Signs & Wonders Blog

Two days ago, the 2024 Summer Olympics began in Paris, France. The Olympic Games are to celebrate sportsmanship and unity among nations. However, controversial moments have tainted past Olympiads. In 1968, two American runners raised gloved fists as a Black Power salute after winning medals in Mexico City. The two got expelled from the Olympic Village. There have also been tragedies, such as Palestinian terrorists killing Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich Games. The Opening Ceremony of this year’s games included a drag queen parody of The Last Supper. It has been widely criticized by Christians and their supporters. American Catholic Bishop Robert Barron called it “gross mockery.” Jewish commentator Dr. Eli David labeled it an "outrageous insult to Jesus and Christianity.” Elon Musk said it was “extremely disrespectful.” Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker quoted Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked .” Friends have flooded my Facebook newsfeed with rem...

As a child, I watched TV programs that sometimes had men pretending to be women or vice versa. Stage presentations of “Peter Pan” often had a woman play the title character. During fourth grade, I sang in a school program based on the Book of Daniel called “It’s Cool in the Furnace.” A girl played the role of Daniel. I’ve also seen movies where men played women. One of them was “Tootsie” starring Dustin Hoffman as a struggling actor who landed a role in a soap opera by impersonating a woman. Another was “Back to the Future II.” Michael J. Fox portrayed a girl named Marlene McFly (the daughter of Marty McFly also played by him). Years ago, men played female roles in ancient Greek theatre, early Shakespeare, and Japanese kabuki. During the 1980s, I hadn’t thought much about cross-gender acting. I was more creeped out with male musicians looking like women. The British band Culture Club became famous for their androgynous lead singer. Boy George’s appearance turned me off, but I liked ...

Two days ago while waiting for a friend to pick me up at the Minneapolis Public Library, a man with a beard walked in wearing open-toed high heels plus short denim shorts. The latter in itself was bizarre considering the temperature outside was at the freezing mark. This man ended up causing a ruckus at the library. A couple of times I heard him defiantly challenge people to touch him. Because he refused to leave on his own accord, three security guards tackled the man to the floor and hauled him away in handcuffs. I recall at least one incident when witnessing to a crossdresser. Again this happened in Minneapolis. While  walking towards the downtown area, I encountered a homeless person sitting outside. He claimed to know Jesus but wasn't going to church anywhere because of not being accepted dressed as a woman. This man even claimed God told him it was okay to be transgender. If that was true, God would be contradicting His own commandment in  Deuteronomy 22:5... “...

Yesterday afternoon I went evangelizing on the streets of Haverhill, Massachusetts (just north of Boston) and saw 19 people pray to receive salvation. One of them was a young man who once had another preacher tell him smoking sends people to hell and even showed him Scripture supposedly supporting that belief. I responded by making a comment I’ve told many other smokers; “Smoking won’t send you to hell but it will make you smell like you’ve been there…and if you don’t know Jesus, smoking can help send you to hell much quicker.” Some Christians believe if a person really gets saved, he or she would stop smoking immediately. I have seen instances (including one yesterday) when people tossed their lit cigarettes before praying to get born again. Then again, there was another man who asked me to pray for him and then lit up a cigarette while receiving salvation. This man thanked me for the prayer afterward even though he continued smoking. Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls...