what a year

it was a huge year . we were on the road about 300 days this year .we did shows all over the place from washington to florida . live shows is what i do the most but i also filmed a tv show for discovery channel. that kept me busy on top of all the touring . i had no idea that this year would be such a crazy year . i am sure most people can look back and say it was crazy . katrina and rita topped the headlines. for some people this changed their life forever. i think our country had a tough year . the gas prices got outta control , and we blamed just about everybody for it . ok it was my fault , i take the blame , i raised the gas prices . my bad . anyway... it was a crazy year that many people want to put behind them .

one thing i am learning is to look at the bright side of things . trying to be more optimistic ,like my annoying friend heather . i could say the world is gonna blow up tomorrow and she would say something like "lets go to disneyland" she always finds the good in things , or she will say something positive. i guess i will choose to think back on 2005 and remember the good things . now what were they ??? leave me comments and tell me what you remember about 2005 that was good.

questions about miracles

i have had many emails over the past few days . i read everyone that comes in . thank you for all of the good feedback .. i wanted to answer a question or two in this blog .

1. what was my favorite miracle?

this is a tough question, but if i had to pick one maybe the walking on water. can you imagine seeing that live . imagine being in a boat and having someone walk up to you and say hello.. that would freak me out . imagine getting out of the boat and walking on water yourself. that would rock . i am sure that it would impress my friends. i had to think and research this miracle . the more i researched the more i believe that this did happen.

2. which miracle is the most significant to my life?

wow .. i would have to say the resurrection . with out that one the others wouldnt be talked about anymore. i believe that jesus rose from the dead . it sound ridiculous to some people but i am convinced it happened. because he did raise from the dead we can have life .. and life after death. think about that one for a while ...

cabin in the woods

i am taking a couple of days off right now . i have been busy working for a while and i need to get away for a bit . i found a cabin in the appalachian mountains near the border of tenessee and north carolina. i love it here . it is so peaceful and very quiet. after doing shows then press leading up to the show airing on tv i am cooling off in the woods . last night i built a fire and today i am hiking to a waterfall. it feels good to recharge . i encourage everyone to do this once in a while .

On the Road Again

hey. we are back on the road again and very busy. we have limited access to internet because we're in the mountains of north carolina. i'll tell more when i get a chance...

feedback/questions

after much work and time the show aired yesterday on discovery channel . now that the world has seen the show i want to get feedback on what you thought as you watched . if you are an atheist i want you to leave a comment or send us a message detailing your thoughts or criticism. i will try to answer some questions in the coming days about the show , behind the scenes etc. if you are a christian i want to hear your comments and stories from you about what people thought and what was learned . for everyone else your comments are welcome , good or bad . many people have already asked about what i thought about the show . i thought it was great , a big success. tomorrow's blog i will go into more detail of behind the scenes stuff , and stories on set of the filming , etc.

Behind the Scenes

Today is the day! Someone read about the show in USA Today. Also, somebody heard it on National Public Radio. I thought I'd give you some behind the scenes details.

They filmed the calming of the storm on a water stage in Malta. At the time, a Steven Spielberg film was being shot at the same location. We now know that it was the movie Munich. Brock was very cold while filming this scene. Also, the waves were so powerful that the boat broke halfway through the shoot.

Brock had trouble getting to and from Israel. The El Al is the safest airline in the world and we could see why. Brock looked suspicious because he was a young, rebellious looking guy who was travelling alone and not with a church group. Secondly, he had a fresh passport. Some of you may remember the passport issue. He lost it and got a new one the day he left. So, he had an escort in America up until he left the country. Then, when it was time to come home, security met him out on the sidewalk and asked for his passport and ticket. They must have known he was coming because he had not even entered the airport yet. They questioned him about everything. Brock spray painted the corners of his luggage red in order to be able to spot it easily at baggage claim. They wanted to know why he did that and why he didn't just buy red luggage. They wanted to know where his BBC badge was. He finally began doing magic tricks for security in order to show he was indeed a magician. That drew a crowd and one of the producers of the show happened to be passing thru and noticed Brock doing magic. She came over a vouched for him. That was the only way he got on that plane to come home.

In the states, they filmed us doing a bunch of magic. The alluminum box that I get in was a brand new prop. We performed it for the cameras out near the beach in Panama City, FL. It was so hot inside that alluminum box that I got a fever blister instantly and had minor heat exhaustion. Also, when Brock does the box lifted by a crane, this was the first and only time we've done this escape.

I hope you enjoy the show!

Auny

Theft Again!

I shouldn't be surprised when we get robbed. We have had so many things stolen: 2 trailers and all of the equipment in them, money from Brock's wallet, 2 mini disc players, a laptop, 2 toolboxes, Brock's fishing tackle box, a bunch of magic. You might be thinking that we should lock up our stuff better. It has nothing to do with locks and everything to do with the evil one. It's his favorite tactic with us.

When Brock's second toolbox was stolen out of the back of our truck yesterday, the old feelings came back. I actually have this particular spot in my chest that begins to hurt only when something is stolen. I got so furious and felt as if Satan was jeering at me..."We got you again!"

Then, this scripture came to mind "The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." The words danced across my heart like a soothing melody. I began to calm down and the ache in my chest went away instantly. Then, I thought that I got the scripture wrong. I've always heard those two statements separately. Only when I looked it up did I indeed realize that it was the same verse.

After thinking about it, we always do experience abundance after Satan tries something with us. Whenever anything is stolen, we get better stuff. After our truck burned down (yes, it caught on fire in the middle of the night), we got a bigger, better truck. The Lord always gets the victory in the end.

Auny

Christian Leaders Are Calling The Discovery Channel's Miracles of Jesus Featuring Illusionist Brock Gill "Extraordinary! Fascinating!”

(Nashville, TN) December 19, 2005 - Illusionist Brock Gill and the Discovery Channel’s the Miracles of Jesus TV special scheduled to air Christmas Eve from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET/PT are receiving high marks from a prominent group of leaders who saw a sneak peak of the program this week. Here is what international evangelist Luis Palau, author Mark Mittelberg, pastor Harry Reeder and apologist Craig Branch are saying:



“The Discovery Channel series the ‘Miracles of Jesus,’ featuring our friend and colleague Brock Gill, is a wonderful way to enter into discussion and dialogue with friends who have yet to experience a relationship with Christ. The question of whether Jesus actually performed miracles is examined in a respectful, positive way. In our society today simply getting people to think about who Jesus was can be an important first step. I encourage pastors and leaders to alert their congregations to this great opportunity.” -- Luis Palau, Evangelist / Author



“This is a fresh and fascinating look at the miracles of Jesus — and it’s on the Discovery Channel! I hope millions of people - skeptics and seekers as well as those who are believers - will tune in and discover the powerful lessons of this unique program.” -- Mark Mittelberg, Author and Speaker, Willow Creek Association evangelism leader



“Extraordinary! That's probably an overused word but it certainly describes the upcoming ‘Miracles of Jesus’ produced and aired by the BBC and Discovery Channel, featuring Brock Gill. Brock is an extraordinary Christian illusionist and it is certainly extraordinary that two major secular and normally skeptical networks are presenting a powerful apologetic on the validity of the supernatural nature of Jesus Christ - especially His resurrection - Extraordinary!” -- Craig Branch, Apologetics Resource Center director



“The Bible records that Jesus did signs, wonders and miracles. Brock Gill has assisted us in the ‘Miracles of Jesus’ to affirm the truth of God's Word that these are not illusions or legends but actual miracles (works of supernatural power) that produced wonder (beyond explanation of natural laws) done for a sign (purposed to declare that Jesus is the Son of God and therefore the long awaited Messiah). This program is a wonderful means to open dialogue with others about Christ and how to have a personal relationship with Him as Lord and Savior.” -- Harry L. Reeder III, Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church (Birmingham)



For centuries critics have claimed that Jesus’ miracles never happened or that they were purely illusions. As the lead investigator for the Miracles of Jesus, Brock presents an objective look at the miracles Jesus performed and investigates whether they were illusions or reality. His journey took him throughout the Middle East and Holy Lands, as he ventures to find out: Can ancient miracles be re-created using 21st century technology?



Brock is also taking his unique stage show with wit and mind-blowing escapes into households with the new DVD, Hidden Agenda, available now through Vertical Distribution. From the stage to the street to behind the scenes, Hidden Agenda lets you see more of Brock Gill than ever before. The DVD includes nearly two hours of footage with spectacular illusions and escapes, such as The Water Coffin, Blind Ride, Ping Pong Balls, Assistant's Revenge, Puppet Master and much more.



Performing over 150 dates a year, Gill has shared the stage with many well-known speakers, leaders and artists, including: Franklin Graham, Luis Palau, Andy Stanley, John Piper, Kirk Cameron, Christian Hosoi (legendary skateboard champion), Corey Martinez (BMX rider from X Games 2004-5), David Nasser, Casting Crowns, Relient K, Sonic Flood, tobyMac, Audio Adrenaline, Third Day, Pillar, Mercy Me and others. He has performed for such organizations as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, BigStuf Camps, Student Life, In Quest, and on tours such as Winter Jam, Livin’ It with Stephen Baldwin and Christ in Youth’s Believe tour.

More Stress

Our lives are becoming more and more stressful. As we sat down at a restaurant in the airport the other day, Brock said there was a lady who was pitching a fit about her food. She ended up sitting beside us. We overheard her gripe to her husband about the food for the next 15 minutes. Then, she proceeded to whine about the people on the plane and how they treated her. I thought that she might have a mental breakdown before she even got out of the airport.

I find myself getting tense so easily in the last few years. I don’t know if it’s because of the traveling or getting older or if everyone is getting more stressed these days. I feel myself getting upset over silly things. I nipped the whole road rage a couple of years ago. I decided that if I cannot afford a few extra seconds if I’m forced to wait that long in the car, then my life is too tight. Somebody said that stress is caused by unmet expectations. I think that I expect too much out of myself as well as others. I’m going to try and lighten up when it comes to everyday life.

We are getting more and more busy. It's crazy because we have more modern conveniences but we are just adding more things to our plate to take up the extra time we save. I just now realized that I sound like an old person right now. I definately enjoy modern technology, but how do I balance a modern life and living in peace? What's the answer? I'm trying the old method of counting to 10 in my head to cool off. Sometimes, I try to think about why I'm so easily upset that day (there's usually something making me on edge just under the surface). The crazy thing about it is that my friends say that I'm laid back. I think Americans are too stressed in general. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Auny

bugs

we are still working the bugs out on this new blog so be patient . my wife auny has been doing the blog now for about a year . if you wanna see it go to www.auny.blogspot.com . in the mean time we will update this blog as soon as we can .. give us another few hours .. or days , maybe months ... maybe

we did get the website up and going . send us a message and let us know what you think of the new site . you can send mesages at the website on the contact page .

Life at Home

I'm sitting on our bed writing this as Brock talks very enthusiastically on the phone. He's doing a live radio interview at the time. Our mornings are like this lately. Brock has a couple of phone interviews promoting the TV show. Brock stays in our bedroom because we have company sleeping across the hall. So, I try to stay really quiet as he speaks on the phone. I don't know if you saw that Newlywed's episode (I only watched it on occasion...it's kinda like a car wreck. You don't want to watch, but you cannot help but look) where one of them had a phone interview while they were driving in the car. After the interview was over, everyone in the car began to laugh. That's what it's like. I hold in all of my giggles and such. Yesterday, Brock was speaking with a writer for a magazine, so I thought it was okay to blow dry my hair in the bathroom since it was not live. I saw Brock quickly take a turn out of the room...maybe I should wait until the interview is over before I use loud machinery!

Our nights consist mostly of entertaining and hanging out with our friends. Monday, we used our chocolate fountain that we got for Christmas. Everyone at the party enjoyed it. Last night, our friends from the band Alathea came over for dinner. It's been fun!

Don't forget to tell everyone...e-mail your friends, announce it at church, call your family from out of town, shout it from the rooftops (literally...go on top of your roof and start shouting it to everyone) that the show on Discovery channel airs Christmas Eve!

Press Release

This is a copy of a press release that went out last week (not the Associated Press release...keep praying about that. It hasn't gone out yet.):

December 8, 2005- (Nashville, TN) Brock Gill is hosting Discovery Channel’s the “Miracles of Jesus” TV special currently scheduled to air on Christmas Eve (check local listings for times). As the lead investigator in the project, Brock presents an objective look at the miracles Jesus performed and investigates whether they were illusions or reality.

For centuries critics have claimed that Jesus’ miracles never happened or that they were purely illusions. As an illusionist and a Christian, Brock has often had to deal with the claim that Jesus was only a magician.

Traveling throughout the Middle East and Holy Lands, theories of Jesus miracles resonate through his mind as he ventures to find out: Can ancient miracles be re-created using 21st century technology?

“Was He a magician? Was He an illusionist? Was He a hypnotist?” asks Brock, “Was He a paranormalist? Or was he just a master of psychology? What was the deal? Was He a real miracle worker?”

Brock’s questions bring him to three different locations where Jesus performed His miracles. In Nain, Galilee, Brock investigates the widow’s son being raised from the dead. In Golan Heights, the multiplication of loaves and fishes for the feeding of 5,000 people, and to the Sea of Galilee to investigate the miracle that has stumped illusionists from day one: walking on water.

“I’ve always been fascinated by miracles, ever since I was a kid reading the Bible stories. They were so outside of the ordinary,” says Brock. “I always liked the idea of being able to walk across the water.”

Brock is also taking his unique stage show with wit and mind-blowing escapes into households with the new DVD, Hidden Agenda, available now through Vertical Distribution. From the stage to the street to behind the scenes, Hidden Agenda lets you see more of Brock Gill than ever before. The DVD includes nearly two hours of footage with spectacular illusions and escapes, such as The Water Coffin, Blind Ride, Ping Pong Balls, Assistant's Revenge, Puppet Master and much more.

Performing over 150 dates a year, Gill has shared the stage with many well-known speakers, leaders and artists, including: Franklin Graham, Andy Stanley, John Piper, Kirk Cameron, Luis Palau, Christian Hosoi (legendary skateboard champion), Corey Martinez (BMX rider from X Games 1004-5), David Nasser, Casting Crowns, Relient K, Sonic Flood, tobyMac, Audio Adrenaline, Third Day, Pillar, Mercy Me and others. He has performed for such organizations as BigStuf Camps, Student Life, In Quest, and on tours such as Winter Jam, Livin’ It with Stephen Baldwin and Christ in Youth’s Believe tour.