Owned and Operated By Jeff Veley, Ring 211, Grand Rapids, MI
 www.dynomitemagic.blogspot.com |
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* Magic Articles of Interest * What Is Gospel Magic? Written by: Jeff Veley Many magicians around the world perform what is known as Gospel Magic. Gospel Magic is supposed to teach about God using a small illusion. There is a controversy about Gospel Magic. Many ask how "magic" can be a positive thing. After all, the word "magic" is defined in the Bible as being evil. Gospel Magic, however, can be a great teaching tool. The way the message is presented holds people's attention, and keeps them interested. The real questions are; Is Gospel Magic right? Should it be allowed in churches? Would God be pleased by this way of teaching? These are the very questions that this paper will try to answer. First of all, let me state my position. I am a Gospel Magician that attends a Christian Reformed Church. I regularly perform magic shows, including shows that contain Gospel Magic. I have performed Gospel Magic in several churches. Some churches are very offended to think what a "Gospel Magician" might do. You may wonder what the Bible says about magic. The Bible defines magic as witchcraft. Therefore, they state that these words have the same meaning. The Bible also says that magic is wrong, evil, and downright sinful. What, then, is my reasoning for doing Gospel Magic? Well, I looked up the word "magic" in the dictionary. Webster's Dictionary seems to agree with the Bible. Magic is "the use of charms, spells, etc. in seeking or pretending to control events." The second meaning of magic makes sense as well. Magic is also "any mysterious power." Webster's third and final definition clearly states that magic is "the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand, etc." As you can clearly see, the Bible uses the first and second definitions found in the dictionary when referring to magic, while never mentioning the third. Let me point out that I have nothing to do with spells, enchantments, potions, etc. Those are the exact things that I steer clear of. I do believe that those are evil and sinful. What I perform are simple illusions. I only use the term Gospel "Magic" because it has been used for centuries to describe the art of using illusions to illustrate a gospel message, not to describe spells and potions. One trick I perform in my gospel shows is a card trick. I display three cards and have everyone in the audience pick and memorize one. There choices are; the two of clubs, the king of hearts, and the ten of spades. I have everyone raise their hands that chose the king of hearts. I, then, tell the audience that this illustrates that not everyone chooses the King of Hearts in their life, but those that do will be rewarded. The card is turned around to reveal a picture of Jesus. It doesn't matter if they understand the trick or not. What I'm really trying to do is send the message home with them. Having Jesus as their Savior is very important and rewarding. Would God be pleased by this sort of teaching? (Gospel Magic/Illusions) Everyone has his or her own answer to this question. My answer is, Yes, God would be pleased with these teachings. Gospel Magic is a positive way to teach others about God and his love. Gospel Magic is one way that worship God and witness to others. In my magic shows I explain one very important thing to the audience. I'm a normal person. I am able to fool my audience because I know several simple tricks. I do not have special powers. I simply create illusions to entertain. God, however, doesn't need to use silly tricks. God has real power. More and more people are being witnessed to everyday through Gospel Magic. This in turn has led thousands of people that give their lives to Christ. If that isn't good news, I don't know what is! You, yourself, can choose whether to support Gospel Magicians in their quest to bring others to the Lord. If you choose to support them you will see the benefits and lives will be changed. If you choose not to support them it could result in several people missing out on getting to know the one and only God that we have come to know and love. Press Release --Hippity Hop Magic-- To all Grand Rapids area and West Michigan area media and magicians: On behalf of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) and The John deVries Magic Club of Grand Rapids -- IBM Ring 211, I am much pleased and excited to announce the Grand Reopening of Hippity Hop Magic beginning Monday, April 17, 2006 at noon! This will be at its new location of 4342 South Division Avenue in Grand Rapids. Prior locations for this magic shop were 1054 West Fulton Street and 215 Logan Street SW. Last year, the move to Logan Street was necessary for more sales space and the increase of business. Now the move to South Division Avenue provides even more sales space including a small stage theater with the whole store being on one-level -- ground floor with handicap accessibility. There phone number remains (616) 742-3898. Jim Parkes (store director) and Michele Parkes (owner) and friends are diligently working putting the store together for this grand reopening. They will open the doors this Monday, April 17, 2006, at noon with a soft grand reopening as they put the finishing touches together. A much larger grand reopening celebration including popcorn and performing magicians and clowns outside the entrance will follow in about two weeks. In fact, do not be surprised to find a few members of IBM Ring 211 performing outside the entrance in the latter part of this week! Hippity Hop Magic continues to be the largest magic shop in all of West Michigan. This shop not only sells magic tricks and supplies but clowning make-up and supplies, including gags, and a full line of collectibles. Over 15 showcases of magic related items, clowning items, and collectibles are well displayed. The left side wall highly displays magic illusions on shelves along a lengthy 100 foot wall. The opposite side attracts one to the many styles of wigs, masks, and costumes; and that wall is a third longer. More apparatus fills the middle and rest of the shop on racks and other fixture displayers. For the magician or magic enthusiast there are for sale: magic tables, chop cups, top hats, sword through arm illusions, zombie balls of all sizes, coins of all sizes, card tricks of all varieties, sponge balls and figures and numerals of many sizes, a variety of magic wands, the famous coloring book illusion, mysterious egg and bags, mystery bags, the famous Lota Bowls and rice bowls of many sizes, Wonder Tubes and Phantom Tubes, the famous Coke Bottle vanishing illusion, a card spinning wheel, the magic lamp, an endless variety of rope tricks, floral display productions, mystery magic square circles, three card montes, nest of boxes, linking rings and Russian rings, Hippity Hop Rabbits of all sizes, Tipsy Turvy Bottles, silks--all sizes, colors, and prints--, posters, live doves, and the illusions of the Temple of Benares and the Doll House. Do not forget about the large selection of magic books and magazines and DVDs for sale. For those interested in performing Gospel magic will have quite a choice as the store has plenty to offer in this field of magic too. The small stage theater will be an inviting place to hold magic lectures sponsored by IBM Ring 211 and the Hippity Hop Magic store itself. Currently, renowned area magicians Earl Kranz and Gil Scott have offered their expertise to members of IBM Ring 211 to enhance their skills through biweekly teaching sessions right at Hippity Hop's prior location and will continue here at the new location. Soon Jim Parkes will offer basic magic classes right here on stage. Jim also has applications available for magicians to join the IBM, the world's largest organization for magicians. For the clown, Hippity Hop offers: make-up, many varieties of hats and wigs, all the gag items, many variety of balloons and balloon pumps, and costumes and accessories. See Jim and Michele if one wants to join a clown organization. For the normal everyday person, Hippity Hop offers: a fine, intriguing line of collectibles including wooden and porcelain figurines and novelties, costumes for any kind of party, party supplies, greeting cards, and candy. Wow! Over 3200 square feet of selling space! Did I mention the basement? Right now, that will be used for storage. Perhaps, he and Michele could begin their own manufacturing. Remember, Jim is associated with about thirty magic suppliers and over 100 suppliers of collectibles. So there is a great chance of Hippity Hop being able to obtain that special item of interest that one may have, in case it is not available in the store. This is great for Grand Rapids and West Michigan area magic fans! Well-respected Michigan-based national magician and hypnotis entertainer Chuck King claimed the prior location was "quite a shop." What will his response be on this new location! Congratulations Jim & Michele along with your helpers Brad Lancaster (also a renowned area magician), Allison Tgiros, Jeff Stevens, Jeff Veley, and Rob Nass on Hippity Hop Magic's Grand Reopening! Magic Top Hats To You! Randy Vander Wal Michigan Territorial Vice President of The International Brotherhood of Magicians Grand Rapids, Michigan randmag@aol.com (616) 204-0302 or 457-2939 |
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