As much as we each want to help others overcome difficulties in their life, we can't help everyone or solve every problem. We are prevented from doing so by time, resources, physical restrictions, usable skills and a host of other limitations. We choose where to spend our efforts, time and resources, but often we are a grain of sand on the beach, and feel helpless when we see the overwhelming needs of those who face unimaginable physical challenges or are impacted by accidents, natural disasters or crimes perpetrated against them.
The Evening News tugs at our hearts, the commercials plead for funds for a variety of causes and our church prayer lists are full of friends and family with health issues, loss of loved ones or financial needs which are beyond our ability to resolve. Our own needs and necessities seem insignificant in the larger picture, but they, too, weigh on us and cause us to wonder how they will be resolved.
We can't fix it all. But, God can, and we pray for His hand on each situation, for His will to be done in each and every circumstance. And, we trust that He will, in His timing, bring comfort and peace in each circumstance and show, once again, His control over everything we and others are facing. We pick and choose where we spend our time and resources, but we should never abandon Prayer and the hope and trust in God as our protector and provider and His desire to see His creation return to Him and His Kingdom.
As hard as it is to be "up", to see the glass half full, to look beyond the pain and sorrow of the moment to a brighter tomorrow, we need to pick the battle of faith, trust, belief and hope in the Three in One who have seen us through so much and will see us through so much more. Thank You......Thank You.....Thank You.
Sent from my iPad
.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Saturday, August 26, 2017
A Cute Picture from the PassionPlay
As we prepare to open our Noah's Ark Park Petting Zoo next weekend, here are a family of feral cats which will probably find their way into the menagerie of animals we have gathered for the "voyage".
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
August 23, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. Leaves
For the past three years we have volunteered at Source of Light Ministries in Madison, GA. One of my duties there has been to collect the fallen leaves and build a mountain. When we return there after the Passion Play season, the mountain has disappeared and I begin to build a new one. I have often wondered how many leaves it takes to make such a mountain.
Today, Karen and I drove to the VA in Fayetteville. As we drove through the rural countryside, we remarked how green it was, how many trees there were and how many leaves there must be on each tree. That piqued my curiosity, and I took to Google to see if there was some estimate somewhere of how many trees and how many leaves there are in the world. According to one site; NPR estimates there are 400 Trillion (400,000,000,000) trees on earth with an average of 3.2 million (3,200,000) leaves per tree for an estimated total of 1.28 x 10 to the 18th power (1,280,000,000,000,000,000) or 1 quintrillion, two hundred and eighty quadrillion leaves.
That's a LOT of leaves........makes today's Lottery drawing look like chump change.
Sent from my iPad
Today, Karen and I drove to the VA in Fayetteville. As we drove through the rural countryside, we remarked how green it was, how many trees there were and how many leaves there must be on each tree. That piqued my curiosity, and I took to Google to see if there was some estimate somewhere of how many trees and how many leaves there are in the world. According to one site; NPR estimates there are 400 Trillion (400,000,000,000) trees on earth with an average of 3.2 million (3,200,000) leaves per tree for an estimated total of 1.28 x 10 to the 18th power (1,280,000,000,000,000,000) or 1 quintrillion, two hundred and eighty quadrillion leaves.
That's a LOT of leaves........makes today's Lottery drawing look like chump change.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, August 20, 2017
August 20, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. A Day Off
We haven't taken much time off from our Passion Play duties this season. There is always something which needs to be done, a task which needs to be completed, people to talk to, stuff which won't get done because there isn't someone else who realizes it needs to done, and a host of other things which keep us close to "home".
But today, Jerry and Renee and Karen and I decided we needed to get away, help them celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary and just have a day off. So, we went to church, drove to Branson, had a leisurely lunch, went to a variety show with magic, singing, dancing, acrobatics, comedy and a patriotic finale, ate ice cream, and came home to our Passion Play home. We spent a few minutes feeding our petting zoo animals and are settled into our separate motor homes for the night.
It was good to get away. We met some nice people, weren't in any rush to do what we did do, laughed a lot, talked about the four years we've known each other, and some of our plans for the next few months. It was a good day. Tomorrow I will do the things I would normally have done today, knowing that no one else would have thought to do them, and that's okay, because they could wait to be done a day late. We all need a break from what has been a labor intensive season. A lot has been accomplished, with a lot still to do, but it remains a blessing to be where we are, doing what we do, knowing that God has it all under control and has a plan B, plan C, and a lot of other plans, when we decide to take a day off. Thank You, Lord, for the break.
Sent from my iPad
But today, Jerry and Renee and Karen and I decided we needed to get away, help them celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary and just have a day off. So, we went to church, drove to Branson, had a leisurely lunch, went to a variety show with magic, singing, dancing, acrobatics, comedy and a patriotic finale, ate ice cream, and came home to our Passion Play home. We spent a few minutes feeding our petting zoo animals and are settled into our separate motor homes for the night.
It was good to get away. We met some nice people, weren't in any rush to do what we did do, laughed a lot, talked about the four years we've known each other, and some of our plans for the next few months. It was a good day. Tomorrow I will do the things I would normally have done today, knowing that no one else would have thought to do them, and that's okay, because they could wait to be done a day late. We all need a break from what has been a labor intensive season. A lot has been accomplished, with a lot still to do, but it remains a blessing to be where we are, doing what we do, knowing that God has it all under control and has a plan B, plan C, and a lot of other plans, when we decide to take a day off. Thank You, Lord, for the break.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, August 17, 2017
August 17, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. The Rest of the Story
As I finished my last blog, I felt good, was looking forward to taking a shower and relaxing in front of the TV with my usual Monday night show, American Ninja Warrior. As I got set to hop Into the shower, I turned on the bathroom light and noticed that there was no light illuminated. That is not a good thing, since it means something has gone wrong with our house batteries, our inverter or some other system of the RV which I don't really understand. A quick check of the four house batteries, revealed a cable so badly corroded, it had separated from the battery connection. That's not a good thing. We faced the prospect of no lights, no air conditioning, no generator to provide alternate power, no Ninja Warrior and who knows what else.
A quick call to Bryan, our RV mobile repairman, had him here within the hour and he was able to diagnose the problem, solve the problem and get the lights back on, restart the inverter, and give us some pointers on how to keep a similar problem from reoccurring. I was able to enjoy the last 15 minutes of my Ninja addiction, had a nice shower and was grateful for Bryan being nearby and willing to help us thru our ordeal. God is certainly watching out for us and we thank Him every day for His protection, provision and faithfulness. Thank You, Lord.
To the shower.
Sent from my iPad
A quick call to Bryan, our RV mobile repairman, had him here within the hour and he was able to diagnose the problem, solve the problem and get the lights back on, restart the inverter, and give us some pointers on how to keep a similar problem from reoccurring. I was able to enjoy the last 15 minutes of my Ninja addiction, had a nice shower and was grateful for Bryan being nearby and willing to help us thru our ordeal. God is certainly watching out for us and we thank Him every day for His protection, provision and faithfulness. Thank You, Lord.
To the shower.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. August
August is supposed to be the hottest month of the year in Eureka Springs. Temperatures are supposed to be in the mid to upper 90's with humidity to match. At this moment (4:40pm) the sun has finally found it's way thru the clouds, the temperature is the highest (75 degrees) of the day and it is far from uncomfortable. August, so far has been absolutely beautiful, weather-wise, and our play schedule of only two performance days per week for the next two weeks gives us a chance to kick back a little, enjoy the mild weather and rest up for September and October and three performance days each week after Labor Day.
Last year, August was mild, too. Our first two years here, August was pretty hot, with one of those years bringing the ladybug onslaught which caused us grief here and for our entire time in Georgia that winter. It's still hard to believe we have been "on the road" since December, 2013. We have felt comfortable with the places God has taken us, the ministries He has placed us in and the places we have called "home" since leaving our Colorado home. We said yes to a different life style; yes to an uncertain travel schedule; yes to His plan when we didn't really have a plan of our own; and we have never second-guessed what the results have been. We continue to trust, obey and follow HIM, thank Him for each day, each opportunity and.......the August He is blessing us with.
Sent from my iPad
Last year, August was mild, too. Our first two years here, August was pretty hot, with one of those years bringing the ladybug onslaught which caused us grief here and for our entire time in Georgia that winter. It's still hard to believe we have been "on the road" since December, 2013. We have felt comfortable with the places God has taken us, the ministries He has placed us in and the places we have called "home" since leaving our Colorado home. We said yes to a different life style; yes to an uncertain travel schedule; yes to His plan when we didn't really have a plan of our own; and we have never second-guessed what the results have been. We continue to trust, obey and follow HIM, thank Him for each day, each opportunity and.......the August He is blessing us with.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, August 11, 2017
August 11, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. The Zoo
The Great Passion Play has always had animals as part of the "cast" for the play; horses to ride and pull Pilate's chariot, camels, donkeys, sheep and doves (white homing pigeons) and this year a Pharoah Hound for Pilate's Porch. The animals add to the production and also the unpredictableness of working with animals and young children.
Last year the idea for a petting zoo was floated out, and work began to create an area which would house animals which were not part of the play, but would become a petting zoo outside the entrance to our Holy Land Tour area. And so, the idea began to take shape with enclosures, watering troughs, decorative rocks, plants and shelters for the animals. It took a lot of people, a lot of work and stick-to-it-ivness, and donations of animals, but the Noah's Ark Park Petting Zoo is now a reality. It has become home to Buddy the Llama, Simon the Wool Sheep, Cinnamon the Pigmy Goat, a number of sheep and lambs, butterball turkeys, Rhode Island Red Hens, Muskogee Ducks, two miniature horses with more animals expected Sunday afternoon.
It has been fun having this new addition to TGPP and even the groundhogs and feral cats have made our new animals feel welcome. Our visitors have enjoyed the attraction, the PP workers will need to sign on for feeding and clean up duties, but it's nice to know we won't have to worry about mowing the enclosures any more since the animals keep the entire area closely trimmed. I'll post some pictures soon.
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Noah and his family.
Sent from my iPad
Last year the idea for a petting zoo was floated out, and work began to create an area which would house animals which were not part of the play, but would become a petting zoo outside the entrance to our Holy Land Tour area. And so, the idea began to take shape with enclosures, watering troughs, decorative rocks, plants and shelters for the animals. It took a lot of people, a lot of work and stick-to-it-ivness, and donations of animals, but the Noah's Ark Park Petting Zoo is now a reality. It has become home to Buddy the Llama, Simon the Wool Sheep, Cinnamon the Pigmy Goat, a number of sheep and lambs, butterball turkeys, Rhode Island Red Hens, Muskogee Ducks, two miniature horses with more animals expected Sunday afternoon.
It has been fun having this new addition to TGPP and even the groundhogs and feral cats have made our new animals feel welcome. Our visitors have enjoyed the attraction, the PP workers will need to sign on for feeding and clean up duties, but it's nice to know we won't have to worry about mowing the enclosures any more since the animals keep the entire area closely trimmed. I'll post some pictures soon.
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Noah and his family.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
August 8, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. A Day Late
Time slipped past me and I forgot to blog yesterday, so here we are.....a day late. It's not like I have to write every third day, it's just a routine I have gotten into. I don't have a deadline like a columnist or a commitment to a magazine or a publisher. I just got into a routine, or to shorten the word.....a rut. That happens to a lot of us. We call it a habit, or a schedule, or a regimen......a rut.
I wonder how many regular readers of this blog, looked for the posting yesterday evening or this morning and found it not there. I hope I didn't upset your routine, habit, schedule, regimen.....or rut. Anyway, here it is.......a day late.
Last Friday, we had a record attendance for the year. Our final numbers were 411 for the Holy Land, 560 for the Buffet and 1072 for the Play. It was a good day, and one which encourages us to continue to make property improvements, seek to attract a younger audience, welcome return visitors, maintain the integrity of our message and preach Jesus to our community and our world.
Thanks for checking up on us today. I'm not sure if I'll blog in two days to get back on "schedule" or just stay on an every-three-day "schedule" from today. When I decide to write again, you'll be the first to know. See you .......whenever.
Sent from my iPad
I wonder how many regular readers of this blog, looked for the posting yesterday evening or this morning and found it not there. I hope I didn't upset your routine, habit, schedule, regimen.....or rut. Anyway, here it is.......a day late.
Last Friday, we had a record attendance for the year. Our final numbers were 411 for the Holy Land, 560 for the Buffet and 1072 for the Play. It was a good day, and one which encourages us to continue to make property improvements, seek to attract a younger audience, welcome return visitors, maintain the integrity of our message and preach Jesus to our community and our world.
Thanks for checking up on us today. I'm not sure if I'll blog in two days to get back on "schedule" or just stay on an every-three-day "schedule" from today. When I decide to write again, you'll be the first to know. See you .......whenever.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, August 4, 2017
August 4, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. Never Say Never
On Tuesday we were told that the Holy Land Tour would be having 400 visitors today(Friday), we would be one bus driver and one presenter short and that 190 of those 400 would be arriving at the same time. Figuring our bus capacity and the usual logistics of "people moving" it was the unanimous opinion that "it can't be done".
Later, the estimate was reduced to 220 for the day, and it elicited a collective sigh of relief. As the day dawned today, it seemed that the lower number would prevail, and things were going very smoothly, until we heard that a group of 156 was still expected and it was nearing the 4pm cut-off time. Just at 4pm three busses arrived and it was time to see it we could really "git er done" and accommodate our visitors. As of the moment, it is getting done, the final number for the Holy Land appears to be 399 and once again, we have been impressed by God's ability to not give us more than we can handle. Nothing is impossible if we include God in OUR plan, so it appears that with God's presence at TGPP today our Holy Land Tour number is not 399 but 400, the number HE originally gave us. Never Say Never...........and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Later, the estimate was reduced to 220 for the day, and it elicited a collective sigh of relief. As the day dawned today, it seemed that the lower number would prevail, and things were going very smoothly, until we heard that a group of 156 was still expected and it was nearing the 4pm cut-off time. Just at 4pm three busses arrived and it was time to see it we could really "git er done" and accommodate our visitors. As of the moment, it is getting done, the final number for the Holy Land appears to be 399 and once again, we have been impressed by God's ability to not give us more than we can handle. Nothing is impossible if we include God in OUR plan, so it appears that with God's presence at TGPP today our Holy Land Tour number is not 399 but 400, the number HE originally gave us. Never Say Never...........and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
August 1, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. A Matter of Perspective
The Bible relates many events which happened on "the mountain". Mount Ararat, Mount Sinai, Mount Carmel, Mount Moriah, Mount Nebo, Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, Sermon on the Mount, Mount of Transfiguration, Mount Calvary and a host of other well known and lesser known mountains. We often seek that "mountaintop experience" when life gets a little hectic and we need to get away on a Retreat, a quiet place nearer to God or just a place to escape and be renewed or refreshed.
The Great Passion Play is a mountaintop experience for many since we are located on Magnetic Mountain outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Most of our guests come here to get closer to God, to hear, once more, the familiar story of Jesus' last week of earthly ministry, to use this venue as a mission trip destination to serve God through their labor, or even come to a faith they have never known before. But for the regular.workers and volunteers at TGPP, it is our valley where we do the nuts and bolts tasks of ministry, the mundane tasks of being a servant, the cleaning up of others' messes, doing whatever it takes (my last blog) and coming back tomorrow to do it all again.
Not every mountaintop generates a mountaintop experience and not every valley is in the valley. But we can all be blessed by what we have been called to do, minister to others and be ministered to at the same time. Where we are "elevationally" is not the determining factor for the mountaintop or valley, because no matter where we are, God is always there, too, if we just put Him and His plan ahead of our own.
Blessings come in many forms; the newly arrived animals in our petting zoo, a thank you from a guest we escorted on a Holy Land Tour, a different interpretation of a verse of scripture which causes us to reread, study and meditate on that verse, four newly born birds nesting in a fern we water every evening, a beautiful sunset or a welcome change in the temperature after weeks of heat and high humidity. A matter of perspective - seeing God in everything and knowing it is meant to encourage us to greater trust, belief and faith in Him. As I ended my last blog..........God Is Good.
Sent from my iPad
The Great Passion Play is a mountaintop experience for many since we are located on Magnetic Mountain outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Most of our guests come here to get closer to God, to hear, once more, the familiar story of Jesus' last week of earthly ministry, to use this venue as a mission trip destination to serve God through their labor, or even come to a faith they have never known before. But for the regular.workers and volunteers at TGPP, it is our valley where we do the nuts and bolts tasks of ministry, the mundane tasks of being a servant, the cleaning up of others' messes, doing whatever it takes (my last blog) and coming back tomorrow to do it all again.
Not every mountaintop generates a mountaintop experience and not every valley is in the valley. But we can all be blessed by what we have been called to do, minister to others and be ministered to at the same time. Where we are "elevationally" is not the determining factor for the mountaintop or valley, because no matter where we are, God is always there, too, if we just put Him and His plan ahead of our own.
Blessings come in many forms; the newly arrived animals in our petting zoo, a thank you from a guest we escorted on a Holy Land Tour, a different interpretation of a verse of scripture which causes us to reread, study and meditate on that verse, four newly born birds nesting in a fern we water every evening, a beautiful sunset or a welcome change in the temperature after weeks of heat and high humidity. A matter of perspective - seeing God in everything and knowing it is meant to encourage us to greater trust, belief and faith in Him. As I ended my last blog..........God Is Good.
Sent from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)