Christian Reflection and Prayer

Forgive Me Lord

Forgive me, Lord, when I overlook ---
The beauty of a sunset
The beauty in a human soul
The beauty all around me.

Forgive me, Lord, when I don't appreciate ---
The goodness which You show me
The goodness found in others
The goodness of Your world itself.

Forgive me, Lord, when I ignore ---
The signals that You send me
The signs and wonders that You show me
The life in Christ I have.

Forgive me, Lord, when I depend ---
Upon myself instead of You
Upon others instead of Christ
Upon opinions instead of Spirit.

Forgive me, Lord, when I hide in fear ---
From those You choose to love me
From those You send to help me
From those who come in Your Name.

Let me recognize in everything ---
Your Hand at work through human hands
Your Love at work through human hearts
Your Will at work through human deeds.

Lord, as I go forward in the life You have for me
Let me always remember that FORGIVENESS is the key
To unlock all the prison doors, and set the captives free
And help me to do likewise - As You have forgiven me.

(GodVine)

Scripture:

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that
is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted
in you, which can save you.

Reflection:

Now here's a verse, it is straight forward and to the point.
It speaks directly to us, It also makes me think. Have you
ever heard the expression "It just isn't like it used to be?"
I know I heard my father and my mother say that to me
constantly when I was growing up. But now that I'm older
I have discovered that it's true.  In my 64 years the world
has changed dramatically and I can honestly say it's just
not the way it used to be.
I was watching television the other day and there was an
interview show on and they were interviewing a young lady
and young man. They started talking and apparently this
young woman believed that she should "save herself", until
she's married. She believed that she should remain a virgin
until she had made a commitment of marriage. What
followed I couldn't believe, the people who were interviewing
her made fun of her and made jokes and tried to make her
feel that it was just a silly notion, and totally unpractical to
believe that way. All this made me think, "Is there any moral
fiber left?" "Is there a bottom line left?", Is everything
acceptable"? I think sadly it is acceptable and this worries
me especially as I look at my grandchildren. When you lose
the moral fiber, when there is no longer a bottom line left, the
family, the society begins to fail. This Bible verse tell us to
get rid of the moral filth and the evil that surrounds us. Get
rid of that moral filth that is invading our lives and counteract
that by, very humbly, accepting the word that is planted in
you, those words of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ tells us to
get back to our morality, to have a, bottom line, to love all
people, and stand up for that love. Do this not with pride
but in all humility, do this not to master but to serve. Let
this be planted in you because if you turn yourself around
and come back to that moral fiber you will be saved! You
will live forever! You will be one with God.

Prayer:

My dear Heavenly Father I thank You that in my life You
are my moral fiber You Oh Lord are my bottom line. Give
me the strength Oh God to keep You in my heart, in my
mind, and in my spirit as a guidance in this world.  Thank
You Oh Lord for Your salvation Thank You for Your grace
and because of Your grace I will live forever!  In You holy
name.   Amem

Rabbi Luzzatto explains that being busy is one
of the greatest stumbling blocks before mankind.
If we are too busy to think, then we are too busy
to change. And if we never adjust our course in
life, we will never reach our goal. Even worse, we
may find ourselves in treacherous territory, like a
blind man walking dangerously close to the
raging waves of the ocean.

Ever notice that we have more time-saving
conveniences than ever, and yet we are just as
busy, if not busier? Carve out time for daily
contemplation. Take the time to turn off your life
and turn on your lights so you can see your way!

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President