For part of the past three days, Karen and I spent time in Branson with Jerry and Renee, our friends from the Passion Play. They had left the Play last Sunday to spend their 53rd wedding anniversary in Branson and then planned to head to Hannibal, MO for a Campers on Mission rally. While attending a show Tuesday night, Jerry had a stroke and was immediately taken by ambulance to the Emergency Room. In an instant their life changed drastically.
Jerry is still in the critical care unit, able to move both arms and legs, but having difficulty speaking more than a few words. He seems to understand what is being asked and said, but can't say the words to respond more than a simple yes, no, okay or yeh. In an instant, he has been changed. It's too early to know what the prognosis is, what treatment he will need and how their lives will be altered. In an instant knowns became unknowns, plans had to be changed and questions never before asked now have to be answered. Tasks once done by two people, now have to be done by one. And we realize that each and every one of us could face such a situation.......in an instant. Life has no guarantees and we, and those around us, have no assurances beyond the current moment. Something we don't think about until it happens and then we realize that we were't prepared for that instant in our life, but we have to face it and move ahead. God was not surprised, not caught unawares, and He has the plan and purpose for their life already in the works and just needs to hear both of them say "Yes Lord, Your Will be done." For each of us, the response needs to be the same......Yes, Lord.......
Sent from my iPad
.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
August 28, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Blessed
Karen and I spent the morning today doing tasks on the PP grounds and then hopped in the car for an afternoon in Rogers, AR for food, shopping and a time away from our usual duties. It was a pleasant ride, nice weather and a chance to see traffic lights (there are none in Eureka Springs), be in city traffic, see a $3000 big screen 3D which looked more realistic than real life, and experience things we are sheltered from on the grounds of the PP and in rural Arkansas.
But what struck me the most was how blessed we are in this country to have so much stuff, to have choices in what we can buy, where we can go, the many ways we are protected, provided for and watched out for. We have comforts like air conditioning in our cars, businesses and homes, food of every kind, medical care, emergency responders, roads and highways to get us wherever we need to go and fuel to power our vehicles. We have necessities, luxuries, credit to "afford" things beyond our means, and so many other blessings, many of which we take for granted. Granted, some have more than they need, while others struggle to make ends meet, but by and large we are blessed more so than many others in this world.
Personally, I thank God for everything. I didn't always appreciate how blessed
(blog interrupted by news that our friend Jerry had a stroke in Branson, MO. We immediately drove there, about an hour, to be with Renee at the hospital, spent four hours and returned to the PP at 5am this morning). We will be returning to Branson shortly to move their motor home from where it is now to ? But to continue my thoughts from yesterday.......
we were to be serving God or before that for the protection God afforded us as we stumbled through life without acknowledging Him or following Him. There are no guarantees in this life, just the hope we have for a better eternity with Him when we seek Him, find Him and follow Him. How blessed we are and how thankful we should be every moment. Pray for Jerry and Renee and the path God has for them........and for all of us. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
But what struck me the most was how blessed we are in this country to have so much stuff, to have choices in what we can buy, where we can go, the many ways we are protected, provided for and watched out for. We have comforts like air conditioning in our cars, businesses and homes, food of every kind, medical care, emergency responders, roads and highways to get us wherever we need to go and fuel to power our vehicles. We have necessities, luxuries, credit to "afford" things beyond our means, and so many other blessings, many of which we take for granted. Granted, some have more than they need, while others struggle to make ends meet, but by and large we are blessed more so than many others in this world.
Personally, I thank God for everything. I didn't always appreciate how blessed
(blog interrupted by news that our friend Jerry had a stroke in Branson, MO. We immediately drove there, about an hour, to be with Renee at the hospital, spent four hours and returned to the PP at 5am this morning). We will be returning to Branson shortly to move their motor home from where it is now to ? But to continue my thoughts from yesterday.......
we were to be serving God or before that for the protection God afforded us as we stumbled through life without acknowledging Him or following Him. There are no guarantees in this life, just the hope we have for a better eternity with Him when we seek Him, find Him and follow Him. How blessed we are and how thankful we should be every moment. Pray for Jerry and Renee and the path God has for them........and for all of us. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
More Photos
These pictures taken at sunset this evening from the Court of Priests of our Holy Land Tabernacle are amazing. Hope you get some feeling of what we experienced. I was waiting for Jesus to appear in the eastern sky.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
August 22, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Whatever It Takes
The Passion Play is composed of many different "departments" and it is very possible to get pigeonholed into one area and not be aware of what is happening elsewhere. I tend to wear too many hats and get involved, to some degree, with most of the activities going on everywhere. It takes a lot of people to make the place run and as the college kids head back to their schools out of town and the high school kids head back to classes and extra-curricular activities, we have less people to do the same amount of work. That means more flexibility, a willingness to step into new areas, new roles to play in the Play and the need to do whatever it takes to "git 'er dun".
I already have a new Disciple role (Andrew) to be ready to play should the established Andrews be needed in other roles, and that means someone has to take over my "crowd" duties when I play Andrew, because Andrew has to "swing Judas, run some smoke machines and be ready to back-up Simon of Cyrene and the Emmaus Disciples should they not show up in time to do their parts. It gives me a new vantage point to see some of the scenes I have never seen or have been part of as a different character. It's fun, and challenging, to step into new duties, and keeps us learning and expanding our repertoire. Something new for the "resume".
After Labor Day we will start the Play at 7:30 instead of 8:30 which means the chance to get to sleep an hour earlier. I've always looked forward to the earlier start time, but it does mean we are getting closer to the end of the season. Only 29 more performance days left, and no decision yet on where we go or what be do after that. One day at a time, Lord, and whatever it takes to finish the 50th season of TGPP. We are enjoying the journey...................God is Good.
Sent from my iPad
I already have a new Disciple role (Andrew) to be ready to play should the established Andrews be needed in other roles, and that means someone has to take over my "crowd" duties when I play Andrew, because Andrew has to "swing Judas, run some smoke machines and be ready to back-up Simon of Cyrene and the Emmaus Disciples should they not show up in time to do their parts. It gives me a new vantage point to see some of the scenes I have never seen or have been part of as a different character. It's fun, and challenging, to step into new duties, and keeps us learning and expanding our repertoire. Something new for the "resume".
After Labor Day we will start the Play at 7:30 instead of 8:30 which means the chance to get to sleep an hour earlier. I've always looked forward to the earlier start time, but it does mean we are getting closer to the end of the season. Only 29 more performance days left, and no decision yet on where we go or what be do after that. One day at a time, Lord, and whatever it takes to finish the 50th season of TGPP. We are enjoying the journey...................God is Good.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, August 19, 2018
August 19, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Don't Trust a Faith Healer Wearing Glasses
Bob is a sculptor here at the Passion Play. (www.Godhealshearts.com). He gives a presentation prior to the Play each performance day in our Market Place, relating his own prodigal son experience while creating a clay bust of Jesus. He does this in 20 minutes and then puts in countless hours on each of these busts to make them ready for display or sale. I enjoy visiting with him during my wanderings through the Market Place as he works in his shop during the day.
Today he was headed for home in Oklahoma since we will not have another performance day until Friday. His "words of advice" to me as he left were the title of this blog. I have never heard that expression, so I chuckled as he left and then thought about it as I went about my Sunday morning "chores". The more I thought about it the more it thought about the people we admire, our role models, those we tend to follow or emulate and the people who have some type of say so over our activities.....those who lead....and those of us who follow.
What I have come away with, is that we don't always see eye to eye with those who are "in charge". Sometimes we don't measure up to what they expect or they don't measure up to what we expect. But we have One who accepts us as we are, when we accept Him as He is. He doesn't wear glasses......He doesn't need to......He sees all things through a microscope AND a telescope.....and nothing escapes Him......He is the Ultimate Faith Healer and in all things His vision is perfect.
Thank you, Bob............ And, as always..............Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Today he was headed for home in Oklahoma since we will not have another performance day until Friday. His "words of advice" to me as he left were the title of this blog. I have never heard that expression, so I chuckled as he left and then thought about it as I went about my Sunday morning "chores". The more I thought about it the more it thought about the people we admire, our role models, those we tend to follow or emulate and the people who have some type of say so over our activities.....those who lead....and those of us who follow.
What I have come away with, is that we don't always see eye to eye with those who are "in charge". Sometimes we don't measure up to what they expect or they don't measure up to what we expect. But we have One who accepts us as we are, when we accept Him as He is. He doesn't wear glasses......He doesn't need to......He sees all things through a microscope AND a telescope.....and nothing escapes Him......He is the Ultimate Faith Healer and in all things His vision is perfect.
Thank you, Bob............ And, as always..............Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, August 16, 2018
August 16, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Past, Present, Future
As we journey through life, it's easy to get so wrapped up in what we are doing at the moment that we forget what went before and what is yet to come. And yet, without the past, the present wouldn't be what it is and without a future it wouldn't make any sense to be doing what we are now doing.
I've always been fascinated by what went on in the past at the very spot I am now doing something. How did it all begin? Who had the original idea and how did he or she have the ability to assemble the materials, people, finances and insight to get it all operational and then keep it going? How did the first customers of the business or product find out about it and why did they spend their time and money to support it? And, to think that we are now perpetuating the "dream" and making plans to keep it going into the future so that others can work here, or be visitors here, creating a legacy for who knows how long.
I guess that's what life is all about. Thinking about all that went before, doing something of value which people not even born yet can enjoy years and years from now. And all this is happening in hundreds and thousands and millions of places all around the world every second of every day and has been going on for thousands and thousands of years. It's mind boggling to think about and even more mind boggling to think that some people think it all happened because of a Big Bang and some ooze that became a thing which became a human.
None of what we do is done without a plan and a person or group of people to implement that plan. I'm thankful that we are part of a long line of people, brought into a specific time and place for a specific purpose, and that the One who has designed it, created it and sustains it for us and those who come after us, is no further away than a thought or a word or a prayer........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I've always been fascinated by what went on in the past at the very spot I am now doing something. How did it all begin? Who had the original idea and how did he or she have the ability to assemble the materials, people, finances and insight to get it all operational and then keep it going? How did the first customers of the business or product find out about it and why did they spend their time and money to support it? And, to think that we are now perpetuating the "dream" and making plans to keep it going into the future so that others can work here, or be visitors here, creating a legacy for who knows how long.
I guess that's what life is all about. Thinking about all that went before, doing something of value which people not even born yet can enjoy years and years from now. And all this is happening in hundreds and thousands and millions of places all around the world every second of every day and has been going on for thousands and thousands of years. It's mind boggling to think about and even more mind boggling to think that some people think it all happened because of a Big Bang and some ooze that became a thing which became a human.
None of what we do is done without a plan and a person or group of people to implement that plan. I'm thankful that we are part of a long line of people, brought into a specific time and place for a specific purpose, and that the One who has designed it, created it and sustains it for us and those who come after us, is no further away than a thought or a word or a prayer........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, August 13, 2018
August 13, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. OD
Anytime we hear stories of people who have addiction problems, we wonder how they get into such a predicament. All of us have a tendency to overdue a good thing and get into trouble or overdue a bad thing and get into even worse trouble. In my 72 years, I have had my share of addictions, both good and bad and have been able to work my way through most of them.
Someone once told me that the way to beat an addiction to food (like chocolate) is to buy the biggest bar of Hershey's (5 pounds), eat the whole thing in one sitting and you will get so sick you will never eat chocolate again. I have never tried that remedy. Right now, I am sort of addicted to the television show Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck. Ion Television has a "marathon" of Blood Bloods every Thursday and the shows run continuously most of the day. Fortunately, Thursday has been a performance day for the Passion Play and I have been occupied all day with being Moses, a disciple and various other PP duties, so I have not been able to feed my BB addiction.
However, last Thursday we dropped our Thursday performances for the rest of the season and I had the opportunity to ease into the BB schedule at 6pm and watched three episodes in a row. As I started the 9 pm episode, I realized I was in danger of od'ing and pulled the plug. Fortunately, there was no chocolate in the motor home. With all the bullets that had been flying for those prior three hours, I was able to dodge the big one. This Thursday I'll do my best to limit myself to no more than two BB's and a bite size Snickers. Self-control is a bitter pill to swallow.
Sent from my iPad
Someone once told me that the way to beat an addiction to food (like chocolate) is to buy the biggest bar of Hershey's (5 pounds), eat the whole thing in one sitting and you will get so sick you will never eat chocolate again. I have never tried that remedy. Right now, I am sort of addicted to the television show Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck. Ion Television has a "marathon" of Blood Bloods every Thursday and the shows run continuously most of the day. Fortunately, Thursday has been a performance day for the Passion Play and I have been occupied all day with being Moses, a disciple and various other PP duties, so I have not been able to feed my BB addiction.
However, last Thursday we dropped our Thursday performances for the rest of the season and I had the opportunity to ease into the BB schedule at 6pm and watched three episodes in a row. As I started the 9 pm episode, I realized I was in danger of od'ing and pulled the plug. Fortunately, there was no chocolate in the motor home. With all the bullets that had been flying for those prior three hours, I was able to dodge the big one. This Thursday I'll do my best to limit myself to no more than two BB's and a bite size Snickers. Self-control is a bitter pill to swallow.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, August 10, 2018
August 10, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. The Rest of the "Day Off" Story
After writing about getting ready for Tuesday's Play, the weather descended and it looked like we were in for quite a storm. I headed down to the set before it hit and within half an hour, (an hour before before "curtain"), the play was cancelled and it was back to day off status for me. Wednesday and Thursday were slow days, so I ended up with a five day vacation and what was a very welcome respite from a busy season, thus far, at TGPP.
When we get tired we are susceptible to all kinds of problems; injuries, illnesses, bad attitude, loss of motivation, burnout. I remember times in the past when I didn't want to keep at the task, wished things would change, and things did changed in ways which caused me physical injury or to make impulsive decisions which were not well thought out and led to long term negative consequences which took even longer to overcome. That sounds like a lot of words to say simply......I made bad choices because of not thinking a situation through and then did something stupid. Or more simply, I was too worn out to think straight.
It all boils down to knowing our limits, stepping back from too many irons in the fire and learning to say no when we really need to say no. I don't think we have to flee to an island, take a cruise or tire ourselves out on a road trip to a place we've never been before. We just need to get out of the rut of work and busyness, sit down in a comfortable place, turn off the distractions and "chill out". That's what my past Sunday to Thursday were, and today the return to the normal routine and the crush of the crowd were like water off a duck's back. And now I, await the start of the evening Play. Thank You, Lord for being with us in our time of work, our time off and every time in between. You know when to lighten our load and when to share the burden when it gets too heavy for us to bear alone. In You, Lord, we have a perfect Rest.
Sent from my iPad
When we get tired we are susceptible to all kinds of problems; injuries, illnesses, bad attitude, loss of motivation, burnout. I remember times in the past when I didn't want to keep at the task, wished things would change, and things did changed in ways which caused me physical injury or to make impulsive decisions which were not well thought out and led to long term negative consequences which took even longer to overcome. That sounds like a lot of words to say simply......I made bad choices because of not thinking a situation through and then did something stupid. Or more simply, I was too worn out to think straight.
It all boils down to knowing our limits, stepping back from too many irons in the fire and learning to say no when we really need to say no. I don't think we have to flee to an island, take a cruise or tire ourselves out on a road trip to a place we've never been before. We just need to get out of the rut of work and busyness, sit down in a comfortable place, turn off the distractions and "chill out". That's what my past Sunday to Thursday were, and today the return to the normal routine and the crush of the crowd were like water off a duck's back. And now I, await the start of the evening Play. Thank You, Lord for being with us in our time of work, our time off and every time in between. You know when to lighten our load and when to share the burden when it gets too heavy for us to bear alone. In You, Lord, we have a perfect Rest.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
August 7, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Day Off
Saturday really wore me out. I wrote an upbeat blog and then got into one of those days which had more activity, more heat and less hydration and by the end of the Holy Land portion of the day, I was pooped. The play went well, but I was ready for Sunday and Monday and the time to slow the pace down to a crawl, maybe even a complete stop.
I skipped my early Sunday wog (walk/ jog), decided not to go to church but did take care of the cast laundry from Saturday night. That doesn't involve much physical effort, but that was the extent of my Sunday work. Monday, I went for a one hour wog, shoveled out the Holy Land animal pen and did my golf cart maintenance routine and hung up the cast laundry in three of the four dressing rooms. Another pretty easy day. Today it was teach the Old Testament Tabernacle session, wait for a squall to pass through the area and drive a couple on a private Holy Land Tour. In reality it was my third day off in a row, and right now I feel like I have regained my strength and am ready for tonight's Play. The rain looks like it will bypass us the rest of the day.
I've always had difficulty sitting still, backing off from the tasks at hand, taking a day off and doing NOTHING. But, as I begin to feel my body resist the go, go, go, I am accepting the reality that sometimes it's appropriate to say no, no, no and just stop. I remember my training days when I did take a day off, but the next day did a double workout. Those days are gone, and I hope I won't be tempted to repeat them. Tomorrow and Thursday are non-performance days, so maybe I can make this "vacation" continue. I'll let you know.
Sent from my iPad
I skipped my early Sunday wog (walk/ jog), decided not to go to church but did take care of the cast laundry from Saturday night. That doesn't involve much physical effort, but that was the extent of my Sunday work. Monday, I went for a one hour wog, shoveled out the Holy Land animal pen and did my golf cart maintenance routine and hung up the cast laundry in three of the four dressing rooms. Another pretty easy day. Today it was teach the Old Testament Tabernacle session, wait for a squall to pass through the area and drive a couple on a private Holy Land Tour. In reality it was my third day off in a row, and right now I feel like I have regained my strength and am ready for tonight's Play. The rain looks like it will bypass us the rest of the day.
I've always had difficulty sitting still, backing off from the tasks at hand, taking a day off and doing NOTHING. But, as I begin to feel my body resist the go, go, go, I am accepting the reality that sometimes it's appropriate to say no, no, no and just stop. I remember my training days when I did take a day off, but the next day did a double workout. Those days are gone, and I hope I won't be tempted to repeat them. Tomorrow and Thursday are non-performance days, so maybe I can make this "vacation" continue. I'll let you know.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Better Late Than Never
The day slipped away from me. Yesterday was a busy day with bigger crowds, more issues to handle and fewer people to handle them, and a return to warmer weather. But we made it through, awoke to a beautiful morning, ready to face even larger attendance and jump back into the fray. When we all do our part, no matter how small it may appear, keep a positive attitude and smile rather than scowl, the result is usually better and encourages us to come back and do it all again the next day.
I've certainly had my grumpy moments, more than I care to admit, but it's healthier and more fruitful when we "put on a happy face", back it up with a happy attitude and do every small task as if the whole organization will sink or swim on the basis of how we do that task. We all have a part to play, are part of a larger body and the body functions best when we all play that part as well as we can, all the time, every day.
For those who read this blog, I hope it brightens your day as much as it brightens mine to write it. I know that it is not a "viral" sensation, but I also know I probably couldn't handle the fame and notoriety if it were at such a level. Just a grain of sand, a spit in the ocean in the grand scheme of things and better late than never. Thank you for your support.
Sent from my iPad
I've certainly had my grumpy moments, more than I care to admit, but it's healthier and more fruitful when we "put on a happy face", back it up with a happy attitude and do every small task as if the whole organization will sink or swim on the basis of how we do that task. We all have a part to play, are part of a larger body and the body functions best when we all play that part as well as we can, all the time, every day.
For those who read this blog, I hope it brightens your day as much as it brightens mine to write it. I know that it is not a "viral" sensation, but I also know I probably couldn't handle the fame and notoriety if it were at such a level. Just a grain of sand, a spit in the ocean in the grand scheme of things and better late than never. Thank you for your support.
Sent from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)