This is the place where 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.

front view back view

Effect: A card that has an arrow pointing one way on one side, and another way on the other side suddenly shows the arrows pointing the same way on both sides! Preparation: To prepare this trick, simply get a card, posterboard, or any other item that is square in dimension, and put an arrow facing UP on one side, and turning the card from right to left, (as if you were turning the page of a book), put an arrow facing RIGHT on the other side. Turn the card back to the FRONT VIEW, and use the figure below to place your hands in the proper positions. If you grab the corners of the card at points "B" and "C", and allow the sign to rotate on the axis (without moving your hand position, just spin the card), you will see how the arrows appear to point in opposite directions (UP and DOWN).

You can make it appear that the arrows point LEFT and RIGHT, by keeping your hands at "B" and "C", but turning the card 90 degrees (as if you were making a right turn with a steering wheel). (example: if your right hand was on "B", and your left hand was on "C", your right hand would be in the HIGHER position. Simply rotate your arms 90 degrees, so that your left hand (still on "C") is in a higher position (where "A" was moments before), and your right hand is lower (where "D" was).) This slight change makes the UP/DOWN arrows change to RIGHT/LEFT arrows. You can (at any time) cause the arrows to point the SAME direction by switching the corners that your hands are holding to "A" and "D". Go ahead - try it - you'll fool yourself with this! Note: You might want to put a very small pencil dot on the FRONT SIDE, so that you can always know which corners to begin with! Presentation: "Some people don't know whether they are coming or going... (hands at "B" and "C", with arrow showing LEFT and RIGHT). They don't know whether they are going to Heaven, or to Hell... (hands at "B" and "C" with arrow showing UP and DOWN). I have some advice to those people - there's good news! They CAN know where they are going - when they put their faith in Jesus! When we ask for God to forgive our sins, and invite Jesus to be our Lord, we can know for sure that we're on our way to Heaven! (hands at "A" and "D", showing UP, UP!) This is obviously an abbreviated routine. Take some time, and work up a solid routine from this idea, and you will have yourself a very practical effect for years and years of use! Note: Don't discount the simplicity of this! I opened my professional programs for years and years with this effect, and it never failed to get things started on the right foot - with a profound impact upon the audience! Some Archived Ministry Tricks God's Got Your Number Bag O' Plenty Floating Fingers Adverse Refraction Vanishing Spots Match This A Perfect Match Math Cramps What is Your Priority? Mobius Madness Loops of Grace Stay Tuned for More Tricks! Stop by our On-Line Catalog, and pick up something new with which to share the Gospel! 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