I love Easter.
Growing up in the 60’s in a Pastor’s home, Easter was always an exciting time for us. Often my sisters got new dresses, and my brother and I got new suits to wear to church. There was, of course, candy involved. And I loved the sunrise services. We held them outdoors in the cemetery that was adjacent to the church building. There is something about gathering outside, early in the morning, with my church family, that I still treasure. 

“I Became a Minister” is the testimony of Paul to the Christians in Colossae. It is easy to look at the life and letters of Paul and recognize that he was clearly a minister (diakonos). I am grateful for the “ministers” that God has placed in my life, especially my Dad.

We’ve been studying how to pray for each other from Colossians 1:9-14. Prompted by our study, several questions have come up. Do my prayers really matter?  Can I change God’s mind about things and situations? How do I know I’m praying for the right things? 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
(Psalm 37:23-24)

“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. (Isaiah 12:4-5)

“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. (Isaiah 12:4-5)