tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388950292024-03-13T14:09:32.012-05:00DonB! MinistriesDonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-39444613250819535532014-12-18T08:07:00.004-06:002014-12-18T08:07:56.158-06:00DonB! Ministries on FacebookDonB! Ministries is on Facebook.<br />
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If you don't like reading long blog posts, or just want to know snippets of what goes on in the life of a performer, you can easily follow DonB! Ministries on Facebook, and receive very irregular updates there. This is the link: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/donbministries">https://www.facebook.com/donbministries</a><br />
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HINT: I update the Facebook site more often than I update this one.<br />
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DonDonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-42831469723148600242014-01-16T15:36:00.000-06:002014-01-16T15:43:52.798-06:002013 in Review - DonB! Ministries<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsGtGW0xZ8g/Utg_uf3QgrI/AAAAAAAAIBU/xBpLe5JD_6Q/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsGtGW0xZ8g/Utg_uf3QgrI/AAAAAAAAIBU/xBpLe5JD_6Q/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" height="235" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Photo: Dale and his cousin in California<br />Inset Photo: The Bursells, making "grass angels" for our friends back in Minnesota</td></tr>
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<b>2014 is well under way</b>, and I realized it has been a while since my last writing here. I've been keeping up with the activities of <a href="http://www.donbministries.com/">DonB! Ministries</a> by writing on Facebook, as well as sending out an email newsletter, but I also realize that not everyone is on Facebook, so I wanted to drop by and let you know what's happening.<br />
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<b>January</b> 2013 was a busy month. Deb & I began attending a new church, <a href="http://www.newhopecambridge.org/">New Hope Community Church</a>, in Cambridge, Minnesota. I performed my 10th show for the "Delta Pilots for Kids Program" at St. Joseph's Shelter in St. Paul. I took a winter trip to Texas to perform and teach at the <a href="http://www.joeytotheworld.org/joey/index.php">Joey to the World Clown Conference</a> for 4 days. I did my 50th & 52nd show for <a href="http://camplebanon.org/"><span style="color: purple;">Camp Lebanon</span></a> in Bertram, Minnesota, including a test run of mid-air fishing (magically catching live fish on a pole) and gave a couple of other new routines a test run. Deb, Deanna and I continued working with the junior high youth group at <a href="http://www.emmanuelmora.com/">Emmanuel Baptist Church</a>.<br />
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<b>February</b> was a slower month, but I did a couple of human mannequin gigs for <a href="http://mannequininmotion.com/">Mannequin in Motion</a>, including <a href="https://www.bobbyandstevesautoworld.com/">Bobby & Steve's</a> BIG party at the Hilton in Minneapolis.<br />
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<b>March</b> started the Upward Sports season, and I travelled around Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois performing for players and their families. I also has opportunity to play 2 fun nights of music (I play bass guitar) with musicians from around Minnesota, and our main gig was at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emmas-Pizza/222518744484235?rf=120425204635320">Emma's Pizza</a> right here in Mora, and almost 80 people showed up for pizza and music. We repeated the event once again at <a href="http://www.cambridgenbcc.com/">New Beginnings Church</a> in Cambridge, Minnesota, on April 21st.<br />
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<b>April</b> was the month that I started sending out an email newsletter, the DonB! Irregular Newsletter. If you do not receive it, please let me know and I'll add your email to my growing list of friends around the world. April 21st is when I started playing bass guitar on the worship team at our new church. I performed for an 80-year-old's birthday party, and performed at St. Canice Catholic Church in <a href="http://www.kilkennymn.com/about/">Kilkenny, Minnesota</a>, and there were more people at my program than there were on the town's population sign!<br />
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On <b>May</b> 1st I took my first flight of the year to Nashville, Tennessee (I took 2 more throughout the year) to perform for Katie Harris's surprise birthday party. Katie is the wife of <a href="http://harrisiii.com/">Harris III</a>, the illusionist I travel with every so often. The <a href="http://www.dontarmachine.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Dontar Machine</span></a> had its first gig of the year at Hamline University. The last week was spent performing and teaching at <a href="http://funcampcanada.com/site/this-year/instructors/">Fun Camp,</a> in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where performers of different specialties get together and learn from each other.<br />
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<b>June</b> brought some warmth, as well as shows for <a href="http://www.morristownmn.com/morristown-minnesota-dam-days/">Morristown Dam Days</a> (yes, it's really called that), an overnight Grad party in North St. Paul, and an all day event for employees of Delta Airlines at the MSP airport. I flew to Pocola, Oklahoma, and performed with Harris III, at a casino, owned by Christians that want to use the venue as an outreach tool. How's THAT for "outside the box" thinking? <br />
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On June 23rd, our family left to drive to <a href="http://www.sandycove.org/">Sandy Cove Ministries</a> in North East, Maryland, for 6 weeks. Each week there I did 2 shows, M.C'd the morning Brown Bag Devotions (of which I'm still working on the book about) and performed strolling entertainment throughout the weeks. Deb & I were invited to take an all-day trip on Goldwing motorcycles through the mountains of Pennsylvania, and it was incredibly scenic. I also started shaving my head during the 2nd week of camp, and I've chosen to leave it that way. "Bald is beautiful", or at least that's what my wife says.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new hairstyle</td></tr>
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Even though we were in Maryland for the summer, on <b>July</b> 18th I flew back to Minnesota to perform at <a href="http://sonshinefestival.com/">Sonshine Music Fest</a> in Wallmar, MN, on the invite of <a href="http://www.randysinfo.com/Home.htm">Randy Christensen</a>. I closed off my time there by watching the night time concert from Skillet, complete with fireworks! While in Maryland, Deb & I took an all-day trip to the ocean with our friends, the Weavers. It had been at least 2 years since I had done any swimming in an ocean, and it was fun.<br />
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In <b>August,</b> I performed at the Little Falls County Fair, and also performed at libraries around Minnesota for their summer reading program. On July 21st I went on the road with Randy Christensen and his son, <a href="http://bencomedy.com/">Ben</a>, and presented the <a href="http://bencomedy.com/resources/video/#prettyPhoto/2/">L.O.L. Show</a> in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada. On the 31st, I competed in my 2nd disc golf tournament in Brainerd, MN, and returned for the 30-somethinkth time to <a href="http://troutlakecamps.org/">Trout Lake Camp</a>, to perform for their family weekend.<br />
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In <b>September</b> I did 3 shows in South Dakota, and then flew down to Marshall, Missouri, to perform with Harris III and <a href="http://teamdowling.blogspot.com/">Bubba Dowling</a>, presenting the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D95jfUKcNho">Bamboozled</a>" Show. September 18th I performed for (at least the 20th year in a row) <a href="http://www.fcchudson.com/">Faith Community Church</a> in Hudson, Wisconsin, opening up their year of AWANA programs for families. The next day I drove into the upper peninsula of Michigan for 2 shows in Nagaunee and Ishpiming. Things then quieted down a bit for the last 12 days of September.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VEq15YvuXI/UthAN_2m5zI/AAAAAAAAICc/xIYAOQG0lP0/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VEq15YvuXI/UthAN_2m5zI/AAAAAAAAICc/xIYAOQG0lP0/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dontar at Mayo Clinic</td></tr>
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However, <b>October</b> came in like a lion, albeit a small lion, with a Dontar Event at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, another Dontar gig for a private corporate party, and then the usual stilt-walking gig I've been doing now for 8 years for Halloween in Coon Rapids, MN. I finished out the month at <a href="http://newlifechurchmn.com/">New Life Church</a> in Princeton, MN., on Halloween night, presenting 2 shows there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4eDPDZOQuA/UthAu3ye9_I/AAAAAAAAICs/c-S9ktqw5Zw/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4eDPDZOQuA/UthAu3ye9_I/AAAAAAAAICs/c-S9ktqw5Zw/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DonB, on New Year's Eve. Franklin, TN</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: right;"><b>November</b> started with only 3 scheduled shows, but somehow became a busy month of teaching, and meetings, and travels. Probably the rest I really needed?</span></div>
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<b>December</b> showed only 5 gigs at the beginning of the month, but by the end of the month, I had performed in Minnesota, California and Tennessee, entailing some really last minute additional shows. One of the highlights of December was being able to travel to California to see friends and relatives that we've not seen in years. It was warm there. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eymBrHrh8LQ/Utg_yzAwsMI/AAAAAAAAIBw/4M2ue0JEiBE/s1600/IMG_1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eymBrHrh8LQ/Utg_yzAwsMI/AAAAAAAAIBw/4M2ue0JEiBE/s1600/IMG_1255.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to California</td></tr>
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Throughout the year I've been playing disc golf more and more, especially when I visit the warmer areas of the United States. I have also been spending the last year helping to sell an entire collection of magic books on eBay, owned by a friend of mine. Some are modern, and some are from the late 1800s.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4TWtn6gcxos/Utg_p1DGHdI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/WlrvtPm3C0c/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Magic Books</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZk6zKZMrkI/UthAbram3HI/AAAAAAAAICo/N7hMb2pcxow/s1600/IMG_9919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZk6zKZMrkI/UthAbram3HI/AAAAAAAAICo/N7hMb2pcxow/s1600/IMG_9919.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Very Old Magic Books</td></tr>
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Well, what can I say? I've been blessed with a life that I don't deserve. I type this as I sit by our new fireplace, with a roof over my head, with friends and family all around me. I'll close by sharing some fun photos from the year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9uI1Nucatc/Utg_bljqxZI/AAAAAAAAIBE/gxdbXh0Rfv0/s1600/IMG_1029.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9uI1Nucatc/Utg_bljqxZI/AAAAAAAAIBE/gxdbXh0Rfv0/s1600/IMG_1029.PNG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite Christmas photos<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWB0vKBagEA/Utg_zXvs7pI/AAAAAAAAIB0/Y2fYh412EJo/s1600/IMG_1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWB0vKBagEA/Utg_zXvs7pI/AAAAAAAAIB0/Y2fYh412EJo/s1600/IMG_1302.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our disc gold group in CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CLaGBU1iOc/UthADFrDjfI/AAAAAAAAICQ/ed-JZ2LoENg/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CLaGBU1iOc/UthADFrDjfI/AAAAAAAAICQ/ed-JZ2LoENg/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We first loved Rita's in Maryland, but <br />now they have them in California too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XR7HXD4lRsE/Utg_cRZy6UI/AAAAAAAAIBI/zZU7luLEvjU/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XR7HXD4lRsE/Utg_cRZy6UI/AAAAAAAAIBI/zZU7luLEvjU/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minnesota</td></tr>
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DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-71861778157425744772013-04-26T23:12:00.000-05:002014-01-16T15:40:00.536-06:00Entertaining AngelsRecently, while performing for a private party to celebrate the life of an 80 year old, I performed what I would consider one of my "standard" shows. To me, it went just like all of the other times I've performed it.<br />
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However, 2 days later I received an email from the daughter of the 80 year old "birthday girl", explaining a little "something" that happened during the program. Here is her email:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 16px;">"Thank you for the wonderful show you performed at my mothers 80th birthday party. I want to tell you how God used you in a miracle during the show. Taylor, the second little girl that helped with your act, has been in therapy for Autism for the last 2 years. She apparently bonded with you, and felt comfortable enough to be in front of all those people. We were all shocked. She has never done anything like that before. Praise be to God. Thank you for being his servant !!!!!!!" -Lynn S.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Wow! To me, the girl acted and performed like every other kid volunteer I've ever invited onstage. But to some of the family, it was a side of her that they had never seen, and rejoiced over it.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">I'm glad I could be there, to help just one person that particular day, see that little glimmer of hope, or renewed potential, in a kid that was considered "different".</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism">Autism covers such a broad spectrum of things</a>, but inside each kid, there is that piece just waiting to get out, to shine in a new way, and for the window of their life to be opened once again. I'm glad I could be there for it, even unaware of what was happening.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Is </span><span style="color: #222222;">there a window that could be opened for YOU? What is something that you've always wanted to do, but never have? What's on your "bucket list"? And what's stopping you from actually taking the time to go and do it? Don't wait until it's too late, and then find yourself saying, "Oh, I wish I would have done <u><i>(fill in the blank)</i></u>.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">Today is the day. And honestly, what's stopping you? Huh?</span></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">Don</span></h4>
DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-88026833089939713692013-01-31T14:13:00.000-06:002013-01-31T14:13:53.202-06:00DonB! tours with the new show, "Bamboozled"<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here are a couple of videos of the upcoming tour I will be traveling with. Three full-time professional performer/speakers, and a variety show resembling the old vaudeville shows.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/D95jfUKcNho?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And to know more about the performers involved, this video was just released:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now be honest, this looks like a lot of fun. And it is!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So please pass this information on to your pastor, or church staff, and please consider hosting the Bamboozled Show at your church, in your community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">DonB!</span></div>
DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-67971379842911587372013-01-30T22:28:00.000-06:002013-01-30T22:28:39.491-06:00New Artwork for DonB!In my work as a strolling magician, I am always looking for new cards to perform with. I came across a deck, <a href="http://thebluecrown.com/playing-cards/vaudeville-deck.html">The Vaudeville Deck</a>, and purchased one for my work.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-YPem3Hjrk/UQnmCG35HCI/AAAAAAAAF1c/NLxbjSLB5bM/s1600/p_o_vdeck_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-YPem3Hjrk/UQnmCG35HCI/AAAAAAAAF1c/NLxbjSLB5bM/s400/p_o_vdeck_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really liked the style of artwork, so I searched around a bit and found the artist's name, Nemanja Jovanovic, from Montenegro.</div>
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After explaining to him in an email how I found him, and what I was interested in, he provided some basic ideas, and they looked great! I waited about 2 weeks, and then started receiving some hints of how it would look finished, and I got excited. The lettering style was cool. The ideas of juggling and the unicycle were great.</div>
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Well, just this last weekend I received the finished artwork, and here it is:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6rCMP2gr2E/UQnsbsewXYI/AAAAAAAAF1s/_qgo4tjXZ2E/s1600/DonB+fracturize4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6rCMP2gr2E/UQnsbsewXYI/AAAAAAAAF1s/_qgo4tjXZ2E/s640/DonB+fracturize4x6.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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Now that's pretty amazing, eh?</div>
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If you are interested in having some incredible artwork done for you, feel free to contact the artist at <a href="mailto:nemo@fracturize.me">nemo@fracturize.me</a></div>
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<br />DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-48356094383481099462012-04-04T10:33:00.000-05:002012-04-04T10:33:35.643-05:00New appearances of DonB!While looking for some items on the internet, I randomly came across a photo of me, and then proceeded to Google Search for myself. I found myself in places I never knew I existed. Here are a few:<br />
<br />
On a website, and a featured performer on their <a href="http://citentertainment.com/magicians.htm">"Magician" Homepage</a>:<br />
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On <a href="http://danielcwhite.com/2010/03/27/how-many-plates-are-you-juggling/">an athletic website</a>, a photo of my plate-spinning routine (used with permission):<br />
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On my stilts during the National Anthem at the <a href="http://www.trockstock.com/Sports/Sports-Features-1/5014412_8JXH7h/8/346202295_eXc5i#!i=346202295&k=eXc5i">19th Annual Twin Cities Polo Classic</a>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wbvn.org/harris-iii-with-donb/">Radio Station 104.5 FM</a> from a 2011 show in Ohio:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/04/troupe_of_performers_focus_on.html">Muskegon Entertainment:</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11202813@N00/4544347183/">Eating at Ruby Tuesday's:</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://comedynorm.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/244/">Magician Norm Barnhart's Entertainer's Blog:</a><br />
<br />
Where have YOU been lately?<br />
<br />
And that's it for now. I guess I've really gotten around.<br />
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DonB!DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-75576613487525195252012-01-17T17:39:00.000-06:002012-01-17T17:39:08.049-06:00Happy New Year! - A ResolutionCan it be true?!? Is it really 2012 already?!? It's incredible how time flies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDG0j9jyiMU/TxYFLS87YfI/AAAAAAAAFww/fU2IauAR5yc/s1600/timeflies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDG0j9jyiMU/TxYFLS87YfI/AAAAAAAAFww/fU2IauAR5yc/s200/timeflies.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oO717LjoL4/TxYFKQ5O9UI/AAAAAAAAFwY/zLXU0xibt7s/s1600/chocolate-chip-cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oO717LjoL4/TxYFKQ5O9UI/AAAAAAAAFwY/zLXU0xibt7s/s200/chocolate-chip-cookies.jpg" width="200" /></a>It's that time of year when people have made "new year's resolutions". It's also about this time of year when most people forget about their resolution and eat those extra chocolate chip cookies anyway. I know I did.<br />
<br />
Well, it's a new year in different ways. My home church here in Mora, <a href="http://emmanuelmora.com/">Emmanuel Baptist Church</a>, is heading into the new year, with goals about individual growth, as well as growth within our community. Our senior pastor, Mike Herzog, presented what his message, "The State of the Unity" last weekend, and told how possible it is to have a "new beginning" as a church. Instead of looking back and saying, "that's not how we used to do it", he encouraged the entire church to look forward, to what can be accomplished as a healthy group of Christians work together, instead of divided. This is one resolution that I hope grows strong and happens the way it has the potential to.<br />
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As for me, I look into the new year and see how many shows I have, the places I will be traveling, and look forward to the people I can work alongside of, and those I can perform for. My <a href="http://donbministries.com/dates.php">calendar</a> is filling fast, and that's wonderful!<br />
<br />
Our daughter, Deanna, finished up her first semester of college at North Central University, and is transferring over to Bethel university in 2 weeks. She likes college, but it's weird not having her around all the time.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ9dpK8iy2Q/TxYGTTTLdXI/AAAAAAAAFw4/ostKHTdTRt4/s1600/scan0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ9dpK8iy2Q/TxYGTTTLdXI/AAAAAAAAFw4/ostKHTdTRt4/s320/scan0088.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Dale, our son, is 15 years old, and has his fingers in all sorts of projects. He loves remote controlled vehicles (he assembled one really nice one from various kits), is working on a large robotics program at Mora high School, and is going nuts hoping for enough snow to go snowboarding. Minnesota hasn't received much snow this winter. Yet.<br />
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Debbie is in her 9th year as a paraprofessional at Mora Junior High School, and still loves it. She's awesome.<br />
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As for me, I'm just trying to better my life day by day. I love to hear people's stories, and asked for anyone on Facebook to tell me about something that has made a big difference in their life. I like to know what people are doing to bring more meaning to their relationships. Even our Bible study group talked about how important relationships are to keep people connected and healthy.<br />
<br />
What about your year coming up? What do you have planned? Did you make a new year's resolution, and have you kept it?DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-35367501306286040572011-12-05T19:08:00.000-06:002011-12-05T19:08:28.500-06:00More Dontar Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you haven't seen some of the 35 characters we have for our new "Dontar" machine, here are some photos of a few of them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPwrIT8fXTc/Tt1n6Z7YD6I/AAAAAAAAFvA/BbJCeLcB_oY/s1600/AsylumSKP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPwrIT8fXTc/Tt1n6Z7YD6I/AAAAAAAAFvA/BbJCeLcB_oY/s320/AsylumSKP.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Asylum S.K.P." - the crazy character</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqM6_meMpuo/Tt1n7YfibQI/AAAAAAAAFvI/tq36hgyV69o/s1600/DontarCraig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqM6_meMpuo/Tt1n7YfibQI/AAAAAAAAFvI/tq36hgyV69o/s320/DontarCraig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig Carlson, as "Dontar"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1EIkh-Qve8/Tt1n9aUhtoI/AAAAAAAAFvQ/TbZZBZvuxIg/s1600/EPIC1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1EIkh-Qve8/Tt1n9aUhtoI/AAAAAAAAFvQ/TbZZBZvuxIg/s320/EPIC1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Is it real?" Many people ask that throughout the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbaJrqWRlmQ/Tt1n_timckI/AAAAAAAAFvY/FA5vFFkV5oo/s1600/Epic5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbaJrqWRlmQ/Tt1n_timckI/AAAAAAAAFvY/FA5vFFkV5oo/s320/Epic5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People are naturally drawn to "Dontar", because it is so unique</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0efC8FlW84/Tt1oA-UbzwI/AAAAAAAAFvg/giduP-Z0-cQ/s1600/GrandmaB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0efC8FlW84/Tt1oA-UbzwI/AAAAAAAAFvg/giduP-Z0-cQ/s320/GrandmaB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our female characters, "Grandma Bea's Pearls of Wisdom"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaK1LHUlfiw/Tt1oLv_RkMI/AAAAAAAAFvo/1wF8W0wo0-k/s1600/gypsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaK1LHUlfiw/Tt1oLv_RkMI/AAAAAAAAFvo/1wF8W0wo0-k/s320/gypsy.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The female Gypsy Girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00BRXdVG39g/Tt1oM9L8T-I/AAAAAAAAFvw/wn2Koz8s4U8/s1600/Pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00BRXdVG39g/Tt1oM9L8T-I/AAAAAAAAFvw/wn2Koz8s4U8/s320/Pirate.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Pirate"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-no4tAMZTL9E/Tt1oOY0d_wI/AAAAAAAAFv4/tr4uLM324YE/s1600/Solomon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-no4tAMZTL9E/Tt1oOY0d_wI/AAAAAAAAFv4/tr4uLM324YE/s320/Solomon2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Solomon's Wisdom", a character we created for churches</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6JopWlKjBY/Tt1oP2P6K-I/AAAAAAAAFwA/xeIO60UN5EY/s1600/Wizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6JopWlKjBY/Tt1oP2P6K-I/AAAAAAAAFwA/xeIO60UN5EY/s320/Wizard.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Wizard" character</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Other characters that we've created are a "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/donunicycle?feature=mhee#p/u/6/faLxiSzuxL8">Cheerleader</a>", created for a special event through <a href="http://www.glberg.com/">G.L. Berg</a>, that took place at the University of Minnesota.DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-29769375791784503072011-12-05T14:04:00.002-06:002011-12-05T14:07:25.370-06:00"Dontar" in action<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/icOW2QNsgVM?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A short video from the Vita.MN event we performed for at EPIC Nightclub in downtown Minneapolis.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The "Dontar" character is played by my good friend, Craig Carlson.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB!</span>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-17072752011984122212011-10-28T18:58:00.004-05:002011-10-28T19:08:57.916-05:00New DonB! T-Shirts Are Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TXgIFYrLNSc/Tqs_8sBcynI/AAAAAAAAFuI/lzNCEGGkMVk/s1600/photo-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TXgIFYrLNSc/Tqs_8sBcynI/AAAAAAAAFuI/lzNCEGGkMVk/s320/photo-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've been using this design for about 4 years, and finally got the new shirt designs in today.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For women's styles and colors you can purchase them <a href="http://web.me.com/donbursell/DonB%21_Merchandise/Womens_T-Shirts.html">HERE</a></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1yvwrjoPNE/TqtAw2R3h8I/AAAAAAAAFuQ/y3cFNqO-3eY/s1600/girlsBLUE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1yvwrjoPNE/TqtAw2R3h8I/AAAAAAAAFuQ/y3cFNqO-3eY/s1600/girlsBLUE.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Heather Sapphire<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_mafnsculQ/TqtAxFiDDHI/AAAAAAAAFuY/eqaVFkd1yXo/s1600/girlsMAROON.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_mafnsculQ/TqtAxFiDDHI/AAAAAAAAFuY/eqaVFkd1yXo/s1600/girlsMAROON.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Heather Maroon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For men's styles and colors you can purchase them <a href="http://web.me.com/donbursell/DonB%21_Merchandise/Mens_T-Shirts.html">HERE</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju36b76KF9U/TqtAxZViduI/AAAAAAAAFug/sT62T7YB1NU/s1600/mensBLUE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju36b76KF9U/TqtAxZViduI/AAAAAAAAFug/sT62T7YB1NU/s1600/mensBLUE.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men's Heather Royal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Co1lLG_hnEs/TqtAxZ94iaI/AAAAAAAAFuo/AWCcCqLtBuY/s1600/mensMAROON.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Co1lLG_hnEs/TqtAxZ94iaI/AAAAAAAAFuo/AWCcCqLtBuY/s1600/mensMAROON.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men's Heather Maroon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All $$$ goes directly back into DonB! Ministries to cover travel costs, hotels, etc.<br />
<br />
Thanks for looking.<br />
<br />
DonB!DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-56005239695505747932011-09-24T19:38:00.000-05:002011-09-24T19:39:42.398-05:00NOTE: This is a post that I thought I posted back in the Spring, but found just now. -DonB!<br />
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<br />
Greetings all!<br />
<br />
Spring is sprung, and I had some time to research some topics. Here is the first one:<br />
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Many Christians claim to be "Calvinists," and others claim to be "Arminians". Well what does that mean?<br />
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Calvinists say that some basics of the Christian faith fall under the acronym, TULIP. Each letter stands for a basic "stance" as a Christian:<br />
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T - total depravity<br />
U - unconditional election<br />
L - limited atonement<br />
I - irresistible grace<br />
P - perseverance of the saints<br />
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If this acronym uses such big words that it seems like a foreign language to you, trust me; it does to many people.<br />
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But that is why I enjoy studying these things. Is it enough to become a Christian and then stop learning anything else about Christianity? My thought is absolutely not!<br />
<br />
So, here is a short, and well written article explaining how the Arminian and Calvinistic viewpoints differ:<br />
<br />
http://www.spreadinglight.com/theology/armvscal.html<br />
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Take a read of the article and let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
DonBDonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-78489962854809057962011-09-24T19:37:00.001-05:002011-09-24T19:37:26.607-05:00Why Outreach?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8U-AYwIZM4/Tn526rBUDKI/AAAAAAAAFts/3YvrYvldaTI/s1600/OUTREACH_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8U-AYwIZM4/Tn526rBUDKI/AAAAAAAAFts/3YvrYvldaTI/s320/OUTREACH_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
I've now been performing for 33 years, and 22 years have been primarily as ministry work. I currently have 3 different shows, each one designed for a different purpose.<br />
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One of the distinctions I've tried to make, to churches interested in hiring my services, has been the difference between "outreach" and "evangelism". I don't really consider myself to be an evangelist, though I've had the privilege on many occasions to lead people to Christ through, and after, my programs.<br />
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To me, evangelism is done with the intent to not only explain the Gospel, but take people to a time of decision for themselves. Outreach, on the other hand, is a time to share my personal faith as a Christian, more as an inspiration to others that are either 1) not a Christian or 2) are Christians, but are having a tough time in life. Outreach is the easiest to do. For me.<br />
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In the 22 years of ministry shows that I've done, I've had pastors and others that hire me say, "Well, what good is it to have visitors in my church if we're not going to share the Gospel with them?" And before I give you my answer, think about it yourself: what would you answer to that question?<br />
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Here are my thoughts:<br />
<br />
One of the biggest barriers to sharing the Gospel, if it going to happen in a church building, is getting people inside the walls of the church, without them feeling "pounced upon". I've seen MANY visitors sit in the back, near the door, for the security of being able to run out of there if need be. Safety is a factor. <br />
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How many times have you gone someplace that you felt uncomfortable being, and felt the need to just get out? I can think of many times that has happened in my own life. I didn't want to feel "trapped". Nobody does.<br />
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Second, outreach doesn't have to happen inside the church walls. Others should be able to see that you have a strong hope, even though life can deal you some tough hits at times. (1 Peter 3:15) If I've learned one BIG thing over my years as a Christian, it is this: Don't TELL people what it means to be a Christian, SHOW them.<br />
<br />
I've explained all of this to tell you how an outreach event furthered God's kingdom. Here it is:<br />
<br />
I was asked to do a show for a small church in Minnesota. When I arrived there were only about 25 people there. In my head I felt disappointed that there weren't more. I set-up my show, and started on time. During the show, the audience filled to approximately 50 people.<br />
<br />
Within the show, I told my version of Jonah & the Whale (many of you have seen it), and gave a simple summary, that God really does have a plan for every person's life, but each of us has to choose if we will go on the journey God has set before us.<br />
<br />
At the end of the program, I simply encouraged people, no matter how young or old, no mater how rich or poor, no matter what your life is like right now, God wants to begin a relationship with you, and you can <a href="http://www.openbible.info/topics/come_as_you_are">come just as you are</a>. Don't think that you have to clean up your messes and THEN come to God. He wants you just as you are, even with all of the baggage you may carry.<br />
<br />
The show ended, and as I was packing, the church was testing out a new drummer, letting him try the songs they would be doing tomorrow in the Sunday service. The drummer did great.<br />
<br />
Afterward, while talking with the pastor, he explained something neat. When I asked if the guy was a new drummer, the pastor said, "Yes, and before today's show, I had never met the guy. He said he received a flyer on his door about today's event, and brought his family over. He came to the show, heard the simple message and asked if he could come to our church, and use his drum talents to play with our music team."<br />
<br />
And so the relationship begins. Outreach, the way it is intended. No one questioned this guy's credentials (his past, whether he drinks or smokes, his mistakes). They simply said "Yes", when he asked to be a part of what was happening here at this church. Outreach.<br />
<br />
My question to any Christians that read this is this: Do not worry that you've never shared the Gospel with anyone. Do not think you are any less worthy than the pastor that sees personal decisions happen regularly. <a href="http://bible.cc/ephesians/4-11.htm">Ephesians 4:11</a> says that SOME are evangelists, SOME are teachers, SOME are apostles... You can share the Gospel by the way you live your life. Matthew 5:16 says,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: VERDANA;"><i></i></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)</b></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does your church do outreach? Have YOU done any outreach? Try reaching out sometime, and see where it takes you. See how it affects people. See how it changes lives.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">DonB!</span></div>
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DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-46940422144505136652011-07-18T21:52:00.000-05:002011-07-18T21:52:08.074-05:00Maryland is beautifulMaryland has been beautiful for our family. The scenery is amazing. The place we are working at, Sandy Cove Ministries, is an amazing place for families to get together and worship, play, and relax.<br />
<br />
Here are a few notes from our time here so far:<br />
<br />
Dale & I drove out here, stopping to visit friends, and seeing what weird places we could find to stretch our legs at. How about a fireworks tent?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9JroHKg_Ts/TiTqbiw8nJI/AAAAAAAAFsY/Q6pWitX6nYc/s1600/Fireworks+kit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9JroHKg_Ts/TiTqbiw8nJI/AAAAAAAAFsY/Q6pWitX6nYc/s320/Fireworks+kit.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$1400 fireworks kit. We did NOT buy it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The trip out here was uneventful, except for one trailer tire malfunction.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9--puqHGw50/TiTq_92jvNI/AAAAAAAAFtE/yizliSI68gU/s1600/tire+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9--puqHGw50/TiTq_92jvNI/AAAAAAAAFtE/yizliSI68gU/s320/tire+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailer tire repair</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hZBKSRnIuQ/TiTrAArxy2I/AAAAAAAAFtI/3Jdg4ea15us/s1600/tire+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hZBKSRnIuQ/TiTrAArxy2I/AAAAAAAAFtI/3Jdg4ea15us/s320/tire+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailer tire Uh-Oh<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Upon arriving in Maryland, one of our favorite places to eat is Rita's.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DYdnqMCEzY/TiTqfzIf_pI/AAAAAAAAFs4/CR1bOrYrz_I/s1600/Ritas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DYdnqMCEzY/TiTqfzIf_pI/AAAAAAAAFs4/CR1bOrYrz_I/s320/Ritas.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First stop upon our arrival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dale & I explored Sandy Cove on our unicycles.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W5t_6qXXTMU/TiTqZSVp4FI/AAAAAAAAFsI/5dhojo_K-dg/s1600/Dale+on+dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W5t_6qXXTMU/TiTqZSVp4FI/AAAAAAAAFsI/5dhojo_K-dg/s320/Dale+on+dock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dale on the Sandy Cove Pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then we all explored Elk Neck State Park, near Sandy Cove, with our friend Beth-Anne.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gkB1tM7IMNg/TiTqWd0IqTI/AAAAAAAAFr4/YpQY_fG6B2s/s1600/3+girls+at+lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gkB1tM7IMNg/TiTqWd0IqTI/AAAAAAAAFr4/YpQY_fG6B2s/s320/3+girls+at+lighthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deanna, Deb & Beth-Anne, our friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdT8XwUMspw/TiTqbAxf4JI/AAAAAAAAFsU/hH0W0tt95Yk/s1600/driftwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdT8XwUMspw/TiTqbAxf4JI/AAAAAAAAFsU/hH0W0tt95Yk/s320/driftwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting driftwood for the craft shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While visiting with our best friends, the Pribulicks, we played in a river, and did a family tradition of Deb's family: damming up a stream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzIwWRgI_iA/TiTqaI9lZzI/AAAAAAAAFsM/0_ASsnpWiKk/s1600/Dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzIwWRgI_iA/TiTqaI9lZzI/AAAAAAAAFsM/0_ASsnpWiKk/s320/Dam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damming up the stream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Sandy Cove has so much to offer the guests here, so we took advantage of much of it during the week before guests arrived, including a 9-hole disc golf course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIsX_Me6sFs/TiTqapLd-BI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/waU3Au5tMwQ/s1600/Deb+disc+golf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIsX_Me6sFs/TiTqapLd-BI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/waU3Au5tMwQ/s320/Deb+disc+golf.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deb, on the 7th hole of disc golf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> We decided to check out the premier of the final Harry Potter movie, but DIDN'T go opening night. When we DID go, however, we purchased the 3D glasses, and it was very cool.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LehkCCY-a-g/TiTqcWcdnUI/AAAAAAAAFsc/y5TbZBlIZ50/s1600/Harry+Potter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LehkCCY-a-g/TiTqcWcdnUI/AAAAAAAAFsc/y5TbZBlIZ50/s320/Harry+Potter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don, Chris, Deb, Deanna & Dale (camera) at the HP Premier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the craft shop projects we put together was a giant spin-art machine. Craigslist put us in touch with the barn fan, and with a couple of hours time, we had a fully functioning spin art machine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NpvkGgiqxkI/TiTqeRLobTI/AAAAAAAAFss/9FizdYabIeo/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NpvkGgiqxkI/TiTqeRLobTI/AAAAAAAAFss/9FizdYabIeo/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building a spin-art machine out of a barn fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K9WGst0JeUs/TiTqewur2XI/AAAAAAAAFsw/VR7mJ3XaBEM/s1600/photo+2-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K9WGst0JeUs/TiTqewur2XI/AAAAAAAAFsw/VR7mJ3XaBEM/s320/photo+2-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished project, after 2 weeks of use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then we took a one day trip to Washington DC, and the Smithsonian Institute.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N99oQlSkTqc/TiTqXVseX7I/AAAAAAAAFr8/no_ygtPYj5I/s1600/Berlin+Wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N99oQlSkTqc/TiTqXVseX7I/AAAAAAAAFr8/no_ygtPYj5I/s320/Berlin+Wall.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Berlin Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y72biZjDm4Y/TiTqY6d62YI/AAAAAAAAFsE/XyTPNB03rik/s1600/Charlie+McCarthy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y72biZjDm4Y/TiTqY6d62YI/AAAAAAAAFsE/XyTPNB03rik/s320/Charlie+McCarthy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Charlie McCarthy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nA_l2f71GEo/TiTqd8vXhKI/AAAAAAAAFso/GTXyNmn5pnY/s1600/Lincoln.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nA_l2f71GEo/TiTqd8vXhKI/AAAAAAAAFso/GTXyNmn5pnY/s320/Lincoln.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deanna, Deb, Don, Dale and Beth-Anne at the Lincoln Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQZ1veVDYbM/TiTqdYOcr9I/AAAAAAAAFsk/ujxU46OqnK4/s1600/Korean+monument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQZ1veVDYbM/TiTqdYOcr9I/AAAAAAAAFsk/ujxU46OqnK4/s320/Korean+monument.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Korean War Memorial: Somber and amazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQuViB39Kew/TiTqc9hNVdI/AAAAAAAAFsg/NulWfShhsi0/s1600/Korean+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQuViB39Kew/TiTqc9hNVdI/AAAAAAAAFsg/NulWfShhsi0/s320/Korean+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Korean War Memorial, with me reflected among the faces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJ9tgEF84Hc/TiTqgoBMaEI/AAAAAAAAFtA/npGsw2TOhKE/s1600/Washington+Monument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJ9tgEF84Hc/TiTqgoBMaEI/AAAAAAAAFtA/npGsw2TOhKE/s320/Washington+Monument.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, as a goofy looking tourist</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVbIhafmbv8/TiTqfmdgtcI/AAAAAAAAFs0/gNs5Gq5-atI/s1600/reflecting+pool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVbIhafmbv8/TiTqfmdgtcI/AAAAAAAAFs0/gNs5Gq5-atI/s320/reflecting+pool.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the (under construction) reflecting pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrHUbNk6b-4/TiTqgbMbSQI/AAAAAAAAFs8/aTk5V9HKS8U/s1600/Song+of+the+South.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrHUbNk6b-4/TiTqgbMbSQI/AAAAAAAAFs8/aTk5V9HKS8U/s320/Song+of+the+South.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Song of the South marquee poster</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">While introducing ourselves before the evening session, I realized I was sitting right next to 2 pioneers of Christian music, and very pro-family ministers. They are super people.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ZhIJHPViQ/TiTqYoC3hjI/AAAAAAAAFsA/4KAVKXOa5-A/s1600/Chapmans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ZhIJHPViQ/TiTqYoC3hjI/AAAAAAAAFsA/4KAVKXOa5-A/s320/Chapmans.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speakers this week: Steve & Annie Chapman. Me, looking giddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We are now in our 3rd week of time here, and each week has been a great experience. This week there is even a family from Minnesota here.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<br />
DonB!<br />
<br />
</div>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-5751596490032785792011-06-08T10:54:00.001-05:002011-06-08T18:47:52.222-05:00Dontar Lives!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxz5QENVUFQ/Te-Rot9UWAI/AAAAAAAAFro/FzmQ7e5S7lg/s1600/Bursell%252C+Don+and+Deb+075+F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxz5QENVUFQ/Te-Rot9UWAI/AAAAAAAAFro/FzmQ7e5S7lg/s320/Bursell%252C+Don+and+Deb+075+F.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DonB! as "Dontar"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last Friday evening, Wayzata High School seniors had their all-night- graduation lock-in party at Brunswick Center, and "Dontar" was there to entertain the grads.<br />
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://aaatouchofmagic.com/">Mark & Lori at A Touch of Magic</a>, my good friend, Craig Carlson, and I hauled the "Dontar" machine to Brooklyn Park and had the machine work the crowd for 2.5 hours, and they loved him.<br />
<br />
For the first hour, I was inside the machine, while Craig was the barker, calling for people to experience the wonder of our mechanical creation. For the second hour, Craig was inside the machine and I was able to lead people to the machine, encourage them to interact with "Dontar", dance with him, etc. I enjoyed being inside AND outside the machine, as each one gave me different ways to have fun with the grads.<br />
<br />
As people approached the machine, Dontar came to life (as much as a mechanical robot can), and interacted with the students, then delivered some funny "life advice" that they could take with them. Some lucky grads also won the old "fortune-telling fish novelty", and some won a real deck of playing cards (that matched the ones spread around inside the machine).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sjSvSxiBLU/Te-RyIUiP7I/AAAAAAAAFrs/YLXEkZ6P4yw/s1600/photo+1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sjSvSxiBLU/Te-RyIUiP7I/AAAAAAAAFrs/YLXEkZ6P4yw/s200/photo+1-6.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, as "Dontar"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yIJa8oEfR0/Te-Rz1S7dvI/AAAAAAAAFrw/9RtOipEogVc/s1600/photo+2-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yIJa8oEfR0/Te-Rz1S7dvI/AAAAAAAAFrw/9RtOipEogVc/s200/photo+2-6.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steady stream of people for 2 hours</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">People loved to stand around and discuss whether "Dontar" was real, or if he really was a mechanical machine. Some stayed around for 10-15 minutes discussing it. It was great!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you would like to see Dontar appear at your next event, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">call <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">320-679-0060</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and ask for "Dontar". </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><b><i>25+ characters</i></b></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u><b><i> to choose from</i></b></u>.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Until next time...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB!</span></div><br />
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</div>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-87653322236069015512011-05-27T10:45:00.000-05:002011-05-27T10:45:44.052-05:00Unique Items For Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8578cMCSGM/Td_G7fPx3BI/AAAAAAAAFrc/mc9c7XEpQmM/s1600/Pink+%2526+Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8578cMCSGM/Td_G7fPx3BI/AAAAAAAAFrc/mc9c7XEpQmM/s320/Pink+%2526+Red.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As many of you know, I have been experimenting with knotwork over the last 6 months, and it's time to clean house.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am getting rid of all of my one-of-a-kind projects that are accumulating around here.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please go </span></span><a href="http://web.me.com/donbursell/DonB%21_Merchandise/Specials.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to view all of the items for sale. They are all one-of-a-kind, meaning when it's gone, it's gone.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for looking,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB!</span></span>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-59275528609291412772011-05-26T21:14:00.000-05:002011-05-26T21:14:39.341-05:00Jolly Green Giant on Vacation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRzwOiL3FfQ/Td8Hcn-1UII/AAAAAAAAFrU/na1MjC9L2-8/s1600/photo+2-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRzwOiL3FfQ/Td8Hcn-1UII/AAAAAAAAFrU/na1MjC9L2-8/s200/photo+2-5.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last cukes being given out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Well, today was a bittersweet day. Good and (sort of) bad.<br />
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During the school year, on Thursdays I have been dressing as the Jolly Green Giant and participating in snack time at the elementary school here in Mora.<br />
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I challenged them with broccoli, carrots, celery, jicama, cucumbers, fresh green beans, snap peas, and mixes of many different vegetables. Some kids tried the samples easily, and others were hesitant, if they tried them at all.<br />
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Well today was my last day for this school year, and the kids took my advice and ate up all of the cucumbers. This Jolly Green Giant disguise really works.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXTQL5V9734/Td8HdtYDulI/AAAAAAAAFrY/aw6BqgB3qvg/s1600/photo+3-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXTQL5V9734/Td8HdtYDulI/AAAAAAAAFrY/aw6BqgB3qvg/s200/photo+3-3.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 lb Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Being my last day, I received many hugs and goodbyes from kids. Some even asked if I would be going to the other school with them as they move up next year. And from Mrs. Norby I received a giant fruit-Veggie basket as a thanks for volunteering. It was a wonderful way to end the year at the elementary school.<br />
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Who knows, maybe Jolly will be back, or maybe I'll figure out some other character to play next year.<br />
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DonB!DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-9980654962961427372011-05-12T08:28:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:36:35.367-05:00The Meaning of "Disciple"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While visiting the <a href="http://www.willmarag.org/">church website</a> of my good friend, Randy Christensen, I saw a neat anagram for the word "disciple", and I wanted to share it here with you. It caused me to stop and examine my own motives and methods. Enjoy.</span><br />
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Core Values</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div align="left"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">o everything in love.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> don't have to, I get to.</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
S</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">eek to understand before seeking to be right.</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
C</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ompassion is a bridge over which truth is carried.</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
I</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> am free to fail so I am free to succeed.</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
P</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">raise in public, rebuke in private.</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
L</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">eave it better than you found it.</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
E</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">veryone matters to God.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="color: #6c6c6c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't that great?! I really like it.</div><div align="left" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DonB!</div>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-43679218581188554452011-05-06T11:08:00.000-05:002011-05-06T11:08:13.941-05:00DonB's Latest Hobby/FUNdraiser<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As some of you know, I have been playing with fancy knotwork for the last year and have just completed my next set of projects.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have completed my first 5 fancy hiking sticks, or "staffs" as many refer to them.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rhQ5NnaN_k/TcQWMju2SeI/AAAAAAAAFrM/6Ah7FeOaHGU/s320/photo+2-2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad - Mom - Red - Mine - 4 Red Rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rhQ5NnaN_k/TcQWMju2SeI/AAAAAAAAFrM/6Ah7FeOaHGU/s1600/photo+2-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Five different styles, using five different methods and knot techniques.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#1 - The first one is called DAD, based on who I made it for. It is a larger diameter staff, with a double half-moku knot pattern, topped off by 2 tripled Turkshead knots.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#2 - Similar to the first one, but named MOM, because I made it for her. It is a single-strand St. Mary's hitching, finished with 2 smaller turkshead knots, on a smaller diameter staff.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#3 - Simply titled RED, it is a full moku-hitching pattern, with 2 turkshead knots, done in red dyed cotton.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#4 - MINE. Can you guess which one I'm keeping for me? It is a 3-strand ringbolt hitching, with the usual turkshead knots finishing it. This pattern makes for the most comfortable grip.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#5 - 4 RED RINGS was my experiment with 2-strand St. Mary's hitching. The red line is added for 12 rotations, making a 3-strand hitching, then back to 2-strands in white. I like the way this one turned out.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All of them are topped off with a leather strap, as well as a keyring through the top to attach accessories such as bear bells or whistles.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As a fund raiser for my ministry work, I figured I would make some of these for purchase. Depending on style, and which wood I use, they will sell for $50-95.00 each. The ones pictured are done on light colored birch.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you are interested in one for yourself, or if you know someone that does a lot of hiking or trail walking, please let them know about these. They take about a 2 weeks to complete.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alright, it's time to get some other work done.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB!</span></span></div>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-26303272238392764482011-05-06T10:00:00.003-05:002011-05-06T10:11:04.385-05:00A highlight of this year<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night was a great night. I'll tell you why.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In every field of employment there are "heroes", or folks that set the standards that others attempt to live up to. Computers have Apple. Circus has Ringling Brothers & Cirque du Soleil. Well, in magic there are also those that have been pioneers and leaders in various aspects of magic and illusion.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1991, while watching a television special, "The World's Greatest Magic", mixed in with all of the big illusions, fog & wind machines, a man walked out onstage holding only a rope in his hands. Then, for the next 5 minutes he absolutely fried the brains of magicians all over the world. The way the rope melted together, the ends came right off and then magically jumped back on again, and the fluidity of his movements made for a lot of talk the next few weeks among my magician friends. He was doing things with a rope that no one had ever seen or done before. I said to my wife, "If he EVER releases that routine, I would pay a LOT of money for it." Thankfully he released it 3 years later, for under $50.00, and I have been performing it for the last 16 years.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To see that actual footage, click </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBI8_3faGRw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To actually meet one of these "heroes" of magic is a real privilege. Last night, I was very privileged to spend almost 7 hours with Francis Tabary.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XhlRW3C-6c/TcQKDn5fpHI/AAAAAAAAFq8/DxGh0Ys5zKw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XhlRW3C-6c/TcQKDn5fpHI/AAAAAAAAFq8/DxGh0Ys5zKw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="240" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I drove to St. Paul, and from 5-7 PM I, along with 2 other magicians, had lessons from Mr Tabary. I showed him what I did with his routine, and he proceeded to teach me another 20-30 tips, tricks, effects and handlings for that routine. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apL6detMpsw/TcQJ-eAwGkI/AAAAAAAAFqs/YfEXRPUFuzA/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apL6detMpsw/TcQJ-eAwGkI/AAAAAAAAFqs/YfEXRPUFuzA/s320/photo+1-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88jChYXZRPg/TcQJ_iEimwI/AAAAAAAAFqw/dnFtvxHHCUM/s1600/photo+2-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88jChYXZRPg/TcQJ_iEimwI/AAAAAAAAFqw/dnFtvxHHCUM/s320/photo+2-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CiGnUAoTOA/TcQKA26VbBI/AAAAAAAAFq0/4WtEudGoX_c/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CiGnUAoTOA/TcQKA26VbBI/AAAAAAAAFq0/4WtEudGoX_c/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To see the extra work he taught me, take a look at some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4w8mMMklxE">more recent footage of Tabary</a>, and watch how many amazing touches have been added to the routine. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then at 7PM he began his magic lecture for 18 magicians from around the Midwest. It was fun to watch the facial reactions and audible gasps of those in attendance, as they watched Francis perform the routines he had just taught 3 of us.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I then purchased his book, that is getting more difficult to find all the time, and had him sign it.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vIVICtMRPg/TcQKCUILm0I/AAAAAAAAFq4/lUIt8TQFEXY/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vIVICtMRPg/TcQKCUILm0I/AAAAAAAAFq4/lUIt8TQFEXY/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DonB! - Tabary</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To top it off, 6 of us then went out to dinner with Mr Tabary and talked life, magic, and optical illusions. We then found out that Mr Tabary is also a specialty sculptor, creating real 3-dimensional versions of 2-dimensional optical illusions. He had two of them with him,so I snapped a couple of pictures. Amazing to see an "impossible object" live and in 3 dimensions.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8oOz-k6oWQ/TcQMIkyQIAI/AAAAAAAAFrA/lEjaPA3rFlM/s1600/photo+1-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8oOz-k6oWQ/TcQMIkyQIAI/AAAAAAAAFrA/lEjaPA3rFlM/s320/photo+1-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLOcu6__XDQ/TcQMKIF7QvI/AAAAAAAAFrE/LH79iTO60ZI/s1600/photo+2-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLOcu6__XDQ/TcQMKIF7QvI/AAAAAAAAFrE/LH79iTO60ZI/s320/photo+2-3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, now I'm super tired, and I have a show at Bethel College this evening, so I'm going to go take a short nap.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God is good, all the time.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB!</span></span>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-19772302497049923262011-05-01T17:56:00.000-05:002011-05-01T17:56:53.109-05:00Last Weekend's AdventuresLast weekend was a busy, yet strange weekend.<br />
<br />
On Thursday Deb & I headed down to the Twin Cities for the grand re-opening of Sears Imported Autos. The night's theme was "Cabaret," and I played "Joel Gray on Stilts".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXwRtJwkQqU/Tb3j-JcaZBI/AAAAAAAAFqk/twqMQipGrps/s1600/photo+3-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXwRtJwkQqU/Tb3j-JcaZBI/AAAAAAAAFqk/twqMQipGrps/s320/photo+3-2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loren Daniels, DonB!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next day found me wandering around downtown Minneapolis, attempting to deliver a 6-foot long submarine sandwich, for a film short by Norm Barnhart. We got some good footage inside the IDS building before being kindly asked/told to leave. When I spotted a beautifully long escalator in the downtown TCF bank, the security there actually invited us to film in their place. We utilized the escalators, and filmed in the spiraling staircase for almost an hour. I can't wait for the editing to be done, and when it is I will send you all a link to view it.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byVylnM4m3g/Tb3kDdgPwMI/AAAAAAAAFqo/VSl9oVHmdX4/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byVylnM4m3g/Tb3kDdgPwMI/AAAAAAAAFqo/VSl9oVHmdX4/s320/photo+2-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DonB, in the parking ramp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What a life!<div><br />
</div><div>DonB!<br />
<div><br />
<br />
</div></div>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-88192339133016693522011-04-12T14:10:00.000-05:002011-04-12T14:10:39.788-05:00Family Entertainers Workshop<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Family Entertainers Workshop</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">presents</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>MAGIC MINNESOTA</u> Convention</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>"teaching performance skills for the family entertainer"</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May 12-14, 2011</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Country Inn by Carlson</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Woodbury, MN</span></b></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will be performing and teaching at the </span><a href="http://magicminnesotaconvention.com/?page_id=8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Magic Minnesota Convention</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> coming up next month. I will have 2 performing spots during the conference, as well as teaching 3 classes (Strolling Close-up Magic, Everyone Can Juggle and Improving Your Publicity Materials).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will also have a dealer table, offering many magic, juggling and comedy-related props and books.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please consider coming out for the conference. There are 6 full-time entertainers teaching, including Fred Baisch, Sue Kleinwacther, Annette Fragale, DJ Ehlert and Steve Kissell.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you'd like a brochure for the conference, call me or email me and I'll send one to you. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Contact me at donb(at)donbministries(dot)com</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For full information, contact:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Steve Kissell</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1227 Manchester Ave</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Norfolk, VA. 23508-1122</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(757) 423-3867</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or request a faxed version of the brochure by faxing to (757) 489-1587</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See you there...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB</span>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-13347201205585322632011-03-30T21:30:00.001-05:002011-03-31T11:57:25.813-05:00Calvinism and ArminiansGreetings all!<br />
<br />
Spring is sprung, and I had some time to research some topics. Here is the first one:<br />
<br />
Many Christians claim to be "Calvinists," and others claim to be "Arminians". Well what does that mean?<br />
<br />
Calvinists say that some basics of the Christian faith fall under the acronym, TULIP. Each letter stands for a basic "stance" as a Christian:<br />
<br />
T - total depravity<br />
U - unconditional election<br />
L - limited atonement<br />
I - irresistible grace<br />
P - perseverance of the saints<br />
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If this acronym uses such big words that it seems like a foreign language to you, trust me; it does to many people.<br />
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But that is why I enjoy studying these things. Is it enough to become a Christian and then stop learning anything else about Christianity? My thought is absolutely not!<br />
<br />
So, here is a short, and well written article explaining how the Arminian and Calvinistic viewpoints differ:<br />
<br />
http://www.spreadinglight.com/theology/armvscal.html<br />
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Take a read of the article and let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
DonBDonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-70220276340366294342011-03-15T18:38:00.001-05:002011-03-20T13:35:52.858-05:00Going back to MarylandIf anyone lives on the East Coast, or wants to take a nice family vacation out there, I, along with my whole family will be performing and working there for 6 weeks this summer.<br />
<br />
Here is the basic information page <a href="http://www.sandycove.org/docs/summer-2011-fun.php">HERE</a><br />
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If you click on the above link, DO NOT move your mouse across the top of the page, as that will open up the waiver form (weird website quirk). It does show a nice spread of pictures of me. Neato!<br />
<br />
DonB!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><em>“We loved the fellowship, teaching, and of course… DonB! We loved how he interacted with us – seemed like he was sneaking behind every corner and jumped out whenever we needed a laugh!!! He was definitely on God’s timing!!” </em></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><strong>Hope – York PA</strong></span></div>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-44889854312561971572011-03-14T10:09:00.000-05:002011-03-14T10:09:47.700-05:00Interesting Moral Dilemma<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While searching some knot tying techniques, I happened upon a website devoted to helping people prepare for disasters. One of the articles really made me think:</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How far would I go to save my own family in a disaster, and how far would I go to help someone else suffering in the midst of that same disaster?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is easy to say, "I would do anything to help someone else," but this article really puts into perspective some deep situational thoughts that most of us (hopefully) may never have to face.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, read the article (it's short), and let me know what you think. Here's the <a href="http://www.nomoredependence.com/2011/02/morality-survival/">LINK</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DonB!</span>DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38895029.post-53054507790139961352011-03-10T18:10:00.000-06:002011-03-10T18:10:01.773-06:00Go Cruising with DonB!Today it was confirmed that I will be performing on the 2012 K-Love Friends & Family Cruise!<br />
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I would like to invite all of you to go cruising with me next February. The dates are February 6-10, 2012.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wfGKIqOY2mQ/TXloLRg9HKI/AAAAAAAAFiM/1tb4GrXZ4T4/s1600/182059_10150134038868383_710938382_7897769_4854695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wfGKIqOY2mQ/TXloLRg9HKI/AAAAAAAAFiM/1tb4GrXZ4T4/s320/182059_10150134038868383_710938382_7897769_4854695_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DaleB, DonB, DebB & DeannaB, on the beachB</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Please click <a href="http://www.klovecruise.com/">HERE</a> to go to the page with all of the information.<br />
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You will see that the Newsboys will be performing, as well as Sanctus Real, Salvador, Chris Tomlin, Mandisa and many others. It's a going to be a GREAT time!<br />
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If you sign up, please tell them you are part of the "DonB Group". If I get 8 people to sign up under my name, then the cost of one free cruise will be divided among all of you that are in the group (usually $70-$150.00 to each person). It's a great deal all around.<br />
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Cruise with me...<br />
<br />
DonB!DonB!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04295209230297561226noreply@blogger.com0