Washed Clean Magic

I saw a video on the internet of something like this a couple of years ago and searched high a low for details of how to do it. I eventually worked it out with Iodine, spray starch and Sodium Thiosulphate.

But I have just come across this from one of my colleagues in the Portsmouth Diocese Fr Simon Rundell. Here are his instrcuctions:

Two bowls of water – one clean water and one filled with water 100-200mls of FILM FIXER. You can buy it at a photographic supplies shop – Jessops still have a few bottles at the back for those who still develop proper film: £9 for a litre which will last ages.

One white linen handkerchief, chopticks or tongs to handle them

One small bottle of Iodine Tincture from the Chemists/Dugstore (79p from Rowlands Pharmacy)

1. Add Iodine to clean water

2. Cloth in ‘dirty water’ so it becomes stained.

3. Transfer Iodine cloth into fixer solution -> the iodine is neutralised by the fixer and it goes back to white

4. Transfer cloth now soaked in fixer solution into bowl with iodine water in it, so that iodine is neutralised and both bowls appear clean

5. Dispose of carefully as the chemicals are poisonous.

There! You can dress up sin and redemption how your theology paints it (you can tell, I don’t do penal substitution) and you can explain it according to your audiences (Infant and Junior School Collective Worship love this!). Over to you all now – make the most of it!

The Real Jesus (DVD) - Who is Jesus?

I will be using this as an introduction to a sermon on Mark 8: 27-30 on Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah. 6 Min long YouTube video.

Who, in your view, is Jesus?

Could be used as an introduction to the question - Who is Jesus? Includes street interviews in the UK.

Who do you think Jesus is?

Street interviews in the UK asking the question - Who do you think Jesus was?

The Face of Christ

On YouTube a live drawing by artist Joe Castillo of Christ's face containing in the details his life story. Very Inspiring! It is incredible how he draws the events of Jesus' life and the result is a picture oftheFace of Christ.

Christ's Death & Resurrection in Prophecy

This is two quick videos on Christ's death/resurrection and how it fulfilled numerous prophecies in Scripture.

100 Names for Jesus

YouTube Video which could be used as a countdown before service with 100 Names of Jesus. Just over 3mins

That's My King

The first video is from Ignite Media www.ignitermedia.com

The second is another version of the same audio with different images. Higher quality copies of this one are available here: http://www.4-14.org.uk/thats-my-king-s-m-lockridge

Great to use during a Sunday service or within a small group.

The late S.M. Lockridge once presented an incredible message, describing our God and who He is. Though God can't be described with just words, this is as close as you can get this side of Heaven.

Sunday's Comin'

This is a video from Igniter Media www.ignitermedia.com

The story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion is one of betrayal, brutality, despair, and pain. Yet we know even before His death that redemption was promised to be coming soon. We know that the story does not end at the cross. We know what many did not realize – that Sunday’s comin’.

Celebrating Easter means rejoicing in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and recognizing what each of those events can teach us about the character of God. Be reminded of this truth during Easter: God has worked, is working, and will work through all things, even now as we find ourselves awaiting his return.

The Peasant Man

It is extraordinary that a peasant man from a poky, backwater town in Galilee, who never wrote anything, who died the death of a petty criminal, should continue to intrigue and excite more people than ever.

Soul Survivor Magazine, Aug 97, p28, J John

What will you do about Jesus?

I want to say loudly, "you can't do anything you want with Jesus!". You cannot use him, abuse him or get him to justify your loony ideas. The message of the Bible is never "have a look at Jesus and see what you like about him - try Jesus for size - fit him into your life where you can . . ." You can't fit Jesus in. The message of the bible is "Jesus is Lord, what are you going to do about it?"

Soul Survivor Magazine, Aug 97, p28, J John

How far God will go

Calvary shows how far men will go in sin, and how far God went for man's salvation.

H. D. Trumbull

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

A Frightening Alternative

"We are faced with a frightening alternative. The man we are talking about was (and is) just what he said or else a lunatic or something worse. Now it seems to me obvious that he was neither a lunatic nor a fiend; and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is the Son of God. God has landed on this enemy occupied world in human form."

C.S. Lewis

The Empty Bird Cage

There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning, he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.

Several eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak. "I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, " What you got there son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply. "What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh? Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing and they ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10." The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten-dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty birdcage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

"One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!

"How much?" He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears, and all your blood."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage, he opened the door, and he walked from the pulpit.

From the Sermon Fodder Email List

Because He Lives

This is a video from Igniter Media www.ignitermedia.com

I used this video during a baptism service and it was very powerful.

This song was born out of trying times for Bill and Gloria Gaither. Each day was becoming a struggle. They faced huge uncertainty in the days ahead. But through it all, they were reminded that life, in both the good and bad times, is worth the living because Jesus lives.

The Greatest Promise

This video develops the best known verse in the Bible - John 3:16 -  in a wonderful way. THe only downside for the UK is the introductory frames which are of Americal Football, but still useable here.