Family/Friend Friday --- The Man in the Gorilla Suit

I don't remember many Halloweens growing up...it was never one of my favorite holidays. My friends and I would do the usual "door-to-door" thing and get plenty of candy. One of the neighbors that lived a few blocks away always handed out 50-cent pieces, so we would always be sure to visit that house more than once!

Every year for Halloween, my church had a big party for the kids. We would all come in our costumes...speaking of costumes, remember how the used to be? You basically went to K-mart and pick out a plastic mask with an elastic string and a decorated Velcro cape. What happened to those? Probably made in China and we took in plenty of lead from those things. But any way, at this party we would wear our costumes until someone guessed who we were.

There was a big "gorilla" in a suit covered head to toe that was too big to be a kid, so we figured it was one of the teachers for our Monday-night Catechism. All the kids guessed all the teachers to no success. As the night went on, the adults at the party started to join in and guess. The church only had about 50 people, and we were assured it was someone from the church, but nobody had a clue! By the end of the night, the gorilla was still prancing around, with an unknown identity. We all gathered around to find out who fooled us for Halloween. I couldn't believe who it was...

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MY GRANDMA!!!

Theological Thursday --- Ghosts (Part 2)

Last week we looked at what the Bible says about ghosts. We saw that the disciples believed in ghosts, that Jesus affirms the existence of the spirit/ghost world, that ghosts cannot be dead people (as they immediately go to heaven or hell), and that they cannot be angels (in the "haunting" sense). If you didn't read last week's post, click HERE to get caught up.

So if ghosts are not dead people and they are not angels, what are they? Well, there is good news and bad news. The bad news first --- they are most likely demons! The good news --- they are most likely demons! How can it be both good news and bad news? Well, the only bad news is the fear and uncertainty that comes to many people's minds when they hear the word demon but the good news is (for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior) we really have nothing to fear!

Before going into why we shouldn't be afraid, what exactly are demons? Demons are angels that fell with Satan. How many? Well, we see in Revelation (5:11) that God created billions of angels. One of them (Satan) rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. Along with Satan, 1/3 of all angels rebelled with him (Revelation 12:4). So the Spirit world is teaming with life!

Throughout Scripture, Satan and his team have had 2 main functions --- to deceive (through temptation, etc) and to cause fear and doubt. But should believers be afraid? Absolutely not! Scripture teaches us that Christ has already triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15) and that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father ruling all (Ephesians 1:19-20).

What does that mean for us? Well, we can have confidence that God rules over the Spirit world and is seated high above it. Paul takes it one step further and tells us in Ephesians 2:4-6:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

So for those of us who have accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we are seated with Him and have power over the demonic world. There is nothing to fear. So if you ever see a ghost, do not let it deceive you nor cause you fear...you have power over it as a believer in Christ! So what about Tommy (the little imaginary friend from last week's story)...was he really a demon? Well, it would line up perfectly with what Satan loves to do...make something look good before he attacks (isn't that the way sin works too?). He would love to make friends with a little boy and then start feeding him lies. My friend (the boy's father) took the power he had as a believer in Jesus Christ and demanded that the spirit stay away from his son --- no mention of Tommy since.

MAKE SURE YOU GIVE OUT LOTS OF CANDY!!!

What's Up Wednesday --- October 29th

1) Jen and I will be traveling back to Pennsylvania this weekend for her brother Jason's wedding reception. He is the one that got married on the beach in Florida a few weeks ago (see last Friday's blog for a video of our trip)
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2) Ashland has their "Trick-or-Treat" Thursday night this week for Halloween. Jen and I (along with some neighbors) are setting up on a plot of land along the street and having free hot dogs, children's games, puppet shows, balloon animals, etc. Last night we stuffed candy bags to hand out as well with a Comic Strip inside that presents the Gospel message.
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3) Last week I won a "Bag of Crap" from a popular electronics website (www.woot.com). It should be shipped sometime this week, and can be anything from complete junk to a Big Screen TV. I'm already making space in the living room for the Big Screen TV (after all the Bible says we need to prepare our fields hahaha). I'll let you know next week what I received.
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4) Jen is very busy over the next few weeks with her flu clinics. They will be giving flu shots to several thousand people. This is her month to shine!
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5) I won my third game in a row this week in Fantasy Football to move into a tie for first place (out of 14 teams made up of family and friends). I only mention it this week because the team I beat was Jen's dad who sometimes reads this Blog, and I figured I would rub it in a little!
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Hope you are all having a good week!

Time Warp Tuesday --- S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G

The number one thing facing the middle class today happens to be a 3-letter word... J-O-B-S.

--- Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden

Spelling (or even counting in the example above) can make a world of difference! Especially when words are closely related. Jen was laughing at me the other day when I told her in elementary school I meant to sign up for our class party to bring "doughnuts", but instead wrote "dog nuts".

Back when I taught Health and PE if a student was going to miss Phys Ed because of an injury, illness, etc --- they couldn't say, "My head hurts", or "I pulled a muscle"...they would have to announce to the class in more proper terms, "I have a pain in my front cerebellum" or "I have a strain in my hamstring" or other parts of the anatomy they had learned in health class. This led to a young lady announcing to the class that she couldn't participate that day because she had a pain in a very embarrassing part of the anatomy that girls don't have (though it sounds very similar to what she meant to say).

Saying what you mean and meaning what you say is critical. If you are writing, be very careful with each letter as the slightest slip can mean a totally different thing (just ask my former student who meant to start off his lifestyle project with "I am a guy" but accidentally wrote "I am a gay"). But nothing made me laugh more that something that was written on our honeymoon. As part of our package deal, we received a picnic on the beach. They handed us a basket, blanket, etc and away we went. When we opened up our basket we found a little note that meant (at least I hope!) to say "Happy Trails to You!". But a little letter mishap had us greeted with the phrase, "Happy Trials to You!"

Foreshadowing?

Magical Monday --- Among the Stars (Part 2)

Last week I discussed a quote from a fellow magician (Andre Kole: Take your dreams and shoot for the moon...for even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars. As promised, I said I would include several entertainers I have worked with at different events over the years. Here are a few of the ones that stick out the most for me:

Dustin Diamond - Most well-known for being Screech on Saved by the Bell. If you are under the age of 40, I am sure you know exactly what I am talking about. We got to perform together in Indianapolis, Indiana. Beware however as he is far from "Screech" these days with very profane language and jokes in his acts and a recent addition of a pornographic film to his credits.

Dave Coulier - Most well-known for being Joey on the show Full House. We got to perform together at a National Association of Campus Activities event in Grand Rapid, Michigan. All he had to do was walk out, do his signature "Cut...It...Out" phrase (while making scissors with his fingers) and the crowd went nuts. Must be nice to be able to entertain a crowd so easily!

Mike Super - Most well-known as the winner of the NBC show Phenomenon. He is a great guy (also from the Pittsburgh area) and we were able to perform together during "Mike Week" at Marshall University in West Virginia. The only show I ever got simply because my name was Mike!

Jerry Valley - Most well-known as a cruise ship entertainer and a guest on shows such as 20/20. We got to perform together on the Las Vegas Strip back in 2001. We used to e-mail each other frequently, but he is currently winding down his career and holding many training seminars to pass on to the next generation.

Mr. McFeely - Most well-known as the "Speedy Delivery Guy" on Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood. We had the same agent in Pittsburgh, so we worked together many times over the years in the Pittsburgh area.

Thanks Andre for your words of wisdom!