Signs & Wonders Blog

Now that the World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 health emergency over, Jehovah’s Witnesses are again standing around with their portable displays of literature. During my recent train travels , I saw two JWs near Chicago's Union Station. When I approached them, one of them asked, “How are you doing?”   I gave my usual answer, “Saved and on my way to heaven. How about you?” One of the Jehovah’s Witnesses eventually asked, “What will you do in heaven?” That initially stumped me, but I soon replied we would be serving the Lord. She later answered her question by mentioning the Bible says we are  “kings and priests”  (Revelation 1:6). Both JWs tried telling me good works were necessary for salvation. I shared with them a couple of Biblical truths that contradict Watchtower doctrines. Nevertheless, the conversation had me thinking about what we will do in heaven. Some believe we will fly around wearing wings for eons. That erroneous idea came from what Jesus said i

When ministering over the Internet, I’ve noticed selected topics spark doctrinal debates more than others. Among them are tithing , the rapture , and “ once saved, always saved .” In response to a recent Facebook post I wrote regarding the latter, one friend made reference to blaspheming the Holy Spirit (also called “the Unpardonable Sin”). Jesus talked about this in Mark 3… 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” 23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.  27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. 28 “Assuredly, I s

Since becoming an evangelist, I’ve had dreams of witnessing to others. Lately, they've been more frequent. This past Wednesday morning I dreamed of talking with a boy who asked, “Why would anyone want to go to heaven?” I replied, “Why would anyone want to go to hell?” Since this boy had a nonchalant attitude about eternity, I asked if he ever burned his hand. Then I said, “Now imagine your whole body burning…forever!” The dream reminded me of a sermon I heard years ago by my former pastor Mac Hammond . The sermon was inspired by this poem titled “The Hellbound Train” (a/k/a “Tom Gray’s Dream”) often attributed to Retta M. Brown… Tom Gray lay down on the barroom floor.   He drank so much he could drink no more.  So he fell asleep with a troubled brain and he dreamed that he had rode on a hell-bound train.  The engine with blood was red and damp and brilliantly lit with a brimstone lamp.  An imp, for fuel was shoveling bones while the furnace rang with a thousand groans. 

Probably a question most kids ask is, “How come we have a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day but no Children’s Day?” Many adults answer, “Every day is Children’s Day.” One time I noticed a Children’s Day on a calendar given to me for Christmas. I eagerly showed it to my parents wanting another day to receive presents. Our family observed Children’s Day only once. My dad simply gave me money to go bowling that day. According to Wikipedia, Children’s Day is observed on different days in different countries . Children’s Day in the United States actually predates both Mother’s and Father’s Day. Many churches started it in the 1860s. Today there are Americans campaigning for Children’s Day to be a national holiday . They believe there are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual reasons for children to have a special day of their own. Psalm 127:3 (NLT) says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Those involved with raising and teaching kids should be c