Miles -what it means

.

Hand of GOD
"Hand of GOD"                                                                                                                                                  

Saturday, March 31, 2018

March 31, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Busy, Busy

As we finish March, we have a month and four days before we start the 50th season of The Great Passion Play. There is so much to do, it seems impossible to get it all accomplished in time, but we have faced the same situation each year we have been here, and .......ready or not.....here we come. In addition to the work, there have been a lot of other things going on, and still to go on this weekend.
Thursday we went to Rogers, AR and saw the movie "I Can Only Imagine" and while it was very good, the highlight might have been the theater, in which all the seats were recliners. After our winter in Texas and watching movies every night, and having recliners to sit in, it was a major surprise to be in a theater where all the seats were leather recliners. Never have seen that before. Pretty cush. Last night we attended a Messianic Seder, and I had the opportunity to blow the shofar and tell a little about my Jewish upbringing. Last night was a full moon and the second full moon of the month.
Today there is a major Easter Egg Hunt on the PP grounds, put on by a local church here in Eureka Springs. Big Crowd. Today is also the first day of Passover, tomorrow is Easter with a Sunrise Service here at the PP and regular church after that at the church where we attended the Seder. It's Final Four Weekend, which I have completely ignored and tomorrow is also April Fool's Day which I hope will ignore me.
Lots of stuff. But the most important is the "reason for the season". HE IS RISEN. All else pales in comparison. All else is to be given its proper place in the order of things, but Jesus is reserved for the top spot and when we understand it, and live it........life is good. Thank You, Lord.
Happy Easter.

Sent from my iPad

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

March 28, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Pray For The Play

God has blessed The Great Passion Play and its associated ministry activities for over 50 years. More than 7.8 million people have seen the Play and many more thousands, even millions, have seen the Christ of the Ozarks statue since it was completed in 1966. The Play has been a major factor in the growth of Eureka Springs and its tourist industry. Without the Play, ES would still be a sleepy town and possibly not a town at all. In addition, many people have come to faith in Jesus Christ as a result of seeds planted by the Play and the impact of the message of the Gospel which the Play presents.
The Play has had its ups and downs. From over 300,000 attendees per season to attendance under 50,000 per season, the Play has weathered a lot of financial and spiritual battles, political pressures and times of less than ideal management. There have been loyal employees and those who might have had less than the purest of motives. But, in spite of all that has happened, the Play has survived and there is always a sense of optimism as each new season looms before it. There are many needs each year, many challenges and much prayer offered up to God for His will to be done here.
And, that is my prayer, and my request that you pray in a similar manner. That God, Who has shown favor to TGPP all these years, will continue to do the same in 2018. That God will provide the financial, material, equipment, vehicles, personnel and spiritual means necessary for His mission to be fulfilled, His message presented and received, and that all associated with TGPP will grow and mature in our faith, belief and trust in His Kingdom goals, now and for as long as He wills the Play to continue. Thank you for praying for our efforts, and Thank You, Lord, in advance for hearing and answering our prayers. In everything.......... LET YOUR WILL BE DONE.

Sent from my iPad

Sunday, March 25, 2018

March 25, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Radar

This isn't a blog about M.A.S.H. or Walter O'Reilly. Here at the Passion Play we are very conscious about weather, temperatures, storms on the way and anything else weather-related, With many of our activities outside, it's important to dress properly, plan our construction projects and anticipate severe weather or any changes in the weather from moment to moment.
Last year we had a number of stucco, concrete or other outside projects that were impacted by rain and sever weather and already this year we have had high winds which damaged our Tabernacle and will necessitate some expensive and time-consuming repairs. Right now we have a fairly large storm coming at us from the west and the prospects are for storms, some severe, for the entire week. Most of us have a radar app on our phones and we refer to it often.
From May to October, when the Play is performed outside, we are always watching the radar and weather forecasts, as are most of our visitors. Last year we were fortunate to only "lose" one performance to the rain, but did have to stop another performance just as Jesus was about to be crucified. The lightening was too close for comfort. The year before we had to cancel 5 or 6 performances, which was a substantial hit to the bottom line. And so, even with the start of the season still over a month away, we watch the colors on our phones in order to gauge our work schedules and get done what has to be done to be ready when the performance schedule begins.
Not too much we can do when the weather isn't favorable, except find indoor tasks to do, realize that the moisture is necessary to nourish the trees, plants, fill the reservoirs and bring out the flowers, blossoms, leaves and colors which make this areas such a pretty place to spend our time working for The Lord and advancing His Kingdom. Thank You, Lord for providing all our needs, protecting us in the storms and guiding us through this life to a place where weather will be ideal, as will everything else..........all the time, for all time.

Sent from my iPad

Thursday, March 22, 2018

March 22, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Blog Freeze

I decided to stop work a little earlier today in order to blog earlier than I have have the past few times. I've been sitting in the motor home for the past 45 minutes trying to think of what to write, and even though it has been a warm, pleasant day, I have been ice cold on what to write. We have had a busy week with lots of people and lots of projects and there has been quite a bit of progress made. Karen has been recovering from a case of the golly-wobbles, and has been working a little more each day, but eating very little, and when she does eat it is very mild and very little of it. She has been making plans for her annual medical appointments back in Colorado and a quick trip to Utah for Aunt Nedra's 95th birthday.
I am feeling better from my recent "going" issues and with a change in diet and medication I have more energy to start the day, but do poop out (no pun intended) earlier in the day, so one of the reasons I stopped earlier to blog. But, other than better health, warmer weather and more time to think and expound on something, I still have nothing substantial to say. Thanks for checking on us. We are praying for our friends and family, many of whom are facing some tough issues and challenges to their faith and their life circumstances. We thank you for praying for us as we prepare for the new season here in Eureka Springs. It's fun to be part of such an outreach, telling the story of Jesus and the Good News of His Resurrected Life in us. I guess I came up with something substantial, after all.
Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity.

Sent from my iPad

Monday, March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Whoosh

That's how fast the day went by today. There was so much activity, so many people racing around working on such a wide variety of projects, and before you could sit down to take a break, it was time to pack it in for the day and watch others fly by still working at their own tasks. We have so many irons in the fire here at the a Passion Play, I don't know how anyone gets where they need to be to do what they have to do. My transportation was appropriated while I was between tasks and I had to reappropriate it to finish my duties while they had to find other means to get back to their working location. Golf carts were flying all over the place with some breaking down and needing assistance. A tractor broke down, Tim was constantly on call for broken down equipment, and my transportation, later re-re-appropriated had to be rescued when it would not start at the far end of the Holy Land.
There is a movie being shot here this week, and while filming is at one location, two others are being readied for shooting over the next few days. The Tabernacle in our Holy Land, which was damaged by winter weather and recent high winds, is being partially dismantled to prepared for new coverings and an exterior curtain, while a water leak just west of the outer curtain was being repaired, with sand brought in to fill the fifty foot ditch which was dug over the weekend. More sand was hauled into the Marketplace and spread out to cover the asphalt areas not previously covered with chocolate rock and flagstone. A hut-like structure was brought from the Holy Land to the Marketplace and repaired to be reedy for tomorrow's movie shoot. Holy Land bus tours were conducted at 10am and 2pm while the filming was being done and the Tabernacle was having repairs done to it. The bike trail crew which has been here for over a month was working all over the property blazing new trail. Campers on Mission were working on a number of projects, while a Youth Group from Kellyville, AR was also at work and some of our regular volunteers were raking and burning leaves on the PP set. There was stocking being done in the PP Gift Shop, a large number of people were visiting the Christ of the Ozarks statue, and the buffet was the site of everyone taking breaks and eating their meals, while other groups had to use a church up the road for lunch and dinner. And with so much going on, the work day is over, but some people are still at work.
I'm sure there are some frazzled people this evening, dismayed at how quickly the day went by, anticipating the work to be done tomorrow and hoping we make more progress forward then steps backward. In all of this, remember.........God has it all covered.......and no matter how slow or fast the day may go.......God has it all covered.......and His will WILL be done. I say it again and again...............THANK YOU, LORD.

Sent from my iPad

Friday, March 16, 2018

March 16, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Counting Down

Seven weeks from today, the 2018 Passion Play season will open. Karen and I have been here since February 22, working on a lot of projects which need to be completed so we can begin other projects which need to be completed before the season can begin. We do have visitors who come to see the Christ of the Ozarks statue, take on off-season Holy Tour or just visit our Bible Museum and one of our gift shops, but the real crowds will start on May 4th.
There are so many things to be done and while there have been a few volunteer groups over
the past few weeks, we will be having church groups, Campers on Mission, full season volunteers, returning employees, some newly hired people and donors of the PP showing up each week to help get the place up and running. With so many new projects, repairs for off-season damage, basic landscaping and clean-up, replacing those who have retired or moved from the area, there is no lack of things to do. In some cases we will need new managers, group leaders and vision-casters to do what we have done before or modify it to meet future needs. So much to do, and the clock is counting down.
But we have seen God at work already this year, as we have over the past four years, and in reality, for all the years of the PP since 1966. We know He has a plan and purpose for this ministry, and while we are counting down, we are also looking up, for His direction, guidance and the assurance that all that happens here will be for His pleasure, His glory and His Kingdom, now and forever. Thank You.......Thank You, Lord.



Sent from my iPad

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

March 13, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. One Of Those Days

Last night I slept as soundly I have in months and when Karen awakened me at 6am, I thought it was much later, DST and all. But she woke me because our bathroom floor had become an indoor swimming pool. We had run water overnight because we anticipated sub-freezing weather and didn't want our water system to freeze up. Unfortunately, I neglected to open the grey water tank valve, and our grey tank filled up, backed up into our shower and it overflowed onto the bathroom carpet.
Not only was our bathroom flooded, four bins down below had standing water and while we didn't lose much, it was the extra work which started my day on an unexpected note. Even with the windows open, heaters running and DampRid all around the bathroom area, we still have a damp carpet, and moist throw rugs and a runner which will need to be put in the sun again tomorrow.
I wasn't able to complete a project on the PP set because of a problem with the previously-mentioned Massey-Ferguson tractor and had to wrap it up with a good-old-fashioned shovel, bow rake and muscle power. When I sat down to blog three hours ago, I pushed a wrong button and ended up with only the last paragraph of what I had written. So, I try again. Same subject, but different words, and the hope that this post will "preach". The message is still the same. Things don't always go as we plan, but God has us covered, and with Him beside us, leading the way and watching our back, we are still blessed, and blessed abundantly.
We're expecting sub freezing weather again tonight, so I will make sure the grey tank valve is open, pray for another sound sleep and look forward to the next week of warm daytime temperatures and nighttime temps well into the 40's and above. Thank You, Lord for one of those days to be thankful, grateful and obedient.

Sent from my iPad

Saturday, March 10, 2018

March 10, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Full Circle

In 1999, a week after I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I attended a church picnic in a city park near our church building. There were all kinds of food, refreshments, games, music and other activities. One thing made a deep impression on me. It wasn't the horse drawn wagon carrying excited young people and their parents, but rather the smiling man, about my age, walking behind the wagon with shovel and a bucket, undoing what the horse was doing on the pavement. When I found out that the "picker-upper" was Don Massey, a deacon of the church, my thought and comment was, "that's the kind of servant/leader I want to be as a Christian".
Karen and I have served in many behind (pun intended) the scenes ministries and have found some of them to be the most rewarding. This past week at the Passion Play we needed to plant 7 full-sized trees in holes which had been dug on our play set on Calvary, in the Holy Land Marketplace and in our petting zoo. One of the tasks to be done, to properly plant the trees, was
to deliver manure from our barn to the trees. The tractor to be used was a MASSEY-Ferguson which I have been using the past few years for various tasks on the PP property. And so, the task of "manure man" became mine" and I'm sure my smile was as wide as Don's was that day nearly 19 years ago.
You never know when a statement you make will come full circle back to you again. Strive to be a person of integrity. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Take responsibility for your actions and pick up your messes and put them in the proper place so that something good will grow out of what you have done. Thank you Don........and Thank You, Lord.

Sent frozen my iPad

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

March 7, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Weather Or Not

Yesterday there came a mighty wind, and even with six tires on the ground, the air let out of the airbags and four jacks firmly on their blocks, over 30,000 pounds, we were rocking and rolling fairly good. There were some pretty hefty gusts, maybe up to 50mph, and at times our passenger side slide-out awning was flapping like a sail and making a terrible racket. I brought in the slide during a lull and then had some drafts where the seals weren't as tight as they should have been. With the wind and the low temperature it got a bit nippy until the wind died down and the slide was put back out.
Weather in a motor home is a challenge. Rain on the roof, while comforting to some, is not for Karen and me. It is loud. And sometimes those seals which are supposed to seal, don't....
and we have leaks. And sometimes bright sunshine can heat up the coach on a cold day, to the point where we have to use the air conditioner. It could wind chill in the 30's outside, but the bright sun can heat the inside into the 80's. Yes, weather can be a challenge, but it is worth the occasional inconvenience to live as we do. When we hear about the hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, snow storms, blizzards, dust storms, heat waves, thunderstorms, watches and warnings we can appreciate what people are enduring, because we have either been through them or watched the My Radar App showing something coming our way. After being in the Branson tornado in 2012, we have the Alert Weather Radio handy to tell us what is coming and when to expect it.
Even with the ability to pack up and move available to us, and taking our "home" with us, we usually just batten down the hatches and ride it out, in place. Like most everyone, we know the unpredictability of weather and we have to trust that we just need to weather out the weather trusting God for our protection and well-being. Without fail..........He has been a super insurance policy. Thank You, Lord.


Sent from my iPad

Sunday, March 4, 2018

March 4, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Endurance

I'm sure I've written about "endurance" before, but as I was spending my third straight day raking and hauling or burning leaves on the Passion Play set, it occurred to me that our lives are characterized by the things we do, the passion we have for what we do, and the time we spend doing it. Karen and I are both "work at it 'til we drop" type people and if it needs to get done, we do our best to get in done, not only right, but as fast as possible, so we can move on to the next need which needs to get done.
I look back at my own life, and realize that I have always been "into" endurance-type activity. Whether it was music, sports, law school ultra-sports, benevolence ministry, volunteer ministry the past four years, marriage, abandoning to Jesus, morning quiet time, journaling, Cross sewing, blogging or a host of other "addictions", I have been into most things for the long haul and I like to finish what I commit to and usually commit to things which are marathon-like rather than sprint-like activities.
Karen has a similar sticktoitiveness, and will work long hours to see the task to it's completion. As a friend, she is the most loyal, as a worker she is the most precise, as a vehicle driver she is relentless, and as a listener, caregiver and confidante she is unequalled. She has endured what most people would walk away from and has been the the reason we have been able to be on the road the past four-plus years, because I wasn't given the gift of motor home driver which she excels at.
So we endure, we press on in service to The Lord with the giftings he has given us. We trust Him for everything and He has blessed us beyond what we could have ever imagined. We're in It to the end He has for us, whenever, wherever and however that may be. And as always.....Thank You, Lord.



Sent from my iPad

Thursday, March 1, 2018

March 1, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Back in the Saddle Again

It didn't take long for us to get back "to it". It may still be over two months until the first performance day, but you don't just sit there and count the days. There are things to be done, and the more we get done now, the sooner we get to the things which need to be done later and then the last minute details which will take us to the last performance in October. The work is never-ending. As I've said many times: the cow never stays milked. And as tough as it may be at times, that is the joy and excitement of doing what we do.
The list of tasks is endless and just when you think you've got it handled, something else pops up and so on, and so on, and so on........but we are not unique. Every job, every ministry, everybody faces the same challenge, just different details and different circumstances. But, there is always an impossibility to face, a job to be done which is beyond our ability, strength or desire to tackle. And yet, it gets done and gives us the courage to face the next impossibility. The solution is the same - give it to God and watch Him give us the ability, strength and desire needed.
So, the work for us has begun and whether we have a saddle or are riding bareback or just guiding the horse (or the donkey) with a lead rope.......we are off and running.......the 2018 Passion Play season has begun for Karen and Hal. Thank You, Lord, for the call.

Sent from my iPad