Yesterday, Karen and I made an offer on a house about 8.5 miles from the Passion Play. It has almost 11 acres, has had one owner for the past 40 years and is just what we started looking for after we sold our Colorado house last August. In that eight months we saw a number of homes, changed our minds on size, location and price any number of times, but came back to our original plan when we saw this house two days ago.
The house has been the pride and joy of the owners since they purchased a rustic cabin on this property in 1980 and lived in it for about five years, and then began building, renovating, developing the property and making a home for themselves and their family. And now, forty years later, they don't want to leave, but it's "time" to move because of health and family considerations. We feel so blessed to have been the first to see it after it was put up for sale, drove by it on Sunday, saw the inside yesterday and had our offer accepted today. It was meant to be.
We hope to be able to close on June 5th. The plans for the Passion Play are "on hold", so we don't know what will transpire with our schedule for the season, our going to Colorado to recover our belongings from storage and the plans to live in the house and commute or live in the motor home on the PP grounds as we have for the past six seasons. It will all take place as God directs and leads us. House sweet house........soon to be Home Sweet Home........
Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
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Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020
April 27, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. See You Tomorrow
Today was not a typical day and there was no time to sit down, compose myself, or make sense of what was going on. In fact, it was a day when there were too many things happening to digest what had just happened before something else took place to make me forget what went before.
I'm going to forget trying to write any more now and hope tomorrow will afford me the opportunity to talk and write about today and tomorrow which will then be yesterday and today. I'm ready for bed. See you tomorrow.
Sent from my iPad
I'm going to forget trying to write any more now and hope tomorrow will afford me the opportunity to talk and write about today and tomorrow which will then be yesterday and today. I'm ready for bed. See you tomorrow.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, April 24, 2020
April 24, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. One Man’s Meat.........
Lucretius was a Roman poet and philosopher who lived from 99BC to 55BC. We don't know much about his life, but he wrote at least one thing which people quote, even if they don't know who wrote it or when it was written. Personally, I didn't know anything about Titus Lucretius Carus, but know the expression: "One man's meat is another man's poison".
As we go about "opening" America, we are seeing many people (mayors, governors, health officials, President Trump and virtually every American, with an opinion on what should be opened, who should stay at home, who can return to work and who wants to take a "go slow" approach. Meat and poison mean different things to each of us. That's what makes America, America and that's what we call "freedom". We do have laws. We do have rules. And we also have a spirit which "allows"us to disobey the law, make our own rules and "all of you be "&#)"@+".
I don't consider bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, hair salons, gyms "essential" but, then again, I don't own a bowling alley, tattoo parlor, hair salon or gym. I would exercise my discretion and not patronize them under the conditions which now exist. I'm not thrilled about going to the market, shaking hands, getting close to co-workers and visitors who have been "who knows where and with who knows what".
Call me paranoid, OCD, over-cautious or an isolationist........but I'll be patient, content with life as it is and trust that God will handle each of us as HE wills and see us through this situation to a better tomorrow and a better future after that. One way or another............praise God............the best is yet to come.
Sent from my iPad
As we go about "opening" America, we are seeing many people (mayors, governors, health officials, President Trump and virtually every American, with an opinion on what should be opened, who should stay at home, who can return to work and who wants to take a "go slow" approach. Meat and poison mean different things to each of us. That's what makes America, America and that's what we call "freedom". We do have laws. We do have rules. And we also have a spirit which "allows"us to disobey the law, make our own rules and "all of you be "&#)"@+".
I don't consider bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, hair salons, gyms "essential" but, then again, I don't own a bowling alley, tattoo parlor, hair salon or gym. I would exercise my discretion and not patronize them under the conditions which now exist. I'm not thrilled about going to the market, shaking hands, getting close to co-workers and visitors who have been "who knows where and with who knows what".
Call me paranoid, OCD, over-cautious or an isolationist........but I'll be patient, content with life as it is and trust that God will handle each of us as HE wills and see us through this situation to a better tomorrow and a better future after that. One way or another............praise God............the best is yet to come.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
April 21, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. New News
With the local and national news dominated by the virus/economic situation, I have blogged almost exclusively on it and haven't related much about the Passion Play, the weather, the gnats, chiggers, leaves, Garden of Gethsemane grass or the projects being done to maintain and upgrade TGPP facility.
The State of Arkansas has limited our activity since it's impossible to social distance doing what we do. Our volunteer groups have not come, the few who came before the virus have stayed and limited their off-site activities; the gift shop has been closed and there are no Holy Land Tours being offered. The petting zoo has four new lambs, all super cute, with one more still "in the hopper". Traffic to the Christ of the Ozarks Statue is down considerably, and it looks like the earliest we will have a performance day is May 22, if the State permits us to do so.
We pray for our country, our leaders, those on the front lines and those who have been directly affected by the virus, lost jobs or been forced to stay at home and away from friends, church, social activities and life as we have known it. This is a new and challenging experience and one I hope we never repeat. Stay strong, stay safe and trust God for the good (and the New Good News) He has in store for us. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The State of Arkansas has limited our activity since it's impossible to social distance doing what we do. Our volunteer groups have not come, the few who came before the virus have stayed and limited their off-site activities; the gift shop has been closed and there are no Holy Land Tours being offered. The petting zoo has four new lambs, all super cute, with one more still "in the hopper". Traffic to the Christ of the Ozarks Statue is down considerably, and it looks like the earliest we will have a performance day is May 22, if the State permits us to do so.
We pray for our country, our leaders, those on the front lines and those who have been directly affected by the virus, lost jobs or been forced to stay at home and away from friends, church, social activities and life as we have known it. This is a new and challenging experience and one I hope we never repeat. Stay strong, stay safe and trust God for the good (and the New Good News) He has in store for us. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Whoa there, people
When the topic of the press briefing yesterday was reopening America, it was a foregone conclusion that some people were going to jump the gun and start "opening" on "take your mark" and "get set" and not wait for the starting gun to sound. It's obvious from the news reports today about beaches in Florida up and running; protests in many hard hit communities, and individuals and businesses moaning "show me the money", that we are not a patient people.
It took months to get to the situation we are in, and we will not get it turned around in days or weeks. As we have been told, this is a marathon.....not a 100 yard dash. We need to ease into the cure or we are destined to see even more tragedy before we see the end of our pandemic and economic collapse. We've got to exercise discipline and be sensible in how we interact with others, how and when we go back to life as we knew it before social distancing, staying at home, wearing masks in public, doing church on the phone or YouTube, and all the other "new normals".
Take a deep breath, folks..........we will get through this.........be safe........don't put yourself, or others at risk.........THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS........there will be a better tomorrow........
Sent from my iPad
It took months to get to the situation we are in, and we will not get it turned around in days or weeks. As we have been told, this is a marathon.....not a 100 yard dash. We need to ease into the cure or we are destined to see even more tragedy before we see the end of our pandemic and economic collapse. We've got to exercise discipline and be sensible in how we interact with others, how and when we go back to life as we knew it before social distancing, staying at home, wearing masks in public, doing church on the phone or YouTube, and all the other "new normals".
Take a deep breath, folks..........we will get through this.........be safe........don't put yourself, or others at risk.........THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS........there will be a better tomorrow........
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
April 15, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Hindsight
The reality of American life for most of our lifetime is that we have been spoiled into believing that we are invincible. We believed that we could have anything we wanted as long as someone was willing to extend us the credit to acquire it. We believed that we had an endless supply of food, would always have a job and that we had enough "in reserve" to handle any crisis.
The reality is, we have too many people living hand to mouth, are one or two paychecks away from disaster, our jobs are not guaranteed and many of our people are hungry, homeless, or under-insured, not insured or dependent on someone else to bail them out of trouble when it occurs. The current Coronavirus pandemic and economic ramifications which have resulted are proof that we were not prepared for what has happened. Our past leaders have fed us a line and we have been lured into taking the bait.
Joe Biden's latest political ad tells us what he would have done if he were faced with the current situation. Well, in his eight years as Vice President, I don't recall him or his "boss" taking any preemptive action to put in place a plan to handle any such a catastrophe as we now have. Hindsight is 2020 except when you were in a position to do something about it before it happened, and did nothing. I'm sorry Joe, you didn't prove yourself in those eight years, you didn't have your Party's support as its nominee in 2016, and I don't believe you have the ability to do the job you aspire to have, as well as you think you can. Sometimes reality is a tough pill to swallow and hindsight is nothing more than political rhetoric. We need more than words, finger pointing and "spin doctors" and sound bites. We need honesty, humility, prayer, common sense and..............FAITH. We need to work together, as many are now trying to do, not tear us further apart as our "politicos" are gearing up to do.
Sent from my iPad
The reality is, we have too many people living hand to mouth, are one or two paychecks away from disaster, our jobs are not guaranteed and many of our people are hungry, homeless, or under-insured, not insured or dependent on someone else to bail them out of trouble when it occurs. The current Coronavirus pandemic and economic ramifications which have resulted are proof that we were not prepared for what has happened. Our past leaders have fed us a line and we have been lured into taking the bait.
Joe Biden's latest political ad tells us what he would have done if he were faced with the current situation. Well, in his eight years as Vice President, I don't recall him or his "boss" taking any preemptive action to put in place a plan to handle any such a catastrophe as we now have. Hindsight is 2020 except when you were in a position to do something about it before it happened, and did nothing. I'm sorry Joe, you didn't prove yourself in those eight years, you didn't have your Party's support as its nominee in 2016, and I don't believe you have the ability to do the job you aspire to have, as well as you think you can. Sometimes reality is a tough pill to swallow and hindsight is nothing more than political rhetoric. We need more than words, finger pointing and "spin doctors" and sound bites. We need honesty, humility, prayer, common sense and..............FAITH. We need to work together, as many are now trying to do, not tear us further apart as our "politicos" are gearing up to do.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, April 12, 2020
April 12, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. He Is Risen........
It's Easter Sunday.......Resurrection Sunday......it was Good (formerly Pious, Holy) Friday, but today it is Sunday.....and He Is Risen. It's been a different Holy Week than we have ever had in our lifetime with the Coronavirus and it's attendant economic and social situation. What has always been a time for people to gather and celebrate has tu rned into a time for people to gather electronically and celebrate in the midst of financial stresses, sickness and death on a level we have not seen in generations.
We do have a lot to be thankful for. He is Risen and in that simple phrase we have the promise of a positive resolution and the hope that in our difficulties and separations we will come out the other end stronger and more prepared for whatever may lie ahead for America and the world. We have had tragedies, natural disasters, violence and terrorism which has tested us for an instant, but this episode is of longer duration and appears to be changing attitudes and responses like we have never seen before. After Katrina, Boston, 9/11, Oklahoma City.....and so many more...we saw subtle changes, but this one may be a blessing in disguise if we look to The Risen One in a more profound manner than we have in the past.
Our Great Passion Play did not open this weekend, as scheduled, and the 2020 season is in limbo as far as when and if it will open at all. Other events have been postponed or cancelled outright, but we are "on hold" but continuing to get ready when the "word" comes down. The "WORD" is what we live by and in that WORD we have our peace, our hope and the answer to every question, situation or issue we face in this life, and beyond.
Yes.........HE IS RiSEN......
HE IS RISEN, INDEED
Sent from my iPad
We do have a lot to be thankful for. He is Risen and in that simple phrase we have the promise of a positive resolution and the hope that in our difficulties and separations we will come out the other end stronger and more prepared for whatever may lie ahead for America and the world. We have had tragedies, natural disasters, violence and terrorism which has tested us for an instant, but this episode is of longer duration and appears to be changing attitudes and responses like we have never seen before. After Katrina, Boston, 9/11, Oklahoma City.....and so many more...we saw subtle changes, but this one may be a blessing in disguise if we look to The Risen One in a more profound manner than we have in the past.
Our Great Passion Play did not open this weekend, as scheduled, and the 2020 season is in limbo as far as when and if it will open at all. Other events have been postponed or cancelled outright, but we are "on hold" but continuing to get ready when the "word" comes down. The "WORD" is what we live by and in that WORD we have our peace, our hope and the answer to every question, situation or issue we face in this life, and beyond.
Yes.........HE IS RiSEN......
HE IS RISEN, INDEED
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, April 9, 2020
April 9, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Newest Arrival
Our petting zoo had it’s first lamb of the season. One of the other expectant moms was checking out the situation. With all our Play sheep still "in winter quarters" this has been the animal highlight of the year so far. Praying the virus is brought under control, things return to normal and we can get on with our mission of presenting the Gospel message to a world in desperate need of hearing it.
Monday, April 6, 2020
April 6, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Cool Under Pressure
I am amazed at the restraint exhibited by President Trump as he presides over the daily Coronavirus press briefings, answers questions which in many instances are asked with the intention of tripping him up, inciting him to a "Bernie Sanders f-bomb" response, or something which will be fodder for his political opponents.
I am amazed, moreover, at the constant restraint he has shown from the moment he was nominated and elected to the Presidency. He has made some very pointed remarks which get to the meat of the matter and represent the thoughts of the millions of Americans who voted for him. If we had been faced with the same questions, opposition, hatred and outright disrespect, we would have "hit the fan" and told the world to "take this job and shove it". I know for sure, I have "lost it" many times for far, far less abuse.
In the current crisis, I believe we have exactly the right people in the right positions to face the problem and see us to a positive outcome. I marvel at the vast knowledge and acumen of this Administration to put American back into a position of power and world leadership which had been eroded during the preceding eight years. For such a time as this, I have complete confidence that God had, and still has, the right team in place to handle what He knew was coming; and He will reward those who want to see a good outcome and punish those who have less-than-honorable motives in the current situation. I pray the American people will not be deceived by the "politics" of the moment and do the right thing, as well, when we come to the 2020 election process.
Fear not, take this unprecedented time in history to be safe, be strong and look to God for HIs peace and HIS eternal plan for each and every one of us; in The Precious Name of Jesus Christ. Amen....and.....AMEN.
Sent from my iPad
I am amazed, moreover, at the constant restraint he has shown from the moment he was nominated and elected to the Presidency. He has made some very pointed remarks which get to the meat of the matter and represent the thoughts of the millions of Americans who voted for him. If we had been faced with the same questions, opposition, hatred and outright disrespect, we would have "hit the fan" and told the world to "take this job and shove it". I know for sure, I have "lost it" many times for far, far less abuse.
In the current crisis, I believe we have exactly the right people in the right positions to face the problem and see us to a positive outcome. I marvel at the vast knowledge and acumen of this Administration to put American back into a position of power and world leadership which had been eroded during the preceding eight years. For such a time as this, I have complete confidence that God had, and still has, the right team in place to handle what He knew was coming; and He will reward those who want to see a good outcome and punish those who have less-than-honorable motives in the current situation. I pray the American people will not be deceived by the "politics" of the moment and do the right thing, as well, when we come to the 2020 election process.
Fear not, take this unprecedented time in history to be safe, be strong and look to God for HIs peace and HIS eternal plan for each and every one of us; in The Precious Name of Jesus Christ. Amen....and.....AMEN.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, April 3, 2020
April 3, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Perspective
In the past 30 days just over 6000 people have died from the Coronavirus in the United States. There have been over 217,000 confirmed cases in that period of time, meaning the death rate is about 2% of those who were confirmed as having the virus.
During an average year, and this is not an average year, 7708 people die EVERY DAY in the United States. 7708 every day from all causes including accidents, cancer, flu, heart attacks stroke.........That means in an average month in the United States about 231,000 people die EVERY month. 231,000........6000. Death is death and we will all face it one day.......no one escapes and each death is a loss to be borne by more than the person who dies. But it is reality....and face it we must.
My faith tells me that death is a passage from life in this world, and our role in it, to eternal life in a world we can only imagine; a place described in Scripture, a place far better than anything we have here, and a place in the presence of the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Nothing to be feared and everything to anticipate with joy.
Standing on the promises of God.
Sent from my iPad
During an average year, and this is not an average year, 7708 people die EVERY DAY in the United States. 7708 every day from all causes including accidents, cancer, flu, heart attacks stroke.........That means in an average month in the United States about 231,000 people die EVERY month. 231,000........6000. Death is death and we will all face it one day.......no one escapes and each death is a loss to be borne by more than the person who dies. But it is reality....and face it we must.
My faith tells me that death is a passage from life in this world, and our role in it, to eternal life in a world we can only imagine; a place described in Scripture, a place far better than anything we have here, and a place in the presence of the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Nothing to be feared and everything to anticipate with joy.
Standing on the promises of God.
Sent from my iPad
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