Signs & Wonders Blog

On May 17, 1776 (a few weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence), the Second Continental Congress observed a nationwide Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer . This year, President Donald Trump declared a similar day in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. I had the privilege of attending a gathering on the National Mall. My friend Jim (who hosted me) had talked of going there as well, but changed his plans. Instead, he drove me to the nearest Metro station before attending his church that Sunday morning. On the train, I met a large group of believers visiting from Vietnam and showed them my tracts. They were encouraged to see a fellow Christian sharing the gospel. One of them was a pastor who invited me to come to Vietnam. After disembarking from the train in Washington, D.C., I engaged in street witnessing and observed six individuals praying for salvation. Subsequently, I made my way toward the National Mall, assuming the event was ta...

Like many God-fearing Americans, I was grateful to see Donald Trump return to the White House last Monday. I watched the inauguration at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (which played on the video screens during their Winter Campmeeting). I was happy to hear the president declare, “We will not forget our God.” However, some clergy aren’t happy about this. Among them is Episcopal bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who oversees 86 churches across D.C., and Maryland, with 38,000 members. She previously made critical remarks about the president during his first term in office. On the day after Trump's second inauguration, Budde delivered the homily at an interfaith prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral. The final part of her sermon was directed at President Trump who sat in the front row. Here are portions of what she said:  “Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our ...

In U. S. history, four presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. A few others had attempts on their lives before, during, and after occupying the Oval Office. One of the latter was Donald Trump . Eight days ago, the 45th President (who’s seeking a return to the White House) got shot during a rally in Pennsylvania. The bullet grazed his right ear seconds after turning his head. Many have called this a miracle. At the Republican National Convention this past Thursday, Trump stated, “…I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God.” Trump’s close brush with death reminded me of another famous American who experienced providential protection. Years before becoming our first president, George Washington had come close to getting killed numerous times while fighting in various battles. In a letter to family members, Washington wrote, “By the miraculous care of providence I have been protected beyond all ...

During the history of America, four presidents were assassinated. One of which happened on this day in 1881. James Garfield got shot inside a railroad station (but died weeks later) where the National Gallery of Art now sits. I’ve walked by there during my numerous visits to Washington, DC. I’ve been to the other spots where an assassin’s bullet struck the president. Abraham Lincoln got gunned down in DC at Ford’s Theater. I went in there once to explore a museum honoring Lincoln. Last year in Buffalo, New York, I visited a monument marking the spot where William McKinley got shot. A few years before in Dallas, I walked through the Dealey Plaza area where a sniper killed John F. Kennedy. Three other presidents have died in office due to health issues. The United States currently has a man I’ve been reluctant to label as my president. Because of his declining mental state, many Americans are concerned about Joe Biden ’s capability to serve in the White House. I don’t believe he legit...

Dear Mr. Biden, I’m a minister who is thankful to be an American. I don’t take for granted the freedom and prosperity our nation has enjoyed for over two centuries. Since becoming an adult in the early 1980s, I’ve always voted Republican . That party’s platform has been more in line with the Judeo-Christian values this nation was founded upon. Therefore, I wasn’t happy when Bill Clinton and Barack Obama won their presidential elections but prayed for them as commanded in 1 Timothy 2:1-2… “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Now that you occupy the Oval Office, I will pray for you as well. But if allowed to meet with you, I wouldn’t feel comfortable addressing you as “Mr. President.” I’m not convinced that you legitimately won the 2020 presidential election. I knew the increase of mail...

Five years ago during a prayer meeting at a church in West Fargo, North Dakota, I was praying for the 2012 presidential election and specifically asked for God’s choice to be elected. Michele Bachmann’s name came up in my mind but I didn’t immediately speak that out. Seconds later, the prayer group leader started praying for the congresswoman from Minnesota. A few days after that I posted a comment about this on Michele Bachmann’s Facebook page. Unfortunately, that triggered mostly negative responses. One person argued that God doesn’t choose politicians…people do. It’s true in a democracy, the candidate with the most votes gets elected. Nevertheless, God does anoint selected individuals for positions of authority such as King David in 1 Samuel 16:12.   One might question if I really heard from God regarding Michele Bachmann becoming president since she dropped out of the race months later. Regardless, if more God-fearing people sought the Lord before going to the p...

Next year in November, the United States will elect a new president. One candidate pursuing the Republican nomination is real estate mogul Donald Trump. It’s bad enough political ads just before an election emphasizes the negatives of a candidate’s opponent. Trump is already making brash remarks against those who disagree with him.  During a July 11 rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Donald Trump’s comments about illegal immigration drew criticism from Arizona senator John McCain. Trump then insulted McCain by saying the former POW wasn’t a war hero but then said, "He's  a war hero because he was captured." Later during a speech in South Carolina, Trump publicly gave out Senator Lindsey Graham's phone number as retaliation for Graham calling him a “jackass.” Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” A professing Christian must follow Jesus’ example. He told us in Matthew 5:44, “ But I say to you, love your enemies, ble...

This past Thursday, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (often referred to as “Obamacare”) is Constitutional. Unless this law is repealed or modified, virtually all Americans will be required by 2014 to have health insurance or face fines imposed by the IRS. Personally I am disgusted with this legislation because it gives the government more power over individual liberties. Obamacare could also set the stage for the Mark of the Beast being introduced to this country. No, I don’t believe Barack Obama is the antichrist. But I am grieved that the President professes to be a Christian while continuing to promote policies contrary to Scripture. Obamacare could fit in this category since it encourages people to look to doctors first instead of Jehovah Rapha. It would be advisable for President Obama to read 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady w...

During every election, I usually vote for Republican candidates since they tend to make decisions more in line with the Word of God than Democrats. While President Obama will likely be the Democratic nominee again this year, the Republican nomination may not be decided for a while. One man who might represent the GOP in November is Newt Gingrich.  Last weekend, the former House Speaker came from behind in the polls to win the South Carolina Primary. This was surprising especially since two days before, the ABC news program “Nightline” aired a controversial interview with one of Newt’s former wives. Marianne Gingrich claimed that prior to their divorce, her husband wanted “an open marriage” (allowing for him to have a wife and a mistress at the same time). Newt has refuted his ex-wife’s claims. Many people are quick to criticize Newt Gingrich because he cheated on his two ex-wives and got married a third time. However, he has repented as a result of his conversion to Ca...

Much has been in the news lately about Occupy Wall Street. According to Wikipedia, “Occupy Wall Street is an ongoing series of demonstrations in New York City based in Zuccotti Park in the Wall Street financial district. They are mainly protesting social and economic inequality, corporate greed, corruption and influence over government—particularly from the financial services sector—and lobbyists.” What began two months ago as a protest in New York City has spread to cities throughout the United States and other countries. How should Christians respond to this whole Occupy movement? It’s interesting that Jesus Himself said in Luke 19:13 (KJV), “Occupy till I come.”  But that doesn’t mean the Lord wants us just sitting around until He returns. The New King James Version of Luke 19:13 reads, “Do business till I come.”  Jesus went on to say in verse 23, “Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?”  This would co...

Despite my spending much time in Florida, I never experienced a hurricane there. The only time I have was in September 2003 while staying with friends just outside Washington, DC. That month, Hurricane Isabel hit the area with high winds, torrential rains, and flooding. I questioned how a storm that like could come to the nation’s capital until seeing on TV then-President George W. Bush hosting King Abdullah of Jordan at Camp David with the purpose of discussing the so-called “road map to peace." Over the last two decades, other disasters have occurred at the same time the U.S. government enacted foreign policy against Israel (for the latest information on this issue, check out www.watch.org). This week Hurricane Earl approached the east coast of the United States while President Obama met with Middle Eastern leaders in an attempt to negotiate a peace settlement. The President said from the White House, “I have the utmost confidence in him [Mahmoud Abbas - President of the...

Even before Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, people have questioned his spiritual beliefs. Controversy concerning this issue increased two weeks ago after the president spoke in support of a proposed mosque being built near Ground Zero in New York City. The president declared, “I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country.” A recent poll revealed that nearly one in five Americans believe Barack Obama is a Muslim, though the President has repeatedly claimed to be a Christian. In response, more than 70 pastors and Christian leaders signed a letter saying the personal faith of public leaders should not be up for public debate. (The only name I recognized on the list was Bishop T.D. Jakes.) One paragraph from this letter reads… “President Obama has been unwavering in confessing Christ as Lord and has spoken often about the importance of his Christian faith. Many of the signees on this letter have ...

Dear Mr. President, I’m a Christian missionary who has previously lived and worked in Washington, DC. I write this letter out of concern for the great nation that you currently lead. Yesterday you held a “Gay Pride” reception at the White House. I first found out about this after discovering a lesbian teenager was invited to attend. Constance McMillen, a Mississippi high school student, had her senior prom canceled because she couldn’t take her “girlfriend” to the prom. In an interview two years ago at Saddleback Church in California, Pastor Rick Warren asked you to define marriage. You replied, “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian...it’s also a sacred union. You know, God’s in the mix.” As a Christian, Mr. President, why are you publicly endorsing lifestyles that clearly go against God’s word? As a brother in Christ, I strongly advise you to read Romans 1:18-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. By encouragi...