DETOUR!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog/prop class to bring you this important message:
"WE HAVE A PROGRAM TONIGHT, AND WE'D LIKE YOU TO PRAY!"

Now, there's nothing out of the ordinary about this program. It's been on our calendar for several weeks, and we've even talked about it here on the blog. But sometimes we get caught up in the hustle & bustle of "things" (like making styrofoam props) and to our own shame leave the ordinary things in the "I'll get to it" pile.

The program for tonight is about being an agent of the Lord Jesus. The central feature is a routine DigDag will do with Doug, while dressed as a "secret agent". We'll open with a fun sing-a-long song from Uncle Charlie's "Made2Praise" series, "Wanna Be". It's a fun song - a parody, of course - whose words are "Ohhhhh - I wanna be more like Jesus - I wanne be more like Him".
Next, we'll do a fun audience participation piece that features people from the audience on stage, wearing funny hats. Each person assumes a role in our story. The story is Max Lucado's "You are Special". Lee reads the story, and Doug puts the words in the mouths of the participants. It's hilariously funny, yet poingant. Doug will follow up with a visual lesson (gospel illusion) using a "blank" Bible which depicts what some people see when think of the Bible. They think it's a "secret code" that they just don't get. Then they read it, and it just becomes words (this time colorless pictures appear in the book when the pages are rifled). Finally, God speaks to the hearts of men, and when they read it, it's filled with life and life-giving power (finally, the pages are shown with full color illustrations). To close the program, DigDag will come out as a "secret agent" and talk about his boss, "Mr. Big", whom he's never met, but still trusts. Then the other agents, some of whom he knows, but others he's never met - sort of like a family! He'll talk about the instructions he got to be an agent - - they're all written in an instruction book, which he hasn't COMPLETELY read, but he's working on it. He learns more every time he reads more. He then explains the secret of being a good agent: rely on Mr. Big, stay in close touch with the other agents, read the instructions and do what you're told! Finally, DigDag reveals that Mr. Big isn't a fictional character, but he's really the Lord Jesus, and we're ALL agents of the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust, unite, train and follow - then lead... and don't be secret! We each can be a super agent just the way we are.

So there you have it - the long and.... well, the long of it, anyway! Please pray that the Lord will use this message and that we'll have freedom of heart and mind to share it freely.

Pray for Lee today as she has to go to the church early to set up. Doug gets out of work at 5 and the program starts at 7, so it's a tight schedule. Just pray that frayed nerves don't get in the way of the Gospel!

We'll get back to the styrofoam soon - stay with us, we'll be right back!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.