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Thursday, May 29, 2014
May 29, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Play Day
When I blogged last Sunday it was our first of only two Play (performance) days for the Passion Play season. It was the middle of Memorial Day weekend, and there was a large crowd all day to tour the grounds and displays and the audience for the evening was the largest of the season. We worked for the Play, played with the crowd, and had a busy, but fun day. Monday we played. No, not at the Passion Play, but in Branson at a couple of shows, the Acrobats of China and Pierce Arrow, a music/comedy show. It played out as a long, entertaining, but fun day. The past two days we got back to the tasks to ready for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday Play day schedule and next week we begin a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday schedule which will lead to 11 Play days in 2 weeks at the end of June and first week of July. A lot of Play and not much play time. This volunteer work is tough, but we are glad to be here and part of it.
When we decided to come to The Great Passion Play, we didn't know how long we would stay. We thought it would be for the month of May and we would then start toward home in Colorado. But while our volunteer force has decreased and will decrease again today, we are still here, working hard, playing hard and on display for God's work in this place; enjoying the tasks, enjoying the people and enjoying the ministry which is reaching out to the saved and the lost and planting seeds which will hopefully grow, mature and prosper and glorify Jesus Christ, the star of our Play and our play. Every day is an adventure. Every day has it challenges and reward, and we wake to scheduled tasks and assignments, but also the interruptions, breakdowns, flat tires and the rain which has just started to fall and the outdoor tasks which will have to wait a while. I'm glad we did most of the gardening and mowing yesterday. Maybe, I'll play solitaire, or pay sudoku or learn some lines from the Play. We are so blessed to be part of God's bigger Play. See you...........? Play on.
Sent from my iPad
When we decided to come to The Great Passion Play, we didn't know how long we would stay. We thought it would be for the month of May and we would then start toward home in Colorado. But while our volunteer force has decreased and will decrease again today, we are still here, working hard, playing hard and on display for God's work in this place; enjoying the tasks, enjoying the people and enjoying the ministry which is reaching out to the saved and the lost and planting seeds which will hopefully grow, mature and prosper and glorify Jesus Christ, the star of our Play and our play. Every day is an adventure. Every day has it challenges and reward, and we wake to scheduled tasks and assignments, but also the interruptions, breakdowns, flat tires and the rain which has just started to fall and the outdoor tasks which will have to wait a while. I'm glad we did most of the gardening and mowing yesterday. Maybe, I'll play solitaire, or pay sudoku or learn some lines from the Play. We are so blessed to be part of God's bigger Play. See you...........? Play on.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, May 25, 2014
May 25, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Our role in God's Play
I've always thought of God as the Director of "This Is Your Life", but I've never really expressed that idea publicly. Now, as an experienced blogger of nearly half a year, I've put it on paper so that the millions of you reading this post can think about how insightful and deep I have become on this journey. God has really done a number on me and I feel like God has brought us to this place on the mountain to give us a infusion of maturity and a new awareness of His role as Director of our lives and our need to just rest in Him and follow His Son.
Friday, I was introduced to one of the long-time "Jesus figures" in the Passion Play. He is a potter in the Holy Land and plays the Jesus role in the Play from time to time(we saw him in that role on the opening night of this season). We talked about our walk with The Lord and after a time he asked me if I would consider being in the Play in addition to our other volunteer duties at TGPP. That very night I was being issued my Play clothing and told I would be Nathanael, one of The Twelve Disciples. Quite a role for a first time participant. As I followed my guide, Gideon who played the role of Thaddeus, I saw people who had various paid and volunteer jobs during the day, playing roles in The Play. Many of the Play performers have full time day jobs and a number work here on the grounds. Herod mows lawns, Judas is a pastor of the church we attended a few weeks ago, last night's Jesus was a crowd member the night before yelling for that Jesus' crucifixion, Judas on Friday was Peter on Saturday. I was so busy concentrating on my role's responsibilities that all I saw was faces of people I knew in other "roles" playing roles in the Play. Such is life for all of us as Christians. Jesus played many roles in His 33 year life, and as His disciples and followers, He calls us to play a variety of roles as well. How we respond and how obedient to His call translates into how abundant and full our life can be. What a joy it is to be in this place and to be exposed to the wide variety of roles God is opening up for us to play. Be receptive, be willing, be blessed and share that blessing with others. That is the message God is giving me and the message I want to blog on to you. There is joy to be found in every task, no matter how menial or insignificant it may seem. Thank You God for the roles You assign and the example of Your Son that we follow.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, I was introduced to one of the long-time "Jesus figures" in the Passion Play. He is a potter in the Holy Land and plays the Jesus role in the Play from time to time(we saw him in that role on the opening night of this season). We talked about our walk with The Lord and after a time he asked me if I would consider being in the Play in addition to our other volunteer duties at TGPP. That very night I was being issued my Play clothing and told I would be Nathanael, one of The Twelve Disciples. Quite a role for a first time participant. As I followed my guide, Gideon who played the role of Thaddeus, I saw people who had various paid and volunteer jobs during the day, playing roles in The Play. Many of the Play performers have full time day jobs and a number work here on the grounds. Herod mows lawns, Judas is a pastor of the church we attended a few weeks ago, last night's Jesus was a crowd member the night before yelling for that Jesus' crucifixion, Judas on Friday was Peter on Saturday. I was so busy concentrating on my role's responsibilities that all I saw was faces of people I knew in other "roles" playing roles in the Play. Such is life for all of us as Christians. Jesus played many roles in His 33 year life, and as His disciples and followers, He calls us to play a variety of roles as well. How we respond and how obedient to His call translates into how abundant and full our life can be. What a joy it is to be in this place and to be exposed to the wide variety of roles God is opening up for us to play. Be receptive, be willing, be blessed and share that blessing with others. That is the message God is giving me and the message I want to blog on to you. There is joy to be found in every task, no matter how menial or insignificant it may seem. Thank You God for the roles You assign and the example of Your Son that we follow.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, May 23, 2014
May 23, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. Oh ye of little faith.
We've all been there. We face a situation which seems impossible and we don't have any idea of what to do or how to resolve the problem. It seems appropriate that the Streams in the Desert devotional for today speaks to that very topic of being at wit's end and seeking The Lord for the help we need. And, then the answer comes, the idea takes shape, or just the person we need comes to the rescue. Yesterday was but one more day of such endless rescues for us here at The Great Passion Play.
One person starts an "all-day" landscaping chore, and after an hour four others show up and without comment take over the job. Two people begin to unload a pallet of animal feed Into a storage barn, and before they even begin, two more show up and without comment pitch in to help. A bulldozer needs to have a track loosened to prevent potential damage and an 85 year old farmer comes along to solve the problem. Two 70 year old women are moving rocks for a display, when a 50 year old woman with amazing strength comes along to finish the task. While going to water a "memorial" bush for a deceased pet, a woman finds a leaking faucet and just then a man comes by and he knows how to fix the leak. A project needs a welder to complete it, and a man who has no reason to even be there at the time says, "I'm a certified welder". A man is passing by with the hope of picking up a ceramic pot he ordered from the Passion Play potter last week, and the conversation turns to the youth group he pastors. Next week he may bring the group to help with a project which needs young muscle to complete. A woman is having a possible health issue and needs some immediate attention. One of our volunteers is EMT trained and steps forward to help.
I can go on and on with instances of "coincidences" which all took place yesterday. God is THE foundation of this ministry. He is the reason we are all here, whether paid staff, volunteer or patron. We come to serve HIM, worship HIM and get closer to HIM. We say "praise God" or "thank You, Lord" a lot and we mean it, and yet, there are still times we get to our wit's end and wonder what WE will do to resolve the problem. (There was been a gap of about 15 minutes). Hugh came to give us his vehicle and tools for the day since he will be in the pit loading dirt for leveling the rv parking area. Once again, we have had our on-site transportation needs met to do the chores which will come our way today. While getting the back loader, Phil and Pop just happened to come by to give us some guidance on fluid levels, sprinkler system valves and controls and other items we needed some educating on. The beat goes on, and we ask another time, "how can we not believe?" Praise God, oh ye of little faith.
Sent from my iPad
One person starts an "all-day" landscaping chore, and after an hour four others show up and without comment take over the job. Two people begin to unload a pallet of animal feed Into a storage barn, and before they even begin, two more show up and without comment pitch in to help. A bulldozer needs to have a track loosened to prevent potential damage and an 85 year old farmer comes along to solve the problem. Two 70 year old women are moving rocks for a display, when a 50 year old woman with amazing strength comes along to finish the task. While going to water a "memorial" bush for a deceased pet, a woman finds a leaking faucet and just then a man comes by and he knows how to fix the leak. A project needs a welder to complete it, and a man who has no reason to even be there at the time says, "I'm a certified welder". A man is passing by with the hope of picking up a ceramic pot he ordered from the Passion Play potter last week, and the conversation turns to the youth group he pastors. Next week he may bring the group to help with a project which needs young muscle to complete. A woman is having a possible health issue and needs some immediate attention. One of our volunteers is EMT trained and steps forward to help.
I can go on and on with instances of "coincidences" which all took place yesterday. God is THE foundation of this ministry. He is the reason we are all here, whether paid staff, volunteer or patron. We come to serve HIM, worship HIM and get closer to HIM. We say "praise God" or "thank You, Lord" a lot and we mean it, and yet, there are still times we get to our wit's end and wonder what WE will do to resolve the problem. (There was been a gap of about 15 minutes). Hugh came to give us his vehicle and tools for the day since he will be in the pit loading dirt for leveling the rv parking area. Once again, we have had our on-site transportation needs met to do the chores which will come our way today. While getting the back loader, Phil and Pop just happened to come by to give us some guidance on fluid levels, sprinkler system valves and controls and other items we needed some educating on. The beat goes on, and we ask another time, "how can we not believe?" Praise God, oh ye of little faith.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014. Eureka Springs, AR. There's a Peace in this Place
We work hard at the tasks we choose to do or the ones assigned to us by Pop or Danny. We usually work in pairs, although there are times we gather as a larger group to conquer a larger task. At times we work alone and need to be alone. Some days we walk away from the "job" and just enjoy the beautiful scenery or the attractions of the area. There is always someone willing to drive us where we need to go, to offer a hand or suggestion and there is a community here which will soon undergo some changes. Yet in it all, there is a peace in this place.
We've been here at The Great Passion Play for three weeks and the volunteer group has stayed the same. Last night we had a "farewell" dinner for Ray and Janetta who will head out on Wednesday for family in Kansas and Colorado and a work-camping opportunity in Nevada. Ray has been a tremendous asset as a vehicle mechanic and it will be hard to fill his spot. Over the next week or so, others will be leaving; Jerry and Renee, Loren and Dianne. All have specific skills, plumbing, equipment operator, working with the animals, landscaping, food service. Our ranks will thin while the performance schedule increases and the tasks to be performed will grow. We trust God to bring to His harvest those needed for the tasks to be done. We are in the "entertainment business" and as such we are always visiting with people, ministering to their needs, praying for situations they reveal to us and trying to be God's messenger to a hurting world. Yet, in all the activity and chores to be done, there is a peace in this place which somehow drew us here three weeks ago and has a hold on us beyond the many other stops we have had on our ministry journey.
We have no idea what God has set on our plate for today. We have given Him our time and our willingness to step out in faith. We don't have the skills of many of our co-volunteers, or the unlimited resources to "retire in style", but we are willing to learn new skills, step into new experiences and press on as long as God calls us to wherever and whatever He calls us. We are content with what God provides each day and His grace is more than sufficient. He has met every need, blessing us in so many ways. We face today with the assurance of God's love and care for us, the hope we cling to and the Peace in this Place. One day at a time, sweet Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
We've been here at The Great Passion Play for three weeks and the volunteer group has stayed the same. Last night we had a "farewell" dinner for Ray and Janetta who will head out on Wednesday for family in Kansas and Colorado and a work-camping opportunity in Nevada. Ray has been a tremendous asset as a vehicle mechanic and it will be hard to fill his spot. Over the next week or so, others will be leaving; Jerry and Renee, Loren and Dianne. All have specific skills, plumbing, equipment operator, working with the animals, landscaping, food service. Our ranks will thin while the performance schedule increases and the tasks to be performed will grow. We trust God to bring to His harvest those needed for the tasks to be done. We are in the "entertainment business" and as such we are always visiting with people, ministering to their needs, praying for situations they reveal to us and trying to be God's messenger to a hurting world. Yet, in all the activity and chores to be done, there is a peace in this place which somehow drew us here three weeks ago and has a hold on us beyond the many other stops we have had on our ministry journey.
We have no idea what God has set on our plate for today. We have given Him our time and our willingness to step out in faith. We don't have the skills of many of our co-volunteers, or the unlimited resources to "retire in style", but we are willing to learn new skills, step into new experiences and press on as long as God calls us to wherever and whatever He calls us. We are content with what God provides each day and His grace is more than sufficient. He has met every need, blessing us in so many ways. We face today with the assurance of God's love and care for us, the hope we cling to and the Peace in this Place. One day at a time, sweet Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, May 17, 2014
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