Summary: One of the questions most frequently asked of any stage actor is, "How do you remember all of those lines?" This is especially true with me, given that the "script" I have memorized and perform is the entire GOSPEL OF JOHN, word for word. Following a performance of John's Gospel in Chicago a few years ago, I was approached by a somewhat speechless fireman. He grabbed hold of my arm and stared at me. Finally, he asked the question: "How did you do that? How do you remember all of those words?" I embraced him and replied, "What are you talking about? How do you run into a burning building when everyone else is running out?" My point was that God has most graciously given each and every one of us our own unique gifts. One of mine happens to be the ability to memorize large amounts of scripture and then perform them in churches and theaters throughout the country. I always hesitate to use the word 'perform" or "performance" in describing what I do, because I feel that my work is more accurately a proclamation of God's word. But if you were to tell people, even people of faith, to come and hear a "proclamation," nobody would show up! I have performed THE GOSPEL OF JOHN just over 600 times in the past twelve years. The performance, which includes a fifteen-minute intermission, lasts about two and a half hours. This means I've spent roughly 81,000 minutes, or almost two months, of my life standing in front of gathered communities and proclaiming God's word.
