2013 in Review - DonB! Ministries

Large Photo: Dale and his cousin in California
Inset Photo: The Bursells, making "grass angels" for our friends back in Minnesota

2014 is well under way, and I realized it has been a while since my last writing here.  I've been keeping up with the activities of DonB! Ministries 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.

January 2013 was a busy month.  Deb & I began attending a new church, New Hope Community Church, 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 Joey to the World Clown Conference for 4 days. I did my 50th & 52nd show for Camp Lebanon 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 Emmanuel Baptist Church.

February was a slower month, but I did a couple of human mannequin gigs for Mannequin in Motion, including Bobby & Steve's BIG party at the Hilton in Minneapolis.

March 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 Emma's Pizza right here in Mora, and almost 80 people showed up for pizza and music. We repeated the event once again at New Beginnings Church in Cambridge, Minnesota, on April 21st.

April 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 Kilkenny, Minnesota, and there were more people at my program than there were on the town's population sign!

On May 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 Harris III, the illusionist I travel with every so often. The Dontar Machine had its first gig of the year at Hamline University. The last week was spent performing and teaching at Fun Camp, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where performers of different specialties get together and learn from each other.

June brought some warmth, as well as shows for Morristown Dam Days (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?

On June 23rd, our family left to drive to Sandy Cove Ministries 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.

My new hairstyle

Even though we were in Maryland for the summer, on July 18th I flew back to Minnesota to perform at Sonshine Music Fest in Wallmar, MN, on the invite of Randy Christensen.  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.

In August, 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, Ben, and presented the L.O.L. Show 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 Trout Lake Camp, to perform for their family weekend.

In September I did 3 shows in South Dakota, and then flew down to Marshall, Missouri, to perform with Harris III and Bubba Dowling, presenting the "Bamboozled" Show. September 18th I performed for (at least the 20th year in a row) Faith Community Church 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.

Dontar at Mayo Clinic

However, October 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 New Life Church in Princeton, MN., on Halloween night, presenting 2 shows there.

DonB, on New Year's Eve. Franklin, TN

November started with only 3 scheduled shows, but somehow became a busy month of teaching, and meetings, and travels.  Probably the rest I really needed?

December 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. 

On our way to California

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.

New Magic Books

Very Old Magic Books

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.

One of my favorite Christmas photos

Our disc gold group in CA

We first loved Rita's in Maryland, but
now they have them in California too!

California

Tennessee

Minnesota

New 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:

On a website, and a featured performer on their "Magician" Homepage:

On an athletic website, a photo of my plate-spinning routine (used with permission):

On my stilts during the National Anthem at the 19th Annual Twin Cities Polo Classic:

Radio Station 104.5 FM from a 2011 show in Ohio:

Muskegon Entertainment:

Eating at Ruby Tuesday's:

Magician Norm Barnhart's Entertainer's Blog:

Where have YOU been lately?

And that's it for now.  I guess I've really gotten around.

DonB!

The Letter to Don

On Monday evenings, in our home, we hold a Bible study & fellowship time.  Each week we listen to a 25-40 minute podcast of a message, then talk about it.  We finish up the evening by laughing and joking as we talk about how our week prior has gone.  It is a great time together with people who simply want to grow in our faith as Christians.


Last night, the message was titled "A Change of Direction", talking about God's grace toward each one of us, and that no matter where we choose to go in life, God allows, and even ASKS us to turn around and follow Him again.  It was a neat thought, especially when we talked about our own times in life that we have had to STOP, and turn around from the stupid and sometimes painful decisions we have made.


The speaker on the podcast used Revelation 2-3 in his message, regarding what Christ said to the various churches that claimed to be His followers.  This really got me thinking...


What would the letter say if written to my own church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, or Mora, Minnesota?  In each of the Revelation letters, Christ pointed out the good & bad that each church demonstrated.  He praised them for the things they were doing correctly, but rebuked them for the ways that they had turned their backs on God.


I can think of many things that my own church has done well over the almost 18 years I have been attending.  Sadly, I can think of other times when our church chose to go a route that was self-serving, and not within God's will.


Then, this took me even further into this idea: 

What would Christ say if He wrote a letter directly to ME?

What would he commend me for doing that was within His will for me?  Followed closely by the rebuke for my failures as a believer, I'm sure.  Which half of the letter would be longer? Would He point out things that I am already aware of, or would I be surprised by what He lists, both good and bad?


Given, I'm not looking for answers from any of you, but it made me really stop and attempt to evaluate where I am at. What have I done in the way of sharing the Gospel around my town, my state, my country, and beyond?  Could someone look at me and see that I am a Christian, or would they only see a "nice guy"? What about the people that I have hurt throughout my life?  Will I ever be able to repair those hurts?


There will come a time when each of stands before God and makes an account for what we did with the time we were given. Am I ready for that time?  Are you? 

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Life's not fair, but God is. 

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I leave you with this verse from the book of Matthew, but don't let it scare you.  Let it encourage you to do as much as possible with your time here on earth. Put aside the petty things that divide us. Forgive each other over and over and over again. Make that "YouTurn" that the speaker talked about. Share the Good News, in our words and actions.

    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 7:21-23 (New International Version, ©2010)

DonB!

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Lifepoint Church: Inspiring!

Last summer, while my wife, Debbie, and son, Dale, were working and ministering in North East, Maryland, we had the opportunity to attend church 3 times at a church that seemed buried way out in the countryside, Lifepoint Church.

Our first sunday there, Senior Pastor Joe Duke spoke a message titled, "Judge Knot", as the 3rd part in a series titled "There's an App for That", making reference to the iPhone's "app", short for "application".  It was a great message, helping to decipher when, and if, it is appropriate to judge someone on their actions, choices, etc.  It really was a great sermon.

Later in the summer we had the opportunity to attend Lifepoint again, and they were into the 7th sermon of the APP series, titled "Change4Good", referring to the proper discipline all Christians should live under.

Well, summer came to an end and we returned back to our home in Minnesota, thinking that our time with the Lifepoint sermon series was over.  Not quite.

When challenged by a friend from our home church to lead an in-home small group Bible study, I felt at a loss of what to do.  I find that I don't have a lot of discipline in arranging my schedule throughout the week to organize a lesson, and felt ready to back out of the deal. Well, not quite.

David Pribulick. He's cool!

Our Maryland friends, the Pribulicks, sent us a small gift.  It seems that at the end of the sermon series at Lifepoint Church, everyone that finished the series was given a mini iPhone look-a-like item, featuring all of the sermons and accompanying verses form the series.  My answer had arrived.

Our nifty "iPhone" Lifepoint APP souvenir

Our small group could use this exact sermon series as a jumping off point for our weekly study. An answer to prayer, in more ways than one.

So, here we are, 7 weeks into our get togethers, and we're doing well.  Each sermon deals with one part of the importance that "hearing is not the same as doing; we hear the message, understand it, and maybe even agree with it, but what do we do about it?"

I say all this to inspire you to download the free podcasts from this series.  Each message is only 28-38 minutes in length, and they all have been really good!  The most recent one, "RiskIt", challenges all of us to take what we know about our faith and get out there and do something with it: RiskIt, by telling others.

If you are interested in looking for a great, free podcast, go HERE and download some episodes to your iTunes, and listen to them.  They are inspiring.  Maybe you'll be challenged like our group has been.

And I have found out that we will be spending a little time in Maryland this summer, so we'll be attending Lifepoint once again, even if only for a short time.

Enjoy,

DonB!

It's Such Great Frosting

James 4:14

Last week, at Camp Lebanon in Minnesota, I did two shows, both of which were very high energy, and the audience is what I would call a "perfect" one. Kids and adults, all laughing REALLY hard. Feeding off of the frenzy, I used my absolute best improvisational skills to add lines here and there, try out funny moves, etc. Both shows were "perfect" shows for me.

Right after the 2nd show, while packing my sound equipment up in the sound booth, the 2 guys up there asked me the question I get quite often: "We were trying to figure it out: Do you mind us asking how old you are?"

I said I would tell them, but only if they tell me how old they THINK I am, along with any interesting reasons why they came up with that guess.

He answered simply, "By watching you and listening to you, you've had so many amazing experiences already in your life, it forces me to guess that you must be at least 50. Maybe even 55?"

I loved his reasoning, and told him that I was 44.

Later when I thought about it, I realized that he was indeed correct.

My time spent with circus travels, 3 years at Disneyland, 2 years of school tour performing that took Deb & I through 42 of the United States, and working cruise ships alongside many HUGE names in the music industry. I've flown on a flying trapeze, walked a tight wire 30 feet off the ground and rode my unicycle in the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. I became a Christian in 1985 and have shared the Gospel in at least 5000 shows since then. I've been to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Ukraine, India, England, Germany and Amsterdam.

I actually have more friends OUTSIDE of Minnesota than I do INSIDE my home state. And the "inside" group is pretty big.

All of this before my 40th birthday!

I remember commenting to my wife, when I was about 40, that I felt that I had done so much in my life already, that if I were to die tomorrow, I could do so very happy. Very "complete" and very fulfilled. I remember also saying that "everything from here on out is really just frosting on the cake."

Well I have to admit, the frosting is really, really good. Here are some things I've done since turning 40:

More cruise ships, huge music festivals, multiple tours with other performers, including the "Sens de Vie" Shows twice and the L.O.L. tour with my 2 buddies, Randy & Ben Christensen. I've spoken and performed at national conferences, as well as taught on Wednesday nights to the 1st-4th graders at my home church.

I have taught myself how to use PhotoShop and InDesign (two HUGE computer programs). I continue to add new routines to my shows. I still read at least 30-60 minutes every day from books in my library (origami boxes, circus history, magic history, magic tricks and routines, Christian topics, the Bible, promotional materials, graphic arts, old movies).

I've watched our 2 kids grow up way too fast (something I wish WOULD slow down). Point: Our little curly-haired Deanna, goes to test for her driver's license on Monday. Wait a minute: little kids are not supposed to drive!!!

I remember, as I was growing up, always looking for that one experience that would make my life "complete,", or convince me that I had "made it". I realize now that it was ALL of those little details that have made my life complete. Not just one of those things. All of them together.

It's pretty incredible that the "cake" that made up the first 40 years of my life was so amazing, but I have to say, the frosting is even better. I get to enjoy it for the next 40+ years, and I can only imagine what is still in store. What will I have with my frosting?

Something to think about: What are you doing? Where are you at? Are you still mixing ingredients? Are you enjoying the cake? Are you savoring the great frosting?

Because it really is GREAT FROSTING!

DonB!

Matthew 6: 19-21

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Home after touring, but only for a few days

Recently I've had the opportunity to perform with two of my favorite illusionists. The first one is a friend that I made way back in 1989, when Debbie & I travelled with his illusion show, Toby Travis. Toby was in Minnesota performing in Lindstrom, and he invited me to perform some of my things in the shows. I had a great time, and was able to swap life stories with Toby once again.

After the programs (we did 2 of them) we looked through the comment cards, and I found 2 that mentioned me.

This one reads: "DonB - you're a dynamo!
The other one simply said:

I also have been traveling for the last 12 days with illusionist, Harris III, and his show, "Sens de Vie". As stated in a previous entry, there are 10 of us on the road for this tour. Harris, his wife, Katie, Beth (road manager), David (sound engineer), Adam (lighting engineer), the 3 girls from Everlife, their friend, Aaron, and myself.

On my last flight to meet them, I boarded the plane right behind actor, Hugh Grant. I had actually been talking with him in the terminal for 10 minutes before realizing who he was. I didn't want to hound him for a picture, so this is as good as it gets. I know, no photography awards for me.

I had some time while on tour to do a little sight seeing and geocaching, and while out running around, Adam & I found this place:

It is where Jimmy Buffet got his start as a college student playing music on campus. If you look in the lower tight hand corner you can see his name listed along with other greats that have performed at this club.

On the entire tour, we played to sold-out houses, and received very warm standing ovations at the end of every show.

My own personal moment is as all of us are introduced to run out onstage for our final bows, I get many loud whoops and hollers when I run out there. I love to know that the audience appreciates what I do in the show. Warm fuzzies...

Here is a strange picture I took of the Sawing in Half illusion sitting under the glowing red of the backstage lamps. This is one of my favorite illusions in the entire show. For the last 2 performances, Sarah, from Everlife, was the lady that was sawn in half. Neat integration of her into the illusion part of the show.

I'll finish up with some fun, random photos taken while on tour. Here they are...

Getting ready to go onstage and spin my plates. I set a new record: 16 plates broken in one show. That's a lot of trips to the Dollar Store.

Our second show took place in this auditorium. What you can barely see are the full extended bleachers on each side that were full about an hour after this picture was taken. They were a VERY excited crowd.

Amber, Julia and Sarah

Everlife

Katie Harris, playing Jazz Singer-like dress-up backstage during set-up.

Don, David & Adam, out geocaching on the campus of the college where we performed that night.

I leave you with some words of wisdom from 2 Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

DonB!

Smart words from the cafeteria

It may seem strange that I would find inspirational words of wisdom at a museum, especially one as strange as Wisconsin's House on the Rock. But while I visited there last month with Ben & Randy Christensen, we took a few minutes to sit down and eat lunch in the public cafeteria. On each table throughout the room, sayings were carved into the tables, many of which I really enjoyed.

Here is one:

I love this one, maybe because I use it to justify my strange, but wonderful way of making a living.

Another saying that I've liked says, "Life doesn't consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have". Here is one that goes alongside of that one:

It's not always about learning new things, but instead, figuring out ways to do the same old things with a new perspective. In the hard times of our economy, maybe one part of the solution isn't to change our circumstances, but to change our perspective on what we can do with what we already have.

Sometimes results come from personal sacrifice. If so, then this one makes complete sense:

Are we willing to pay the price of what it takes to accomplish great things in our lives? Or are we living in the age of "entitlement", where we should be allowed to have everything we want without the personal sacrifice it takes to reach those goals?

I am encouraged by what I have heard spoken lately from some teenagers. They are many times referred to as the "generation of entitlement", but I have heard quite a few of them talk or write about doing without, whether it is designer clothes, expensive hobbies, etc. To those teens I say, Right On! (How 80s is THAT saying?!?!?)

He was a smart man.

Over the years, another way that I have justified my performing for a living is by comparing myself to others that complain about their jobs, their bosses, their co-workers. And I've wondered, why not go out and find a job that you love? One that brings you some joy?

My work isn't all joy, but I sure do love it.

Kids have very active imaginations. They can be Superman today, and working with Legos on Mars tomorrow. Carl Sagan said this:

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere."

Carl probably had a great imagination, but I fear that it could have taken him to a world that he never dreamed of or was willing to acknowledge.

When I was young, people would watch me learning to ride my unicycle, and would say "those are impossible". It wasn't, and here is a confirmative quote about it:

To a 10-year-old, nothing is impossible. Obstacles are ONLY illusions.

Another "enjoy your work" quote is this one:

And finally, to all the critics that think adults don't have time to play games, or that a 16-hour work day is the only way to succeed, I give you this wonderful quote from T.S. Elliot:

And now, I'm going to waste some time cleaning up my office. And yes, due to all of the weird and fun things I know I might encounter in there, I will make the best attempt to enjoy it.

Have a great day.

DonB!

Article Online includes DonB!

I will be performing at Ashland University in October with illusionist, Harris III, and an article is online promoting the event. Click HERE to read it. It's a quick read.

DonB!

Patron Saint for Magicians?

One of my magician friends here in Minnesota, Geoff Williams, sent out this curious tidbit of information that you may find interesting. (Update note: this information is from Angelo Stagnaro and can be found in his book here).

PATRON SAINT OF MAGIC
There actually is a Catholic saint whose sphere of influence includes stage magic. January 31 is the day set aside on the Catholic liturgical calendar to honor ST. JOHN DON BOSCO ("Don" is simply the Italian honorific for a respected person, equivalent to our "Sir"). He was referred to as Don even during his life by both villagers and the
children for whom he cared.

Many people would wonder how it is that the Catholic Church and magic could get mixed up together. During the latter half of the 19th century, as Europe's poor were suffering from the effects of Industrialization, Don Bosco saw how most of the children in his village remained uneducated and unchurched. After Mass on Sundays, he would round up his little friends and relate the Bible stories he learned in church to them. To keep their attention he would use magic
tricks as he retold these stories.

As a young man, Don Bosco became a priest and directed his ministry solely to poor children. He needed a way to get kids interested in coming to church and to accept the aid he was offering. He used puzzles, riddles and juggling but it was the magic that most quickly caught the kids' attention. Stories that have come down to us from his
contemporaries include some specific tricks he used. He was said to be especially good at tying three ropes together to form one seamless rope in order to explain the mystery of the Christian Trinity. He also would pull coins from ears and change pebbles into money, delighting the children who were under his care. Don Bosco started a community of
Catholic priests, nuns and brothers who still to this day help street kids and youth in gangs throughout the world including New York City.

Catholic magicians in Europe still celebrate this day by performing benefit shows for children.

Martin Luther's Wisdom

My good friend, Randy Christensen, sent this quote to me.  It reiterates the idea I've felt for so long that the Gospel, spoken in simple words and actions, is most easily understood by most people.

“Cursed be every preacher who aims at lofty topics in the church, looking for his own glory and selfishly desiring to please one individual or another.  When I preach I adapt myself to the circumstances of the common people.  I don’t look at the doctors and master…but at the young people and children.  It is to them that I devote myself.  Take pains to be simple and direct.”   

          - Martin Luther

A great quote about kids.

While waiting for my plane at the Minneapolis-St.Paul airport, I walked into a small store and saw this saying:

There are lives I can imagine without children but none of them have the same laughter & noise.

Isn't that true? For some folks, having kids is not an option, or they've chosen not to. I simply hope that each of them allows the laughter of a kid to permeate their life. What a joy. I've always said that there is no better sound than a baby, or a young kid, laughing.

The above quote is from a website, Story People. It contains many unique and fun sayings regarding life. Feel free to check out their site HERE.

DonB!

Preacher Don's Sermon-for-the-Day

I'm really not a preacher. I'm not a religious person. I'm not an activist. There are just some things that get talked about over and over and I never respond to them. Here's my response to the latest one:
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"You can't do that in here!"

What should our church be?

"Oh, you can't do THAT at church."

"You're having a JUGGLER at your CHURCH?!?"

There is a lot of talk about what church should and should not be. "Should we have this music, or should we have this other kind of music?" "Should kids attend the main service with their parents, or is a children's church best?" "Can a church have an entertainer as a drawing factor to get people into a new church facility in their neighborhood?"

Well, I hear questions like that all of the time while I am on the road. My answer would be this: Is the Gospel being presented? If it is, then these questions become external, legalistic details. For example, the Bible does not say that a kid should hear the Gospel in the main service. Let's face it, a kid can hear the Gospel from his parents, his friends, in children's church, at kid's club, from a song on the radio, in Sunday school, and "YES", even from a juggler like me.

The crucial question is not HOW he hears the Gospel, but THAT HE HEARS IT. Period.

No matter how much we might hope for it, your neighbor may never show up at your church to hear a guest pastor speak, to listen to a Gospel quartet sing, or to hear the missionary report from Uruguay. But they may come out of their comfort zone to see what they believe will be a fun time with their family at an entertainment show. Then, when they are comfortable with me as an entertainer, I can then present the message in a way that is comfortable, but hits them straight where they're at.

Jesus told parables. Jesus spoke directly to someone's sin. Jesus stood quietly. Jesus overturned the tables in the temple. Jesus used various ways to share His message, and I know that I can use the situations that God has given me to share Jesus' message also.

I love the opportunities that I have had to sit down, face to face at a table with someone and talk about the Gospel. But those times don't happen as often as I'd like? So, it is important to take advantage of every moment and opportunity that God lays before us to share his Good News. That means that whether you are a doctor, a house wife, a plumber or a teacher, God will bring people into your life that need to hear the Gospel in a friendly way. My challenge is to be ready in all circumstances to share the faith and hope you have.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,..." NIV

Notice the "with gentleness and respect" part. Through my programs, I believe that God has led me to a place where I can present the Gospel with "gentleness and respect". Let me be straight: I am not soft on sin, nor am I a respecter of persons. But sharing the Gospel does not have to come at people like a punch to the face. The Gospel is a Gospel of love, not a Gospel of hate and forcefulness. We don't have to shove it down the throats of everyone we meet, but when God brings someone into our lives that needs to hear the truth, we had better be ready to tell it to them. Not watered down, not lovey-dovey feel-good stuff. But the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

So, what is important?

Who is God? Who are we? What is sin? Who is Jesus? What does His death and resurrection mean for us? These are the questions that need to be answered when someone asks us about that truth we have within us.

Skip the denominational stuff. Skip the stereotypical televangelist stuff. Skip the contemporary/traditional debate. Skip the legal-eze, and share the Gospel, the WHOLE Gospel, and nothing but the Gospel.

Preacher Don, checking out of the pulpit now.

Some sad news. Some joyous news.

For all of you in newsletter land that have read the last few postings of this online newsletter, I have some sad news.

Althea Kilber, after fighting 2 good fights with that creepy thing called "cancer", passed away last Sunday. The funeral service was yesterday (Wednesday) at Grace Church in Champlin, MN. It was a short, but very good service. It was very hard for my family to participate in the funeral. For me, as a pallbearer, I felt close to the Kilbers, even though I only saw them once a month or less. Bruce has been a friend in the magic community, and Althea was the world's best garage-saler. If there was a bargain in the Twin Cities in some one's sale, Althea would find it. It was also difficult for our family, because it really put in front of us the thought about, "What if we were losing our own Mom?" It really puts you in a compassionate mode, even barely knowing the grief that a family can face in times like this.

The good news is that Althea loved Christ, and devoted herself to sharing love with everyone she met. Whether it was with the kids at the daycare she worked at, or with adults at church, she showed what "love with skin on" looks like. She now gets to share her love, along with her big smile, with Christ himself, as she begins her own eternity in Heaven. How cool is that?!?

The Kilbers didn't seem to live a fancy life. They spent their summers camping as a family. They actually were given an award for having camped in ALL of the Minnesota state parks. That's a lot of camping, and a lot of family time. But family has always been their first priority. They went to magic conventions around the country as a family, and there are not too many wives and kids that would do that!

Please pray for the Kilbers, as they move into this new, and probably difficult phase of life.

At the Fun-raiser that I participated in, a family picture was taken of Bruce, Althea and the kids. Sadly, it was to be their last picture of all 4 of them. To see their family photo, please go the Caring Bridge site that Althea regularly posted at HERE

I leave you with this great 3 verse poem printed in her funeral bulletin:

God saw that she was getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So He put His arms around her

And He whispered, "Come with me."

*

With tearful eyes we watched her suffer

And slowly fade away

Although we loved her dearly,

We could not make her stay.

*

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.

November 17th Fundraiser

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 17th from 1-3 PM.

I will be performing in a fundraiser event for a great family I've known for many years. Bruce Kilber is a magician I met when I joined one of the magic clubs in Minneapolis around 1986. We became friends over the years, including attending magic meetings and Fellowship of Christian Entertainer meetings together.

Althea & Bruce Kilber

Bruce is married to Althea Kilber, and she's our reason for the fundraiser. You see, Althea had cancer a few years back. Through chemotherapy and the prayers of many friends, she kicked it, and was diagnosed "cancer free". She remained cancer free until this year. Through regular check-ups, doctors discovered that the cancer was now back, and more wide spread than the first time. NOTE: I talked with Bruce last night (10/23/07), and was given some additional info. He told me that the cancer is in Althea's stomach lining, liver and her spine. Doctors have said there is no cure, and therefore it is terminal. Please pray extra hard for the Kilbers at this time.

Brant, Bruce, Althea and Britta Kilber

As many of you know, cancer treatment can be very expensive, not to mention the time dedication it takes from the rest of Althea's family. I have kept updated through Althea's online blog, and now it is time for me to step up and directly help in the battle.

On Saturday, November 17th, at Grace Fellowship of Champlin (Minnesota), there will be a large variety show (including my unicycling), as well as many baskets put together by the Kilber's friends and family. The baskets will all be themed (kids, gardening, magic, etc.) and will be auctioned in a silent auction just prior to the show. Tickets for the show/auction are not yet available, but stay tuned to see how you can get them, or how to contribute to the fundraiser.

If you are interested in assembling a basket/bucket/gift for the auction, please call me with any questions you have. My office phone: 320-679-0060

Until then, please pray for the Kilbers during this time of trial and patience. Pray for healing, for good doctors, the right medicines, and for the family as a whole. It is tough to keep some semblance of regularity when a medical crisis like this strikes in a family.

Bruce, Althea, Britta and Brant: YOU ROCK!!!

DonB!

As I finished typing this, I received an email about another of our family member's relatives that has cancer. This time it is little baby Sophia. Please pray for her and her family also. Her site is HERE.

Cancer stinks. It makes no sense. What does it accomplish? Why?

A short Phillipians 4 Message

Dear Newsletter readers,

Just today I found this short article about "worry". In my own life, when things get hectic, I have a tendency to worry. I am generally an "anxious" person also, mentally stewing about upcoming shows, ministry events, bills, family, etc. However, over the last two years, I feel a lot less anxious about things, even when they seem heaped on together. Maybe I'm older (and wiser?). Maybe other reasons. The good thing is that the less I worry, the closer I feel to God. And, it's the other way around. Checkout this article. I hope it inspires you too. -DonB!

Do You Worry? Consider The Garage Method

Author: Jim Elliff

A former professor of mine, now a successful author of Christian fiction, used to dismiss his anxieties by repeating this mantra: "Oh well. It doesn't eternally matter." For him six words conquered all ills. He slew his worries with a phrase, with a mere wag of his tongue. I'm not sure he was right about things not eternally mattering, but his blood pressure remained low and in many ways, he turned his worries into trust.

It is sort of an embarrassment now, but I must admit that years ago, when I was a teenager, I avidly read the arcane MAD Magazine. At the time it was the rage among those in my school. If it is like most forms of media, MAD is likely less pure now than it was then. At that time it was just—well, silly. Alfred E. Newman, the central figure in every magazine, was best known for this one phrase—"What? Me worry?"

Alfred E. Newman was nobody's model, but everybody's alter ego. Can we have a world without worry?

Here is what some people do with their worries:

They bury them. Many people stuff their worries deep inside only to have them resurface later in other forms such as physical problems related to stress or anger.

They pass them. Comedian Erma Bombeck once said, "I don't have stress, but I think I am a carrier."

They eat them (that is, they eat in order to forget them).

They drug them. Liquor and drugs are well-known methods for drowning worries.

Years ago I knew a man named Mr. Kidwell. He was a lovable man, a president of a bank, who had suffered a sun stoke and jerked as he walked. His pocket was always full of candy for the kids. On the subject of worry he had some expert advice. He said that he would go into his garage and tell God everything that he was concerned about and then jump through the door as fast as he could slamming it quickly behind him.

I think Mr. Kidwell had the best approach.

Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist of the 19th century preached a sermon on the beloved passage we all know but none of us live-Philippians 4: 6-7. Read the text first:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

His succinct outline went like this. Perhaps you'll remember it for your next big worry-fest:

Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
Thank God for anything.

I've not lived this verse very well either, but I do think about it often and meditate on it a great deal. When we refuse to worry, we are saying that God can handle this situation. To do otherwise is an insult to an all-powerful and loving God.

Worry destroys a lot in us. It mitigates against living faith, the only way we have to please God. It is a sin, plain and simple.

But, worry will probably show its head again the next time you are aggravated with an "issue."
In such times, don't forget the garage.

Distributed by http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/

(Another great article about being bold in our faith, by musician Steve Camp, can be found HERE: http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/2507/Steve_Camp -DonB!)

Online Review of Cirque Imaginings Show

After returning home from a busy 12 day tour with Cirque Imaginings, writer/producer/clown friend Randy sent me this online review he found. It is only part of a much bigger newsletter, "The Clown Newsletter", put out by Toby Kid, from Iowa (the RED highlighted words refer to the acts I was involved with. -DonB!):

Item #2) Cirque Imaginings Show

On Tuesday 8/21, I [Toby Kid] took three of my four kids to a wonderful show. Here is what they thought of it.

Gertie age 6: My favorite part was when he rode the little bike and the little unicycle. My other favorite part was when the bad guy came out and made the fire. I really liked the part when they juggled, both balls and clubs.

Frodo age 13: I really like the part when the Clown got up on the really big unicycle. It was really cool when they juggled and they juggled together and took the balls from each other. I also liked the when the clown did the Diablo. The cowboy was really talented, when he used the ropes and jumped through them and stuff.

Smudgie age 8: My favorite part was when Emily asked about all the games and then uncle said everything about the playground being a playstation and when they juggled and took the ball away from each other and when the uncle climbed on the chairs and juggled the clubs it was awesome. I liked the part of the evil magic because I liked the sword trick and I liked the one where the uncle gets straps up the bad guy goes around and the uncle ends up closing the curtain and then he opens it and then he closes it up again and talks to Emily. I probably liked the silver stretch bag because I get to use the stretch bag on my clown character.
I also liked the part where he rides around on the big unicycle and the small unicycle and the small bike.

And another review from another audience member

Cirque Imaginings Review
By Vicky “Trixy” Garrett

It was 5:50, on the 21st of August, in D.M., IA, as I pulled into the parking lot of First Assembly of God Church. I wanted to get to “Cirque Imaginings” early to get a good seat. It was to start at 7:00. I needn’t have worried—the parking lot was pretty empty except for the bigger than life traveling bus for the entertainers, there to do their last on-the-road performance out of five.
I slipped into the sanctuary where some last-minute rehearsing was going on—that’s the kind of things we clowns love to see. Don Bursell (a former Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Baily circus clown and Disneyland performer from Mora, MN)and Ben Christensen (a college student in Minneapolis, MN who has been juggling since he was five—see his amazing resume and talent at http://www.bencomedy.com/) were rehearsing their dual –juggling scene. I could have watched that all night by itself! Those two are soooo talented! As I marched myself right down to the third row center, one of them (that would be me) yelled out, “Oh good you’re here—now we can start the show!” (They didn’t know me from beans.)

Randy Christensen, from Willmer, MN, who wrote and produced the show, was looking very comfortable and not at all like he was going to be putting on a show in an hour. (It was he, whom I mainly came to see, as I’ve been in one of his classes and knew what a talented, wonderful pastor and performer he was.) “Uh, oh,” he mused, “I don’t have my contacts.” Plans were then made for someone to go get them for him in his motel room. The local pastor then came in and advised me and now some other clown friends, that we needed to wait out in the commons area as they were ready to do a sound check.

But about 10-15 minutes later, here comes Randy Christensen out to greet us (what a nice man) and talk a bit about how the show came about. He said he’d met each of these other nine participants at various conferences around the states and when he decided on this year’s production, he drew on his notes and memory of people he’d met and pulled them all together, including fourth grader Emily Chermak, from Willmar, Minnesota, who was the lead in this year’s production about a girl visiting her grandfather (R. Christensen). After discovering there were no Nintendos, Wiis, or any other electronic equipment around, her grandfather showed her some books to read, but warned her not to read the dark and sinister book. She complied in the beginning, and all that she read came to life in the other characters who rode unicycles, walked around taller than houses (we were on stilts), and some who came in the form of bags with inside appendages stretching the bags here and there and dancing around. Darren & Heather Stevenson (mimes from Rochester, NY who also did much of the choreography for Cirque Imaginings) were great at miming and Don Bursell’s rodeo roping and skipping in and out of the large rope circle he was twirling was a treat to see! Ben Christianson turned his saxophone into a wonderful prop that furnished us with lovely music and magically fit right into the scene at the same time. At one point Randy’s character climbed chairs and piled them one on top of the other up to an extremely scary height where he finally posed on top of them.

Greg Phillips (an associate pastor in Melbourne, FL, a regular performer at Wacky World in Orlando, and has been on Comedy Central and opened for Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld and Gallagher) was mesmerizing with his black costumed magic when Emily dared open the black sinister book. Characters and creatures were coming out of no-where to add to the scene. The show ended with Grandfather talking with his granddaughter about heeding his paternal advice in the future regarding staying away from bad things and showed her the book that would always lead her in the right direction—God’s book. She then treated us to a lovely solo about the “good book.” It was a wonderful show put on for a ch urch full of children and some adults (a number of clowns incognito) sprinkled throughout who were all extremely glad they came!

To read the article in its original format, click HERE

It's nice to see someone saying nice things about the show, and also about the performance bits I do. In a world where compliments are few, I'm glad they appreciated my little part in making the show so memorable for them.

Have a great day. - DonB!

DonB! makes the Newspaper

In the April 9th, 2007 edition of the West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minnesota, this picture appeared from the Easter Egg-stravaganza that I performed at.

The text reads:

Professional circus entertainer DonB! performs Saturday atop a large unicycle during the Easter Egg-stravaganza at the Assembly of God Church. The church holiday event also included an Easter Egg hunt.

Thanks to Dustin Kelm for sending me the newspaper copy.

The Calling - Roger Fields

DonB! says: I've been performing full-time since 1977, and doing children's ministry around the country since 1989. This last year, while changing into a costume quickly before our Wednesday drama at church, I looked up, and taped to the wall was this writing, "The Calling". I've read it every Wednesday night since then.

I think it so well states why I am in children's ministry. You know as well as I that many people have no idea the work, time, energy and dedication that goes into ministering to kids. I've committed my life to it. I hope you enjoy The Calling.




The Calling
Roger Fields


I am a minister. My mission field is the largest on earth. I minister to children.

My calling is sure. My challenge is big. My vision is clear. My desire is strong. My influence is eternal. My impact is critical. My values are solid. My faith is tough. My mission is urgent. My purpose is unmistakable. My direction is forward. My heart is genuine. My strength is supernatural. My reward is promised. And my God is real.

In a world of cynicism, I offer hope. In a world of confusion, I offer truth. In a world of immorality, I offer values. In a world of neglect, I offer attention. In a world of abuse, I offer safety. In a world of ridicule, I offer affirmation. In a world of division, I offer reconciliation. In a world of bitterness, I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin, I offer salvation. In a world of hate, I offer God’s love.

I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged or distracted. Neither will I look back, stand back, fall back, go back, or sit back. I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature, or veneration. I have no time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes, or low vision. I will not give up, give in, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender.

I will pray when things look bad. I will pray when things look good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will push when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down.

My calling is to reach boys and girls for God. It is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialized, too eternal to be fleeting, and too passionate to be quenched.

I know my mission. I know my challenge. I also know my limitations, my weaknesses, my fears, and my problems. And I know my God. Let others get the praise. Let the church get the blessing. Let God get the glory.

I am a minister. I minister to children. This is who I am. This is what I do.


--used with permission from the author (2007)
For further information on Roger Fields, please visit www.kidzblitz.com