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It’s been fun teaming up with my Pastor on the on-going sermon series on the book of Acts.  The idea is that the kids and the adults are learning about the same thing.  This week we are in Acts Chapter 9 about Ananias praying for Saul – even though he doesn’t really want to do it.  But because he is obedient – the church not only experiences a time of growth and peace; but, Ananias helps to usher in a convert who is the greatest influence on the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church!  So our emphasis will be on obedience.

I am also pumped about my family and I hitting the road and heading north to my “birth-State”, South Dakota.  I will be there speaking at the Assemblies of God District Children’s Camp.  It will be my first time speaking at a district event in this state – and man, what a honor!  Plus – I get to see some family while there.
****Special thanks to Kidology.org for featuring my post on the “Adding Flash to Your Lessons” book.
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OK – So, I’ve combined two books into one download.  These are the books that people asked me to write when I would present lectures on using simple pyro-tech object lessons.  I would finish the workshop and people would ask, “Hey, you got a book about all this?”

Adding Flash To Your Lessons
and
Adding MORE Flash to Your Lessons
Oh – and a big thanks to all of you who have bought my books online these past few months.
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I am in a phone conference as I type with a company that helps churches design a portable church for new church plants and new campuses.  This is pretty exciting to see what God is doing in this church to reach a completely new neighborhood in the Colorado Springs area.

We are working on completely decking out the kids ministry area with all we need in regard to sound, video, set design, check-in and etc!
Pretty fun stuff!
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Yep – I have become the new Children’s Pastor of Radiant Church in Colorado Springs. So, it’s official and I will actually start there the last week of May. OK, wait – let me back-up: beep, beep, beep.

As you know from the previous post, I went out to the Springs on an compatibility trip to check out the Pastor, staff, church, area, etc. to see if it would be a good match… and the Pastor, staff, church and area were watching me to see if it would be a good match. At the end of the trip, the Pastor even put it all out on the table – in writing: An UN-official offer that he said he would officially offer me during my next trip. I have to tell you, it was great to have it all in writing, in front of us as Jennifer and I prayed about it.

It seemed to be a great match! So, last weekend, they brought me, my wife and my oldest son out to see the area and do an official candidate-kinda-thing. We had a great time and really connected with the Pastor and his family, the staff and many at the church. On Monday, we were officially offered the position of Children’s Pastor and I officially accepted.

This is such a cool church – they have completely tricked-out the entire Children’s Ministry Wing and the decor starts right in the lobby. You can check out some pictures here.

Now – I get to experience the joys of moving my family and our stuff cross-country!

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Whew – lots has happened since the last post:
Headed out to a church on a compatibility trip… yeah – just hang time with the Pastor, staff, see the area and to take in the church services to see if… well.. I am am compatible with the church and if the church is compatible with me.

For obvious reasons, I cannot give you a lot of feedback as to how things transpired. But I will offer this bit of info: I liked the church, the Pastor and the community a lot. My wife and oldest son will be going back there this coming weekend for an official candidating.

At the end of my stay with this church – I found out that my Grandpa passed away. What a great guy! An entire blog could be kept busy with stories of Grandpa Fred. So, I found that out on a Monday evening and flew home the next day. I walked in the door of my house at around 2:30 PM and headed out to get my oil changed. Came home to load up the family and we drove 12 hours to the Black Hills for all the funeral stuff.

We came home on Saturday -in time for me to prep for Easter. Then, just yesterday, we had our final service at the church we have been serving at.

“Whew” is right! Now we are finishing some packing to head out tomorrow to IL for a transitional move until we have made some final decisions.

HEY – Thanks for all your prayers!

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My house is now listed and on the market – know anyone needing a home in the south suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul? We’ve had 2 showings up to this point. We’re not praying about the price… that number just seems too big. Instead, we are praying for just one person – the right person.

This Saturday, I fly out to a church to have some hang-time with the pastor and the staff at a great church. I admire a Pastor who just wants to see if his staff and a candidate are compatible. Plus, it gives me a chance to see the area and get to just observe what goes on there on a Sunday morning with the kids, as well as the adults.

On another note: I’m glad to see our snow melting here!

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Well word is out… This morning I made the announcement to our church, Harmony Church, that Jennifer and I are being stirred to move into fulltime children’s ministry. And that this, of course, would necessitate a move from Harmony Church to a new ministry…

…For those of you who do not know, we have been serving in a part-time capacity in this church and it has been a great experience.

You could tell that the feelings were mixed – they always are and there is no “good way” to give these kinds of announcements. But let me say that, we have been extremely blessed to work with such a great Pastor, Garth Heckman. He has been overly supportive and encouraging as we have started to seek where we are supposed to land. As a reference, he has had nothing but good to tell potential Pastors – And I know that it’s true after talking with one Pastor in particular who relayed much of what Pastor Garth told him.

It’s a bittersweet moment as we are sad to leave Harmony – But, excited to move into full-time children’s ministry once again.

I will keep you posted on the progress – please pray with us, thanks!

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I have recently come into some extra time and I realized that I had promised the 3rd Object Lessons book a few posts back. So, I went through the book, made corrections and updated it as much as possible and – well… here it is!

“EVEN MORE Incredible Object Lessons”
Yep – 12 more illustrated lessons you can use in your kids church or Sunday School. Simple props, basic content yet, powerful messages. Check it out in the bookstore!

And guess what? I am planning a 4th object lessons book. But, I am having a hard time trying to figure out a title. I’ve toyed with: “Oh No… Another Incredible Object Lessons Book” or “Not Again”. Or perhaps: “The Fourth and Final Incredible Object Lessons Book: well maybe not fianl” .

Got any suggestions? If I use your title or idea for a title, I’ll give you a free copy of any of my exsisting Object Lessons Books or you could wait until the new one comes out – Have at it!

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Well – here’s another new product in the bookstore… Direct from my latest Gospel Magic Lecture! 48 pages long with 15 of my complete routines – including:
  • Knot Another Rope Trick (Kids are important to God)
  • I Must Decrease-He Must Increase (The title says it all)
  • Consequences Game show (Jesus took our place on the cross)
  • Instant Bible Coloring Book (A new twist on an old prop)
  • Going Thru Tough Changes (God wants to change us – it’s not easy)
  • The Torn and Restored Heart/AKA Bag-O-Plenty (This is a great salvation message)
  • Bible Tear – Flash Restoration (God’s Word lasts forever)
  • Cast Your Cares on Him (The worries of this world)
  • Three in One (The Trinity)
  • God Already Knows (God is ALL KNOWING)
  • God Can Use Your Little (Tithes)
  • Borrowed Ring To Nest of Boxes (Accepting God’s plan for your life)
  • Broken Heart Frame (God can mend a heart broken by sin)
  • 5-Card Monte with 6 Cards (Find the best way to Heaven)

–Plus 20 Routine Ideas for the POPCORN DYE BOX! (Ideas for the most inexpensive prop)

These are my signature routines that have been tried and tested over the past 15+ years all over America and even overseas!
*PLEASE NOTE: You will notice that there are several of the same effects listed as in my earlier lecture notes: “Tricky Lessons”
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Well… it’s been a short while since adding something new to the bookstore… and after a few workshops on object lessons – the question arose as to whether I had these books available online? Well… I had one of them available. So I’ve taken the time to add the second.

I have added Vol. 2 of the Incredible Object Lessons series: MORE Incredible Object Lessons You get eight more object lessons that include elements of science, illusion, and mystery… All with items from around your home or from your church’s supply closets!

Hopefully, in the coming weeks, I will add Vol. 3 EVEN MORE Incredible Object Lessons. But, until them – head to the bookstore, browse, buy and download!
…and to those of you have purchased the books in the past month – thaks for your business!
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