Signs & Wonders Blog

This Tuesday is Election Day in the United States. The midterms of 1982 was the first election I was old enough to participate in. I had turned 18 earlier that year, but considered not voting. As a college student more interested in music and video games , I knew very little about the candidates running for various offices in Minnesota. However, my dad nudged me to go to the polls.  After committing my life to Jesus in 1991, I learned Christians have a responsibility to vote. Still, I often skipped the primaries and midterms thinking they weren’t as important as the presidential elections. But voting for governors, congressmen, and judges are just as critical. Bad decisions by bad politicians can have immediate affects such as those who imposed lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic . An excuse some Americans use when skipping an election is “my vote doesn’t matter.” They think their ballot won’t make a difference since politicians often win elections by thousands or even mill...

This weekend, the 2026 World Series began between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers. I was surprised to find out how much the tickets cost. Most at American Family Field (the Brewers home stadium) were over $2,000 with some as high as $12,000! The Rays’ home games this week at Tropicana Field are slightly less. Most tickets are going for around $700. Those prices don’t include parking, food, and souvenirs. Some Brewers fans are flying to Florida instead of attending games in Wisconsin to “save money.” I also found out players might strike next season unless certain conditions are met including a minimum salary of $1.5 million. It was just four years ago they demanded a minimum half that amoun t. I’m not against athletes making a lot of money. Those who are Christians will use their finances for godly purposes. When I returned to the Twin Cities area for a season in 2013, I met the pastor of a church that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson attended. One of Adria...

I’m not fond of door-to-door evangelism , but will share the gospel with people who knock on my door. Sometimes it’s a business owner canvassing the neighborhood looking for customers. Other times, people are raising funds for a cause. One Halloween, I dressed up as Jesus and witnessed to trick-or-treaters who came to my door. Many Christians question what to do when Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons knock on their door. They might ask themselves, “Should I witness to them? If so, do I let them in the house?” Usually, I avoid the latter. This is based on what 2 John 9-11 says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” However, I have seen a couple of exceptions at the homes of others. One time while visiting a friend...

This past week, I rewatched (via YouTube) a series of old movies produced by Mark IV Pictures that helped me understand end-time prophecy as a young believer. They are in order: “A Thief in the Night”, “A Distant Thunder”, “Image of the Beast”, and “The Prodigal Planet.” Many Bible prophecy scholars then taught the Antichrist would emerge from Europe. Some suggested he could be a Jew from the tribe of Dan. Then in 2004 while staying with a pastor in Cleveland, Tennessee, I learned of a locally-based evangelist named Perry Stone who taught the Antichrist would be a Muslim. Back then, I wasn’t familiar with Brother Perry. Since then, I’ve regularly watched his videos (including his “Manna Fest” program), plus attended a few of his meetings.  I now agree with Perry Stone’s belief regarding a Muslim Antichrist. That makes more sense to me for a couple of reasons. First, the rise of ISIS and their beheading of Christians who refuse to renounce their faith in Jesus. Secondly, I notic...

Me with the Maller During the past couple of months, two men whom I evangelized with in Minnesota passed away. First, there was Rick Keenan in July. Then earlier this week, Bob Lutsey died. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Bob was a drug user until he came to know the Lord in 1990 after experiencing a powerful dream of him preaching. Before becoming a full-time minister, Bob was employed at the Star Tribune for 32 years. The newspaper once published his testimony that he later used as a tract. From his workplace, Bob could see the Metrodome where the Twins and Vikings played their home games. Bob often prayed that the stadium would be used to preach the gospel. Billy Graham held a crusade there in 1996. After U.S. Bank Stadium was built in its place two decades later, it hosted other Christian events. I met Bob in the mid-1990s at Living Word Christian Center . I had become active in the church’s evangelism ministry. Bob often ministered by himself in malls (earning the nickname “...

One of the best known Bible stories is from the book of Daniel. The namesake’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were cast into a furnace for refusing to bow down to a huge statue of the king. I first became familiar with this story when my fourth grade music class performed a musical called “It’s Cool in the Furnace.” Other variations of this story include the VeggieTales parody “So Many Chocolate Bunnies.” A new live action drama titled “Daniel and the Fiery Furnace” premiered in theaters last weekend. I saw that with a friend two days ago. An older man begins telling the story to a group of men sitting around him in a desert. The movie then flashes back to the city of Jerusalem  Due to continued disobedience by the children of Israel, the city is invaded by the Babylonian army. During and after the long march to Babylon, Daniel finds favor with Nebuchadnezzar, especially after interpreting a dream the king had. There were two noteworthy scenes that have no Biblic...