October 19, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Change of Heart

When I wrote my journal entry this morning, I thought I was going to just copy it as my blog posting, because it was so appropriate to what has been happening here at TGPP. But as I reread it, I realized it wasn't for you to read, but for ME to read and apply to myself. My journal is not for others to read. It is my personal communication with my Lord. And, maybe, someday when someone finds the Mead Five-Star Notebooks (now in it's 13th book) they will become the modern day Dead Sea Scrolls (Schatz Edition) and will give some insight into MY walk with the Lord since 1999.
I tend to speak my mind pretty brazenly, and at times I know I offend people and may even be a poor witness for those I have contact with. It's not always easy to walk the talk. It's not always easy to love people we don't even like. And it's not always easy to be a Christian. But we need to realize that when we stepped in line behind Jesus, He promised to lead us, be beside us, and guard our back......and He did it for everyone.......for all time. What a comfort to know, He knows how difficult the journey will be and has promised to never leave us or forsake us. What a blessing......and how thankful I am.



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October 16, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Liking What You Do

Most of us are not born into wealth and an instant path to prosperity. We can't just take over the successful family business, sit back with our feet on the desk and watch the money continue to pour in. For most, we have to decide what we want to do, get the required education or training, go through the hiring process, work our way up the ladder and, if we are fortunate, not get fired, downsized or lose interest and quit.
I have always been envious of those who found their niche in the work world and were able to retire many years later with more than a gold watch and a handshake. I have not been that fortunate, having jumped from job to job, never really finding the job which made me want to get up each day and enthusiastically go to work. The closest I ever came was when I was trying to make money racing bicycles. I loved the training, the freedom of being on my own on the open road and the physical conditioning I had attained. Unfortunately I never earned a cent, and when I hit the pavement or that car hit me, it resulted in serious injury, pain, two long periods of rehab and ultimately, retirement and a long period of depression.
But, when I came to faith in Jesus, along with it came ministry opportunities which expanded my areas of interest and service, and in almost every instance I enjoyed what I was asked to do, seemed to be making an impact, helped others, learned new skills, and grew stronger in my faith. It hasn't all been "rosy" and at one time Karen and I were hurt badly. But, we did come to understand what had happened, and why, and have moved on to what have been rewarding service opportunities since then.
The key seems to be trusting God to guide us where He is at work and joining Him there, offering ourselves to serve Him however He calls, and getting up each day with the willingness to do even the most menial task as if it is the most valuable task there is, and allowing others to do the same with the tasks which they have been guided to do. Serving God, not man, but serving man as God directs, and ultimately......liking what you do......and keep doing it. So no matter what we face, we press on, look ahead to a better tomorrow and whether it be here, there, or in the air, trust Him to meet us There. Thank You, Lord.





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October 13, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Weather

Once again we have been asked to endure some unusual weather. While it hasn't gone directly from summer to winter, don't tell that to our Passion Play family. Looking at the way people have been dressing for the past three days you would think it is the dead of winter. I have even been forced into long pants the past three days and long sleeves and sweat pants under my Moses costume today.
Our visitors today were bedecked in all kinds of hoodies, rain gear, umbrellas and maybe even long-johns. But in spite of it all, there was a festive mood and larger than expected crowds for the Play and Holy Land. Certainly not record breaking numbers, but far more than we would have anticipated for such rainy and cool conditions. Even the cast last night for the Play was ready to go when the shofar sounded, the sheep ran down the Via and the overture music began. Hopefully, tonight we will give the audience what they came for, an enthusiastic performance and a story which moves them as much as it moves us each night. With only eight performance days remaining, we need to finish strong, set the stage for next year and, always........give all the glory, praise and honor to God. What a blessing to be able to serve Him as we do.



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October 10, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Off the Clock

Too many times in life we are beholden to the clock, to time limits and to a rigid schedule. Our jobs require us to be ready to work at a specific time, lunch must be eaten within a fixed span, and we must clock out to avoid the possibility of overtime pay. Businesses have fixed hours of operations, airlines have strict departure times and traffic patterns in some cities are altered due to rush hour demands. And yet, there are times when time is not a factor. We don't have to be someplace exactly on time and we can lolligag or coast down the hill in neutral and not worry about putting another coin in the parking meter or "get a move on it".
At these times, when time doesn't matter, life takes on a different flavor and there is a feeling of calm, lack of pressure, and a joy to being alive. We don't need to come up with an excuse for having to leave what we are doing, to rush home, or to cut short the moment because we are tired or even bored with what is going on. We are comfortable with what is happening and who we are with, or are just enjoying the fact that we are content and at ease with the situation we are in.
While I wasn't "into" the Peaceful Easy Feeling" of the Eagles in the early '70's, the calm of the melody of that song resonates with me now and I enjoy the peaceful, easy feeling that I have when I can be off the clock, work on projects at my own pace and as my energy level permits, get up early and enjoy the quiet of the predawn day, or just sit in my comfy chair and sew my plastic canvas crosses. A slower pace....comfortable in my skin.....petting a donkey......listening to God......
Life is Good.........Thank You, Lord.

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October 7, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. Wish I'd Had a Camera

As the disciples sat down in the upper room for the Last Supper, during last night's Passion Play performance, we were visited by an unexpected dinner guest. One of our white homing pigeons, which had been released by Jesus during the earlier healing scene at the Temple, flew into the room and landed on the table directly in front of Jesus. It looked at Jesus for about ten seconds, turned to face the audience and then hopped down onto the floor in full view of the audience and remained there for most of the scene.
There are about twenty pigeons released during the Temple scene. They fly counterclockwise around the Temple a few times and then return to their quarters. Occasionally, a few of them stay on the Temple steps, perch on the roof or explore a while before returning home. I remember one who came back to watch the flogging scene by Pilate's Porch, but this was the first one to come for supper. It was one of those moments in live theater which make the routine we follow every performance, different , and keeps us coming back for more. It can be hard sometimes to make our performance unique for the audience when it is so repetitious for the performers. But when a prop isn't where it's supposed to be, an animal doesn't do what it's supposed to do, a performer misses an entrance, the lights misbehave or the music sound track stops, it truly becomes live drama and exciting for the actors who must keep the show going.
Our thirteenth disciple was definitely a memorable character. It would have been interesting if some of us would have had our cell phones and decided to break character and take a picture to record the moment. But then again, I'm sure there were some in the audience who were able to forget the seriousness of the supper and focus on the visitor. It's fun to be part of this ministry and good to know that we serve a loving, patient, gracious and caring God, a God with a sense of humor and good timing. Thank You, Lord.

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October 4, 2018. Eureka Springs, AR. The Valley on the Mountaintop

Jesus takes us to a "mountaintop" and then wants us to take that experience to the "valley" to witness and minister to others what we learned on the mountain. In effect he is telling us that we can't just stay on the mountain and bask in what we learned and not pass it on to others.
But, our ministry experience on Magnetic Mountain and The Great Passion Play since we came here in May, 2014 has kept us coming back; now in our fifth season. While we have always left after the official season ends in October and ministered in other places, we always come back to the mountain. As of now, it looks like we will not be leaving, but staying on thru the winter and not "valleying" elsewhere. This will be our valley on the mountain for November to May.
Many people come to experience TGPP each year. For some it is their annual mountaintop. For others a once in a lifetime mountaintop. Whatever the case may be, there have to be people who perpetuate the ministry here so that those who come have a memorable and uplifting experience and are blessed by it. For the permanent staff and dedicated volunteers of TGPP this has become our valley and others bring their valleys to us here rather than us taking our mountain to them in their valley. By living for Jesus we have both the mountaintop and the valley in one place. Our mountaintop comes from the thanks we receive, the prayers offered on our behalf and the ministering others extend to us. In the end, it's all about Him, sharing the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs, this life and it's rewards and the rewards yet to come. Thank You, Lord for calling us, for equipping us and allowing us to serve You as we do. You have guided us well, and we are eternally grateful.

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Dog Days of October

The Passion Play is attracting a different class of visitors these days.  Must be due to Noah's Ark Park Petting Zoo.