many who knew me "back then", and yet gives me a peace beyond any I have ever known.
Who do I believe? The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, their control of my life and the life I share with Karen, the direction they have taken us and the future they have promised those of us who are obedient to their call. It may not make sense to some, but it makes sense to me.........and that is sufficient. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, July 4, 2016
July 4, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Rain
The past two mornings it has poured down rain in massive amounts. It seems to come in waves; torrents at one moment and then nothing the next. Our county is under a flash flood warning and some low areas will definitely be "riverized". Where we are, about ten feet from the highest point on Magnetic Mountain, we see most of the water flowing away from us, but we also have the lightening to contend with. Weather is always a concern, particularly when the radar map looks like a bad case of shingles.
We haven't had a lot of rain so far this season, with no performances lost to the weather and only a few minor sprinkles during the Play itself. Last year the weather cost us six cancellations and kept people away on days that were threatening. With outdoor theater, lost days are not "do overs". Lost is lost. Fortunately, the rain yesterday and today comes on rest days, so nothing has been affected and the plants and flowers have been naturally watered.
The forecast for the rest of the day is for good weather and the week ahead looks good, as well. We'll have some extra work to do to reposition rocks and soil off sidewalks and mop up some soggy spots, but hopefully nothing that requires the heavy equipment. Many places in the country have had major issues with flooding, lives lost and property badly damaged. We have been praying for those people and feel fortunate to escape the weather extremes. In all these situations we know there is a bigger plan and a faithful God to trust.
By the way, Happy Birthday America.
Sent from my iPad
We haven't had a lot of rain so far this season, with no performances lost to the weather and only a few minor sprinkles during the Play itself. Last year the weather cost us six cancellations and kept people away on days that were threatening. With outdoor theater, lost days are not "do overs". Lost is lost. Fortunately, the rain yesterday and today comes on rest days, so nothing has been affected and the plants and flowers have been naturally watered.
The forecast for the rest of the day is for good weather and the week ahead looks good, as well. We'll have some extra work to do to reposition rocks and soil off sidewalks and mop up some soggy spots, but hopefully nothing that requires the heavy equipment. Many places in the country have had major issues with flooding, lives lost and property badly damaged. We have been praying for those people and feel fortunate to escape the weather extremes. In all these situations we know there is a bigger plan and a faithful God to trust.
By the way, Happy Birthday America.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, July 1, 2016
July 1, 2016. Eureka Springs, AR. Moses
One of the perks of volunteering at the Passion Play is being able to see some of the shows up the road in Branson. There are reciprocal agreements with theaters there, allowing us to see the shows at reduced prices or even for free. One show which lets us in free is Moses, at the Sight and Sound Theater. Wednesday, we were also able to go behind the scenes before the show and see some of the areas not usually accessible to the general public. All in all it was a very enjoyable day, a well done performance and a good change of pace for us.
I was curious to see how Moses was portrayed since I have been a "Moses-impersonator" in our Holy Land and wanted to see if there was anything I could glean from their show to use in my presentation. The more I read, listen to others, and find the needs of the audience, the better I can convey not only Moses' story, but the Gospel message and my own experience growing up as a Jew without benefit of the New Testament. The more curious I am, and the more I satisfy that curiosity, the more I can put myself into Moses' skin as I tell his story and my own.
I'm really enjoying the "Moses experience", and look forward to what more will be revealed to me in this new Passion Play opportunity. We're never too old to grow and mature in our spiritual journey and our walk with The Lord. Thank You, Lord, for an open and willing heart and a life surrendered to You.
Sent from my iPad
I was curious to see how Moses was portrayed since I have been a "Moses-impersonator" in our Holy Land and wanted to see if there was anything I could glean from their show to use in my presentation. The more I read, listen to others, and find the needs of the audience, the better I can convey not only Moses' story, but the Gospel message and my own experience growing up as a Jew without benefit of the New Testament. The more curious I am, and the more I satisfy that curiosity, the more I can put myself into Moses' skin as I tell his story and my own.
I'm really enjoying the "Moses experience", and look forward to what more will be revealed to me in this new Passion Play opportunity. We're never too old to grow and mature in our spiritual journey and our walk with The Lord. Thank You, Lord, for an open and willing heart and a life surrendered to You.
Sent from my iPad
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