Signs & Wonders Blog

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...

This Wednesday, Apple Computer Company celebrates its golden anniversary. It was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Today, Apple’s product range encompasses smartphones, tablets, and various electronic devices, alongside laptops and desktop computers. Some Christians have raised concerns about certain aspects of Apple Inc. Their first computer was priced at $666.66. While I can understand how a believer might feel uneasy purchasing a product with all sixes in the price, it’s not the Mark of the Beast . Buyers didn’t have that stamped on their right hand or forehead. Wozniak himself claims that he was unaware of the connection between the number and the beast mentioned in the book of Revelation. He came up with the price because he liked “repeating digits.” The Apple logo has also been a source of controversy. Some Christians believe the bite was inspired by the forbidden fruit consumed in the Garden of Eden. However, the Bible doesn’t explicitl...

For almost eighteen years, I’ve owned an Apple MacBook Pro. This laptop has helped me create newsletters, music, and videos for my ministry. My current Mac is almost four years old. I’m desiring to upgrade to a newer one soon. It has showed signs of wearing down. For example, the Touch Bar occasionally flickers like a strobe light. Usually, I look forward to doing software updates on my electronic devices. They are supposed to improve performance, but that doesn’t always happen. A few months ago, the Music app stopped working on my iPad after updating the IOS. So I brought it to the Apple Store. A Genius Bar employee suggested resetting my iPad. That didn’t fix the problem. I still had to reinstall all my deleted files and applications. The Music app finally worked following another update a week later. Over two weeks ago, Apple released a new macOS called Sonoma 14.4. After installing that on my MacBook, a spinning wheel cursor (also referred to as a beach ball or “the wheel of dea...

Years ago, a friend wore a T-shirt that said “Addicted to Space Invaders.” For a while, I was hooked on video games . One of my favorites was “Dr. Mario.” I would spend up to $10/day on that game. That was when most video games still cost only a quarter to play. One dictionary defines  addiction  as “relinquishing ourselves to the control of something or someone else.” An addiction usually doesn’t happen immediately. Alcoholics often start with just one drink. If they don’t know how to “hold their liquor," they gradually drink more and more until they cannot control themselves.   Everybody gets addicted to something. Some may choose drugs, pornography, gambling , food, sports, or watching TV for hours. A few of the latter could be called “news junkies” (or “headline stress disorder” according to a Northwestern University Medical School article). They have an obsession to know the latest current events.  I’ve heard people declare they have a caffeine addicti...

Dear Tim, I’m a missionary who has used Apple products for almost two decades . Since 2006, I’ve owned a MacBook Pro. Last month, I purchased an iPhone 13 Mini after using Androids for years. I’ve been pleased despite the higher price tag. I’ve looked forward to watching your Apple event videos to stay up-to-date on your latest products and software updates. The productions have some cool effects. Unfortunately, the “Wonderlust” presentation streamed last Tuesday was full of environmental propaganda. A woman representing Mother Nature appeared at Apple Park to check on your goal of making all products carbon-neutral by 2030. I’m all for being a good steward of our planet’s resources . However, I refuse to believe a global warming gospel . You also talked about Apple Watch functions that assisted people during emergencies. You stated, “Nothing’s more important than helping save lives.” I agree, except a long life on earth doesn’t matter from an eternal perspective if one is not in ...

This past Friday, I bought an iPhone at the Apple Store. Since I had debated between two models, I almost got a different one the previous week but mentioned the possibility of exchanging it for another. The salesman tried convincing me to buy AppleCare, a protection plan to extend the complimentary coverage of my purchase. I decided to wait until getting settled on the model I wanted. I’ve been a long-time Apple customer but never bought AppleCare. I own a five-year-old iPad that’s still running great. My first MacBook Pro had battery issues. That got covered by a one-year warranty. My next two Macs both needed the hard drive cable replaced. Because both laptops were several years old, AppleCare wouldn’t have covered those cables. My current MacBook Pro (which I’ve had for over three years) has had two repairs. The first happened within the warranty period. The second one a year later cost me $85. It would’ve cost me more money in the long run if AppleCare was purchased. I recall ...

In my late teens, I developed a serious interest in computers. That was stimulated by my high school library having an Apple II where students could run educational programs stored on floppy disks. Soon I took a computer programming course. Occasionally, I played games plus created a few of my own.  In college, I was initially a computer science major before drifting into music. I used an early MacIntosh in one of my electronic music classes. Years later when using computers on the job or at the library, they were usually PCs. Then in 2006, a friend gave me my first MacBook Pro. I’m now on my fourth one. Apple aficionados will advise computer shoppers to “get a Mac.” When people ask me what kind they should buy, I give this answer: If all you want is a computer to browse the Internet and type simple documents, a PC should suffice. It will cost less money. However, if you want to get into music and video production, then I would recommend a Mac. Applications for those purposes (G...

Until someone gave me my first MacBook Pro in 2006, I was mainly a PC user. That was usually my only option when using a computer at the public library. Since then I’ve grown to appreciate Apple products. Currently, I’m on my third MacBook Pro. Last fall I purchased an iPad primarily for its extra features in GarageBand (which is used to create my music). I’ve also owned two iPods. Unfortunately, some issues have dampened my enthusiasm with Apple Inc. Whenever possible I avoid doing business with companies that support abortion and the homosexual agenda. When Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, AT&T (a longtime sponsor of the Gay Games) was the only long-distance carrier that worked with it. That plus not wanting to be locked into a contract discouraged me from getting an iPhone. The following year, Apple donated $100,000 to oppose Proposition 8 that defended traditional marriage in California. I didn’t know about this until two years later. After Apple co-founder Steve J...