The 2021 Passion Play season is now back in session. After our Easter weekend start we went "black" for April and most of May, and began again this past weekend for three performances. It was good to back in the saddle, so to speak, but it was not an easy weekend. We think our electrical system may have been struck by lightening Thursday night causing our light and sound system to not work as it should have on Friday night. The show went on, but with less than ideal results.
On Saturday and Sunday we had better success and anticipate improvements as we become more familiar with our improved system. It always seems strange to me that the Play has become so familiar to me that it's almost a conditioned response to remember the lines, know when to be where on the set and not have to reread the script, practice walking through the scenes, but rather just going out there and doing it. I'm not saying that we are doing the play in a robotic fashion, I'm saying that for me it is done naturally and with full awareness of where I am, where I need to be and acting as if I'm doing the play for the very first time. After seven full seasons and more than 500 performances, I still feel the joy of being part of the telling of the story, living it as if I were with Him in His earthly ministry and waiting for the moment when I will meet Him face to face and having a role in His Eternal Passion Play. Not just up and running.......but running upward..........and so gratefully for having been "called" to do it. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
.
Monday, May 31, 2021
Friday, May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. GO
It is 5:30am. It won't be long now, and the 2021 Great Passion Play season will resume with three performance days per week until the last weekend of October. Right now, I reflect on today's quiet time with The Lord.....the scriptures......and devotionals....and sit in the stillness of pre-dawn, comforted by the thought that every day is an opportunity to reflect the grace, mercy and love of God through my words and deeds.
I have spent countless hours trying to read more, learn more, know more about God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit and it seems that the more I wrestle with this effort, the less I really "get it". But, if I stop wrestling and just accept Him and His will by faith, the simpler it becomes. All Jacob did in his wrestling match with God in Genesis 26 was injure himself, but when he just clung to God and ceased trying to "win", he realized that God's will is all he, and we, need to seek. And when we cling to that, HIS WILL, we have all we need and are blessed. As my little daily calendar verse for today says; "God will supply, but we must apply". Get it.......got it........GO.
It's 6:00am and even with a grey, cloudy, hazy sky out the window, there is a bright sun shining somewhere. Your will be done, Lord. YOUR will be done. Thank You.
Sent from my iPad
I have spent countless hours trying to read more, learn more, know more about God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit and it seems that the more I wrestle with this effort, the less I really "get it". But, if I stop wrestling and just accept Him and His will by faith, the simpler it becomes. All Jacob did in his wrestling match with God in Genesis 26 was injure himself, but when he just clung to God and ceased trying to "win", he realized that God's will is all he, and we, need to seek. And when we cling to that, HIS WILL, we have all we need and are blessed. As my little daily calendar verse for today says; "God will supply, but we must apply". Get it.......got it........GO.
It's 6:00am and even with a grey, cloudy, hazy sky out the window, there is a bright sun shining somewhere. Your will be done, Lord. YOUR will be done. Thank You.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Back To “Normal”?
Just as mysteriously as the COVID-19 mess began, it now appears to have just as mysteriously come to an end. Beats me, but in the course of events we have endured, there seems to be no real answers, no uniformity of opinion about masks, the vaccine being developed by multiple companies in record time, the lack of opinion on their safety, side effects and how long they will be effective. The "herd" is not close to being immune and yet we are appearing to be fearless in our desire to have major events return, stadiums full, restaurants open and schools not only opening, but preparing for summer sessions.
Closer to home, here at The Passion Play we will open for the second time this season this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with large crowds expected. When we opened on Easter weekend, nearly two months ago, we had two large crowds and it appears we will have crowds this weekend possible as large, or larger. It's encouraging, but at the same time, a little unnerving with so many people coming from so many areas that still have COVID concerns. My attitude: we need to tell "the story", expose out guests to God's message for this generation, and be respectful of the many opinions people hold on the pandemic and how to keep us all safe and healthy.
In the short term, and the long term.........trust God, His plan for this ministry, His love and faithfulness and His promise of eternal life for those who have put their faith in Him. For all things, normal or abnormal.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Closer to home, here at The Passion Play we will open for the second time this season this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with large crowds expected. When we opened on Easter weekend, nearly two months ago, we had two large crowds and it appears we will have crowds this weekend possible as large, or larger. It's encouraging, but at the same time, a little unnerving with so many people coming from so many areas that still have COVID concerns. My attitude: we need to tell "the story", expose out guests to God's message for this generation, and be respectful of the many opinions people hold on the pandemic and how to keep us all safe and healthy.
In the short term, and the long term.........trust God, His plan for this ministry, His love and faithfulness and His promise of eternal life for those who have put their faith in Him. For all things, normal or abnormal.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, May 22, 2021
May 22, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Sorry Bambi
No. I didn't shoot a deer or hit one on the road. All I did was beat them to the strawberry patch left for us by the previous owner of the cabin. Last year we "inherited" a very productive peach tree and were within a few days of harvesting it, when we were aced out by deer with assistance from squirrels. All they left for us was a pile of peach pits.
As the strawberries started to come in, I kept close watch and yesterday picked three ripe ones and added one more this morning. They were pretty tasty and the prospect is for more to ripen if I can get there before "they" do. For now it's four for us and none for them, but, it's early in the game, and they may decide that less-than-red berries taste better to them than they do to us.
Meanwhile, I'll keep close watch on the figs, plums, peaches as well as the non-fruit growth so we can enjoy it before they eliminate it. Sure is fun being in the country and have so much of God's creation to enjoy and appreciate. We are blessed.
Sent from my iPad
As the strawberries started to come in, I kept close watch and yesterday picked three ripe ones and added one more this morning. They were pretty tasty and the prospect is for more to ripen if I can get there before "they" do. For now it's four for us and none for them, but, it's early in the game, and they may decide that less-than-red berries taste better to them than they do to us.
Meanwhile, I'll keep close watch on the figs, plums, peaches as well as the non-fruit growth so we can enjoy it before they eliminate it. Sure is fun being in the country and have so much of God's creation to enjoy and appreciate. We are blessed.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
May 19, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Fix It......or.......Forget It?
The term "planned obsolescence" came into vogue sometime in the 1950's, although the principal behind it was around early in the 20th century. The idea was that products only have a certain life-span and when a product "dies" the question becomes, do I get it fixed or do I replace it with a newer version? The real question is do manufacturers build their products to only last for a specific amount of time and thereby force people to repair or replace when the limit has been reached.
I'm not pointing fingers, but I seem to be experiencing a rash of products which suddenly have stopped working or have deteriorated to the point that there is no choice but to "get a new one". Over the past months we have encountered the following:
a fish pond pump which stopped working, awnings for our motor home which became threadbare, RV chassis batteries which wouldn't start the coach, a burned up motherboard in our RV refrigerator, a tablet which stopped working, a cellphone needing to be replaced, a pickup with a bent frame, automobile tires which wore out on multiple vehicles, house plumbing needing to be brought "up to code", a shoulder which needed surgery, and that's not taking into the equation all our friends and family with their list of "issues" over which we commiserate with them.
The only remedy is to take each situation as it arises, weigh the possible options and expenses, pray, trust God for a solution and the right decision, check the bank account...........and press on. Life happens, but there is also a better reward to come in our future, Praise God.,,
Sent from my iPad
I'm not pointing fingers, but I seem to be experiencing a rash of products which suddenly have stopped working or have deteriorated to the point that there is no choice but to "get a new one". Over the past months we have encountered the following:
a fish pond pump which stopped working, awnings for our motor home which became threadbare, RV chassis batteries which wouldn't start the coach, a burned up motherboard in our RV refrigerator, a tablet which stopped working, a cellphone needing to be replaced, a pickup with a bent frame, automobile tires which wore out on multiple vehicles, house plumbing needing to be brought "up to code", a shoulder which needed surgery, and that's not taking into the equation all our friends and family with their list of "issues" over which we commiserate with them.
The only remedy is to take each situation as it arises, weigh the possible options and expenses, pray, trust God for a solution and the right decision, check the bank account...........and press on. Life happens, but there is also a better reward to come in our future, Praise God.,,
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. No More ‘Mo’
When Joan brought us Miss Hissy and her three kittens from Eureka Springs, we thought we would have a feral family which would become pets. But it didn't turn out that way. Two of the kittens disappeared and one died in our back yard. Miss Hissy has survived a severe winter outside, come to eat twice a day, but has resisted our attempts to domesticate her. She's come closer to us, but not to the point of becoming a pettable pet.
When two kittens showed up earlier this month it appeared that we might have a second chance to be a 'family'. But when Mo, the solid white kitten with the Mohawk-style black marking between its ears didn't show up for meals, we feared the worst. While doing some leaf relocating on the north side of the cabin, I found Mo dead under the propane tank. No sign of having been attacked, just lifeless.
There is now a second grave and both Karen and I are sad about another cute, bubbly kitten who lived with us only a short time. Peggy, our three-legged kitty is still coming to eat and Miss Hissy seems to be mothering her well, making sure she gets both the wet and dry food we leave for them. Mo and Peggy's 'father' came by earlier this week and we're not sure if Miss Hissy will be a mom again. It's been hard on us to lose the kittens, and I'm sure it's tough on Miss Hissy to not have all her little ones to raise and nurture.
Tomorrow our fish will have their pond cleaned, maintained, and put in order for the season. We are so grateful for what the previous cabin owners did to make this property so pleasant and livable for them and us, and we are thankful God made it possible for us enjoy it as we have. Even in the sad moments, we thank God for everything He has done for us and what is still to come. We serve an awesome God.
Sent from my iPad
When two kittens showed up earlier this month it appeared that we might have a second chance to be a 'family'. But when Mo, the solid white kitten with the Mohawk-style black marking between its ears didn't show up for meals, we feared the worst. While doing some leaf relocating on the north side of the cabin, I found Mo dead under the propane tank. No sign of having been attacked, just lifeless.
There is now a second grave and both Karen and I are sad about another cute, bubbly kitten who lived with us only a short time. Peggy, our three-legged kitty is still coming to eat and Miss Hissy seems to be mothering her well, making sure she gets both the wet and dry food we leave for them. Mo and Peggy's 'father' came by earlier this week and we're not sure if Miss Hissy will be a mom again. It's been hard on us to lose the kittens, and I'm sure it's tough on Miss Hissy to not have all her little ones to raise and nurture.
Tomorrow our fish will have their pond cleaned, maintained, and put in order for the season. We are so grateful for what the previous cabin owners did to make this property so pleasant and livable for them and us, and we are thankful God made it possible for us enjoy it as we have. Even in the sad moments, we thank God for everything He has done for us and what is still to come. We serve an awesome God.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, May 13, 2021
May 13, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. A New Approach........Kind Of
I've been writing this blog for over seven years, and it has been a fun experience every three days, give or take, to sit down and put "on paper" what has been on my mind at that moment. What has happened recently in our "world" has made it harder to put into words what I feel about the political mayhem, racial discord, police serving the people and the people dis-serving the police, the escalating tension in the Middle East, the rising price of everything, and the CNN, Fox, NBC "spinning" the news to the point where we don't have any real idea of what is happening or who is in control.
To mask or not to mask, vaccine or no.......the list goes on and on..........and I am finding that as I go through the healing process from my shoulder surgery, the peace and quiet of our cabin is making me content to work on small projects at home, read my Bible and devotionals, enjoy the fish, feed the cats, watch the birds at the feeders and look forward to the Passion Play resuming Memorial Day weekend and preparing to teach The Tabernacle, present the Upper Room in the Holy Land, sound the shofar, and be Nicodemus in the Play. We will be "open" for three days a week, thereafter, until the end of October.
And as for the blog, I will try to stay with every third day, give or take, but I may just post a picture when the words don't flow as they have in the past. I hope those of you who have been "loyal" will keep checking in, pray for The Play, for Karen and me, and for the calming down of the tensions in our world and in so many of us who long for The peace of God, the guiding of the Holy Spirit and the return of our Lord and Savior and The New Jerusalem and all it portends.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
To mask or not to mask, vaccine or no.......the list goes on and on..........and I am finding that as I go through the healing process from my shoulder surgery, the peace and quiet of our cabin is making me content to work on small projects at home, read my Bible and devotionals, enjoy the fish, feed the cats, watch the birds at the feeders and look forward to the Passion Play resuming Memorial Day weekend and preparing to teach The Tabernacle, present the Upper Room in the Holy Land, sound the shofar, and be Nicodemus in the Play. We will be "open" for three days a week, thereafter, until the end of October.
And as for the blog, I will try to stay with every third day, give or take, but I may just post a picture when the words don't flow as they have in the past. I hope those of you who have been "loyal" will keep checking in, pray for The Play, for Karen and me, and for the calming down of the tensions in our world and in so many of us who long for The peace of God, the guiding of the Holy Spirit and the return of our Lord and Savior and The New Jerusalem and all it portends.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Monday, May 10, 2021
May 10, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Gone
About 1pm, I started a post entitled "Off The Grid", had come within a few minutes of completing it, when I had a call from Karen about an issue at the motor home and a person who wanted to talk with me at the Passion Play grounds. I decided it was more important to get to The Play rather than finish the blog, so I entered "save as a draft" and headed for Eureka.
It's now 9pm. I was preparing to finish the blog, but the blog is "off the grid" somewhere and there is nothing whatsoever in my draft file. I guess it wasn't meant to be published; and I have things to do, stretching exercises to be done for my shoulder and no real desire to try to recreate what probably wasn't that good anyway. We'll see what topic comes to mind in the next few days, and hope it finds its way onto the website. See y'all later.
Sent from my iPad
It's now 9pm. I was preparing to finish the blog, but the blog is "off the grid" somewhere and there is nothing whatsoever in my draft file. I guess it wasn't meant to be published; and I have things to do, stretching exercises to be done for my shoulder and no real desire to try to recreate what probably wasn't that good anyway. We'll see what topic comes to mind in the next few days, and hope it finds its way onto the website. See y'all later.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Happy Mother’s Day
When Miss Hissy and her three kittens came to live with us last year we were happy to welcome them to our home. The kittens wandered on our decks, but never wanted to be inside cats. But the joy was short-lived as two of the kittens disappeared and one died in our back yard. Miss Hissy has never allowed us to get very close to her, but does eat the food we leave for her twice a day and did manage to survive as an outside cat through an unusually severe Arkansas winter. For a little cat she's obviously pretty savvy.
Five days ago a white cat with a black patch between its ears showed up and resembled a large white cat we had seen a few times on our property. Obviously, Miss Hissy had found a "friend" and the result is Mohawk, who we call Mo. A few days later a grey kitten with white on its chest and white on its paws (like Miss Hissy), appeared at the "dinner table" and we became grandcatparents again. This one appears to be missing a right rear leg but is able to walk and run, and has been welcomed into their family and ours. Without being mean, we named it Peggy. We have no idea if we have he's or she's, but hopefully they will be able to be approached and we can get them to a vet and make sure they are medically looked after.
Between the cats, our fish in the koi pond, the hummingbird and bird feeders, and the squirrels, we have quite a menagerie. There are deer on the property and we plan to put up a deer feeder at the tree-line in the back so we can see them from our bedroom deck. With all the Passion Play animals to visit, and Joan's Susie and Tom and James and Isy's two dogs we have quite a collection of animal friends. As the sign in our entryway says, "Life is Good at the Cabin" and for that, and so much more, we say.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Five days ago a white cat with a black patch between its ears showed up and resembled a large white cat we had seen a few times on our property. Obviously, Miss Hissy had found a "friend" and the result is Mohawk, who we call Mo. A few days later a grey kitten with white on its chest and white on its paws (like Miss Hissy), appeared at the "dinner table" and we became grandcatparents again. This one appears to be missing a right rear leg but is able to walk and run, and has been welcomed into their family and ours. Without being mean, we named it Peggy. We have no idea if we have he's or she's, but hopefully they will be able to be approached and we can get them to a vet and make sure they are medically looked after.
Between the cats, our fish in the koi pond, the hummingbird and bird feeders, and the squirrels, we have quite a menagerie. There are deer on the property and we plan to put up a deer feeder at the tree-line in the back so we can see them from our bedroom deck. With all the Passion Play animals to visit, and Joan's Susie and Tom and James and Isy's two dogs we have quite a collection of animal friends. As the sign in our entryway says, "Life is Good at the Cabin" and for that, and so much more, we say.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
May 4, 2021. Holiday Island, AR Say What?
I used to be pretty intelligent, or so I thought, but I am definitely falling further and further behind. I hear things on the news or read stuff on the internet and I just scratch my head. I just read this: "with talk of the flippening - ether supplanting Bitcoin as the leading cryptocurrency....". Huh? What does that mean? And, what is an Ethereum blockchain, crypto valuation, a digital wallet, Coinbase or Kraken, or crypto winter?
We have been bombarded with talk of herd immunity, social distancing, mask mandates, endemic, epidemic, pandemic, cluster, droplet transmission, asymptomatic, super-spreader, hand hygiene, shelter-in-place, quarantine and umpteen local, state, CDC, federal and WHO directives. Too much!!!! And then, all the political "spins" on all of it and why it's not "my fault, but something we inherited from the prior administration but this executive order will change all of that". Say what? We are bombarded by Joe Namath and his Medicare ad, but is it a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan, Medigap Plan, and what ever happened to the enrollment period which ended in December, 2020? Who gets that "give back benefit" anyway? How can businesses open when unemployment insurance pays more than what people made when they had a job, so why go back to work? Doesn't make sense.
Enough..............see you next time.
Sent from my iPad
We have been bombarded with talk of herd immunity, social distancing, mask mandates, endemic, epidemic, pandemic, cluster, droplet transmission, asymptomatic, super-spreader, hand hygiene, shelter-in-place, quarantine and umpteen local, state, CDC, federal and WHO directives. Too much!!!! And then, all the political "spins" on all of it and why it's not "my fault, but something we inherited from the prior administration but this executive order will change all of that". Say what? We are bombarded by Joe Namath and his Medicare ad, but is it a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan, Medigap Plan, and what ever happened to the enrollment period which ended in December, 2020? Who gets that "give back benefit" anyway? How can businesses open when unemployment insurance pays more than what people made when they had a job, so why go back to work? Doesn't make sense.
Enough..............see you next time.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, May 1, 2021
May 1, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. On The Road Again
No, we are not back in the RV and taking off for places unknown as we did in December, 2013. I am about to have a "new" older pickup just like the one I wrecked, and that means sometime next week I will be a little less dependent on Karen for getting where I need to be. When my pickup had a face to face with a tree last December, I found myself with a badly bruised leg, a vehicle which was not drivable and a delayed shoulder surgery. After the surgery in March, the therapy began and I am very close to being released to follow their recovery plan and able to drive places on my own. It feels like beginning a new chapter in our walk (and ride) with The Lord.
The 2004 Tacoma is being replaced with a 2002, same mileage, same color, better tires, automatic instead of manual, same bed cover, back-up camera, nicer sound system, driver-seat heater still a 4x4, new windshield, V6. God has once again provided us with a blessing just when we needed it to continue serving Him at the Passion Play.
This Thursday is The National Day of Prayer. I pray that we all take some extra time to pray for our nation, our ministries efforts, our leaders and their decisions, our schools, military, health care workers and first responders and for God's protection and provision for us as we serve Him and those we encounter every day. We need to look to Him for wisdom, discernment and guidance in the time He has allotted for us here and for the hope we rest in for His Eternal Kingdom. In the world, but not of it. Thank You, Lord.........for everything.
Sent from my iPad
The 2004 Tacoma is being replaced with a 2002, same mileage, same color, better tires, automatic instead of manual, same bed cover, back-up camera, nicer sound system, driver-seat heater still a 4x4, new windshield, V6. God has once again provided us with a blessing just when we needed it to continue serving Him at the Passion Play.
This Thursday is The National Day of Prayer. I pray that we all take some extra time to pray for our nation, our ministries efforts, our leaders and their decisions, our schools, military, health care workers and first responders and for God's protection and provision for us as we serve Him and those we encounter every day. We need to look to Him for wisdom, discernment and guidance in the time He has allotted for us here and for the hope we rest in for His Eternal Kingdom. In the world, but not of it. Thank You, Lord.........for everything.
Sent from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)