|
|
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
I just attended the International Battle of Magicians, and was jamming magic with Chris Capehart, one of the headliners, and some others. Chris is not a Christian.
So here we were, everyone showing this or that, and Chris leans over to me and says; show me something.. As I reached for a deck of cards, a friend (one whom I had just given one of my packet tricks - God is Everywhere) handed me the packet and said "how about this?" So I said good! That will do. And I took the top card which is a blank card with a gold cross on it, and handed it to Chris and stated the effect. I asked him what the cross meant to him? And he said, looking at the cross on the card; "What is this some kind of Christian trick?" And I said; Yes! And I proceeded to do the effect right in his hands. (I usually do it on a table, but I didn't want to lose the opportunity, so I asked him to hold out his hand and I dealt the cards to his hand) The effect attempts to demonstrate what it is like to know God, and the Cross card is freely chosen, and then it shows what is like to not know God, and the choice of a card shows a blank card. And then all the cards which were previously shown as blank, now have crosses on them. He stepped back, and uttered a profanity and said "It really was a Christian Trick!" And I said; Yes! I told you it was! He said "I didn't believe you. After all, this is just a magic conference"...And I said, but God is always with me. And I am always willing to help people know who he is. He cursed again, and walked away. Later we talked again and shared some more effects. He laughed and said, Man, I just didn't think you were serious..... you got guts, man! Now I don't know that I will meet him again, but if so, it certainly will not be very soon, but at least I got to plant a seed! The rest isn't my job. It is the job of the Holy Spirit... Yep! That was one fun witness! BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
|
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Awesome,
You're right, you planted the seed, someone else will water it, but only God can make it grow. This is a great example of how God can really use magic to tell His message to others who would not normally listen. Great testimony! |
bravesaint New user Kansas City 95 Posts |
Great work, God can use whatever seed you may plant to his glory.
|
Dragona Regular user New Jersey 159 Posts |
Great story BroDavid. I know a lot of Gospel Magicians who wouldn't do that. Great to hear that there is one that will always take the opportunity to witness!
I have the breath of dragons and the soul of a human.
|
Shadow Regular user Akron, OH 171 Posts |
I can assure you, if David is performing he is witnessing.
I have never met anyone quite like him. He tells me, it's because he knows where he would be if it weren't for his relationship with Christ. God has opened many doors and David has missed very few opportunities to talk about Christ. He is a true inspiration and I am proud to call him friend. |
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Thanks Shadow. Those are very kind words. And I am humbled to hear them.
But I feel very much like Steve Brown, when he says "I am just a beggar, telling other beggars where I found food." I thank God that He took away the sin, but left the memories. I still know who I really am, and I know what God has done for me! I have been given MUCH. And to whom much is given, much is expected. And I find Magic to be a tremendous vehicle to engage, entertain, and enlighten! I witnessed without it. And now I witness with it. As Francis of Asisi said, Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words. (or magic?) BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
|
Dragona Regular user New Jersey 159 Posts |
There are many tools you can use to preach BroDavid. I am happy that you have found magic to be your talent and tool to preach about Christ. I am honored to have you here on this website where I can learn more about magic, both Gospel and secular.
I have the breath of dragons and the soul of a human.
|
DanTheMagicMan Regular user Edgewater, Maryland USA 139 Posts |
BroDavid,
That is what is great about Gospel Magic. A person who might get offended and walk away when you preach or bring out a Bible will most likely stay and see a Gospel illusion to its conclusion. Also, I like the fact that he asked you to show him something. You complied with something he wasn't expecting.
Dan The Magic Man
e-mail:[email]info@familymagicshows.com[/email] web site:www.familymagicshows.com MagicEvents.org - View or subscribe to upcoming magic events and birthdays. |
lhughes Regular user Canada 151 Posts |
Wow, this has really inspired me. Thanks BroDavid! People are always asking me to show them some magic. I have done gospel magic in gospel type settings, but not as impromptu magic for witnessing. As Dan says, that is what is great about Gospel magic!
Sleightly yours,
Lorne |
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
BroDavid I would like to know more about your packet effect...is it for sale? what is the full routine?
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Neale,
Thanks for asking. I keep saying that I will offer it for sale (to cover costs and handling charges) when I get the pictures/illustrations done for the instructions. But I have already shared it with a number of local Christian people (not all magicians either, but some were very evangelical folks who I knew would make good use of it) and last year at the International FCM, I sold quite a few copies with the cards, and the text only instructions. But I did't feel bad about that because being there in person, I could explain the effect and demonstrate the handling. (very simple to do, harder to describe in print without pictures) The routine is simple, but I will try to simplify even more to favor brevity here. A card with a Cross is on top of a packet of white cards. You take the Cross card and hand it to the spectator, and ask; Do you see anything interesting or unusual about that card? You can get all sort of responses here, but eventually they (or you) acknowledge that there is a Gold Cross on the otherwise blank card. You then ask, "What does the Cross mean to you?" Now you can really get a wide range of responses, but eventually unless they "get it", you explain that the Cross is widely accepted as the symbol of a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins, so that we could have a relationship with a Holy God. This may sound a lot like preaching, but done in an explanatory tone, in the context of the effect, I have never had anyone be offended at this point. OK, now for the brevity I promised....(Ok, I have a problem being brief... but I will try..) You start by taking back that card, and saying, we will now do a simple demonstration. We will try to show what it is like to have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. That card is shown again to reinforce that the card is the same card, the one with the Cross on it, and placed face down on a table, (or even on someone's open hand), and the other cards, are "shown" one by one and as they are dealt onto the table, and I say I will mix your card, the one with the Cross, with "these cards", and since the spectator sees "these cards" as blank due to the flustration deal display of them, they draw the conclusion that they are all blank. I then propose; If you have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, what will you have to say when you stand before God someday in Judgement? Will will see how that might work. Pick any card (from the now mixed, and tabled cards) form the cards on the table. The spec picks, and reveals "the" card with the Cross. (This is a perfectly free choice, and pretty amazing to the specs. It is about 95% sure in practice, although statistically it should be a bit lower, but it really does works most of the time, and I give an "out" if it doesn't work out, at this point. ) I acknowledge that we have that relationship with God, and He hears us, because of what Christ did on the Cross. Then before they can react much, I say, Now, let's look at what it would be like if we didn't have a relationship with God. What will we say or do that will allow us to stand before Him on Judgement day? As I am talking I take the six cards, including the one they drew with the Cross, and arrange them in a row. I say, give me a number between 1 and 6 and "count" to a card. (magicians choice of course) and slide that card to the spec. as I gather the other cards in a pile in front of me (so the spec can't grab them). And as they turn over the card, to show it totally Blank, and talk about how we have no standing before God, without the Cross of Christ. And then I say, and do you know what is really sad about those who do not choose Christ, it would be so easy, because, God is everywhere!, as I flip the other five cards face up - and they all have Crosses on them. There is only only sleight (the flustration deal at the start- if you can call that a sleight) the magician's choice, and one trick (I use a trick/technique I learned from an old Tom Craven effect, to know which of the six cards is blank, without having them marked in any way on the back. I always carry a packet of the cards in my shirt pocket, ready pull the packet out, pull off the Card with a Cross, and to ask; "Do you see anything unusual about this card?" I just did it again last night as we visted a friend who had some neighors in for cards, etc. And during a break in the game, I was able to perfom this, using a young lady who God laid on my heart. And it was pretty interesting Guess I should get around to shooting a couple of photos and redoing the instructions... thanks for the interest. Well, so much for brevity.... In the meantime, if you want any additional info on "God is Everywhere", just PM me. Brodavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
|
leonard Regular user North Carolina 148 Posts |
BroDavid
Thank for sharing your effect. I will begin making some "cross" cards this weekend. I just finished a set of "wordless book" cards and worked out a simple flustration-based handling. Now, all that remains is the practice. Please let us know when we can officially purchase this effect. God (continue to) Bless You, leonard |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Good News! » » A fun witness (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |