Atlanta Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians
October 13, 2022
The October 13, 2022 meeting of the FDM was held at the home of John and Julia Jefferson. The following were in attendance: John and Julia Jefferson; John and Bonnie Abbott; Mark Childers; Eugene McBrayer; and Lynn Fox.
This was the last meeting of the year due to the upcoming holidays. Our NEXT MEETING will be Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the home of John and Julia Jefferson. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7:15 p.m.
The following is a summary of our meeting.
Keep the “SON” Shining…
John and Julia Jefferson
MINUTES:
We opened with prayer remembering those of our group who were not able to attend.
John J. welcomed all and noted that Judy Neyland will probably not be able to attend our meetings as she is moving to Roswell. We later learned that she will marry a long time friend and will live in an assisted living home! We are so happy for you, Judy. We will truly miss you.
John J. read the note that Leland Davis had written explaining why he could not attend the meeting. He is in Florida for a camporee for his church youth. There are over 5,000 kids and staff there and Leland is teaching them how to tie knots! We are so proud of our mission-minded members.
We remembered Ricky and Randy and wish them well.
Mark shared that he has invited the renowned deaf magician, Sam Sandler and his deaf daughter, to perform at his church on November 2, 2022. He is the only full time deaf magician who performs around the USA as a Christian. His stage show is called “Deafinitely Magic”. He has performed at the Fellowship of Christian Magicians conferences and in almost every state in the United States. John J. will remind everyone about the performance via email. Mark would love for all of us to attend and support our fellow Christian magician. What a treat it will be!!! Thank you, Mark.
John J. started our evening with a card trick called, “Heaven”. He had performed the effect earlier that morning for his Life After Fifties group. He chose 3 people, gave them each 4 cards and asked them to tear the cards in half. After much moving and throwing away of cards the card they had all put in their shirt pockets matched the card they had left. What a fun way to choose the King Of Their Hearts! John explained the trick. It was one that had been performed on the Penn and Teller “Fool Us” television show.
John also showed another trick involving 2 cards using 2 people.
Bonnie once again amused us with her one-liner jokes. “How do cats like their steaks—”rrrare!” (You had to be there to hear the “meow” sound when she said “rare”!) “How is an ear of corn like an army? Both have kernels!” And then there was the one about the Frog and the Princess… Bonnie, we love your enthusiasm and your smile and your gift of making us laugh.
John Abbott then asked some advice as to his new venture—making his puppet sing! Eddie is an adorable figure who automatically demands laughter and attention. John talked about John 3;16-17 and Eddie sang “Jesus Loves Me” with John interjecting some words such as Bible. It was suggested that Eddie could use “red and yellow, blue and green, strangest kids you’ve ever seen” as part of the comedy. We all agreed that Eddie could not sing (wink/wink), but what an adorable act! Keep up the good work, John A.!
Mark was up next. He demonstrated his fabulous illusion using a very special black vest which was covered with white spots which represented sin. Without Jesus, sin would capture us forever, but when Jesus came, he took all of our sins upon himself and carried them to the cross. (all of a sudden the white spots disappear!) Thus, our sins are forgiven if we will just accept Jesus as our savior and confess our sins to Him. The effect is truly amazing to watch and is proven to amaze his audiences. Thanks for sharing, Mark. You always show us creative, entertaining and great message-revealing effects. John and I saw Mark perform this trick at his church. The audience went “ooh” when the spots disappeared!
Lynn then shared his trick using blue and orange bracelet loops. His message was that we have the Bible and then there is the idea that we as individuals “interpret” the Bible. Our feelings sometimes get in the way of the truth. He caused the blue and orange loops to change places at the blink of an eye. Our eyes can deceive us, but scripture is real and true and we have to be careful not rely on our own tainted perceptions. A great walk-around trick that gets the attention of the audience and allows for a much needed message. Thank you, Lynn.
Eugene told us about his ministry to the 150 football players, cheerleaders and coaches in his area. He demonstrated several effects he uses. One concerns the heart, which, as the Bible tells us, is wicked without Jesus. There is a “hole” or an emptiness which we try to fill with money, alcohol, drugs, etc. He demonstrated with several items on a rope representing our efforts. He had 2 helpers tie the rope and then the sinful items fell off and the heart and Jesus came together. Nothing can fill the “hole” in our lives except the acceptance and love of Jesus Christ as our savior. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins.
Eugene told us several stories including the one about Law and Grace which tells us that we can only have a new heart by the Grace of God. He also related the story of the man whose son had died in a war. The man whose life his son had saved gave the father a drawing of his son. The father died and his household items were to be sold at auction according to his will. The first item was the drawing of his son. No one bid until the father’s nurse finally spoke up and bid 25 cents. No one else bid so it was sold. The auctioneer immediately stopped the auction and the whole estate was awarded to the nurse who had bought the simple drawing! The message—whoever takes the “SON” gets it all—a place in heaven with Jesus Christ.
Like I said earlier, we are so proud of our members. Every one of them shares Christ and ministers to hundreds of the young and old who need to hear the Word from a true believer.
Eugene closed our meeting with prayer and of course the sharing did not end.
We will miss all of you and we are truly looking forward to getting together in January!
May God grant you Grace and Peace, Julia Jefferson