Karen has been searching the internet house listings for months, and we have seen pictures, seen outsides, seen insides, and seen places we have never seen before in and around Eureka Springs. Today we saw a house, we had seen on the internet, had seen on the outside and finally decided to see on the inside. Price had been a major factor in why we (especially me) had not asked to see the inside of the house before now.
But, today we (especially me) decided it was time to take the next step onto and into this property. And, the price had come down a little since we first encountered this listing. We were very surprised at what we saw and now we are facing a decision on whether to proceed further, make an offer, keep searching........or......our next step. We don't feel any pressure to have a non-wheeled house. We like our motor home and would probably split our time between the motor home and a house, if we should decide to buy one. Money is really not an issue, since we did, and do, plan to pay cash for whatever we buy. I don't think time is a factor, since we don't feel there is "competition" for the house at the moment.
The sale of our Colorado house was a financial blessing in so many ways and this seller is still in the house and doesn't appear eager to get out immediately. I think we need to take some time to think this over, do the "yes-list" and "no-list" thing, pray for guidance; and ask God to direct us in the right direction and help us decide on the right decision and whether what we want is what He wants, and whether His plan and purpose for us is to have this property now. Thank You, Lord for giving us this opportunity and being our source of strength in each situation we encounter. We trust You to guide us...........Let Your Will be done.
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.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Thursday, December 26, 2019
December 26, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Light Of The World
Hope you enjoyed the pictures of the Passion Play Christmas lights. The display will run thru next weekend. If you are in the area, come by between 5:00 and 8:00 thru January 4th and see them in person. The pictures don't give the full impact.
I wasn't involved in setting up the displays, but do make sure the lights are on each evening, and turned off when the last car leaves (sometimes as late as 11pm). We have a nice view out of our motor home windows. But, the real Light of Christmas is Jesus and He is the Light every day of the year and why we serve as we do, and why we endeavor to radiate His Light with all we do and say. It's not always easy to be a good witness as He calls us to be, but we do our best, try to encourage others and plant seeds which will hopefully blossom in the people we encounter in our daily life. As Christ followers we are all encouraged to Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with our God. Simple words.......but not always easy to accomplish.
Be salt and light......The world needs them both and we are the ones called to show them and share them. To Him be all Honor, Glory and Praise.
Sent from my iPad
I wasn't involved in setting up the displays, but do make sure the lights are on each evening, and turned off when the last car leaves (sometimes as late as 11pm). We have a nice view out of our motor home windows. But, the real Light of Christmas is Jesus and He is the Light every day of the year and why we serve as we do, and why we endeavor to radiate His Light with all we do and say. It's not always easy to be a good witness as He calls us to be, but we do our best, try to encourage others and plant seeds which will hopefully blossom in the people we encounter in our daily life. As Christ followers we are all encouraged to Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with our God. Simple words.......but not always easy to accomplish.
Be salt and light......The world needs them both and we are the ones called to show them and share them. To Him be all Honor, Glory and Praise.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Merry Christmas
To all, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Later this evening I will take some pictures of our Christmas lights at at The Great Passion Play and post them on our website for you to see and enjoy.
We all have memories of this time of year: some happy, some sad. But, for all it should be a time of hope, expectation and joy for what is to come..and Who is to come.
Come Jesus.......come soon.......a waiting world needs YOU and the Peace and Love You will bring with You........Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Sent from my iPad
We all have memories of this time of year: some happy, some sad. But, for all it should be a time of hope, expectation and joy for what is to come..and Who is to come.
Come Jesus.......come soon.......a waiting world needs YOU and the Peace and Love You will bring with You........Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, December 20, 2019
December 20, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Rule Of Law
At one time, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. I took all the required college courses, took the LSAT, attended three years of Law School, took a Virginia Bar Exam Review Course, passed the Virginia State Bar Exam on the first try, paid the required
fees and promptly walked away from the legal profession.
I realized that I didn't have the requisite mind-set, competitive ability or necessary personality to handle other peoples' predicaments and personal problems and maybe not the respect for "the law" that was required to call myself an attorney. And so, I made my living in other legal ways. The more I have been around lawyers, listened to their discussions on a wide variety of subjects, watched our government officials with law degrees do their jobs, I am glad I do not count myself as one of them. It's embarrassing to hear the rhetoric, the lack of respect for opposing opinions and the feeling expressed by many that "my way is better than your way" and if you don't like it "sue me".
The entire impeachment procedure we are being forced to endure is a travesty. Over 60 million people voted in 2016 to elect Donald Trump the President of the United States and before he even was sworn into office, there was a move by the opposition to impeach him and have him removed from office. Lawyers jumped into the fray, and we are now witness to a situation where about 230 members of the House of Representatives can undo the votes of those 60 million Americans. And if the next step of the process, which is in question, takes place it is possible that 67 members of the Senate could completely nullify the voice of those 60 million. This is what some call the Rule Of Law.
Donald Trump ran on a platform which evoked strong opinions pro and con. He spoke bluntly, has done many of the things he said he would do and while he has ruffled some feathers and had a revolving door of members of his cabinet and inner circle, he deserves better than what the press, reporters and many people standing on the First Amendment have thrown at him.
Our political situation is a mess. Our country is badly divided and we have too many people who want their rights while denying others of their rights. We need to step back........be considerate of how we are different......and realize that unless we truly aspire to be The United States Of America, we risk the chance of undoing The Rule Of Law which made us a great country and which threatens our future, and ultimately the future of our entire world. Can't we just agree to disagree......and live in peace. May God help us to do so.
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fees and promptly walked away from the legal profession.
I realized that I didn't have the requisite mind-set, competitive ability or necessary personality to handle other peoples' predicaments and personal problems and maybe not the respect for "the law" that was required to call myself an attorney. And so, I made my living in other legal ways. The more I have been around lawyers, listened to their discussions on a wide variety of subjects, watched our government officials with law degrees do their jobs, I am glad I do not count myself as one of them. It's embarrassing to hear the rhetoric, the lack of respect for opposing opinions and the feeling expressed by many that "my way is better than your way" and if you don't like it "sue me".
The entire impeachment procedure we are being forced to endure is a travesty. Over 60 million people voted in 2016 to elect Donald Trump the President of the United States and before he even was sworn into office, there was a move by the opposition to impeach him and have him removed from office. Lawyers jumped into the fray, and we are now witness to a situation where about 230 members of the House of Representatives can undo the votes of those 60 million Americans. And if the next step of the process, which is in question, takes place it is possible that 67 members of the Senate could completely nullify the voice of those 60 million. This is what some call the Rule Of Law.
Donald Trump ran on a platform which evoked strong opinions pro and con. He spoke bluntly, has done many of the things he said he would do and while he has ruffled some feathers and had a revolving door of members of his cabinet and inner circle, he deserves better than what the press, reporters and many people standing on the First Amendment have thrown at him.
Our political situation is a mess. Our country is badly divided and we have too many people who want their rights while denying others of their rights. We need to step back........be considerate of how we are different......and realize that unless we truly aspire to be The United States Of America, we risk the chance of undoing The Rule Of Law which made us a great country and which threatens our future, and ultimately the future of our entire world. Can't we just agree to disagree......and live in peace. May God help us to do so.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
December 17, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. To Buy Or Not To Buy
Buying a house in Arkansas has been a full time job......for Karen. She has a laptop computer at her "work" desk and her cell phone is in use during non office hours. She has become an expert on the various neighborhoods, County Roads and some of the "puffing" done by the agents to attract people to them and their properties.
Compared to how easy it was to sell our Colorado house, with the agent living right across the street and the first (and only) person seeing our house being the buyer, this Arkansas buying process is really WORK. We are looking for property not in the City of Eureka Springs, not at Beaver Lake, not in Holiday Island, not more than 15 minutes away from The Passion Play, some acreage (but not too much), all on one level, and in a price range where we can pay cash and not have a mortgage.
Needless to say, Karen has her work cut out for her. The houses we have visited are labeled "as is", "fixer-upper", "needs TLC" or some such variation of NOT FOR US. So, the search goes on. We notice that many of the more expensive homes in the area are now shown as sold, pending, or off the market, meaning that there are people with more money available to them, than what we have , and not as persnickety as us.
For now, we enter our 7th year living in our house on wheels, still content with it and comfortable with what we bought on impulse in 2013 on our first (and only) day of RV shopping. The right place will appear when the time is right. We trust God will reveal it to us.
Sent from my iPad
Compared to how easy it was to sell our Colorado house, with the agent living right across the street and the first (and only) person seeing our house being the buyer, this Arkansas buying process is really WORK. We are looking for property not in the City of Eureka Springs, not at Beaver Lake, not in Holiday Island, not more than 15 minutes away from The Passion Play, some acreage (but not too much), all on one level, and in a price range where we can pay cash and not have a mortgage.
Needless to say, Karen has her work cut out for her. The houses we have visited are labeled "as is", "fixer-upper", "needs TLC" or some such variation of NOT FOR US. So, the search goes on. We notice that many of the more expensive homes in the area are now shown as sold, pending, or off the market, meaning that there are people with more money available to them, than what we have , and not as persnickety as us.
For now, we enter our 7th year living in our house on wheels, still content with it and comfortable with what we bought on impulse in 2013 on our first (and only) day of RV shopping. The right place will appear when the time is right. We trust God will reveal it to us.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, December 14, 2019
December 14, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Change of Residency
As we approach Christmas, we read the account in Luke's Gospel about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but because of the scheduled Roman census and David being of the line of David they had to travel to Bethlehem to pay their taxes and be properly counted as members of David's lineage. It seems like a confusing situation, but no more complicated than what Karen and I are going thru after the sale of our Colorado house and the upcoming expiration of the Colorado plates on our motor home. We need to stop being Coloradoans and become Arkansans.
With so many issues involved: driver's licenses, vehicle(s) registration, voting residency, vehicle insurance, health insurance, bank accounts, veteran disability status, personal property taxes and actual residence address as opposed to mailing address, we are having to talk with multiple people in multiple locations in order to get "right" with the federal regulations and two sets of state regulations. I think we had to do something similar when we moved from Colorado to Oklahoma in 1974 and again when we moved from Oklahoma back to Colorado in 1977. But, it seems to have gotten more complicated this time. Maybe it's just the fact that we are older now and most everything just get tougher as we get older. It is easier to accomplish things with the internet and cell phones these days when they work properly and we can understand what we have to do and then figure out how to do it.
We are not yet completed with all that needs to be done, so we are either ColoArkies or ArkanRadoans. As far as we can tell we are still American citizens, Christians, and volunteers at The Great Passion Play. Even though we receive calls and notifications from the "IRS", the "Social Service Administration" and various "vehicle warranty" groups and "credit card" servicing organizations telling us we have been compromised, had liens placed on our property, are under investigation or are being sued for one reason or another, I think we are holding up pretty well and hopeful that the best is truly yet to come. In all things........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
With so many issues involved: driver's licenses, vehicle(s) registration, voting residency, vehicle insurance, health insurance, bank accounts, veteran disability status, personal property taxes and actual residence address as opposed to mailing address, we are having to talk with multiple people in multiple locations in order to get "right" with the federal regulations and two sets of state regulations. I think we had to do something similar when we moved from Colorado to Oklahoma in 1974 and again when we moved from Oklahoma back to Colorado in 1977. But, it seems to have gotten more complicated this time. Maybe it's just the fact that we are older now and most everything just get tougher as we get older. It is easier to accomplish things with the internet and cell phones these days when they work properly and we can understand what we have to do and then figure out how to do it.
We are not yet completed with all that needs to be done, so we are either ColoArkies or ArkanRadoans. As far as we can tell we are still American citizens, Christians, and volunteers at The Great Passion Play. Even though we receive calls and notifications from the "IRS", the "Social Service Administration" and various "vehicle warranty" groups and "credit card" servicing organizations telling us we have been compromised, had liens placed on our property, are under investigation or are being sued for one reason or another, I think we are holding up pretty well and hopeful that the best is truly yet to come. In all things........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
December 11, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Decisions?
We make a lot of decisions every day. When I Googled, "how many decisions we make every day", the answer came out: 35,000. 35,000? Yes.......35,000. Most of these decisions are made without much thought expended, and most involve what to eat, what to wear, who to talk to, or not talk to......and on, and on, and on.....without much consequence to the matter.
But, some decisions are not routine and have severe consequences. Right now I am facing one of those major decisions, and I have to take a lot of other decision into the reasoning process. As I have already written, I injured my rotator cuff, and it is a very complex joint and involves numerous muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other body parts attached thereto. To have an operation involves pain, "downtime", limited activity after recovery, no guarantee of success,, and always the possibility of re-injuring it if I do too much too soon, or just take another tumble. No operation means limited physical activity for now and later, pain, over-stressing another body part, constant discomfort. The surgeon is willing to operate and my physical therapists says he can help me strengthen the surrounding parts to bypass the injured part. What to do?
I've done well with the therapy, until I slipped on some wet leaves on my 74th birthday and banged my bad shoulder. 74 years old? Yes, 74, and still doing a lot of physical stuff which is really intended for a younger me. I made the decision, after the MRI and speaking with the surgeon, to forego the operation and try therapy and "try" to slow down and act my age, which I have to make multiple decisions to implement.
So, on Friday it's back to therapy and the range of motion exercises, weight training of one, two, or three pounds per exercise, and limiting my stuccoing, heavy lifting, walking and wogging on uneven surfaces and most likely assuming more "old man" roles in the Passion Play and less Disciple roles when we start the 2020 season in April. But, that's looking too far into the future. For the moment, I've decided to take it one step at a time, one day at a time and trust God for what He would have me do, when to do it and how to accomplish it with the least possibility of hurting myself.
The other 34,999 decisions will have to wait.
Sent from my iPad
But, some decisions are not routine and have severe consequences. Right now I am facing one of those major decisions, and I have to take a lot of other decision into the reasoning process. As I have already written, I injured my rotator cuff, and it is a very complex joint and involves numerous muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other body parts attached thereto. To have an operation involves pain, "downtime", limited activity after recovery, no guarantee of success,, and always the possibility of re-injuring it if I do too much too soon, or just take another tumble. No operation means limited physical activity for now and later, pain, over-stressing another body part, constant discomfort. The surgeon is willing to operate and my physical therapists says he can help me strengthen the surrounding parts to bypass the injured part. What to do?
I've done well with the therapy, until I slipped on some wet leaves on my 74th birthday and banged my bad shoulder. 74 years old? Yes, 74, and still doing a lot of physical stuff which is really intended for a younger me. I made the decision, after the MRI and speaking with the surgeon, to forego the operation and try therapy and "try" to slow down and act my age, which I have to make multiple decisions to implement.
So, on Friday it's back to therapy and the range of motion exercises, weight training of one, two, or three pounds per exercise, and limiting my stuccoing, heavy lifting, walking and wogging on uneven surfaces and most likely assuming more "old man" roles in the Passion Play and less Disciple roles when we start the 2020 season in April. But, that's looking too far into the future. For the moment, I've decided to take it one step at a time, one day at a time and trust God for what He would have me do, when to do it and how to accomplish it with the least possibility of hurting myself.
The other 34,999 decisions will have to wait.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, December 8, 2019
December 8, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Gratitude
When I woke up this morning, I felt like it was going to be a good day. I had slept soundly, my devotional and Scripture readings all tended to point me to the positive things in my life and to making a conscious decision to focus on what we have and not on what we don't have.
The entire time at our "home" church with Bible Study, music, message and our monthly "pot providence" (we don't believe in luck) lunch, the fellowship time and meeting some new people, added to the positivity of the day. It HAS been a good day, and even with some of the issues we face with the Passion Play, my current health issues, the cold weather coming this week and the possibility of having no water on the premises (except for the fresh water we carry on board our motor home), I AM grateful for the things we have, the freedom we have in our life, the faithfulness of our God and the blessings we receive and share with our friends and family.
As today's Our Daily Bread says: "Even in times of genuine struggle and pain we can know God's peace and permit it to rule our hearts. And in that peace, we'll find reminders of all we've been given in Christ. In that, we can truly be thankful." And from today's Streams in the Desert: "..give others the sunshine and tell Jesus the rest."
Yes.......It HAS been a GOOD day. Thank You, Lord.
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The entire time at our "home" church with Bible Study, music, message and our monthly "pot providence" (we don't believe in luck) lunch, the fellowship time and meeting some new people, added to the positivity of the day. It HAS been a good day, and even with some of the issues we face with the Passion Play, my current health issues, the cold weather coming this week and the possibility of having no water on the premises (except for the fresh water we carry on board our motor home), I AM grateful for the things we have, the freedom we have in our life, the faithfulness of our God and the blessings we receive and share with our friends and family.
As today's Our Daily Bread says: "Even in times of genuine struggle and pain we can know God's peace and permit it to rule our hearts. And in that peace, we'll find reminders of all we've been given in Christ. In that, we can truly be thankful." And from today's Streams in the Desert: "..give others the sunshine and tell Jesus the rest."
Yes.......It HAS been a GOOD day. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Monday, December 2, 2019
December 2, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Leaves
After a couple of days of high winds and heavy rain, it seemed like a good time to get started on the leaf blowing/raking/burning/bagging process in the various areas of our property. So today with the temperature just above freezing and the wind non-existent, the process began.
A quick survey of the leaf-bearing trees revealed that most of the trees are leafless, I had the determination, tools and incentive to get at it, and get at it I did for a solid four hours. I did take time off to lead a tour of The Holy Land, but I made a good start in constructing large piles of damp leaves, burned a bunch of the dryer ones and am set up for about 6 hours tomorrow to make progress toward becoming leafless on the set of the Play. By doing the work now, we will have more time available in the Spring to plant grass on the set, spray for bugs, paint, weed, and make repairs where needed.
There is no shortage of things to do and if we use the weather to our advantage, have the gumption to do the menial, but necessary, tasks as they pop up, we will see things accomplished even when we are ""short-handed" people-wise. I did have a lighter-than-usual November, so.......back at it......to end 2019 and onward into the new year and the 2020 season.
Sent from my iPad
A quick survey of the leaf-bearing trees revealed that most of the trees are leafless, I had the determination, tools and incentive to get at it, and get at it I did for a solid four hours. I did take time off to lead a tour of The Holy Land, but I made a good start in constructing large piles of damp leaves, burned a bunch of the dryer ones and am set up for about 6 hours tomorrow to make progress toward becoming leafless on the set of the Play. By doing the work now, we will have more time available in the Spring to plant grass on the set, spray for bugs, paint, weed, and make repairs where needed.
There is no shortage of things to do and if we use the weather to our advantage, have the gumption to do the menial, but necessary, tasks as they pop up, we will see things accomplished even when we are ""short-handed" people-wise. I did have a lighter-than-usual November, so.......back at it......to end 2019 and onward into the new year and the 2020 season.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, November 29, 2019
November 29, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Even though the Christmas "season" seems to start earlier and earlier each year, it has now officially begun. Santa arrived at the Macy's Parade earlier today, Black Friday is almost over, Small Business Saturday will begin in a few hours to encourage us to patronize our local businesses instead of the internet and Big Box Stores. Monday is Cyber Monday to encourage us not to shop locally, Christian radio is replete with year end requests for donations to meet the budget needs of 2019, and matching grants are anywhere from $100,000 to over $1Million if we contribute before January 1.
A few minutes ago I saw my first Chia Pet commercial of the year on television and the Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur which are never seen until this time of year have already been on the air for about a week. Christmas light displays, including ours here at TGPP, are up and lit for people to drive by and enjoy. I have to admit that it is nice to see the lights, but I hope we realize the reason for the season is not the materialism, it's not the bargains, it's not the gift giving or gorging ourself on sweets or overeating or overdrinking.
The reason is found in the pages of a book known as The Bible, and the idea is to celebrate God's plan for the salvation of His creation which began in the Book of Genesis and ends in the Book of Revelation. While there are many opinions and interpretations of how this plan is to be accomplished, the point of it all is that we need to get beyond all of our differences and come together on the things which unite us, and trust God that His plan for us is better than anything we or Madison Avenue can devise and try to foist on us. Let's simplify what has been made so complicated and just try to find peace, joy, contentment and calm......and trust our God, Who gives us all we need every day and will continue to do so as we honor Him and praise Him in everything. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
A few minutes ago I saw my first Chia Pet commercial of the year on television and the Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur which are never seen until this time of year have already been on the air for about a week. Christmas light displays, including ours here at TGPP, are up and lit for people to drive by and enjoy. I have to admit that it is nice to see the lights, but I hope we realize the reason for the season is not the materialism, it's not the bargains, it's not the gift giving or gorging ourself on sweets or overeating or overdrinking.
The reason is found in the pages of a book known as The Bible, and the idea is to celebrate God's plan for the salvation of His creation which began in the Book of Genesis and ends in the Book of Revelation. While there are many opinions and interpretations of how this plan is to be accomplished, the point of it all is that we need to get beyond all of our differences and come together on the things which unite us, and trust God that His plan for us is better than anything we or Madison Avenue can devise and try to foist on us. Let's simplify what has been made so complicated and just try to find peace, joy, contentment and calm......and trust our God, Who gives us all we need every day and will continue to do so as we honor Him and praise Him in everything. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
November 26, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Too Late?
This will not be easy to read. I anticipate it will not be easy to write, but it must be written and it needs to be read.
About 50,000 people die every day from non-age-related causes; accidents, sudden health issues, crimes, angry or impulsive responses to situations. On Sunday, we found out that Karen's sister's ex-husband died in an automobile accident. We were shocked and saddened. But we have since learned that Dale, aged 66, died as a result of a road rage incident and an ensuing fight with a 33 year man. We don't know the details of the incident, but we are still saddened, but not as shocked as we first were.
Without going into detail about Dale and his life, it was a life filled with turmoil, anger, gambling, addiction, medical issues and emotional problems, but had the potential to be a life of accomplishments, success and prosperity. Yet, it ended with a roadside brawl, a life lost and many lives impacted.
Dale professed a faith in Jesus, but he didn't live a life Jesus would have condoned. Dale could talk the talk, but as much as we knew, he wasn't walking the walk. In his final moments, did he try to reach out to Jesus, or was he intent on winning a fist fight? We don't know and possibly will never know. Only God knows Dale's final thoughts, his final words and his eternal destiny. It may be too late for Dale, but it need not be too late for each of us. The decision is ours to make, and even if we make it with death staring us in the face.......God can, and will, accept our heartfelt and earnest profession of faith. I honestly believe that God wants each and every one of us to be included in His eternal Kingdom and not condemned to an eternal hell, eternal torment or eternal separation from Him. My prayer for everyone............Don't be too late.
Sent from my iPad
About 50,000 people die every day from non-age-related causes; accidents, sudden health issues, crimes, angry or impulsive responses to situations. On Sunday, we found out that Karen's sister's ex-husband died in an automobile accident. We were shocked and saddened. But we have since learned that Dale, aged 66, died as a result of a road rage incident and an ensuing fight with a 33 year man. We don't know the details of the incident, but we are still saddened, but not as shocked as we first were.
Without going into detail about Dale and his life, it was a life filled with turmoil, anger, gambling, addiction, medical issues and emotional problems, but had the potential to be a life of accomplishments, success and prosperity. Yet, it ended with a roadside brawl, a life lost and many lives impacted.
Dale professed a faith in Jesus, but he didn't live a life Jesus would have condoned. Dale could talk the talk, but as much as we knew, he wasn't walking the walk. In his final moments, did he try to reach out to Jesus, or was he intent on winning a fist fight? We don't know and possibly will never know. Only God knows Dale's final thoughts, his final words and his eternal destiny. It may be too late for Dale, but it need not be too late for each of us. The decision is ours to make, and even if we make it with death staring us in the face.......God can, and will, accept our heartfelt and earnest profession of faith. I honestly believe that God wants each and every one of us to be included in His eternal Kingdom and not condemned to an eternal hell, eternal torment or eternal separation from Him. My prayer for everyone............Don't be too late.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, November 23, 2019
November 23, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. House Hunting
After Karen's tremendous success in selling our Colorado house, we are finding the buying situation in Arkansas to be a lot more challenging. We're being pretty persnickety about what we want, what we want to pay, and where we want the house/property to be located in relation to the Passion Play. We have also faced situations where the product is not "as advertised" and we have not been even close to seeing something we would be comfortable living in.
Karen has become an accomplished internet searcher and there is an abundance of properties for sale in the vicinity, but we are experiencing multiple examples of very creative descriptions, properties not at the location they are supposed to be and many access roads which will require combat vehicles in order to gain access or else combat arms to feel secure living there. I'm not "profiling", but this is, after all, rural Arkansas, and we ain't "from around these parts".
Since we do feel comfortable in our house on wheels, and are navigating the winter weather pretty well for goin' on our seventh year, we don't feel any pressure to do something quickly. We will continue to search, look at the ones which seem promising, and in God's time we will find "our dream home in this gem of a city in the gorgeous Ozark mountains" (to quote one of the real estate agents we chose not to sign on with). When we find it.......we'll know it.
Sent from my iPad
Karen has become an accomplished internet searcher and there is an abundance of properties for sale in the vicinity, but we are experiencing multiple examples of very creative descriptions, properties not at the location they are supposed to be and many access roads which will require combat vehicles in order to gain access or else combat arms to feel secure living there. I'm not "profiling", but this is, after all, rural Arkansas, and we ain't "from around these parts".
Since we do feel comfortable in our house on wheels, and are navigating the winter weather pretty well for goin' on our seventh year, we don't feel any pressure to do something quickly. We will continue to search, look at the ones which seem promising, and in God's time we will find "our dream home in this gem of a city in the gorgeous Ozark mountains" (to quote one of the real estate agents we chose not to sign on with). When we find it.......we'll know it.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
November 20, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Wheels Are Coming Off
I've started to watch the National News again, because it is important to know what is happening in our country and in the world. But, the more I watch, the worse everything seems to be. There is still the partisan diatribe going on in Washington and many state legislatures, Hong Kong is in chaos, mass killings seem to be taking place almost every day, while the murders in America are down by about 10% this year, there will still be over 14,000 committed in 2019, drug overdose deaths this year will be more than 70,000.........
There are still a lot of negative reports about our sports figures, entertainers, business leaders, teachers and child care workers, church leaders and public officials. Suicide seems to be on the rise among our young people, veterans and in all demographics in America. There are more prescription drugs being advertised on television, particularly during the evening news broadcasts, and the side effects appear to be even worse than the condition being treated.
The whole impeachment issue has become even more of a farce than when it first began, and we still have the whole 2020 election circus before us for more than 11 months. Maybe it's time to take some time off from the news again........get back to our reruns of Andy Griffith, Home Improvement, Perry Mason, M*A*S*H, Dick VanDyke, Archie and Edith, and the other "escapes" of prior "troubled" times.
It is Wednesday.............and the ION TV Blue Bloods marathon...............thank you, Tom Selleck.
Sent from my iPad
There are still a lot of negative reports about our sports figures, entertainers, business leaders, teachers and child care workers, church leaders and public officials. Suicide seems to be on the rise among our young people, veterans and in all demographics in America. There are more prescription drugs being advertised on television, particularly during the evening news broadcasts, and the side effects appear to be even worse than the condition being treated.
The whole impeachment issue has become even more of a farce than when it first began, and we still have the whole 2020 election circus before us for more than 11 months. Maybe it's time to take some time off from the news again........get back to our reruns of Andy Griffith, Home Improvement, Perry Mason, M*A*S*H, Dick VanDyke, Archie and Edith, and the other "escapes" of prior "troubled" times.
It is Wednesday.............and the ION TV Blue Bloods marathon...............thank you, Tom Selleck.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, November 17, 2019
November 17, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. A Quieter Time
The crowds are much smaller, the work load is less intense, but there are some things which stay the same here at The Great Passion Play. In the stable at Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary watch over the baby Jesus in the manger and we recall the story of Jesus' birth as related in The Gospel Of Matthew and The Gospel Of Luke.
There are so many "stories" in Scripture, so much commentary and opinion written about these stories; so much discussion and debate about these stories, and we sometimes get so bogged down in the details that we forget the real importance of what Scripture is relating to us. Each of us approaches religion, faith, God, Jesus, our place and purpose in this life (and the next), in such a personal and unique way, that we forget that we are are individuals with personal and unique characteristics which differentiate each us from every other person who has lived or ever will live.
And in this uniqueness we determine our relationship with the world we live in, our relationship to those we associate with and the Creator and Organizer of it all. Take the time to be quiet.......to contemplate what this is all about.......how we contribute to it........and how we can do our part to make it better.......and quieter........for everyone.
Sent from my iPad
There are so many "stories" in Scripture, so much commentary and opinion written about these stories; so much discussion and debate about these stories, and we sometimes get so bogged down in the details that we forget the real importance of what Scripture is relating to us. Each of us approaches religion, faith, God, Jesus, our place and purpose in this life (and the next), in such a personal and unique way, that we forget that we are are individuals with personal and unique characteristics which differentiate each us from every other person who has lived or ever will live.
And in this uniqueness we determine our relationship with the world we live in, our relationship to those we associate with and the Creator and Organizer of it all. Take the time to be quiet.......to contemplate what this is all about.......how we contribute to it........and how we can do our part to make it better.......and quieter........for everyone.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, November 14, 2019
November 14, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Hunker Down
It's only November, but we have already had our first taste of winter weather. For the locals, it has been tough, and for us "northerners" it has been something we moved south to try to escape. With less-than-code insulation in our motor home, it has meant putting up the styrofoam siding, getting some of the blankets used during October Play performances to block drafts, setting the space heaters in strategic positions and trying to keep the "city" water from freezing between the standpipe and the inside faucets.
With a low of 10 degrees on Monday night, we were hunkered down and comfortable, but did have our hot water freeze up somewhere between the hot water heater and the faucets and our refrigerator water dispenser not dispensing. Both were resolved by Tuesday evening being no worse for wear. Layers of clothing are important to keep from getting too cold outside or too warm inside. Karen continues to search the real estate sites on the internet to find a house/property, but it's a lot more difficult to buy in Arkansas than to sell in Colorado. Because we are being particular in what we want and where we want it, we are facing limited options and high prices. We may have to just be resigned to the fact that what we have is going to be what we have to live in.....for now. Not complaining.......just explaining.
We will be gradually returning to Fall weather in a few days, keep watching the weather for our next arctic blast and comparing notes with the locals and the volunteers coming to help with the off-season tasks to find new and effective ways to be at home in our "non-house" house. We learn something new each day.
Sent from my iPad
With a low of 10 degrees on Monday night, we were hunkered down and comfortable, but did have our hot water freeze up somewhere between the hot water heater and the faucets and our refrigerator water dispenser not dispensing. Both were resolved by Tuesday evening being no worse for wear. Layers of clothing are important to keep from getting too cold outside or too warm inside. Karen continues to search the real estate sites on the internet to find a house/property, but it's a lot more difficult to buy in Arkansas than to sell in Colorado. Because we are being particular in what we want and where we want it, we are facing limited options and high prices. We may have to just be resigned to the fact that what we have is going to be what we have to live in.....for now. Not complaining.......just explaining.
We will be gradually returning to Fall weather in a few days, keep watching the weather for our next arctic blast and comparing notes with the locals and the volunteers coming to help with the off-season tasks to find new and effective ways to be at home in our "non-house" house. We learn something new each day.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, November 11, 2019
November 11, 2019 Eureka Springs! AR. Veterans Day
My military service lasted from late 1968 to June, 1970. By serving thirteen-and-a-half months in Vietnam, I was able to get out of my active duty obligation without having to spend five months at Fort Hood, Texas. It gave me a few months to readjust to civilian life before returning to Law School in Washington, DC. But it did not prepare me for the intensity of the anti-war sentiment of the early '70's and the deep division the war had caused in our country. There was a drastic change in a very short period of time.
It took a long time to feel comfortable with my career objectives, my place in the work force and my role in society in general. In many ways I felt out of sync, unmotivated and not at home in my own skin, and unsure of where my life was headed.
There are moments, even now, when I wonder how I was able to make something of myself, get thru some rough emotional times and fit into a country which has changed so drastically in the past 50 years.
I am grateful for my "religious" transformation when I came to faith in Jesus Christ in 1999. I am grateful for the "arranged" meeting in Colorado with Karen, my wife of over 45 years and the life we have shared since then. I am grateful for the heart attack I suffered in 2008 and the subsequent Agent Orange disability I received from the VA and all the care I have received from them to this day.
I am grateful on this Veterans' Day for all the American military Veterans, all those who have served our country as first-responders in a variety of disciplines and those who reach out to help those in need, and those who currently serve our country in some very difficult assignments around the world. But, most of all, I am grateful to God for His mercy and grace, His care and compassion, His promise of a better tomorrow and an eternal reward, for His provision and protection, and for watching over me, when I was not able to watch over myself. In Him we have it all...............
Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
It took a long time to feel comfortable with my career objectives, my place in the work force and my role in society in general. In many ways I felt out of sync, unmotivated and not at home in my own skin, and unsure of where my life was headed.
There are moments, even now, when I wonder how I was able to make something of myself, get thru some rough emotional times and fit into a country which has changed so drastically in the past 50 years.
I am grateful for my "religious" transformation when I came to faith in Jesus Christ in 1999. I am grateful for the "arranged" meeting in Colorado with Karen, my wife of over 45 years and the life we have shared since then. I am grateful for the heart attack I suffered in 2008 and the subsequent Agent Orange disability I received from the VA and all the care I have received from them to this day.
I am grateful on this Veterans' Day for all the American military Veterans, all those who have served our country as first-responders in a variety of disciplines and those who reach out to help those in need, and those who currently serve our country in some very difficult assignments around the world. But, most of all, I am grateful to God for His mercy and grace, His care and compassion, His promise of a better tomorrow and an eternal reward, for His provision and protection, and for watching over me, when I was not able to watch over myself. In Him we have it all...............
Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, November 8, 2019
November 8, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. When The Body Breaks
"You're not as young as you used to be". That is a statement which applies to every human being, of any age or physical condition. If anyone is younger today than they were yesterday, it would be a phenomenon worthy of international news coverage, and one which would be counter to every law, scientific principle, or just plain ordinary common sense. So when we face diminishing physical capacity, pain which doesn't go away, or body parts which fail or need repair, it should come as no surprise.
But the truth hurts and it makes us contemplate what we are not going to do at all tomorrow which yesterday was done without effort or fear of failure. About six months ago I took what I thought was a minor fall during the Passion Play and banged my right shoulder as I hit the ground. I instantly knew I had hurt myself. I had limited movement for a few days and then returned to what I thought was my normal routine. When I finally realized I was not able to do at all what I had done easily before the fall, I saw my VA doctor, had an X-ray, MRI, appointment with an orthopedic surgeon and received a diagnosis of a complete supraspinatus tear of the rotator cuff tendon. Since surgery is not a guaranteed fix, I am now in the first phase of physical therapy. We are working on flexibility, reducing inflammation, relearning how to lift correctly, and very limited weight lifting (is one pound too much?).
At soon to be 74, I am not looking to returning to the intense physical activity of my pre-74 life, accept the fact that I will have to delegate some of my activities to younger people, and admit that I am not getting any younger. I also know that If God has a plan for me for the years to come, HE will lead me into that new season and equip me to do what HE wants me to do . All I need to do is ask......listen.......be willing.......teachable.....obedient.....and give my best effort......let go......and let God.......and...............Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
But the truth hurts and it makes us contemplate what we are not going to do at all tomorrow which yesterday was done without effort or fear of failure. About six months ago I took what I thought was a minor fall during the Passion Play and banged my right shoulder as I hit the ground. I instantly knew I had hurt myself. I had limited movement for a few days and then returned to what I thought was my normal routine. When I finally realized I was not able to do at all what I had done easily before the fall, I saw my VA doctor, had an X-ray, MRI, appointment with an orthopedic surgeon and received a diagnosis of a complete supraspinatus tear of the rotator cuff tendon. Since surgery is not a guaranteed fix, I am now in the first phase of physical therapy. We are working on flexibility, reducing inflammation, relearning how to lift correctly, and very limited weight lifting (is one pound too much?).
At soon to be 74, I am not looking to returning to the intense physical activity of my pre-74 life, accept the fact that I will have to delegate some of my activities to younger people, and admit that I am not getting any younger. I also know that If God has a plan for me for the years to come, HE will lead me into that new season and equip me to do what HE wants me to do . All I need to do is ask......listen.......be willing.......teachable.....obedient.....and give my best effort......let go......and let God.......and...............Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
November 5, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Posture
In the vernacular of drama, there is the phrase "act tall". It is a way to covey to the audience that you are an important character, a lead role, a person of power or influence and someone to be taken seriously.
Today I began physical therapy to try to strengthen the muscles in my right shoulder to help me possibly avoid rotator cuff surgery and still be able to do normal physical activities which require the use of both arms and shoulders. The first thing I was told by the therapist was to pull my shoulders back and stop slouching or being slope-shouldered. In other words stand up straight and "act tall". I have noticed that there are many Passion Play disciples and priests who are larger and taller than me, and I do have to consciously think and act tall or risk being lost in the crowd.
So today, in addition to having a series of exercises to perform three times a day, I have to pull my shoulders back, pull my stomach in, imagine a string attached to my head pulling me skyward, but still be relaxed enough to not look like Charles Atlas or Arnold Schwarzenegger at a Mr. Universe contest. It's worth a try and if I can avoid the knife and maybe grow another inch or two it will be worth it. Thank You, Ozark Physical Therapy, and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Today I began physical therapy to try to strengthen the muscles in my right shoulder to help me possibly avoid rotator cuff surgery and still be able to do normal physical activities which require the use of both arms and shoulders. The first thing I was told by the therapist was to pull my shoulders back and stop slouching or being slope-shouldered. In other words stand up straight and "act tall". I have noticed that there are many Passion Play disciples and priests who are larger and taller than me, and I do have to consciously think and act tall or risk being lost in the crowd.
So today, in addition to having a series of exercises to perform three times a day, I have to pull my shoulders back, pull my stomach in, imagine a string attached to my head pulling me skyward, but still be relaxed enough to not look like Charles Atlas or Arnold Schwarzenegger at a Mr. Universe contest. It's worth a try and if I can avoid the knife and maybe grow another inch or two it will be worth it. Thank You, Ozark Physical Therapy, and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, November 2, 2019
November 2, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. On Autopilot
There are times when life gets hectic with all the tasks to be done, personal chores to accomplish, responsibilities to others, quiet time with The Lord, time to read a book or study some portion of scripture, exercise, go to church, bible study group, contact a friend, play a word game, balance the bank account, work a crossword puzzle, pay the bills, meet someone for dinner, take a shower..........
How can we get it all done and lay down at night and have a clear, uncluttered mind and be able to not agonize over what needs to be dome tomorrow? It's called spending the day on autopilot, do whatever needs to be done and when we finally run out of steam........let go.... give tomorrow to God......close our eyes and even with the lights on......pray for the peace of God to get us thru the night. Fall in God's arms...... and do it all anew tomorrow.
That's what it feels like in the life we are called to, and before we know it......the years have slipped away, we can see so much which has been accomplished and know that there is still so much more to do, trusting God to give us the strength, stamina, skill and willingness to see it thru to the end.....and do it again and again and again. On autopilot for The Lord. How blessed we are. Good night and Happy Time Change to all. It's good to have a do-over hour in which to blog, sort out the events of the day, thank God for everything and take tomorrow as He presents it to us. I'm so glad He is at the controls and in control of it all
Sent from my iPad
How can we get it all done and lay down at night and have a clear, uncluttered mind and be able to not agonize over what needs to be dome tomorrow? It's called spending the day on autopilot, do whatever needs to be done and when we finally run out of steam........let go.... give tomorrow to God......close our eyes and even with the lights on......pray for the peace of God to get us thru the night. Fall in God's arms...... and do it all anew tomorrow.
That's what it feels like in the life we are called to, and before we know it......the years have slipped away, we can see so much which has been accomplished and know that there is still so much more to do, trusting God to give us the strength, stamina, skill and willingness to see it thru to the end.....and do it again and again and again. On autopilot for The Lord. How blessed we are. Good night and Happy Time Change to all. It's good to have a do-over hour in which to blog, sort out the events of the day, thank God for everything and take tomorrow as He presents it to us. I'm so glad He is at the controls and in control of it all
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
October 30, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Change of Seasons
In the twinkling of an eye we are about to enter a new season. We are expecting our first sub-freezing temperature overnight and three more similar nights to follow. The "boys of summer" will wrap up the baseball season with the seventh game of the World Series tonight. On Saturday we turn back the clocks to change from daylight time to standard time and our bug visitors of the past few days may get the hint and inflict themselves on others further to the south where the weather is warmer.
We have been closing down various parts of the Passion Play operation to minimize the need for heat in certain buildings and shutting off water where it isn't needed, and thereby save fuel costs and the freezing and later-bursting of pipes. We also want to get some of our equipment stored in places where the possibility of damage is minimized or eliminated entirely. It is a familiar routine, but a necessary one.
Our 2020 schedule is available and we will be putting it out to the public, doing the preliminary work in getting the people and resources needed to "hit the floor running" when we open on April 10, 2020. As quickly as this season went by, it won't be long til the leaves which haven't yet fallen are raked up, burned, mulched, composted and grown back again in their new Spring shades of green.
Only 163 days to go 'til opening day. Thank You, Lord for being with us every step of the way. It is for Your glory that we serve as we do.
Sent from my iPad
We have been closing down various parts of the Passion Play operation to minimize the need for heat in certain buildings and shutting off water where it isn't needed, and thereby save fuel costs and the freezing and later-bursting of pipes. We also want to get some of our equipment stored in places where the possibility of damage is minimized or eliminated entirely. It is a familiar routine, but a necessary one.
Our 2020 schedule is available and we will be putting it out to the public, doing the preliminary work in getting the people and resources needed to "hit the floor running" when we open on April 10, 2020. As quickly as this season went by, it won't be long til the leaves which haven't yet fallen are raked up, burned, mulched, composted and grown back again in their new Spring shades of green.
Only 163 days to go 'til opening day. Thank You, Lord for being with us every step of the way. It is for Your glory that we serve as we do.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, October 27, 2019
October 27, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Guess What?
After a cold and rainy spell for the last days of TGPP season, today the sun came out, the temperature rose into the 70's and the ladybugs/Asian beetles returned to haunt and harass us for who knows how long. It must be something like the swallows returning to Capistrano because these little pests, in horrendously large numbers, descend from someplace and besiege us until at least the first hard freezes or high winds or up to 9 months, whichever comes first.
These pests do serve some worthwhile purpose like eating aphids, mites, and other plant-attracting insects. Karen and I don't grow plants, have no garden, but for some reason the pesky critters take a liking to our motor home and have decided they want to take up residence with us. I don't know why they bother me so much and cause me to become unusually "frazzled", but they do every year about this time.
Just like the chiggers, the current little demons, seem to impact almost everyone, but the natives don't seem to complain openly about them, while us "fureners" squall and moan and complain without ceasing. I guess there are some things you just take in stride and consider as the price you have to pay for living in Arkansas; the list is pretty long and includes: snakes, weather warnings, ice storms, black mold, heat and humidity, cold and humidity, University of Arkansas football, ticks, armadillos........
We are looking for a house-not-on-wheels so we can become permanent Arkansas residents temporarily. I guess that means we have to put our heads down, do the work assigned to us and let be what will be and learn to love those insidious spotted varmints. Help us, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
These pests do serve some worthwhile purpose like eating aphids, mites, and other plant-attracting insects. Karen and I don't grow plants, have no garden, but for some reason the pesky critters take a liking to our motor home and have decided they want to take up residence with us. I don't know why they bother me so much and cause me to become unusually "frazzled", but they do every year about this time.
Just like the chiggers, the current little demons, seem to impact almost everyone, but the natives don't seem to complain openly about them, while us "fureners" squall and moan and complain without ceasing. I guess there are some things you just take in stride and consider as the price you have to pay for living in Arkansas; the list is pretty long and includes: snakes, weather warnings, ice storms, black mold, heat and humidity, cold and humidity, University of Arkansas football, ticks, armadillos........
We are looking for a house-not-on-wheels so we can become permanent Arkansas residents temporarily. I guess that means we have to put our heads down, do the work assigned to us and let be what will be and learn to love those insidious spotted varmints. Help us, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, October 25, 2019
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
October 22, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Payback is - - - -
Remember as a kid how we used to make prank calls to random phone numbers and ask stupid questions like "is your refrigerator running?" or " do you know who's buried in Grant's Tomb?" or "what color is George Washington's white horse?" I think the robo callers are getting back at us for our invading people's privacy and just being dumb or bored or obnoxious.
But, the calls these days are dangerous as well as invasive. With so much tied to our Social Security number, our birthday or our computer passwords, we are susceptible to identity theft, loss of credit status and outright theft of our resources by these people who are slamming us with unwanted calls and ever-changing scams. I wish there were a way to not only stop the calls, but also make our recourse against them hurt them as much as they hurt so many of us. If people would spend as much time pursuing legitimate ways to earn money as they spend trying to steal ours, we would have a lot more peace and calm and freedom from the fear of wondering whether the people we trust are really trustworthy.
The world has changed since we first thought the phone was a toy to be played with. Life is more complicated and the paybacks have much more serious consequences than we ever imagined. Lord, guide us on the straight path. Help us all to do the right thing.
Sent from my iPad
But, the calls these days are dangerous as well as invasive. With so much tied to our Social Security number, our birthday or our computer passwords, we are susceptible to identity theft, loss of credit status and outright theft of our resources by these people who are slamming us with unwanted calls and ever-changing scams. I wish there were a way to not only stop the calls, but also make our recourse against them hurt them as much as they hurt so many of us. If people would spend as much time pursuing legitimate ways to earn money as they spend trying to steal ours, we would have a lot more peace and calm and freedom from the fear of wondering whether the people we trust are really trustworthy.
The world has changed since we first thought the phone was a toy to be played with. Life is more complicated and the paybacks have much more serious consequences than we ever imagined. Lord, guide us on the straight path. Help us all to do the right thing.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, October 19, 2019
October 19, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. T Minus 4
Tonight......Tuesday.....Friday....Saturday..fade to black, the 51st season of The Great Passion Play will be history. After that it is a big question mark. While Karen spent four months this summer in Colorado with family and house issues, I was here at TGPP for every one of the 80 In-depth Tabernacle teachings, every Holy Land Tour and every PP performance. It has been a hectic time for us both.
We have tentative plans to remain in Eureka Springs for the winter, keep looking for a house to live in other than our motor home, to visit local churches to promote TGPP and find volunteers to help with winter and season 52 roles. We want to unwind a little before we commit to getting wound up again. So, our current plans are...tentative.....waiting on God to make the final decision to move the cloud or leave it where it is. Without God and His input......we are not willing to "go it alone", it just isn't going to work. Thank You, Lord for where You have put us, what You have called us to do, and the sense to know that You are still on Your Throne.........and In Control. We Are Blessed.
Sent from my iPad
We have tentative plans to remain in Eureka Springs for the winter, keep looking for a house to live in other than our motor home, to visit local churches to promote TGPP and find volunteers to help with winter and season 52 roles. We want to unwind a little before we commit to getting wound up again. So, our current plans are...tentative.....waiting on God to make the final decision to move the cloud or leave it where it is. Without God and His input......we are not willing to "go it alone", it just isn't going to work. Thank You, Lord for where You have put us, what You have called us to do, and the sense to know that You are still on Your Throne.........and In Control. We Are Blessed.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
October 16, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Oy vey Iz Mir.......(Woe Is Me....)
I grew up in a Jewish home, and Yiddish was the language our parents used to speak to each other when they didn't want my brother and me to know what they were discussing. I don't think Phil and I were ever fluent in Yiddish, but we could catch the drift of what they were discussing and whether we were in trouble or not. Yiddish has some beautiful expressions and the inflections, tone and rhythm convey the gist of the conversation.
I know there are certain characteristics we acquire from our parents. We are, after all affected by the genes which they have passed on to us. I have come to believe, that I have become my mother. I can tell a lot of "tales", but I am afraid I have inherited, and now display, her need for doctors, constant medical attention and what might be commonly called...hypochondria. My three visits to the VA in the past month, my ever growing repertoire of pills, medications and the wide range of aches and pains I seem to exhibit, the tests and procedures I have requested and received, and the fact that many of the staff and even patients at the VA seem to know us by name, know our connection with the Passion Play and go out of their way to befriend us, makes we wonder if we have taken too much of a liking to the wonderful care we receive there. We even find that we are getting referrals for further care to other departments by the people we have just met with. Will it never end?
I may be on the road to psychological or psychiatric help.............OY VEY.
Sent from my iPad
I know there are certain characteristics we acquire from our parents. We are, after all affected by the genes which they have passed on to us. I have come to believe, that I have become my mother. I can tell a lot of "tales", but I am afraid I have inherited, and now display, her need for doctors, constant medical attention and what might be commonly called...hypochondria. My three visits to the VA in the past month, my ever growing repertoire of pills, medications and the wide range of aches and pains I seem to exhibit, the tests and procedures I have requested and received, and the fact that many of the staff and even patients at the VA seem to know us by name, know our connection with the Passion Play and go out of their way to befriend us, makes we wonder if we have taken too much of a liking to the wonderful care we receive there. We even find that we are getting referrals for further care to other departments by the people we have just met with. Will it never end?
I may be on the road to psychological or psychiatric help.............OY VEY.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, October 13, 2019
October 13, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. A Touch of Winter
A cold front came through Northwest Arkansas this week and we went from the '80's to the 30's in a flash. Some places even fell into the high '20's. Since a lot of my activities are outside, the quick change meant quick changes in clothing to not get too cold or, then, too hot. I didn't do very well, because I am fighting a cold/stuffy nose/scratchy throat/cough. Today it is a matter of balancing heat and air conditioning in the motor home to get comfortable and taking a host of "drugs" and natural remedies to combat the symptoms and get healthy for the four-performance-week ahead of us.
With only seven performances to go in the season, it will soon be time to get ready for a slower pace and a decision on how to spend the winter. I may be facing rotator cuff surgery, (we meet with the surgeon on Wednesday), so that may be the major factor in how and where we spend the winter months. We've heard good things about the surgeon, so we will lean heavily on his recommendation. Karen has been scouring the internet for possible houses for us to buy and that too will have an impact on our winter plans.
In all these matters, we trust God to guide us where He will and how we are to serve Him and His Kingdom. He has certainly blessed us in so many ways and given us a peace and security beyond our imagination. Stay the course.......wait on The Lord and know that He will provide. Sounds like A Plan.
Sent from my iPad
With only seven performances to go in the season, it will soon be time to get ready for a slower pace and a decision on how to spend the winter. I may be facing rotator cuff surgery, (we meet with the surgeon on Wednesday), so that may be the major factor in how and where we spend the winter months. We've heard good things about the surgeon, so we will lean heavily on his recommendation. Karen has been scouring the internet for possible houses for us to buy and that too will have an impact on our winter plans.
In all these matters, we trust God to guide us where He will and how we are to serve Him and His Kingdom. He has certainly blessed us in so many ways and given us a peace and security beyond our imagination. Stay the course.......wait on The Lord and know that He will provide. Sounds like A Plan.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, October 10, 2019
October 10, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. I Hope This Works
Yesterday I spent about two hours in the Verizon store trying to find ways to lower our monthly bill. It seems that every time I think I am getting a discount, my bill goes up. We have been Verizon customers since before Verizon was Verizon and we like the coverage we have when we travel and the convenience of the online services we use, but the bill seems to keep increasing. We do want to keep our Verizon service.
At one time we had our bill down to about $130 per month, but we are now over $200 and rising. The current bill is $237. Thus the visit to the store yesterday. I had three clerks helping, plus the Verizon customer service people on two different phone lines and I really am not sure what they were saying or what I agreed to, but when I left the store, I was $400 poorer, had a new iPad Mini and the assurance that my monthly bill would be $167 per month for our three phones, one iPad Mini, unlimited data, military discount, a tablet and old iPad Mini which would work with wi-fi only, a jet pack which I no longer need, and a few other free services which I don't know how to access.
I am writing my first blog post on the new iPad and will soon find out whether it gets to you or disappears into the zephyr window of outer space. Here goes.....Isure hope this works.
Sent from my iPad
At one time we had our bill down to about $130 per month, but we are now over $200 and rising. The current bill is $237. Thus the visit to the store yesterday. I had three clerks helping, plus the Verizon customer service people on two different phone lines and I really am not sure what they were saying or what I agreed to, but when I left the store, I was $400 poorer, had a new iPad Mini and the assurance that my monthly bill would be $167 per month for our three phones, one iPad Mini, unlimited data, military discount, a tablet and old iPad Mini which would work with wi-fi only, a jet pack which I no longer need, and a few other free services which I don't know how to access.
I am writing my first blog post on the new iPad and will soon find out whether it gets to you or disappears into the zephyr window of outer space. Here goes.....Isure hope this works.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, October 7, 2019
October 7, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. ???
When I woke up this morning it was 55 degrees outside, our coldest overnight temperature since Spring. The motor home was cold, so I put on the electric heat pump setting the temperature at 66 and then 67, but 67 made it too hot, so I set it back to 66.
After working outside all morning in shorts and a t-shirt, I came back to the motor home and it was too warm inside so I put on the electric air conditioning (the same heat pump unit) setting the temperature at 77 where it has stayed for the rest of the day.
Right now the outside temperature is 60. The inside temperature is 75. Karen and I are both in short sleeve shirts and there is no air (hot or cold) running, and we are both comfortable. Wait a minute. Did we use a higher temperature to cool us and a lower temperature to warm us? Does that make any sense at all? How can that be, and will this weather settle down from yesterday's non-stop rain to today's dry and no humidity with no indication that we had over 5 inches of rain in this area yesterday?
Will the weather ever be understandable? Help me understand that higher cooling temperature and lower warming temperature thing. I guess some things just make no sense and no amount of "splainin' " will explain it. We just have to put our head down, take it as it comes, and move on to the next task and the situations we encounter as we move ahead. Thank you, Lord that we can trust you in all things and thank you for all things.
I'm so glad You are in control of it all.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
After working outside all morning in shorts and a t-shirt, I came back to the motor home and it was too warm inside so I put on the electric air conditioning (the same heat pump unit) setting the temperature at 77 where it has stayed for the rest of the day.
Right now the outside temperature is 60. The inside temperature is 75. Karen and I are both in short sleeve shirts and there is no air (hot or cold) running, and we are both comfortable. Wait a minute. Did we use a higher temperature to cool us and a lower temperature to warm us? Does that make any sense at all? How can that be, and will this weather settle down from yesterday's non-stop rain to today's dry and no humidity with no indication that we had over 5 inches of rain in this area yesterday?
Will the weather ever be understandable? Help me understand that higher cooling temperature and lower warming temperature thing. I guess some things just make no sense and no amount of "splainin' " will explain it. We just have to put our head down, take it as it comes, and move on to the next task and the situations we encounter as we move ahead. Thank you, Lord that we can trust you in all things and thank you for all things.
I'm so glad You are in control of it all.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Friday, October 4, 2019
October 4, 2019. Eureka Spings, AR. Our Day At The VA
Wow. What a day we had yesterday with a non-stop parade from dentist to orthopedist to throat and esophagus specialists, to cystourethroscopyists and back to the dentist. After seven hours, we headed home with one less tooth, three good reports and one follow-up appointment in two weeks to discuss a possible rotator cuff surgery. All in all it was a very successful day, with very effective care and a five-star review for all involved.
I slept well, woke early (as usual) to the coolest temperature (55) since early spring and the prospect of fall rather than summer weather for the weekend and beyond. Karen and I are feeling good about our houselessness and while we don't have firm plans for the "off season" we feel little or no pressure to make any firm decisions until we know more about my shoulder situation. For the moment, I won't be aspiring to set any national or world weight lifting records.
Thank you to all who pray for us and encourage us in our ministry activities. We can feel God at work in our life and pray that our prayers for you are having a similar impact. Together we support each other and praise The One who orchestrates it all. Thank you all..... thank you VA.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I slept well, woke early (as usual) to the coolest temperature (55) since early spring and the prospect of fall rather than summer weather for the weekend and beyond. Karen and I are feeling good about our houselessness and while we don't have firm plans for the "off season" we feel little or no pressure to make any firm decisions until we know more about my shoulder situation. For the moment, I won't be aspiring to set any national or world weight lifting records.
Thank you to all who pray for us and encourage us in our ministry activities. We can feel God at work in our life and pray that our prayers for you are having a similar impact. Together we support each other and praise The One who orchestrates it all. Thank you all..... thank you VA.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
October 1, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Ouch
Scripture tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, but every so often one of our parts goes on the fritz and we utter an ouch or words to that effect. It becomes necessary to seek medical attention to remedy the situation. My last visit to the VA uncovered some areas of concern; so on Thursday, Karen and I will return to Fayetteville for further poking, prodding and other intrusions. I also have a very sore tooth which I hope to have looked at.
I have been extremely pleased, and blessed, by the care I have received both at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and now at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, and give them very high marks for the medical attention they have shown to me. It saddens me when I hear stories about inadequate care, long waits or problems not properly addressed. Like most things, not all people have their expectations met and give less than a five-star review. It's hard to please all the people all of the time.
Getting older has it's benefits, but there are some glitches when the equipment starts to wear out. Press on. Keep a positive outlook. Trust God and be thankful for His love and care for us, and know that for every ouch there is a healing touch, for every ache there is a salve and for every hurt there is a remedy......and He is the power behind it all. Above all we must continue to fearfully and wonderfully say.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I have been extremely pleased, and blessed, by the care I have received both at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and now at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, and give them very high marks for the medical attention they have shown to me. It saddens me when I hear stories about inadequate care, long waits or problems not properly addressed. Like most things, not all people have their expectations met and give less than a five-star review. It's hard to please all the people all of the time.
Getting older has it's benefits, but there are some glitches when the equipment starts to wear out. Press on. Keep a positive outlook. Trust God and be thankful for His love and care for us, and know that for every ouch there is a healing touch, for every ache there is a salve and for every hurt there is a remedy......and He is the power behind it all. Above all we must continue to fearfully and wonderfully say.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, September 28, 2019
September 28, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Don't Wish Your Time Away
Too often in life we want to fast forward thru the present moment to get to a place or time when we think things will be better than they are now. We may even say "I wish the clock would move more quickly" or "I can't wait for next weekend" or "when will this day ever end". What we are doing is trying to control something we have no control over.
Time is a valuable commodity. The present moment is unique. We have it only once and if we don't use it.....we lose it. It will never have a second chance. When we fritter away our time on trivial or worthless endeavors, we have thrown away an opportunity which is now lost. I'm not saying we have to be active, productive or at maximum capacity every minute, for that will lead us to exhaustion and calamity. What I am saying is we have to make the most of the moment, get the rest we need and live a life which enjoys the now, appreciates the past and makes realistic plans for the future. And, don't look so far ahead that we ignore the blessings that are at our fingertips right now.
In the grand scheme of things, life is short, eternity is a hope to be anticipated and we need to be thankful for each day and each moment we have been given to make a positive impact on the part of the world we occupy. And always......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Time is a valuable commodity. The present moment is unique. We have it only once and if we don't use it.....we lose it. It will never have a second chance. When we fritter away our time on trivial or worthless endeavors, we have thrown away an opportunity which is now lost. I'm not saying we have to be active, productive or at maximum capacity every minute, for that will lead us to exhaustion and calamity. What I am saying is we have to make the most of the moment, get the rest we need and live a life which enjoys the now, appreciates the past and makes realistic plans for the future. And, don't look so far ahead that we ignore the blessings that are at our fingertips right now.
In the grand scheme of things, life is short, eternity is a hope to be anticipated and we need to be thankful for each day and each moment we have been given to make a positive impact on the part of the world we occupy. And always......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
September 25, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. A Simple Life
Karen and I are trying to downsize, simplify and unclutter our life. We have completed the sale of our Colorado house, are living in our motor home in Arkansas and are in the process of trying to get all the people we have dealt with over the past 70 plus years to know where we are physically living, where to send all our mail, how to contact us by phone, email or any other method available. We are trying to have nothing get lost in the ozone, zephyr, black hole or unknown.
To establish a simple life has not been simple and to have an easy road before us has not been easy. What has not changed: phone numbers with Colorado area codes, our individual email addresses and the website for Ministry of Miles, our status as volunteers n Christian ministry and our faith in a God, Son and Holy Spirit Who as 3 in 1 provide, protect and care for us in everything we do.
But the details of insurances, health care, property in storage, house hunting in Arkansas, getting ready for winter conditions, finishing the Play season on a positive note, possible medical procedures after November 1st, the normal daily activities and the unknown all create a challenging, but still exciting, life. Eventually, we will get the details worked out, the simple life will become closer to reality and then.......................
Sent from my iPad
To establish a simple life has not been simple and to have an easy road before us has not been easy. What has not changed: phone numbers with Colorado area codes, our individual email addresses and the website for Ministry of Miles, our status as volunteers n Christian ministry and our faith in a God, Son and Holy Spirit Who as 3 in 1 provide, protect and care for us in everything we do.
But the details of insurances, health care, property in storage, house hunting in Arkansas, getting ready for winter conditions, finishing the Play season on a positive note, possible medical procedures after November 1st, the normal daily activities and the unknown all create a challenging, but still exciting, life. Eventually, we will get the details worked out, the simple life will become closer to reality and then.......................
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Fwd: September 22, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Blogging Time Again
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: ministry of miles <ministryofmiles@gmail.com>
Date: September 22, 2019 at 7:26:36 PM CDT
Subject: September 22, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Blogging Time Again
The days pass so quickly anymore. When I start each day, I write my thoughts in a journal, thanking God for yesterday and for the opportunities before me. If it is the third day from my last blog post, I put a "B" in the left-hand margin to remind me that at some point in the day I need to sit down again and put my thoughts in writing for others to share. It's now "B" time.
It seems like yesterday that Karen went back to Fort Collins, to help her sister, our niece and great niece move out of our house, prepare the house for sale, and sell it. It took nearly four months to accomplish, but it has all been accomplished and we are no longer Colorado residents. Karen is back in Arkansas, we have become reacquainted and back in the Passion Play routine together again. In just over a month the Play season will be over and we will see what lies before us in our walk with The Lord. I may be facing some medical procedures, but will know more on that front after my three October 3rd appointments at the VA. Where we go and what we do for the winter will depend in large part on what the doctors say on October 3.
We press on, blog on, and face each new day and new adventure knowing that everything is in His hands and will be for our good and His glory. We are blessed.......
Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, September 19, 2019
September 19, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Show Must Go On
Every September and October at TGPP we face a shortage of people who can do what needs to be done to keep the place operating effectively. There are a number of factors which contribute to the problem. The college kids have returned to college: the high school and elementary school kids are back in class and have afternoon activities, earlier sleep times and their parents are "conflicted" in their allegiances. Also, the earlier starting time for the play after Labor Day makes it hard for some people to get to the play on time on Tuesdays and Friday's. People are also tired and some are "playing hurt" due to injuries.
But the show must go on. Those who can step into different roles, step into them with little forewarning or training, and learn on the fly. Disciples become Roman soldiers, Roman soldiers become disciples, some of our twelve year olds become disciples or Sanhedrin guards and we are often surprised to see our off-day Christ figures as cross thieves, Barabbas, soldiers, priests or lepers. There are always modifications to the normal routine. But, the show must go on and it's not too often that we hear a voice but don't have a body from which it came. One thing, however, is a certainty: Twelve disciples will come over the hill to start the play and there will be thirteen males at the Last Supper. No "Reader's Digest" version permitted.
Flexibility, spontaneity, willingness, patience and a sense of humor. - necessary qualities to have, or develop, to help this ministry accomplish what it is commissioned to accomplish. Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity.
Sent from my iPad
But the show must go on. Those who can step into different roles, step into them with little forewarning or training, and learn on the fly. Disciples become Roman soldiers, Roman soldiers become disciples, some of our twelve year olds become disciples or Sanhedrin guards and we are often surprised to see our off-day Christ figures as cross thieves, Barabbas, soldiers, priests or lepers. There are always modifications to the normal routine. But, the show must go on and it's not too often that we hear a voice but don't have a body from which it came. One thing, however, is a certainty: Twelve disciples will come over the hill to start the play and there will be thirteen males at the Last Supper. No "Reader's Digest" version permitted.
Flexibility, spontaneity, willingness, patience and a sense of humor. - necessary qualities to have, or develop, to help this ministry accomplish what it is commissioned to accomplish. Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, September 16, 2019
September 16, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. When It Works........
Technology is a fabulous thing.......when it works. When it doesn't, Katie bar the door. As we transition from our 40 plus years of legal residency in Colorado to a status of indefinite uncertainty, we are forced to make a lot of changes in a wide variety of areas like RV insurance, health insurance, car insurance, rental insurance, mailing address, physical address, savings accounts, checking accounts, social security status, buying or renting a residence in Arkansas, underpayments, overpayments, refunds, credits.......
Without a computer, we are forced into a cell phone, mini-iPad, hot spot, fax, scan and email, e-sign dilemma with texting of secret codes and a host of other options to be legal and within HIPAA privacy, confidentiality rules and so many more regulations, it is amazing how dependent we are on the high tech elements we have created. Where you could once shake hands on the sale of virtually the whole Louisiana Purchase or the Alaskan Territory, it now takes reams of documents, a plethora of lawyers, and ultra high tech to sign up for a library card.
But, Thank God when it all works......and thank God for the ten year old we call to fix it when it doesn't. "Oh, the humanity"
Sent from my iPad
Without a computer, we are forced into a cell phone, mini-iPad, hot spot, fax, scan and email, e-sign dilemma with texting of secret codes and a host of other options to be legal and within HIPAA privacy, confidentiality rules and so many more regulations, it is amazing how dependent we are on the high tech elements we have created. Where you could once shake hands on the sale of virtually the whole Louisiana Purchase or the Alaskan Territory, it now takes reams of documents, a plethora of lawyers, and ultra high tech to sign up for a library card.
But, Thank God when it all works......and thank God for the ten year old we call to fix it when it doesn't. "Oh, the humanity"
Sent from my iPad
Friday, September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. In The Morning, When I Rise
The morning has always been special to me. I have always been an early riser and it was the best time for me to do whatever was my "thing" at that particular time of life. I read, wrote, ran, bicycled, studied, prayed, planned, relaxed.......best in the morning.
Karen and I attended a Fernando Ortega event in Fort Collins, Colorado soon after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in 1999, and one of the songs he sang that night popped into my mind this morning, as I rose. (Link below) A simple song with simple words, a piano and a cello, no fancy lighting or production elements......just Jesus and Him alone...the foundation and strength we need for this life and the next.
Karen spent nearly four months in Fort Collins, returning yesterday to our Arkansas home and what is the start of a new season for us. Our years together in Colorado are a memory.....a good memory. Our house there has a new owner and I pray it will provide good memories for him and all who live or visit there. But, it was time for us to "move on" and how that will play out......we can only plan....pray....hope....and wait on God.
As I wrote three days ago, may what lies ahead for all of us "be inviting and exciting". We trust in God and the plans He has for us. The Ministry of Miles rolls on......or stays put. When the cloud moves, we move: when the cloud stays put, we stay put. Simple. THANK YOU JESUS.......THANK YOU LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Karen and I attended a Fernando Ortega event in Fort Collins, Colorado soon after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in 1999, and one of the songs he sang that night popped into my mind this morning, as I rose. (Link below) A simple song with simple words, a piano and a cello, no fancy lighting or production elements......just Jesus and Him alone...the foundation and strength we need for this life and the next.
Karen spent nearly four months in Fort Collins, returning yesterday to our Arkansas home and what is the start of a new season for us. Our years together in Colorado are a memory.....a good memory. Our house there has a new owner and I pray it will provide good memories for him and all who live or visit there. But, it was time for us to "move on" and how that will play out......we can only plan....pray....hope....and wait on God.
As I wrote three days ago, may what lies ahead for all of us "be inviting and exciting". We trust in God and the plans He has for us. The Ministry of Miles rolls on......or stays put. When the cloud moves, we move: when the cloud stays put, we stay put. Simple. THANK YOU JESUS.......THANK YOU LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Sunrise in the Ozarks
As I get back into my wogging, the quiet of the morning, the beautiful colors and the many blessings of God come into clearer focus and the hope for what is to come becomes more inviting and exciting. Thank You, Lord.
Saturday, September 7, 2019
September 7, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Endurance Ministry
There was a time when I looked at people with Type-A personalities and marveled at how much they could do in a short period of time and how good they were at what they did. It never dawned on me that I might be a Type-A, as well. as far as how much I could do, not necessarily how well I was doing it.
Whether it was education, music. sports, drama, church ministry or just being able to go for hours and hours on end, I guess God blessed me with endurance, strength, stamina, persistence, the ability to withstand pain and monotony, boredom and repetitive action. And, this was even before I realized it was His strength, not mine which was the power which drove me. Our ministry activity the past twenty years, both mine and Karen's have to be considered "endurance ministry". We have said yes to a lot of requests.
Long days, working when physically and emotionally exhausted, doing what others didn't want to, or couldn't, do has been standard operation procedure for both of us. It's not meant to sound boastful or braggadocio, it's what others say about us. We're not spring chickens any longer, and it may be time for us to step back a little, assess our list of activities and realize that rest, renewal, training our replacements and saying "no" more often may be in the cards for the immediate future.
We'll see what happens. God may have other plans for us and then, I guess it may be.......Yes, Lord. We'll see.......Stay tuned .
Sent from my iPad
Whether it was education, music. sports, drama, church ministry or just being able to go for hours and hours on end, I guess God blessed me with endurance, strength, stamina, persistence, the ability to withstand pain and monotony, boredom and repetitive action. And, this was even before I realized it was His strength, not mine which was the power which drove me. Our ministry activity the past twenty years, both mine and Karen's have to be considered "endurance ministry". We have said yes to a lot of requests.
Long days, working when physically and emotionally exhausted, doing what others didn't want to, or couldn't, do has been standard operation procedure for both of us. It's not meant to sound boastful or braggadocio, it's what others say about us. We're not spring chickens any longer, and it may be time for us to step back a little, assess our list of activities and realize that rest, renewal, training our replacements and saying "no" more often may be in the cards for the immediate future.
We'll see what happens. God may have other plans for us and then, I guess it may be.......Yes, Lord. We'll see.......Stay tuned .
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
September 4, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. On The Wog Again?
I didn't sleep very long last night, but when I woke up, I began my quiet time routine and as I finished, the sun was beginning to brighten the eastern sky. Something prompted me to put on a pair of running shorts, my old wogging shoes and a tank top and out I went into the comfortable morning air, to walk and jog (wog) for about an hour. It has been quite a while since I felt the urge to do this and, I must say, it was a very pleasant hour.
I haven't been cleaning the amphitheater the morning after the Play, so no walking the stairs as I have in the past, and I have not had a consistent "cardio" routine for a long time, so it surprised me that I went out with the intent to wog, and I was surprised even more at how good I felt when I finished. After a while taking care of financial matters associated with our recent house sale, I spent the rest of the morning weed-whacking the amphitheater and then led a Holy Land Tour, went to a Bible Study and feel very relaxed and "unstiff" from my active day.
Does this mean a return to my three or so wogs per week routine? I don't know, but I'll let you know in a few weeks. I've found out recently that when I'm prompted to do something, have a question which pops into my mind, or asked something I have no answer for, I need to act on the matter and seek God's direction for me and the possible answer to the question.
Is the cloud about to move for us? I don't know.........but I'll let you know...........
Sent from my iPad
I haven't been cleaning the amphitheater the morning after the Play, so no walking the stairs as I have in the past, and I have not had a consistent "cardio" routine for a long time, so it surprised me that I went out with the intent to wog, and I was surprised even more at how good I felt when I finished. After a while taking care of financial matters associated with our recent house sale, I spent the rest of the morning weed-whacking the amphitheater and then led a Holy Land Tour, went to a Bible Study and feel very relaxed and "unstiff" from my active day.
Does this mean a return to my three or so wogs per week routine? I don't know, but I'll let you know in a few weeks. I've found out recently that when I'm prompted to do something, have a question which pops into my mind, or asked something I have no answer for, I need to act on the matter and seek God's direction for me and the possible answer to the question.
Is the cloud about to move for us? I don't know.........but I'll let you know...........
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, September 1, 2019
September 1, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Stay The Course
I just read about a 96 year old man in Brazil who has worked for the same company for over 81 years. It used to be the norm that people would get a job as a teenager or after they graduated high school or college and remain in that job until they reached retirement age. In the days of the "family farm" many children stayed on the farm and "worked it" their entire life, never doing anything else, never venturing out into new fields, so to speak.
Most of the people I know have bounced around, changed jobs, lived in different places and been very mobile or nomadic. I would certainly fit into this category. There are any number,of reasons why I have changed jobs, moved, pursued new interests and some of those reasons were: boredom, lack of ability, impatience, stubbornness, didn't fit in, got fired, quit, injured, didn't like the boss, the boss didn't like me, too hot, too cold, wanted a physical challenge, curious, needed a change of scenery.......
Karen and I have been through a lot in our 45 plus years together and it has been a crazy journey. As we enter a new "houseless" period of our life, we are "on the fence" as to our future, but I think we are agreed that it's not our decision alone to make. Yes, we have two votes in the matter, but the vote that really counts is The One which REALLY matters. The final vote may be ONE to two, with the ONE winning, but I think the vote will be unanimous. God has it all figured out and we just need to listen........be obedient...........and Stay The Course. Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
Most of the people I know have bounced around, changed jobs, lived in different places and been very mobile or nomadic. I would certainly fit into this category. There are any number,of reasons why I have changed jobs, moved, pursued new interests and some of those reasons were: boredom, lack of ability, impatience, stubbornness, didn't fit in, got fired, quit, injured, didn't like the boss, the boss didn't like me, too hot, too cold, wanted a physical challenge, curious, needed a change of scenery.......
Karen and I have been through a lot in our 45 plus years together and it has been a crazy journey. As we enter a new "houseless" period of our life, we are "on the fence" as to our future, but I think we are agreed that it's not our decision alone to make. Yes, we have two votes in the matter, but the vote that really counts is The One which REALLY matters. The final vote may be ONE to two, with the ONE winning, but I think the vote will be unanimous. God has it all figured out and we just need to listen........be obedient...........and Stay The Course. Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, August 29, 2019
August 29, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Thank You, Colorado---Thank You, Lord
Forty-seven years ago, I was a divorced Vietnam Veteran with a law degree. I had passed the Virginia State Bar, but had no desire to practice law and no desire to stay in the Washington, D.C. area. I headed west with no firm plans, no money, no debt and no friends. When my British racing green Triumph Spitfire broke down in Denver, I needed a job to pay for the repairs. Little did I know at the time what lay before me.
Yesterday, Karen and I cut the cord which tied us to Colorado. No......not a divorce; We sold the house we had owned in Fort Collins for 21 years, and are no longer Colorado residents.
Our house, for the moment, is the motor home we have lived in since December, 2013. Arkansas will probably be our home, unless...........
Karen was born and raised in Colorado, with a detour to Utah, before we met in Colorado in 1972. Our life together in Colorado, with a detour to Oklahoma, has been a wonderful and varied adventure. So much happened to us and with us over our 45 years marriage and Colorado was the scene of a lot of it. We traveled, we made friends. In 1999, Jesus found us and we found Him in the house we just sold, and we have served Him wholeheartedly and serve Him wholeheartedly to this day and are grateful for the path He has led us on and the part Colorado played in the journey. It is with mixed emotions that we did what we did, but the relative ease of the whole "transaction" makes us believe we had God's hand holding ours during the whole process.
What lies ahead.......only God knows.....and He hasn't revealed the plan to us yet. And so, we thank Colorado for all it provided, and we thank God for all He provided and we will press on to whatever.......wherever.......whenever......trusting Who we do, for His Glory and His Eternal Kingdom. I think that's a tear I feel running down my cheek.
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday, Karen and I cut the cord which tied us to Colorado. No......not a divorce; We sold the house we had owned in Fort Collins for 21 years, and are no longer Colorado residents.
Our house, for the moment, is the motor home we have lived in since December, 2013. Arkansas will probably be our home, unless...........
Karen was born and raised in Colorado, with a detour to Utah, before we met in Colorado in 1972. Our life together in Colorado, with a detour to Oklahoma, has been a wonderful and varied adventure. So much happened to us and with us over our 45 years marriage and Colorado was the scene of a lot of it. We traveled, we made friends. In 1999, Jesus found us and we found Him in the house we just sold, and we have served Him wholeheartedly and serve Him wholeheartedly to this day and are grateful for the path He has led us on and the part Colorado played in the journey. It is with mixed emotions that we did what we did, but the relative ease of the whole "transaction" makes us believe we had God's hand holding ours during the whole process.
What lies ahead.......only God knows.....and He hasn't revealed the plan to us yet. And so, we thank Colorado for all it provided, and we thank God for all He provided and we will press on to whatever.......wherever.......whenever......trusting Who we do, for His Glory and His Eternal Kingdom. I think that's a tear I feel running down my cheek.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, August 26, 2019
August 26, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Losing The Light?
Summer is winding down. As we begin the Play each evening, we are noticing that the sun is setting earlier, the stage lights are having more effect on the set and it is obvious that we will soon have Fall in the air. After Labor Day, the Play will begin at 7:30 instead of 8:30 and that means getting to sleep an hour earlier, a quicker turn-around from the Holy Land Tour ending and the Play beginning.
That will mean less time to relax between the events of the day and events of the evening, but that earlier "to bed" time will make up for it. The seasons change, the schedule is altered, but the message to be delivered is the same. While we lose the physical hours of daylight we don't lose the spiritual light we are striving to convey. Scripture calls us to be "salt and light" to "walk in the light" that we may "become men of light", that others may "see our good deeds and praise our Father in Heaven". To be "light in a dark world" is what The Great Passion Play is all about. It is our mission, and it is a mission more necessary now than ever as we see the decline of our nation and our world into a darkness which only a return to God can reverse.
Pray for TGPP and all the other ministries working to keep the Light shining, for the efforts being made to give those without hope, the hope we have; to give to those in darkness the Light which will brighten their life now.........and their life forever. All Praise and Glory to THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Sent from my iPad
That will mean less time to relax between the events of the day and events of the evening, but that earlier "to bed" time will make up for it. The seasons change, the schedule is altered, but the message to be delivered is the same. While we lose the physical hours of daylight we don't lose the spiritual light we are striving to convey. Scripture calls us to be "salt and light" to "walk in the light" that we may "become men of light", that others may "see our good deeds and praise our Father in Heaven". To be "light in a dark world" is what The Great Passion Play is all about. It is our mission, and it is a mission more necessary now than ever as we see the decline of our nation and our world into a darkness which only a return to God can reverse.
Pray for TGPP and all the other ministries working to keep the Light shining, for the efforts being made to give those without hope, the hope we have; to give to those in darkness the Light which will brighten their life now.........and their life forever. All Praise and Glory to THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, August 23, 2019
August 23, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Chigger Update
I've been pretty quiet about the chigger situation this year. It has been another banner year for the little buggers, but I have managed to prevail without investing vast sums of money in additional medical remedies. I have used some of the old standbys, and added a few new ones to the mix. I still am a mass of welts, but have been able to minimize the itch discomfort by using cheap 91% isopropyl alcohol, inexpensive Suave sweet pea and violet anti-perspirant directly on the bites, as well as spraying legs and feet with last year's Deep Woods Off a few times per day.
Before each Play performance there is a lot of spraying going on in our dressing room and there is no lack of "cures" which have limited to no success. The placebo effect is very evident as most people are pretty welted up, and that's just in the areas we can see. I think my greatest success has come from the "boxers instead of briefs" regimen and stretching my sleeveless A-shirts so they are not so form fitting. Loose clothing seems to work.
It looks like we are expecting cooler and wetter weather for the end of August. Whether that's good news or bad news on the chigger front, I don't know. But, we press on, resist the urge to scratch as best we can, and listen for some other cure-all which may or not be the "be-all-and-end-all" for the problem. Have you heard about............
Sent from my iPad
Before each Play performance there is a lot of spraying going on in our dressing room and there is no lack of "cures" which have limited to no success. The placebo effect is very evident as most people are pretty welted up, and that's just in the areas we can see. I think my greatest success has come from the "boxers instead of briefs" regimen and stretching my sleeveless A-shirts so they are not so form fitting. Loose clothing seems to work.
It looks like we are expecting cooler and wetter weather for the end of August. Whether that's good news or bad news on the chigger front, I don't know. But, we press on, resist the urge to scratch as best we can, and listen for some other cure-all which may or not be the "be-all-and-end-all" for the problem. Have you heard about............
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
August 20, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Cattle on A Thousand Hills
God does not need our money. He does not need anything from us. He has everything. And He provides everything we need when we ask Him for it. And yet, everywhere we experience people who are in "ministry" on behalf of God, we are constantly made aware of their need for financial resources to do what they do. On Christian radio, televangelists, Christian concerts, churches of every denomination, people on deputation from their missionary work, Christian relief organizations; all of them seek out financial support for their activities.
When coupled with all the secular organizations which solicit funds to operate: veteran organizations, hospitals like St. Jude or Shriners, animal organizations like the ASPCA, The Red Cross, Salvation Army, Police Benevolence organizations and so, so many more we are constantly forced to decide who and how much we can reasonably be expected to give our money to. It's obvious that there are many needs out there, many hurting people and many organizations who are vying for our support.
How we decide who gets how much is something each of us faces every day. We can't be expected to help them all, or we might find ourselves on the asking side instead of the giving side. And what about those who are on the asking side? Ultimately we need to have the decision made by The One Who does own the cattle on a thousand hills: The One Who has it all, gives all He has to those who need it and is The One we should thank for all He has done for us and offers the promise to do even more.
To me, it seems to say that whether we are "believers" or "non-believers" we need to seek Him for any and every need we may have. JUST ASK HIM. He has it all and He gives it all to those who ask Him for it. To Him be all the honor and glory and praise .......... and to Him every knee should bow and every tongue confess. JUST ASK HIM. Thank You, Lord.
> Sent from my iPad
When coupled with all the secular organizations which solicit funds to operate: veteran organizations, hospitals like St. Jude or Shriners, animal organizations like the ASPCA, The Red Cross, Salvation Army, Police Benevolence organizations and so, so many more we are constantly forced to decide who and how much we can reasonably be expected to give our money to. It's obvious that there are many needs out there, many hurting people and many organizations who are vying for our support.
How we decide who gets how much is something each of us faces every day. We can't be expected to help them all, or we might find ourselves on the asking side instead of the giving side. And what about those who are on the asking side? Ultimately we need to have the decision made by The One Who does own the cattle on a thousand hills: The One Who has it all, gives all He has to those who need it and is The One we should thank for all He has done for us and offers the promise to do even more.
To me, it seems to say that whether we are "believers" or "non-believers" we need to seek Him for any and every need we may have. JUST ASK HIM. He has it all and He gives it all to those who ask Him for it. To Him be all the honor and glory and praise .......... and to Him every knee should bow and every tongue confess. JUST ASK HIM. Thank You, Lord.
> Sent from my iPad
Saturday, August 17, 2019
August 17, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Flexibility
Pre-sales for today's Holy Land were a group of 200 with an indication there would be quite a few more anticipated because of the favorable weather forecast. Coordination of the bus drivers, golf cart drivers, ticketing people and other "up top" staff would determine whether our efforts would be graded "well done, good and faithful servant" or "I knew you not" or somewhere in between.
When only 73 of the group of 200 showed up, it simplified the situation; when the 73 decided they would do the HL tour together, at the same time, instead of being split up, it appeared we had weathered the storm; and as of this time, we have earned a "well done" with the final vote still to be determined as we approach buffet time, pre-show presentations and the Play itself. I think we exhibited the pre-planning, patience and flexibility to pull off what needed to be done and give our guests an experience they will look back at fondly.
The group of 200 was from a pastor's retreat in Branson and gave us the opportunity to potentially see many of those pastors return later in the year or in the coming years with their individual church members if we gave them a good "show". While those who did come was less than expected it still gave us a chance to make a good first impression, and whether we will see these people, or the other 127 again......or not........time will tell.
Go with the flow.........plan ahead,..........prepare for the worst, but always give your best. Have a plan A, but also a plan B, C or............just be flexible..........and give it to God..........He will water and grow the seeds we planted. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
When only 73 of the group of 200 showed up, it simplified the situation; when the 73 decided they would do the HL tour together, at the same time, instead of being split up, it appeared we had weathered the storm; and as of this time, we have earned a "well done" with the final vote still to be determined as we approach buffet time, pre-show presentations and the Play itself. I think we exhibited the pre-planning, patience and flexibility to pull off what needed to be done and give our guests an experience they will look back at fondly.
The group of 200 was from a pastor's retreat in Branson and gave us the opportunity to potentially see many of those pastors return later in the year or in the coming years with their individual church members if we gave them a good "show". While those who did come was less than expected it still gave us a chance to make a good first impression, and whether we will see these people, or the other 127 again......or not........time will tell.
Go with the flow.........plan ahead,..........prepare for the worst, but always give your best. Have a plan A, but also a plan B, C or............just be flexible..........and give it to God..........He will water and grow the seeds we planted. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
August 14, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. School Is In
Our Passion Play season takes on a new look as many of our cast and staff enter the post-summer-back to school mode. Our college kids are heading back to class, our high schoolers are back to their classes and after-school activities and others who are employed by the various area school districts are about to balance their regular jobs with the performance schedule of the PP. Parents with students will need to coordinate a host of duties at home with their PP participation. It is that time of year when the next two-and-a-half months present daily challenges and a need to be flexible, teachable and willing to step into new roles, new duties and maybe a new attitude.
Last night we had a taste of what might happen from here on out, as we had new people playing the Centurion, Claudia, Judas, Disciple James the Lesser, Disciple Andrew, the good thief, the lame girl, and probably a few others I was not aware of. There were also some minor roles which didn't have anyone to perform, and went unfilled. And those were just the "play" happenings and not the Holy Land, buffet, gift shops, ticket office, maintenance, grounds, museums and animals areas. The next 31 performance days are going to be exciting and that's not considering what twists the weather will have in store for us, whether we will have a return of the dreaded ladybug/asian beetle infestation or a continuation of the chigger/mosquito pestilence.
Face it all, endure it all and trust God for His patience to overshadow our impatience and His strength to carry us forward........and in everything give Him the praise and glory He is due....Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Last night we had a taste of what might happen from here on out, as we had new people playing the Centurion, Claudia, Judas, Disciple James the Lesser, Disciple Andrew, the good thief, the lame girl, and probably a few others I was not aware of. There were also some minor roles which didn't have anyone to perform, and went unfilled. And those were just the "play" happenings and not the Holy Land, buffet, gift shops, ticket office, maintenance, grounds, museums and animals areas. The next 31 performance days are going to be exciting and that's not considering what twists the weather will have in store for us, whether we will have a return of the dreaded ladybug/asian beetle infestation or a continuation of the chigger/mosquito pestilence.
Face it all, endure it all and trust God for His patience to overshadow our impatience and His strength to carry us forward........and in everything give Him the praise and glory He is due....Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, August 11, 2019
August 11, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Remember When?
Yesterday I had a few hours away from my Holy Land duties at The Great Passion Play, and decided to do some "web surfing", as we used to call it. I also needed to take care of some business with my cell phone internet connection. As I began to settle in to the tasks at hand, I realized that something was not working quite right with my cell phone, and that what I needed to do, could not be done. After a few failed attempts with the cell phone and my Mini-IPad, it was obvious the problem was beyond my ability to fix. You can't call the carrier if your phone won't work.
I was soon to find out that something was amiss with the Verizon network and there was no estimate of when it might be remedied. It got me to thinking of how far we have come in our dependence on cell phones, computers, electricity, and the other technical advances during our lifetime. I grew up with no internet, no cell phones, manual typewriters, pay phones, party lines and "number please". Our automobiles had windows which had to be cranked up and down, there were no scanners at the supermarket check-out, televisions were black-and-white and had no remote. Gasoline was $.37 a gallon and there were gas wars, with the price dropping to $.17 a gallon. There really was penny candy and it cost $1.00 to go to the Saturday movie double feature with cartoons and the News of the Week in Review.
Things have changed, and we are at the mercy of a technology which has no real back-up should there be a major glitch in the system. The transportation system, banking system, communication system and so much more are within a hair's breadth of collapse and a paralysis of life as we now know it. By the way, when was the last time you used the term hair's breadth?
Remember When?
Sent from my iPad
I was soon to find out that something was amiss with the Verizon network and there was no estimate of when it might be remedied. It got me to thinking of how far we have come in our dependence on cell phones, computers, electricity, and the other technical advances during our lifetime. I grew up with no internet, no cell phones, manual typewriters, pay phones, party lines and "number please". Our automobiles had windows which had to be cranked up and down, there were no scanners at the supermarket check-out, televisions were black-and-white and had no remote. Gasoline was $.37 a gallon and there were gas wars, with the price dropping to $.17 a gallon. There really was penny candy and it cost $1.00 to go to the Saturday movie double feature with cartoons and the News of the Week in Review.
Things have changed, and we are at the mercy of a technology which has no real back-up should there be a major glitch in the system. The transportation system, banking system, communication system and so much more are within a hair's breadth of collapse and a paralysis of life as we now know it. By the way, when was the last time you used the term hair's breadth?
Remember When?
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, August 8, 2019
August 8, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Be a Role Model
Our world is in turmoil. We watch the news on television and are bombarded by stories of violence, people speaking critically of those with whom they disagree, our businesses charging outrageous prices for substandard products, advertisers trying to lure us into buying products "pitched" by cartoon characters, talking animals or a cardboard box sitting on a toilet.
Our schools have kicked God out of the classroom, our courts are overloaded with frivolous legal claims and our professional athletes and Hollywood stars have become role models for kids who should have their own parents as role models but aren't even trained to be parents. Our priorities are all mixed up and we are unable to stop the slide into chaos and ruin. We each need to look in the mirror and assess what we see. Are we doing what we can to be a good example for those who need help, or do we need to get help for ourselves before we try to solve someone else's "problem"?
Here at The Great Passion Play, we tell a story which over the years has impacted a lot of people. The story is more than a retelling of Jesus' last week of ministry on earth; it is the story of thousands of years of trying to get to the heart of why we are alive in the first place. Why were we born and what are we alive to accomplish? Are we having a positive impact on those around us, or are we just occupying space and using up limited resources? Are we making a difference?
Pretty heavy stuff for a rainy Thursday evening.
I think we need to return to the basics. God had a plan for us, and we haven't done a very good job of following the plan. It's time to get back to "The Garden". It's time to listen to God, humble ourselves, turn from our petty and selfish ways, seek His forgiveness and be the role models He wants us to be to all those we encounter each day; to praise and glorify Him for every good thing He has blessed us with and the promises yet to be fulfilled. We have a lot of work to do, but I have faith that it will be done. In advance I say............THANK YOU, LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Our schools have kicked God out of the classroom, our courts are overloaded with frivolous legal claims and our professional athletes and Hollywood stars have become role models for kids who should have their own parents as role models but aren't even trained to be parents. Our priorities are all mixed up and we are unable to stop the slide into chaos and ruin. We each need to look in the mirror and assess what we see. Are we doing what we can to be a good example for those who need help, or do we need to get help for ourselves before we try to solve someone else's "problem"?
Here at The Great Passion Play, we tell a story which over the years has impacted a lot of people. The story is more than a retelling of Jesus' last week of ministry on earth; it is the story of thousands of years of trying to get to the heart of why we are alive in the first place. Why were we born and what are we alive to accomplish? Are we having a positive impact on those around us, or are we just occupying space and using up limited resources? Are we making a difference?
Pretty heavy stuff for a rainy Thursday evening.
I think we need to return to the basics. God had a plan for us, and we haven't done a very good job of following the plan. It's time to get back to "The Garden". It's time to listen to God, humble ourselves, turn from our petty and selfish ways, seek His forgiveness and be the role models He wants us to be to all those we encounter each day; to praise and glorify Him for every good thing He has blessed us with and the promises yet to be fulfilled. We have a lot of work to do, but I have faith that it will be done. In advance I say............THANK YOU, LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, August 5, 2019
August 5, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. ?
Our Colorado Pastor, in his weekly email to the church, wrote about Moses and the day before his Burning Bush encounter with God. It underscored the point that for forty years Moses went to "work" every day, faced the same things, with no expectation that the next day he would stand face to face with The God of the Universe and be given a new "job". When he awoke that next day he still had no idea what was about to happen.
And then, in an instant his life was radically changed, as was the whole course of history for two to three million people, and billions of people, thereafter. In a flash of fire, on a mountain in the desert, with only sheep as witnesses, Moses encountered something never seen before, wrote about it, and continued to relate a story which we now know as Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; and beyond that expanded into The Old Testament, The New Testament and so much more commentary, opinion, books, movies, music........more than we could ever hope to absorb or understand
And what will our tomorrow hold in store........?
What will the next hour hold in store......???
What will the next second have for us......?????
Thankfully, God knows.........All we need to do is trust and believe in Him..........And when He speaks......we need to listen.....we need to be obedient....and TRUST AND BELIEVE in Him.
Sent from my iPad
And then, in an instant his life was radically changed, as was the whole course of history for two to three million people, and billions of people, thereafter. In a flash of fire, on a mountain in the desert, with only sheep as witnesses, Moses encountered something never seen before, wrote about it, and continued to relate a story which we now know as Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; and beyond that expanded into The Old Testament, The New Testament and so much more commentary, opinion, books, movies, music........more than we could ever hope to absorb or understand
And what will our tomorrow hold in store........?
What will the next hour hold in store......???
What will the next second have for us......?????
Thankfully, God knows.........All we need to do is trust and believe in Him..........And when He speaks......we need to listen.....we need to be obedient....and TRUST AND BELIEVE in Him.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, August 2, 2019
August 2, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. August
August marks the beginning of the slide down the hill, passing the midpoint of the season and the need to summon up the physical and emotional strength to finish strong. We will still have summer vacationers visiting us, young people about to return to school and many of our cast members leaving to return to college or their high school schedules and extra-curricular activities. There will be only 12 performance days in August, so a less intense schedule, but a time when anticipated hot and humid weather makes each day a challenge.
We watch the weather closely, consult the radar often and are prepared for just about anything in respect to attendance or staffing issues. Flexibility is the key and patience needed more than usual. Finish strong and give everyone something they will remember in a positive way. "Kind words and a smile cover a multitude of tiredness." I just made that line up.....never said it before.....but a phrase well worth putting into practice, and one well worth ME practicing.
At last count, a week or so ago, I had over 770 posts to our Ministry of Miles website and have enjoyed sitting down, writing my thoughts on topics serious and stupid, incisive and insipid, earth-shattering and moan-producing. It's always interesting to me what tickles my fancy or gets under my skin and comes out in words. I hope it has been fun for you......it has been a joy for me..........I have NO plans for a book.
Sent from my iPad
We watch the weather closely, consult the radar often and are prepared for just about anything in respect to attendance or staffing issues. Flexibility is the key and patience needed more than usual. Finish strong and give everyone something they will remember in a positive way. "Kind words and a smile cover a multitude of tiredness." I just made that line up.....never said it before.....but a phrase well worth putting into practice, and one well worth ME practicing.
At last count, a week or so ago, I had over 770 posts to our Ministry of Miles website and have enjoyed sitting down, writing my thoughts on topics serious and stupid, incisive and insipid, earth-shattering and moan-producing. It's always interesting to me what tickles my fancy or gets under my skin and comes out in words. I hope it has been fun for you......it has been a joy for me..........I have NO plans for a book.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
July 30, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Communication
As I was listening to the chatter of our Holy Land bus drivers, cart drivers and various others who have access to Channel 2 on our Passion Play two-way radios, it became pretty obvious that without clear communication we would not be able to operate our Holy Land Tour. Monitoring the flow of our guests, controlling the movement of busses and carts on two-way-one-lane twisty roads, letting our venue presenters know when to expect their next "audience", and taking care of a host of other unpredictable situations in a timely, safe and courteous manner help all of us end each day with the hope that we did a good job, our guests had an enjoyable and memorable experience and that tomorrow we can do even better.
Communication is so crucial to the smooth operation of any organization. Every aspect of our lives is dependent on our ability to talk so we are understood, listen so we understand and keep our "cool" when the situations start to get "hot", but "warm" to the task of giving others a "warm" feeling when they recall the time we had in each others' company. How they communicate their experience to their acquaintances will impact how successful we will be with those who are still to come here so we can communicate to them, too.
All that made sense to me, and I hope I communicated effectively my thoughts on what we do when we present all the activities of the day here at The Great Passion Play. We tell an old story in a wide variety of ways and hope what we do will encourage our guests and our staff to tell others about the story we tell and the One we are communicating about. Keep at the task, keep the Faith, plant seeds, and keep communicating. Go and make disciples..........
Sent from my iPad
Communication is so crucial to the smooth operation of any organization. Every aspect of our lives is dependent on our ability to talk so we are understood, listen so we understand and keep our "cool" when the situations start to get "hot", but "warm" to the task of giving others a "warm" feeling when they recall the time we had in each others' company. How they communicate their experience to their acquaintances will impact how successful we will be with those who are still to come here so we can communicate to them, too.
All that made sense to me, and I hope I communicated effectively my thoughts on what we do when we present all the activities of the day here at The Great Passion Play. We tell an old story in a wide variety of ways and hope what we do will encourage our guests and our staff to tell others about the story we tell and the One we are communicating about. Keep at the task, keep the Faith, plant seeds, and keep communicating. Go and make disciples..........
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, July 27, 2019
July 27, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. A Day Off
There's always something which needs to be done here at the Passion Play. To have a day off is a rarity and I came about as close to having one today even though my "time sheet" will still show five or six hours of work. This is our last week of four performances, so our load does lighten after eight weeks of four-a-week performance days. We are some pooped puppies.
Today I had a few early morning clean-up chores, a two hour Tabernacle teaching for 40 people, cleaning up trash and pulling weeds in the Amphitheater and then a brief visit to my newest favorite donkey, Ruthie, in the Holy Land and the past two hours of sitting and relaxing in the motor home. In another two hours I will head down to the set for the evening Play performance. It really wasn't a day off, but it really felt like one in comparison to a normal work day.
Since we are "in the public eye" and "entertainment field" it takes a different attitude than many jobs I have had in the past. Plus, we are messengers, ministers and ambassadors for Jesus and that is a full-time-no days off effort and one not to be compromised. To be able to get behind closed doors, not be a "Moses", not be presenting, not listening to the stories and issues of others, is a time to refresh, renew one's strength and enthusiasm; have some time to "be in the Word" and be able to listen for God's voice and His guidance. Even a couple of minutes of such quiet can be a tremendous boost for me; an hour or two.....an indescribable blessing.
It may not have been a literal day off.......but it has been a day off, nonetheless. I feel like I've been on a week's vacation (not that we have ever really had one). My aching body has been rejuvenated . Amazing !!! Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Today I had a few early morning clean-up chores, a two hour Tabernacle teaching for 40 people, cleaning up trash and pulling weeds in the Amphitheater and then a brief visit to my newest favorite donkey, Ruthie, in the Holy Land and the past two hours of sitting and relaxing in the motor home. In another two hours I will head down to the set for the evening Play performance. It really wasn't a day off, but it really felt like one in comparison to a normal work day.
Since we are "in the public eye" and "entertainment field" it takes a different attitude than many jobs I have had in the past. Plus, we are messengers, ministers and ambassadors for Jesus and that is a full-time-no days off effort and one not to be compromised. To be able to get behind closed doors, not be a "Moses", not be presenting, not listening to the stories and issues of others, is a time to refresh, renew one's strength and enthusiasm; have some time to "be in the Word" and be able to listen for God's voice and His guidance. Even a couple of minutes of such quiet can be a tremendous boost for me; an hour or two.....an indescribable blessing.
It may not have been a literal day off.......but it has been a day off, nonetheless. I feel like I've been on a week's vacation (not that we have ever really had one). My aching body has been rejuvenated . Amazing !!! Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
That seems to be one of the most common questions we were asked as we went through school and made plans for our future. It's also one of the most common questions we ask young people we meet when we don't know what else to say to them. Of course, every boy wants to a fireman, a Major League Baseball player or the President of the UnIted States. Every girl aspires to be an astronaut, a doctor or the first woman President of the United States.
I had dreams of being a musician, a baseball player, a translator at the United Nations, a millionaire, and retired, by age 50. My parents wanted me to be a Rabbi. I think my first Rabbi wanted me to be a Rabbi. I have played music, on and off my whole life, tried out for two professional baseball teams, studied Russian in high school and college but I never "made it" in those fields. I may have made $1,000,000 in my life, but I certainly didn't keep much of it, and at 50 I was still working and not thrilled with what I was doing.
But in 1999, just over 20 years ago, I came to faith in Jesus, and began what was a new journey toward what I wanted to be when I grew up. I'm still trying to find what the ultimate goal is, but I have given up trying to make that decision myself. God will reveal it when the time is right. I would never have dreamed we would be in Arkansas, volunteering at The Great PassionPlay for our sixth season and happy living in a 40'x11' motor home and about to be without a regular house with a street address for the first time in over 40 years.
Yes.........God has the plan........when the time is right...........
Sent from my iPad
I had dreams of being a musician, a baseball player, a translator at the United Nations, a millionaire, and retired, by age 50. My parents wanted me to be a Rabbi. I think my first Rabbi wanted me to be a Rabbi. I have played music, on and off my whole life, tried out for two professional baseball teams, studied Russian in high school and college but I never "made it" in those fields. I may have made $1,000,000 in my life, but I certainly didn't keep much of it, and at 50 I was still working and not thrilled with what I was doing.
But in 1999, just over 20 years ago, I came to faith in Jesus, and began what was a new journey toward what I wanted to be when I grew up. I'm still trying to find what the ultimate goal is, but I have given up trying to make that decision myself. God will reveal it when the time is right. I would never have dreamed we would be in Arkansas, volunteering at The Great PassionPlay for our sixth season and happy living in a 40'x11' motor home and about to be without a regular house with a street address for the first time in over 40 years.
Yes.........God has the plan........when the time is right...........
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Sunday, July 21, 2019
July 21, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. An Audience Of ONE
No matter whether the Passion Play has been performed to a sold-out Amphitheater of over 4000, as it was in the 1970's and '80s, an arena with around 500, as we do in our present season, or the empty amphitheater as visited by a few rays of the morning sun, we are blessed to do what we do.....for an audience of One.
Our life is not supposed to be a display, a performance or a show intended to impress vast numbers of people or bring attention to ourself. Rather it is supposed to be a witness to the One who gave us life, who sustains us in that life and gives us each day for an opportunity to tell others about Him and all He has done for us and all He promises to do for us as we serve and glorify Him. To that audience of One, I humbly say......Thank You, Lord.
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Our life is not supposed to be a display, a performance or a show intended to impress vast numbers of people or bring attention to ourself. Rather it is supposed to be a witness to the One who gave us life, who sustains us in that life and gives us each day for an opportunity to tell others about Him and all He has done for us and all He promises to do for us as we serve and glorify Him. To that audience of One, I humbly say......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, July 18, 2019
July 18, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. What Did You Say?
My memory has been good for some things and pretty poor for others. I have a lot of trivia-type knowledge, can do crossword puzzles, even the tough one, because my vocabulary is quite extensive and can recall obscure things I have read over the years. But when it comes to remembering what I have said, sometimes I can't repeat the last words which came out of my mouth.
Because of this, I never pursued the law career I was planning after completing Law School and passing the Virginia State Bar. A lawyer who can't remember what he says is not one anyone would want to defend him in court. And so I had to find other ways to earn a living and support Karen and myself the past 45 years. Fortunately we have done okay, and God has played a MAJOR role in that.
Now, I find myself presenting information to our Passion Play visitors. I teach about Moses' Tabernacle in the Wilderness, talk about Bethlehem where Jesus was born, the Upper Room where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the "Last Supper", and a host of other subjects from the Old and New Testament, and I have to listen to myself as I present, so that I can remember what I have said in case I am asked to repeat or explain what I have just said. Maybe, just maybe, I have overcome the problem which kept me from practicing law. But when I face the reality that I sometimes have difficulty staying awake during the sermon at church, or I see people starting to nod off during my own presentations, I still have a long way to go in being all God has called me to be. At least, if I want to know what I just blogged, I can always read it again.
What did I just say?
Sent from my iPad
Because of this, I never pursued the law career I was planning after completing Law School and passing the Virginia State Bar. A lawyer who can't remember what he says is not one anyone would want to defend him in court. And so I had to find other ways to earn a living and support Karen and myself the past 45 years. Fortunately we have done okay, and God has played a MAJOR role in that.
Now, I find myself presenting information to our Passion Play visitors. I teach about Moses' Tabernacle in the Wilderness, talk about Bethlehem where Jesus was born, the Upper Room where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the "Last Supper", and a host of other subjects from the Old and New Testament, and I have to listen to myself as I present, so that I can remember what I have said in case I am asked to repeat or explain what I have just said. Maybe, just maybe, I have overcome the problem which kept me from practicing law. But when I face the reality that I sometimes have difficulty staying awake during the sermon at church, or I see people starting to nod off during my own presentations, I still have a long way to go in being all God has called me to be. At least, if I want to know what I just blogged, I can always read it again.
What did I just say?
Sent from my iPad
Monday, July 15, 2019
July 15, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Sleeping In
I don't use an alarm clock except on those rare occasions when I have an early morning appointment such as a visit to the VA in Fayetteville. On most other days, I get up when I get up and still have time for my daily "quiet time" with the Lord, and then prepare for the activities of the day.
I have been very tired of late, and decided it was time to try to intentionally sleep later yesterday morning and today, as well. Since I normally get up around 6am no matter how late I get to sleep the night before, I was hoping for a wake up time of ........maybe 8 or beyond. That was the plan. I even decided that not planning to go to Sunday Bible Study and Church yesterday and making no morning plans for today would convince my body to sleep in both days. But, it didn't work out as planned.
Yesterday, I was up at my usual time, and today......the same thing. No naps either day, so the sleep "log" remains the same.....and I'm still tired. Tonight, I'm aiming for being in bed by 10pm, so a wake up at my normal time would still give me 8 hours. Let's see what happens.
Sent from my iPad
I have been very tired of late, and decided it was time to try to intentionally sleep later yesterday morning and today, as well. Since I normally get up around 6am no matter how late I get to sleep the night before, I was hoping for a wake up time of ........maybe 8 or beyond. That was the plan. I even decided that not planning to go to Sunday Bible Study and Church yesterday and making no morning plans for today would convince my body to sleep in both days. But, it didn't work out as planned.
Yesterday, I was up at my usual time, and today......the same thing. No naps either day, so the sleep "log" remains the same.....and I'm still tired. Tonight, I'm aiming for being in bed by 10pm, so a wake up at my normal time would still give me 8 hours. Let's see what happens.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, July 12, 2019
July 12, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. You Want That....When?
If the answer to that question is "yesterday", there is definitely a problem, and no matter what I say or do, you will be disappointed, displeased and dissatisfied. Too often we face situations where what we want and what we need are different and the timetables do not portend a good resolution. What I'm trying to say, and getting too wordy about is: "You can't always get what you want"....but if you try sometimes you get what you need.
The Rolling Stones performed a song with that title in the late 1960's, just at the time The Great Passion Play was beginning its ministry in Eureka Springs. Although the song and it's lyrics were part of the drug culture of that time and the Passion Play was on the opposite side of the cultural spectrum, we had the song revisited in the 2016 Presidential campaign by the Trump supporters, much to the dismay of the Stones who did not support him.
Life is certainly a conglomeration of wants and needs, and while we may not always get what we want when we want it, I believe God gives us everything we want exactly when we need it, and that applies to every situation and circumstance; political..social..economic..spiritual..et al. And whether it be the 1960's or the present time.......God is in control and he will provide all that we want and all we need, in the necessary time frame, if we place our trust in Him, and believe in faith that IT WILL BE DONE. The Rolling Stones and The Great Passion Play are still in operation, and no matter which side of the spectrum we find ourselves on; God was....is....and forever will be....in control. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The Rolling Stones performed a song with that title in the late 1960's, just at the time The Great Passion Play was beginning its ministry in Eureka Springs. Although the song and it's lyrics were part of the drug culture of that time and the Passion Play was on the opposite side of the cultural spectrum, we had the song revisited in the 2016 Presidential campaign by the Trump supporters, much to the dismay of the Stones who did not support him.
Life is certainly a conglomeration of wants and needs, and while we may not always get what we want when we want it, I believe God gives us everything we want exactly when we need it, and that applies to every situation and circumstance; political..social..economic..spiritual..et al. And whether it be the 1960's or the present time.......God is in control and he will provide all that we want and all we need, in the necessary time frame, if we place our trust in Him, and believe in faith that IT WILL BE DONE. The Rolling Stones and The Great Passion Play are still in operation, and no matter which side of the spectrum we find ourselves on; God was....is....and forever will be....in control. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
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