Public Servants' Prayer Ministry Newsletter - Issue 2

Israel, Pt. 2

In this post, I'd like to share some of the highlights from my time in Israel.  Seeing all the biblical places is certainly part of that, but there were other aspects unrelated to touring that were significant as well.

The Public Servants' Prayer team traveled to Israel for the Parliament & Faith Conference hosted by Luciano Bongarra.  Matt Barnes participated in the conference by speaking on the importance of Gospel-centered ministry in the political arena, and Pam Russell shared how women can be an encouragement and support to their leaders through prayer and other practical means.

The conference also afforded opportunity to meet other pastors and leaders from all over the world and share meaningful conversations with them.  Both Matt and Pam made important connections.

A small group of us from the conference were privileged to spend part of an afternoon at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.  We were given a tour of the building, and Matt and several others addressed one of the Knesset members.  Perhaps one of my highlights there was a woman who sang Psalm 121 in Hebrew!  

To celebrate Matt's birthday on Friday that week, our team enjoyed dinner in the Old City and then hiked up 520 stairs to an overlook of Jerusalem as the sun was setting.  We questioned what we were doing in the middle of it, but the view was worth it once we made it!  

Being the photographer that I am, I tried to capture some of Israel's natural beauty every place we went.  It appeared in surprising locations.  Where there was nothing but barren earth, all of the sudden, there would be a small cluster of pink or yellow flowers, and you'd wonder, "How in the world is this growing here???"  The bright colors and freshness were always a welcomed sight - at least to this tourist!

I continue to thank the Lord for all that he did for me while in the Holy Land and for the people I met and the fellowship that was enjoyed.  If you have never been to Israel and the opportunity comes your way, then go!  Your life will be changed, and it will be a journey you'll never forget.

Israel, pt. 1

I recently returned from an incredible ten days in the land of Israel!  I'm still processing all that I saw and experienced as well as sorting through the 700+ pictures that came home with me.  My journal is full of stories and reflections.  It was certainly a trip of a lifetime!

I flew with the Public Servants' Prayer team to the Holy Land on my birthday.  (It turned out to be the shortest birthday of my life to date!)  As our plane took off from the Chicago airport that afternoon, I asked the Lord to use this time away to refresh my weary soul.  That prayer was answered as the places I would soon see conjured up the biblical stories and characters I had loved and admired since a child and reminded me of the faith of all those who had gone before me - and challenged me to continue entrusting my life to the One who loved and died for his own.

Here are some pictures of the places we visited.  Seeing Mt. Carmel, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jericho, the hills of Judea, Jerusalem, Gethsemane, the Mt. of Olives, the Garden of the Tomb, etc. - it truly is indescribable. If anything, I have come away from this trip never reading my Bible the same again.

 The Mediterranean Sea at Joppa and Caesarea 

Mr. Carmel and the Jezreel Valley where Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal, and God rained down fire and brimstone from heaven.

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

The Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught the multitude (Matthew 5-7).

The Jordan River

The wall of Jericho

Jerusalem

The Dead Sea

The Mount of Olives

The Place of the Skull

The Garden of the Tomb

As I've been home and gone about my normal routines and responsibilities the last several days, the Holy Spirit continues to prompt me,  "Don't forget what you saw.   Let it challenge your faith and draw you to a deeper confidence and trust in God Almighty, in your Good Shepherd, in the One who gave his life for you."