I recently returned from the Holy Land with forty-four of my closest friends. Actually we weren’t that close until we spent twenty hours together on a plane and another eight full days on a bus. Through the exchange of life stories, testimonies, jokes and spiritual thoughts, bonds of friendships were birthed and solidified. Such familiarity demands the price of time. Without a doubt, an investment in the lives of those around us can produce priceless dividends. One isn’t required to take a ten day excursion into a foreign land to build such friendships. It may only take a walk across the street, a shared lunch, labor on a common goal, or disclosing thoughts on a mutual difficulty. ‘Church’ is all about such relationships.

A ‘newbie’ to Israel is usually astonished by the fact that over every ‘holy’ site, Christians of old erected a church. It’s somewhat difficult to imagine the location in ancient times when surrounded by ornate furnishings and crowds of pilgrims pushing for the right camera angle. I won’t even comment on the immature and thoughtless tourists writing their names on 2000 year old walls, as if they were back home in a McDonald’s bathroom! Churches dominate the Jerusalem landscape offering stunning architecture, but often losing the simpler and emotional approach to Jesus’ ministry.

Two destinations always bring smiles to visitors. One is a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Obviously it’s a little difficult to build a church on the water (although I am sure people have tried!) Captains will often turn off the engines for a few minutes and allow their guests to drift on the soft waves and contemplate the experience of sharing a fishing boat with family, friends and the Lord. Staring at the surrounding lush hillsides, one is moved by the beauty of this area, and fully aware of why Jesus found solace and rest in this place.

The other locale that moves visitors emotionally is the Garden Tomb. Owned by a private British organization, the immaculate grounds offer private areas where groups can worship and partake of communion. Elaborate church buildings with extravagant furnishings are noticeable only in their absence. Aggressive vendors pushing dollar souvenirs are barred from crossing through the gate. While England’s best and devoted, guide you from Golgotha to the empty tomb, they impress upon all who listen the uncertainty of the tomb’s actual occupant. But they share two facts:

First, this location does fit the description detailed in the Scriptures. And secondly, Christians from all over the world agree on one sure thing – He is not here, for He has risen! Amen!

A return trip home to Wichita is welcomed and embraced, but the sights and sounds of Israel live on in memories and about 1000 photographs per individual! While not everyone will experience walking the land of Jewish/Christian history, a close encounter with His people and His Son is just a few pages away. Why not grab your Bible and take a trip through the pages of His Word. I guarantee an educational experience!

After a recent message on forgiveness and trust, I received an email from a church member that shared a friend’s testimony. I’ve changed the names and details, but this faith story is powerful. I thought it might encourage you.

“When Patty was 2 years old, she and her family were in a car accident. That day, her parents and all siblings with the exception of one (who was not in the car) were killed. Patty’s sister that wasn’t killed, Sarah, was already married and took Patty in to live with them. Patty grew older and fell in love and married. They began a family and upon the birth of their first son, found out he had Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and would not live past his teens.

The doctors said it was a fluke and if they had additional children, they would likely not suffer this disease. Patty and her husband had another son a couple of years later and he, too, had CF. They chose to have no other children. Both of their sons lived to be 19.

About 5 years after the deaths of their sons another family tragedy hit. Patty’s brother-in-law went on a shooting rampage and killed his wife, his children and his grandchildren, then turned the gun on himself.

At this point in her life, Patty had tragically lost everyone in her family with the exception of her husband and one nephew. Some 10 years later, Patty’s husband was diagnosed with cancer and lived only another year or two.

Patty has lived the last years, by loving a nephew and his family as her son and grandchildren. This past week, Patty lost one of her ‘grandchildren’ in a car accident.

To me, Patty is a modern-day Job. She has continued to be surrounded by tragedy on a large magnitude, yet she still has strong faith and joy shines from her. She has faith that she will be reunited with her family again. She is an inspiration to many around her and I do not think she even knows it.

When I heard your sermon on forgiveness and heartbreak, I continued to ask myself how can we not forgive so many minor things when Patty has been able to trust in God through so many major life tragedies and heartbreaks. Please share this with any others you see fit and pray they learn to trust God as Patty does every day of her life.”

Last week I responded to an opinion column written for the Wichita Eagle that requested Mayor Brewer and the city council refrain from opening their meetings with prayer. My letter, although published, was edited for content and space. This is the unedited version:

I write with regard to Ms. Stangl’s article of July 26.

Ms. Stangl stated that we honor our country’s founding fathers by eliminating prayer before city council meetings. Yet it was those same early patriots that sought to protect such religious freedoms. History revisionists point to Thomas Jefferson’s personal letter in which he referred to a “wall of separation between church and state.”

The intent of that phrase is clearly seen in the First Amendment. It does not forbid prayer before government assemblies, but prevents the federal government from intruding on religion or denying the people’s right of the free exercise of religion. They did not fear Christians would influence the government. In fact, Christianity helped to define the government.

A cursory study of early American history reveals that men such as George Washington, John Adams, William Penn, John Witherspoon, Patrick Henry, John Winthrop and scores of other early leaders believed in and testified to a clear connection between the Christian faith and government. Prayer was offered at the Constitutional Convention. The first U.S. Congress conducted their own prayer meeting. Sunday worship services were held in the capital building during Jefferson’s administration. Examples of these spiritual ‘bridges” abound in our country’s history.

Eliminating prayer by building this “wall” is not only a misinterpretation of their intent, but an action unimaginable to our founding fathers. Prayer is only thought of as an “old cultural tradition” to those who do not know the power or intent of those petitioned blessings. Mayor Brewer is simply following in the footsteps of past local, state and national leaders who continue to seek spiritual wisdom and guidance from above.

It seems the only wall some wish to build is one that separates people of faith from government. The nation needs us and our prayers, even if there are those who think otherwise. Our country was built on the foundation of men and women who not only prayed, but also lived out their faith. Our country would do well to follow their model.