Saturday is normally my one day to sleep as long as I want - which is still rarely past 8:00 - but yesterday I fumbled out of bed, trying unsuccessfully to allow Sue to sleep a little longer, then headed into South Portland to be part of a service at one of my favorite churches.  I was the chapel speaker for the youth correctional facility.  I have been going there at least twice a year since 1987.

This time was particularly memorable for a few reasons.  First of all, I was greeted by the new chaplain.  Dan Mercer, who has been there for 20 years, continues, but Chaplain Doug has come on staff alongside of him.  Doug is a very jovial gentleman who had been the youth pastor at the Woodstock Wesleyan Church in New Brunswick years ago.  I mention this because we'll be at WWC in just a couple weeks.

The one thing I was not allowed to bring in this time was a chemical trick that I use to tell the story of the prostitute who burst into Simon's party to wash Jesus' feet.  Unfortunately, this was the routine I was planning to build my whole message around.  I set up as usual, still not sure how I'd end the service.  My last trick was the swelling head optical illusion; not the most spiritual routine.

I used that optical illusion to explain how our eyes and brains process information without our even knowing it.  from there I talked about how God knows us better than we know ourselves, and finally, that God often knows our hearts and motives better than we do.  This led into an invitation time, which I don't often do, but about 10 kids prayed with us to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.  Please pray for them, and all that God is doing at Long Creek.

The show was also memorable because it was the first time I had performed my club routine since reworking it with flair throws rather than underhand throws (I discuss that adjustment here:  http://www.supremecourtjesters.org/RicksBlog/tabid/66/EntryId/105/Looking-Ahead-to-50.aspx  ).  I made a couple mistakes, but the kids received it well, and overall I was pleased with how it went.  I think it can become a regular partof my shows again.  I'm glad that, after maybe 50 shows at this facility, yesterday's show still felt fresh and memorable.