Signs of a Believer

My students used to always tell me crazy things, and when I believed them, they'd say, "Man, such a believer!" That's not the same kind of believe we're talking about here, though...

"These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." Mark 16:17-18

Well, geez, if these are the signs, maybe I don't believe, maybe I've never believed. According to Mark, these are Jesus' words. Jesus says if we believe we'll be drinking poison unharmed, handling snakes, casting out demons, and healing the sick. When I've heard about big gatherings where this is done, it generally makes me pretty uncomfortable. I've tended to think those sorts of gathers were for strange fanatics. I don't know if my mind has changed about that, but if Jesus really said these are the signs of a believer, well, maybe I need a bit of a paradigm shift.