Signs & Wonders Blog

I don’t dine out as often as I used to. Eating at restaurants has become more expensive. Even fast food places have gotten pricey. It wasn’t too long ago a double cheeseburger at McDonald’s could be purchased for 99 cents. Now they charge $3! I still go there for coffee but avoid buying food unless I like one of the special deals on their app. Another reason I don’t eat out much is the expectation to tip at certain places. I can relate to waiters and waitresses trying to earn a living. In 1994, I briefly worked as a food server at a Ponderosa Steakhouse and appreciated taking money home every day. Still, I’m not fond of establishments trying to squeeze more money from their customers. A friend who used to own a restaurant ate at one where they suggested the tip include the tax amount. At Asian buffets, I’ve seen tip jars by the Hibachi grill. I don’t put money in there since that food is included in the buffet price. Usually, I won’t tip at a buffet or when getting carryout since I...

Today is a special anniversary for me. On this day 32 years ago, I made Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. A personal crisis made me realize I needed to get my life right with God. So I had a lengthy talk with my sister and her husband since they are committed Christians. After my brother-in-law asked me to pray with him, it felt like a surge of power flowed through me as I invited Jesus back into my heart. I first asked Him into my life ten years before. At a Young Life meeting in June 1981, a minister explained that one must do that for God to hear our prayers. During the next few weeks, I attended a Bible study but soon drifted away from spiritual things. Gradually, I fell into a hedonistic lifestyle. That is one reason I don’t believe in “ once saved, always saved .” Just as someone can walk away from a marriage, they can also renounce their relationship with the Lord. While evangelizing, I've met people who “used to be saved.” I still observe my natural birthday on January 13...

When I started pursuing a music career in 1984, my dad let me use his post office box in Moorhead, Minnesota. I thought having a PO box for an address looked more professional when corresponding with record companies and other businesses. After relocating to Minneapolis the following year, I got a box there. I frequently moved to different houses and apartments in the Twin Cities area. Little did I know that would prepare me for the mission field. Eventually, I started traveling more and often didn’t have a long-term place to live. My PO box gave me a consistent address to collect mail. In late 2001, I resided with families in Northern Virginia but regularly attended meetings at Calvary Campground in Ashland. Therefore, I opened a PO box there. The box number they gave me was 329. That made me think of Galatians 3:29,  “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  Since then, I’ve had that box except for a few months in 200...

During the late 1990s, I worked for Billy Graham 's film ministry World Wide Pictures. My job was calling pastors to schedule evangelistic movie showings to reach people who might not go to a church otherwise. Many salvations and recommitments resulted. Some of Billy's movies were also shown in theaters. It’s been two decades since World Wide Pictures released a new movie. Fortunately, other Christian filmmakers have filled the gap with quality productions. Some have done well financially. One that debuted last weekend was “Jesus Revolution,” which grossed over $15 million and placed third at the box office. I saw it this past Wednesday. The movie is about the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It focuses on three California men who went on to have nationally known ministries. Chuck Smith is the pastor of Calvary Church, which hadn’t seen much growth until his daughter brought home a hippie named Lonnie Frisbee. Initially, Chuck is uncomfortable with him and o...