Signs & Wonders Blog

I’m not fond of door-to-door evangelism , but will share the gospel with people who knock on my door. Sometimes it’s a business owner canvassing the neighborhood looking for customers. Other times, people are raising funds for a cause. One Halloween, I dressed up as Jesus and witnessed to trick-or-treaters who came to my door. Many Christians question what to do when Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons knock on their door. They might ask themselves, “Should I witness to them? If so, do I let them in the house?” Usually, I avoid the latter. This is based on what 2 John 9-11 says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” However, I have seen a couple of exceptions at the homes of others. One time while visiting a friend...

Back in 2012, I spent a few weeks ministering in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During that time, I got to know a man who was one of the most passionate believers I’ve ever encountered. Surprisingly, this man insisted he wasn’t zealous enough. Many times when I talked to him on the phone, he asked me to pray that he would have more zeal. I thought he was more zealous for God than me! The dictionary defines zeal as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Worldly people think it’s wrong to be zealous about the things of God (I’ve often been labeled a “religious fanatic” when taking a public stand against sinful activities). Yet many of these individuals have no problem acting fanatical at a sporting event. Keep in mind the word “fan” is short for fanatic. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Be ye still men of might and vigour, men who serve their God with diligence and zeal.” Several verses in the Bible encourage zealousness. Here are a few of them: “Do not let your...

Rick, me, and Lee in 2014 Except for believers who are alive when the Lord raptures His church, every person will experience death. It’s sad when it happens to someone we know. Fortunately, there is comfort knowing we will see them again in heaven if they were saved. Last Sunday, a fellow evangelist who I worked with passed away. Back in 1998, I met Rick Keenan through Living Word Christian Center ’s evangelism ministry. Around that time, I started witnessing more on my own in addition to planned outreaches through the church. That included meeting Rick and others at the Mall of America. He advised us not to close our eyes while we prayed as a group to avoid attracting attention from security guards. During 1999, I made six trips to the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida. A couple of times, Rick invited me to live in his house while I made brief returns to Minnesota. Differences developed during my second stay there. Partially due to my missionary travels, we became estrang...

One time while I was hanging out in a park, a group of believers showed up for a picnic wearing T-shirts stating, “These are my church clothes.” I’ve noticed other Christian apparel with clever sayings such as “My boss is a Jewish carpenter.” Over the years, people have given me shirts with various Christian sayings. One of them had a drawing of an open Bible with the words, “When all else fails...read the instructions.” Another one I used to own showed a red cross and the words “This shirt is illegal in 52 countries.” It’s a reminder that many nations forbid open declaration of Christianity. Last year, a friend gave me a hoodie with lyrics from the worship song “Way Maker.” I liked the artwork, but eventually passed that hoodie on to another friend. I was in the midst of downsizing and already owned a hoodie. The one I kept has two side pockets instead of one in the middle. There are reasons why I usually shy away from wearing Christian clothing. It’s not because I’m ashamed of the...

One Sunday morning, while taking a prayer walk, I was contemplating what to teach during the upcoming church service’s offering. Suddenly, a phrase struck me: “Give a Little Bit.” You may recognize this as the title of a 1977 hit by Supertramp. I once watched a fundraising video that a missionary had shown, where that very song played in the background. Sometimes all we have is a little bit to give. One widow in the Bible gave the little she had, but Jesus commended her for that: 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.  42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.  43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;  44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” ...

Since the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday this year, more movies are coming out about America’s founding era. A historical drama film called “Young Washington” is scheduled for release on July 3rd. Last Thursday night, a pastor and his wife invited me to go see “A Great Awakening.” I had seen a trailer for this a few months ago, but I wasn’t aware it was released for Easter weekend. “A Great Awakening” delves into the unlikely friendship between American founding father Benjamin Franklin and English preacher George Whitefield (pronounced “whit field”). Franklin resists his father’s wish for him to pursue a career in preaching. Instead, he embarks on a successful venture in establishing a renowned print shop. Years later, Franklin’s grandson stumbles upon old journals belonging to George Whitefield. This discovery triggers a flashback that takes the audience on a journey through the preacher’s life. Whitefield, initially aspiring to be an actor, pursued his dream at ...

Two Pentecostal preachers were arguing over Oneness vs. The Trinity. The first preacher insisted, “God is only One Person. His name is Jesus.”  The other preacher said, “No, there’s the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I can prove it with Scripture. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. What are you going to say about that?” The Oneness preacher thought for a minute and then replied, “Well, if you’d been hit in the head with rocks, you’d see double, too.” The triune nature of God is a topic that sparks debates within parts of the Body of Christ. Some contest the word "Trinity" isn’t found in Scripture. The word “Bible” is not part of God’s word either, but can be found on the cover and added notes by the publisher.  Others argue, “How can three things be one?” What is one times one times one? It’s not three, but one! That equation has three numbers of equal value. I’ve also compared the Trinity to man which is also a three-part being: spirit, soul, a...