I just wrote a blog, which disappeared into the never-never land of the cosmos. It was my first blog in over a week and spoke to the fact that Karen and I have very drastically curtailed our miles travelled over the past few years and are relying on other people traveling here to the Passion Play to be ministered to and them ministering to us in the process. The world is a different place, but thankfully none of it is beyond God's control or His ability to make it manageable.
I hope this shorter blog makes it to the Ministry of Miles website. The fewer miles we travel and the less frequent posts to the website have made my mind less tuned into the techy world. Must be another Covid-related stigma which plagues so many of us. But, I say again…….none of this is beyond God's grasp. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my
.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Sunday, March 20, 2022
March 20, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Spring Ahead
Spring has sprung again. We had an inch-and-a-half of rain last week and a few of our plants have started to pop up, our plum tree has blossomed and I have been able to "de-leaf" all of our plant beds and trim back our large pampas grass clump. The next three days we are forecast to have rain, so it's possible there will be more plants and trees budding soon.
Right now it is 75 degrees. I'm being serenaded by a fairly good sized frog in our fish pond. First time I've heard him since last summer. It sure is nice to enjoy sitting outside in shorts, not needing to be bundled up with layers of clothing. The past two winters have been colder and snowier that usual, so the warmer weather is really welcome. No telling if we will have another cold spell, but if we do it shouldn't last long. We're getting closer to the start of the Play, so there are a lot of projects to be tackled and we have already started to see many of our volunteer groups coming to help. I think we're in better shape financially because there are more projects than usual being scheduled and it seems that there are better pre-sales numbers this year than prior seasons. There is also a better "vibe" than in past years. We pray for a good season and God's continued favor on the Passion Play ministry. Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to serve You as we do. Bless our efforts and may they bring more people into Your Kingdom and a closer relationship with You. In all things, may Your will be done.
Sent from my iPad
Right now it is 75 degrees. I'm being serenaded by a fairly good sized frog in our fish pond. First time I've heard him since last summer. It sure is nice to enjoy sitting outside in shorts, not needing to be bundled up with layers of clothing. The past two winters have been colder and snowier that usual, so the warmer weather is really welcome. No telling if we will have another cold spell, but if we do it shouldn't last long. We're getting closer to the start of the Play, so there are a lot of projects to be tackled and we have already started to see many of our volunteer groups coming to help. I think we're in better shape financially because there are more projects than usual being scheduled and it seems that there are better pre-sales numbers this year than prior seasons. There is also a better "vibe" than in past years. We pray for a good season and God's continued favor on the Passion Play ministry. Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to serve You as we do. Bless our efforts and may they bring more people into Your Kingdom and a closer relationship with You. In all things, may Your will be done.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, March 12, 2022
March 12, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. It’s Not MY Fault
There is a consistent theme in every story we hear on the Evening News. No one wants to accept responsibility for what is happening. Regardless of what the pictures show, Putin is denying that he started a war or that he is indiscriminately attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. It's not his fault. Democrats blame Putin for the out of control inflation, blame Donald Trump for the immigration mess at the southern border and every crime seems to be the fault of the police and not the career criminals who have been released from jail by incompetent judges or ineffective prosecutors. It' not their fault.
President Biden has some pretty poor approval numbers, but it's all due to someone else's incompetence, certainly not his. The pandemic is still around, but relegated to a place of lesser importance, but let's just blame it on the unvaccinated or the Chinese, but not the CDC or WHO or some other regulatory entity. It's all because of "their" incompetence, not mine. We can always blame the 15 year old Russian figure skater for everything. After all we need a scapegoat, and ignorance or youth is not a valid defense.
The world is spinning out of control. The Medicare commercials with Joe Namath, J.J. Walker, George Foreman and William Shatner are back in vogue and it looks like there will be no end to them even though we are well beyond the "deadline". Free money for all and with a national debt over $30 Trillion why not give away more of what we don't actually have. One thing for sure……it's someone's fault, just no one is taking credit for it.
Lord……….help us.
Sent from my iPad
President Biden has some pretty poor approval numbers, but it's all due to someone else's incompetence, certainly not his. The pandemic is still around, but relegated to a place of lesser importance, but let's just blame it on the unvaccinated or the Chinese, but not the CDC or WHO or some other regulatory entity. It's all because of "their" incompetence, not mine. We can always blame the 15 year old Russian figure skater for everything. After all we need a scapegoat, and ignorance or youth is not a valid defense.
The world is spinning out of control. The Medicare commercials with Joe Namath, J.J. Walker, George Foreman and William Shatner are back in vogue and it looks like there will be no end to them even though we are well beyond the "deadline". Free money for all and with a national debt over $30 Trillion why not give away more of what we don't actually have. One thing for sure……it's someone's fault, just no one is taking credit for it.
Lord……….help us.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, March 4, 2022
March 4, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Time Marches On
One year ago, yesterday, I was at the VA Medical Center for rotator cuff and bicep tendon surgery. Yesterday, I was at the VA Medical Center to have my teeth cleaned. A lot has happened in that one year period. We spent our eighth season at The Great Passion Play, endured a run-in with Covid, are about to start another GPP season and our second year out of our motor home and in our cabin in the woods.
We've lost some friends and acquaintances, had a teaching series on Revelation at church and are watching our country become further split over political issues, racial matters, and now an increase in tensions in international relations due to an end of our Involvement in Afghanistan, a war between Russia and Ukraine, increasing cost of basic necessities, and mid-term elections on the horizon which may further add to our concern for the future of our democracy in a fragile period of history.
No matter what has happened, what is happening or what may happen, time marches on and March, the month named for the Roman god of war, is the beginning of the end of a cold winter and a springtime when the warmer weather will usher in the hope for new growth, the perennials starting to bloom, leaves returning to the trees and spring rains to green up our lawns. Time marches on and so do we in our Christian walk. My prayers all begin with thanks for God's provision and protection and gratitude for Jesus and His life, death, resurrection and promise to return and begin a period of New Life for all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Come, Lord Jesus, and march with us, as we march with you. For the good, the not so good, but always for You……..Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
We've lost some friends and acquaintances, had a teaching series on Revelation at church and are watching our country become further split over political issues, racial matters, and now an increase in tensions in international relations due to an end of our Involvement in Afghanistan, a war between Russia and Ukraine, increasing cost of basic necessities, and mid-term elections on the horizon which may further add to our concern for the future of our democracy in a fragile period of history.
No matter what has happened, what is happening or what may happen, time marches on and March, the month named for the Roman god of war, is the beginning of the end of a cold winter and a springtime when the warmer weather will usher in the hope for new growth, the perennials starting to bloom, leaves returning to the trees and spring rains to green up our lawns. Time marches on and so do we in our Christian walk. My prayers all begin with thanks for God's provision and protection and gratitude for Jesus and His life, death, resurrection and promise to return and begin a period of New Life for all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Come, Lord Jesus, and march with us, as we march with you. For the good, the not so good, but always for You……..Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. A Season of Rest
My last blog was a remembrance of acquaintances who have gone to rest with The Lord. Their efforts and accomplishments for The Kingdom are a legacy which remains for us still laboring in His Harvest. But, for me, the past three months or so have been a season of rest from the Passion Play and my duties there. I have committed to leading Holy Land tours on Wednesdays, but for the past eight weeks, I have led just three tours due to weather cancellations on the other five Wednesdays. My recovery from Covid has left me with decreased stamina and even work around the cabin has been minimal, and this season of rest and recovery, has been somewhat welcome to me. I have some upcoming appointments at the VA and I look forward to visiting with the doctors to find a medical reason for this season. But, in reality, I think it is God's plan to possibly point me in a new direction for my duties at the Passion Play, church ministry or even something different.
Today's Streams in the Desert devotional talked about those who labor for The Lord behind the scenes or in efforts which seem mundane or inconsequential, but are still essential for His Kingdom's impact on others. This season of rest may be just what The Doctor, the Great Physician, has ordered for me. It may be a time to listen more, speak less and let my personal desires take a back seat to His. Enough said. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Today's Streams in the Desert devotional talked about those who labor for The Lord behind the scenes or in efforts which seem mundane or inconsequential, but are still essential for His Kingdom's impact on others. This season of rest may be just what The Doctor, the Great Physician, has ordered for me. It may be a time to listen more, speak less and let my personal desires take a back seat to His. Enough said. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, February 14, 2022
February 14, 2022. Holiday Island, AR. Rest In Peace
Over the past few months, and even before that, we have said goodbye to a number of friends and acquaintances. Most have not been Covid-related, but due to other causes and most have not been very old in relation to us. We know that they knew Jesus and are resting in peace in His presence, so we rejoice for them, while we miss their presence here.
The way we honor those who have left us is to stand in the gap by finding a peace on earth to rest in; and that is to continue to serve God in whatever way He guides us and do what we can to lead others to faith in Him. Life is truly practice for the life we will have after we leave this one and enter our eternal Home.
We remember Jim, Roxie, Nicole, James, Darlene, Rob, Tim, Charles, Bud, Ken, and others who's names escape me now. Thank you for being part of our journey. Rest In Peace and let us all Rest In Peace on earth with the knowledge that one day we will all be together in a better place. For all this……………..Thank You, Lord,
Sent from my iPad
The way we honor those who have left us is to stand in the gap by finding a peace on earth to rest in; and that is to continue to serve God in whatever way He guides us and do what we can to lead others to faith in Him. Life is truly practice for the life we will have after we leave this one and enter our eternal Home.
We remember Jim, Roxie, Nicole, James, Darlene, Rob, Tim, Charles, Bud, Ken, and others who's names escape me now. Thank you for being part of our journey. Rest In Peace and let us all Rest In Peace on earth with the knowledge that one day we will all be together in a better place. For all this……………..Thank You, Lord,
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
2/2/22. Holiday Island, AR. At a Loss For Words
A couple of times over the past week I have sat down to blog, but have not come up with anything I felt comfortable putting out for your eyes to see. Whether it is writer's block or lack of inspiration, I'm not sure. All I know is that the words have not come to me as they always have. There have been a lot of reports of friends with health issues, a number of acquaintances who have passed away, and the usual changes in weather from balmy to blustery, but topics for a blog have been hard to come by.
I guess the best thing to report is that Karen and I are okay, having some routine medical and dental issues while trying to adjust our insurance coverage and find "willing" doctors to handle our care, but always trusting God to guide us where He would have us go. Our time at the Play has been minimal which is not unusual for this time of year. With Covid still an issue for many, it's probably wise to just limit our contact with others and do what we can to build up our defenses for the rest of the "off season".
For now…………stay healthy, everyone………..see you when we see you.
Sent from my iPad
I guess the best thing to report is that Karen and I are okay, having some routine medical and dental issues while trying to adjust our insurance coverage and find "willing" doctors to handle our care, but always trusting God to guide us where He would have us go. Our time at the Play has been minimal which is not unusual for this time of year. With Covid still an issue for many, it's probably wise to just limit our contact with others and do what we can to build up our defenses for the rest of the "off season".
For now…………stay healthy, everyone………..see you when we see you.
Sent from my iPad
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