Reading Rap

Reading Rap or Bible Rap
by Barry Mitchell

Here’s a rap I’ve used to encourage children to read books.  It plays just as well for the Bible.
The Reading Rap also works well with our Willie the Worm finger puppet on our website at www.barrymitchellproducts.com
On the road there are many signs,
some pointing forward, some pointing behind.

Keeping track of all those directions,
helps us make better selections.

Going the same way all the time,
makes life boring and that’s a crime.

Open your mind to every way,
you can enjoy life and make it pay.

Reading the (use “the” referring to the Bible and “a” referring to other books) book is my favorite rule,
to keep your mind sharp and cool.

Follow the signs to your church (local) library,
books on every subject they carry.

Check out one and take a look,
once you start (pause) you’ll find it fun to read the book.

Milk of Human Kindness

By Mark Winter

Mark was nice enough to share another routine using our Mother of All Diamonds Aqua Change Vase.

You’ll Need:
The Mother of All Diamonds trick available from www.BarryMitchellProducts.com

Foo can (a utility item available from most magic dealers. The foo can resembles a miniature pitcher with a hidden well on the inside to catch liquids, making the can appear empty. When you tip the foo can from the other side, liquid “magically” pours out)

Super Oom, also known as Miracle Milk available from www.BarryMitchellProducts.com

White flutterfetti, available from www.flutterfetti.com

Preparation:
Load flutterfetti into the bottom of the goblet that comes with the Mother of All Diamonds and place gimmick over top. Mix oom with water and pour into foo can. Place tube from Mother of All Diamonds to the side.

Patter:
Once upon a time, there was a man who felt empty inside. (Show empty goblet) The reason he felt this way is because everywhere he looked, he saw people being mean and cruel to each other. He believed that the milk of human kindness had dried up (tip foo can over goblet so that no milk comes out)…so the man went on a search to see if he could find the milk of human kindness.

First he went to the wise man of the meadow and said, “Oh, wise man of the meadow, I am on the search for the milk of human kindness because everywhere I look, it has dried up. People are being mean and cruel to each other. Please, can you tell me where to find the milk of human kindness?” The wise man of the meadow thought about that for a moment. He blinked his wise grey eyes and stroked his long, grey, wise beard and in a very wise voice said (in a goofy voice): “Yes, I believe that you can find the milk of human kindness in the dairy section at 7-11!”

Well, that didn’t sound right to the man. So he went to the wise man of the hill and said, “Oh, wise man of the hill, I am on the search for the milk of human kindness because everywhere I look, it has dried up. People are being mean and cruel to each other.  (Tip foo can) Please, can you tell me where to find the milk of human kindness?” The wise man of the hill thought about that for a moment. He blinked his wise grey eyes and stroked his long, grey, wise beard and in a very wise voice said (in another goofy voice): “Yes, I believe that you can find the milk of human kindness in Blue Bunny Ice Cream!”

Well, that didn’t sound right to the man either, so he decided to visit the wise man of the mountain. It was a treacherous climb with jagged rocks and cold, windy peaks, but finally he made it to the top. The wise man of the mountain was sitting in front of his home, which was a cave. The man said, “Oh, wise man of the mountain! Please, PLEASE, help me! I am desperately searching for the milk of human kindness but can’t find it anywhere. It has dried up. People are being mean and cruel to each other. (Tip foo can and casually place it to the other side of the goblet so you can be prepared to pour out the milk). Can you tell me where to find it?”
The wise man of the mountain did not say a word. Seeing that the man was hungry from his long climb, he shared his bread with him. Seeing that he was shivering from the cold, he took off his cloak and draped it over the man’s shoulders. The man’s hands were torn and bleeding from the long climb, so the wise man applied soothing ointment and wrapped bandages around them. In other words, the wise man of the mountain didn’t just talk about the milk of human kindness; he actually poured kindness into the man’s empty life. (Do a magic wave of the hands and pour milk from foo can into goblet)

The man finally understood! His life would no longer be empty. (Pick up the tube from the Mother of All Diamonds and show it empty) He went back down the mountain (make descending motions with the can and slip it over the goblet to clip the gimmick) and began pouring the milk of kindness into others. He did this by doing kind deeds and good works. (Remove the can along with the goblet shell that contains the fake milk). Oh, the man was finding out that it was FUN to help others! You could even say that the man did so many kind deeds that he not only poured out the milk of human kindness, he SHOWERED it on others! (Flick the goblet upward, ejecting the flutterfetti) Wow, that’s what I call condensed milk!

The moral of the story is this: the milk of human kindness is in each one of us—we just need to pour it out by doing good deeds and showering others with kindness!

WOW, wasn’t that a great story.  Thanks Mark for sharing it with our readers.
Barry Mitchell

Library Fishing

Here’s a creative solution to use our Fishing for Friends silks in your summer reading shows.  It uses all the silks and a change bag.  The libraries will love you.
Written by Barry Mitchell and Tim Sonefelt

I was reading a great book on fishing when I had a magical idea.  That’s one of the exciting things about reading; it inspires some great ideas.

I created my own magic fishing pole.  It’s one part fishing net and one part fishing pole.  I call it one part fishing net and one part fishing pole.  I came up with that myself.

With my fishing pole, I can fish for friends at the library who love to read just like me.  I have a hook and a tackle box filled with bait.  (Drop hook in change bag.)  I need a helper to hold my tackle box.  (Choose helper and ask them to hold your tackle box open so the bait silks are accessible.)

Another one of the exciting things about the library is that it attracts a variety of people who have different interests.  For example, it attracts people like me who love books about fishing.  (Show fish silk and drop in change bag.)  I’ll put the fish in my net to attract people who love fishing.  You can find fishing books in the 700s section of the library.

I love books on humor and jokes.  (Show yellow smile silk and drop in change bag.)  You can find books on jokes in the 800s section of the library.

I love to read stories, but I really enjoy writing my own stories.  Did you know there are even books that can help us write better stories?  You can find them in the 800s section.  (Show black feather quill silk and drop in bag.)

Did you know the library has books about business and how to save money?  (Show green money silk and drop in bag.)  You can find books about business in the 300s and 600s section of the library.

I’ll bet you’ll never guess what soap has to do with reading.  (Show white soap silk.)  Did you know you can make your own soap?  It’s true.  You can find books about soap making in the 700s section.  Speaking of soap, I love to take bubble baths.  Did you know there are even books about taking baths and washing our hands?  The library has books on everything!  (Drop white silk in bag.)

The library even has books on LOVE! (Show red heart silk.)  Are any of you in love?  If you want to read love stories you can find them in fiction.

Love is not really fiction, but all those really gross romance novels my big sister reads are in that section.  One kind of love that’s not fiction, is our love for books and reading.  (Drop red silk in bag.  Switch change bag to produce long streamer.  Ask helper to hold one end and walk away from helper while holding the other end.  Silk will flow out of change bag.  Follow directions with the silk set.)

So if you love books and get hooked on reading, you’ll meet a whole new group of friends at the library. (Produce long streamer silk.)

Get hooked on reading.

Fishing for Friends silks are available at www.barrymitchellproducts.com

Get Connect Gospel Application

THE ETERNAL CIRCLE
A Gospel Presentation for the Get Connected Ropes written by Paul Morley of England.  www.missionmagic.co.uk
You can tell he’s from England.  Check out how he misspelled “color” and “favourite.”

There are six differently coloured rings of knitted ropes (red, white, blue, green, yellow and orange.)  Each rope has a meaning for me.
The white represents God the Father, the Father of light. The red represents Jesus the Son of God who died for me. The yellow represents the Holy Spirit who brings power into our lives. The blue represents all the people in Old Testament times who believed in the coming Jesus, without seeing Him. The orange represents the people of the New Testament times who saw Jesus and believed He was the Saviour of the world. The green represents those in the world today who believe in Jesus and have made Him their best friend.
The rings are shown and a child is invited to help. Go through the colours again dropping them onto the child’s hand.  The rings are then collected and dropped into your change bag.
The child is invited to lift out their favourite colour as you state what the colour represents. You look with amazement as the children shout what has happened. The ropes are linked like a chain!
That’s amazing! That’s what the Lord wants us to know. When we trust in Jesus, we’re in a safe place. A chain is put around things to keep them safe. God puts us in a chain so we will know we are not alone, but are linked to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are also linked with the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints and all those around the earth who love Jesus.
Gather the links up again and drop them again in your change bag and the child lifts out their favourite colour again. Look with amazement as the rings have now changed into a continuous ring.
Wow that’s amazing! God wants us to know that when we believe Him because of Jesus, we become part of Gods eternal circle. We are joined together with all those who have trusted Jesus and we will live with them all in God’s heaven forever in God’s eternal circle.
Hold of the ends of the loop and bring your hands slightly together and the circle will take the shape of a smile. That truth is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face.
The Change Bag
The choice is yours, either use a triple change bag or, as I do, a single load. With your single load change bag have it loaded with the eternal circle. On top of the handle have the chain available. After showing the individual loops, say, “I need my collection bag” and under the cover of your box, drop the loops and bring out the change bag with the chain.  The chain will appear to be the same loops that were just in your hand.  Drop the chain in one side of the bag, as if they are the single loops.
I think you will agree that it’s a colourful, effective, and easy to do trick with a good gospel application.

Barry’s Note: I love Paul’s handling of the loops with a regular change bag.  The routine is a great addition to our Get Connected ropes.

Christmas at the Mitchells aka Pumpkin Stew

Twas the morning of Christmas, and all through the house,
The alarm was screaming, cause the power was out.

I jumped from my bed, to see what’s up with that.
I naturally assumed, it was a terrorist attack.

It was five a.m.; I couldn’t see a single sight.
The only sign of life, was my tiny cell phone light.

I used it to check, my gifts under the tree.
Naturally my first thought, was all about me.

I ripped off the paper, with all my might.
It didn’t occur to me, to use a flashlight.

It was so dark, I was only wasting my time.
I went back to bed, to the sound of my chimes.

Back up at eight, to make sweet potato souffle.
I offered to make it, the sugar free way.

My idea to replace eggs, with pumpkin in a can.
Turned out to be, not such a smart plan.

Canned pumpkin has sugar, and my eggs are out of date.
But I’d opened the pumpkin can, so now it’s too late.

I used the old eggs, and mixed the potato paste
But I’ll use that pumpkin too, it won’t go to waste.

With a baking dish was too big, over twice the size.
The mixture was thin, with much room to rise.

The topping looked wrong, is all I can say,
But that’s alright, it only covered halfway.

With the dish in the oven, I was finally home free.
Then the power went off,  You must be kidding me!

I grabbed the pumpkin, and started a new mix.
With no evaporated milk, coffee creamer was my fix.

A couple old eggs, were mixed in the brew.
Without a pie crust, I’ll call it pumpkin stew.

The pumpkin was too much, required more than one pan.
Maybe I should have simply thrown out the whole can.

Two more pans full, won’t fit in the oven now.
But I can make it work, some way, some how.

I cocked one gently, on it’s side for the bake.
I’ll finish this job now, for goodness sake.

The power returned, just in the nick of time.
There’s just one more line, to my Christmas rhyme.

I’m off to my family, with dishes in tow.
I’ll keep the egg history, on the down low.

Barry’s Cold Cockle Cocoa Mix

Barry’s Cold Cockle Cocoa Mix
This cocoa is sure to warm the cockles of your heart.  After in depth research at the Mitchell Center for Cockle Research & Global Cockle Warming, it has been determined that no one really knows what cockles are, what they do, or where they come from.  However, the general consensus is that they are cold most of the time due to the carbon footprint of the Alaskan Caribou.  If you are one of the millions suffering from cold cockles, consult Dr. Barry’s Cold Cockle Cocoa Mix for instant relief!  Simply add one bag of cocoa mix with one-cup hot water (sprinkling white snowman poop is optional, but advised). Aaaaahhhh, . . . relax and enjoy . . . your cockles will warm in no time.

Make Your Own Dr. Barry Cold Cockle Mix
21.8 oz. Box of Nestle Nesquik
8 oz. dry Coffee Creamer
25.6 oz. Box of Powdered Milk
16 oz. Box of Powdered Sugar
1/8 T Salt
4 oz. Hershey Unsweetened Cocoa
Divide into 1/3 cup bags.  Makes 46 servings

Enjoy!

Candies of Sharing

By Barry Mitchell

Object: To discuss and teach the principle of sharing. Alternative messages of hope and faith.

Props: Large bag of loose M & M candies or Smarties and paper plates or bowls.

Game
Place an equal number of candies on four paper plates or bowls.  Place on a long table and put an empty plate behind each plate of candy.  Divide children into four groups.  For larger size groups divide into more teams to have no more than ten children per group.

Ask for a volunteer from each group to play the part of an outcast. Choose four and ask them to stand off to the side.  Explain that each outcast must begin with nothing. They begin as an outcast because everyone else will be eating candy while they watch.  They have no promise of any candy at all.  However, they can have hope that some of the group might share with them.

Explain to the group that they are to run to the respective plates and pick up five candy pieces. (Choose a number based on the number of candies placed on the plate so that everyone has a turn.)  Then they are to decide if they want to eat all five or share some or all of them with the four outcasts.  If they want to share, they can place them in the empty plate.  When all the candies have been eaten or shared, the shared candies are then divided evenly among the outcasts.

Discussion Points
Sharing means we must give up some portion of what we have been given.
The outcasts had to live by faith that their friends would be willing to share.
Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor.  How is this game an example of loving your neighbor?

Additional Observations
I tried a similar version of this game with rubber squeeze balls and found the children were less likely to share the toy balls than the candy.  It is my understanding that children with peanut or chocolate allergies are safe with Smarties, however, check with the parents first.

Scripture References
Galatians 5:22-23 Fruits of the Spirit
I Timothy 6:18-19 Be generous
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good
Matthew 22:34-40 The greatest commandments

Egg Head Directions for Teaching Trust

Egg Head Props
Egg Head is a plastic rat trap with a cover.  It is designed to crush plastic eggs for the enjoyment of children.  It is used to ask children questions about trust, however, it’s simply a fun way to ask questions and reward the children for their answers in a way that drives them nuts.  The props are available from Barry Mitchell Products.  The script is printed here to give potential buyers a better understanding of the power of the routine.  Visit our website for a full description of all the props.
www.BarryMitchellProducts.com

Egg Head Trust Presentation
I’m looking for three individuals who trust me.  (Choose boy, girl, and teacher or adult.  Position the teacher in the first position chair and boy in the middle chair.  Ask teacher to identify the rattrap.)  What is this?  It’s a rattrap!  This is not designed to hurt the rat.  It is designed to destroy the rat. (Snap trap against wood.)  I’ll show you how it works.  This is a defenseless pretzel stick. (Ask teacher.)  Do you trust me? Please place the end of the stick on the target.  This will be messy.  (Snap trap against stick.  Stick will shatter and break off a small piece.  Pick up small piece and hand to boy helper.)  Do you trust me?  (Ask boy.)  Place the pretzel stick against the target.  (Some students will actually reach to help you.  Others will not.  If they reach out stop them and say “you can’t do that, you could lose an arm!”)  You really shouldn’t trust me.  Do you think you shouldn’t trust me because the stick is so small or just because I’m a stranger to you?  (Most children will answer the stick is too small.)  That was a trick question.  Actually, you shouldn’t trust me because I’m a stranger to you.  That’s why I asked the teacher first.  He/she is an adult and he/she should know better.  (Pause for laugh.)
It just proves that we can all learn a little more about trust.  That’s why we’re going to play Egg Head, the game show that’s egg-citing to everyone except the egg. Are you wonderfully witted, surprisingly smart, the egghead of your class?  If so, you might just be intelligent enough to win Egg Head.  (Hold eggs for volunteers to choose an egg.)  Please choose an egg.  Each of our helpers is choosing an egg with a question about trust.  If our helper answers their question correctly they win the honor of destroying their egg.  (Set the trap.)  I’ve set the trap because I’m confident our teacher will answer correctly.  Please open your egg and hand me the question.  It is multiple choice with three possible answers.
(The questions will be random when selected.)  Your question is:
1. To be trustworthy means:
A. people can count on your word
B. you have big muscles
C. you own a hardware store.
Our teacher has said “people can count on your word” is that correct?  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Place egg on trap and allow teacher to push button.  Kids go nuts when the egg breaks.)  Give him/her a hand.
(Ask the next person to open their egg and hand you the question.)

2. To be trustworthy is to be:
A. flexible
B. foolish
C. reliable
Our helper has said “reliable” is that correct.  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Student smashes egg.)  Give him a hand!
Open your egg and hand me your question.
3. A trustworthy person builds:
A. a bridge over troubled waters
B. a birdhouse for feathered friends
C. a good reputation.
Our helper has said “a good reputation” is that correct.  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Student smashes egg.)  Give her a hand!

What if a child answers incorrectly?
On rare occasions younger children may answer incorrectly.  When older children give the wrong answer they are most likely seeking attention, however, younger children desire to please therefore they may have misunderstood the question.  I have had a few children that truly didn’t understand trust.  Treat this situation with care and stroke the child’s ego.  Do not declare the child wrong and forfeit their chance to destroy the egg.  Coach them through the question explaining the meaning of the words.  Offer them a second and even third chance.  I honestly had one child give both of the wrong answers before I persuaded him to choose the correct one.  The objective should be for the audience to learn and the helpers to enjoy the experience.

Unlimited Possibilities
The Egg Head prop is simply a method to make asking children questions. . . FUN!  Although it is perfect for questions about trust it is just fun to ask questions about any subject.  Kids just love to see the eggs smashed.

The Open Hand of Prayer

An alternate presentation for the Hand & Eye Silks from Barry Mitchell Products
By Barry Mitchell

Main Point: A message about prayer

Props: The Hand & Eye silks are usually performed by changing the hand into the eye using a palmo ball.  In this presentation the eye silk is changed into the hand.

Presentation
Recently I had my eyes opened to the miracle working power of prayer.  (Show eye silk and begin pushing it into your fist.)  But despite the helping hand of God in our daily lives, many of us miss the mystery of prayer.  Allow me to give you a hand.  (Produce hand silk.)

Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula.  But here is a memory tool that you carry at the end of your arm.

When we fold our hands to pray, the thumb is nearest to us.  We can begin by praying for those closest to us–our loved ones. (Philippians 1:3-5)

The index finger is the pointer. Pray for those who teach and point the way for us to follow.  (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

The next finger is the tallest. It reminds us to pray for those in authority over us–national and local leaders, and our supervisor at work. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are weak and suffering. (James 5:13-16)
(Possible joke if it fits your personality to add humor: This finger is also the wedding ring finger.  So when you pray for the weak and suffering be sure to pray for the married.)

And finally our little finger is our reminder to pray for little ole me.  Ask God to supply your needs.  (Philippians 4:6,19).

If you have ever had a small child wrap all their fingers around just one of your fingers and give a little tug, you know how that feels in your heart.  That child’s slight grip and tug on your finger can’t help but tug on your heart.  In the same way, when we pray, we tug on God’s heart.

Special Thanks:  The idea for this mini sermon came from a daily devotional from “Our Daily Bread,” (www.rbc.org) and a sermon from my local pastor.

Be A Taker

An alternate presentation for “Bank Bag Bounty,” from Barry Mitchell Products

Main Point: Holiday or motivational message at any time of the year.

Presentation
Last year I think I gave too much. (Show moneybag empty.)  But in the coming year I’ve decided to be a taker. (Produce first coin under cloth, via the method used with the effect, and drop in moneybag.)

I plan to TAKE compliments.  (Produce two and drop in bag.)  Otherwise I rob the giver of a blessing.

I plan to TAKE advice. (Produce coin and drop in bag.)  Someone may actually know more than me.

I plan to TAKE time. (Produce coin and drop in bag.)  I will notice the beauty of the world around me.

I plan to TAKE refuge. (Produce coin and drop in bag.)  God and friends are a comfort in times of need.

I plan to TAKE the lead. (Produce coin and drop in bag.)  I may be the miracle someone is waiting for.

I plan to TAKE a leap. (Produce coin and drop in bag.)  Living up to my potential will require a leap of faith.

I recommend that you be a taker too.  (Pick up moneybag and prepare to remove jumbo coins.)  You may discover that taking produces an abundance of blessings.  (Produce jumbo coins.)
By Barry Mitchell