Stained Glass Masquerade - Casting Crowns

Sometimes I find something that really does say everything that my heart feels at a given time. This song has really grabbed me. I find one of the struggles in my leadership is that I sometimes have to mask how I feel for the benefit of others. God loves me for who I am, when I am happy or sad, energetic or on empty, but he requires me to also be honest. With him, myself and with others. This feeling has partically been on my heart lately. Life is tough and I feel that I am walking through a valley, but I know that God has a lamp for my feet, that I may follow the path that he has for me. He is carrying me through this time, and this song has really made me see the power in his word at this time. I ask for continual prayer throughout this trial. As each day passes, the challenges continue, but it is not by my strength that I bow at his feet and worship him for he is worthy... More worthy than I feel I give him credit for when I stumble.

Work is done for 2010.... now onto 2011

Well the work year has finally finished for me in 2010.... What a stupidly crazy year it has been and I am truly happy that it is just about to come to an end in a couple of weeks. The year of change has been more eventful than a change, although it has led to me changing for 2011.

An update for anyone that knows the struggles of the last couple of months. My dad got some results back that seemed to suggest that he has recovered from his stroke. All the doctors have added how lucky he is that there isn't more serious ramifications from it, but for now, all we can say is that God has worked his power in a recovery. The marathon is not over yet and there are many more tests to come. I have had a hard time in some respects with this as this and work has pretty much put me in a place where I am so exhausted that I am conciously having to stop myself from stupid decision making... A couple of days R&R should help. I would love to publicly say Thank you to all who have supported myself and my family through the last couple of months and beyond. If you know me well, you will know that I love family and when all is not right that is my first priority.

I would like to take this time also to wish you all a merry Christmas. This time of year is always very busy for me, and I am in a good place when I see the smiles on others and know that we are celebrating not a holiday, but the greatest gift ever given to Man. A humble baby that would grow to be a sacrifice for me on a cross.

God Bless you all, and please keep healthy and safe.

humble and greatful

Early last year I was prompted to make a contribution to a school that for four years gave me every oppurtunity I could have to be the best musician and best person I could be. This idea came in the form of a music scholarship.
Tonight I was able to attend my old high school of Chaffey Secondary College and personally hand this award out, which for me was a humbling experience knowing that only 10 or so years ago I was sitting where the students were waiting to recieve awards. I was not a perfect student, I had my faults but I was always brought up to try hard and strive to do my best. This was apparent with the number of awards and scholarships I received in my schooling and how I can still look back on those moments and smile. Tonight many of those awards still exist like the South Mildura Rotary Scholarship. I won that in yr 10 and took great pride in seeing that someone else would win that beautiful plague that still proudly hangs on my wall.

The most humbling and satisfying thing for me was seeing teachers who taught me honoured for their years of teaching. I model my teaching on what was shown to me and the teachers I spoke to and shared with tonight all had a profound impact on my learning and me becoming the person I am.
There is a whole blog I could write on each of those teachers, but that is for another time.

I would just like to finish with this statement:

I have been honoured to share in an experience which shows that when someone is able to give, others feel blessed. When others are open to acceptance, others will outstretch their arms and show love. When songs are sung and played, others will grab on for the ride.

Hang On,

Don.

Exhaustion is not advised!

I have always maintained a sense of honesty in my life and this blog is no exception.

The subject for the blog comes from the personal experiences that I have faced recently.

I am a 'Yes' Person! This might sound so suprising but If I can help or can offer assistance, I usually will say yes and rise to the call for help. This often comes as a sacrifice to my free time, my physical and emotional condition (over a long period of time) and to my overall satisfaction with people and their work ethic. I constantly remind myself that I maybe the one who has it wrong, when other seem to do less than expected but still get their gratitude or what we assume they should deserve.
I am not comfortable with recognition or praise, but accept that it is important for people to celebrate successes, but it is a balancing act, one which requires wisdom.

I have had many wise people tell me to just say no. What has happened though is as I have done this it has given me more 'me' time but I have found a problem with boredom......

So what is my realisation. I have rediscovered the things I love by being in my state of exhaustion by factoring in and planning me time. I have included it in my schedule, so my brain can believe that I am still busy, however the tasks that I want to complete for me and no one else still appear as work...

I do not reccomend being exhausted as this takes it tool on not just you, but on everyone around you. I am attempting to sit in the silence of the world and listen to what life and God is telling me. My me time is not solidary as God is able to communicate with me. But I know that in this conversation, God has given me the challenge to make time not only for myself, but for friends and him as well...

Lord,

May the seconds that pass go slow enough that I have time to rest, but fast enough to keep my mind focused on the tasks at hand.
May you strengthen me in this time of challenge and exhaustion and refresh my mind, body and spirit to work in this world you.