This is the place where each month, I will either teach a new trick, or actually perform one for/on YOU! These will most likely not be EARTH-SHATTERING tricks, but I think you will agree that the lessons they are designed to teach are extremely valuable, and very practical for children's workers!

This page is dedicated to anyone who has ever had to teach children, and wondered, "what am I going to speak on this Sunday??". All materials are commonly available, and should cost little or nothing to gather up and use.

Comment:

Throuout history, one of the most amazing, and controversial illusions ever performed revolved around the concept of "levitation". Levitation is defined as the illusion of causing something to apparently "float" without visible means of support. Please note that I use the words, "ILLUSION", and "APPARENTLY".

I am of the absolute conviction that there is no such thing as an "actual" levitation, and that until there is actual PROOF of an object, animate or inanimate, able to ACTUALLY FLOAT without means of support - I am very skeptical of giving the enemy ANY more credit than what the Word already gives him.

However - in this month's Ministry Trick of the Month, I am going to teach you how to create the illusion of causing something to "appear" in mid-air, "levitate" as long as you wish, and then completely "vanish"! I use this particular illustration to explain the natural nature of what I do, and how easy it is to fool our eyes... and for that matter, how important it is for us to remain focused on the RIGHT things!

Materials Needed: Two fingers, and two eyes!!

Presentation:

"Ladies and gentlemen (boys and girls), sometimes people ask me, how can you be a Christian, and still do what the Bible calls, 'magic'? It's very important to me that you understand that what I do has NOTHING to do with what the Bible calls magic.

"Rather, I use everyday objects in unusual ways to communicate a powerful message - that message is the no-compromise Gospel of Jesus Christ! To give you a very clear example of what I do, I am going to lead all of us in a group illusion! Feel free to participate if you want - as you already have everything you need to make one of the most amazing illusions in history take place!

"I am speaking of the illusion of 'levitation'. Yes, right here, and right now, we are ALL going to create the illusion that something appears out of thin air, floats without visible means of support, and then completely vanishes! Please understand that what you are about to see is NOT POSSIBLE! It is just an optical illusion. However, I think you'll agree that what you are about to see is amazing indeed!

"Okay... everyone stick your index fingers of both hands together - touching finger-tips together, as if they were pointing to one another. Got it? Good. Now, with fingers touching, bring both hands closer to your face, at eye level. Focus in on the joint where the fingers touch... As you draw the hands closer together, and as you focus only on the place where fingers touch, you will eventually see an optical illusion materialize! It looks like a little hotdog, joining your two fingers! Don't be alarmed... it's just an illusion!

"Now, slowly... pull your fingers apart. Not too far! Just about 1/2 an inch... and look at what you see!! The hotdog is FLOATING between your fingers! Again, please understand that what you are seeing is NOT REAL... it is just a trick being played on your eyes! It's not evil, and there are no demons making the "hotdog" float. It's just an illusion.

"Now let's make it completely disappear! Slowly pull your fingers apart even more... and as you do - watch what happens to the "hotdog"! It's gone! WOW - we have just seen something "appear", "levitate", and then "disappear", and all the while we were watching carefully, with both eyes wide open!

"What can we learn from this experiment? Well, first of all, we can know that our eyes don't always tell us the truth. In fact, if we use our "experience" to be the only "truth" in our lives - we are in serious trouble! You see, our experience just told us that we saw something happen that is absolutely impossible, and in fact, DID NOT HAPPEN! From my point of view, you were just moving your fingers around - I saw nothing float in front of you.

"And second of all, we can know that it is very easy to trick our physical senses. In fact, it is a good thing thatGod gave us a spiritual side to our lives as well - because it is with the spirit that we discern the good from the bad, and the truth from the lie.

"Let's all be sure to know the TRUTH, because it is the truth that sets us free. For that matter, Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6) Can we enjoy the mystery of an illusion? Sure we can! But let's be sure to know the truth - especially where the Lord is concerned!"

Note: There you have it - a very profound, and yet, very simple demonstration explaining the natural nature of the object lessons and illusions that we use to illustrate the truth of the Gospel. Use this to God's glory, and be sure to drop me a line from time to time, and tell me how you have used the Ministry Trick of the Month!

How can one be a Christian, and also an illusionist?
The answer may be found by clicking: What is Gospel Magic?

Back to Eric's Main Ministry Page