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.

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

Coal in My Stocking

An alternate presentation for the Mother of All Diamonds effect from Barry Mitchell Products
By Barry Mitchell

Main Point: God never gives us coal unless he has a diamond in His plan for us. Makes a great gospel presentation for a Christmas show.

Props: The Mother of All Diamonds prop with lumps of coal and diamonds.

Presentation
I have some lumps of coal, a cup, and a chimney.  Actually this red tube is more like a flue pipe.  That’s before your time I’m sure.  Something else before your time is the expression, “All I got for Christmas was a lump of coal.”  (Remove coal from cup to show.)  It was believed that Santa would come down the chimney with his bag of gifts and, if you had been nice, you would be rewarded with gifts.  If you had been naughty you would only get lumps of coal in your stocking.  (Show tube empty to represent the chimney and place it over the cup.)  Unless you own a power plant or a wood stove, then coal is not a good Christmas gift.

Some people believe God is like Santa Claus.  If you’re good, you get gifts.  If you’re bad, you’re heading for the fireplace.  But God is much more than a judge of whether we are naughty or nice.  God loves us no matter how we act.  And God’s greatest blessing to us is given BECAUSE of the way we act.  God loves us so much that He is willing to forgive us if we only ask.  Not even Santa Claus can do that.

The definition of God’s love is that He wants to do anything and everything for our best.  He doesn’t want to give us coal.  (Drop coal in cup which is covered by tube.)  Unlike Santa who might deliver coal down the chimney, God wants the best for us.  (Lift tube from around the cup and sit aside.)  God wants to deliver us the best.  (Pour diamonds into smaller cup.)

The Bible tells us over and over how much God wants the best for us. God never gives us coal, unless He has a diamond in His plan for us.

Scripture suggestions

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Big Fat Wallet

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

Main Point: Biblical money management

Presentation
Do you ever worry about money?  Did you know that most people’s money bags are filled with fifty and one hundred dollar bills?  Your expression tells me that you’re not “most” people.  (Open money bag and remove 3” X 5” cards with phone bill, electric bill, and cable bill printed on them.)  Take a look inside mine.  Here is the phone bill, the electric bill, and of course the cable bill.  Other than that, my money bag is empty.  (Show bag empty.)

Did you know that the two biggest problems in America today are debt and obesity?  In other words, it’s not just our wallet that’s fat.  (Prepare to produce coins from the cloth.)  But that doesn’t stop us from spending.  (Start producing coins.)  We spend it like we can pull it out of the air.  A little here, and a little there, to pay for this and that.  Money really does grow on trees, that is according to the way we spend it.  (Finish producing small coins and remove hand full of coins from money bag.)  From the look of our possessions, we really do have it all.

We want the world to believe we make big money. (Produce large coins.)  But if people really knew the truth, they would see that the only thing inside our money bags is one really big line of credit. (Remove Vista card.)

Biblical Application
Many people don’t have a money problem, they have a management problem.  It’s okay to have things, as long as things don’t have us.  Our possessions are a trust given by God.  If we manage them well, God will be honored.

Special Thanks to Pastor Brent Freeman of Pathways Church in Sevierville, TN for inspiring this presentation idea with one of his sermons.

Possible Scripture References
Luke 12: 13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool
2 Corinthians 9:8
Ecclesiastes 5:15
Matthew 6:25-34 Do not worry

The Magic of Giving

An alternate presentation for the You Bug Me effect from Barry Mitchell Products
By Barry Mitchell

Main Point: A message about giving
Scripture: Several suggestions below

Props: Ropes from the “You Bug Me” effect from Barry Mitchell Products, change bag, several 12 inch silks.  In place of the silks, knots may be tied in the rope.  Ordinary rope and silks may also be used in place of the “You Bug Me” ropes.  But why would you want to do that? The “You Bug Me” ropes are actually knitted so they won’t unravel and they stretch longer than twelve feet to fill the stage more. There are two three-foot ropes, one yellow and one red and one twelve-foot rope that is half yellow and half red.

Preset: Place long rope with silks tied to it in one side of the change bag.  Place four silks and the two small ropes in the other side of the bag.  Using a variety of colors of silks will make the effect even more colorful.

Presentation
(This presentation is perfect for the Christmas season to discuss the magic of giving.)

I have two pieces of rope, one red and one yellow.  Yellow is for the girls because they are beautiful like the sunshine.  Red is for the boys because they are always red-e to get into trouble.  No, that’s not it.  Red because they love to have fun just like a big red balloon is fun.

This is a story of giving.  (Hold up small ropes.)  Don’t worry it’s a short story.  Of course giving applies to both boys and girls. (Tie short ropes together. Emphasize the word “not” as you tie the “knots” in the rope.  In place of tying knots in the rope, which may not be seen by a large audience you may tie twelve inch silks onto the rope.)

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) everyone knows that giving is easy.

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) all gifts are the same.  Some are touchable and usable.  Some are from the heart like love and friendship.

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) only is a gift great to receive but it’s even greater to give.

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) sure about giving yet?  Let me help.

When we take the first step to becoming friends with someone else, we are giving our kindness.  When we donate items to charity, we are giving from our abundance.  When we give our time to help someone else we are giving our most valuable possession.  When we give money we are trading our treasure for a blessing.

When it comes to giving there are two laws.  1. It’s impossible to give without getting a blessing in return.  2. No matter how much we give, we can’t out give God.

(Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope)  My suggestion to you is do NOT miss out on the blessing of giving.  (Place short ropes in change bag as you ask for helpers.)

I need a couple of helpers to hold the ends of my giving ropes.  If each of you will hold an end, I’ll show you the real magic of giving.  Very slowly pull out a little rope.  (Switch change bag and assist each helper to pull the rope evenly from the change bag.)  When each of us does a little, it will NOT go unnoticed.  Keep pulling the ropes.  (Allow ropes to be pulled out of change bag revealing a long rope of silks or knots.)

Christmas ending  When it comes to giving sometimes it’s nice to be naughty (knot-e).

Scripture references

Galatians 6:7 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Proverbs 11:24-26 (NIV) One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
Proverbs 22:8-9 (NIV) He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.  A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.