….In with The Old and The New. Confused? For the past 24, or so, years, I have read the Bible from start to finish each year. That means, on December 31, I read the entire Book of Malachi and Chapter 22 of Revelation, thus completing both the Old and New Testaments. Tomorrow I will start over again with Genesis and Matthew and make another journey through the Old and New Testaments.
No matter how many times I read Scriptures, the passages sometimes reveal something new to me. If my mind wanders, I may see the words but not really read them or absorb them, and sometimes a list of names may be scanned rather than read or "injested" making the passage new when I read it with my mind fully committed to it.
Even when doing the Passion Play for about 600 times, there are nights when I "see or hear" something I haven't "seen or heard before". His mercies are new every day.
The passage from December to January Is not really an occasion I celebrate as many people do. Tomorrow is just another day and 2022 is just another year. Every day has its high and low moments as does each year have its ups and downs. It's all in God's hands, and the number of days and years we are given are under His control. I pray God's love for us continues as it always has, and that our days, weeks, months and years will be spent in serving Him, advancing His Kingdom, and being faithful servants and good stewards of all He has provided us with.
As for the present……….have a joyous and happy day.
Sent from my iPad
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Friday, December 31, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021
December 24, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Borrowing From SITD
This morning's devotional from Streams in the Desert said it far better than I:
"He went out to the field one evening to meditate (Genesis 24:63)
We would be better Christians if we spent more time alone, and we would actually accomplish more if we attempted less and spent more time in isolation and quiet waiting upon God. The world has become too much a part of us, and we are afflicted with the idea that we are not accomplishing anything unless we are always busily running back and forth. We no longer believe in the importance of a calm retreat where we sit silently in the shade. As the people of God, we have become entirely too practical. We believe in having 'all our irons in the fire' and all the time we spend away from the anvil or fire is wasted time. Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside time for quiet meditation, talking with God, and looking up to heaven. We can never have too many of these open spaces in life — hours set aside when our soul is completely open and accessible to any heavenly thought or influence that God may be pleased to send our way…….."
If this excerpt from the December 24th Streams in the Desert spoke to you as it spoke to me, take some time to read the whole devotional. It will prepare you for the day we celebrate tomorrow; the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ……Immanuel..
Sent from my iPad
"He went out to the field one evening to meditate (Genesis 24:63)
We would be better Christians if we spent more time alone, and we would actually accomplish more if we attempted less and spent more time in isolation and quiet waiting upon God. The world has become too much a part of us, and we are afflicted with the idea that we are not accomplishing anything unless we are always busily running back and forth. We no longer believe in the importance of a calm retreat where we sit silently in the shade. As the people of God, we have become entirely too practical. We believe in having 'all our irons in the fire' and all the time we spend away from the anvil or fire is wasted time. Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside time for quiet meditation, talking with God, and looking up to heaven. We can never have too many of these open spaces in life — hours set aside when our soul is completely open and accessible to any heavenly thought or influence that God may be pleased to send our way…….."
If this excerpt from the December 24th Streams in the Desert spoke to you as it spoke to me, take some time to read the whole devotional. It will prepare you for the day we celebrate tomorrow; the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ……Immanuel..
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, December 18, 2021
December 18, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. On The Mend
Covid hit me pretty hard. I've had some recoveries from medical conditions, down-time from accidents and injuries which have involved rehab and time off from work or volunteer activities. But none have been like coming back from Covid. When I came home after two stints in the VA hospital, I was faced with a situation I have never experienced before.
I have some medications prescribed to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. While they have listed side effects, the only one which has affected me is changes in eating habits. I had lost nearly 25 pounds during my time at the VA and found that I was regaining that weight pretty rapidly. The doctor told me yesterday that I had to be careful not to let the carbohydrates become too dominant. Because one of the other doctors said I showed signs of atrial fibrillation during my VA stay,I have been given a Holter Monitor to wear for two weeks. With the sleep meds, diet changes, and potential heart issues beyond what I already have been diagnosed with, the recovery from Covid had been complicated, to say the least.
My weight is back to pre-Covid level, and I am determined to keep it there, so even with the Monitor, I am determined to return to my pre-Covid exercise regimen. My state of mind is good, my desire to get back to winter Passion Play activities is strong, and I want to "be more than a conqueror" as a witness for Christ. God has brought me through all the rehabs, recoveries and valley experiences, and I want to climb the mountain another time to fulfill the mission God has for me, no matter what it may be. In all situations, I praise God and seek His will, His Way, and await His Kingdom coming now and forever.
On the mend for the Glory of God.
Sent from my iPad
I have some medications prescribed to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. While they have listed side effects, the only one which has affected me is changes in eating habits. I had lost nearly 25 pounds during my time at the VA and found that I was regaining that weight pretty rapidly. The doctor told me yesterday that I had to be careful not to let the carbohydrates become too dominant. Because one of the other doctors said I showed signs of atrial fibrillation during my VA stay,I have been given a Holter Monitor to wear for two weeks. With the sleep meds, diet changes, and potential heart issues beyond what I already have been diagnosed with, the recovery from Covid had been complicated, to say the least.
My weight is back to pre-Covid level, and I am determined to keep it there, so even with the Monitor, I am determined to return to my pre-Covid exercise regimen. My state of mind is good, my desire to get back to winter Passion Play activities is strong, and I want to "be more than a conqueror" as a witness for Christ. God has brought me through all the rehabs, recoveries and valley experiences, and I want to climb the mountain another time to fulfill the mission God has for me, no matter what it may be. In all situations, I praise God and seek His will, His Way, and await His Kingdom coming now and forever.
On the mend for the Glory of God.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
December 14, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Changes
Life has its ups and downs, routines which were once routine, but are now out of the ordinary. Habits once unchanging, now have made way for different habits which don't feel as comfortable. Life goes on with different priorities and what was once a strict pattern, now out of the picture.
My blog schedule of every third day, now finds me with no words to write and words which don't flow as they always did, but now take greater effort to put "on paper". My cross sewing which was such a big part of my free time for so many years, now causes pain in my repaired right shoulder and therefore not going to be an accompaniment to my television watching regimen. The crosses, which still number in the hundreds will not be replenished as they are sold in the Passion Play gift shops. The proceeds to the Passion Play will eventually dwindle to what remains in stock.
I think I will commit to one Holy Land tour per week during the winter, and use the rest of that day to work on projects at the Play. Anyway, that's the plan and we'll see how that works out after the first of the year. We still feel that we are to be volunteering at TGPP and we are finding more people we talk with expressing an interest in doing the same. Seed-planting takes many forms, and willing hearts coupled with able bodies and tangible skills will keep the Play operating and moving forward.
Change is part of life and life is changing in so many ways so as to inspire us to seek new "fields to plow"and see what will grow with new hoers, waterers and reapers being added to the mix. God has it all figured out We just need to step out in faith, obedience and optimism, leave the results to God and give Him all the praise and glory for the results. Thank You, Lord for change and Your unchanging faithfulness, grace, and love.
Sent from my iPad
My blog schedule of every third day, now finds me with no words to write and words which don't flow as they always did, but now take greater effort to put "on paper". My cross sewing which was such a big part of my free time for so many years, now causes pain in my repaired right shoulder and therefore not going to be an accompaniment to my television watching regimen. The crosses, which still number in the hundreds will not be replenished as they are sold in the Passion Play gift shops. The proceeds to the Passion Play will eventually dwindle to what remains in stock.
I think I will commit to one Holy Land tour per week during the winter, and use the rest of that day to work on projects at the Play. Anyway, that's the plan and we'll see how that works out after the first of the year. We still feel that we are to be volunteering at TGPP and we are finding more people we talk with expressing an interest in doing the same. Seed-planting takes many forms, and willing hearts coupled with able bodies and tangible skills will keep the Play operating and moving forward.
Change is part of life and life is changing in so many ways so as to inspire us to seek new "fields to plow"and see what will grow with new hoers, waterers and reapers being added to the mix. God has it all figured out We just need to step out in faith, obedience and optimism, leave the results to God and give Him all the praise and glory for the results. Thank You, Lord for change and Your unchanging faithfulness, grace, and love.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Fwd: December 8, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. The Day After
I wanted to say more, but I hit the wrong button and ended up with no logical conclusion. Give with one hand, take it back with the other. Sign of the times, I guess. My conclusion may precede my premise, but hopefully you get my point. The Covid fog is for real. I'll be back soon with another blog.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Hal Schatz <ministryofmiles@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 8, 2021, 6:55 PM
Subject: December 8, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. The Day After
To:
From: Hal Schatz <ministryofmiles@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 8, 2021, 6:55 PM
Subject: December 8, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. The Day After
To:
Eighty years ago today the United States, declared war on Japan after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor the day before. Soon we were at war with Germany and Italy, as well. Today is the day after the Medicare enrollment deadline and just as America was united in supporting our 1941 war effort, I believe we are divided on most every major issue, but the end of endless appearances of George Forman, Jimmie Walker, Joe Namath and William Shatner I believe we are in agreement…….enough is enough.
What those ads failed to mention is that the monthly cost of Part B Medicare is going up by 14.5% while the cost of living increase is going up by 5.9% meaning a net loss for most of us older Americans on Social Security.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, December 4, 2021
December 4, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. 76 And Beyond
Yesterday I turned 76 years old. There were moments this past year when I didn't think I would see another birthday. The Covid experience in October was a bummer and beyond belief. But, God guided us through it and yesterday Karen and I went to see Jesus, the play, at Sight and Sound Theater in Branson. We had a wonderful day, met a nice couple from Indiana and enjoyed the presentation and the message it conveyed. We have always found the S&S plays to be first-rate.
Karen and I will start to work our way back into the off-season routine of the Passion Play, but want to take advantage of some of the "attractions" in the area. For years, eight to be exact, we have devoted almost all our time to the PP and haven't done much else. I'm not too eager to travel like we used to do, but it's time to enjoy the "creation" around us. Life is a precious commodity which God blesses us with and as we serve Him, I believe He wants us to renew our commitment to Him, but also become more involved in community, deepen relationships with friends and family, enjoy rest and take time away from the busyness of life to explore and enjoy our surroundings.
We'll see what happens.
Thank You, Lord for life today and hope for what is yet to come.
Sent from my iPad
Karen and I will start to work our way back into the off-season routine of the Passion Play, but want to take advantage of some of the "attractions" in the area. For years, eight to be exact, we have devoted almost all our time to the PP and haven't done much else. I'm not too eager to travel like we used to do, but it's time to enjoy the "creation" around us. Life is a precious commodity which God blesses us with and as we serve Him, I believe He wants us to renew our commitment to Him, but also become more involved in community, deepen relationships with friends and family, enjoy rest and take time away from the busyness of life to explore and enjoy our surroundings.
We'll see what happens.
Thank You, Lord for life today and hope for what is yet to come.
Sent from my iPad
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