Signs & Wonders Blog

There is a large homeless population in Washington, DC. Whenever I'm street witnessing in the nation's capital, I'm occasionally approached by people wanting money. Often they will say it’s for food. That's why I usually carry extra snacks in my backpack like crackers and granola bars that I offer to hungry panhandlers. Con artists who really want money for drugs or alcohol will frequently refuse the food. This afternoon as I approached a Metro station, I noticed a man standing by the escalators and correctly discerned he was begging for money. He asked me for some change and I responded by asking this man if he was hungry. When he replied, "yes", I told him I had fruit bars with me and offered him the choice of either strawberry or fig flavor. After choosing a strawberry fruit bar, I gave Joseph a tract and asked if he knew for sure where he would spend eternity when his life ended. Joseph said he was hoping to go to heaven and initially didn’t...

Everybody has talents such as music, painting, writing, and sculpting. This applies to both natural and spiritual gifts. Those giftings can be strengthened and improved upon through use or made dormant through abandonment. In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul wrote, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” Notice in his follow-up epistle to Timothy, the apostle wrote, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6) It’s like the old saying, “Use it or lose it.” Sadly many of God’s people don’t use their giftings. In the past, creative people have often gone into the world to showcase their talents because religious leaders didn’t provided outlets for them. Fortunately more churches nowadays are making room for Christians to let their gifts shine. I’ve been to a few services where artists drew or painted prophetic art durin...

Last night I received the news that Michael Jackson had died. The singer dubbed the “King of Pop” was only 50 years old. Michael’s career impacted many people’s lives including my own. In my late teens, I bought copies of his “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” albums. At 20 when I started pursuing a secular music career, I purchased a jacket similar to the one Michael wore in the “Thriller” video. While working as a nightclub disc jockey, I often played Michael’s music, which usually packed the dance floor. After committing my life to Jesus in 1991, I frequently prayed for Michael Jackson’s salvation. Because he was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, I was concerned about his eternal destiny. A few years ago Michael reportedly met with preacher/motivational speaker Paula White. I had hoped Paula talked with Michael about the necessity of being born again. But then I also found out that Michael supposedly embraced Islam last November largely through the encouragement of his brother ...

Yesterday morning I woke up at 3:00 a.m. hearing a "knocking" sound in my mind. The Lord has done this many times before when He wanted me to get out of bed. Immediately I got up and prepared to pray. Wanting a prayer partner, I first went on Facebook and noticed one of my prayer warrior friends was online. Eventually I called her and we spent time praying for another friend of mine who had gone through intense spiritual warfare during a missionary trip. Many preachers often use Revelation 3:20 to bring sinners to salvation. But if you read this Scripture in its proper context, you will see Jesus was actually talking to believers who became lukewarm towards Him. The Lord wants to fellowship with us daily and yet m any Christians busy themselves too much with the affairs of life. So the next time the Lord "knocks" on the door of your heart, will you let Him in? "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I...

The Ichthys (also known as the "Jesus fish") is a widely recognized symbol initially used by the early Christians as a secret way of expressing their faith. Nowadays, this symbol is used openly not only by believers but for unbelievers who have perverted it to promote their ungodly beliefs. Atheists have put "Darwin" fishes with legs on the back of their cars. In response, some Christians display a "Truth" fish eating the Darwin fish with the caption, “Survival of the Fittest.” This afternoon while I was working on my laptop computer at Panera Bread, a young woman sat at the table next to me with a “rainbow fish” bumper sticker pasted on her laptop. When I asked her what that meant, she said that it endorsed a belief in both gay rights and Christianity. I asked her if she ever read the entire Bible. When she replied that she had not done so, I told her that I was a minister and pointed out that homosexuality and Christianity cannot be compatible. After re...

Former NFL quarterback Steve Bartkowski once said, “If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." In this day of political correctness, Christians are experiencing greater persecution when taking a stand against ungodliness. Last Sunday during the Miss USA pageant, Miss California Carrie Prejean became one of the five finalists. During the question-and-answer session, Carrie was asked by television personality Perez Hilton (an outspoken homosexual), “Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?”  Carrie (who is currently attending a Christian college) replied, “Well I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I...

Santa lives at the North Pole. JESUS is everywhere. Santa rides in a sleigh. JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water. Santa comes but once a year. JESUS is an ever present help. Santa fills your stockings with goodies. JESUS supplies all your needs. Santa comes down your chimney uninvited. JESUS stands at your door, knocks, and then enters your heart. You have to stand in line to see Santa. JESUS is as close as the mention of His name. Santa lets you sit on his lap. JESUS lets you rest in His arms. Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?" JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly. JESUS has a heart full of love. All Santa can offer is HO HO HO. JESUS offers health, help and hope. Santa says, "You better not cry....