I have been doing my program regularly at Long Creek Youth Center (formerly Maine Youth Center)since 1987 - with the obvious exception of the covid-19 years.  It's hard to believe the firstyoung people who saw my show there are now in their 50's!  Recently I did three shows there on a Wednesday night, and it will be my last time going in under Chaplain John Willard, as he is now enjoying a well earned retirement. (I would say a restful retirement, but one of his plans is the hike the Appalachian Trail).  He made sure to introduce me to his successor so my ministry there would continue without any interruptions.

My first show was for the females.  This was a small but enthusiastic audience.  I was a little disappointed with my first routine- a few too many drops in my three ball routine "When the Saints Go Marching In".  Once things got going, though, things went better and we had a lot of fun.  Of course, Zeke, my magical rabbit, was a big hit.  The biggest reaction, though, came when I did the hand guillotine routine.

My next group was the lareger of the two groups of boys.  They were as good an audience as I can remember.  The fact that Chaplain John had taught some of them to juggle gave us an immediate connection, and I did a lot better juggling in this show if I say so myself.  The final group was a smaller group of boys, who also received the show and the message openly.

And the message was built around the aforementioned guillotine  I use it to present Jesus statement, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better to go to heaven without a hand than to face God's judgment with both hands." I asked them what they thought would happen if they went to court and explained to the judge, "I didn't mean to steal that thing.  My hands caused me to do it." Of course, they found this funny and ridiculous.  The truth is, our hands are never the CAUSE of our sins (although they are often accomplices).  It is our sin nature that causes sin, and that can't be amputated.  But it can be overpowered when the Holy Spirit comes into our 'heart' and begins changing us from within.  Then, as scripture says, when we see Him face to face, we will be like Him."  That old sinful nature will finally by removed , thanks be to God.

And happy trails, Chaplain John.