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.

Effect: Despite a completely free choice, and a genuine shuffle of 2 packs of cards, the spectator and performer discover that they BOTH selected the SAME card, at the SAME time!

Materials Needed: You need 2 identical packs of cards.  These may be playing cards, picture cards, or alphabet cards.  The only criteria is that all of the cards be unique, with no duplicates.

Presentation: Allow your spectator to choose between two identical packs of cards.  You will take the pack left behind.  Instruct your spectator to copy each move you make, in the following order:

1. Shuffle the pack.
2. Exchange packs.
3. Shuffle the pack again.
4. Exchange packs again.
5. Choose any card, look at it and remember it, and put it on the top of the pack.
6. Cut the pack, losing your selected card in the middle somewhere.
7. Exchange packs again.
8. Look through the pack, and remove the chosen card, face down.
9. Have the spectator turn over his card, and then turn over yours... the "perfect match" to his!

The Secret: After you shuffle your spectator's pack in step 3, peek at what card is on the bottom of his pack before handing it back to him in step 4.  In this way, you will immediately be able to find his card after step 6, because his card will be the one immediately on TOP of the card you peeked, (when the cards are FACING YOU!).  It is important that you pull out HIS card, and not the one you "looked at" during step 5.  Add a little drama, and you have an award winning illusion on your hands!

Gospel Application: Ever wonder about all those shows on late night television that suggest that someone can just pick up the phone, and dial 1-800-GO-PSYCHO... I mean psychic, and the person on the other end of the line will tell you all about what you've done, and are going to do?  Boy, those commercials sure look like those people have real PSYCHO, I mean psychic abilities, don't they?

Let's ask a question... is it possible to know the future?  Is it possible for a mere human being to know something before it ever happens?  For real??

Before you answer that, let's run a test.  Here on the table, I have two packets of cards.  They are even sealed, in their original packaging (only say so if it is the truth).  Let's run a completely unique test using these two packs of cards, and someone from the audience.

At this time, go through the routine, exactly as detailed above.  Immediately following the revelation that your cards match, come back to this line of discussion.

Proof of PSYCHO, I mean psychic ability?  Absolutely NOT!  What you just saw was not a coincidence, but a well-thought out, and perfectly executed plan.  It was just an illusion... and yet, let's go back to the original question.  Is it possible for mere man to KNOW what will happen before it ever occurs?  My friends, the answer is... yes!

Now, don't get angry with me.  Let me explain.  According to John 3:16, I can confidently say that I KNOW that Eric Reamer (this is where you would put your name in, if it applies), is going to Heaven!  I have that assurance, because I have received Christ as my Lord.  It hasn't happened yet, because if it has - I want my money back!

Can I know YOUR future?  Absolutely not!  In fact, it is an abomination to the Lord even to mess with such things as divination, or any other type of witchcraft or astrology.  But YOU can know YOUR eternal future... You can know for sure that you are saved by the blood of Jesus.  Do you have that assurance?

Note: As you can see, this is a hard-hitting, no-compromise illustration.  Don't pull any punches as you deliver the truth of how we can know that we're on our way to Heaven, and you just might lead someone - maybe even many - to the Lord.  I have used this very same routine literally hundreds upon hundreds of times, and it is time-tested and practical!  Enjoy!
 
 

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

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