Erin Variety Night 2006

This years Erin Village Alliance Variety Night was a smashing success! uh I think. Well at least through my sunglasses we appeared to have a fun evening. The theme this year was "Canada Eh" We were celebrating Canadian music and Canadianism. We were taught the correct way to pronounce Newfoundland. Its pronounced NEW FIN LINd.. not... NEW FOUND LAND. Oh and by the way Jake, fellow Soul Man...its EAR IN...not...AIR IN! I got to sing a bunch of songs and it was a hoot.

Hats off and special thanks to everyone that made this evening possible. A special thanks goes out to Drummer Glenn for yet another rock solid performance. Glenn is very passionate about perfection and pushes himself and others to do their best. Well last night he led by example and quarterbacked us to a great evening.

My wife said she loved it and couldnt stop singing the songs in her head all last night and today. Someone told me it was the best variety night yet!

We are looking forward to to another great Variety Night as we present "Canada EH" at Acton Leathertown Tavern. This is the Restaurant we have been holding Alpha in. If you are not doing anything Saturday Night and you live any where close to Acton, you need to come out. I guarantee you will have a good time.

If you are reading this and you caught the show at Davids in Erin, I'd be interested to know how you liked it. What was your favourite song/rendition................mine was Patio Lanterns by Kim Mitchell.....or was it Travelling Man by Tommy Hunter....hhhmmm

Song Dedicated to a Hero

The song you are hearing is a song I wrote when I was about 18 or so. It is called the "Cage of the Dove". It speaks about wanting to be love in a loveless world. It speaks about wanting to be a tool to smash the cage of the dove.

I read my buddy's blog this morning and it reminded me of this song. If you get a chance, maybe click on this link and read her story. The article is called "Donna".

While I was just getting in from a night of revellry with the boys, she was sitting on a street curb with someone in need. Though the story is sad, its also happy. Yes there are people who care, and yes there are people who want to be love in a loveless world....and yes, that is sometimes a very difficult place to be. I just thank God for people like her....kind and brave!

Bar or No Bar...That is the Question

We are just finishing the Alpha program at Leathertown Tavern in Acton. There have been ups and downs with the venue. Now on the cusp of our next course, we are wondering.....bar or no bar. Do we stay the course or find a new location? We offered this question up to our participants last week during our "What About the Church" discussion.
Here are some thoughts.

Negative: The setting is distractive for the participants. The cracking of billiard balls, the voice rumble of the bar, the foul language all serve to detract from the participants full enjoyment of the course. In a sense, the course is for the participants and we should offer the course in a location that is condusive for learning and discussion. In that sense, this is a bad location. Every Wednesday I go away wishing that the environment could have been better for the participants.

Positive: Presence! When we hold the course in this location, the patrons see us very visibly. We have noticed that some will sit on the fringes and lend half an ear to the course. We have had people come and join us. While their drunkeness was a distraction, they were welcomed and I feel our presence had an impact on their lives. We have had opportunity to fellowship with people we would not normally associate with. We have had patrons publically decare amongst their freinds that we are doing a good thing. We have noticed patrons trying to limit their ang govern their actions while in our presense. They know exactly what we are doing and what we are talking about. The tavern owner is supportive and welcomes our presense in his establishement. The food is awesome and we have been treated like gold.

When we discuss this amongst ourselves, the initial reaction focusses on the negative of the distraction. However, when we discuss the overall impact, everyone is quick to note that our presense has been very positive to those who need to hear the good news. When we weigh this out amomgst ourselves, we find an attitude of selflessness and sacrifice. Though the distractions were great, people tended to see their presense as an outreach.

I am so proud of these people. They expressed that the outreach to the patrons was more important than their own full undivided enjoyment of the course. We see missionary, outreaching, caring and loving hearts that have sacrificed for the sake of others.

We discussed how we are the church. We discussed our desires to be very bold and purposeful. We talked about how the good news is not necessarily best served by hiding it in our hearts, in our homes and in our places of worship. We discussed how holding Alpha in this location was one way we could be bold about the Gospel.

Then came the obvious question. What Would Jesus Do? As we considered the the impact we have had on others, we became warm with love. We began to think that this is what Jesus would have done. Thoughts of negativity were lost and thoughts of a positive nature were replaced.

Dear God
Thank you for the strength, courage and boldness you have given us.
Lord we think of how you have guarded and protected us
while in this uncomfortable place.
Dear God, I pray that you will move in the hearts of those people
who desparately need you.
Father I pray for Marni and Thelma.
Lord I pray for the man who asked for a bible.
Lord I pray for the lady who listened on the outskirts
and then put money in our offering plate.
Lord I pray for all those people whop have heard about
Your goodness, mercy, and love
Lord would you speak to their hearts
and give them the peace or the strength that they need
to come to know you as their Lord and Saviour.
Lord You alone are God, with strength and wisdom beyond measure.
I pray Lord that You will speak to our hearts
and make it very clear to us how You would like us to proceed.
I am grateful, yet unworthy of Your Faithfulness.
I come to You lord with Jesus as my guide and saviour
and I offer You my praise and worship.
In Jesus name
amen

Dream!

Dream as if its the first day of your life,
Live as if its the last day of your life!

Dylan the Scot

This is a picture of Dylan the Wright in Scotland. We were doing some web surfing and found that our family name Wright, was a sub clan of MacIntyre. It appears as though some of the MacIntyres changed their name to Wright when they left the original clan lands. We have been able to trace the Wright name to the East Coast-Cape Breton to the late 1700's. That is when my ancestors landed by boat from....you guessed it...Wee Bonnie Scotland. So we did a little investigating and found that the Clan MacIntyre hung out in Oban. Oban happens to be my favourite single malt scotch! No wonder!
Now my Grandmother was a Smith. She was born and lived in Lossiemouth. One of the great thrills of my life was standing in the old family home. They were fisherman. We did the same walk from the house to the harbour that the Smiths did. After we visited, my great uncle passed away and the family home was sold. Timing is everything!
Anyway...God Bless Scotland!

Psalm 63

The name of this song playing is Psalm63. I had this music running through my head. I laid the tracks in my home studio and tried to write words. The words would not come. I listened over and over hoping for lyrics. Nothing. I sat back and opened my Bible for some reading therapy. My book opened to Psalm 63. As I read the words, they fit the music. I press record and sang...a song was born!

I guess its plagurism of sorts. I laugh when I think that I wrote a song with King David. He wrote the words some 3000 years ago!

Wild Turkey's

What a magnificent Bird! Wild Turkey's became extinct in my area. With the help of our American friends and the work of conservation groups, they were reintroduced. While nay sayers said they would never return, I am told the numbers have hit 80,000 birds. Not only that, but the range has been pushed and extended beyond their original. A very large success story!

There are about a dozen of these birds living in the bush beside my house. I have been watching them daily. Now is especially cool because the males are out dancing to impress the ladies. I watched this morning as one big bird, just like this one, did his love dance. Truly awesome. I am going to try to sneak up with my camera and see if I can get a real shot.

Anyway, we are truly blessed with having these birds "back home"

Do Ya Wanna Laugh Your Face Off?

Wanna laugh your face off?
I came across this blogsite while following links.
I split my side! I showed my wife this morning,
and she almost had to run to the bathroom.
Thanks for the joy and giggles Jef!

View From My Mailbox

I live in the country. My address is a Rural Route Number. The mail arrives at the General Store in a place called Marsville. It is sorted and taken by our mail lady and delivered to our mailbox. When we have mail, the flag is up. When we dont, the flag is down. If we wish to mail a letter, we put it in the mailbox and put the flag up. It is so cool.
1 If I do not have a stamp, I merely tape money to my letter. My gracious mail lady looks after it for me.
2 I have received letters from International destinations with only my name and the town I live close to. The letter ended up in the town. Even though my name was spelled wrong, my mail lady said...Hey I know him and my mail arrived safe and sound.

These are but two joys I have concerning the postal system. Its too bad in a way that I do everything via computer these days. These are definately two things I will miss and cherish.

Where do you get your mail...post office, delivered to door, mailbox, curb box?

The ABC's of Math

My sister sent me this today. I liked it so I thought I'd share.......

If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then:K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E (11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5) = 96%
and H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K (8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11) = 98%

But, A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E (1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5) = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D (12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4) = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Dweller by a Dark Stream

Bruce Cockburn
Dweller by a Dark Stream

It could have been me who put the thorns on your crown.
Rooted as I am to violent ground.
How many times have I turned your promise down.
Until you poured out your love, you poured out your love

I was a dweller by a dark stream

I crying heart hooked on a dark dream.

In my convicts soul I saw your love win

and you showed me what youve done

Jesus, Thank You, Joyous Son

You offered up a life like yours to give us back our own

You wanted us like you as choosers, not clones

You offered up your life and death was over thrown

Now salvation is ours.

Salvation is ours

Great Comment

I thought I'd share this comment with you.

Without trying to be a brain fart, and in all sincerity and a true spirit of brotherly and Godly love, why Easter and not Passover?And why don't we honour Penetecost since it marks the very start of the church especially since Jesus is at the very centre of these Holy days?These aren't glib questions. I know the 2nd grade Sunday school answers. If I could perhaps ask, first consider why would anyone choose NOT to observe Easter or Passover for the other before considering why we do.

Hey Great Comment!
Lots to think about here.
You are not a brainfart!
We need to think about this stuff.

I think we need to celebrate in our hearts and with our brothers and sisters and with great joy, ALL of the celebrations that have significance to our relationship with God. We need to celebrate unceasing, for Gods mercy is great and His love endures forever.

There are so many reasons why people choose not to celebrate as we do. I can think of many reasons. Ashamedly, I see how I am partly to blame, along with my brothers and sisters. I think of how we are often bad examples of God's love. When we should be examples of love, we reject. When given opportunity to do something good, we do something bad. When we are sure that we have done everything right and good and just, then we fill ourselves with this righeous pride that drives the seeker away.
Like 2 ends of a magnet.
Who can bridge the gap?
Who can mediate?...

Job 9:30-40 (New International Version)

33 If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,
34 someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot

We need to be Jesus for this world.
They need to see Him through us.
We need to ask ourselves continuously
What Would Jesus Do?

I'll tell you one thing....
He'd join us in celebration whenever and wherever we chose to celebrate God's loving kindness,
mercy and grace, faithfulness and goodness, holiness and righteousness.

Can we share this with the world?
or better still....
How?

I've said enough...what do you think?
I dont really think I answered the question well enough.

Good Friday

Even if you never attend church, this Friday would be a good time to go. Don't worry about what things look like, dont worry about whether you'd be accepted, dont worry about what you are wearing.....Dont worry about a thing. Come and celebrate the lengths that God has gone to prove His love for you.

If you live within a one hour drive of our church, Erin Village Alliance Church, it would be worth the drive! I want you to know that you would be welcome. We meet at Centre 2000/Erin District High School. We will be gathering in the theatre for a 10:00am service. If you are new or visiting, please tell someone. Ask them to find me and I will come and welcome you personally!

If you cant make it to church on Friday, please know that Jesus loves you whether you know it or not...

Tired of that Song

I'm tired of the song I had playing in the background. If you want a copy of it, The Tears We Cry can be found on the right column under Don Wright Home Studio. Left click to listen and right click, save target as, to download.....enjoy.

This song is called Do You Want to be Like Jesus. I wrote it with a friend of mine, Kim Pearson. I recorded the music and the vocals in my computer home studio. I solicited the help of my friend Jack Walker on Dobro and my nephew Benjamin Wright on Electric guitar.

Given the profiles of those who have volunteered the mandatory info, this song might be a little more appropriate.

Hey funny thing....I put a web counter on my page and strangely the value is much greater than the mandatory comments. I wonder what mandatory means? Obviously not what I thought. I did find out however, that most people have High Speed, so I am not going to worry about the increasing complexity of my page. Looks like I'm the only bloke unlucky in the speed department....but that is another rant altogether....darn it...now I'm upset....I feel so alone.

Mandatory Visitors Poll

You must answer the following questions.
This is a mandatory Visitors Poll.
Failure to comply will result in immediate demagnetization of all your bank cards.

Do You have modem/dial up?
or
Do you have Hispeed/cable/dsl/broadband?

Please answer by pressing comments.
I appreciate your input.

If you think I'm joking about the threat,
Here is a little sample of what I am capable of.

Streaming Audio...hahaha So Cool!

Check This out!
Streaming MP3 audio

The song you are listening to
is called Tears We Cry
It was recorded in my buddies PC

Its one of the first songs I wrote.
My buddy recorded the instruments
and I recorded the vocals

I have an ear to ear grin
Technology is so cool

Service/Meeting Today

I really enjoyed church today.
Its nice to be able to worship God in so many ways.
I was moved. I am lost for words.
jkhvcoipqewurgfpiaehhdzbchjlw
There...I just wrote in tongues!
Dont ask me what I said,
but if there is anyone out there who could interpret,
that would be great!

We held our annual meeting after pot luck today.
My family is blessed by this fellowship.
The people earnestly seek to do Gods will.
I believe this is important and admirable.

Thank You God for leading me to this fellowship.
Lord, after years of struggle,
I feel like Ican finally claim the freedom
to worship you
in spirit and in truth.
Lord I pray that you
guide us in your truth
and that your truth be known
in our hearts and in our minds.
Lord, would You cause this truth
to transform us and give us life,
for it is through your death,
that We can claim life.
We praise You!
I praise You!

The Dry Bones Live!

Ezekiel 37

The Dry Bones Live!

1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”’”

April 3, 2005!

This picture was taken April 3, 2005!
I found myself complaining,

about the cold wind yesterday.
Suddenly I changed my mind!

The Cats at Capital Hill

I was looking through some old photos and came across this pic. I call it the Cats at Capital Hill. The picture was taken directly behind the Parliament building. If you ever go there, stop in and say Kitty Kitty....I dare you!

There once was a stray cat that lived at Capital Hill. Not wanting to be unfiendly towards cats, and knowing the political gain to be seen feeding the homeless, the stray cat flourished. Suddenly there were 2...3...4...5...6... Before you know it, there were so many cats, that public Housing was soon required. Well no one likes to see skinny cats just hanging around the Capital Hill begging for food....so, a social assistance program was put in place. So now the Cats at Capital Hill enjoy the admiration of all the visitors. The cats are fed and cared for, and their mansion sits on the edge of a hill with a wonderful view.

Its a cats life my friend. Whenever my cats are bad, I will threaten them.....If you are not good, I'll send you to capital hill!

Triumph and Frustration

I noticed when I was at James' blog that he has a section where you could download some of his home movies. After reading his explanation on streaming MP3 music on to your blog...a light bulb went off. I learned a number of things.
1 The right column can be edited to include personal favourite links and stuff
2 Music and pictures and stuff can be uploaded to a file host and then linked to the site.
This interests me because I have a number of songs that I have written, and I always wanted to have a way to have them available for download on the net. SO! I will upload music to the file site and link up my blog.
Well I figured my way around editing the right column and then went to upload my music to the host, and the host is down for service...gosh...dang..dingaling...drat and crap. It blew the wind out of my sails. I guess I should go to bed anyway, since it is 1:51am.
I need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tommorrow as it is my wifes birthday. She is more beautiful today than the first time I met her......but I dont suppose that charm will go to far for me at 1:51am
goodnight

If I Ever Move

If I Ever Move,Let it be here,

Let it be here, or somewhere near.

100 Chocolate Ave, is where I'd pitch my tent,

Or 55 Cocoa Ave, Is where i'd smell that scent,

The lovely scent of chocolate...

mmmmmmmmmmmm

chocolate

Caution....Baby on Board

I've often wondered about these signs that people put in the back window of their car. What does it really mean? Does it mean..please dont crash into me because I have a baby on board.....otherwise it would be OK? Does it mean please excuse my erratic driving because I'm trying to change a diaper while I'm driving? Does it mean if I get in a bad accident please look for 2 bodies instead of one?

So today I saw a smart car with the baby on board sign. OK so I'm all for saving money on gas but have often wondered what happens to one of these smart cars when they are driving down the 401 freeway beside transport trucks. I'm just wondering what hope the passengers have of survival. So now add a baby on board. Is this a joke? I love my baby enough to buy a stupid sign for my back window, but not enough to be driving a car that is safe while driving 120km per hour on the freeway. Its like..oh by the way if you find this sign in a crumpled heap of metal, please look for 4 eyeballs instead of just 2. Call me sick, but I'm trying to figure this out.

I guess it doesnt really matter other than to satisfy my morbid curiosity.

Stop the Press!

Stop the Press!
Could it be possible that each day is better than the last?
Like
It doesnt get ant better than this.....and then there's tommorrow!
Or should I say today?
Today
WELL!
What an awesome service the mission team put on today!
There were many visitors and guests today.
The mission teens taught us about servanthood,and being bold to make a difference.Worship was great and Alicia K gave an amazing talk about using our gifts for the glory of God and the Body of Christ. This young lady spoke with enthusiasm and passion. There was drama and dance, song and scripture, prayer and thanksgiving, video and powerpoint. The kids were all in service today as well. I bet we almost ran out of chairs today!

Special thanks to the leadership who led our children by example and with the Word of God. The kids were well prepared, having studyed deep south cultural issues and biblical significance of serving others. Thanks to these great mentors, my child was not only safe, but came home a changed person.......for the better......not that she wasnt already great.....excuse me...where were we. Oh ya, I gotta go read my Biblical Interpretations text. I know Tara is at home doing her paper....and its such a beautiful day!...forget it Don...READ!!!!!!
bye

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

WOW..........What a great night! We had baptisms tonight at church. It was so so great. There were a ton of people...the place was packed. Smiling, Joyous faces. Love and Fellowship. Grace and Peace. Its times like this that one really has to be thankful.

Tonight my daughter Debbie got dunked with two other teens. I am so proud and thankful for these kids. They are superstars. They each have a wonderful passion and such fearless faith. With kids like this, the sky is the limit! We need to be so proud of our children! They all brighten any room they enter. The love of Jesus pours from their very being. This love and joy does not go un noticed as they interact in this world.

They spoke of lost friendships, and new found friendships, as they each began to give their hearts to God. The congregation was very supportive as various scripture verses were read. For those who have not been to an EVAC baptism, one of our traditions is to read scripture that God has put on our hearts to encourage, uplift and celebrate this wonderful occassion.

It was a joy to play in the Baptism worship band this evening. It is so cool to play with musicians that really feel the music and praise. We made a joyful noise unto the Lord this evening. Singing, clapping, and praising. Loud, Joyous, high energy praise. I love it!

Our intern Richard spoke very well about the significance of baptism. Our youth intern Kellen got to baptize two of our kids. He has been such a blessing to our congregation. I know God is walking with this young man! He has had a very positive impact on our kids, both within our congregation and in our community.

After the last two baptisms using very very cold water, preperations were made well in advance to heat the water. So much so, I'm told it was like a hot tub! They were sweating big time! hahahaha that is so funny. We go from ice cold glacial water, to volcano hot water.

I want to thank each and every person who attended this evening. I am so grateful to have been led to this fellowship. It has meant the world to me and my family. It has especially meant a lot to my daughter Debbie, who, with the support and encouragement of each and every person, has grown to be a bold and faithful servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

All Praise and Glory and Honour to Him!!!!!!!!!
With a thankful and overjoyed heart I wish you all a good evening.......oh ya, and dont forget to turn the clocks forward this evening and I'll see you at the house of worship tomorrow,
Blessings
dw

What a Difference 14 Years Makes!

My baby is getting Baptized tonight. I am so proud of her. She is a wonderful lady!
This was our first picture of her. It seams like yesterday!

Thanks James!

This picture is for James. I found his link on a freinds site. He has cool music playing on his blog and I asked him how he did it. He obliged with a description of "how to". Thanks James.

On James site he had a picture of a church door. It reminded me of a picture I had taken a couple of years ago, so it sent me to my picture archive and viola...here it is. I'm wondering if James took the church door picture himself, or if he found it on the net. At any rate, I love church doors.

There are so many different shapes, sizes and colors! I find church doors to be friendly and inviting....thats my impression. I realize that for many in this world, a church door is far from inviting. I feel bad about that.

These pictures remind me of the famous picture that appears on Nicki Gumbles Alpha videos. The only difference is that both these pics have door knobs or handles. The pic on Nickis video does not! We see Jesus standing on the outside knocking and because there is no door knob, the only way for Jesus to come in is by invitation....by us opening the door for him.

The pics that James and I have posted have door knobs. I'd like to think that Jesus resides within these church places, so a door knob is necessary. We must reach out and open that door! Simplistic view I know, but it struck my imagination.

Anyway...have a great day and never be afraid to open that door for Jesus. He will come and sup with you and it will be an expierience you will never forget!