Karen and I are one step closer to being full-fledged Arkansans. Yesterday we surrendered our Colorado Driver's Licenses with their terrible photos and applied for Arkansas Driver's Licenses with even worse photos. In Colorado we had to wait about a week until the licenses were mailed to us, but in Arkansas you get to see the ugly picture in about 10 minutes. Yesterday, I looked like Santa Claus, but with all this hair for my Passion Play roles, what did I expect.
In any event, we are registered, licensed, insured, medically established, domiciled, voter-eligible and other than Colorado cell-phone numbers.........Arkansans. Woo Pig Sooie........whatever that means. Just keep those wild feral hogs off our property. We will defend our "hearth and home".
Sent from my iPad
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Thursday, July 30, 2020
Monday, July 27, 2020
July 27, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. I Didn’t Know That
As we begin the process of making our cabin not just a new house, but a home, it's amazing how many new things we are learning. At the Passion Play, when I teach about Moses' Tabernacle in the Wilderness, I encourage people to ask questions and from those questions I realize that there are things, many things, I don't know from my past studies and much still to be learned. It's amazing how many things we experience for the first time, many times a day.
The technology changes daily, old "home remedies" seem to pop up often when we discuss almost any subject: cleaning supplies, diet, gardening, exercise, wound care, medicine (prescription or homeopathic), recycling, composting.......... and on and on. Did you know that certain hummingbird feeders will attract more bees than hummingbirds and there is a remedy for it? I didn't know that until this morning and since I didn't have access to the remedy, the hummingbirds are looking for the feeder (which I took down), but the bees are not. Go figure.
My point, everyday is a new opportunity, and a chance to learn something new. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, if the dog is willing to step out into new territory. Some of us have another word for it..........faith. And for that faith I say.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The technology changes daily, old "home remedies" seem to pop up often when we discuss almost any subject: cleaning supplies, diet, gardening, exercise, wound care, medicine (prescription or homeopathic), recycling, composting.......... and on and on. Did you know that certain hummingbird feeders will attract more bees than hummingbirds and there is a remedy for it? I didn't know that until this morning and since I didn't have access to the remedy, the hummingbirds are looking for the feeder (which I took down), but the bees are not. Go figure.
My point, everyday is a new opportunity, and a chance to learn something new. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, if the dog is willing to step out into new territory. Some of us have another word for it..........faith. And for that faith I say.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, July 24, 2020
Room At The Inn
Our Holy Land Tour at TGPP has a replica of the Inn at Bethlehem and the stable (cave) where Jesus was born. Recently a black vulture took up residence in the Inn and is now the momma of two vululturettes who occupy the room just bryond the kitchen area of the innkeeper's house. All seem to be doing well and not intimidated by our invasion of their home. God's creation is amaxing to behold.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
July 21, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Country
Although Karen and I have lived in rural Arkansas for all or part of the past seven years, we have never really considered ourselves "country". But since we bought the house last month, we are almost ready to claim the status of Country Folk.
Our forty year old cabin with a metal roof and beautiful wood floors and a wrap-around deck is at the end of a county road with no houses beyond us. We are literally the end of the road. We have 10.97 acres, well water, a septic tank and leach field, a propane tank, a burn pit and even a burn barrel (recently purchased from a junk yard). I drive a 16 year old four-wheel drive pick-up with a stick and drop steps. Our mail is delivered to a PO Box, even though we have a mail box at the other end of our county road on another county road, about a half mile a away.
We have bird feeders which the squirrels love, hummingbirds, raccoon paw prints on our back (to the floor) windows (with a beautiful view to the east), a coi pond with gold fish and a brook running down the hill to it, fruit trees which the deer love, a garden with luscious tomatoes, onions and other crops tbd, flowers to be watered and weeded, a riding lawn mower and a shed with tools, fertilizers, insecticides, two wheelbarrows, a power washer and tarps, cords. The list goes on and on and we are amazed that we have been blessed with such a home and the chance to finally have people come to visit and have a place for them to spread out, inside or out, a barbecue and smoker and a porch swing. The list is endless and we are BLESSED. People are coming to visit even before we are "officially" unpacked or repainted. It has been a lot of work, but it is, and will be fun. Y'all come see us now, ya hear.
Sent from my iPad
Our forty year old cabin with a metal roof and beautiful wood floors and a wrap-around deck is at the end of a county road with no houses beyond us. We are literally the end of the road. We have 10.97 acres, well water, a septic tank and leach field, a propane tank, a burn pit and even a burn barrel (recently purchased from a junk yard). I drive a 16 year old four-wheel drive pick-up with a stick and drop steps. Our mail is delivered to a PO Box, even though we have a mail box at the other end of our county road on another county road, about a half mile a away.
We have bird feeders which the squirrels love, hummingbirds, raccoon paw prints on our back (to the floor) windows (with a beautiful view to the east), a coi pond with gold fish and a brook running down the hill to it, fruit trees which the deer love, a garden with luscious tomatoes, onions and other crops tbd, flowers to be watered and weeded, a riding lawn mower and a shed with tools, fertilizers, insecticides, two wheelbarrows, a power washer and tarps, cords. The list goes on and on and we are amazed that we have been blessed with such a home and the chance to finally have people come to visit and have a place for them to spread out, inside or out, a barbecue and smoker and a porch swing. The list is endless and we are BLESSED. People are coming to visit even before we are "officially" unpacked or repainted. It has been a lot of work, but it is, and will be fun. Y'all come see us now, ya hear.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, July 18, 2020
July 18, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. A Purpose For Everything
Thirty-seven years ago, at the age of 37, I competed in a 3200 mile bicycle race across the United States and didn't understand at the time how much of that experience, and what I learned from it, would come back and be valuable in the years to follow. Much of my ministry activities the past 21 years have involved being able to work long hours with minimal rest to help people find solutions to financial, medical and emotional issues which were impacting them. Endurance was the key.
For our 7years here in Arkansas at The Great Passion Play, weather and enduring hot and humid conditions for long hours at a time are a fact of life, and what I am called to endure as I teach and accomplish the chores associated with the Play, The Holy Land and normal daily maintenance duties. Once again endurance, proper nutrition and hydration are crucial and things I learned from bicycle training and racing. Who would have imagined that all those hours on the bike, in all types of weather conditions, would prove so valuable once again? Could I have orchestrated or anticipated all these situations and how one would relate to the next? I couldn't, but God could........and did.
Thank You, Lord, for fitting the pieces together and for being with us in every moment of this journey. A purpose for everything and everything for a purpose....... bringing glory to You. Thank You, Lord.
physical and
Sent from my iPad
For our 7years here in Arkansas at The Great Passion Play, weather and enduring hot and humid conditions for long hours at a time are a fact of life, and what I am called to endure as I teach and accomplish the chores associated with the Play, The Holy Land and normal daily maintenance duties. Once again endurance, proper nutrition and hydration are crucial and things I learned from bicycle training and racing. Who would have imagined that all those hours on the bike, in all types of weather conditions, would prove so valuable once again? Could I have orchestrated or anticipated all these situations and how one would relate to the next? I couldn't, but God could........and did.
Thank You, Lord, for fitting the pieces together and for being with us in every moment of this journey. A purpose for everything and everything for a purpose....... bringing glory to You. Thank You, Lord.
physical and
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
July 15, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. When It Rains It Pours
As we maneuver our way through the Covid-19 events and it's apparent return in intensity, it seems that there are a rash of other obstacles to be overcome. Not only are we in a Presidential election year, but we are reviving many of the racial tensions of the past, sports teams are being harassed again about their team names and are being pressured to come up with less " demeaning" monikers, all the "minorities" are reviving their press for "equal" privileges and our history is about to be "sanitized" by removing the monuments and symbols which were a part of our past, but now must "disappear".
In addition we have friends, family and co-workers facing health issues, surgeries, accidents, violent incidents, financial issues, severe weather, and what seems like more problems than normal. Some people think it's God giving us a wake-up call, others credit satan with renewed attacks on "the faithful, but as a former pastor of ours' used to say, it's just "life doing its thing". We need to stay the course, face each situation head on, pray for God's presence and support in the storm and look to the future with hope and the good things to come.
No one promised us an easy path, and for many of us it has not been easy. But God is still on His throne, in control and not surprised by anything which is going on. The best is yet to come. Believe it............and thank God.....in advance....... for it.
Sent from my iPad
In addition we have friends, family and co-workers facing health issues, surgeries, accidents, violent incidents, financial issues, severe weather, and what seems like more problems than normal. Some people think it's God giving us a wake-up call, others credit satan with renewed attacks on "the faithful, but as a former pastor of ours' used to say, it's just "life doing its thing". We need to stay the course, face each situation head on, pray for God's presence and support in the storm and look to the future with hope and the good things to come.
No one promised us an easy path, and for many of us it has not been easy. But God is still on His throne, in control and not surprised by anything which is going on. The best is yet to come. Believe it............and thank God.....in advance....... for it.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, July 12, 2020
July 12, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Who Do You Trust?
Not the Johnny Carson game show of the late 50's and early 60's, which I don't remember ever watching. I mean who do you trust in today's political arena, health field, for economic/financial advice, religious leader, insurance products, advertising spokesman, weather forecaster or any other area where someone professes to know more than you and seeks your allegiance, financial support, loyalty or endorsement?
For whatever reason, I am reluctant to "hitch my wagon" to anyone, and especially in this time of uncertainty, political and social unrest and TMI coming from our news sources and social media, I have become very cautious of what I listen to, who I believe and what I do with my time, my money and the people I spend my time with. I have always been wary of those who talk more than they listen, and those who have "been there, done that" although my closest friends (who I have only a few), all have "been there and done that" and they do tend to talk more than they listen.
Who do I trust? I trust The God I have dedicated my past 21 years to and who believed in me from the day I was born over 74 years ago; I trust Karen, my wife of 46 years and I trust that however we come through this current health/economic dilemma we will have the best still to come, beyond anything we could dream or imagine. Thank You, Lord, for giving us hope now and a certain future. Yes..............Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
For whatever reason, I am reluctant to "hitch my wagon" to anyone, and especially in this time of uncertainty, political and social unrest and TMI coming from our news sources and social media, I have become very cautious of what I listen to, who I believe and what I do with my time, my money and the people I spend my time with. I have always been wary of those who talk more than they listen, and those who have "been there, done that" although my closest friends (who I have only a few), all have "been there and done that" and they do tend to talk more than they listen.
Who do I trust? I trust The God I have dedicated my past 21 years to and who believed in me from the day I was born over 74 years ago; I trust Karen, my wife of 46 years and I trust that however we come through this current health/economic dilemma we will have the best still to come, beyond anything we could dream or imagine. Thank You, Lord, for giving us hope now and a certain future. Yes..............Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, July 9, 2020
July 9, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Sabbath Rest
The Bible talks a great deal about times when we are supposed to rest. Even God who created everything in six days, rested on the seventh and called us to do the same. It's not a simple or easy declaration or command to implement because I don't really believe God rested, ever stopped creating or has ever taken a break from His work of directing His creation on the path, and in the direction He wants us to go.
That being said, Karen and I are in our seventh (Sabbath)year volunteering at The Great Passion Play and it has not been, or looks to be a rest year from the work of telling the world the story of Jesus Christ and His last week of earthly ministry. This has been a doozie of a year and with four months still to go, it would appear to be a year when rest is going to be a scarce commodity for those of us committed to serving here in Eureka Springs. Of course, the Covid-19 situation is unprecedented and with less people doing the work, it has been tough, to say the least. Our attendance is down, our resources less than ideal, the uncertainty of governmental directives, the stress of masks and social distancing, concern for the health and welfare of staff, cast, visitors from all over the place and the hot and humid conditions have made it tough and stressful for all of us. Rest doesn't appear to be part of the agenda and yet, without it, we are wearing down and praying for wise decisions, reliable information and cool heads to prevail. We will press on, trust that God is in complete control and will see us through, to do it all again in the days, months and years to come, until He Comes, to take us to the eternal rest we hope for and trust will be ours when it is God's time for it.
I think I'll hit the sack a little earlier tonight. It's hard to make up for late nights and early wake-ups, but I need to start somewhere, and now is as good a time as any. Nighty night.
Sent from my iPad
That being said, Karen and I are in our seventh (Sabbath)year volunteering at The Great Passion Play and it has not been, or looks to be a rest year from the work of telling the world the story of Jesus Christ and His last week of earthly ministry. This has been a doozie of a year and with four months still to go, it would appear to be a year when rest is going to be a scarce commodity for those of us committed to serving here in Eureka Springs. Of course, the Covid-19 situation is unprecedented and with less people doing the work, it has been tough, to say the least. Our attendance is down, our resources less than ideal, the uncertainty of governmental directives, the stress of masks and social distancing, concern for the health and welfare of staff, cast, visitors from all over the place and the hot and humid conditions have made it tough and stressful for all of us. Rest doesn't appear to be part of the agenda and yet, without it, we are wearing down and praying for wise decisions, reliable information and cool heads to prevail. We will press on, trust that God is in complete control and will see us through, to do it all again in the days, months and years to come, until He Comes, to take us to the eternal rest we hope for and trust will be ours when it is God's time for it.
I think I'll hit the sack a little earlier tonight. It's hard to make up for late nights and early wake-ups, but I need to start somewhere, and now is as good a time as any. Nighty night.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, July 6, 2020
July 6, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. No News Is Good News
Another expression we use often to convey the thought that when we don't hear from someone, everything is okay and we needn't be concerned. But the phrase can also be interpreted as: nothing on the news is very good and so none of what we hear is very good. To counter this impression, the news broadcast tries to report a "feel good" story as they end the broadcast to have us leave with a positive experience from the mountain of negativity which preceded it.
I don't know why, but I usually turn the news off before the last story and, therefore, have a pessimistic view of the world to end my viewing experience. The world is in sad shape. Our priorities are all out of whack and we are digging up old hurts and distorting our past to try to create a Utopia when it is impossible to do so since we have no idea what that means. We lost our only Utopia when Adam and Eve decided that the one tree they were told not to touch became the only tree that they wanted.
There is an solution, but the world doesn't really want to believe it and those of us who do believe in the solution are about to lose our right to meet together, to tell others about it and make the feel good story the Good News which will return us to the "pre-Apple Garden" which God has prepared for us.
Almost like a parable. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear". It's up to us.
Sent from my iPad
I don't know why, but I usually turn the news off before the last story and, therefore, have a pessimistic view of the world to end my viewing experience. The world is in sad shape. Our priorities are all out of whack and we are digging up old hurts and distorting our past to try to create a Utopia when it is impossible to do so since we have no idea what that means. We lost our only Utopia when Adam and Eve decided that the one tree they were told not to touch became the only tree that they wanted.
There is an solution, but the world doesn't really want to believe it and those of us who do believe in the solution are about to lose our right to meet together, to tell others about it and make the feel good story the Good News which will return us to the "pre-Apple Garden" which God has prepared for us.
Almost like a parable. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear". It's up to us.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, July 3, 2020
July 3, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Whatever It Takes
Sometimes our plans go awry, the best laid plans of mice and men fall apart under the weight of reality; be flexible and spontaneous when the door we think is the right one doesn't open or isn't even there. There is a reason why things are as they are and not as we want them to be. God's plan is not ours, unless we drop ours and adopt His, and then we see the foolishness of trying to go it alone, without Him.
Life is a roller coaster and God is the architect of the whole "amusement park". He is The Question and The Answer. He Is The Creator, The Organizer and The Solution. He Is Everything and.......whatever it takes, WHATEVER IT TAKES.......we are to drop what we have and pick up what He gives us and give it our all, so that His Will, not ours, Be Done. Let's renew our efforts to do It right, and feel the joy it gives us, and HIM.
Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
Life is a roller coaster and God is the architect of the whole "amusement park". He is The Question and The Answer. He Is The Creator, The Organizer and The Solution. He Is Everything and.......whatever it takes, WHATEVER IT TAKES.......we are to drop what we have and pick up what He gives us and give it our all, so that His Will, not ours, Be Done. Let's renew our efforts to do It right, and feel the joy it gives us, and HIM.
Thank You, Lord
Sent from my iPad
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