Looking out at beauty

It is another fresh morning on camp. Fresh as in weather wise fresh, I'm feeling quite tired actually. The nature here has reminded me so much of the creation and awesome power of God though these last few days. From the Ocean to the mountains, from the forests to the plains, God is awesome and wonderful and I thank him for each person that comes into my life and the gift of sight to his woderful creation. Bless you all.

All Tmes

I was reminded today that it is so important to bless the Lord at all times. It's an amazing thought that everything we do should praise God. We as people need to remember that when people look at us as Christians they are not looking at us as people but as examples. Some even look at us and hold us up on the moral highground. We are not perfect but I would like to think that whatever I do, I am able praise God for the Blessings that my actions bring to him, me and to others.

May I bless the Lord in everything I do for God alone is worthy of praise! All that I do, is not for me but is firstly for God and then for others.

Forgiveness and Renewal

Over the last few weeks I have used the words Forgiveness and Renewal in my conversations with some people. Both are so important in the walk with Christ however we as christians probably don't act these two aspects out as daily requirements for us to develop in our relationship.

With this being said I've decided to do something a little left field right now. I never said I did things normal so maybe this is my normal.......

Father, Forgive those in my life who walk behind me and talk and act behind my back to benefit themselves and their own walk in life at the expense of those around them. May I continue to walk with integrity on the path which you have lit for my path.

Forgive those who in the past may have insulted me to my face knowing that their words would hurt me, but not knowing the scars that those words have left. May I know that those scars remind me of the wounds in which you suffered for me.
Forgive me for acting in the same way towards others as I fell into this way of life knowing that it was not nice or right, but was too lost to realise the error in my way.

Forgive those who take advantage of my generousity for they know their intentions but feel it's easier to hide them. Forgive me for using my free time to fill it up with tasks which resist the path that I am to walk on.

Forgive me for being ignorant to your call on my life. I am but a sinner and a sinner pleading to be set free.

Forgive me for not caring about the people you place in my life with a heart of giving and servanthood. Strengthen me in my weaknesses so I can be a witness to them in all aspects of their life.

Forgive me for my faults, for the wasting of my gifts, and for the thoughts of doubt and insecurity. You gave me gifts to use and not waste and gave me the mind to inspire others.

RENEWAL

God instill in me a heart that is serving, greatful, hungry, soul searching, loving, pure, kind, hopeful, faithful and urgent to live out your calling on my life!!!!!

For God makes all things possible through him!!!

Friends

I was encouraged by a conversation with a friend last night about what they considered a friend. Encouraged so much that I thought I would blog about it.

I have lived most of my life with what I would like to define as 'Superficial' friends. We all have them. They are the ones which we hang out with at events or occasionally catch up when we can and share together some random and maybe even semi personal accounts. They are the type that if they somehow forget to invite you somewhere you just shrug and imagine that they really did want to invite you, they just didn't know if you were free or not, so they assumed that you would be busy. The reason why I say they I have lived most of my life with these people is because in reality that is what most school friends are. You catch up at school, you experience some experiences together and then as you get older often you take different paths in life and end up somewhere else.

The next group of people I like to call 'the close friends'. They are the ones who get through this period or seem to just click with you. They are the ones that you happily share lifes good and bad moments. You share with them most secrets or desires that with their encouragement you will strive to achieve and if you don't quite get there they are the ones that encourage you. They are also the ones who help you select the best person for you to have relationships with, the best names for your kids, the best outfit for the party and are there at the drop of a hat to help you.

I believe there is a third group. They are what I like to call our 'lighthouse friends'. They are the ones who you don't have to say that you are worried or hurt, you don't have to say anything. They are the ones that laugh at the same inner thought you are having eventhough you haven't uttered a word. They are the ones that know you so well, that you are almost one. They are the ones who not only help you when you are hurting, but sit next to you and absorb some of that hurt. They may still be 'the close friend', but they are also the friend that you rely on when no one else seems to want to be there.

The term agape is often chucked into discussions. We as humans are fallible. We are not perfect and if we haven't already, we will make big mistakes in our choices. Unconditional 'Agape' love is a model that I believe we should strive for. This world is already filled with so much hatred or mistrust. I know that in reality there will always be hate and hurt. There can never be human perfection while we live on Earth and 'Control' Things. But gee it's nice to think that one day I can live in that world.

I have blogged previously many times on the importance of friends to me. My challenge today is where do we all fit into the structure of our friends? Who in our friendship group do we look to as our close and Lighthouse friends? Is uncoditional love for others such a stupid goal?

I don't know where you sit. I don't mind if you don't agree. I just want to publicly say that when I leave this Earth hopefully in many years than now, I can leave knowing that one of the memories people had of me is that I loved life, but loved the people in my life with compassion, with integrity and with accountability. That I can be a lighthouse for others as they have been a lighthouse for me. Shine Strong for those around you as you do not know who is using your light to help find their way.

Thankyou Friends.

Time to Rest is oh so important... Apparently!!!

So after many weeks of slaving away, my world has suddenly hit one of those down times. The ones in which life is not depressing, it is just really slow and relaxing. Now for those who know me well, you will know that I really never slow down. It's always all systems go and nothing to really prove that slowing down is a key to longevity.

Well the last few days have been somewhat surreal. Waking up and not having things to rush off and do has taught me the importance of rest. I am learning to rest and learning to enjoy those moments. I have discovered just how important my own company is and how much I need it to Recharge by myself, because honestly, people drain me.

Just like my digital devices that I use everyday to keep me on time, organised and moving, if I'm not taking the time out to let them charge they become flat, less effective and can impact me and others as I fly through my life. It is important for me to remember that my batteries need a daily charge, that my life needs me to be ready to take up the challenges.

There is a further issue here and probably the most important. My family, Friends and God need me to be healthy, energised and ready to jump to the tasks and opportunities in life. Being Charged up and energised is important because God and people in my life need me just as much as I need them. If I am not charged and energised, I can't do what needs to be done.

Where it all Began!!

I was sorting out some photos tonight on my network drive and thought that I would share a couple with you.
just a little over 20 years ago, I learnt the skills required to lead me to where I am now as a musician. I started on a garden hose with a funnel and then began lessons with a wonderful man called Frank Whitecross. It was Frank who from the start told me to never forget the blessings and gifts I have been given and that I should always 'play for God'. This all happened in the old Salvation Army band room in Madden avenue and it was here that I also learnt the correct fundamentals in both the physical nature of playing and also the emotional and spiritual levels as well. It was then two teachers (Rex Peirce and Rob Booth) as well as many mentors that helped shape the person and musician that I am today.
Many years have past by, many gigs have been played on many stages with many different levels of musicians and tonight I was once again reminded that the blessings that this journey have given me along the way have made this journey a terrific experience. Enjoy!

Don.

Pics top to bottom
Me as a young lad with my first trumpet
the original Chaffey Rat Pack: Jason Harvey, Naomi Mclean, Hope Favelle, Glen Foster and me,
Playing at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2004
Doing a gig with Apple Tree at the Mildura Grand
Karl Stefanovic and me at the SMGT Awards Gala
James Morrison and I having a good time
Mildura Jazz Festival promo 2008 with Brodie Steel and Ian Horbury
Playing as the pre band for Smokin' Joe Robinson
Screamin' Lead as a guest for the Riverland All Star Bigband
Sitting in with Marmalaide Trio at the Mildura Arts Festival 2010.

Accountability with Compassion

Over the last few months it seems that I have been continually challenged by keeping people accountable in their lives as people have done for me but doing this with a graceful and compassionate heart.

When a person falls in life, we are left with a choice. Do we act like the soldier on the battlefield who will not leave his friend and comerade there or are we like the ghost that disapears out of sight so we don't have to face the obligation of helping but also being accountable for our friend.

I have been asked how I can stand there and be friends with a couple of people in my life because of their actions and situations. Firstly, I believe that I can be a positive spiritual and personal impact on them. I can be the light that helps them get out of the darkness of their hearts and minds (with God's Strength and Guidance). Secondly it is what friends do. I would like to think that if I am in the valleys of life, that the friends that I consider dear and special to my life would not only keep me accountable but stand with me and compassionantly guide me back to the light.

The people I speak of may read this and wonder why I would write about such a thing on a public blog.
My heart hurts when I hear of a friend hurting, My mind thinks about the situations and about you and others and how you are travelling, just as people do about my journey, and most of all; I want to publicly declare my desire to keep you accountable but Love you with the same Grace that God loves us each day of our lives.

God Strengthen Us Daily

recognition

I learnt a lesson a long time ago which has recently resurfaced in my life.
People crave recognition!! Some people love it. They need it to feed that inner self indulgent heart that lives inside them.

Everyone likes to be recognised for their achievements and their hard work. For me I am a person that finds acknowledgement something that is a little hard to accept sometimes. But saying that it is still nice to have acknowledgement in the form of a thankyou. The thankyou does not have to be public for I find that the hardest to accept, but a thanks means more to me than any public display of gratitude. I'm not feeling or experiencing this at all at the moment, eventhough the work going in seems to be huge. Not only that I feel that I'm slowly being squashed in my roles and not getting all the requirements given to me to do my roles to the best of my ability.

I want to admit the struggle that I have had recently. It goes beyond recognition, it is where I struggle with a believe that the effort I put into areas of my life are worth even bothering with if I can't even feel a sense of self gratitude in myself.
When I'm climbing a hill and there is not much to grab onto on, I can only grab onto one thing. I'm am clinging to the cross and it's promise, because God knows my heart and knows that even when I doubt that things are going well...

That is when I am reminded just how lucky and blessed I am. I don't care anymore about the recognition like others because I need to do the right thing in my heart. Forfeit the self ego in favour of the humble spirit.

Please Pray!!!

Lord be a strength and guide to my life everyday!
Be a comforter when I am weary and a Blessing when I am weak!
A saviour for the lost and a footstep for the hurt!

Amen!

Being the Candle!

I found out last night that I was playing a solo on sunday. It's not a bad thing at all. I think that it's a great opportunity to share the message through my music. The piece was chosen and strangely the song had been in my mind through the week because I was once again thinking about Lighthouses and was reading about a Lighthouse operators life long passion to save ships from disaster and his love of climbing up every night to look out and see the majestic power of the ocean.

The song I am playing is a beautiful songster piece which I have adapted and rearranged for the meeting called 'The Candle of the Lord' by Joy Webb.

The words are a continual challenge to me.

How great the darkness,

How deep the need!

How vast the problems of indiff'rence, hate and greed.

A world rejecting,

The truth once known,

And slipping down into a nightmare of it's own.

Is there a light,

that's strong enough to go,

and change the world, the darkness that we know.

Chorus:

I am the candle of the Lord,

And truth and love more powerful than sword!

O fan the flame, its single gleam diffuse,

and let my spirit be the light that you can use.

I am the candle of the lord.

Light me!

How great the light is;

From soul to soul.

A myriad tiny flames expanding to a whole.

How strange the truth is,

When joined as one,

and what a miracle this shining could become.

It could transform the darkness that we know,

and clearly light the way mankind must try to go.

Even in times of Darkness, God offers us Light. We therefore need to be ready with a strong presence to offer light to others, but unlike the light of man who after a while will extinguish and surrender to darkness, we need to be lit by the eternal everlasting light that not even darkness can extinguish.

God Bless

Reflecting

Well it's nearly been three weeks and I'm finally going to do part 2 of my talk. This reflection has been a constant journey over the last couple of weeks as I have prepared my talks and gone over all my notes.

I went back over everything earlier and decided to change a couple of things in the talk but can not get over the amazing experience that the WYC2010 was for all that went. My heart is warmed everytime I think back to the experiences and the conversations I had with God and with the many people from all over the world. Sharing a laugh with God as well as tears and sitting in his presence knowing that 1000 people are all getting a different promise, challenge in their own language is something to behold and just leaves me in awe of a great God out there that puts every star in the sky, every planet in orbit, every man on this earth and at the same time carries me when I know I am not able to journey with him on my own two feet.

I also must add to this, the time that I've had since coming back. My life is changed forever. I have found myself finding coming back to earth so to speak a little harder than I thought it would of been. I've slowly got back into the grind of my job, and caught up with friends to share my experiences, but I have also felt challenged to reach out to the friends that I have let go or have not been able to share with for a while. My heart warms when I think of these people and I can hear them say to me; Stay grounded in your own mind so God can speak to you. I also hear my mind praying for each and every friend of mine that they may continue to seek God out in their lives or come to know him for them personally.

God has amazing plans for each one of us and I can't wait to see what he has in store for me!!