Forty-six years ago tomorrow, Karen and I began our journey of exploation in Loveland, Colorado. It has been quite an adventure and "the best is yet to come". Happy Aniversary, Hon....and......... Thank you, Lord.
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Thursday, February 27, 2020
February 27, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. As We Were
Forty-six years ago tomorrow, Karen and I began our journey of exploation in Loveland, Colorado. It has been quite an adventure and "the best is yet to come". Happy Aniversary, Hon....and......... Thank you, Lord.
Monday, February 24, 2020
February 24, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Money Talks....
.......and talks, and talks. It's election season for the next 8 months, and we will be bombarded on television and radio, with billboard messages, mailings, texts and from internet outlets with the positive and negative "opinions" of the candidates wanting to be elected to a wide variety of public offices.
Right now we are in the preliminary stage to boil down the stew to just a few finalists. The billionaires are taking the lead right now, because with billions you can reach more people more often than the mere millionaires in the race. We have to get thru Super Tuesday and closer to the party conventions in July and August and the field will narrow, but the ads will continue until November as will the ads for the "lesser" contested offices. I wrote recently about truth and these candidate ads lend a whole new spin to what is truth, half-truth, distortions, puffing and outright lies. We need to be careful what is said, what are the actual facts and how we are to react with our vote.
I've said it before; I wish the money being spent on these political campaigns could be channeled to the causes that these candidates are passionate about, instead of going to the media outlets and others providing the "space" for these ads and promos. The Billions spent in 2016 just on the Presidential race could have done a lot, and the billions to be spent this year could help a lot of people, too. But money talks, and talks, and talks. Too bad we have to listen, and listen, and listen.
Sent from my iPad
Right now we are in the preliminary stage to boil down the stew to just a few finalists. The billionaires are taking the lead right now, because with billions you can reach more people more often than the mere millionaires in the race. We have to get thru Super Tuesday and closer to the party conventions in July and August and the field will narrow, but the ads will continue until November as will the ads for the "lesser" contested offices. I wrote recently about truth and these candidate ads lend a whole new spin to what is truth, half-truth, distortions, puffing and outright lies. We need to be careful what is said, what are the actual facts and how we are to react with our vote.
I've said it before; I wish the money being spent on these political campaigns could be channeled to the causes that these candidates are passionate about, instead of going to the media outlets and others providing the "space" for these ads and promos. The Billions spent in 2016 just on the Presidential race could have done a lot, and the billions to be spent this year could help a lot of people, too. But money talks, and talks, and talks. Too bad we have to listen, and listen, and listen.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, February 21, 2020
February 21, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Get Over It
Every one of us has been faced with a situation which impacts us so deeply that we carry it with us for a long time or, maybe even, forever. We can't get the emotions out of our system and it seems to come up in conversations or daydreams or nightmares and can adversely affect our relationships or our health. We can't seem to get over it.
People may tell us to get help, find a support group or, or just get over it, and then they may start avoiding us because we are getting on their nerves or just getting tired of hearing the same old story again and again. People do it to us and we do it to others. When we get tired of people turning tail and running away from us, we may be observant enough to get the message and do something different........get over it...... put on a happy face, see things more positively and quit the pity-party attitude. When we start doing these things to others, we can hope that they will get the hint and see things more positively and quit the pity-party attitude. It's definitely a two way street.
Bottom line. Do I need to get over it, or do you need to get over it?........GET OVER IT.
Sent from my iPad
People may tell us to get help, find a support group or, or just get over it, and then they may start avoiding us because we are getting on their nerves or just getting tired of hearing the same old story again and again. People do it to us and we do it to others. When we get tired of people turning tail and running away from us, we may be observant enough to get the message and do something different........get over it...... put on a happy face, see things more positively and quit the pity-party attitude. When we start doing these things to others, we can hope that they will get the hint and see things more positively and quit the pity-party attitude. It's definitely a two way street.
Bottom line. Do I need to get over it, or do you need to get over it?........GET OVER IT.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
February 18, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Write A Book?
I have always enjoyed writing. Many of the courses in high school, college and law school required term papers, research projects or even original research on a chosen topic. Writing them required a lot of study, reading existing sources and then doing the actual writing, editing, typing, proofing and presenting of the final product. It was a lot of work, hardly any financial investment and, then, the resulting critique and grade.
I had a wide range of grades from A to F and in some cases I made such mistakes as to embarrass myself and undo all the effort expended. One time my cover sheet boldly presented "Eli Whitey" rather than Eli Whitney as the inventor of the cotton gin. Bad boo-boo. Another time on an original research projects I failed to read a book which presented the exact conclusion I was presenting and led to a failing grade for poor researching and even being "accused" of plagiarism of the book I never read.
When people ask if I have a book or DVD on the topics I present in The Holy Land, I tell them I don't, but invite them to record my presentation and the blowing of the Shofar. Since I am constantly studying, reading other peoples' stuff and tailoring what I say for the specific group before me, a hard copy book or a single DVD is soon out of date or even inaccurate. So, I probably won't be writing a book soon, and the books I could have written about what happened in my 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's are now in the category of faded memory and "did I really ever do THAT?"
I will, however, keep blogging every few days and if someone wants to put the six plus years of posts into book form to compete with the millions already out there, let me know and we can discuss it. You better have some compelling reason to do so...I don't.
Sent from my iPad
I had a wide range of grades from A to F and in some cases I made such mistakes as to embarrass myself and undo all the effort expended. One time my cover sheet boldly presented "Eli Whitey" rather than Eli Whitney as the inventor of the cotton gin. Bad boo-boo. Another time on an original research projects I failed to read a book which presented the exact conclusion I was presenting and led to a failing grade for poor researching and even being "accused" of plagiarism of the book I never read.
When people ask if I have a book or DVD on the topics I present in The Holy Land, I tell them I don't, but invite them to record my presentation and the blowing of the Shofar. Since I am constantly studying, reading other peoples' stuff and tailoring what I say for the specific group before me, a hard copy book or a single DVD is soon out of date or even inaccurate. So, I probably won't be writing a book soon, and the books I could have written about what happened in my 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's are now in the category of faded memory and "did I really ever do THAT?"
I will, however, keep blogging every few days and if someone wants to put the six plus years of posts into book form to compete with the millions already out there, let me know and we can discuss it. You better have some compelling reason to do so...I don't.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, February 15, 2020
February 15, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. 2020
We are already a-month-and-a-half into the new year. This is about the time when many resolutions for the year have already bitten the dust, and we are wondering why we ever thought we could ever do......."that". Though we use the 2020 designation for this year, other counties or ethnic groups use other numerical designations; MMXX, 2773, 1469, 6770, 176-177, 1941-1942, 1427, 2970, 2564, 1382, 7528-7529, 1736-1737, 3186, 1577836800-1609459199, and a host of others.
No matter what we call it, it is time which has never "passed this way" before and while we will have leap year, a U.S. Presidential election, the Summer Olympics in Japan, the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany and literally thousands of other scheduled events, we never know for sure what is in store for us this year. New products, new medicines, new viruses, new scams, new fads, new theories about everything, meatless meat, new movies, new books, new aches and pains.........new.............but still with the "same old stuff" thrown in.
Ultimately, it's up to each one of us, individually, how we balance the old and the new, how we adapt to the routine or the changes and how this year will "treat us". Half full or half empty is up to us. Let's be resolved to make this year a blessed and joyous one for us and all those around us.
Sent from my iPad
No matter what we call it, it is time which has never "passed this way" before and while we will have leap year, a U.S. Presidential election, the Summer Olympics in Japan, the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany and literally thousands of other scheduled events, we never know for sure what is in store for us this year. New products, new medicines, new viruses, new scams, new fads, new theories about everything, meatless meat, new movies, new books, new aches and pains.........new.............but still with the "same old stuff" thrown in.
Ultimately, it's up to each one of us, individually, how we balance the old and the new, how we adapt to the routine or the changes and how this year will "treat us". Half full or half empty is up to us. Let's be resolved to make this year a blessed and joyous one for us and all those around us.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
February 12, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Brokenness
As I read Scripture, study the areas about which I have been, and will be, teaching in the Holy Land Tabernacle, listen to the messages presented on Christian radio, and press thru the shoulder injury which has limited my physical activity, and endure the winter weather which has kept me more indoors than I care to be, I see a pattern.
The pattern is one I have seen before in my upbringing in Judaism, my years of "wandering" and my 20 years of following Jesus. It is a pattern of facing difficulties, plans which didn't work out as I had planned, and realizing and accepting that God had, and still has, plans for my life. And to achieve what God has for me, I need to be broken of my agenda and submit to His. I need to rest in Him, trust Him, find my strength in Him and be still while He clears the path He wants me to follow.
All the Bible stories, all the stories of those who trusted that Bible and lived in obedience to its lessons and commands, all those who today are doing what they are anointed by God to do, have been broken and then made well again when they rested in God's plan, God's Will and God's peace. It's simple.......it's not easy......and it takes time to accomplish. But, in the brokenness there is hope and a future, and that is what God's plan is for each and every one of us. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The pattern is one I have seen before in my upbringing in Judaism, my years of "wandering" and my 20 years of following Jesus. It is a pattern of facing difficulties, plans which didn't work out as I had planned, and realizing and accepting that God had, and still has, plans for my life. And to achieve what God has for me, I need to be broken of my agenda and submit to His. I need to rest in Him, trust Him, find my strength in Him and be still while He clears the path He wants me to follow.
All the Bible stories, all the stories of those who trusted that Bible and lived in obedience to its lessons and commands, all those who today are doing what they are anointed by God to do, have been broken and then made well again when they rested in God's plan, God's Will and God's peace. It's simple.......it's not easy......and it takes time to accomplish. But, in the brokenness there is hope and a future, and that is what God's plan is for each and every one of us. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, February 9, 2020
February 9, 2020. Eureka Springs,AR. Counting Down
It's hard to believe that two months from today, Easter Sunday, we will have already presented two performances of the 2020 Passion Play and held our Easter Sunrise Service at the Christ Of The Ozarks Statue, if the weather cooperates.
Between now and then there is much to be done to make ourselves, and the Passion Play grounds ready. The list of tasks to be accomplished, the people needed, the funds required and the technical elements to be put in place are quite extensive. It's no small task and even though Karen and I are not privy to many of the details, we know from past experience that the earlier start than usual makes the process even more complicated.
We go into each day praying for the path before us and the faithfulness of God and His vision for TGPP. We have seen and felt His presence here over the six seasons we have been here, and trust it will continue as we count the days until opening day, April 10. Come if you can........pray if you will.....and above all........ His Will Be Done.
Sent from my iPad
Between now and then there is much to be done to make ourselves, and the Passion Play grounds ready. The list of tasks to be accomplished, the people needed, the funds required and the technical elements to be put in place are quite extensive. It's no small task and even though Karen and I are not privy to many of the details, we know from past experience that the earlier start than usual makes the process even more complicated.
We go into each day praying for the path before us and the faithfulness of God and His vision for TGPP. We have seen and felt His presence here over the six seasons we have been here, and trust it will continue as we count the days until opening day, April 10. Come if you can........pray if you will.....and above all........ His Will Be Done.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, February 6, 2020
February 6, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Truth
In Law School we read untold numbers of cases in which there were attorneys on both sides of the proceedings, each attorney arguing for a different outcome based on the same event and two different "truths". How is that possible when the facts can only support one outcome and there is one true "truth"?
To me Law School was an exercise in futility, since finding the truth when there are differing opinions, perceptions, witness statements, credibility, moral standards, truths, half-truths, outright lies, and legal technicalities: truth becomes elusive and we wondered if justice was ever really achieved in any proceeding we were studying or might later became a party to. As a result, I walked away from a legal career and the three years of schooling I endured did little to teach me how to really feel good about the legal profession and what role I was to play in it.
Our whole life is an exercise in trying to find truth, to discern what is right, what is wrong, who to believe and who not to believe. We face so many situations in life where the choice we make can have profound impact on us and the people around us. The events of this week have done little to bring us closer to "truth" as we have it presented to us in the media, and we are at the mercy of too many people, too many choices and those who want us to believe them, buy their product, vote for them or financially support their cause and what they espouse.
With all the media outlets, solicitations, advertisements, experts, pundits, economic theories and others wanting a piece of our time, talent and resources we are "targets" for every legitimate and fraudulent appeal, and we are a target every moment and from every direction. What are we to do? This has been a tough week for truth, but it's no different from all the weeks before it, or the weeks yet to come. Hang in there, people. I do truly believe the best is still before us........God still is on His Throne and.....".The Truth Will Out".
Sent from my iPad
To me Law School was an exercise in futility, since finding the truth when there are differing opinions, perceptions, witness statements, credibility, moral standards, truths, half-truths, outright lies, and legal technicalities: truth becomes elusive and we wondered if justice was ever really achieved in any proceeding we were studying or might later became a party to. As a result, I walked away from a legal career and the three years of schooling I endured did little to teach me how to really feel good about the legal profession and what role I was to play in it.
Our whole life is an exercise in trying to find truth, to discern what is right, what is wrong, who to believe and who not to believe. We face so many situations in life where the choice we make can have profound impact on us and the people around us. The events of this week have done little to bring us closer to "truth" as we have it presented to us in the media, and we are at the mercy of too many people, too many choices and those who want us to believe them, buy their product, vote for them or financially support their cause and what they espouse.
With all the media outlets, solicitations, advertisements, experts, pundits, economic theories and others wanting a piece of our time, talent and resources we are "targets" for every legitimate and fraudulent appeal, and we are a target every moment and from every direction. What are we to do? This has been a tough week for truth, but it's no different from all the weeks before it, or the weeks yet to come. Hang in there, people. I do truly believe the best is still before us........God still is on His Throne and.....".The Truth Will Out".
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
February 4, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Too Slow
The results of the 2020 Iowa Democratic Party Caucus.
Enough said.
Sent from my iPad
Enough said.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, February 3, 2020
February 3, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Too Fast
As we get older, and slower, the technology we are using is getting faster and faster. I tried to read an article on the 3G to 4G to 5G progression over the past 20 years and what that means to us. To be honest, I really didn't understand what I was reading and I am no smarter now than I was before I read the article. Why it's important to "deliver multi-GBPs peak rates, ultra low latency, massive capacity, and more uniform user experience" and "producing up to $12 trillion worth of goods and services" at speeds 100 times faster than 4G, which only uploads at a mere 8Mbps......I really don't understand.
My cell phone does pretty good even if it is a 6 series and far less "smart" than the newest 10 series. I have enough problems figuring out the phone I have and do not relish the thought of having to even occasionally use Karen's 8 series when she is driving and I have to manipulate her ringing phone. Too much......too fast, for me. Remember how fast Muhammad Ali was, "turned off the light switch in his hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark". Pretty fast.
We have a number of friends and acquaintances who have resisted the move into the 21st century. I may be a few steps behind........but........a flip phone? Come on guys.
Sent from my iPad
My cell phone does pretty good even if it is a 6 series and far less "smart" than the newest 10 series. I have enough problems figuring out the phone I have and do not relish the thought of having to even occasionally use Karen's 8 series when she is driving and I have to manipulate her ringing phone. Too much......too fast, for me. Remember how fast Muhammad Ali was, "turned off the light switch in his hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark". Pretty fast.
We have a number of friends and acquaintances who have resisted the move into the 21st century. I may be a few steps behind........but........a flip phone? Come on guys.
Sent from my iPad
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