Easter
Easter Awakening
Today in my morning devotions (YWAM Prayer Diary) I started what theologians call the “History Books.” There are 12 that begin with Joshua and end with Esther.
Eugene Peterson (The Message) says in his preface that, “history is attentive to the conditions in which people encounter and experience God ” and that history is important because “the only reason for paying attention to people and events is to stay alert to God.”
This past Easter weekend I hope we were all attentive to people and events–which were amazing.
Let’s call it an Easter awakening.
The Permanent Victory of the Cross and Resurrection
Easter time is one of the most memorable weeks of year for me, from sun-rise services, to Easter 1974 in the Holy Land, to cross walks through my hometown for the past 33 years.
A ministry friend recently asked me if he could send my 2018 Easter blog to his list of 10,000 young pastors in America. I said I’d be honored–and decided to also share it again with you.
Easter is special, world-changing, cosmos altering.
It celebrates the permanent victory of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Pope Francis’ Legacy and my Prayers for the Catholic Church
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 in the early morning of April 21, 2025 (Easter Monday) after suffering a stroke. He was the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, serving for twelve years (2013 – 2025).
He made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, waving to the crowds at Vatican City from the “pope mobile.” His last known outside visitor was U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in his early 30’s.
Here are my thoughts on Pope Francis’ legacy and how I’m praying for the Roman Catholic Church.