Signs & Wonders Blog

One Sunday morning, while taking a prayer walk, I was contemplating what to teach during the upcoming church service’s offering. Suddenly, a phrase struck me: “Give a Little Bit.” You may recognize this as the title of a 1977 hit by Supertramp. I once watched a fundraising video that a missionary had shown, where that very song played in the background. Sometimes all we have is a little bit to give. One widow in the Bible gave the little she had, but Jesus commended her for that: 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.  42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.  43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;  44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” ...

The Internet is an awesome tool, but like other things can be a distraction from doing more productive things. I’ll admit to have spent hours on social media plus reading Wikipedia articles and watching YouTube videos that have little or no eternal value. A pastor I recently stayed with in the Buffalo, New York area suggested we go on a “media fast.” I perceived the Lord told me to do that for three days. Pastor Mark and I agreed to start Monday at midnight. Technically, I began my media fast around 11:40 p.m. the night before. I turned off my MacBook Air, iPad, and iPhone before storing them on a shelf. Adjustments needed to be made. I usually fall asleep to an audio Bible or sermon, plus I journal and take notes with my electronic devices. I had to use pen and paper again. My cell phone wasn’t in my pocket when I wanted to know the time and weather. On the first day, I fasted food, drinking only water. During those three days, I caught up on paperback books people had given me, bu...

A significant portion of my high school and college years was spent roller skating. In the fall of 1979, I began frequenting a roller rink called Skateland in Fargo, North Dakota. The “roller disco” craze had attracted large crowds of people to the sport. I was captivated by disco music , particularly the Patrick Hernandez song “Born to Be Alive.” However, I couldn't get into a discothèque as a 15-year-old. I figured that Skateland would be the next best way for me to experience “Saturday Night Fever.” At first, I could barely stand up on skates. Gradually my rollerskating skills improved as I learned how to go backward, do splits, and other tricks. That helped increase my confidence in asking girls to skate with me during “couples only.” Soon, I noticed that the Skateland employees were like celebrities to the regular skaters. Knowing that working there would bring me popularity that I never received at school, I eagerly pursued employment at the roller rink.  After months of ...

In a 1967 “Dragnet” episode titled “ The Big High ”, Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon investigate a couple who were regular marijuana users. When the husband suggested the drug would one day become “packaged and taxed and sold right off the shelves”, Gannon replied, “I doubt it.” Back then, the legalization of marijuana seemed unthinkable to many Americans. In recent years, an increasing number of weed dispensaries have opened around the country. At the time of this writing, cannabis is legal in 40 states for medical use. 24 states allow recreational use if purchased from authorized dealers. While in high school, I heard this saying: “Man made booze , God made grass. Who do you trust? God.” Even some Christians try to justify marijuana usage because of what He said in Genesis 1:29,  “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.”  Keep in mind that the sta...

During my childhood, I was frequently bullied by classmates. By the time I became a Christian at the age of 27, I had largely forgotten those painful experiences, but I still needed inner healing. Over the next few years, the Holy Spirit worked on my soul as I verbally forgave those who had hurt me. It can be deeply hurtful when we encounter wrongdoing from fellow Christians, particularly preachers. Recently, a renowned pastor named Robert Morris was released from jail after serving six months for old child sex abuse charges. Morris had engaged in multiple sexual encounters with an underage girl in Oklahoma during the 1980s while he was a young traveling evangelist. After Cindy Clemishire told her parents about it, Morris left the ministry for two years and received counseling. He later founded Gateway Church in the Dallas area. I wasn’t familiar with Robert Morris before his past sins made national headlines (I’ve since listened to a sermon of his on evangelism that was really goo...

Since the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday this year, more movies are coming out about America’s founding era. A historical drama film called “Young Washington” is scheduled for release on July 3rd. Last Thursday night, a pastor and his wife invited me to go see “A Great Awakening.” I had seen a trailer for this a few months ago, but I wasn’t aware it was released for Easter weekend. “A Great Awakening” delves into the unlikely friendship between American founding father Benjamin Franklin and English preacher George Whitefield (pronounced “whit field”). Franklin resists his father’s wish for him to pursue a career in preaching. Instead, he embarks on a successful venture in establishing a renowned print shop. Years later, Franklin’s grandson stumbles upon old journals belonging to George Whitefield. This discovery triggers a flashback that takes the audience on a journey through the preacher’s life. Whitefield, initially aspiring to be an actor, pursued his dream at ...