Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to
the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your
harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner
residing among you. I am the LORD your God."
— Leviticus 23:22

Most people fall on hard times at some point in their lives
and asking for help from others can make a difficult situation
even harder. Sometimes, the only thing that people have left
is their dignity, and having to go to someone they know for
a handout can take that away from them, too. This is why
God prescribes that food be left behind for the poor and not
brought to them directly. This allowed the poor to come and
take what they needed, in the darkness of the night if they
preferred. This way, their needs could be filled while their
dignity remained intact.

Today, this beautiful system of giving is not practical for
most of us, but the spirit of this type of giving is something
that we can still incorporate into our lives.
Christianity/Judaism values giving anonymously or giving to
people whom you will never meet or know. This way, your
gift is exponentially greater in value as you fill someone's
stomach, without depleting their pride.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli,
Ian Eskelin, Andrew Fromm

Don't know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need, You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there's a joy inside I can't contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it's pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need, You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need, You are so
Beautiful

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need, You are so
Beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful

Let's you and I talked, I think it's way overdue.

What if I told you that I knew the mystery of life. What
if I told you that I know what the center of life is. I'm really
curious about what your reaction would be. I suspect
some of you would think that I'm a little nuts. Many more
of you would not only think I was crazy but also extremely
arrogant. To all of you I wish to apologize for I am neither
crazy or arrogant. I'm just me
.
I know that what I'm about to say bothers a lot of people,
I know that they feel uncomfortable hearing these words.
A lot of people have heard these words before and the more
they hear them the more uncomfortable they feel. I have to
apologize for that because I've been on your end and I know
how uncomfortable it feels. But I'm going to say them
anyway and ask you if you would be just a little patient
with me and before you know it it'll be all over and I'll just
shut up.

You see I really believe I would be just a little crazy and
awfully arrogant if I didn't tell you the mystery of life and
what actually is the center of life. So I'm going to, and take
the risk of your dismay and criticism. I think some of you
know what's coming so here it goes.

That's right the mystery of life, the center of life is Jesus
Christ. There I said it go on give it to me! I know you've
heard it all before and to your much chagrin you're probably
going to hear it again, and again, and again. But I really
believe that the center of my life is Jesus Christ. You see
many years ago Christ took my life over and it's never been
the same. He has loved me, been disappointed in me, angry
with me, happy with me, and always driving me. Jesus Christ
has saved my life forever. Again I went ahead and said it but
I'm not going apologize for it, and I'm going to say it one more
time, Jesus Christ is the mystery and the center of my life.
He has made my life have meaning, he has made me feel alive.

Now here it comes, hold on now, here's the question. Do
you want to know that same meaning, that mystery, that
center to your life?  All You Have To Do Is Believe!  Except
Jesus Christ into your life and he will make you feel alive
AMEN!