Signs & Wonders Blog

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...

Recently while browsing around a Barnes & Noble bookstore, I saw a display of children’s books promoting Pride Month. One stood out to me titled “'Twas the Night Before Pride.” I didn’t look through it, but a later search on amazon.com confirmed my suspicion. It was a parody of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (a/k/a “'Twas the Night Before Christmas”) by Clement Clarke Moore. That inspired me to write a version of my own: " Twas the night before Pride, when all through the house  Two creatures were stirring, men wearing a blouse; Stockings and leather would be worn without care, Without any concern who would be there. Their children were all rolling in their beds; Various nightmares raced through their heads; While their guardians pinned messages on a cap, “Love is love” they would continued to yap. This same-sex couple prepared to make such a clatter, Parading down the street like Black Lives Matter Exposing private parts they would proudly flash, Opening thei...

Dear Amy, I’m an evangelist who appreciates your contributions to Contemporary Christian Music. When I used to program an Internet radio station , your songs were on my playlist. I also saw you perform at a Billy Graham crusade in Minneapolis. Years before, your music planted seeds that later resulted in my salvation. In 1984, my sister bought a copy of “Straight Ahead” after seeing you in concert. I wrote a mostly positive review of your album for my college newspaper and predicted you would hit the Top 40 in a couple of years. The following year, I got excited when “Find a Way” debuted on “ American Top 40 .” Six years after that, I found The Way (John 14:6). It’s sad when religious folk become judgmental of us. I remember you got criticized when you started recording more secular songs such as “Baby Baby” (which hit #1 a month after I got saved). I can also relate to the flak you received for getting divorced and remarried. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of going through ...

Yesterday afternoon I rode a bus from downtown Tampa after doing some street evangelism. I was getting hungry and thought of an area in the northern part of town with many restaurants. While getting off by the intersection of Fowler and Nebraska Avenue, I noticed a gathering that included a man preaching over a loudspeaker. One thing that caught my attention was a large banner quoting Isaiah 1:18 but misspelled “saith.” By the time I walked over there, I forgot about the misspelled banner because of seeing other signs. I also noticed the group consisted of well dressed African-American men (I don’t recall seeing any women). I asked who they were. One of the men handed me a flyer that resembled a church bulletin.  I started looking at the flyer minutes later after getting seated at Denny’s. I realized the flyer was their church's version of a gospel tract. However, there were parts of it I don’t agree with. Despite their sign encouraging people to “reason together”, I wasn...

A few days ago, I saw this message posted on Facebook…. “My fiancée wants a wedding and I don't. I want a small ceremony. She wants to use the $16,000 that I have saved up for a home and for emergency funds. I already spent $3,000 on a ring she wanted and that was from my savings. We can’t seem to come to a compromise. I’m willing to spend $5,000 on the wedding and she says that’s not enough. What should I do?” My initial reply was, “Break off the engagement.” I thought this woman was greedy. It would be better to invest more money in the marriage itself. A wedding ceremony plus a reception will last a few hours at the most. Marriage is for a lifetime. Then I remembered something Billy Graham wrote in his autobiography “Just As I Am.” While attending Wheaton College, Billy got engaged to another student named Ruth Bell. Soon they got into a disagreement about their plans for the future. Ruth wanted to be a missionary in Tibet. Billy knew his calling was to preach the gospel t...

The fast food chain Chick-fil-A is known for being closed on Sundays and promoting Christian values. Back in 2012, founder and then-CEO Truett Cathy spoke out against same-sex marriage. Threats of protests by gay activists prompted politician/minister Mike Huckabee to spearhead a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. Long lines of customers arrived to show their support. Since then, Chick-fil-A continues to be assaulted for their “anti-LGBT” stance. New restaurants opening up in certain cities have faced protesters. What’s ironic is hours after the 2016 gay nightclub massacre in Orlando occurred, the local Chick-fil-A opened that Sunday to provide free meals to first responders, blood donors and victims’ families. Last month, Chick-fil-A announced they will stop giving donations to the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Many Christians interpret this as Chick-fil-A cowering to the homosexual agenda. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council stated, “Many peo...

Often I visit the CBN News website to read about current events from a Christian perspective. Back in 2010, one of their headlines was “Evangelist Benny Hinn Opens Heart to Viewers.” The Israeli-born televangelist talked about his wife divorcing him (they have since reconciled and remarried). Benny admitted he was so busy with the ministry that he neglected his family and urged viewers not to do likewise. Billy Graham also regretted not spending enough time with his family. In his autobiography “Just As I Am”, the evangelist wrote that “...over the years, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Team became my second family without my realizing it. Ruth [Billy’s wife] says those of us who were off traveling missed the best part of our lives—enjoying the children as they grew. She is probably right. I was too busy preaching all over the world.” Billy confessed, “Every day I was absent from my family is gone forever. Although much of that travel was necessary, some of it...

Dear Julie, I happened to log on your Facebook page a few days ago and noticed your post: “Why are Christians condemning Pete Buttegieg [sic] for being gay? Wasn’t Christ loving and kind and accepting of everyone?” I decided to write a response even though it might trigger a flood of negative comments from fans of yours who won’t respect my beliefs. I’m aware you have a significant following from the LGBTQ community. Therefore, I felt the best approach is to post this letter in my blog and then send you a link to that. First, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m an evangelist who previously sought a secular music career. Like yourself, I’ve had songs aired on the Dr. Demento radio show . I enjoyed many of your recordings and saw the movie “Earth Girls Are Easy” based on your song of the same name. I consider you a talented and attractive performer (I’ve always liked redheads). ;) You asked why Christians are “condemning” Pete Buttigieg for being gay. I don’t co...

The first time I heard of someone having a sex change was while listening to “American Top 40” in 1979. Casey Kasem talked about a musician named Walter Carlos who was a pioneer in electronic music (his 1968 album “Switched-On Bach” was one of the first successful recordings to feature a synthesizer). Walter dropped out of the public eye for a number of years and had gender reassignment surgery before emerging as “Wendy Carlos.” I was shocked when Casey wished “her” luck and looked forward to “her” upcoming work. At 15 years old, I couldn’t believe someone changing their sex was something to be taken seriously.  Fast forward forty years later. We now live in a society of gender fluidity. Individuals of all ages can suddenly change their sexual identity at the drop of a hat. Facebook now offers users 58 different ways to identify their gender. The proofreading app Grammarly recently published a blog article about “how to use gender pronouns respectfully” because “it’s Pride ...

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...